MINUTES OF THE YEOVILTON AND DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY 14th MAY 2024, AT ST BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH, YEOVILTON
Present: Mr S Hodgson (SH) (Chairman), Mr R Moffatt (Vice Chairman), Mr J Scott (JS), Mr P Crang (PC), Mr A Hickman (AH), Cllr H Hobhouse (HH), Mrs N Moore (NM) (Clerk)
- Apologies: Cllr K Messenger, Mrs S Thomas-Webb (STW), Mr A Elliot (AE)
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12th March 2024 weresigned as an accurate record.
- Nomination and Election of Officers:SH was elected as Chairman and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office. The following Councillors were re-elected:RM – Vice Chairman and Finance PC – Flooding
JS – Traffic
AH – Rights of WayAE – Trees
The Chairman informed the meeting that sadly Mrs Thomas-Webb has resigned from the Parish Council (PC) due to personal matters. He thanked her for all her hard work.
The meeting discussed the process of co-opting new members onto the PC which will be determined at the next meeting.
4. 5.
Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest. Flooding Issues:
5.1 The Chairman had received an email from Dr Bel Deering, Somerset Rivers Authority, concerning the training of flood wardens. She would like to put a pilot scheme in place for Podimore. The wardens would be able to regulate vehicular traffic when any roads flood. SH has found some volunteers who are willing to undertake this training and it is hoped that the scheme will be rolled out in August this year. The pilot will run for approximately 18 months. If successful, it could be rolled out to other villages. Dr Deering is hoping to attend the next meeting.
5.2 Cllr HH told the meeting that when a road floods to ring 999 and ask for the police to come and put out signs. The police will tell the caller to put the signs out themselves, thus giving their permission. A suggestion was to have signs warning that a driver would not be insured to drive through flooded areas.
5.3 PC had a meeting with the Environment Agency about a sonar system in Bridgehampton, which will happen in the next couple of weeks. Water was recorded as 36mm at its highest, earlier in the year. JS suggested that this scheme could be extended to Bineham Lane and Limington Rd.
1
5.4 Mr P Jones reported that at RNAS the Met Office are working on software for forecasting flooding in the local area. There are 2 major infrastructure plans for the Base which have had flood mitigation plans incorporated. They are also looking to put 2 attenuation tanks on the runways.
6. Open Session:
6.1
6.2
6.3
were noted.
7. Planning Matters:
22/00962/REM land adjoining Pilgrim’s, Weir Lane. Reserved Matters for appearance, landscape, layout
and scale. Following outline approval 19/01996/OUT for the erection of a dwelling – awaiting decision.
23/01879/OUT. Moonwinds Quarantine and Boarding Kennels, Limington Road, Illchester. Outline application with all matters reserved save for access for the demolition of existing buildings, erection of 5 dwellings, creation of a new access and provision of associated infrastructure – awaiting decision.
23/03182/PAMB. Barn at Limington Road, Limington, BA22 8EJ. Prior approval notification for the change of use of an agricultural building to a dwelling house – awaiting decision.
20/02512/OUT. Land adjoining Pilgrams, Weir Lane, Yeovilton BA22 8EU. Application refused; appeal lodged.
23/03070/FUL. Higher Farm, Higher Farm Lane, Yeovilton, BA22 8JQ. Proposed renovation and sub division of existing listed farmhouse, demolition of outbuildings, conversion of barns into dwellings and erection of 2 new buildings (8 dwellings on site in total), alterations to access, creation of new garden curtilages and other ancillary works – awaiting decision.
23/03143/LBC. Higher Farm, Higher Farm Lane, Podimore. BA22 8JQ. Proposed renovation and sub division of existing listed farmhouse into 2 dwellings and the conversion of the coach house to the rear – awaiting decision.
23/01011/PAMB. Higher Farm, Higher Farm Lane, Podimore. BA22 8JQ. An appeal has been lodged in respect of the application decision on changing agricultural buildings into 5 dwellings. Application refused; appeal lodged.
24/00603/HOU. 701, Church Street, Podimore, BA22 8JE. Demolish conservatory and erect single storey rear extension – awaiting decision.
24/00879/HOU. Manor Cottage, Weir Lane, Yeovilton, BA22 8EU. Erection of single storey garden building – awaiting decision.
24/00977/DEM. Land at Stockwitch Lane, Yeovilton. Prior notification of proposed demolition of 3 fuelling pumps, brickwork pumphouse, steel corrugated sheeted pump shed and a buried fuel tank – awaiting decision.
Somerset Councillor’s Reports: Please see Minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting. RNAS Matters: Please see Minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting.
Church Matters: Rev B Faulkner had sent the PCC report to the Councillors, no comments
2
24/00557/FUL. Three Acres, Limington Rd, BA22 8XL. Change of use of the existing building to provide overnight dog boarding accommodation, along with staff accommodation above, in association with day care facility. External alterations to the existing building (retrospective) – awaiting decision.
SH expressed his concern regarding the planning applications for the work at Higher Farm in Podimore. It is a single-track lane with no passing points and a blind summit. There is not room for traffic, pedestrians, horse riders etc. The planning office still have this listed as Yeovilton despite having been contacted by NM so the Podimore residents may not be aware of the plans. The meeting agreed that there was a strong need to object.
Action: SH
8. Financial Matters:
Balances as at 14th May 2024:
Current account: – £7592.70
Business savings account – £15260.20 (of which £5373.93 is the Limington Fund).
Payments:
Mingle Bin – £803.40, Printer Ink – £19.99, Defibrillator Pads – £171.20, Stationery £10.00, PAYE – £156.53, Clerk’s Salary £713.
Receipts:
Bank Interest – £57.03, VAT Reclaim – £400.18, Precept – £7234.00
8.1 Audit of 2023/24 Accounts: NM reported that all accounts had been completed and Mr S Prendiville had undertaken an internal audit. No problems had arisen.
8.2 Signatories: The signaturies for the bank account remain the same, however, SH and RM will be able to access internet banking in the future.
8.3 Increase in Clerk’s Hours. The meeting agreed that the Clerk‘s hours be increased from 4 to 5 per week. Training and expenses to be paid at the hourly rate.
8.4 Banking Procedures: Currently the PC are using a chequebook for all payments, however will be changing to internet banking shortly.
- Asset and Service Devolution: Nothing to report.
- Traffic Matters: JS has received the price for 5 village gates for Podimore at a cost of £7600. This is
for purchase and installation. The Podimore speed watch group will submit a bid to the Avon and Somerset Police Fund for the maximum of £5000. There is an opportunity to reduce these from 5 to 3. Ongoing.
11. Tree Matters: JS mentioned Limington footpath to Rugg Farm. There is a willow tree that requires pollarding. JS has written to the council as it is a risk to the public.
12. Rights of Way: There are some bridges that require maintenance, this could be put forward in the funding plan.
13. Other Correspondence: None.
3
14. Any other Business:
14.1 Mr Tizzard declined the invitation to attend the meeting, however, had responded to the question regarding the field at the top of Duck Lane. His response will be posted on Facebook and the village noticeboards.
14.2 SH had been looking at the website with a view to setting up an additional page. He will provide access to the demonstration page.
14.3 AH volunteered to set up a WhatsApp group for the Councillors so that important information could be accessed immediately.
15. Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 9th July at St Mary’s Church, Limington at 7.30pm. The meeting closed at 8.55pm.
Signed: