Public time
MINUTES of the COMBE ST. NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL Meeting
Held in the Village Hall on Monday 24th March 2025 at 7.30pm
PARISH COUNCILLORS Rev. Deborah Perreau, Vice-Chairman
Mrs. Cressida Govier-Drake, Mrs. Di Hine, Miss Sue Pargeter,
Messrs. Ian Croucher, Dr. Colin Ryall, Ian Stonex, Ian Whitehead
Also Mr. Martin Wale, (County Councillor) 5 members of the public and Mrs. A. Hunt – Parish Clerk
Apologies – Mrs. Cressida Govier-Drake, Mrs. Louise Simmons, Mr. Ed. Cockburn,
Mr. John Gilbert. Mrs. Jenny Kenton – County Councillor.
93/2024-25 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Councillor Ian Whitehead declared a personal interest re Minute 96/2024-2025 Planning Application 25/00466. Councillor Perreau declared an interest in Minute 100/2024-5 Finance re help towards village hall costs for Youth and Lego Clubs
94/2024-25 COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
Councillor Martin Wale – Somerset County already £101m short for next year – blamed on the previous administration as they did not increase the Council tax rate. The latest planning application for land adjoining Three Corners went to Planning Committee Officers and was approved for removal of basement, roof lights, apart from the request for front fence which was not approved as it was considered unsuitable for the first approach to the village.
95/2024-25 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 24th February 2025 were approved as a true record and signed
96/2024-25 PLANNING
- App. 25/00412/LBC Combe Dale, Clayhanger Lane. Re-instate a historic internal door opening, repoint the rear house elevation with breathable lime-based mortar and install new downpipe and hopper (part implemented). Approved unanimously.
- App. 25/00466 Greenlands, Wadeford. Detached double and store. No site/building levels shown, as land slopes down towards Court Mill Lane. Big impact on Peartree above as the proposed site is the highest part of the site. Refuse application – unanimous, as over-sized and over-bearing
- App. 25/00544/LBC Four Gables, Clayhanger Lane. Internal alteration to existing Annexe to allow accessible layout, to include conversion of the existing garage, external replacement porch and supporting landscape alterations. Replacement metal entrance gates. Approved unanimously.
- Planning result App. 22/00932 – Slurry Lagoon near Sticklepath has been given approval despite many objections. Feeling running high. Advice would be needed from a Planning Consultant to go for a judicial review. Following February PC meeting enquiries made for future advice as land holdings have now been reduced with much smaller land to spread all the slurry. Update next meeting.
- As no result yet received for App. 23/02972 Land off Clayhanger Lane, The Planning/Enforcement Officer has re-visited the site and will now re-examine the various points.
97/2024-25 THE LAWNS PLAY AREA
2 new smaller football goals have been erected. Litter bin on The Green to be removed as new rubbish collection payment scheme starts on 1st July. 2 rubbish bins in the wall of The Lawns to be covered.
98/2024-25 HIGHWAYS
- Public footpath CH5/67 – CH7/43 Pudleigh. New Section of Permissive path – Rights of Way Dept. contacted? Check with our Area Ranger when meeting her shortly.
99/2024-25 FLOOD/RESILIENCE INFORMATION
The Draft Parish Resilience Plan was circulated to all Councillors. It contains some typing errors.
A watercourse survey has been carried out in Court Mill Lane and Wadeford. Councillor Perreau will check to if the Parish Council will be informed of the results.
A water gauge is being fitted at Mill Mead, by the Wadeford bends, to pre-warn of level changes.
An Eco fair is being arranged for 7th June, with information stalls, etc. in the Village Hall/Church
100/2024-25 FINANCE
- a) Youth and Lego Clubs – Both these clubs for young people have started recently but the cost of the Village Hall would be £60 a month or £250 for 9 months. (see also Minute 91) Proposed by Councillor Whitehead, seconded by Councillor Govier-Drake to donate £250 to the Village Hall to cover the cost.
- b) Annual Risk Assessment and Internal Audit Controls approved
The following payments were approved and will be paid via Internet Banking
Mrs A. Hunt (broadband costs) £30.00
Village Hall (March PC mtg) £18.00
2 x goalposts for The Lawns £239.90
Village Hall (donation re Youth and Lego Club hire fees) £250.00
101/2024-25 GENERAL MATTERS
Village Logo sample circulated. Other designs to be obtained.
102/2024-25 RESIGNATION OF CLERK
Advertisements for new clerk to be posted in notice boards and circulated to other nearby Clerks/SALC