WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the meeting of WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL held at The
Council Rooms, Grants Lane, Wedmore, on Wednesday 17
th November 2021 at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Councillors:, Mrs P Costello (Chair), Mr D Cox, Mrs I Beacom, Mrs G Cousins,
Mrs J Farley, Mrs B James-Lloyd, Mr D Kirley, Mrs E Mulliner, Mr A Reeson, Mr A Smith,
Mr P Tinney, Mr S Thorogood
In Attendance: Mr. R Pring (Clerk), Mr N Beacom, Mrs S Ripon, Mr R Bullock
21.11.1. TO RECEIVE ANY APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllrs. J Candy, A Landers, J Newton, S Worrall,
D Huxtable (SCC)
21.11.2. REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS – Cllr Costello reported that she had
attended two Licensing Panel meetings at Sedgemoor
21.11.3. TO RECORD ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Nil.
21.11.4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20TH OCTOBER 2021 – The minutes had previously been
circulated.- RESOLVED: that the Chairman be authorised to sign the minutes as a correct
record of the previous meeting.
21.11.5. MATTERS ARISING – a. Bank signatories. Forms now with Lloyds Bank
b.. Christmas trees ordered. Arriving Friday week
21.11.6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Mr N Beacom who is a market researcher and has been practising
for 40 years said that he was prepared to help with a street lighting survey. He felt the best
method of getting a questionnaire circulated was by “drop and collect” to each household in
the village. He had previously circulated details of a proposed document and said that he
would be prepared to analyse the results with the Council retaining editorial control. The
Chair thanked him for attending and offering his services.
21.11.7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Audit of accounts – 23rd September 2021 to 25th October 2021 – Cllr Beacom and Cllr
Mulliner reported that all was in order.
b) Accounts for Payment – as per the following list
Payment Payee Details Amount
BACS EDF Energy Electricity at car park £82.53
BACS EDF Energy Electricity at Council Rooms £39.13
DD Mainstream Supply new router £294.00
DD Mainstream Phone calls £1.63
BACS Carter Jonas Rent for access to car park (Wells Almshouses) £75.00
BACS W Jackson Grass cutting, highways etc £1188.00
BACS R Pring Clerk’s expenses £44.50
BACS Mrs R Stevens Clean Council Rooms £25.00
BACS D Summers-Cooke Clean and lock toilets £275.00
BACS OddJob Repairs at allotments and toilets £108.00
BACS Rapide Systems Stationery and toilet rolls £48.17
BACS Sedgemoor DC Clerk’s salary £1756.79
BACS EDF Energy Electricity at toilets £9.06
BACS Somerset Forge Repair damaged fingerpost at Cocklake £144.00
BACS Rousell Plant Hire Hedge cutting allotments and cemetery £336.00
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BACS WPFMC Agreed grants for sports facilities £12,500.0
BACS Som Play Fields Annula subscription £25.00
BACS Sedgemoor DC Empty dog bins etc £515.74
BACS St Andrews Press Print Lamplight flyers £63.00
21.11.08 TO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL TO TAKE OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSURING
CHRISTMAS STREET LIGHTS AND PUBLIC LIABILITY COVER – Cllr Reeson explained that the group that
originally purchased the lights had now disbanded and he was the sole participant. If the lights were
displayed this year then public liability insurance was required and he was hoping that the Council would
agree to acquire public liability insurance at no cost to the Parish. After a lengthy discussion Cllr Smith
proposed that for one year only the Council would agree to obtain the required insurance to ensure the
lights would shine again this Christmas. This was seconded by Cllr Farley and agreed.
.
21.11.09 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED NEW MEDICAL CENTRE. – Cllr Smith updated
members on a proposed development at Kelsons Lane following the donation of land from a
local landowner. A pre-app enquiry had been submitted to Sedgemoor and a reply had
recently been received. Various surveys would now be undertaken and a planning application
would be submitted after public consultation in the new year. CIL money had been proposed
as a support to the application but members felt it should be earmarked rather than returned to
Sedgemoor if the project is delayed.
21.11.10 WEDMORE STREET LIGHTING – Cllr Beecom had been in contact with the County
lighting team who wanted to be carbon neutral by 2030. This meant that all street lights would
be replaced by carbon neutral lamps. The cost of replacing all Wedmore lights and timers
would be in the region of £20k which may have to be borne by the parish. Members agreed to
hold an open day in the new year highlighting the issue with street lighting among others and
for a questionnaire to be designed to sent to all Wedmore residents.
21.11.11 PLAY AREA REPAIRS – Cllr Farley said that the annual inspection had thrown up
some serious issues at Wedmore play area which had needed addressing. The remedial
work has been completed and invoices needed to be paid
21.11.12 TO AGREE THE ANNUAL BURIAL GRANTS TO CHURCHES – – The Clerk reported that it
was customary to make an annual grant to local churches of £100 towards the upkeep of the
burial areas. This was agreed.
21.11.13 TO AGREE TO PAY FOR MINCE PIES AT THE CHURCH ON LAMPLIGHT EVENING – Cllr
Cousins reported that it had been the custom for several years for the Council to pay for mince
pies to be distributed after the carol service on Lamplight evening. The cost was in the region
of £25. It was agreed to continue this practise this year.
21.11.14 SUGGESTED FOREST SCHOOL AT WORTHINGTON WOODS – Cllr Cox said that he had
been approached by a local teacher to use Worthington Woods as a Forest School for one or
two days a week. The classes would be about an hour or so and members agreed that this
would be a useful community service in conjunction with Green Wedmore
21.11.15 WIND PROJECT PLANNING APPLICATION – – Cllr Cox said that Green Wedmore had
applied for various grants for a wind turbine project and asked to submit a planning application
in the name of the Parish Council. This was agreed.
21.11.16 TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO POLICIES AND TERMS OF REFERENCE – Cllr Kirley had
previously circulated documents and with one amendment of a planning policy which would be
amended, they were all approved.
21.11.17 ISSSUES AND QUESTIONS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS – Cllr Farley commented on the
double yellow lines in the village. Cllr Thorogood asked about speed indicator devices at
Theale. Cllr Smith mentioned the development at Blue Cedar Homes and the subsequent
works in the car park, Cllr Reeson mentioned the new sign in Latcham and informed members
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that the former guide camp site was for sale by auction. The Clerk on behalf of Cllr Worrall
said that a Mill Lane resident was putting an informative map in her front garden for the benefit
of walkers concerning an ancient mill that had stood in that location
21.11.18 CORRESPONDENCE
Item From Whom Subject
ALL CIRCULATED
21.11.19 COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Cemetery – Hedges cut back. Some trees need attention
• Facilities Allotments, Footpaths – Allotment hedges cut back. Play areas to be included.
• Finance & General Purposes – Meeting 1st December
• Housing – Nil.
• Highways – Sub-committee groups being formulated.
• Planning – Meeting 7th December
• Human Resources –.Nil
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON COMMITTEES
• IOW News – Meeting held last week
• Play Areas – Nil
• SALC – Nil
• Wedmore Playing Fields Management – Nil
• Village Halls – .Blackford bookings going well. Electric charger and solar panels at
Theale. Wedmore AGM tomorrow
• Twinning – Nil
• Green Wedmore – All covered by agenda
21.11.20 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING –
(a). Chairman – Nil
(b) Clerk – Nil.
(c) Members – Policies and Procedures
There being no further business the meeting was declared closed at 8.45pm