All Parish Council meetings will be held in the Village Hall at 6.30pm unless otherwise stated.

The dates and times of all meetings are subject to change at short notice due to availability of the hall, visits from by Officers from MDC or SCC or representatives from outside organisations.

Joanna J. Jeans
CLERK TO THE PARISH COUNCIL

 

 

 Chair Phil Ryder
Vice-chair Dave Walton
Councillors Annie Deeley
Michael Gooden
Gary Nicholls
Jane Peck
Christine Steadman
Clerk Joanna Jeans
 
   
 
GODNEY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the  Meeting held at Godney Village Hall on Tuesday the 12th June 2008
 
  Present: Councillors: P. Ryder in the Chair, M. Gooden, G. Nichols, C. Steadman and D. Walton.

 In attendance: Mrs J. Jeans Parish Clerk.

1.  Apologies: Jane Peck   

2.  Declaration of interests: None  

3.  Minutes for the Council Meetings held on 8th & 24th May 2008
The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 8th May 2008 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on the 24th May 2008 which had been circulated prior to this meeting, were agreed and signed as true records of those meetings. 

4.  Matters arising for the minutes
The Clerk reported that BT had telephoned her to discuss the letter from the Parish Council. The person was supposed to ring back at a more convenient time, and no call has been received. Cllr. Walton reported that BT apparently have a section on their website where complaints can be made. Additionally, he advised anyone with poor line quality to ring BT and ask if they were on a shared line. BT is obliged to tell you. They will put you onto a single line for two to three weeks. 

5.  Reports from County/ District Councillors/Police
County Councillor R. Forrest had emailed the Clerk to ask councillors to remember to consider applications from the £5000 grant.

6.  Election of Parish Councillor
Two electors had put themselves forward as willing candidates for co-option. One of these withdrew and M. Churches was unanimously elected. The Clerk gave M. Churches the forms for Acceptance of Office and Declarations of Interest to be completed and returned to the Clerk.
Note: M. Gooden left the meeting after this item.

 7. Correspondence

Mendip District Council

  • MDC – Parishes Information Bulletin June 2008 Issue 65 (litter – community action, free 1st aid course)

  •  Mendip Play Strategy – report on Play Strategy – pass to M. Heal.

  • Footpath Grant £120 available again

  • Removal of BT telephone box by Riverside. The Clerk to write a letter to the Mendip representative.
Somerset SCC

  • Somerset Highways – Information Sheet – pass to M. Gooden.

  •  Restricted Byways – notification that the application to change these to BOATS was unsuccessful. Residents need to report any illegal use of our droves by vehicles and motor bikes.

  • Somerset Homefinder – poster about new scheme. (no contact info given!!)
SALC

 

  • Briefing event  on power of well-being

  • Notification re. new Governance and Accountability document – free download or £10. Councillors unanimously resolved to purchase a copy from SALC.

  • Clerk training events

  • CiLCA training
Western Power Distribution
  • consultation about future developments. The Clerk to write a letter expressing the view that lessening the company’s profits would release funds for improving our service. The letter will accompany the consultation document
Glasdon catalogue  

 8.  Accounts
The Clerk advised the meeting that the Parish Council account stood at £1703.02. Councillors unanimously resolved to pay a subscription of £25 to Somerset Community Council. The account balance after this payment was £1678.02.

9.  Planning 
M. Churches explained the difficulties involved in applying for a licence for the Music on the Moors with the new requirements. Notification of a possible breach of planning - Fir Tree Barns.

 10. Playing Field Report
A cricket match will be held on 12th July.

 11. Village Hall Report
D. Walton has resigned as Chair, and C. Steadman has been elected.

 12. Rights of Way/Highway Matters
Councillors noted that the hedge outside ‘The Willows’ had been cut back. Concern was expressed about the poor visibility on the bend outside ‘White Hart Farm’ and the possible accident hazard of the stones on the verge. The Clerk was asked to raise this with PCSO Richards as well as Highways to cut back the vegetation. Other highway matters which need reporting are: a width restriction notice has fallen over and the recent work on Tilley’s drove has made the bump beyond the bridge worse.

13. Community Grant – ideas for projects
The following ideas for Cllr Forrest’s £5000 grant were put forward: road signage for all the roads into Godney making clear which roads are unsuitable for HGVs and /or a new notice board for the Parish Council. For the larger grant ideas will be sought from the Playing Field and Village Hall Committees.

14. Agenda items next meeting 14th August.
Finalise ideas for the Community Grant.

This concluded business and the Chairman closed the meeting at 8 pm.

J.Jeans Clerk to the Parish Council.  July 2008

 

  GODNEY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the  Meeting held at Godney Village Hall on Tuesday the 18th March 2008
 

Present:
Councillors: P. Ryder in the Chair, D. Walton, A. Deeley, G. Nichols, J. Peck and C. Steadman.
In attendance:
Mrs J. Jeans Parish Clerk.

1. Apologies: None

2. Declaration of interests: D. Walton – for Planning Application - neighbour to Mr & Mrs Pennycott, The Old Post Office.

3. Minutes for the Council Meetings held on 8th January
The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 8th January 2008 which had been circulated prior to this meeting were agreed and signed as a true record of that meeting.

4. Matters arising from these minutes: None

5. Report from County/District Councillors/Police: None (Cllr A. Glanvile gave a report during the Annual Parish Meeting)

6. Correspondence

  Somerset SCC
  • Consultation on Validation of Planning applications - (New procedures for submitting planning applications which now have to use Mandatory National Standard Planning Application Forms and the introduction of the Planning Application Requirements list).
  • Mendip Area Working Panel Agenda for January 23rd 2008 meeting and minutes from November meeting
  • Somerset Waste Partnership - Easter Holiday refuse collection information (posted on Village Hall noticeboard)
  • Parish Flood Fairs – invitation to these. (Held in February).
  • Somerset Highways – Copy of plans for Godney Signs as ordered by PC (Hugh Tetlow). Road Closure notices: Garslade Bridge; Billings Hill, Wedmore;Cranel Lane.
  MDC
  • Parishes Information Bulletin for March 2008 (Issue 62) – emailed to those Councillors with email.
  • Consultation on Validation of Planning applications - (New procedures for submitting planning applications which now have to use Mandatory National Standard Planning Application Forms and the introduction of the Planning Application Requirements list).
  • MDC Invoice for Parish Council Elections (3 invoices!)
  • Mendip Strategic Partnership – Minutes for meeting held on 4th December 2007
  • MDC information sheet of shops stocking Bio Bags (usuable for food waste). Posted on Village Hall noticeboard.
  • MDC Calendar of Public Meetings 2008/9
  SALC
  • Affiliation Fee £50.62
  • Courses available 2008
  • Items of Interest February 2008 – Fraudulent cheques
  • Items of interest Jan/Feb 2008
  • Lower Brue District Drainage Board- invitation to Catchment Group Meeting 31st January – notified all Councillors. (Cllrs Jane Peck & Michael Gooden attended with Michael Churches)
  • Somerset and Avon Police – Invitation to visit the Police Emergency Control Centre February 22nd – emailed to all Councillors with email.
  • Dept for Communities and Local Government – consultation on Conduct of Local Authority Members
  • Dept for Communities and Local Government – response to Clerk’s letter re. planning loopholes
  • Citizen’s Advice Bureau – Thank you letter for the Parish Council’s donation.
    The Playing Field – passed to M. Heal
  • Glasdon Catalogues – passed to M. Heal
  • Clerks & Councils Direct Magazine March 2008 Issue 56
  • The Audit Commission – Appointment of External Auditor – Moore Stephens
  • Clerk’s & Councils Direct – Complimentary copy of Local Council’s Update
     

7. Accounts
The Clerk presented two accounts for payment: an invoice from MDC for £876.30 for the Parish Council Elections last May; and an invoice for the Affiliation fee for SALC for 2008. After considering these accounts, councillors unanimously resolved to pass these accounts for payment. The Clerk informed the meeting that the Parish Council account now stood at £1339.37. The Clerk also noted that several cheques did not appear to have been cashed. She will investigate these further.

The information from SALC concerning other councils’ experiences with cheques which have been intercepted in the post was discussed. The Clerk agreed to keep monitoring the bank account to identify if any unusual payments appeared.

The Clerk requested if anyone had the new address of Mr S Stephenson so she could write and ask him to act as the Internal Auditor.

8. Planning
MDC has notified the Parish Council that Planning Application no. 120211/000 Mrs J Binns, The Hawthorns, Lower Godney has been approved. (conversion of garage to studio and erection of conservatory and store).

MDC has also approved Godwins Peat Planning Nos. 106071/002 & 067813/006, but refused Mr T Moore, Terry’s Nursery Nursery, North Chime Drove, Mudgley.

Planning No. 119460/000 Mr & Mrs Pennycott, The Old Post Office, Upper Godney – Two story extension, with pitched roof to enclose internal stair to first floor of existing property. Demolition of garage. New dormer window to North elevation. A separate planning application has been submitted for change of use which the Parish Council have not been sent. D. Walton having declared an interest withdrew from the meeting and took no further part in the debate or voting thereon. Those councillors eligible to vote resolved to recommend approval.

9. Playing Field Report
The tree has been planted in memory of Cllr C. Shepherd. The new committee is in place and the AGM will be announced shortly. It is intended that a similar self-help approach will be used for maintenance this year, eg. Grass cutting rota.

10. Village Hall Report
No meeting. D. Walton will announce his decision to stand down as Chair at the next meeting.

11. Rights of Way/Highway Matters
The new signs for the Village Hall and Godney have been ordered by Hugh Tetlow, Highways.
Garslade Bridge has been repaired.

A copy of a letter to highways from M. Churches was read out. This expressed disgust with the quality of work and its cost, when contractors trimmed the willow trees along the Godney Road. Cllrs agreed with the views expressed and Cllr J. Peck will draft a response to Highways endorsing the views of M.Churches.

A. Deeley gave an update on the Footpath project. An attractive map has been created of circular walks in Godney. The cost has been shared by local businesses. Any donations towards the costs would be gratefully received. Free copies were given out and are available on the village website. Further walks are planned. The next is on March 26th.

12. Support for local residents application for social housing
The Chair explained that Glen and Lucy Stanley were hoping to be able to stay in Godney when they moved out of Willow Bridge Farm. Councillors resolved to support their application. They requested that the Clerk write a letter to MDC expressing their support for the application.

13. Issues which members of the Public wish to raise
None

14. Agenda items next meeting Annual Parish Meeting 3rd April.
Litter especially on road and rhyne sides plus the playing field.

This concluded business and the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50 pm.

J.Jeans Clerk to the Parish Council. 26th March 2008
 

   
 
 GODNEY PARISH COUNCIL
 21st January 2008

We have received an invitation from the Lower Brue District Drainage Board for a Catchment Group Meeting.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform farmers and ratepayers about:

The need for changes to the management of water in the Brue Valley
The ideas set out in the draft Stage 2 Water Level Management Plan and how these ideas are being considered by the Drainage Boards;
The Drainage Boards’ plans to consult individual farmers and ratepayers about these ideas over the next three to four months.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday 31st January at 7.30pm at Wedmore Village Hall.

Can you please publicise this event and ensure that anyone who needs to know about this does!
Contact details are: Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium, 1 Church Street , Highbridge, Somerset TA9 3AE 01278 789906 Email: drainage.boards@btconnect .com

Additionally we have received another invitation from Somerset Local Authorities Civil Contingencies Unit for Parish Flood Fairs.
21st February at Yeovil Town Football Club, and 22nd February at North Petherton Community Centre. 2 sessions at each venue of 1 ½ hours each. 11am or 1.30pm. Buffet lunch provided free. Event is free too.

Contact for more details Sonia Davidson-Grant 01823 355600. Parish Clerk has more details plus a booking form.