MINUTES OF THE YEOVILTON AND DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, TUESDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2023 AT ST MARY’S CHURCH, LIMINGTON
Present: Mr J Scott (JS) (Chairman), Mr S Hodgson (SH) (Vice Chairman), Mr P Crang (PC), Mr A Hickman (AH), Mr R Moffatt (RM), Mr A Elliot (AE), Mrs N Moore (NM) (Clerk).
- Apologies: Mrs S Thomas-Webb (STW).
- Minutes of the Previous Meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12th
September 2023 were signed as an accurate record.
- Declarations of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.
- Flooding Issues:
4.1 Podimore Flooding: SH reported on the progress that has been made in Podimore. For the last two weeks, a team from Devon have travelled daily to clear out and dig the ditches. They have dug as far as Podimore services and the debris is at the side of the road to enable creatures to return to their natural habitat. This is the responsibility of National Highways to remove. The residents of Podimore expressed their thanks to New Wave Marine Industrial Cleaning Services for the exceptional work they have done. Some residents had experienced flooding to their garages during the recent storms but no houses suffered.
Bel Deering (BD) from Somerset Rivers & Council addressed the meeting. Her role is to fund people for extra pieces of work and explained it is essential to know what has worked and what hasn’t, she can then chase up and work with Highways and the Environmental Agency (EA). BD spoke of plans to initiate a Community Day, bringing people in the parish together in order to share knowledge etc. She asked parishioners to think about who, when and what will be involved. Other resources we may utilise is a Community Emergency Plan and Home Emergency Plans. The PC will look into this.
Cllr Henry Hobhouse (HH) has undertaken some research in Podimore and would like to thank David for his help. Recently, the water was coming over the sides of the Cam from Bridgehampton. The concrete drain along the old A303 runs along the Podimore side and has not been touched for at least 30 years. The pipe is insufficient for use. John Nicholson has contacted Highways England and requested it be cleared.
PC also reported on the situation in Bridgehampton. He stated that there is damage to the pipe on the edge of the airbase and it cannot take the volume of water. PC is liaising with Phil Jones from RNAS. PC has also spoken to Mark Doyle of the EA about resolution ideas and the amalgamation of different problems.
4.1.1 The Chairman suggested that a multi-agency approach was required with Somerset Council, the EA, RNAS Yeovilton, National Highways and community involvement. He would approach Somerset Council for support in the first instance.
Action: JS/PC
4.1.2 The Clerk will procure copies of the Emergency Plans for the PC to consider.
Action: NM
4.1.3 SH will liaise with BD to establish a Community Day for Podimore.
Action: SH
- 4.2 Limington Road: A resident in Illchester has raised the issue that the drains have not been cleared for many years. BD reiterated that people should report blocked drains and gullies on the council website. This will be added to the agenda of the multi-agency meeting.
- 4.3 River Cam Flood Warning: HH reported that the EA were at a recent meeting regarding the setting up of a flood warning group. The group would like to put a warning system down the River Cam which will provide notification via mobile phone to those who wish to be informed. JS asked that two delegates from the PC attend the meeting in January.
Action: PC/SH 5. Matters Arising:
5.1 Mingle Bin. This has been delivered and the Chairman thanked STW for her hard work.
5.2 Yeovilton Noticeboard: RM has received a quoted for £650. It was decided to procure a further quote from another company.
Action: PC
6. Open Session:
6.1 Somerset Councillor’s Reports: HH reported on the financial situation of Somerset Council. It is likely that the finance officer will issue a 114 (bankruptcy) notice in February 2024. The council will continue to undertake statutory responsibilities. HH advised that the PC need to be looking at their finances now.
6.2 Asset and Service Devolution. The PC have received a letter from Somerset Council asking us to look a programme of various activities and to consider which (if any) we could support financially going forward by utilising the precept. This is a direct consequence of Somerset Council’s financial position. January’s meeting will largely be devoted to discussing this issue.
6.3 RNAS Matters: Mr P Jones did not attend the meeting.
6.4 Church Matters: Rev B Faulkner (BF) introduced his colleague, Farhad, who is accompanying him on placement until June as he trains for ordination.
A legal process for the creation of a new benefice of churches to include, Illchester, with Sock Dennis, Northover, Limington, Yeovilton with Podimore, Tintinhull, Chilthorne Dormer and Yeovil Marsh has begun. This will take approximately 18 months and it is anticipated that the benefice will be called ‘The Ivel Mead Benefice’.
Christmas service posters will be up soon and details placed in various publications.
The Bishop of Bath and Wells, Bishop Michael, will be at St Mary’s on November 26th at 11.15 am for a Holy Communion service. Various meetings will follow during his two day visit to the benefice.
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.
22/01966/HOU. Broadmeads, Weir Lane, Yeovilton. Demolish existing garage and utility to be replaced with a two-story side extension and a single storey rear extension. Existing rear dormer to be extended – approved.
23/01666/DOC1. Land at Higher Farm Ashington Lane, Limington. Discharge of Condition 5 (hard and soft landscaping) of planning application 21/03150/FUL – awaiting decision.
23/01853/HOU. East Lodge, Church Street, Yeovilton. Reconstruction of existing porch, increase length with insertion of 2 roof lights – approved.
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.
8. Financial Matters:
Balances at 27th October 2023:
Current account: – £10435.73
Business savings account – £9171.15 (of which £5373.93 was the Limington Fund). It was agreed to transfer £5 – £6K from the current account to the savings account. Action: NM
Payments:
VAS Hire: £50; SALC Membership £198.76; Clerk’s Salary £791; Vision ICT £182.86. 9. Traffic Matters:
9.1 Grant Application to National Highways: JS has chased this again and is still awaiting a response from National Highways.
9.2 Village Speed Gates: JS confirmed that he, PC and RM had met with Somerset Highways to survey the 4 villages. All positions of gates have been identified. 2 x Bridgehampton, 2 x Yeovilton, 3 x Limington, 4 x Podimore. The community in Podimore have agreed to fund the fourth gate. The PC will put a tender specification together, to approach Somerset Council and potentially other contractors to bid for the work required.
Action AE/PC
9.3 Limington Traffic Report: The report was discussed and it appeared that there is not too much of a problem. The VAS will be placed in Yeovilton on the next occasion. The 3 Yeovilton councillors will decided where it should be positioned.
Mrs Julie Evans commented on the Podimore report she had sent prior to the meeting. This showed consistent high speeds through the village. She also felt that the VAS had been positioned in the wrong place and when it next goes to Podimore the PC will liaise with her.
10. Tree Matters: Discussion ensued as to who is responsible for tree and hedge cutting. AE suggested leaving this until 1st December and then reminding landowners of their obligations.
Action: AE
11. Rights of Way:
Hainbury Farm. It was reported that the developer had withdrawn his plan to install a substantial 8m wide footpath to connect the development with the B3153.
12. Other Correspondence: Nothing to report.
14. Any other Business:
No further business.
15. Date of Next Meeting:
Tuesday 9th January 2024, St Bartholomew’s Church, Yeovilton at 7.30pm. The meeting closed at 9.15pm.