WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the meeting of WEDMORE PARISH COUNCIL held at Blackford Village Hall, on
Wednesday 21st July 2021 at 7.30 p.m.
Present: Councillors:, Mrs P Costello (Chair), Mrs J Candy, Mr D Cox, Mrs J Farley,
Mrs B James-Lloyd, Mr D Kirley, Mr A Landers, Mrs E Mulliner, Mr J Newton,
Mr A Smith, Mr S Thorogood, Mrs S Worrall,
In Attendance: Mr. R Pring (Clerk), Cllr D Huxtable (SCC),
21.07.1. TO RECEIVE ANY APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllrs I Beacom, G Cousins, P Tinney.
21.07.2. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS – Cllr Huxtable reported that
he had just heard that the Government had decided that Somerset would be run by a unitary
authority rather than being divided into East and West areas. He apologised for the slow
response by Highways Dept. in completing projects within the area. This was mainly as a result
of shortage of staff and transport and the unavailability of materials. Cllr Newton asked how the
issue was being dealt with but Cllr Huxtable said there was no easy answer. A cascade system
of reporting was in place and he was doing what he could to expedite matters. Some projects
were 12 months overdue. Cllr Thorogood noted that it was impossible to raise matters
concerning cycling and walking with County. Cllr Huxtable agreed it was frustrating and asked
for the papers to be sent to him directly. Cllr Smith raised the issue of the missing limited
waiting sign in the Pilcorn Street lay-by. Some residents had asked if a residents’ parking
permit scheme could be adopted. Cllr Huxtable said that this was not feasible. After a lengthy
discussion it was felt that it was probably better not to replace the missing sign and for the layby to be used on a first come first served basis without restrictions being applied. Cllr Costello
gave details of meetings attended at Sedgemoor.
21.07.3. TO RECORD ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Nil.
21.07.4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16TH JUNE 2021 – RESOLVED: that the Chairman be
authorised to sign the minutes as a correct record of the previous meeting.
21.07.5. MATTERS ARISING – Nil
21.07.6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Nil.
21.07.7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Audit of accounts – 24th Mayl 2021 – 24th June 2021 – Cllr Beecom and Cllr Mulliner
reported that all was in order.
b) Accounts for Payment – as per the following list
Payment Payee Details Amount
BACS Glasdon Blackford gateway equipment £2350.89
BACS OddJob Unblock drains £43.00
DD ZOOM Monthly subscription £14.39
BACS Somerset C C Blackford gateway installation costs £400.00
BACS EDF Energy Electricity at toilets £11.49
BACS Rowsell Plant Hire Groundwork at allotments` £240.00
DD Sedgemoor DC Clerk’s salary £1756.79
BACS Clarity Copiers Photocopy charges £3.59
BACS Info Commission Annual subscription £40.00
2
BACS
21.07.08 TO CONSIDER A REQUEST FROM “GREEN WEDMORE” FOR A GRANT TOWARDS A WILDLIFE
PROJECT – Cllr Smith and his sub-committee had looked at the application and felt it had merit
and should be approved. Cllr Worrall felt that as the group had made two applications
recently they be asked to refrain from making further applications so that other groups could
apply for funding. Proposed by Cllr Kirley and seconded by Cllr Worrall that the grant be
approved and this was agreed. – ACTION – CLERK
21.07.09 TO CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TOWARDS UPGRADING OF LAND AT SIDE OF COUNCIL
ROOMS – The Clerk explained that the piece of waste land at the side of the Council Rooms
had recently been tidied up bu the occupant at No. 1 Grants Lane as the whole area was an
eyesore. Half of it was owned by the Parish Council and half by Homes in Sedgemoor. The
work had been done professionally and the resident was asking for a contribution towards the
costs amounting to £270.00. Proposed by Cllr Costello and seconded by Cllr Worrall that the
Council make a donation of 50% of the costs. This was agreed. ACTION – CLERK
21.07.10 TO AGREE COSTINGS FOR FENCE REPAIRS AT BLACKFORD PLAY AREA. – Cllr Farley had
obtained two quotes to replace fencing at Blackford Play Area. She proposed that the Council accept
the lower tender from Jon Bethell. This was seconded by Cllr Candy and agreed. ACTION – JF
21.07.11 TO AGREE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO GRANT GUIDANCE AND APPLICATION FORMS – Cllr Smith
p[ointed out an anomaly in the Grants procedures where applications were received from individuals
rather than groups and the the proposals were for the benefit of residents. He felt that a revised
procedure be adopted whereby invoices relating to these projects were paid directly by the Parish
Council. Cllr Worrall suggetsed that Cllr Smith contiunue in his attempts to come up with a set of
words to cover such matters. This was agreed and the matter would be deferred until August.
ACTION – AS .
21.07.12 TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE SOME POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND TO MAKE CHANGES
TO COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON COMMITTEES – Cllr Mulliner
reported that several members were involved involved in reviewing Council policies and
procedures. Cllr James-Lloyd had submitted revised policies concerning Communications,
Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities. Plans were in place to create a new website and for
each member to have a Council email address. It was agreed to approve the three poilicies
submitted, with an agreed amendment in the Communications Policy in relation to the time
scales for posting notices. Cllr Mulliner proposed that “Footpaths and Green Issues” be moved
back with the allotments sub-committee. Cllr Candy felt that the allotments took up a lot of her
time and she couldn’t take on footpaths as well. Cllr Thorogood agreed to continue as the
Paths Liaison Officer and it was agreed that the move should take place. Cllr Mulliner asked
that a HR sub-committee be formed and that “Green Wedmore” be added to the list of
“Representatives on Committees”. Both items were agreed. ACTION – B J-L / CLERK
21.07.13 ISSUES AND QUESIONS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS – Cllr. Worrall noted that Wedmore by
Lamplight was not taking place this year and felt the Council should take some action. The
Chair reported that the event was run by a committee of traders and there were reports of
some disagreement between some of the parties. She felt that this was not a matter for the
Council. Cllr Thorogood gave details of former Councillor Edwin Badman’s funeral
arrangements. He also reported that there would be an open meeting in Theale Village Hall at
6.30pm on Weds 18th August to discuss the Panborough Inn issues. Cllr Newton reported that
he was still in discussion with landowners concerning the proposed cycle route between
Wedmore and Blackford. Cllr Mulliner reported that she had attended an on-line session on
“Carbon Literacy” and would share details with members in due course.
21.07.14 CORRESPONDENCE
Item From Whom Subject
ALL CIRCULATED
3
21.07.15 COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Cemetery – Nil
• Facilities Allotments & Footpaths – Nil
• Finance & General Purposes – Nil
• Housing – Nil.
• Highways – Cllr Smith was waiting for post extensions for the SID so that it could be moved
around various locations. The SID by the cemetery showed that 50% of traffic was travelling in
excess of 30 mph with the fastest recorded speed of 75 mph. A second device had been
ordered. Cllr Newton said that the Blackford gateway work had not started yet.
• Planning – Meeting Weds 11th August in the Council Rooms
• Footpaths and Green Issues – Nil.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON COMMITTEES
• IOW News – AGM held recently. New Treasurer, Tom Wright appointed.
• Play Areas – A new equipment survey was being carried out
• SALC – Nil
• Wedmore Playing Fields Management – Cllrs Kirley and James-Lloyd had recently
attended a meeting where the condition of the outside toilet had been raised. The
cleaning was a Council responsibility and it wasn’t being done satisfactorily. There
were constant complaints regarding lack of paper and soap etc. As a result the
Pavilion Manager had withdrawn his cleaning services and the Council needed to
find a replacement. The Clerk said he had asked the caretaker of the Borough toilets
to see if the role would suit him and he was awaiting a response.
• Village Halls – Cllr Thorogood said that the renewal of the Theale hall lease was
ongoing.
• Twinning – Nil
21.07.16 MATTERS OF REPORT AND ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING –
(a). Chairman – Nil
(b) Clerk – Application for Co-option to the Council from Andy Reeson of Latcham.
This would be on the agenda for the next meeting.
(c) Members – Nil
There being no further business the meeting was declared closed at 8.56 pm