Minutes

Present:  G.  Willcox (Chair), T. Holley, D. Creed, A. Oakerbee, A. Creed, J. Gane and M. Heal. (Full Council).

There were 13 parishoners present.

Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed.

There were Nil Declarations of Interest.

Public Speaking-time.

Representatives from Community Group formed to lower speed limit through the village through various means and increase safety for pedestrians gave an address:

Suggested was a speed reduction of 40MPH to 30MPH, 30MPH to 20MPH, a Speed Indicator Device, a zebra crossing and gates at each end of the village on the A361.  Also mentioned was  reduction to 20MPH through Newtown Lane, sign maintenance and footpath clearance on the A361.

It was reported traffic is exceeding the speed limits.

It was confirmed footpath clearance has been requested and is scheduled to be done.

Clerk demonstrated Somerset Council's App which gives all services and information including one for anyone to report such matters as highways and footpaths issues directly to them.

N.B. Each complaint is given a reference number which can be followed-up should the need arise.

H. Smith also reported concerns re deterioration of the War Memorial.

She was advised this is a work in progress and is going to approach the caretaker who it should be noted is doing the maintenance voluntarily.

 

Complaints also relating to school traffic (currently on Summer Holidays) and one resident finds it difficult exiting her home between the junctions of Church Lane and Southtown Lane due to parked cars and during term times school traffic.

It was noted building works are currently being carried out at two sites in this locality on the opposite side of the road.

It was further reported West Pennard School is working on school traffic issues and there are negotiations in place to buy land to extend the parking area (owned by the church).

The Group asked for support for it's suggestions from West Pennard Parish Council which  the full council gave unanimously.

Mr. L. Green asked for financial support from West Pennard Parish Council from the GFL Fund for monies to help West Pennard St Nicholas Church to remain open.  Currently the amount required stands at £12,000.00.

Those present were reminded of the fact West Pennard Primary School is a church school.

The church serves the parish as a final resting-place for parishoners past and in the future in this respect as well as for sunday services, weddings, baptisms and funerals.  It should also be noted the Village Hall is also hired on such occasions and its availability will further increase when the current kitchen is updated to meet current standards, further validating the necessity to keep St Nicholas open.

Mr Green was asked to put in a formal application (westpennard.org.uk).

Ongoing support in the way of parishoners giving monies annually to the church were discussed.  Donations have decreased  so to address this deficit the threatened closure of St Nicholas and the opportunity to donate will be brought to the attention of all West Pennard households.

It should be noted at this moment in time St Nicholas does not have a churchwarden.

Parishoners can join the church's Electoral Roll but cannot  join West Pennard Parochial Church Council until they have been on the roll for six months.

It was suggested that to address these issues a project and strategy planning process is required.

H. Smith then gave an address in respect of West Pennard Village Hall Management Committee's Application for £20,000.00 from the GFL Fund to update and extend the village Hall kitchen.

All parishoners present left the meeting at 21.15 HRS and were thanked for their attendance.

Correspondence - circulated.  Letter from Aileen Fletcher, Traffic Engineer, Somerset Council to meet and discuss any traffic and road safety issues.

Cllr Holley to instigate.

Ms Fletcher was unable to attend August Parish Council meeting.

Finance.

The following cheques were issued:

1. Murfdog - Cost of Annual web and email hosting, support and domain registration and firewall security, work on website £340.00.
2. West Pennard Parochial Church Council - Upkeep of the Churchyard - £3,000.00 - As proposed by A. Creed, seconded by A. Oakerbee and passed.
3. West Pennard Village Hall Management Committee, Upkeep and Use of the Village Hall, £1,500.00 - As proposed by T. Holley, seconded by M. Heal and passed.

Funding Applications.

Quotes are awaited from West Pennard Primary School.

Subject to receiving them it was Proposed, seconded and Passed the GFL Fund be distributed as such:

£9,000.00 each to the Village Hall Committee for kitchen updating and West Pennard Parochial Church Council for a single payment to sustain the opening of St Nicholas and £6,000.00 to West Pennard Primary School to update Trim-Trail, leaving the remainder for future works.

Highways Matters.

Report of hedge overgrowth in the village affecting pedestrians using footpath:  To be addressed by letter as verbal requests to trim same back have not worked.

There being no further business the meeting was closed.