MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 8th DECEMBER 2025 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL, PENSFORD
Present: Mrs S Grimes(Chairman), Mr S Grimes, Mrs J Gully, Mrs T Jones, Dr L Malt, S Pattimore, Mrs H Richardson (Clerk), and 5 Members of Public.
Public Participation: The applicant from the Rising Sun presented their planning application and said that they would work with the Parish Council if that changes worsened the parking issue..
71.1. Apologies for absence: Ms C Dinsdale, Mr S Filer, Mrs J Stephenson, Cllr Paul May (Ward Councillor). The Chair received a letter of resignation from William Tantam.
71.2. Declarations of Interest:
71.3. The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 10th November 2025 were agreed as a true and fair record and the Chairman signed them.
71.4. Planning:
a) Applications to consult:
i) To ratify response to 25/04070/LBA: Parsonage Farm, Parsonage Lane, Publow. Works for installation an electric vehicle (EV) charger in in the garage. The garage is the most north-western building at the back of the main house. The Parish Council have No objection
b) Decision Notification:
i) 25/03794/TCA: River Bank, Mill Lane, Woollard. Rowan tree – dead. To fell. NO OBJECTION
ii) 25/01877/ADCOU: Knights Folly Farm, Woollard Lane, Publow: Prior approval request for change of use from Agricultural Building to 2no 3 bed Dwellings (C3) and associated operational development. APPROVE
71.5. Matters for Discussion
a) The Parish Council discussed the process for emptying the bins following the resignation of one of the volunteers. It was agreed that Steve Fluke would be taken on as a contractor to empty all the bins for £116.67 per month and will be reimbursed for buying bin bags.
b) Stevie Pattimore was appointed as allotment representative replacing William Tantam following his resignation from the Council.
c) Expenditure of £220 + VAT was approved for the electrical installation of the new defibrillator cabinet at the Post office.
d) The Parish Council discussed the application for the Ward Councillors fund. It was agreed that the Allotment representative would be asked to put forward a proposal to improve the water supply for allotment holders,
e) It was agreed that the Wall behind the War Memorial was in need of repair. PB would attend to the repair and inform the home owners of the property behind the wall of what he intended to do.
f) The councillor leading the Village Hall Car Park project sent her apologies and so it was suggested that councillors hold a working group meeting to agree how to progress the project and report back at the February Meeting.
g) It was agreed that following a request for a meeting from the Somerset Wildlife Trust they should be invited to attend a Parish Council meeting to brief councillors on the impact of Wild Beavers on stretches of the River Chew in the parish.
71.6. Financial Matters
a) The Third Draft of the budget was reviewed. B&NES Council will be issuing the Tax Base figure this month which will provide us with an estimate of the cost per household for a band D property. Final Precept request to be agreed next month.
b) Financial Report was accepted
c) December payments were approved.
Purpose for Expense – Amount – VAT – Recover
Mrs Helen Richardson (68.5i) – Salary £918.38 £- N/A
HMRC (Month 9) £358.97 £- N/A
DPM Lucas – Grass Cutting £50.00 £- N/A
Water2Business (allotment water) £100.88 £- N/A
RL Sharples (British Legion) £70 £- N/A
Mark Goulding £30 £- N/A
B Head – Reimburse for Child Defib Pads £149.94 £24.99 Y
SLCC £104.40 £- N/A
Frank Scholfield £85.00 £- N/A
Currys Laptop £381.94 £63.65 Y
71.7. The B&NES Ward Councillor sent his apologies.
71.8. Reports
a) PCAA: It was agreed to submit a letter to MP Dan Norris’ office and to the Bristol Airport consultation opposing the proposed approach lighting.
b) Village Hall – No report
c) Housing Needs Survey. Closing Date end of March, bring to Feb meeting to distribute.
d) Proposed 20 mph: No update
e) Clerks Report – circulated.
f) Chairmans report – Invitation to Carol Service in Publow church
71.9. Items to carry forward to the next meeting: Housing Needs Survey, agree zones for Councillors to deliver.
71.10.To note Future Meetings
DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 8th 12th January 2026 at 7pm in Pensford Village Hall
The meeting closed at 20.32