Minutes of Yeovilton & District Parish Council held on Tuesday March 14th 2023 at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton at 7.30pm.
Present: Mr. James Scott, Chairman, Mr. P. Crang, Mr. A. Hickman, Mr. R. Moffatt, Mr. A. Elliott, and Mrs S. Thomas-Webb, Mr. M. Lewis, Somerset Councillor (later), Rev. B. Faulkner (part)
& Mr. P. Horsington, acting Clerk.
Seven members of the public attended.
12. Apologies
Apologies were received from Mr. S. Hodgson & Mr. H. Hobhouse, Somerset Councillor.
The Chairman, Mr. Scott signed his Acceptance of Office as Chair.
Mr. Scott updated the meeting reference appointing a new Clerk, stating that has had contact with Queen
Camel Parish Council, as they also have no Clerk, but felt this was not a viable option. Mr. Scott indicated that he now has two persons interested in the position. Members are to discuss this after the meeting had closed.
13. Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting held on January 10th 2023, having been circulated, were signed as correct. The minutes of November 8th were also signed as an accurate record.
14. Declarations of Interest
There were no Declarations of Interest.
15. Open Session Somerset Councillors’ reports, H.M Coronation & ‘Limington in Leaf’
As Rev. B. Faulkner had another meeting, Mr. Scott invited him to give his report, which included that Podimore are holding a ‘Long Sunday Roast’ and also Limington will be hosting a ’Cream Tea’ event. Coronation Mugs are also being given out. No events were reported from Yeovilton village or Bridgehampton.
Mr. F. Stotesbury spoke on the proposals to create ‘Limington in Leaf’. Mr. Stotesbury highlighted the number of orchards that were once within the Parish. He informed the meeting that the proposed scheme will include the whole Parish and Ashington. SSDC have identified various areas, which are suitable and the aim is to have resilient species of trees. Mr. Moffatt asked from where would the trees be resourced. Mr. Stotesbury stated that trees have already been planted at Draycott farm. He asked if there ware any areas within the Parish, as more sites, whatever their size are needed and enquired if an area of the land owned by the Parish Council could be considered for some planting within the scheme. A website ‘Limington in Leaf’ has been set up.
Mr. Scott asked if there was anything that the Parish Council can do at this stage. Mr. Stotesbury stated that there was no requirement at the moment. Mr,. Stotesbury was thanked for his report. It was agreed to leave this as an agenda item.
Mr. Elliott highlighted the removal of a hedge in Weir Lane, Yeovilton, but he stated that he has been assured that it will be replanted.
Mrs. T. Hickman drew attention to fallen trees along the banks of the river Yeo and felt that some replanting would be useful to replace these. Mr. Stotesbury agreed to liaise with the riparian owners.
Mr. Williams expressed his concerns at the extensive building developments at Ashington, stating their impact on adjacent dwellings and the area was concerning. It was agreed that Mr. Scott would check with the Parish maps as to whether any of this development is within the Parish.
16. RNAS Matters, Police, Community Issues & Church Matters
No RNAS matters were raised.
The Council noted the Crime figures which had been received, and it was reported that the Police had been checking speed within the Parish earlier today.
17. Planning matters
The Council agreed to leave the issue of creating either a Local plan or Neighbourhood plan until the next meeting.
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The Council noted that there was no decision on application 22/00962/REM on Land adjoining Pilgrims, Weir Lane Reserved Matters for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, following outline approval 19/01996/OUT for the erection of a dwelling.
The Council noted that there was no decision on application 22/01966/HOU at Broadmeadows, Weir Lane, Yeovilton to demolish existing garage & utility to be replaced with a two storey side extension and rear extension existing rear dormer to be extended.
The Council noted that there was no decision on application 22/02251/FUL at Three Acres, Limington Road for Change of Use on land & buildings to provide canine daytime facility, erection of fencing and enlargement of hardstanding (retrospective).
The Council noted that there was no decision on application 22/02741/OUT on land off Bineham Lane, Yeovilton outline application with all matters reserved except access for the development of 4 self build residential plots.
The Council considered and supported application 23/00470/FUL at Warren Farm, Church Street, Limington for a proposed equestrian arena.
18. Financial matters
The Council noted that the balances as at 27/02/23 were in the Current A/c £7,068.22p and £9,116.39p in the B/P Account.
Payments received – £1.01 Limington Parish fund, £100 & £117 rents received & £5.02p Bank interest Payments made – £78 Vision ICT Ltd domain name
Members agreed to leave the accounts balances as they are, and leave any transfer from the Current balance into the B/P account, until later in the year.
The Council agreed to leave the issue of the lands transferred to the Council from the Limington Parish meeting and new Tenancy agreement with the existing tenants for a future meeting.
Mr. M. Lewis, Somerset Councillor, gave his report, which included thanks to Mr. Capozzoli for all his service as a long serving District Councillor. The new Somerset Council starts on April 1st and it is proposed that there will be 13 Councillors to consider planning within the Authority. It was agreed that this is not democratic, although the public will be given a total of 15 minutes to speak on applications.
Mr. Lewis stated that grit bins will be filled this year, but probably not in the future.
19. Highway matters
Mr. Hickman asked if there was anything to report reference the A.303 works, to which Mr. Lewis replied, the works are on schedule, although there are issues with water retention at West Camel.
The loss of trees within the roadworks scheme was noted, and it was agreed to invite National Highways to the May meeting for an update on the works.
The Council discussed the SID/ VAS either purchase or hire. It was agreed to approach Ilchester Parish Council to ask to hire their device on a regular basis.
Mrs. S. Thomas – Webb updated the Council on the Dog bin situation, having met with an official from SSDC. There will be no more regular dog bins permitted, as the Council is moving to ’Mingle’ bins which take all forms of waste. These will cost £785 each plus £135 installation. It was agreed to discuss this issue further and put on the agenda of the next meeting.
Mr. Elliott highlighted blocked drains in Bineham Lane, Yeovilton that need attention.
Mrs. Hickman stated that the danger sign at the Weir, Yeovilton faces the wrong way, it was agreed to inform the relevant authority.
20. Flooding issues
Mr. Crang stated that the road at Bridgehampton had flooded, but the water had eventually drained away. An improvement compared with the past.
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21. Tree matters
The Council noted the ‘Limington in Leaf’ project.
22. Rights of Way
Mrs. T. Hickman informed the meeting the repairs to the two closed bridges within Yeovilton village are still under consideration, with the Officer involved trying to get the best quotation for the works.
Mrs. Hickman reported that there are gates on a Bridle path that are difficult to open, if on horseback. It was noted that these issues can be reported via the Somerset Rights of Way website.
23. Correspondence
The Council noted the Somerset Waste Partnership letter, which had been circulated.
24. Items for report or for the agenda of the next meeting
The Clerk reported that the owner of Hainbury Farm, Mr. Patrick Young has confirmed that any future development proposals beyond the ongoing development at Taranto Hill, will not impact within the Yeovilton & District Parish, as it was no longer proposed to access the development via the B.3151 beyond Hainbury Mill.
A new access is being proposed opposite the Norseland Cheese factory on the B.3151.
The date of the next meeting of the Council was confirmed to be held on Tuesday May 9th 2023 at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton following the Annual Parish meeting at 7.00 pm.
There being no further business, the Chairman thanked all present for attending and declared the meeting closed at 8.40 pm.