2019/20 ANNUAL REPORT Page 1 of 12 A few words from the promote the uptake of online subscribers and thereby reduce the requirement for resource hungry paper Chairman 2019/20 copies. Unfortunately the take up was not as well received as we had hoped which means there are still a Cllr Stuart Haskins - Chairman large number of households in the Parish who do not yet [email protected] benefit from this very well produced and informative When I sat down to reflect on 2019/20 magazine. However alongside this Amy, our Parish in preparation to write this report, I Clerk, has produced an updated version of our very was really shocked at the result of a simple calculation successful Welcome Pack in which she has broadened I had made into how many hours of their time my fellow its content to cover information about the PC, local bus Councillor’s had given in 2019/20. And so, I would like services, footpaths, schools / education provision, other to start by personally thanking all of the West Monkton local services and information about the Village News Parish Councillors and the Clerks for the excellent work and so via this new Parishioners are being made aware and the contributions they have made to the Parish in of local services and businesses. 2019/20. It really has been an exceptionally busy year. The addition of new and upkeep of existing Parish assets The past 12 months have seen the Parish Council (PC) has continued and progressed well with the completion undertaking a number of “Parish Projects” which in the of the finger post sign refurbishment project and the main have been funded by our share of the Community addition of some new ones by our Village Lengthsman, Infrastructure Levy. The Levy or CIL as it is more Mr Shaun Roles and a Local Civils Contractor. commonly known, is generated by the housing Later this year you will see the installation of new Village developments in our Parish such as the Monkton signs to further enhance our parish. These have recently Heathfield Phase 1 development and the ongoing arrived from the foundry and will be pleasantly in keeping Hartnells Farm development. There are strict guidelines with the tone and character of the Parish. on what the CIL funds can be spent on and by when the Just in time for the recent wet spell two new bus shelters money must be spent. The PC has therefore created a were installed outside the Garden Centre on the A3259 "123” list of community projects some of which we have and later this year will see another two installed on already delivered and others we will be delivering in Bridgwater Road, near the bus gate, to further enhance 2020 and beyond. Some of these Projects will have or facilities for those choosing to use public transport. will involve hard infrastructure items adding to the list of Parish assets whilst other initiatives involve services Another major expenditure funded from CIL monies this and facilities in the community. If you wish to add an year was the purchase of a Mower and Flail together with idea to the 123 list please email the Parish Clerk or operator training. It was felt by the PC that with the ever- come along to a PC meeting. increasing areas of public open space in the Parish together with the hopefully soon to be acquired Number 1 on our list for last year was the linking of the Maidenbrook Country Park (MCP), this will be a valuable old and new parts of the Parish over Dyers Brook. To do and useful asset to have for the future. this required the building of a new bridge for bicycles and pedestrians. This project, whilst appearing to be simple at first, required the PC liaising with numerous authorities and bodies and obtaining various permissions and licences. It is in these circumstances, Amy Shepherd - Clerk behind the scenes, that our Clerks really do “earn their [email protected] keep” as the saying goes, providing valuable support and guidance to the Parish Councillors. Another initiative for last year was funding a one-off This report marks the end of my first distribution of a hard copy of the Village News to every year fulfilling the role of Clerk, having household in the Parish. Our thinking behind this was to swapped roles with Tricia on 1st April 2019. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Page 2 of 12 first year in the role but welcome the invaluable support like further information about booking the BACH, please of Tricia as I continue to ‘find my feet’ and try to do the contact the Bookings Officer, Maggie role justice. ([email protected]) The overall role of the Clerk is to ensure the smooth and The Spital Allotments continue to be managed by the PC. lawful running of the Council and to advise Councillors The allotments are popular and in full use, however, the accordingly. The Councillors’ Code of Conduct, PC holds a waiting list so if you are interested in having Financial Regulations and Standing Orders are revised, an allotment, please get in touch and your details will be reissued and adopted every year at the Annual Meeting added. of the PC (equivalent to its AGM) in May. The Register In addition to the on-going management of the PC assets of Councillors’ Disclosable Interests is filed and and servicing the meetings of the PC, there have also maintained at Somerset West and Taunton Council been a number of projects that have started or continued (SWT). Councillors can apply for ‘Dispensation’ if during 2019/20. These include: Disclosable Interest would otherwise prevent them from speaking or voting. 1. New Parish Welcome Packs – as the Chair mentioned above, new Welcome Packs are available. If you are The Parish Council meets in Brittons Ash Community new to the Parish and would like a copy please send me Hall (BACH) on the second Tuesday of every month at an email ([email protected]) 7.00pm. The public are always very welcome, and they can speak in Public Question time. A more informal 2. New signs for the Parish – as the Chair mentioned opportunity to express your views is at the Parish above, five new signs have been commissioned by the Surgery on the second Thursday of the month at the PC for erection around the Parish. The signs are cast BACH between 8.30 am and 9.30 am. This is a drop-in iron and have been designed so that they are in-keeping eeting, and coffee and tea is served. You will be able to with the Parish. Following receipt of the necessary talk to Clerks, Parish, District and County Councillors. permissions and licences, the signs were ordered and Sometimes members of the developer’s consortium have been delivered and will be put in place over the attend. This provides the opportunity for the public to coming weeks / months. raise issues and gives the Parish Council valuable 3. Monkton Heathfield Phase 1 (MH1) – Public Open feedback from the community. Spaces – negotiations have been taking place The PC uses both the website (www.westmonkton.net) throughout the year with the developers about the and Facebook page handover of the Public Open Space in MH1 to the Parish (https://www.facebook.com/westmonktonparishcouncil/ Council to manage following their completion. If the ) as key communication tools that enable the PC to negotiations are successful, the PC will fill the role of the engage more effectively with the community. All Management Company to maintain the public open agendas and minutes from PC meetings are available spaces for the community. on the website. 4. Monkton Heathfield Phase 2 (MH2) – Concept Plan – BACH has had another successful year, the purpose- the PC has been liaising the best that it can with SWT built community facility offers the means to reinforce the Council and the developers about the proposed plans for growing community of Brittons Ash/Bathpool and to MH2. The PC has also created a Joint Parish Panel with integrate those newly arrived with the residents who Creech St Michael PC to feed into the proposals as much have lived in the area for longer. The BACH now has a as possible because most of the development proposed number of regular weekly bookings and continues to be in MH2 falls within the parish of Creech St Michael. Many used for group meetings, activities, and private of you will be aware that an initial draft concept plan for functions. The PC has also made a number of MH2 was published in February. The PC is trying its best improvements to the BACH this year including; installing to engage with SWT and the developers to shape this a hearing loop in the Activity Hall, air conditioning in the plan before it is finally approved to ensure that the needs Committee Room and installing a projector and screen and wises of the local community are reflected in it. This and sound system in the Committee Room. If you would work will continue into 2020/21. Page 3 of 12 5. 5G Precautionary Principle – In November 2019, the the new estate come under a different arrangement until PC alongside others in Somerset and nationally invoked the site is adopted. the precautionary principle in respect of 5G deciding There is more detail in the Finance Report. that; ‘West Monkton Parish Council has a social responsibility to protect the public and environment from The Planning Committee meets on the first Tuesday of exposure to harm from 5G wireless radiation.