MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 10th MARCH 2025 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL, PENSFORD
Present:, Mr P Baxter, Ms C Dinsdale, Mr S Filer, Mrs S Grimes(Chairman),, Mr S Grimes, Mrs J Gully, Mrs T Jones, Mrs J Stephenson, Mr W Tantam, Mr Paul May (Ward Councillor), Mrs H Richardson (Clerk) and 9 Members of Public.
Public Participation: A resident raised concern about historical sites in the parish, including the Bonding Stone outside the old forge, the high pavement at Publow and the mile stone.
61.1. Apologies for absence: Dr L Malt,
61.2. Declarations of Interest: None
61.3. The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 10th February 2025 were agreed as a true and fair record and the Chairman signed them.
61.4. Planning:
a) Applications to consult:
i) 25/00795/CLEU: Tyreece, Wells Road, Pensford. Erection of a new ancillary outbuilding for hobby use (Certificate of Lawfulness for an Existing Use). The Parish Council resolved to OBJECT
ii) 25/00656/ADCOU. Knights Folly Farm, Woollard Lane, Publow. Change of use of former agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses (Prior Approval) The Parish Council resolved to make no comment
iii) 25/00605/FUL. Kensington House, Pensford Hill, Pensford. Raising of roof in upstairs eaves room with hipped roof and lower ground floor side extension with roof terrace, glazed aluminium veranda and steps. The Parish Council resolved to SUPPORT the application.
iv) 25/00583/VAR. 48 Hillcrest, Pensford. Variation of condition 9 (Plans List (Compliance)) of application 23/02251/FUL (Erection of 2no. bungalows). The Parish Council resolved to SUPPORT the application
v) 25/00511/FUL. Unregistered Farm Buildings Adjacent To Sandhills, Birchwood Lane, Publow. Conversion of 2 no. agricultural buildings to 2 no. detached dwellings and associated works. The Parish Council resolved to OBJECT.
b) Decision Notification:
i) 25/00245/AGRN. Southleigh Farm, Birchwood Lane, Publow: Erection of polytunnel. Agricultural Prior Approval NOT Required
c) Appeal Notification:
i) 25/00012/RF. The Hollies, Hillcrest, Pensford. Erection of 3 bedroom bungalow on the gardens of The Hollies. Application Ref: 24/01202/FUL
61.5. Matters for Discussion / Decision
a) The Parish Council received reports from Councillors who had attended the Somer Valley Links Consultations. It was agreed that the Parish Council would respond to support the principle of the aims of the project, but to raise concerns about any loss of parking for residents, school parents and customers of the post office. Concerns about the removal of bus laybys which will cause buses to obstruct the flow of traffic, increase pollution due to waiting traffic and to encourage dangerous overtaking.
b) The Parish Council considered the condition and operation of the Parish Bins as some are now broken and need replacing or removing. It was agreed that they should be replaced with barrels but would need tops making. Further details and costs to be agreed next month.
c) The Parish Council agreed that the 80th Anniversary of VE Day should be acknowledged on the 8th May. Volunteers would light a beacon under the viaduct.
d) Changes to the draft Housing Needs Survey were agreed and the post office offered to collect completed surveys securely.
e) The Parish Council approved a different model of Defibrillator (CR2) as the original choice was unavailable. No additional expenditure.
f) The Parish council approved the proposal to create a village car park and asked Steve Grimes to approach solicitors for quotes to carry out the legal aspect of the project,
g) The Parish council approved expenditure of £4349 to make an application for a public footpath diversion to enable item 61.5f. (£1089 initially with application).
h) The Parish Council discussed the need for maintenance of the Village Halls playground and would offer financial support to the village hall committee. A member of Public offered to help by carrying out a safety check. Needs to be carried out with the permission of the Village Hall committee,
i) The legal status of the allotment land was discussed, and it was confirmed that this would be registered as part of the Car Park Project.
61.6. Financial Matters
a) The Financial Report was accepted
b) March payments were approved.
Purpose for Expense – Amount – VAT – Recover
Mark McMullen – footpaths £85.00 £- N/A
Mrs Helen Richardson (45.5j) – Salary £915.10 £- N/A
HMRC (Month 12) £287.66 £- N/A
ALCA training for CD £45 £- N/A
B&NES application to divert footpath £1089 £- N/A
61.7. The Ward Councillor confirmed that there would be a 4.9% rise to council tax and children’s services costs had increased by 20%. There should be an update to the Local Plan Consultation in July this year.
61.8. Reports/Updates on Current matters:
a) PCAA: Nothing to report.
b) Allotments: Request for £150 to remove rubbish to be discussed next month.
c) Footpath Officer Vacancy. Applicants would be contacted after closing date.
d) Annual Village Meeting -It was agreed that there should be presentation on the Car Park Project.
e) Village Hall. Nothing to report.
f) Clerks Progress Report was circulated.
g) Chairman’s Report. The Chairman had met with the Miners Association where they have installed the first miners silhouette.
h) Police: No report
61.9. Items to carry forward to the next meeting: Allotment rubbish, bins.
61.10. To note Future Meetings
DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 14th April 2025 at 7pm in Pensford Village Hall
The meeting closed at 20.50pm