Public time – 1 Minute Silence was observed to acknowledge the 80 year anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Rev. Deborah Perreau led with a short prayer.
MINUTES of the COMBE ST. NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL Meeting
Held in the Village Hall on Monday 27th January 2025 at 7.30pm
PARISH COUNCILLORS Mr. Ed Cockburn, Chairman
Rev. Deborah Perreau, Mrs. Di Hine, Miss Sue Pargeter, Mrs. Cressida Govier-Drake,
Mrs. Louise Simmons,
Messrs. Ian Croucher, John Gilbert, Dr. Colin Ryall, Ian Stonex, Ian Whitehead
Also Mr. Martin Wale, (County Councillor) 4 members of the public and Mrs. A. Hunt – Parish Clerk
Apologies – Mrs. Jenny Kenton, (County Councillor)
70/2024-25 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Mrs. Louisa Simmons declared a prejudicial interest re Minute 74/2025 (b)
71/2024-25 COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
Councillor Martin Wale – Chard Town Council are also setting their precept today, possible 2.9% rise, due to services and assets of Somerset County being passed down. Buckland St. Mary Parish Council have already started clearing gullies, at their cost. Somerset County are asking Govt. for an increase over the maximum of 4.99% as the cost of providing care for young people and social care.
The boundaries of wards within Somerset are changing to reduce the number of County Councillors from 110 to 94. The current ward of Combe and Buckland St. Mary may expand to include Broadway and Whitestaunton in future – to be decided in time for 2027 election.
Cuttifords Door/Mount Hindrance planning application which originally was submitted in 2012 – recently approved by Yeovil Planning Committee – Martin explained the reasons for supporting this application and apologised if the Parish Councillors did not entirely agree with the decision.
All the details re roads, access, CIL, 106 donations, School places, responsibilities for play area and public football pitch can be argued when the Reserved Matters application is made.
72/2024-25 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 25th November 2024 were approved as a true record and signed
73/2024-25 COMBE WOOD
The previous C.M.E.Ltd buildings in Combe Wood have now been taken over by P.M.B.L.Ltd but some concerns from nearby residents due to content of materials. A visit has been arranged to enable them and Parish Councillor to ask questions, etc.
74/2024-25 PLANNING
- App. 24/02956 Combe Head Barn, Fairclose. Oak framed timber open porch mounted on a dwarf stone wall with mono pitched roof. No objections (2 abstentions) but different stone shown on dwarf wall compared to house stone. Should match.
- App. 24/02949 Tor View, Stantway. Replacement of uPVC conservatory with ground floor extension, some internal alterations and addition of carport and porch. No objections. Councillor Louise Simmons left the meeting while this item was discussed.
- App. 24/01794 Hainshill House, Crock St. Installation of ground mounted 24 solar photo voltaic panels on agric. land south of house in 2 rows of 12 to generate renewable energy. No objections
- 24/02570 Land adjoining Three Corners, Stoopers Hill. Excess water from site being pumped out into Church Path (adjoining Lane). Check planning conditions when permission given.
75/2024-25 THE LAWNS PLAY AREA
Attempts to repair the football goal posts will be tried. Enquiries to be made at Combe Football Club re. any spare small goals.
Litter Bins – in view of the cost to empty these from April, the bin on The Green will be removed and installed on The Lawns in place of current bin. The 2 litter bins in the front wall will be covered over.
76/2024-25 HIGHWAYS
A meeting with the Asst. Highways Manager to be held on site in Whiteway on Friday to try and solve the problem of flooding on the roads.
Following recent heavy rains the road surface at the top of Frog Lane feels unreliable. Large pothole possible shortly. Many incidents of excessive water on various roads, but no known house flooding.
77/2024-25 FINGERPOSTS
The cleaning programme will be postponed until the weather gets better
78/2024-25 ALLOTMENTS LEASE
Lease between the landowners and Parish Council has been signed by all parties, showing an increase in the annual rent to £456
79/2024-25 FLOOD/RESILIENCE INFORMATION
A few call-outs for the Flood Wardens recently, especially around Combe Village Centre. A lot of water run-off from all the fields everywhere. Forms of communication important in emergency situations – Resilience group trial incident meeting is being held shortly.
80/2024-25 FINANCE
Financial figures were circulated in readiness for the Precept decision. In view of the current Somerset County financial position more responsibilities will probably have to be undertaken by this Parish Council, such as verge cutting, drain clearance. It was resolved (2 objected) to increase the precept from £22000 to £25000 in readiness for this extra work needed.
The following payments were approved and will be paid via Internet Banking
Mrs A. Hunt (broadband costs Dec + Jan + 2 x travel exp. to Yeovil and Bridgwater) £100.00
Village Hall (Jan. PC mtg) £18.00
Somerset County (quarterly play equipment inspections) £127.20
81/2024-25 GENERAL MATTERS
2 Councillors will attend Local Plan mtg in Chard – Thank residents for help during storm – the excess funds left from the `Save the Dragon funds` should be distributed shortly.