 Yeovil    Somerset BA20 1PQ   Town House     Town Clerk Alan Tawse Fax 01935 382429 19 Union Street  Alan Tawse Phone 01935 382424   21 December 2011                    E-mail [email protected]                 Yeovil Town Council                                                                                     Please contact Alan Tawse at the Town House for more information about this meeting      If you need this informationanother in language, large please print, ring Braille, 01935 audio 382424 or        YEOVIL TOWN COUNCIL

Philip Chandler – Mayor of Yeovil Clive Davis – Deputy Mayor

Martin Bailey Peter Gubbins Peter Brock John Hann Kris Castle Kaysar Hussain J Vincent Chainey Andrew Kendall Tristan Cobb Mike Lock Leah Cross Tony Lock Bridget Dollard Wes Read David Dollard David Recardo Tony Fife Manny Roper Jon Gleeson Darren Shutler David Greene Alan Smith

Equality Act 2010 The general public sector equality duty places an obligation on a wide range of public bodies (including town and parish councils) in the exercise of their functions to have due regard to the need to:

 Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act

 Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not

 Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not The protected characteristics are: Age Race Disability Religion or Belief Gender Reassignment Sex Marriage and Civil Partnership Sexual Orientation Pregnancy and Maternity AGENDA

Prayers

Grant Presentation

Public Comment (15 Minutes)

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COMPETITION

The Mayor will present a trophy to the winner of the Town Council’s annual Christmas Lights Competition and commemorative shields to the two runners-up.

1. MINUTES

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 December 2011.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

4. MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYOR'S RECENT AND FORTHCOMING ENGAGEMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

(See attached at pages 3 to 4)

5. CORRESPONDENCE Pages

6. YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES 5 to 16

7. BUS SUBSIDIES 17 to 40

8. COUNTYWIDE PARKING STRATEGY 41

9. SUMMERHOUSE VILLAGE MASTERPLAN 42 to 53

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COMMITTEES AND OTHER MEETINGS

(The Minutes of the following meetings are open to discussion. Where a Committee has made a recommendation, that will be listed on a separate sheet circulated with the Agenda). Planning and Licensing Committee

5 December 2011

11. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Yeovil Twinning Association

10 November 2011 54

Yeovil Youth Council

28November2011 55to57

Members who represent the Town Council on Outside Bodies may wish to take this opportunity to report on any matters of interest.

Public Comment (15 Minutes) List of Engagements attended/to be attended by His Worship The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler and the Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Clive Davis from 6 December to 7 February 2012

06/12/11 The Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Clive Davis, attended the St Andrews Church Carol Service 07/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Milford Junior School ‘Jesus’ Christmas Party’ production 07/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Arthritis Care Yeovil Christmas dinner 09/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended the Royal Mail Huish sorting office for the Christmas visit, along with Rt Hon David Laws MP 09/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Yeovil District Hospital for the annual Christmas visit, along with Rt Hon David Laws MP 09/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended the Hospice for the Christmas visit, along with Rt Hon David Laws MP 09/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended The Park School Carol Service 09/12/11 The Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Clive Davis, attended the Spirit Acrobatic Gymnastics display 10/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended the Razzamataz Annual Award Show 10/12/11 The Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Clive Davis, attended the Induction Service for Revd Stella Hayton 10/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, and Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Clive Davis, attended the Spirit Acrobatic Gymnastics display 11/12/11 The Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Clive Davis, attended the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s Civic Carol Service 11/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended the Salvation Army’s ‘Carols at the Octagon’ 12/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Tynedale Nursing Home for the annual Christmas visit 12/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Ivelhurst Nursing Home for the annual Christmas visit 12/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Preston Park House for the annual Christmas visit 12/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended the Milford Junior School Main Concert 13/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Park Lodge for the annual Christmas visit 13/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Lockwood court for the annual Christmas visit 13/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Cool Runnings Too for the annual Christmas visit 14/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Malmesbury Court for the annual Christmas visit 14/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Compton View for the annual Christmas visit 14/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended West Abbey Nursing Home for the annual Christmas visit 14/12/11 The Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Clive Davis, attended the Yeovil Chamber Choir Concert 15/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Sunningdale Lodge for the annual Christmas visit 15/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Sherborne Care Home for the annual Christmas visit 15/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Grovelands for the annual Christmas visit 16/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Cinderella as guests of the management of the Octagon Theatre 16/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Rowan Place for the annual Christmas visit 16/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Wyndham Court for the annual Christmas visit 16/12/11 The Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Clive Davis, attended St Margaret’s Hospice Sunflower Centre 17/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Shaftesbury Town Council’s Carol Service 18/12/11 The Deputy Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Clive Davis, attended Ringwood Town Council’s Civic Christmas Carol Concert 18/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended Gillingham Town Council’s Carol Service 22/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, attended the British Heart Foundation shop’s charity raffle draw 31/12/11 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, will attend Chants Estate Agents’ 1st year celebration 06/01/12 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Clive Davis, will attend Yeovil College Further Education Awards Ceremony 18/01/12 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, will attend the Yeovil Opportunity Group AGM 27/01/12 The Mayor of Yeovil, Councillor Phil Chandler, will attend the Yeovil Amateur Pantomime Society’s performance of Jack and the Beanstalk 6. YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Introduction

Following on from previously agreed reductions in funding, Somerset County Council is considering a number of options for changes in the future provision of youth and community services, and they have written to the town and parish councils impacted by these proposals (copy letter attached at pages 8 to 9) seeking their views.

Reasons and proposals

Their reasons and details of their proposals and plans for their implementation are set out in the document attached at pages 10 to 12. These include:

 The current position and the options considered by the County Council  The implications of the savings  The consultation that has taken place to date

The County Council have indicated that their currently favoured approach is Option C - to withdraw from the direct delivery of youth and community work from 1 April 2012.

Views on the proposals are invited ahead of 30 January when the relevant Cabinet Member is expected to take a key decision on the future of youth and community services in Somerset.

In his covering letter, the Cabinet Member asks “in the event that I agree the proposals as presented, if you (the town and parish councils impacted) are able to help, either in terms of financial, or in kind support, to either ensure youth work delivery continues in your locality, or to retain/manage the local youth centre as a community resource”.

Turning to other consultation, all Members of Yeovil Town Council were invited to attend a briefing last month at which an opportunity was given for members to discuss the local impact of the proposals being put forward by the County Council with representatives of the Youth and Community Service at Morley House Young People’s Centre in Yeovil.

In addition, the proposals have been discussed by the South Somerset Youth Opportunities Group, and the Chairman of that Group has been invited to the meeting to indicate how that Group feels the proposals would impact on the work that the Group undertakes with young people in the Yeovil area.

As reported to the last Town Council meeting, a copy letter has been received from a local resident who is concerned at the possible impact that the proposed changes may have on a weekly group that her son attends. She has requested that this letter be brought to the attention of the Town Council, and this is attached at pages 13 to 16 along with a copy of a letter from the Chief Executive of Somerset County Council commenting of the issues raised by the local resident. Legal Powers

Town and parish councils have limited discretionary powers to contribute towards the cost of providing youth and community services.

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (S.19) provides that a local authority (including town and parish councils) may provide, inside or outside its area, such recreational facilities as it thinks fit.

These include the power to provide premises for the use of clubs or societies having athletic, social or recreational objects; and to provide staff, including instructors, in connection with any such facilities or premises. The power to provide facilities includes powers to provide buildings, equipment, supplies and assistance of any kind.

The Act also refers to the power to contribute by way of grant or a loan towards the expenses incurred or to be incurred by any voluntary organisation or by any other local authority in providing any recreational facilities which the authority has power to provide.

An alternative approach may be to regard such a contribution as S.137 expenditure. This power (S.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by S.36 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989) enables parish councils in England to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised.

This may be for any purpose which, in the council’s opinion, is in the interests of, and will directly benefit its area or any part of it or all or some of its inhabitants. The 1989 Act states that the benefit must be commensurate with the expenditure incurred.

Following a discussion with the Somerset Association of Local Councils (SALC), should the Town Council wish to use this power to make a contribution, it is suggested that the legal position be checked to ensure that such use would fall within the definition of the Act prior to any commitment being made.

A further funding option may be to use legislation contained in the new Localism Act 2011, which includes a provision for eligible councils to be granted a general power of competence. This gives eligible councils the legal capacity to do anything that an individual can do that is not specifically prohibited. However, this part of the Act has yet to come into effect and it is anticipated that those town and parish councils who wish to use this particular power will need to meet certain criteria, which have yet to be defined.

Yeovil Youth Council

Yeovil Youth Council is administered and supported by the Town Council, which provides an annual grant towards its activities, secretarial support for its operation and a venue for its meetings. The Town Council currently receives invaluable support from youth workers employed by the County Council who help members of Yeovil Youth Council to develop ideas and initiatives at additional meetings and workshops that take place at Morley House.

They also organise and oversee their attendance at events and occasional team building exercises, which are designed to help youth councillors develop their capacity to work together as a collective body, and to achieve the agreed aims and objectives of the Youth Council as set out below:

(1) The Youth Council (The Council) shall seek to represent the young people of Yeovil as a section of society on any issue of concern to them.

(2) The Council shall seek to communicate and liaise between and, where appropriate, advise and support existing and new youth organisations within Yeovil.

(3) The Council shall work towards the improvement of the image and status of young people within Yeovil.

(4) The Council shall, where applicable, be involved in the organisation of events for young people and seek to further the understanding between groups of young people including those with different cultural and religious backgrounds and those with special or different needs.

(5) In pursuit of these aims and objectives, the Youth Council shall operate as a non-party political or statutory body.

Recommendation

Council is RECOMMENDED to note this consultation paper and to consider making a response by the deadline.

(Alan Tawse, Town Clerk – 01935 382424) To all Parish and Town Councils impacted by the proposed changes in Youth and Community Services

Axbridge Town Council Please ask for Direct Line Yeovil Town Council John Osman 01823-355104 Frome Town Council Bridgwater Town Council Email [email protected] Street Parish Council Wellington Town Council My reference Your reference Wiveliscombe Parish Council SEN/RS/ 1211f017frm

21 December 2011

Dear

Proposed Changes to Somerset County Council’s Youth and Community Service

You will be aware that Somerset County Council has developed proposals relating to the future of the Youth and Community Service which the Council currently provides.

The purpose of this letter is to:-

 Invite your comments on the attached proposals. I will take any comments into account before taking the Key Decision on the future of the service.

 Ask, in the event that I agree the proposals as presented, if you are able to help, either in terms of financial, or in kind support to either ensure youth work delivery continues in your locality, or to retain/manage the local Youth Centre as a community resource.

The pressures on the Council’s budgets are such that reductions of 75% have been agreed for this service across the three years of the Medium Term Financial Plan from 2011-2014.

In light of the reduction in funding, SCC has three options to consider in terms of how to best make use of the residual resources available for youth work. The options are:

 retain a reduced Local Authority ability to deliver youth work across a targeted number of communities;

 move to a withdrawal from direct provision of youth work by April 2013 and use resources to support the voluntary and community sector in youth work delivery;

 make the withdrawal from direct delivery by April 2012 so that the maximum resources can be used to support the voluntary and community sector. 2. (contd) 21 December 2011

At the moment our favoured proposal is to withdraw from the direct delivery of Youth and Community work with effect from 1 April 2012. This would allow the Council to focus its remaining resources on the support of voluntary and community sector organisations who are able to provide direct delivery of work with young people. This approach is in line with the Government’s current view about how Youth and Community Services should be taken forward.

I am attaching a summary of the options and proposal for the implementation of these changes which is available for you to comment on in the period up to 30 January when I shall be considering taking a Key Decision on the future of Youth and Community Services. In order to minimise the impact of these proposed changes, we are in discussion with key stakeholders within the communities potentially affected by this proposal. Given the budget reductions agreed, we wish to work with all possible partners to ensure the continuation of youth provision. We aim to sustain as much as possible of the current service provision.

Please contact Robert Sampson, Group Manager Community Services 0 to 19 [email protected] if you wish to discuss these issues further.

Yours sincerely

JOHN OSMAN Cabinet Member, Children & Young People Children & Young People's Directorate WWW.SOMERSET.GOV.UK County Hall Taunton Somerset TA1 4DY

Options for Changes in Youth and Community Services 2012-14

1. Summary

1.1 Somerset County Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2011-14, agreed in February 2011, outlines a reduction in spending on Youth and Community Services from £3m to £814k across the MTFP period.

1.2 The County Council has a favoured option for how these savings are achieved and to best mitigate the implications of the reductions and to maximise the impact of the remaining funding. It is proposed that SCC should withdraw from the direct provision of youth work from April 2012 and refocus its efforts on the support of voluntary and community sector organisations who are able to provide youth work within local communities.

2. Options Considered

2.1 Whilst the MTFP savings in the Youth and Community Service budget were agreed at Full Council, the options for achieving these savings are still proposals and will not be agreed until 30 January 2012.

2.2 SCC has been exploring three possible options for achieving these savings. The overall aim is to obtain the maximum benefit in terms of quality and service delivery from the remaining resources available.

2.3 There are three main options:

(a) To retain some Youth Centres and a reduced staff group witin the County Council Youth and Community Service delivering services on a targeted basis within the most deprived communities.

The strengths of this option are that it retains some continuity of provision and staff in a small number of communities. However, there would be very little resource left to support voluntary and community sector providers in other parts of the County and maintain provision from which SCC will be withdrawing.

(b) The County Council withdraws from the direct delivery of youth work and refocuses its funding on support to voluntary and community organisations who are able to directly provide youth work. This change would be phased in across the period through to April 2013.

SEN/RS/1211f027edo 1 21 December 2011 The strength of this proposal is that it provides an extended period of transition from SCC direct delivery. However, it would require a significant number of redundancies prior to April 2012, a short-term staffing restructure and then further redundancies in April 2013. It would require funding be spent on staff during 2012-13 rather than on support to the voluntary and community sectors.

(c) The County Council withdraws from direct delivery as in option (b) but achieves this transition by April 2012.

This is currently the favoured option as it provides an opportunity to maximise the resources which can be provided for the voluntary and community to develop their capacity and take forward as much as possible on the existing SCC provision. This option however requires all staff that directly provide youth work to be made redundant and provides a challenging timescale to achieve the transitions.

3. Implications of the Savings

3.1 The implications of the implementation of any of the options outlined above will be a significant reduction in SCC youth work provision due to the savings which have been agreed. However, consultations and discussions are currently taking place with key stakeholders within the communities potentially affected by the requirement for savings. SCC is working hard to ensure that as much of the current provision can be supported to continue post April 2012, whichever option is agreed

3.2 If option (c) is agreed, SCC youth work staff will withdraw from SCC owned Youth Centres and from community buildings from which there is currently SCC youth work delivered with effect from 1 April 2012.

3.3 Youth and Community Service staff have begun consultations with key stakeholders in the following communities in which SCC currently manages youth centres in order to look to secure community and voluntary sector support to take forward youth provision:

 Axbridge  Central Yeovil  Frome  Sydenham estate, Bridgwater  Street  Wellington  Wiveliscombe

3.4 SCC staff will also hold discussions about developing support to sustain young people’s provision in the following non SCC managed provision:

 Carhampton Youth Centre  Chard Youth Centre  Hamp Recreation Centre, Bridgwater  Ilminster Youth Centre

SEN/RS/1211f027edo 2 21 December 2011  Paul Street Community Centre, Shepton Mallet  St Edmund’s Hall, Windmill Hill, Glastonbury  Victoria Community Centre, Bridgwater  Watchet Youth Centre  West One Youth Centre, Crewkerne  Williton Youth Centre

3.5 If options (b) or (c) are, SCC’s residual youth work funding will be made available to support voluntary and community organisations to take forward existing SCC run youth provision and to commission services in areas where there is greatest need. SCC will also continue to support its long-term strategic partners, Somerset Rural Youth Project, Young Farmers, CHYPPS and The Diocese of Bath and Wells. Further information regarding the allocation of this funding will be available following the conclusion of the consultation regarding this proposal.

Robert Sampson Group Manager - Community Services 0 to 19 Children and Young People’s Directorate Learning and Achievement Service

Phone: 01823 355092 email: [email protected]

SEN/RS/1211f027edo 3 21 December 2011 Dear Mr Laws,

I am writing to you to appeal for your very urgent consideration of a highly controversial topic regarding the proposed cuts in youth services by Somerset County Council.

I have a 15-year-old son who is autistic and attends the weekly youth group “Incredible Tuesdays” which has been held at Morley House in Yeovil for many years.

The club caters for young people aged 13 to 25 with special needs, many with severe disabilities who find it impossible to access any other sort of social group.

The group is, as it name suggests, an incredible facility where the staff have worked marvels with the children and made it a place where they can go and actually feel “normal” without the many prejudices that they encounter in mainstream groups.

It also provides a much needed two and a half hours of respite for the parents and carers many of whom, like myself, are unable to access any other support or benefits to help with the stresses of caring for a disabled youngster 24 hours a day.

A group of around 20 parents met with youth workers at Morley House on Tuesday night (November 29) to discuss the planned cuts and we are dedicated to try and find a solution which will protect what is effectively some of Yeovil’s most vulnerable residents.

Not only are the young people able to take part in activities such as pool, gaming and general socialising, but the staff also work very hard with enhancing their social and relationship skills along with general life skills which is vital for their future wellbeing.

I am aware that in these times of recession and austerity that cuts have to be made, but to penalise this particular group of people would be devastating. There are also huge “hidden cost” implications of axing such a group including the effect on the young people’s social welfare and the subsequent impact on their carers, many of whom cannot just leave their young person unsupervised and would lose this vital lifeline.

I am also an ambassador for the National Autistic Society which has given us its full support and backing to fight to save the group.

Mark Lever, Chief Executive of The National Autistic Society (NAS), said: “Youth groups for young people with autism and other disabilities are so vital in helping them develop better social skills and increase their confidence. Our recent education survey found that 31% of young people with autism only have one friend or no friends at school, while 34% say the worst thing about school is being picked on. For many young people an autism youth club will be the only social activity they have where they can meet other young people in a safe and non judgmental environment.

“Without these support networks, young people may suffer anxiety and stress, which could lead to more serious mental health problems. Although we recognise the financial challenges on local authorities, the long-term implications of closing these vital services will put far more pressure on the public purse in the long-run, than keeping them open in the first place.”

The parents, as a group, have organised a follow-up meeting at Morley House on Tuesday December 13 at 7pm, and are inviting representatives from the county council’s youth department to attend.

We would also like to invite you to attend and see just what an excellent facility Incredible Tuesdays actually is.

Furthermore, we would welcome any support or intervention that you could give us as we need to act fast before the official consultation process comes to an end in mid January.

Yours faithfully,

Deborah Gingell.

7. BUS SUBSIDIES

Introduction

Somerset County Council is considering reducing their level of expenditure on supporting bus services in Somerset, and they have written to all town and parish councils (copy letter attached at page 19) seeking their views.

Reasons and proposals

Their reasons and details of their proposals are set out in the documents attached at pages 20 to 37. These include:

 The current position and the options considered by the County Council  Their preferred option (Option 3)  Summaries of all of the services that are currently operated in Somerset  Bus services that will continue to operate in Somerset after Option 3 funding reductions  List of bus services that the County Council proposes to continue to fund  List of proposed funding withdrawals

A survey form is also attached at pages 38 to 40, which needs to be completed and returned by the revised closing date of 13 January.

In their covering letter, the County Council refers to their understanding that “some parishes may wish to offer a financial contribution to maintain local bus services in their area”.

Legal Powers

Town and parish councils have limited discretionary powers to contribute towards the cost of providing local bus services.

The Local Government and Rating Act 1997 (S.27) provides that a parish council may make grants to any body towards expenditure incurred or to be incurred by that body in connection with the operation of:

(a) A bus service appearing to the council to be wholly or mainly for the benefit of members of the public who are elderly or disabled; or

(b) A community bus service (defined as a local service provided by a body concerned for the social and welfare needs of one or more communities; without a view to profit, either on the part of that body or of anyone else; and by means of a vehicle adapted to carry more than eight but not more than sixteen passengers)

Assuming that the services affected fall within the definition of either (a) or (b) above and (in the case of a) the bus service benefits, or appears to the council likely to benefit persons living in the council’s area; and (in the case of b) a permit in relation to the use of the vehicle has been granted by the Traffic Commissioner for the area concerned, the Town Council may make a grant in such cases and subject to such terms and conditions at the Council thinks fit. An alternative approach may be to regard such a contribution as S.137 expenditure. This power (S.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by S.36 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989) enables parish councils in England to incur expenditure for certain purposes not otherwise authorised.

This may be for any purpose which, in the council’s opinion, is in the interests of, and will directly benefit its area or any part of it or all or some of its inhabitants. The 1989 Act states that the benefit must be commensurate with the expenditure incurred.

Following a discussion with the Somerset Association of Local Councils (SALC), should the Town Council wish to use this power to make a contribution, it is suggested that the legal position be checked to ensure that such use would fall within the definition of the Act prior to any commitment being made.

A further funding option may be to use legislation contained in the new Localism Act 2011, which includes a provision for eligible councils to be granted a general power of competence. This gives eligible councils the legal capacity to do anything that an individual can do that is not specifically prohibited. However, this part of the Act has yet to come into effect and it is anticipated that those town and parish councils who wish to use this particular power will need to meet certain criteria, which have yet to be defined.

Recommendation

Council is RECOMMENDED to note this consultation paper and to consider making a response by the deadline.

(Alan Tawse, Town Clerk – 01935 382424) 12 December 2011

Dear Parish Clerk

CONSULTATION ON REDUCTION IN SUBSIDIES TO LOCAL BUS SERVICES

Following on from a reduction in subsidies to evening and weekend bus services in the current financial year, over the next two years Somerset County Council needs to further reduce the amount of money spent on supporting bus services in Somerset due to the reduction in the amount of funding the Government provides to Councils to run local services.

Early consultation has already taken place with key stakeholders and various options have been explored. Three of these options have now been worked through in detail and we would now like to consult more widely. With this in mind SCC would like to consult with as many Somerset residents as possible to gain their views on these proposed reductions before any final decisions are taken.

One of the ways we aim to collect opinions is through a public survey, for which I have included the internet link at the bottom of this document. We are also including a PDF of a poster which if possible we would like you to print and place on any parish notice boards.

Following stake holder engagement we understand that some parishes may wish to offer a financial contribution to maintain local bus services in their area. If this is the case in your parish then please e-mail [email protected] with your proposal.

Please complete the survey using the information supplied on the Transporting Somerset web page via www.somerset.gov.uk/bussurvey to assist you in your answers.

Deadline for responses is 15th January 2012

Yours sincerely

John Perrett/Jane Newell Interim Group Managers Transporting Somerset Somerset County Council’s Proposed Reductions in Public Transport Subsidy

Somerset County Council needs to reduce the amount of money spent on supporting bus services in Somerset due to the reduction in the amount of funding the Government provides the Council to run local services.

What transport services does the Council currently provide?

The County Council currently provides subsidised public transport on 108 routes across the County which are not fully commercially viable, to ensure there is an alternative to the use of private cars, and to ensure isolated communities have access to jobs and services. Many of the bus routes have a mixture of commercial and subsidised sections. The subsidies are provided where the Council is required to ensure a statutory need is met, or where on a discretionary basis we feel it is appropriate to ensure a service is provided.

The Council provides transport in a number of forms; from bus services to volunteer drivers; enabling children and adults to access services including school, health appointments and day care provision. We also work closely with Community Transport providers. In addition to this Somerset currently has a very high coverage of ‘demand responsive’ services such as the Slinky Bus which do not operate on fixed routes due to the rural nature of the County.

The Council provides transport for around 2,800 further education students attending educational establishments in Somerset. This is provided to meet government standards regarding equal opportunity and access to education and training.

What transport services are the Council legally obliged to provide?

The Council is not legally obliged to provide any public or community transport services, but does have a duty to secure public transport services which would not otherwise be provided, where we feel this is appropriate. The Council must also have regard to the transport needs of members of the public who are elderly or disabled.

We are obliged to provide school transport to eligible pupils. The provision of transport to adult social care is discretionary, but if the service user is unable to make their way to the care provision, transport is provided to ensure statutory care provision is met.

Further education transport is statutory for disabled students who are over 16, and the remainder of our further education transport is currently provided to meet emerging government standards regarding equal opportunity and access to education and training.

What are the options for changes to the supported bus network?

Due the current economic situation we must reduce the discretionary or supported services that we provide. The Council has agreed to reduce bus subsidies by approximately £1.5m as part of our financial planning process to ensure we stay within our spending limits. This means that difficult choices will need to be made about where we provide support in the future, but does still leaves the Council with approximately £1.6m to provide subsidised public transport services where there would otherwise be no provision.

We have considered a number of options in making these savings:

Option 1. Reducing the supported rural bus network and focusing the Council’s available funding on ensuring the services within and between the larger towns, which carry the greatest number of passengers, are maintained. This would mean that every pound spent by the Council would benefit a larger number of people, however many people in our rural communities who do not have access to a car would find it increasingly difficult to access services.

Option 2. Using the Council’s available funding to ensure rural communities continue to have a supported bus network and reducing support for the services operating within and between the larger towns. As these ‘inter-urban’ services carry more passengers they stand a greater chance of operating commercially without subsidy from the Council, however there is no guarantee that commercial operators will be able to keep these services running.

Option 3. Reviewing all services which are supported by the Council and considering the value of each route on a case by case basis. This includes considering:  the value of each route to the community as a socially necessary service;  how much each route is used;  how much it costs to support;  how close to commercial operation it is;  Whether any adjustments can be made to the route or contractual arrangements with operators to reduce costs.

Under all options we propose to retain the following vital services:  School transport network to meet our statutory duty to provide transport for eligible children.  Further education transport network which ensures young people have access to College courses.  Park and Ride services which minimise the growth of traffic congestion in Taunton and enables the economic regeneration of the Town Centre.

In addition:  Social care and non-emergency health transport will continue to be provided by the Council;  We will continue to work with community and voluntary transport providers to expand the availability of their services;  We will work with representatives of local communities such as Parish Councils as well as the business community to identify opportunities for additional investment in bus services;  We will seek contributions towards bus services from new housing and commercial developments;  We will continue to achieve financial savings through increasing the efficiency of our operations; and  Many bus services will continue to be provided by commercial operators.

What is the Councils preferred option? Having considered the available options the Council’s preferred option is Option 3 and as part of the earlier stages of our consultation process we have carried out a review of supported services in discussion with the bus operators and public transport interest groups.

Proposals for service reductions have been developed using the following approach:  Demand responsive services are retained to provide access for rural communities with particular regard to the needs of our elderly population and people with disabilities who may not have access to a car;  Investment in many jointly funded cross-boundary services is retained as these are very good value for money;  Frequency of service is reduced in many cases in order to retain some level of access to services for our communities rather than cutting services altogether where possible;  Services that appear close to commercial operation will no longer be supported;  Support is being reduced where discussions with operators indicate that they feel there may be opportunities for commercial services to be created.

What are your views on these proposals?

We would be grateful for your views on these proposed changes before a decision is taken by the Council in February 2012. If you would like to complete our on-line survey please go to the following website for full details. www.somerset.gov.uk/bussurvey

Alternatively please contact Transporting Somerset on 0845 345 9155 for a paper copy of the survey. All Bus Services Operating in Somerset as at 12 December 2011 Service No Route Days Operator Frequency N6 Martock - South Petherton Mon-Fri Nippybus hourly N8 West Coker, Lakefields - Yeovil Mon-Sat Nippybus hourly N9/N9A Martock - Yeovil Mon-Sat Nippybus every 30 mins N10 Martock - Ilminster - Taunton Mon-Sat Nippybus every two hours N11 RNAS Yeovilton - Ilchester - Yeovil Mon-Sat Nippybus three return journeys N12 Clapton/West Chinnock - Crewkerne Mon-Fri Nippybus two return journeys X2 Nailsea - Burnham Tue/Thu North Somerset Coaches one return journey X34 Frome - Chippenham Mon-Fri Faresaver hourly X96 Frome - Melksham Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses one return journey 1/2 Yeovil - Shepton Mallet Mon-Sat South West Coaches hourly 1 Bridgwater Town Service Mon-Sat First every 15 mins 1 Yeovil Town Service Mon-Sat First every 15 mins 1/1A Taunton Town Service Mon-Sat First every 15 mins 2 Bridgwater Town Service Mon-Sat First every 30 mins 2 Taunton Town Service Mon-Sat First every 15 mins 2 Yeovil Town Service Mon-Sat First every 30 mins 2S Wincaton - Oakhill School Schooldays only South West Coaches one return journey 3 Gillingham - Yeovil Fri South West Coaches one return journey 3 Taunton Town Service Mon-Sat First hourly 3 Yeovil Town Service Mon-Sat First every 30 mins 4 South Som villages - Strode Coll College days only Isle Valley Transport one return journey 4 Taunton Town Service Mon-Sat First every 20 mins 5 Babcary - Yeovil Wed South West Coaches one return journey 6 Bridgwater Town Service Mon-Sat Bakers Coaches hourly 7/7A Yeovil - Poole/Bournemouth Mon South West Coaches one return journey 8 Pilton - Yeovil Fri South West Coaches one return journey 9 Wiveliscombe - Wellington Mon-Fri Stagecoach one return journey 9A Wiveliscombe- Wellington - Taunton Tue Quantock Motor Services one return journey 10 Ilminster - Yeovil Wed South West Coaches one return journey 11/11A Borough - ASDA - Whitemead Mon-Sat South West Coaches hourly 14 Watchet - Cannington - Bridgwater Mon-Sat First every 2 hours 14 Bridgwater Town Service Mon-Sat First hourly 14 Chard - Thornecombe/Marshwood Mon-Fri Damory Coaches two return journeys 15 Yeovil - Salisbury Tue South West Coaches one return journey 15 Wellington - Burnham on Sea Mon-Sat Webberbus every 30 mins 15A Bridgwater - Taunton Mon-Sat Webberbus two return journeys 15B Bridgwater - Chilton Trinity School Schooldays only Sedgemoor CT one return journey 16 Huish Episcopi - Bridgwater Mon-Fri, Sat Hatch Green Coaches every two hours 16 Ilminster - Yeovil College days only Nippybus one return journey 18 Minehead - Taunton Mon-Sat Webberbus hourly 18 Bincombe - Bridgwater Mon/Wed/Fri Hatch Green Coaches two return journeys 19 Bridgwater - Street Mon-Sat Webberbus every two hours 19/19A Bruton - Yarlington - Yeovil Wed South West Coaches one return journey 20 Taunton - Wellington - Honiton - Seaton Mon-Sat Stagecoach every 3 hours 21/21A/221 Taunton - Bridgwater- Burnham-on-Sea Daily First every 30 mins 22/22A Taunton - Wellington Daily First every 20 mins 23 Taunton - West Bagborough/Cotford Mon-Fri First hourly 23B Williton - Taunton Mon-Fri First one return journey 25 Taunton - Wiveliscombe Mon-Sat First every two hours 25 Buckhorn Weston - Wincanton Thur Shaftesbury & District one return journey 25A Taunton - Wiveliscombe Mon-Sat First hourly 25B Taunton - Dulverton Mon-Sat First every two hours 26 Wincanton - Warminster Thu South West Coaches one return journey 27 Taunton - Creech Heathfield Mon-Sat Webberbus every 75 minutes 28 Templecombe - Salisbury Tue/Sat South West Coaches one return journey 28/X28 Minehead - Taunton Mon-Sat First every 30 mins 29 Taunton - Wells Mon-Sat First seven return journeys 30/30A Taunton - Chard - Axminster - Weymouth Mon-Sat First hourly 30 Frome Town Service Mon-Sat First every 30 mins 30 Wincanton - Poole Thu South West Coaches one return journey 31 Beckington - Frome - Bruton Schooldays only South West Coaches one return journey 32 Castle Cary - Salisbury Tue South West Coaches one return journey 33 Bruton - Frome Wed/Fri South West Coaches one return journey 34 Charlton Horethorne - Bruton Schooldays only South West Coaches one return journey 36 Gillingham - Yeovil Fri South West Coaches one return journey 39 Minehead - Porlock Mon-Sat Quantock Motor Services every 2 hours 40 Yeovil - Taunton Thur South West Coaches one return journey 40A Wincanton - Minehead (Summer Only) Mon South West Coaches one return journey 42 Gillingham - Yeovil Tue South West Coaches one return journey 47 Bridport - Yeovil Daily First four return journeys 51 Taunton - Stoke St. Gregory Mon-Sat Hatch Green Coaches every two hours 51 Warminster - Dilton Marsh Wed Frome Minibuses two return journeys 52 Bower Hinton - Martock Mon-Sat First hourly 53 Frome - Warminster Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses hourly 54/A/B/C Taunton - Yeovil Mon-Sat First hourly 57 Yeovil - Sherborne Mon-Sat First hourly 58/58A Yeovil - Wincanton Mon-Sat First hourly 58 Frome - Westbury Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses hourly 62 Curry Rivel - Street College days only Berry's Coaches one return journey per day 68 Yeovil - Barwick Mon-Sat South West Coaches every 30 mins 74/74A Yeovil - Sherborne Mon-Sat SWC/Damory Coaches every two hours 80/X80 Gillingham - Frome Wed Shaftesbury & District three return journeys 81 South Petherton - Yeovil Mon-Fri South West Coaches hourly 89 Gillingham - Frome - Trowbridge Thu Frome Minibuses one return journey 90 Chard - Crewkerne Mon-Sat Stagecoach every two hours 91 Chard - Crewkerne Mon-Sat Stagecoach every two hours 92/192 Taunton - Exeter Mon-Sat FSA every 2 hours 92A Taunton - Tiverton Mon-Sat FSA every 2 hours 96 Crewkerne - Chard - Taunton College days only Stagecoach one return journey 97 Cannonsgrove - Taunton Mon-Sat Hatch Green Coaches hourly 98 Buckland St. Mary - Taunton College days only Hatch Green Coaches one return journey 99/99A Chard - Yeovil Mon-Sat Stagecoach hourly 100/101 Minehead Town Service Mon-Sat Webberbus hourly 102 Puriton - Weston Mon-Sat First 5 return journeys 106 Doniford - Minehead Mon-Sat Webberbus every two hours 107 Minehead - Wooton Courtney - Minehead Mon/Thur Webberbus one return journey 109 Wincanton - Dorchester Wed South West Coaches one return journey 111 Misterton - Maiden Beech School Schooldays only South West Coaches one return journey 112 Burnham - Weston-super-Mare Daily First hourly 113 Highbridge - Berrow Mon-Sat Hatch Green Coaches hourly 126 Wells - Weston-super-Mare Daily First hourly 158 Wincanton - Shaftesbury Mon-Sat South West Coaches every two hours 161 Wells - Frome Mon-Fri, Sat First hourly 173 Wells - Bath Daily First hourly 174 Wells - Churchill Rd - Wells Mon-Sat First hourly 184 Frome - Bath Mon-Sat First every two hours 185 Paulton - Trowbridge Thu Somerbus one return journey 196 Glastonbury Tor Bus (Summer only) Daily Mendip Com Transport full timetable 202 Chard - Dorchester Wed South West Coaches one return journey 204 Thorncombe - Yeovil Tue/Wed/Fri Damory Coaches one return journey 205 Chard - Wellington Schooldays only Berry's Coaches one return journey 212 Yeovil - Dorchester Mon-Sat SWC/Damory Coaches every two hours 216 Yeovil - Dorchester Mon-Sat Damory Coaches every two hours 234 Frome - Chippenham Mon-Sat First hourly 267 Frome - Bath Mon-Fri Faresaver hourly 267 Frome - Bath Daily First hourly 300 Minehead - Lynmouth Daily Quantock Motor Services full timetable 318 WSCC - Danesfield School Schooldays only Webberbus one single journey 326 Stalbridge - Sturminster Newton Mon Damory Coaches one single journey 330 Poole - Yeovil/Glastonbury Fri Damory Coaches one return journey 354 Fitzhead - Taunton Tue/Fri Berry's Coaches one return journey 368 Yeovil - Blandford Mon-Fri Damory Coaches three return journeys 375 Wells - Bridgwater Mon-Sat First hourly 376 Wells - Bristol Daily First every 30 mins 377 Wells - Yeovil Daily First hourly 379 Shepton Mallet - Bristol Mon-Fri First one return journey 387 Sidmouth - Taunton Mon-Fri Dartline one return journey 398 Minehead - Tiverton Mon-Sat Beacon Coaches every 2 hours 401 Bampton - Lynmouth Wed/Sun Ridlers one return journey 412 Dulverton - Exford Schooldays only Ridlers one return journey 412 Frome Town Service Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses every 2 hours 414/424 Frome - Westfield - Midsomer Norton Mon-Fri Frome Minibuses every 2 hours 461 Four Foot - Shepton Mallet Fri CT Coaches full timetable 467 Dulverton - Minehead Schooldays only Ridlers one return journey 490 Cheddar - Bristol Tue Axe Vale Coaches one return journey 491 Shipham - Weston-super-Mare Tue/Thu Coombs Travel one return journey 499 Williton - Danesfield Sch Schooldays only Webberbus one return journey 500 Monksilver - Williton Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri Webberbus full timetable 519 Steanbow - Evercreech - Street College days only Smiths Coaches one return journey per day 600 Yeovil College - Yeovil Bus Stn College days only South West Coaches one single journey 564 Minehead - Old Cleeve - Minehead Wed/Fri Webberbus one return journey 601 Bruton/Pylle - Frome Sat Frome Minibuses one return journey 603 Wellington - Wiveliscombe Schooldays only Ridlers one return journey 608 Isle Brewers - Ilminster Thu Hatch Green Coaches one return journey 610 West Fitzhead - Wellington Thu Quantock Motor Services one return journey 612 Yeovil Town Service Schooldays only Nippybus one return journey 613 Bishops Lydeard - Bridgwater Schooldays only Hatch Green Coaches one return journey 614 Shurton - Bridgwater College College days only First one return journey 615 Minehead - Bridgwater College College days only First one return journey 619 Badgeworth - Bridgwater College College days only Bakers Coaches one return journey 620 Cheddar - Bridgwater College days only Bakers Coaches one return journey 621 Rooksbridge - Bridgwater College days only First one return journey 623 Wellington - Bridgwater College days only Quantock Motor Services one return journey 624 Taunton - Pitminster/West Monkton DRT Mon/Thu Somerset County Council every 2 hours 624 Chard - Langport - Bridgwater College College days only Hatch Green Coaches one return journey 625 Taunton - Cannington College College days only Crosville one return journey 626 Fivehead - Taunton DRT Tue/Fri Somerset County Council one return journey 632 Stoke Sub-Hambdon - Taunton Mon-Fri Quantock Motor Services one return journey 646 Wincanton - Street College days only Taylors Coaches one return journey 647 Alhampton - Strode College College days only Libra Travel one return journey 648 Street - Wincanton College days only South West Coaches one return journey 649 Gurney Slade - Street College days only Nippybus one return journey 652 Martock - Street College days only Quantock Motor Services one return journey 658/659 Shaftesbury - Wincanton - Yeovil College days only Nippybus one return journey 662 Frome - Shepton Mallet Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses one single journey 665 Ilchester - Street Thu South West Coaches one return journey 667 Street - Wincanton Mon-Sat Nippybus every 90 mins 668 Lower langford - Street Mon-Sat Bakers Coaches every two hours 669 Shepton mallet - Street Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses every two hours 670 Wookey Hole - Wells - Burnham Mon-Sat Webberbus every three hours 678 Dulverton - Minehead Thu Exmoor Community Bus one return journey 681 Higher Odcombe - Yeovil Mon-Fri G R Davis one single journey 683 Keynsham - Wells Tue ABUS one return journey 696 South Molton - East Anstey Thu TW Coaches one return journey 751 Wedmore - Street Fri Isle of Wedmore one return journey 753 Wedmore - Bridgwater Wed Isle of Wedmore one return journey 754 Wedmore - Weston-super-Mare Thu Isle of Wedmore one return journey 755 Wedmore - Taunton Tue Isle of Wedmore one return journey 776 Radstock - Shepton Mallet Mon-Sat Hatch Green Coaches every 2 hours 777 Midsomer Norton - Radstock Mon Somerbus one return journey 831 Shipham - Weston-super-Mare Wed Coombs Travel one return journey 835 Chewton Mendip - Weston-super-Mare Thu CT Coaches one return journey 850 East Lambrook - Langport Thu Isle Valley Transport one return journey 901 Isle Brewers - Taunton Sat Isle Valley Transport one return journey 903 Long Sutton - Langport Mon/Wed Isle Valley Transport four return journeys 904 Isle Brewers - Langport Tue/Fri Isle Valley Transport one return journey DRT Mendip Slinky Mon-Sat Mendip Com Transport 0900 to 1830 DRT Sedgemoor Slinky Mon-Fri Mendip Com Transport 0900 to 1800 DRT West Somerset Slinky Mon-Sat ATWEST 0600 to 1800 DRT Taunton & Wellington Slinky Mon-Sat Somerset County Council 0600 to 2200 DRT Wincanton Slinky Mon-Sat Wincanton CAT 0800 to 1730 DRT Chard & Ilminster Slinky Mon-Sat SSVCA 0800 to 1800 KEY - DRT - Demand Responsive Transport (pre-booking required) SWC - South West Coaches All services in bold currently receive a direct subsidy from Somerset County Council All Bus Services that will continue to operate in Somerset after Option 3 funding reductions Service No Route Days Operator Frequency Notes N6 Martock - South Petherton Mon-Fri Nippybus hourly 16% funding reduction N8 West Coker, Lakefields - Yeovil Mon-Sat Nippybus hourly 16% funding reduction N9/N9A Martock - Yeovil Mon-Sat Nippybus every 30 mins N10 Martock - Ilminster - Taunton Mon-Sat Nippybus every two hours X2 Nailsea - Burnham Tue/Thu North Somerset Coaches one return journey X34 Frome - Chippenham Mon-Fri Faresaver hourly X96 Frome - Melksham Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses one return journey 1/2 Yeovil - Shepton Mallet Mon-Sat South West Coaches hourly 20% funding reduction 1 Bridgwater Town Service Mon-Sat First every 15 mins 1 Yeovil Town Service Mon-Sat First every 15 mins 1/1A Taunton Town service Mon-Sat First every 15 mins 2 Bridgwater Town Service Mon-Sat First every 30 mins 2 Taunton Town Service Mon-Sat First every 15 mins 2 Yeovil Town Service Mon-Sat First every 30 mins 2S Wincaton - Oakhill School Schooldays only South West Coaches one return journey 3 Gillingham - Yeovil Fri South West Coaches one return journey 3 Taunton Town service Mon-Sat First hourly 3 Yeovil Town Service Mon-Sat First every 30 mins 4 South Som villages - Strode Coll College days only Isle Valley Transport one return journey 4 Taunton Town service Mon-Sat First every 20 mins 6 Bridgwater Town Service Mon-Sat Bakers Coaches hourly 7/7A Yeovil - Poole/Bournemouth Mon South West Coaches one return journey 10 Ilminster - Yeovil Wed South West Coaches one return journey 11/11A Borough - ASDA - Whitemead Mon-Sat South West Coaches hourly 50% funding reduction 14 Watchet - Cannington - Bridgwater Mon-Sat First every 2 hours 14 Bridgwater Town Service Mon-Sat First hourly 14 Chard - Thorncombe/Marshwood Mon-Fri Damory Coaches two return journeys 15 Yeovil - Salisbury Tue South West Coaches one return journey 15 Wellington - Burnham on Sea Mon-Sat Webberbus every 30 mins 15A Bridgwater - Taunton Mon-Sat Webberbus two return journeys 16 Huish Episcopi - Bridgwater Mon-Fri, Sat Hatch Green Coaches every 2 hours 16 Ilminster - Yeovil College days only Nippybus one return journey 18 Minehead - Taunton Mon-Sat Webberbus hourly 19 Bridgwater - Street Mon-Sat Webberbus every 2 hours 15% funding reduction 20 Taunton - Wellington - Honiton - Seaton Mon-Sat Stagecoach every 3 hours 21/21A/221 Taunton - Bridgwater- Burnham-on-Sea Daily First every 30 mins Funding journeys to be withdrawn 22/22A Taunton - Wellington Daily First every 20 mins Funding journeys to be withdrawn 23 Taunton - West Bagborough/Cotford Mon-Fri First hourly 23B Williton - Taunton Mon-Fri First one return journey 25 Taunton - Wiveliscombe Mon-Sat First every 2 hours 25A Taunton - Wiveliscombe Mon-Sat First hourly 25B Taunton - Dulverton Mon-Sat First every 2 hours 26 Wincanton - Warminster Thu South West Coaches one return journey 27 Taunton - Creech Heathfield Mon-Sat Webberbus every 75 minutes 28 Templecombe - Salisbury Tue/Sat South West Coaches one return journey 28/X28 Minehead - Taunton Mon-Sat First every 30 mins Funding journeys to be withdrawn 29 Taunton - Wells Mon-Sat First seven return journeys Funding journeys to be withdrawn 30/30A Taunton - Chard - Axminster - Weymouth Mon-Sat First hourly Funding journeys to be withdrawn 30 Frome Town Service Mon-Sat First every 30 mins 30 Wincanton - Poole Thu South West Coaches one return journey 31 Beckington - Frome - Bruton Schooldays only South West Coaches one return journey 32 Castle Cary - Salisbury Tue South West Coaches one return journey 34 Charlton Horethorne - Bruton Schooldays only South West Coaches one return journey 36 Gillingham - Yeovil Fri South West Coaches one return journey 39 Minehead - Porlock Mon-Sat Quantock Motor Services every 2 hours 40A Wincanton - Minehead (Summer Only) Mon South West Coaches one return journey 42 Gillingham - Yeovil Tue South West Coaches one return journey 47 Bridport - Yeovil Daily First four return journeys 51 Taunton - Stoke St. Gregory Mon-Sat Hatch Green Coaches every 2 hours 51 Warminster - Dilton Marsh Wed Frome Minibuses two return journeys 52 Bower Hinton - Martock Mon-Sat First hourly 53 Frome - Warminster Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses hourly 54/A/B/C Taunton - Yeovil Mon-Sat First hourly Funding journeys to be withdrawn 57 Yeovil - Sherborne Mon-Sat First hourly 58/58A Yeovil - Wincanton Mon-Sat First hourly 58 Frome - Westbury Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses hourly 62 Curry Rivel - Street College days only Berry's Coaches 1 return journey per day 68 Yeovil - Barwick Mon-Sat South West Coaches every 30 mins 74/74A Yeovil - Sherborne Mon-Sat SWC/Damory Coaches every 2 hours 80/X80 Gillingham - Frome Wed Shaftesbury & District three return journeys 81 South Petherton - Yeovil Mon-Fri South West Coaches hourly Funding journeys to be withdrawn 89 Gillingham - Frome - Trowbridge Thu Frome Minibuses one return journey 92/192 Taunton - Exeter Mon-Sat First every 2 hours 92A Taunton - Tiverton Mon-Sat First every 2 hours 96 Crewkerne - Chard - Taunton College days only Stagecoach one return journey 97 Cannonsgrove - Taunton Mon-Sat Hatch Green Coaches hourly 98 Buckland St. Mary - Taunton College days only Hatch Green Coaches one return journey 99/99A Chard - Yeovil Mon-Sat Stagecoach hourly 100/101 Minehead Town Service Mon-Sat Webberbus hourly 102 Puriton - Weston Mon-Sat First 5 return journeys 10% funding reduction 106 Doniford - Minehead Mon-Fri Webberbus every two hours 109 Wincanton - Dorchester Wed South West Coaches one return journey 111 Misterton - Maiden Beech School Schooldays South West Coaches one return journey 112 Burnham - Weston-super-Mare Daily First hourly 126 Wells - Weston-super-Mare Daily First hourly 158 Wincanton - Shaftesbury Mon-Sat South West Coaches every 2 hours 161 Wells - Frome Mon-Fri, Sat First hourly 173 Wells - Bath Daily First hourly 174 Wells - Churchill Rd - Wells Mon-Sat First hourly 184 Frome - Bath Mon-Sat First every 2 hours 185 Paulton - Trowbridge Thu Somerbus one return journey 196 Glastonbury Tor Bus (SUMMER ONLY) Daily Mendip Com Transport full timetable 25% funding reduction 202 Chard - Dorchester Wed South West Coaches one return journey 204 Thorncombe - Yeovil Tue/Wed/Fri Damory Coaches one return journey 205 Chard - Wellington Schooldays only Berry's Coaches one return journey 212 Yeovil - Dorchester Mon-Sat SWC/Damory Coaches every 2 hours 216 Yeovil - Dorchester Mon-Sat Damory Coaches every 2 hours 234 Frome - Chippenham Mon-Sat First hourly 267 Frome - Bath Mon-Fri Faresaver hourly 267 Frome - Bath Daily First hourly 318 WSCC - Danesfield School Schooldays only Webberbus one single journey 326 Stalbridge - Sturminster Newton Mon Damory Coaches one single journey 330 Poole - Yeovil/Glastonbury Fri Damory Coaches one return journey 368 Blandford - Yeovil Mon-Sat Damory Coaches three return journeys 375 Wells - Bridgwater Mon-Sat First hourly Funding journeys to be withdrawn 376 Wells - Bristol Daily First every 30 mins 377 Wells - Yeovil Daily First hourly 379 Shepton Mallet - Bristol Mon-Fri First one return journey 387 Sidmouth - Taunton Mon-Fri Dartline one return journey 398 Minehead - Tiverton Mon-Sat Beacon Coaches every 2 hours 405 Dulverton - Brompton Regis Schooldays only Ridlers one return journey 412 Dulverton - Exford Schooldays only Ridlers one return journey 412 Frome Town Service Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses every 2 hours 414/424 Frome - Westfield - Midsomer Norton Mon-Fri Frome Minibuses every 2 hours 467 Dulverton - Minehead Schooldays only Ridlers one return journey 519 Steanbow - Evercreech - Street College days only Smiths Coaches one return journey per day 600 Yeovil College - Yeovil Bus Stn College days only South West Coaches one single journey 612 Yeovil Town Service Schooldays only Nippybus one return journey 613 Bishops Lydeard - Bridgwater Schooldays only Hatch Green Coaches one return journey 614 Shurton - Bridgwater College College days only First one return journey 615 Minehead - Bridgwater College College days only First one return journey 619 Badgeworth - Bridgwater College College days only Bakers Coaches one return journey 620 Cheddar - Bridgwater College days only Bakers Coaches one return journey 621 Rooksbridge - Bridgwater College days only First one return journey 623 Wellington - Bridgwater College days only Quantock Motor Services one return journey 624 Taunton - Pitminster/West Monkton DRT Mon/Thu Somerset County Council every 2 hours 624 Chard - Langport - Bridgwater College College days only Hatch Green Coaches one return journey 625 Taunton - Cannington College College days only Crosville one return journey 626 Fivehead - Taunton DRT Tue/Fri Somerset County Council one return journey 632 Stoke Sub-Hambdon - Taunton Mon-Fri Quantock Motor Services one return journey 646 Wincanton - Street College days only Taylors Coaches one return journey 647 Alhampton - Strode College College days only Libra Travel one return journey 648 Street - Wincanton College days only South West Coaches one return journey 649 Gurney Slade - Street College days only Nippybus one return journey 652 Martock - Street College days only Quantock Motor Services one return journey 658/659 Shaftesbury - Wincanton - Yeovil College days only Nippybus one return journey 662 Frome - Shepton Mallet Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses one single journey 667 Street - Wincanton Mon-Sat Nippybus every 90 mins 8% funding reduction 668 Lower langford - Street Mon-Sat Bakers Coaches every 2 hours 669 Shepton mallet - Street Mon-Sat Frome Minibuses every 2 hours 50% funding reduction 670 Wookey Hole - Wells - Burnham Mon-Sat Webberbus every 3 hours 678 Dulverton - Minehead Thu Exmoor Community Bus one return journey 683 Keynsham - Wells Tue ABUS one return journey 751 Wedmore - Street Fri Isle of Wedmore one return journey 753 Wedmore - Bridgwater Wed Isle of Wedmore one return journey 754 Wedmore - Weston-super-Mare Thu Isle of Wedmore one return journey 755 Wedmore - Taunton Tue Isle of Wedmore one return journey 776 Radstock - Shepton Mallet Mon-Sat Hatch Green Coaches every 2 hours 777 Midsomer Norton - Radstock Mon Somerbus one return journey 789 Blagdon - Radstock Mon-Sat CT Coaches one single journey 835 Chewton Mendip - Weston-super-Mare Thu CT Coaches one return journey 850 East Lambrook - Langport Thu Isle Valley Transport one return journey 901 Isle Brewers - Taunton Sat Isle Valley Transport one return journey 903 Long Sutton - Langport Mon/Wed Isle Valley Transport four return journeys 904 Isle Brewers - Langport Tue/Fri Isle Valley Transport one return journey DRT Mendip Slinky Mon-Sat Mendip Com Transport 0900 to 1830 DRT Sedgemoor Slinky Mon-Fri Mendip Com Transport 0900 to 1800 DRT West Somerset Slinky Mon-Sat ATWEST 0600 to 1800 10% funding reduction DRT Taunton & Wellington Slinky Mon-Sat Somerset County Council 0600 to 2200 16% funding reduction DRT Wincanton Slinky Mon-Sat Wincanton CAT 0800 to 1800 10% funding reduction DRT Chard & Ilminster Slinky Mon-Sat SSVCA 0800 to 1800 16% funding reduction

KEY - DRT - Demand Responsive Transport (pre-booking required) SWC - South West Coaches All services in bold will continue to receive a direct subsidy from Somerset County Council

Option 3 - List of Bus Services Somerset County Council propose to continue to fund Service No Route Operator Details of any reductions N6 South Somerset DRT Nippybus 16% funding reduction N8 South Somerset DRT Nippybus 16% funding reduction 1/2/2S Yeovil - Shepton Mallet South West Coaches 20% funding reduction 6 Bridgwater Town service Bakers Coaches No reduction in funding 11 Yeovil Town Service South West Coaches 50% funding reduction 14 Williton - Bridgwater First No reduction in funding 16 Langport - Bridgwater Hatch Green Coaches No reduction in funding 19 Bridgwater - Street Webberbus 15% funding reduction 20 Seaton - Taunton Stagecoach No reduction in funding 23 Taunton - West Bagborough First 50% funding reduction 25B Dulverton - Taunton First No reduction in funding 51 Taunton - Stoke St. Gregory Hatch Green Coaches No reduction in funding 53 Frome - Warminster Frome Minibuses No reduction in funding 58 Frome - Westbury Frome Minibuses No reduction in funding 74/74A Yeovil - Sherborne Damory/SWC No reduction in funding 99/99A Taunton - Yeovil Stagecoach No reduction in funding 100/101 Minehead Town Service Webbers No reduction in funding 102 Puriton - Weston First 10% funding reduction 106 Doniford - Minehead Webbers No reduction in funding 161/174 Shepton - Frome/Wells Town Service First No reduction in funding 184 Frome - Midsomer Norton First No reduction in funding 196 Glastonbry Tor Bus Mendip Com Transport 25% funding reduction 212 Yeovil - Dorchester Damory/SWC No reduction in funding 216 Yeovil - Dorchester Damory No reduction in funding 398 Minehead - Tiverton Beacon Coaches No reduction in funding 412 Frome Town service Frome Minibuses No reduction in funding 414/424 Frome - Midsomer Norton Frome Minibuses No reduction in funding 612 Yeovil Town Service Nippybus No reduction in funding 624 Taunton - Pitminster/West Monkton DRT Somerset County Council No reduction in funding 626 Fivehead - Taunton DRT Somerset County Council No reduction in funding 667 Street - Wincanton Nippybus 8% funding reduction 662 Frome - Shepton Mallet Frome Minibuses No reduction in funding 668 Shipham - Street Bakers Coaches No reduction in funding 669 Street - Shepton Frome Minibuses 50% funding reduction 670 Burnham - wells Webbers No reduction in funding 678 Dulverton - Minehead Exmoor Com Bus No reduction in funding 751 Wedmore - Street Isle of Wedmore No reduction in funding 753 Wedmore - Bridgwater Isle of Wedmore No reduction in funding 754 Wedmore - Weston Isle of Wedmore No reduction in funding 755 Wemore - Taunton Isle of Wedmore No reduction in funding 776 Shepton - Midsomer Norton Hatch Green Coaches No reduction in funding 850 East Lambrook - Langport Isle Valley Transport No reduction in funding 901 Isle Brewers - Taunton Isle Valley Transport No reduction in funding 903 Long Sutton - Langport Isle Valley Transport No reduction in funding 904 Isle Brewers - Langport Isle Valley Transport No reduction in funding DRT Mendip Slinky Mendip Com Transport No reduction in funding DRT Sedgemoor Slinky Mendip Com Transport No reduction in funding DRT West Somerset Slinky ATWEST 10% funding reduction DRT Taunton & Wellington Slinky Somerset County Council 16% funding reduction DRT Wincanton Slinky Wincanton CAT 10% funding reduction DRT Chard & Ilminster Slinky SSVCA 16% funding reduction

KEY - DRT Demand Responsive Transport (pre-booking required) Option 3 - List of proposed funding withdrawals Service No Route Days Operator Frequency Notes N11 RNAS Yeovilton - Ilchester - Yeovil Mon-Sat Nippybus three return journeys All funding to be withdrawn N12 Clapton/West Chinnock - Crewkerne Mon-Fri Nippybus full timetable All funding to be withdrawn 5 Babcary - Yeovil Wed South West Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 8 Pilton - Yeovil Fri South West Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 9 Wiveliscombe - Milverton - Wellington Mon-Sat Stagecoach five return journeys All funding to be withdrawn 9A Wiveliscombe - Milverton - Wellington - Taunton Tue Quantock Motor Services one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 15B Bridgwater - Chilton Trinity School Schooldays only Sedgemoor CT one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 18 Bincombe - Bridgwater Mon/Wed/Fri Hatch Green Coaches two return journeys All funding to be withdrawn 19/19A Bruton - Yarlington - Yeovil Wed South West Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 21/21A/221 Taunton - Bridgwater- Burnham-on-Sea Daily First part timetable Only funded journeys withdrawn 22/22A Taunton - Wellington Daily First one single journey Only funded journeys withdrawn 25 Buckhorn Weston - Wincanton Thur Shaftesbury & District one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 28/X28 Minehead - Taunton Mon-Sat First one single journey Only funded journeys withdrawn 29 Taunton - Wells Mon-Sat First part timetable Only funded journeys withdrawn 30/30A Taunton - Chard - Axminster - Weymouth Mon-Sat First part timetable Only funded journeys withdrawn 33 Bruton - Frome Wed/Fri South West Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 40 Yeovil - Taunton Thu South West Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 54/A/B/C Taunton - Yeovil Mon-Sat First part timetable Only funded journeys withdrawn 81 South Petherton - Yeovil Mon-Fri South West Coaches part timetable Only funded journeys withdrawn 90 Chard - Crewkerne Mon-Sat Stagecoach every two hours All funding to be withdrawn 91 Chard - Crewkerne Mon-Sat Stagecoach every two hours All funding to be withdrawn 107 Minehead - Wooton Courtney - Minehead Mon/Thu Webberbus one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 113 Highbridge - Burnham Mon-Sat Hatch Green Coaches hourly All funding to be withdrawn 221 North Petherton - Blake School Schooldays First one return journey All Funding withdrawn 300 Minehead - Lynmouth Daily Quantock Motor Services full timetable All funding to be withdrawn 354 Fitzhead - Taunton Tue/Fri Berry's Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 375 Wells - Bridgwater Mon-Sat First one return journey Only funded journeys withdrawn 401 Bampton - Lynmouth Wed/Sun Ridlers one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 461 Four Foot - Shepton Mallet Fri CT Coaches full timetable All funding to be withdrawn 490 Cheddar - Bristol Tue Axe Vale Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 491 Shipham - Weston-super-Mare Tue/Thu Coombs Travel one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 499 Williton - Danesfield Sch Schooldays only Webberbus one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 500 Monksilver - Williton Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri Webberbus full timetable All funding to be withdrawn 564 Minehead - Old Cleeve - Minehead Wed/Fri Webberbus one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 601 Bruton/Pylle - Frome Sat Frome Minibuses one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 603 Wellington - Wiveliscombe Schooldays only Ridlers one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 608 Isle Brewers - Ilminster Thu Hatch Green Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 610 West Fitzhead - Wellington Thu Quantock Motor Services one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 665 Ilchester - Street Thu South West Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 681 Higher Odcombe - Yeovil Mon-Fri G R Davis one single journey All funding to be withdrawn 696 South Molton - East Anstey Thu TW Coaches one return journey All funding to be withdrawn 831 Shipham - Weston-super-Mare Wed Coombs Travel one return journey All funding to be withdrawn Taxilink 7 Shipham - Burnham-on-Sea Mon/Wed/Sat Fairview Taxis three return journeys All Funding withdrawn

Please Note - Some services on this list are only partly funded (i.e specific journeys) these are marked as - Only funded journeys withdrawn. In these cases there are other journeys on the service provided commercially which are unaffected by these proposed funding reductions. Somerset County Council Proposed Reduction in Subsidised Local Bus Services

Please read the enclosed documents prior to completing this survey

1 How often do you use a local bus service? Daily Please tick one box. Weekly You must provide an answer to this question Monthly Occasionally Never

1a If you use any local bus services in Somerset please provide the service numbers of the routes you use below

1b Over 90% of all parishes in Somerset are served by Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) which can provide pre-booked local journeys. Are you aware of such a service in your area? Please tick one box. Yes No To get details of your local DRT scheme posted to you please complete your address below

2 Do you agree with the proposal to retain the Strongly agree Further Education transport network? Agree Please tick one box. No View You must provide an answer to this question Disagree Strongly disagree

3 Do you agree with the proposal to retain the Strongly agree Park and Ride services? Agree Please tick one box. No View You must provide an answer to this question Disagree Strongly disagree

4 Do you agree with Option 3, as listed on the enclosed Strongly agree sheet, whereby Somerset County Council retains Agree bus services on a case by case basis? No View Please tick one box. Disagree You must provide an answer to this question Strongly disagree

Page 1 5 If you disagree with Option 3, then which of the other options would you prefer the Council to consider? Please tick one box from the list Option 1: Reduce the supported rural bus network Option 2: Reduce support for inter-urban and town services Other (please outline briefly what alternative approach to reducing the cost of the bus services you would like the Council to consider below, including any views you have on individual routes)

6 If you represent a local community, would your Yes community be prepared to contribute resources to help No retain a local bus service? Please tick one box from the list If you have answered 'yes' please complete your Community contact details below

7 If you represent a business, would you be prepared to contribute resources such as Sponsorship to help retain a local bus service? Yes Please tick one box from the list No If you have answered 'yes' please complete your company contact details below

8 How did you hear about this Consultation? Press release Please tick one box from the list Poster on bus You must provide an answer to this question County Council website Information meeting Your Somerset Our Somerset Word of mouth Other (please specify below)

Page 2 9 Do you consider yourself to be from a Minority Ethnic Background? Please tick one box from the list Yes You must provide an answer to this question No Prefer not to say

10 Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Please tick one box from the list Yes You must provide an answer to this question No Prefer not to say

11 What is your age? 0 – 17 Please tick one box from the list 18 – 34 You must provide an answer to this question 35 – 64 65+ Prefer not to say

12 What is your gender? Female Please tick one box from the list Male You must provide an answer to this question Transgender Prefer not to say

13 About you Please tick one box from the list You must provide an answer to this question I am responding to this questionnaire as an individual I am responding to this questionnaire on behalf of an Organisation – details below

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey

Please return your completed survey to:

Transporting Somerset PPC302A County Hall Taunton TA1 4DY

by 20 January 2012

Please ensure you return your survey as soon as possible as any surveys received After the deadline may not be considered.

Page 3 8. COUNTYWIDE PARKING STRATEGY

The County Council is seeking views on a draft countywide parking strategy, which sets out proposed policies for parking throughout Somerset.

It explains how much parking space developments need to provide, and how this should be designed and managed. It also identifies the need to ensure that enough parking is provided to help local economies grow without causing congestion by encouraging more car use.

Views on the draft strategy, a copy of which has been circulated to all Members and is available to view online by clicking on www.somerset.gov.uk/transportstrategy are requested by 20 January.

Council is RECOMMENDED to consider whether it wishes to respond to this consultation paper.

(Alan Tawse, Town Clerk – 01935 382424) 9. SUMMERHOUSE VILLAGE MASTERPLAN

In October 2010, the Town Council gave approval to Alder King entering into discussions with representatives of the organisation commissioned to prepare an indicative masterplan for the nearby urban village - as part of the emerging Core Strategy (Preferred Options) - with a view to exploring the feasibility of the former ski and activity centre site, which is owned by the Town Council, being included in the masterplan.

The outcome of these discussions was reported to a subsequent Town Council meeting at which it was agreed that representations be made to the Planning Authority seeking the inclusion of the site in the emerging masterplan for the nearby urban village.

A draft masterplan has since been produced as part of the Yeovil Eco Town Project, which is being pursued by the District Council in conjunction with a number of partners.

Details of the draft masterplan, which has been named the “Summerhouse Village Masterplan”, are set out in the attached report of the Spatial Policy Manager (pages 43 to 53), which is to be considered by the District Council’s Area South Committee on 4 January.

The report includes a number of proposals for the area identified within the Yeovil Urban Development Framework, which incorporates the former ski and activity centre. It also identifies what is required to finalise these proposals and to move forward to delivery.

An invitation has been extended to Members of the Town Council to attend the Area South Committee meeting, at which the Spatial Policy Manager will give a presentation on the work undertaken to date on the masterplan, and the proposed next stages.

Council is RECOMMENDED to note the attached report and to await further updates on the progress of the proposed future actions.

(Alan Tawse, Town Clerk – 01935 382424)

Area South Committee – 4th January 2012

9. Summerhouse Village Masterplan Strategic Director: Rina Singh, Strategic Director, Place and Performance Assistant Director: Martin Woods, Assistant Director (Economy) Service Manager: Andy Foyne, Spatial Policy Manager Lead Officer: Andy Foyne, Spatial Policy Manager Contact Details: [email protected] or (01935) 462650

Purpose of the Report

To inform members of the Draft Summerhouse Village Masterplan and gain approval for the future actions required to finalise the Masterplan and to enable development partners to be brought onboard.

Public Interest

To set out proposals for the area identified within the Yeovil Urban Development Framework around the Stars Lane car park identified for housing as the Yeovil Urban Village. To explain what is required to finalise these proposals and move forward to delivery.

Recommendations

That Members:- 1) Note the Draft Summerhouse Village Masterplan 2) Note the proposed future actions: (a) Setting up a development group to take the ideas forward that includes relevant officers and councillors, and that can negotiate with potential partners, secure relevant grants and establish a delivery plan. (b) Identifying, acquiring and financing the development of replacement long stay car parking to serve the town centre and implementing a new car parking management strategy in the town. (Work to be undertaken post Core Strategy 2012/13) (c) Undertaking further feasibility work on the ski slope site, including the market for different kinds of hotel or leisure attraction, the costs and viability of different access options and a flood risk assessment on proposals affecting the Dodham Brook. (d) The provision of an energy centre as part of a local CHP scheme. (e) Consulting on the draft masterplan, and character guidance. (f) Establishing the Quality Transport Partnership, and undertaking the transport assessment and travel plan process for the site.

The proposed future actions (a-f) will be subject to a future report that will set out in detail the full set of issues and potential solutions before seeking Member endorsement for pursuing these actions.

3) Note that the Urban Village development will be delayed to later in the Core Strategy Plan period and that the Core Strategy and Flood Risk Position Statement will be amended to reflect changes

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Background

This document has been prepared following a town-wide Urban Development Framework by Roger Evans (now Studio Real) and others in 2005. That study identified the Yeovil urban village site as a priority for regeneration and established the underlying parameters from which this masterplan has emerged. The site was identified as one of the main development sites, with the opportunity ‘to create a new urban quarter comprising high quality, higher density residential with neighbourhood shops, cafes and leisure uses overlooking the park.’ The report recognised the importance of ‘managing traffic behavior.’ The underlying aim was to ‘make a step change in the quality of the town, think big, and be ambitious for the future.

The study has been commissioned by South Somerset District Council under the sponsorship of the Yeovil Vision Board incorporating key partners including Somerset County Council to examine the viability of developing an urban village to eco-town standards on land primarily owned by the District Council and currently used primarily for car parking for the town centre. The report sets out a masterplan and outline design codes to be used in negotiations with potential development partners, and proposes a way forward through a public private partnership company.

The work has taken forward policies set out in the South Somerset Draft Core Strategy, with the idea that new housing could be used to test out principles that could later be applied in a planned urban extension that would be large enough to count as an ‘eco-town’. The Council appointed a multi-disciplinary team of consultants led by URBED (Urban and Economic Development) with Matrix Partnership as masterplanners and urban designers, and supported by Addison & Associates as transport planners and King Sturge, now Jones Lang LeSalle on viability and implementation. The Study is one of a number commissioned as part of the Yeovil Eco Town Project being pursued by South Somerset DC with Somerset CC and a number of partners.

Summerhouse Village Masterplan

The Draft Summerhouse Masterplan is supported by a series of secondary reports that include a Yeovil Car Parking Analysis by Somerset County Council, Delivering Sustainable Transport by Addison & Associates, Renewable Energy within the Yeovil Urban Village by SSDC and a Viability Assessment by Jones Lang LeSalle.

A useful précis of the Draft Summerhouse Village Masterplan is provided within the ‘Executive Summary’ to this report at Appendix 1 (under separate cover), this outlines the methodology used, the reports main conclusions, key principles, a summary of viability issues and proposed Next Steps. As the summary report, Appendix 1 acts as a detailed synopsis of issues it has not been duplicated.

Member’s attention is drawn to the viability assessment undertaken by Jones Lang LaSalle as the critical issue emerging from the Draft Masterplan that requires further discussion. The full Draft Summerhouse Masterplan is as Appendix 2 (under separate cover) and has been reproduced in colour for all members. The full report is available for public viewing as a PDF download on the Council website at: www.southsomerset.gov.uk/evidence-base and then by selecting the Summerhouse Village Masterplan link.

To assess existing car parking capacity levels within the town and to ascertain if capacity existing elsewhere Addison Associates & Jones Lang LaSalles advised that the District Council commission a Yeovil wide car parking survey. The Yeovil car-parking survey was

Meeting: AS08A 11:12 15 04.01.12

carried out and analysed by Somerset County Council (SCC) who concluded that far from Stars Lane car parking being underused, the town centre car parks are expected to experience capacity issues at some time between 2016 & 2021, therefore for Stars Lane car park to be released for mixed-use residential development a site search exercise is needed. The Yeovil Car Parking Analysis is as Appendix 3 (under separate cover) to this report.

Viability

The Jones Lang LaSalle viability assessment has led to five main conclusions:

While the scheme should fund replacing the existing spaces it will not be able to pay in the current market conditions for meeting the future requirements that have been projected. The development of a mixed-use residential scheme on the Council owned car parks appears viable, and should attract developer interest. However the return to the Council depends on accepting that the surrounding area already includes sufficient affordable housing. The attractiveness of the scheme would be enhanced by taking in the derelict ski slope and land owned by the Town Council. The redevelopment depends on further assessment of the proposal for a 60 bed hotel and various access arrangements, and also the feasibility of building new homes in the valley bottom, which would require a flood risk assessment Some form of public private partnership will therefore be required, which can also access potential grants and low cost sources of finance.

The report is clear that in seeking to achieve the aims of eco-development with the Council’s objectives for this important area of the town centre the scheme as proposed is at present not a viable one and can therefore not be finalised until these outstanding issues have been resolved.

URBED with Jones Lang LaSalle have however set out a coordinated course of action that will enable these final issues to be completed and allow the Masterplan to be approved.

Future Actions

Firstly, the Council will need to undertake a car parking site search exercise to identify suitable locations for replacement car parking not only for the site but to include the estimated future need. Due to the scale of this project it is recommended that this work be undertaken in the post Core Strategy period 2012/13 to allow sufficient resources to be made available for this exercise to be carried out.

Secondly, the Environment Agency has advised that the sites on the edge of the flood plain and adjacent the Dodham Brook will need to undergo a detailed flood risk assessment and that the design of any scheme may require appropriate mitigation measures to be introduced.

Thirdly, the final Masterplan is financially reappraised to assess project viability. The report also suggests that project viability in the current market will be dependent on the finally agreed affordable housing provision that may need to be compromised to again ensure project viability. These two issues alongside the cost of replacement car parking provision are key factors in determining overall viability, which the consultants suggest is

Meeting: AS08A 11:12 16 04.01.12

reappraised once the wider issues above are resolved. It would be appropriate that the financial appraisal work is undertaken only after the first two actions have been implemented.

Finally, in response to these on-going issues it is the Officer recommendation that the Summerhouse Village Masterplan should remain a working ‘Draft’ until these outstanding issues are determined. Given the scale of work still to be undertaken it is unlikely that the Summerhouse Village Masterplan will be deemed deliverable until the later half of the Core Strategy Plan period. As a result of this delay the Core Strategy DPD and Flood Risk Position Statement will need to be modified to reflect the changes in timings.

All these future actions are reflected in the recommendation for which this report seeks endorsement.

Financial Implications

This report contains no direct financial implications for the Council at this time however indirectly the Draft Summerhouse Village Masterplan raises a number of future areas of work were financial support and resourcing will be needed in both Officer time and Capital investment. Post 2016 the implications from the car parking survey are that the Council will need to identify and purchase additional car parking space. Therefore there may well be significant financial implications for the Authority post 2016 depending on how car parking is to be brought forward. The programmed future reports on these matters will be addressed with financial matters in more detail.

Corporate Priority Implications

Relevant South Somerset Sustainable Community Strategy Goal 3:Healthy and active Strategic priority 8: improve delivery of services through joined up local approaches to address inequalities in health Goal4: Quality public Strategic priority 13: support the development of services integrated low carbon transport infrastructure Goal5: high performance Strategic priority 15: improve the diversity and local economy adaptability of businesses as we move towards a low carbon economy Goal 7: Distinctiveness Strategic Priority 19: support the continued development of distinctive local economies Strategic priority 20: deliver the Vision for Yeovil supported by high quality community involvement Goal 8: Quality development Strategic priority 21: maximise and focus resources to achieve sustainable development and regeneration Strategic priority 22: all new development applies sustainable construction principles and new and existing buildings move towards being carbon and water neutral Strategic priority 23: South Somerset Together partners are exemplars in sustainable development Goal9: Homes Strategic priority 25: make sure that there is enough land supply for housing development to better meet the identified needs of the District Strategic priority 26: increase the number of affordable homes in the District to meet identified need Goal 10: Energy Strategic priority 28: year on year reduction in the

Meeting: AS08A 11:12 17 04.01.12

district’s carbon footprint towards a carbon neutral economy in 2030 Strategic priority 30: produce 20% of the district’s electricity and heat from renewable sources by 2015 Goal 11: Environment Strategic priority 33: asses the risks and opportunities in South Somerset that arise as a result of climate change Goal 12: Environmental Strategic priority 34: South Somerset together education champions environmentally friendly approaches Strategic priority 35: promote environmental education at all levels with all groups and communities

Relevant Local Area Agreement issues and key LAA targets: LAA Issue LAA Target Minimise waste and manage it NI 191 Residual household waste per head sustainably Address the rising trend in obesity and NI 56 Obesity in primary school age children overweight in the population. in Year 6

Climate Change – adaptation & NI 186 Per capita CO2 emissions in the Local mitigation. Authority area Access to services and facilities by NI 175 Access to services and facilities by public transport, walking and cycling public transport, walking and cycling

LPI (5) Accessibility in Somerset

Housing NI 154 Net additional homes provided

NI 155 Number of affordable homes delivered (gross)

The Summerhouse Village Masterplan is relevant to theme 1 of the Corporate Plan, Increase economic vitality, especially supporting the economic vitality of Yeovil (key target 1.12) It is relevant to theme 2, enhancing the environment, especially targets 2.10 and 2.11 ensuring all developments have the highest feasible standards of sustainable construction. It is also relevant for target 2.21 –23 increasing community understanding of sustainability issues. It is relevant to theme 3, improving the housing, health and well being of our citizens, and in particular targets aimed at improving affordable housing.

Carbon Emissions & Adapting to Climate Change Implications (NI188)

The Summerhouse Village Masterplan seeks to achieve Eco-town standards across the development site. Eco-town standards set out a range of minimum standards which are more challenging and stretching than would normally be required for new development. The standards act to ensure that eco-towns are exemplars of good practice and provide a showcase for sustainable living and allow Government, business and communities to work together to develop greener, low carbon living.

Equality and Diversity Implications

The Summershouse Village Masterplan presents a rare opportunity to build a development that is well designed and organised from the outset to provide all inhabitants – regardless of age, disability, faith or gender – with places where dwellings

Meeting: AS08A 11:12 18 04.01.12

are responsive to individual need and are located within easy access of employment, services and leisure; where the public realm does not exclude people; and where all residents are enabled to participate fully in public life and enjoy a real sense of belonging to their community.

Meeting: AS08A 11:12 19 04.01.12

developing a sustainable neighbourhood for Yeovil town centre

Context used to test out principles that could later Methodology villages undertaken by the Urban Villages be applied in a planned urban extension Forum and a series of recent housing devel- The study has been commissioned by South that would be large enough to count as The work has included: opments that could serve as exemplars, and Somerset District Council under the aegis an ‘eco-town’. The Council appointed a producing a Thinkpiece setting out the main of the Yeovil Vision Board incorporating key • Examining and defining the best site multi-disciplinary team of consultants led by for implementing the concept, which has conclusions. partners including Somerset County Council URBED (Urban and Economic Development) to examine the viability of developing an focussed on an area of just over three • Taking guidance from both Councillors with Matrix Partnership as masterplanners hectares of developable land, including urban village to eco-town standards on land and urban designers, and supported by responsible for Yeovil South, and also the primarily owned by the District Council and the Stars Lane, Box Factory and other car board of Yeovil Vision and the Local Strate- Addison & Associates as transport planners parks, and taking in the derelict ski slope currently used for car parking for the town and King Sturge, now Jones Lang LeSalle gic Partnership on objectives and priorities. centre. The report sets out a masterplan owned by the Town Council, and the Vaux- on viability and implementation. • Producing and summarising a series of and outline design codes to be used in hall Dealership owned by Rowcliffes. technical reports on key aspects – negotiations with potential development The work involved a series of studies over a • Reviewing and summarising previous design, transport, viability, which have been partners, and proposes a way forward nine month period, with a series of interim studies, starting with work by Roger Evans reviewed with relevant officers. through a public private partnership reports and progress reviews. The Study is (now REAL Studio) and including both stud- company. one of a number commissioned as part of ies for the District Plan and also guidance • Discussing the main options and priorities the Yeovil Eco Town Project being pursued on eco-towns developed by the Town and for the masterplan in a visioning event with The work has taken forward policies set out by South Somerset DC with Somerset CC Country Planning Association and others. the major stakeholders. in the South Somerset Draft Core Strategy, and a number of partners. with the idea that new housing could be • Drawing inspiration from work on urban • Developing the preferred option, and

i securing feedback from the Eco-town Offic- basic principles of an ‘urban village’ as against the scheme. As well as carefully bringing in the Country Park and the derelict ers Steering Group. exemplified by Poundbury, for example, but matching development and the provision ski-slope, which requires a new link across in a form that is appropriate for an edge of new parking, great care will be needed the Dodham Brook. The final phases could • Working up the preferred option, taking of town centre site next to an attractive in securing the best energy and utilities take in the other car dealerships, but only if account as far as possible of comments Country Park. Such a scheme will broaden options. An edge of town centre site lends the GateWay Yeovil Community Church want and queries. choice within the town, help to rebalance itself to applying Combined Heat and Power, to move to a new building. It might also • Producing and designing up a draft final the population by attracting those on higher which could form one of the most innova- take in the other land owned by the District report and viability assessment. incomes, and will boost the image of the tive aspects of the scheme, and might apply Council, which includes some empty shop town, thus helping Yeovil to move up a principles such as biogas from Anaerobic units at the bottom of the High Street. • Holding presentations to explain the league. Digestion that would be particularly appro- conclusions and recommendations. priate to Somerset. 5) Several new partnerships will be 3) However not all the original aims can required Doing something on the scale be achieved without subsidy The scheme 4) Careful phasing is key to viability While and quality that are required cannot be Conclusions has to cover not only the costs and risks detailed planning could start as soon as achieved through the usual process of site The main conclusions from the work are: of development, but also the provision of resources allow, the only development that disposal, and standard planning application, replacement town centre parking. It has is viable before new town centre parking particularly given the foreseeable financial 1) Housing-led regeneration of a key also to respond to the market as it is, and is provided is on the Addlewell Lane site. climate. Instead, development will depend major town centre development site is the requirements as far as resident parking Though this would only yield around ten on creating new forms of partnership, with feasible The site will support a develop- is concerned reflecting the failures of past homes, its attractive position on the edge three distinct aims. ment of around 150 new homes, mainly in radical parking policies in Yeovil and other could be used to test out new concepts, the form of town houses, along with ground town centres. It should however be able such as cohousing, working with a group a) The first is to develop the urban village, floor uses such as shops and a health cen- to achieve many of the objectives set for of potential residents who want to live in that is to secure builders for elements that tre, and possibly some offices. This should eco-towns, specifically under half the trips somewhere that is a little different, and that conform to the masterplan, and that will help transform the image of the town centre, being by car (if the recommendations in the they can help design – an example that provide the right social balance. This will and achieve the aims of the Yeovil Vision. transport section are implemented), keeping would put localism into practice. A precur- change over time, as the site becomes more An important new idea is a proposal for a energy consumption down (particularly sor to development on the parts of the site attractive, and so the development will need 60 bed hotel on the ski slope site, which if the proposal for a Combined Heat and covered by town centre parking is the im- to be carefully stepped. A public private will form part of a wider plan to upgrade the Power network is implemented), and creat- plementation of a clear parking management partnership company joint venture with a Country Park and connect it better with the ing substantial green space (through direct strategy that is explicitly linked to not only private developer offers the most benefits, town. links with the Country Park). The easiest supporting the viability of the town centre and this might be set up with a wider remit way of covering the costs is to ensure that but to moving towards a more sustainable so it could tackle other regeneration projects 2) A medium density urban village will the affordable housing element is not social approach to transport. An agreement with in Yeovil or South Somerset. meet most of the objectives The original housing (for which grants are no longer a master developer or the setting up a joint idea was to develop a place that had some b) The second partnership will be available) but other forms of rented housing, venture, backed by Council assets, would of the appeals of living in a city, along with concerned with the transport aspects, as such as key workers, that could cover the enable the start of work on the heart of the benefits of living in the country. The the changes envisaged in behaviour require costs of building new homes to higher than the urban village. This would complement preferred masterplan involves a net density actions that go far beyond the site to the usual standards. In addition some of the what has been developed by Zero C on the of some 70 homes to the hectare, creating town as a whole. For this to deliver the transport costs are not specific to the site old Glove Factory site. Alternatively a start what is best described as a ‘sustainable necessary transport solutions will require but to the town, and so should not count could be made on the Rowcliffe site, thus urban neighbourhood’. It will apply the a partnership including not only the local

ii authorities but the transport operators, key development that appeals to a range of 5. The site can be developed in small depends on accepting that the surrounding businesses, the hospital and college, and it markets, including people already living in phased parcels with a number of house area already includes sufficient affordable should preferably be independently chaired. Yeovil in unsatisfactory accommodation. types; to encourage a mixed community housing. This body could promote improvements and enable a number of builders to be to public transport, the setting up a car 2. Create a balanced community over time involved. x The attractiveness of the scheme would club and car sharing scheme as well as a in terms of ages and incomes, starting with be enhanced by taking in the derelict ski programme to support behavioural change. young families and following on with senior 6. Pedestrians are to be prioritised through- slope and land owned by the Town Council, This body would consider the whole of Yeo- living and larger individual eco homes, with out the scheme, with shared surfaces, and but this requires access over land owned by vil including the site and the proposed new some accommodation for rent, and also parking at the edges. Rowcliffe and used as a Vauxhall show- extensions. Rather like the Somerset Waste home workers through larger than usual room. 7. Inappropriate town centre uses such as Partnership there are strong arguments for homes. car showrooms will be relocated where x The redevelopment depends on further creating a delivery vehicle to reduce car use 3. Provide a better than usual level of possible as part of development proposals. assessment of the proposal for a 60 bed within the wider central area of Yeovil, and infrastructure in terms of energy, waste and hotel and various access arrangements, not just the urban village site. water. 8. Roads/streets and links will have active and also the feasibility of building new frontages to provide natural surveillance to homes in the valley bottom, which would c) The third partnership involves energy, and 4. Replicate models that have worked else- the area. require a flood risk assessment. might take several forms. One would be to where including involvement of community create a Multi Utilities Service Company, in 9. A variety of architectural styles will be enterprises. x Some form of public private partner- partnership with one or more of the existing encouraged, in accordance with the final ship will therefore be required, which can utilities. Interest has already been expressed design code requirements such as densi- The basic design principles, which are also access potential grants and low cost by several companies that specialise in this ties, parking, and materials. shown in the masterplan and supporting sources of finance. field. This could be the prototype for the design codes, are: much larger urban extension. The other, Viability which is more novel, but for which there 1. The 'village' should provide the benefits The Next Steps of city-living, but within a countryside set- are good precedents, would be to establish Once the scheme had been refined in the Following approval of the report and its ting, with an abundance of greenery as well light of consultations, and a final masterplan a community based trust or community submission to both the Council and the as green vistas. and accommodation schedule prepared, a enterprise with a mission of applying eco Yeovil Vision Board, the report can provide further viability assessment was undertaken principles on as large a scale as proves the basis for a series of coordinated actions: viable. This might take in experts at Yeovil 2. The streets will provide strong links by Jones Lang LaSalle. This led to five main College, and 'green' businesses keen to between the town centre, countryside and conclusions: x Setting up a development group to take serve the markets that are opening up in surrounding attractions. the ideas forward that includes relevant both energy and food. x While the scheme should fund replacing officers and councillors, and that can nego- 3. Houses should be oriented as far as the existing spaces it will not be able to pay possible to exploit views of the country- tiate with potential partners, secure relevant for meeting the future requirements that grants and establish a delivery plan. Key Principles side and the potential to design to 'passive have been projected. house' standards and maximise solar gain. x Identifying, acquiring and financing the The development of Summerhouse Village The development of a mixed use residen- x development of replacement long stay car is based on a number of principles aimed at 4. Development should proceed in tandem tial scheme on the Council owned car parks parking to serve the town centre and making the scheme viable: with the sensitive enhancement of the Coun- appears viable, and should attract developer try Park e.g. a hotel and gardens. interest. However the return to the Council 1. Develop a mixed use mixed income iii implementing a new car parking man- Summerhouse Village Masterplan agement strategy in the town. • Undertaking further feasibility work on the ski slope site, including the market for different kinds of hotel or leisure attraction, the costs and viability of different access options and a flood risk assessment on proposals affecting the Dodham Brook. • The provision of an energy centre as part of a local CHP scheme. • Consulting on the draft masterplan, and character guidance. • Establishing the Quality Transport Partnership, and undertaking the transport assessment and travel plan process for the site.

iv v YEOVIL TWINNING ASSOCIATION Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on Thursday 10th November 2011

Present : Jan Aldridge, John Attwood, Roger Baker, Diana Gray (Hosting), Theresa Mahoney, Kathy Smyth, Barbara Stimpson (Sec), David Torrance, Graham Voizey (Chair),

Apologies : Suzanne Biddiscombe, Andrew Kendall, Norma Northcott, Barrie Smallcalder (Treasurer), David Recardo

Minutes : The Chairman welcomed back the committee after the October AGM. The minutes of September’s meeting were agreed and signed.

Matters arising : One coffee morning had taken place and the Baptist Church had agreed that YTA could in future hold one per quarter. Norma Northcott’s cheese & wine party had been very enjoyable despite poor attendance.

Correspondence : An email had finally been received from Herblay indicating that they wished to continue visits annually.

Treasurer’s report : In Barrie’s absence, Graham said that there had been no outgoings since the AGM and subscriptions were still coming in.

2012 : Outgoing visit to Herblay : Awaiting reply to our request to visit at Easter.

2012 : Incoming visit from Samarate : As yet no reply had been received to our email asking them to come on 1st June (rather than 2nd). We had advised them that we could host around 30 visitors. Barbara had advised AgustaWestland of the proposed visit. Julie Pilbeam had suggested we ask for specific items to help with the visit and it was felt that coach fares would be most beneficial. Sharon Blake had suggested a trip around Yeovilton Air Station, and said she would be prepared to organize this. 2012 : Outgoing visit to Taunusstein : Awaiting reply to our request to visit in September. Socials/Fundraising : The committee were grateful to Norma for her contribution of £122 from her cheese & wine party, and also to Theresa & Norma for organizing the coffee morning, raising £61. There was a short discussion on the venue for the annual dinner and once again it was agreed to hold it at the Griffins Head. Theresa agreed to book this for February. Any other business : It was suggested that we should make a donation of £50 to the College Bursary Fund in appreciation of free use of the room for committee meetings and this was agreed. Graham had asked Chris West if he would continue updating the Trips Checklist which he had produced. Chris was very happy to do so.

The next committee meeting will be on Thursday 8th December 2011, 7 pm at Yeovil College. YEOVIL TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Yeovil Youth Council held in the Town House, 19 Union Street, Yeovil, on Monday 28 November 2011.

(7.00pm – 8.15pm) Present:

Seamus Beard (Deputy Chairman) James Gard (Secretary)

Also Present:

Rob Parr Senior Play and Youth Facilities Officer (SSDC) Zara Coulson Area Youth Worker (SCC) Alan Tawse Town Clerk Gill Tomlinson Committee Administrator

(1) Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were received from Adam Coppard, Laura Coppard and Hannah Law.

(2) Minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 October 2011, copies of which had been previously circulated, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(3) Skateparks

Rob Parr said that the Gravel Board at the base of the Skate Park Fence at Yew Tree Recreation Ground has now been fitted. This has been funded from the Town Council’s Play Area and Skatepark Maintenance budget.

Rob explained that he had received 3 quotes for equipment and installation but the 3rd quote was for equipment only and would be disregarded. Rob had been in touch with another potential supplier for a quote for equipment and installation and we would hopefully receive that by early December. He would ask them to quote for concrete and for metal ramps.

Rob thought that concrete ramps would be the best option; they are more expensive but can be moved.

Once the order is confirmed it should be supplied and installed within 10 weeks.

A draft grant application letter that had been compiled by the Chairman was circulated and was supported by the Youth Council.

It was agreed that the final application must be ready for Alan by mid December so he can submit it to the Yeovil Recreation Charity (Trust) as soon as possible, as the next meeting of the Trust takes place on the 3rd January 2012. Rob will do a report to go with the application.

In the event that the grant application was successful, it was agreed that a decision regarding the quotes received would be made shortly after the Trust met in early January.

Seamus thanked Rob for attending and was invited to attend the next meeting to give an update.

RESOLVED

(1) that the matters be noted;

(2) that the application to the Yeovil Recreation Charity (Trust) be submitted before the end of December 2011;

(3) that Rob Parr be invited to the next meeting of the Yeovil Youth Council; and

(4) that an update be given at the next meeting of the Yeovil Youth Council.

(4) Youth Opportunities Group

A meeting had been held that morning and it had emerged that there could be significant changes to the delivery of the Youth Service in the coming years, details of which were outlined by Zara.

She added that an ongoing review of delivery options finished on 16 January 2012 and, if supported, proposed changes could come into effect on 1 April 2012.

It was noted that a briefing meeting had been arranged between Town Councillors, Zara Scott-Davies and Zara to discuss the potential impact of the proposals.

Zara indicated that, as part of the consultation process, she would like to meet up with Youth Councillors to seek their thoughts on the proposals. It was agreed to set a provisional date of Monday 12 December.

RESOLVED

(1) that the matters be noted;

(2) that Zara will meet with Youth Council Members on Monday 12 December (provisional date) to seek their views on the proposals; and

(3) that the outcome of the next meeting of the Youth Opportunities Group be given at a future meeting of the Yeovil Youth Council.

(5) Elections 2011

Alan had arranged to attend Preston School Academy on 29 November to answer student’s questions, following on from assemblies that he attended earlier in the month.

Assuming there were sufficient nominations, elections would take place for years 8/9 and 10/11 before Christmas.

Alan was still awaiting a response from Bucklers Mead Academy, and would seek a reply in the near future.

RESOLVED

(1) that the matters be noted; and

(2) that a further update be given at the next meeting of the Yeovil Youth Council.

(6) Any Other Business

Zara mentioned that Hannah cannot attend meetings on a Monday and she will be writing to Alan.

(7) Date of Next Meeting

IT WAS NOTED

That the next meeting of the Yeovil Youth Council would take place at 7.00pm on Monday 23 January 2012.

Chairman