WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the meeting of WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL held by ZOOM video conferencing, on
Wednesday 17th February 2021 at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Councillors:, Mrs P Costello (Chair), Mrs I Beacom, Mrs J Candy, Mrs G Cousins,
Mr D Cox, Mrs J Farley, Mrs B James-Lloyd, Mrs J Keen, Mr D Kirley, Mr A Landers,
Mrs E Mulliner, Mr J Newton, Mr A Smith, Mr S Thorogood, Mr P Tinney, Mrs S Worrall
In Attendance: Mr. R Pring (Clerk), Cllr D Huxtable (SCC), Mrs V Becker-Hughes, Mr S Mewes,
Mr T Faith, Ms S Bedford
21.02.1. TO WELCOME A NEW COUNCILLOR – Cllr Jonathan Newton was welcomed by the Chairman
and members agreed he could sign the Declaration Register at a convenient time.
21.02.2. TO RECEIVE ANY APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Nil
21.02.3. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS – Cllr Huxtable reported that
Somerset was top of the covid vaccine league for the whole country. The county’s
budget had been agreed earlier today There was a large increase of £11m for adult
social care and £9m for children. The green issues fund was still ongoing and he
hoped Wedmore would continue to support the 67 bus route. In answer to a question
by Cllr Keen he said that work would continue in Church Street this week to try and
discover the cause of the continuous water leak. Cllr Newton noted that in Blackford
the road had been painted with 30 m.p.h. markings but the signage had not been put
up. Cllr Huxtable agreed to follow this up. It was noted that the Highways Engineer
had approved the proposed village gateways. Cllr Costello gave details of the new
Chief Executive at Sedgemoor and of a Drainage Board meeting she had recently
attended.
21.02.4. MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 20TH JANUARY 2021 – RESOLVED: that the
Chairman be authorised to sign the minutes as a correct record of the previous
meeting.
21.02.5. MATTERS ARISING – Cllr Smith reported that he had received a grant application from the local
Good Neighbour scheme for £500 towards running costs. The matter had been left off the
agenda, for which the Clerk apologised. It was agreed to defer this until the next meeting.
ACTION Clerk / AS
21.02.6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Mrs Becker-Hughes gave details of a previous meetings to discuss
the running of Worthington Woods.
21.02.7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Audit of accounts 24TH December 2020 to 20th January 2021 – Cllr Keen and Cllr
Mulliner reported that all was in order.
b) Accounts for Payment – as per the following list
Payment Payee Details Amount
DD Sedgemoor DC Clerk’s salary £1757.48
BACS Somerset Forge Fingerpost renovation (50% repaid by donation) £1158.00
BACS Electric Gate Co Annual service car park barrier £210.00
BACS Sedgemoor DC Empty dog bins and litter scavenge £487.66
BACS Water2Business Water Rates at toilets £221.73
2
BACS Rapide Systems Stationery £31.20
BACS EDF Energy Electricity at toilets £16.16
BACS Water2Business Water rates at cemetery £21.86
BACS SALC Training ourses £75.00
BACS Ground Level Tree works at The Lerburne £1968.00
BACS Water2Business Water rates at allotments £370.72
BACS D Summers-Cook Clean and lock toilets £172.73
BACS R Pring Clerk’s expenses £20.25
BACS Mrs R Stevens Clean Council Rooms £25.00
BACS W Jackson Highways and cemetery work £275.00
BACS M Isgar Repair notice boards Theale and Bagley £175.00
DD Mainstream Phone calls and line rental £62.52
21.02.08 TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE PROPOSED NEW CYCLE PATH – Cllr James-Lloyd had
previously circulated a report She was hoping the Council would fund the costs of producing
posters made by local children which would be placed on private land along Little Ireland,
Wellsway and Redmans Hill. Proposed by Cllr Cousins and seconded by Cllr Keen that the
funds be made available and this was agreed using S 137 funds.. ACTION – B J-L
21.02.09 TO CONSIDER THE USAGE AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR WORTHINGTON WOODS AND
SURROUNDING LAND – Cllr Costello outlined the proposed use of the land which would continue
to be insured by the Council who would also undertake the grasscutting as required. She
was concerned about safety issues near the brook and asked Mrs Becker-Hughes to get
some quotes for fencing and safety signs which was agreed. Cllr Worral asked if hedging had
been considered but it was felt that it might not be robust enough and would be slow growing.
Cllrt Keen suggested benches could be sited there in the future. Proposed by Cllr Cousins and
seconded by Cllr Worrall that the fencing of the brook be paid for by the Council and this was
agreed. .
21.02.10 TO AGREE PART FUNDING OF THE 67 BUS ROUTE – Cllr Worrall gave details of the costs
of running the 67 bus route from Burnahm to Wells via Wedmore. All parishes along the route have
funded the service for the past 3 or 4 years From 1st April Somersert County Council would fund the
section from Burnham to Wedmore and the remainder was being operated by Mendip Community
Transport group. Wedmore PC was being asked to contribute £1428 out of the total running cost of
£19k which members agreed was quite reasonable.
21.02.11 TO CONSIDER GREEN WEDMORE ISSUES, CHARTER, CLIMATE EMERGENCY, GRANT FUNDING – Cllr
Mulliner had submitted a grant application on behalf of Green Wedmore for £800 to produce a cook
book. She proposed the grant be awarded and this was seconded by Cllr Keen and agreed. Cllr
Thorogood proposed the Green Charter be adopted together with the declaration of Climate
Emergency. This was seconded by Cllr Worrall and agreed.
21.02.12 UPDATE ON PRIORITY LIST OF PROJECTS – Cllr Cox had previously circulated a document
highlighting a proposed list of projects to be undertaken. Cllr Smith agreed to discuss the proposed
highway matters at his next meeting of the Highways Committee. Cllr Mulliner asked if the Council
would support a feasability study for additional renewable energy for Wedmore. Ms Bedford, Green
Wedmore, agreed to make the application at no cost to the Council. Cllr Mulliner proposed that it
should go ahead. This was seconded by Cllr Smith and agreed.
21.02.13 ISSUES AND QUESIONS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS – Cllr Cousins reported the receipt of
a letter of complaint whicjh would be kept confidential. She and the Chairman were looking
into procedures and the matter would be formally dealt with. Cllr Beacom reported receiving
correspondence concerning street lighting and she wouild liaise with Cllr Cox considering
adding it to the priorities list. Cllr Smith rerported that the Highways Engineer had checked the
proposed sites for the speed indicator device. Cllr Kirley was keen to help in setting up
Community Speedwatch and had volunteered his services. Cllr Costello reported that the plan
to upgrade the footpath in Combe Batch was in hand
21.02.14 CORRESPONDENCE
3
Item From Whom Subject
ALL CIRCULATED
21.02.15 COMMITTEE REPORTS
Cemetery – Work had been carried out to remove the ant hills
Facilities Allotments & Footpaths – Nil
Finance & General Purposes – Nil
Housing – Nil
Highways – Meeting was being arranged
Planning – Meeting Weds 10th March
Footpaths and Green Issues – Footpath near golf course being considered
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON COMMITTEES
IOW News – Distribution at Theale had been much improved
Play Areas – Nil
SALC – Nil
Wedmore Playing Fields Management – Nil
Village Halls – Wedmore grant topped up by Sedgemoor. Theale had a wedding
booked and were looking for funds from Somerset Community Fund
Twinning – Nil
21.02.16 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING –
(a). Chairman – Nil
(b) Clerk – Nil
(c) Members – Nil
There being no further business the meeting was declared closed at 8.52 pm
