MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2025 At 7:00PM IN THE MEMORIAL HALL, PENSFORD
Present: Mr P Baxter, Ms C Dinsdale, Mr S Filer, Mrs S Grimes(Chairman), Mr S Grimes, Dr L Malt, Mrs T Jones, Mr W Tantam, Mrs H Richardson (Clerk), Mr Paul May (Ward Councillor) and 7 Members of Public.
Public Participation: A resident reported that the owner of the land in Wick Lane is holding an Open day to update residents of what he is doing with the land. On Saturday 20th September at lunchtime.
A resident complained that there are weeds everywhere and drains need emptying. In Birchwood Lane paddock chippings have been tipped into a field. This has been reported to enforcement and work has stopped.
An allotment holder asked that Parish Council not to divert the footpath through the allotments as would harm the privacy and natural setting of the allotments. An extinguishment order should be considered as an alternative to the diversion. They would be in favour of a new carpark on the Village Hall playing fields.
68.1. Apologies for absence: Mrs J Gully, Mrs J Stephenson,
68.2. Declarations of Interest: None
68.3. The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 18th August 2025 were agreed as a true and fair record and the Chairman signed them.
68.4. Planning:
a) Applications to consult: None
b) Decision Notification:
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. CONSENT
68.5. Matters for Discussion
a) Stevie-Rose Pattimore was co-opted onto the Parish Council. Stevie was unable to attend the meeting and so will sign her declaration of acceptance of office before the next meeting.
b) The Parish Council approved by casting vote, the proposed route for the diversion of footpath CL:17/40 to be submitted to B&NES as an amendment to the Public Path Orders application pack, originally submitted in March 2025.
c) The Parish Council resolved that no member of the public has any 3rd party interest in any part of the proposed route which passes between allotment plots on the allotment site.
d) The Parish Council agreed to investigate the feasibility of the Village Hall playing fields as a potential site for the village car park. It was agreed that a representative from the Parish Council would attend the next meeting of the village hall committee to request if they would be agreeable to enter further discussions on the proposal.
e) The Parish Council made amendments to the event management plan for Remembrance 2025 and agreed to purchase 30 large poppies and 2 Wreaths.
f) The Parish Council approved changes to the Housing needs survey. Expenditure for printing and distribution was approved.
g) The Parish Council approved expenditure up to £50 for the planters on the A37.
h) The Parish Council received a report on the meeting with the Badger expert on the allotments.
i) The Parish Council accepted the Local Government Association Pay agreement 2025-26
68.6. Financial Matters
a) Financial Report was accepted
b) September payments were approved.
Purpose for Expense – Amount – VAT Recover
Mrs Helen Richardson (45.5j) – Salary £876.40 £- N/A
HMRC (Month 6 ) £343.39 £- N/A
DPM Lucas – Grass Cutting £50.00 £- N/A
BDO LLP £252.00 £42.00 Y
Church Rooms £25 £- N/A
Nisbets Bin Bags, Reimburse HR £68.36 £11.39 Y
Frank Scholfield £85.00 £- N/A
68.7. B&NES Ward Councillor reported the Local Plan would be discussed a the Cabinet meeting on the 25th September and go to consultation October/November. There was no update on the Somer Valley links and so would ask for a report.
68.8. Reports
a) PCAA: report of AGM circulated.
b) Allotments: No Report
c) Emptying of waste bins. One of the volunteers will stop emptying bins in December and so need an alternative. Discuss next meeting
d) Village Hall – NO update
e) Enforcement issues. The field in Wick Lane has been reported to enforcement
f) Clerks Report – circulated.
g) Chairmans report.- Nothing to report
68.9. Items to carry forward to the next meeting: Budget, Proposal for planters, Defib Guardian,
68.10. To note Future Meetings
Parishes Liaison –15th October 2025
DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 13th October 2025 at 7pm in Pensford Village Hall
The meeting closed at 20.54pm