MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 12th MAY 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, Dr L Malt, Mrs J Stephenson, Mr W Tantam, Mrs H Richardson (Clerk), Mr Paul May (Ward Councillor) and 1 Members of Public.
64.1. Sue Grimes was elected as Chairman and Paul Baxter was elected as Vice Chairman.
64.2. The Chairman signed the declaration of acceptance of Office.
Public Participation:
64.3. Apologies for absence: None
64.4. Declarations of Interest: None
64.5. Appointment of Representatives were agreed:
a) Memorial Hall Committee: Paul Baxter
b) Parish Council’s Airport Association: Steve Grimes
c) Parish Liaison Meetings: Sue Grimes
d) ALCA Meetings: Sue Grimes
e) B&NES Local Council Group: None
f) Chew Valley Forum: Tracy Jones
g) Flood Representative: None
h) Guardians for Defibrillators: Janette Stephenson(Woollard), Claire Dinsdale (Hillcrest), Layla Malt(Post office)
i) Staffing Panel: Tracy Jones, Steve Filer, Steve Grimes.
j) Allotments: William Tantam
k) Signatories for Unity Bank : Steve Filer, Paul Baxter, Steve Grimes, Tracy Jones, William Tantam, Claire Dinsdale.
64.6. The Standing Orders were reviewed and adopted unchanged.
64.7. The 2025-26 schedule of meetings were approved.
64.8. The Parish Council Risk assessment was reviewed and adopted unchanged.
64.9. The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 14th April 2025 and Monday 28th April 2025 were agreed as a true and fair record and the Chairman signed them.
64.10. Planning:
a) Applications to consult:
i) 25/01563/LBA: Publow Farm , Blackrock Lane, Publow, Internal alterations to vault the ceilings of Bedroom 1 and Bedroom 2 in the 19th century part of the building. The Parish Council resolved to SUPPORT the application.
b) Decision Notification:
i) 25/00903/TCA: The Hollies , Pensford Hill, Pensford. T1 Leylandeii – Height reduction of 15m. T2 Leylandeii, T3 Willow – Fell. NO OBJECTION
ii) 25/00656/ADCOU. Knights Folly Farm, Woollard Lane, Publow: Change of use of former agricultural buildings to dwellinghouses (Prior Approval) APPROVE
iii) 25/00583/VAR. 48 Hillcrest, Pensford. Variation of condition 9 (Plans List (Compliance)) of application 23/02251/FUL (Erection of 2no. bungalows). APPLICATION PERMITTED.
64.11. Matters for Discussion / Decision
a) The Parish Council received the Traffic Regulation Order(TRO) which included changes to the restricted parking to accommodate the proposed change of location of the post office. The Parish Council agreed that as the change of location for the post office was in doubt and was not likely to take place for at least a year, it was important that the current arrangements for restricted parking for customers should remain in place and the proposed changes not implemented. The Parish Council resolved to object to the changes.
b) The Parish Council resolved to formally request a 20mph speed limit in the current 30 mph zone on the A37 and 30mph in the current 40 mph zone.
c) The Parish council approved expenditure of £70 + VAT for an annual subscription to the National allotment society.
d) The Parish Council approved expenditure of £95 for the annual subscription for the Parish Council Airport Association (PCAA)
e) The Parish Council approved expenditure to print and distribute a letter regarding the Post Office and the Sorting office Closure.
f) The Parish council deferred the discussion on the Pensford Community Volunteers.
g) It was agreed that as representative attending the Parish Liaison Meetings, Sue Grimes would communicate information given by the Police at the Parish liaison Meetings
h) The Parish Council approved the annual insurance Premium of £772.14.
i) It was agreed that Steve Grimes would create and be admin for an official Facebook Page in the name of the Parish Council.
j) The Parish Council received concerns about the maintenance of the wall by the war memorial. PB agreed to ask the resident if the wall belonged to him and would suggest he repairs it.
k) The Parish Council considered the replacement of waste bins with whisky barrels but it was not clear how lids could be created. It was suggested that they should purchase modern bins and the Clerk was asked to provide some prices for next month.
64.12. Financial Matters
a) The Financial Report was accepted
b) May payments were approved. (PB & SF to authorise)
Purpose for Expense – Amount – VAT – Recover
Mrs Helen Richardson (45.5j) – Salary £893.50 £- N/A
HMRC Month 2 £343.39 £- N/A
Steve Grimes Reimbursement (Maintenance) £34.98 £- N/A
Zurich Insurance £772.14 £- N/A
PCAA -Membership £95 £- N/A
DPM Lucas – grass cutting £75 £- N/A
Nisbits Bin Bags (Reimburse HR) £55.17 £9.19 Y
DM Payroll Services £208 £- N/A
Easy Space Domain Renewal £48.00 £8 Y
64.13. Reports
a) PCAA: No report
b) Allotments: Invoices have been issued and an update on tenants was given.
c) Footpath Officer recruitment: the parish council approved the appointment of Anthony (Frank) Scholfield and it was agreed that a whatsapp group should be set up to help with communication and lone working.
d) Housing needs survey – CD to provide sentence on data protection.
e) Defibrillators – the new devices have been given to guardians.
f) Village Hall – too much waste is going in the village hall bins, presumed from the Parish Council waste bins. It was suggested that a lock should be put on the bins so members of public couldn’t fill them up. The replacement Parish Council bins should address the amount of household waste being left in the PC bins.
g) Playground – no update
h) Clerks Report – circulated.
i) Chairmans report.- Nothing to report.
j) The Ward Councillor reported that he had followed up with the Somer Valley Links consultation and they have listened to our comments. He is working with the post office as is a vital service with the likelihood of more houses locally in the local plan.
64.14. Items to carry forward to the next meeting: None
64.15. To note Future Meetings
Parishes Liaison –16th July, 15th October 2025
DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 9th June 2025 at 7pm in Pensford Village Hall
The meeting closed at 21.10pm