WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Annual Meeting of WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL held by video-conference on
Wednesday 19h May 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 B James-Lloyd, Mrs J Keen, Mr D Kirley, Mrs E Mulliner, Mr J Newton,
Mr A Smith, Mr P Tinney, Mrs S Worrall.
Attendance: Mr. R Pring (Clerk), Cllr D Huxtable (SCC)
21.5.1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR – Cllr. Candy proposed and Cllr Worrall
seconded that Cllr Polly Costello be elected as Chair of the Council for the ensuing year. This
was unaninmously agreed. Cllr Costello would sign the official acceptance of office register
when matters resumed as normal
21.5.2. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN FOR THE ENSUING YEAR – Cllr Costello proposed and Cllr Cox
seconded that Cllr David Kirley be elected Vice Chair of the Council for the ensuing year. This
was also approved and Cllr Kirley would sign the official acceptance of office register when
matters resumed as normal.
21.5.3. TO RECEIVE ANY APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Apologies from Cllrs. Farley, Landers and
Thorogood
21.5.4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21ST APRIL 2021 – RESOLVED that the minutes were an
accurate record and could be signed by the Chairman
21.5.5. MATTERS ARISING – Nil.
21.5.6. REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS – Cllr Huxtable reported that he had
submitted a summary of what the Council was currently dealing with and felt everyone had
done remarkably well in the difficult circumstances. All Council contractors were extremely
busy and he offered his congratulations to the Chair and Vice-Chair. Cllr Costello reported
that she had attended a full Council meeting at Sedgemoor and a new Chair had been
elected. The Licensing Committee had been busy with many applications including festivals
21.5.7. DELEGATION ARRANGEMENTS TO COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES AND EMPLOYEES. – RESOLVED
NOT TO CHANGE PRESENT DELEGATION ARRANGEMENTS. THE PLANNING COMMITTEE WAS THE
ONLY COMMITTEE DELEGATED TO AGREE/MAKE A RESPONSE ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL.
21.5.8. TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR COMMITTEES – RESOLVED: NOT TO CHANGE PRESENT TERMS OF
REFERENCE. IT WAS NOTED THAT TERMS OF REFERENCE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR ALL NEW
COMMITTEES OR WORKING PARTIES.
21.5.9. TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE UNDERMENTIONED COMMITTEES:
Cemetery – Cllrs. Beacom, Cousins, Kirley, Landers, Tinney and Worrall.
Facilities & Allotments – Cllrs Candy, Costello, Farley, James-Lloyd, Keen, Kirley,
Landers, Mulliner, Thorogood.
Finance & Gen. Purposes. – Cllrs Beacom, Costello, Cousins, Farley, Kirley,
Mulliner, Smith, Worrall
Highways, Car Park & Brook – Cllrs Beacom, Candy, Costello, Cox, Farley, Kirley,
Landers, Newton, Smith, Worrall,
Planning – Beacom, Candy, Costello, Cousins, Cox, James-Lloyd, Kirley, Landers,
Smith, Tinney, Worrall
Housing – Candy, Costello, Cousins, Cox, Farley, Kirley, Thorogood, Worrrall.
Footpaths & Green Issues – Farley, James-Lloyd, Kirley, Newton, Mulliner,
Thorogood
21.5.10 TO APPOINT REPRESENTATIVES ON THE UNDERMENTIONED BODIES:
IOW News – Cllrs Cousins, Keen, Tinney,
Play areas – Wedmore Cllr Costello, Theale Cllr Farley, Blackford Cllr Mulliner
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SALC – Cllrs Cousins, Worrall..
Village Halls – Wedmore Cllr Smith, Theale Cllr Thorogood, Blackford – Cllr
Tinney
WPFMC – Cllrs James-Lloyd, Kirley
Twinning Association – Cllr Candy.
21.5.11 TO CONFIRM ANNUAL INSURANCE COVER IN RESPECT OF ALL INSURED RISK – The Clerk confirmed
that the Council is insured through Messrs Came & Co, specialist Council Insurance Brokers and the
annual payment was listed on last month’s minutes.
21.5.12 TO REVIEW THE COUNCIL’S COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE – It was noted that the procedure
adopted in 2003 had last been reviewed by the Chairman, and Clerk in March 2021, circulated to
members and was published on the website. Members agreed that following the comments made by
the HR Consultant, the document needed updating.
21.5.13 TO REVIEW PROCEDURES FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND DATA PROTECTION REQUESTS.
It was noted that the Council is subject to F of I requests and is registered with the Data Protection
Registrar for an annual subscription. The Council was complying with up to date data Regulations
21.5.14 TO AGREE THE COUNCIL’S FINANCIAL REGULATIONS AND INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS – It was
agreed that these documents should also be reviewed
21.5.15 TO AGREE THE CHAIRMAN AND CLERK CAN SIGN OFF THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR 2020/21 –
RESOLVED – THAT THE CHAIRMAN AND RESPONSIBLE OFFICER SIGN THE ACCOUNTS ON BEHALF OF THE
COUNCIL
21.5.16 TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE INVENTORY AND ASSET REGISTER OF THE COUNCIL – a list was
made available for members. RESOLVED – THAT THE CHAIRMAN AND RESPONSIBLE OFFICER SIGN THE LIST
ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL
21.5.17 TO NOTE ANY DEEDS AND TRUST INVESTMENTS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE COUNCIL – a list was
made available for members. RESOLVED – THAT THE CHAIRMAN AND RESPONSIBLE OFFICER SIGN THE LIST
ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL
21.5.18 TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF THE HENRY BUTT TROPHY 2020 – The Chair announced that
following a very close race, Members had chosen Cathy Butterworth of Latcham as the winner of the
trophy for 2020. (Applause)
21.5.19 IDENTIFICATION OF SUCH BUSINESS WHICH BY REASON OF SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IS, IN THE
OPINION OF THE CHAIRMAN, URGENT AND REQUIRED TO BE TRANSACTED –
A TO CONSIDER A GRANT TOWARDS SWIMMING POOL RUNNING COSTS AT WEDMORE FIRST
SCHOOL – Cllr Smith had received a request for a grant which had been considered by his subcommittee and recommended for approval. Proposed by Cllr Candy and seconded by Cllr
Worrall that £500 be awarded to the First School PTA. This was agreed.
B. TO CONSIDER A REQUEST TO SITE A CLOTHING BANK BY THE LOCAL AIR AMBULANCE GROUP IN
THE CAR PARK – The Clerk reported that he had received a request from the local fundraiser for
the Air Ambulance to site a clothing bank in the village car park. This would be a first for
Wedmore and he had found a suitable location. Proposed by Cllr Costello, seconded by Cllr
Worrall and approved.
C. TO RECEIVE A STATEMENT CONCERNING A COMPLAINT – Cllr Kirley said that on 14th February
a formal complaint had been received regarding the conduct of the Clerk to the Council. A subcommittee had been formed to look into the matter and it was agreed by the Council that a HR
consultant be appointed to carry out an independent investigation. His report had been
received and the recommendations fully agreed. The complaint against the Clerk was not
upheld; the sub-committee has highlighted a number of procedural and policy updates that will
be made this year and the Council should now consider the matter closed. Cllr Worrall noted
the high cost of employing the consultant and said that the Clerk had been a conscientious
public servant for many years. She hoped this would put an end to the accusations. Cllr
Newton noted that as a new Councillor he was very impressed with the manner in which the
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complaint had been handled. Cllr Tinney agreed. The Chair said that this had been a very
stressful time for both herself and the Clerk and we should all move on.
21.5.20 ISSUES AND QUESTIONS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS – Cllr Smith had received a report from the
Traffic manager concerning SID’s and this was still ongoing. Rughill cannot be used as a site for a SID.
Cllr James-Lloyd said that some of the cycling signs were on display in Blackford. Cllr Worrall said that a
proposal to site a new doctors’ surgery at the Playing Fields could not go ahead due to a restriction of
use. Cllr Smith said that several more sites were being considered. Cllr Newton said the gateways at
Blackford had been ordered.
21.5.21 FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Audit of accounts 31st March 2021 to 21
st April 2021– Cllrs Keen and Mulliner
reported that all was in order.
b) Payment of invoices – as per the following list
Payment Payee Details Amount
BACS Arien Signs Cycling signs, Blackford £163.10
BACS Clarity Copiers Photocopy charges £5.66
BACS S W Councils Complaint investigation costs £2016.00
BACS Sedgemoor DC Bin emptying £515.74
BACS Sedgemoor DC Bin emptying and litter picking £487.66
BACS OddJob Replace damaged tap and parts at allotments £61.00
BACS HMRC Repay VAT reclaimed in error £515.30
BACS ZOOM Monthly subscription £14.39
BACS D Summers-Cooke Clean and lock toilets £225.00
BACS Mrs R Stevens Clean Council Rooms £25.00
BACS W Jackson Grass cutting, highways works £1158.00
BACS R Pring Clerk’s expenses £17.46
21.5.22 CORRESPONDENCE
Item From Whom Subject
a All circulated
21.5.23 COMMITTEE REPORTS
Cemetery –. Meeting held and a demarcation area between the car park and cemetery edge
was being progressed. Also proposing a wildlife area in the cemetery
Facilities & Allotments – Cllr Candy reported that there was only a half plot left to rent.
Finance & General Purposes – Nil
Housing – Nil
Planning – Meeting next week.
Footpaths & Green Issues – Nil
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON COMMITTEES
IOW News – New Treasurer, Tom Wright appointed at a meeting this week
Play Areas – Meeting due soon
SALC –Nil.
Wedmore Playing Fields Management -.Nil
Village Halls – Blackford bookings now coming in. Wedmore had been redecorated.
Twinning – Nil
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21.5.24 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 8.03 pm