Search This Blog

Sunday 28 March 2010

New Grit Bins

With the help of grant aid from Cllr Tony McMahon the Parish Council has purchased 3 new Grit Bins.

One will be placed at the junction of Mill Lane and North Street and one will replace the damaged one in Butts Way.

The third is a wheely bin which will be kept in the Victoria Rooms for use in that area.

The Parish Council wishes to thank Cllr McMahon for his generous assistance.

Garden Centre Planning Committee Decision

The Wellington Road Garden Centre proposal went to TDBC Planning Committee on Wednesday 26th March.

After an hour of evidence and arguments, with the Planning Officers dismissing most of the points put forward as irrelevant, Councillors voted to refuse the application.

Unfortunately after a further hour they could not reach agreement with the officers on effective and defendable reasons and eventually those that were put forward were dismissed on a vote.

Accordingly without reasons to oppose the original motion was resubmitted for a vote and this time the application was passed on the Chairmans casting vote.

Severe concern has been registered at this outcome and the conduct of the meeting. For example many objectors were not told that the meeting was on and therefore did not get sight of the Planning Officers report until the meeting itself. There were also significant differences of opinion between some Councillors and the Officers over the interpretation of policy.

As this was only an outline application battle will no doubt be joined again when details are submitted.

Friday 26 March 2010

24th March -

There will shortly be a report on the extraordinary goings on at last Wednesdays Planning Committee Meeting.

In the meantime here is the latest Neighbourhood Watch Report.

Neighbourhood Watch Report

DIGITAL SWITCHOVER - as you know the digital switchover will come to our area in the next few months. This is a general warning that there have been suspicious incidents reported in other parts of Somerset relating to a company attempting to sell equipment for the switchover. Don't be deceived. If you have a query about the digital switchover then call the Help Scheme for free on 0800-4085-900 or go to helpscheme.co.uk You will also find that assistance and advice can be given to you by Age Concern Somerset on 0845 643 4621 or visit their website at www.ageconcernsomerset.org.uk



G184 230210 – 23rd of February



We are currently packing up the latest edition of the District Information Bulletin for Watch Schemes and if you have not already received your copies, they should be with you fairly shortly.



The packs will also include the annual audit forms for completion and return.



In the meantime, we have also put this publication onto the Force Website together with a copy of the most recent list of security items available through the office. Detail of a link to the website is included on the attachment to this message.

The above attachment accompanied the item above.



G253 110310 GT022



Please find detailed herewith an overview of incidents reported to the Police in your beat area for the month of February.


There were 28 calls made to the police from your beat during this time out of a total of some 2189 received in the whole of the Taunton Deane District Council area. These included:


0 dwelling burglary

0 non dwelling burglary

0 assault

1 theft from motor vehicle

0 theft of motor vehicle

0 criminal damage

0 nuisance/rowdy behaviour.


If you have any information about such incidents or suspicious activity please telephone the police as quickly as possible on the general contact number 0845-456-7000.


NHW office 01823-363348

Message G253


If you have information about any crime, phone the police on 0845 456 7000 or you can call anonymously to the independent charity CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111. For general information about Neighbourhood Watch nationally see the www.mynhw.co.uk website.

Monday 1 March 2010

Meeting March 2010: Brief Report


Delegated Planning Agreement

Despite some anomalies The Parish Council voted unanimously to continue the Agreement with TDBC for 2010/11.

TDBC Core Strategy
Councillors thanked the Clerk for a comprehensive response to the Strategy.
Following the Public Meeting about the Strategy, Councillors discussed the two empty properties in Creedwell. Apparently one will be the subject of possession proceedings in April while the other is believed to be privately owned.
As a result of questions at the Public Meeting Councillors also discussed the question of Affordable Housing. Recognising the distinction between Affordable (ie Social) Housing and private housing that is affordable to lower income buyers, Councillors felt they needed more advice and therefore agreed to invite the Chief Executive of Falcon Rural Housing to the next meeting.

Following a request from North Street residents Councillors agreed to purchase 2 new grit bins. Cllr McMahon kindly offered to contribute to the cost from his allowance.

The following matters were reported:
- The TDBC proposal to close the toilets was withdrawn because it was made after the Parish Council had set its precept for the year. It seems likely that this subject will be raised again later in the year.
- The posts supporting the railing on the path to the Church from Parsonage Lane have rotted and the matter will be reported to SCC.
- Councillors received a request to place a memorial bench in the Jubilee Gardens.