WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the meeting of WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL held at The
Council Rooms, Grants Lane, Wedmore, on Wednesday 20
th October 2021 at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Councillors:, Mrs P Costello (Chair), Mrs J Candy, Mr D Cox, Mrs G Cousins,
Mrs J Farley, Mrs B James-Lloyd, Mr J Newton, Mr A Reeson, Mr A Smith, Mr P Tinney,
Mrs S Worrall
In Attendance: Mr. R Pring (Clerk), Cllr D Huxtable (SCC), Mr Pat Benjamin, Mr Bill Belshaw
21.10.1. TO RECEIVE ANY APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllrs. I Beacom, D Kirley, A Landers, E Mulliner,
S Thorogood
21.10.2. REPORTS FROM COUNTY ANDS DISTRICT COUNCILLORS – Cllr Huxtable reported that the
County Council had submitted a bid for funding from Central Government for transport
infrastructure within the county including electric buses and improved bus stations. He
was grateful that the Parish Council continued to support local buses which were a lifeline for some elderly residents. The yellow lines due to be placed in the village were
being delayed because of contractor issues. Cllr Newton raised the issue of the
Blackford gateways. Cllr Huxtable said he would progress this with Highways
Department and that contractors will be found to complete the project which had
already been paid for by the Parish Council.
21.10.3. TO RECORD ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Nil.
21.10.4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 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.
21.10.5. MATTERS ARISING – Nil.
21.10.6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Mr Pat Benjamin was concerned about the state of some roads
within the parish, particularly in the Cocklake area where farmers were cutting maize and
depositing large amounts of mud on the highways. A cyclist had recently fallen off and broken
his pelvis. Members noted that it was an offence for farmers to deposit mud on the highway
but that the cyclist should pursue a claim against this particular farmer through his insurance
company.
21.10.7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Audit of accounts – 24TH August to 23rd September 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 Mrs R Stevens Clean Council Rooms £25.00
BACS R Pring Clerk’s expenses £24.30
BACS W Jackson Grass cutting , cemetery and highways works £958.00
BACS D Summers-Cooke` Clean & lock toilets etc £225.94
CARD Essanet Ltd Multi-socket switch for router £22.52
BACS Chambers Services Groundworks at cemetery £1728.00
BACS Royal Mail Services Deliver WellBeing brochures £240.60
BACS EDF Energy Ltd Electricity at toilets £10.01
2
DD Mainstream Broadband and Line Rental £63.00
DD Mainstream Phone Calls £1.22
BACS Sedgemoor DC Clerk’s salary £1756.79
BACS BWW Printers Print 2000 Wellbeing brochures £1095.00
21.10.08 TO CONSIDER PLANTING A TREE OR HEDGE TO MARK THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE IN
2022 – Cllr Beacom had suggested the Council mark this important occasion next year. It was
agreed to plant a tree or hedge, probably at Worthington Woods. Cllr Beacom to liaise with
Green Wedmore as to the best way forward. ACTION – IB
21.10.09 TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL FOR INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SCOUT HUT, COMBE
LANE. – Mr Bill Belshaw, Scout Leader outlined a proposal to carry out alterations within the
scout hut to include disabled facilities. There was currently a waiting list of 14 cubs and 12
scouts so a small extension would allow them the extra space to take on more members. Cllr
Candy was concerned about extra noise that would be generated and Mr Belshaw said her
concerns would be addressed. It was proposed by Cllr Worrall and seconded by Cllr Cox that
the propopsals be approved in principle. It was also suggested that if a planning application
was submitted in the name of the Parish Council, then planning fees would be greatly
reduced.
21.10.10 TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO POLICIES AND TERMS OF REFERENCE – Cllr Mulliner had
previously circulated an updated version of the Financial Regulations for consideration. Cllr
Worrall pointed out that some conditions had to be agreed by the “Clerk and RFO” which in
the current situation was one and the same person. It was pointed out that going forward
there may come a time when the tasks might be carried out by two people so it was agreed to
leave the wording in but with a footnote to add another Councillor when the Clerk and RFO
are the same person. Proposed by Cllr Cox and seconded by Cllr James-Llloyd that the draft
Regulations be approved. This was agreed. Clerk to update website etc. ACTION – Clerk
21.10.11 TO SEEK TWO ADDITIONAL SIGNATORIES TO THE COUNCIL’S ONLINE BANKING ACCOUNT –
Cllrs Costello and Worrall agreed to become additional signatories ACTION – Clerk
21.10.12 WEDMORE BY LAMPLIGHT UPDATE AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS – Cllr Cox had
attended a committee meeting for this event to take place on Weds 8th December. There
would be an increased number of food stalls, all of whom make a financial contribution. There
was a £2k budget in place for the event but the committee would need to pay for first aid
facilities and insurance. He was aking the Council to contribute up to £1k towards the event.
The Clerk pointed out that he could only pay invoices that were made out to the Parish
Council. Proposed by Cllr Cox and seconded by Cllr James-Lloyds that the Council support
this event as outlined. This was agreed. ACTION – DC
21.10.13 TO AGREE TO PROVIDE CHRISTMAS TREES FOR LOCAL SHOPS AND BUSINESSES – The
Clerk pointed out that it was the usual practice for the Council to pay for Chritmas trees for
local businesses and churches and costs would be in the region of £350. The usual supplier
was willing to continue and could delived to Cllr Cousins’s house as previously. Will Jackson
would help with ditribution. Proposed by Cllr Cousins, seconded by Cllr Worrall that this be
done and it was agreed by members. ACTION – Clerk
21.10.14 ISSSUES AND QUESTIONS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS – Cllr Cox said he would be
looking for volunteers to oversee the planned footpath extension in Pilcorn Street. Cllr Smith
said there was need for public consultation in that area. Cllr Reason mentioned the Christmas
street lights but was told it was not on the agenda and could not be discussed at this meeting.
Cllr Worrall reported a kerb issue in Church Street which she would investigate.
21.10.15 CORRESPONDENCE
Item From Whom Subject
ALL CIRCULATED
3
21.10.16 COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Cemetery – Hedge cutting needed in the lane at the side of the cemetery
• Facilities Allotments, Footpaths – Allotments now available to let .
• Finance & General Purposes – Meeting early December
• Housing – Nil.
• Highways – Met end September.
• Planning – Meeting 3rd November
• Human Resources – Number of policies and procedures currently under consideration.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON COMMITTEES
• IOW News – Meeting in November
• Play Areas – Zoom meeting held and a survey was being circulated
• SALC – Nil
• Wedmore Playing Fields Management – Meeting on Monday. Current tenant of Post
and Wicket was leaving and a replacement being sought. The MUGA was being
upgraded
• Village Halls – Blackford and Wedmore very busy with bookings.
• Twinning – Nil
• Green Wedmore – AGM held. Steve Mewes taking over as Chair
21.10.17 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 8.32 pm