Parish Council Meeting - December 2024

    BROADWAY PARISH COUNCIL

www.broadwaysomerset-pc.gov.uk

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Broadway Parish Council held in Broadway Village Hall on

Tuesday 3^rd December 2024 at 7.30pm

1006.     Attendance and Apologies:         

Present:                 Cllrs Neate, Preece, Wilkins, Frayne and Jones; Mrs Larsson (Clerk)

                                 Somerset Council Cllr Osborne

Apologies:             Cllrs Champion and Toms

1007.     Declarations of Interest / Dispensations: None.

1008.     Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th November 2024

Minutes were approved unanimously by Councillors as a true record of the previous meeting.

1009.     Planning Applications

a.      New Applications

i.     24/02475/OUT: Land Between Pound Road and Paulls Lane Broadway TA19 9SA - Outline application for the construction of 47 homes with all matters reserved except for access and layout (re-submission of 23/03017/OUT)

After lengthy discussion of the proposed development, the council RESOLVED to submit an OBJECTION response.  As summary of the council’s response is as follows, with full detailed comments being submitted to Somerset Council planning.

The proposed development is of an agricultural green field site and would be highly visible from surrounding countryside, eroding the character of the historic landscape with significant detrimental effect on visual amenity.  The location is poorly placed for access to amenities with no safe active travel routes to either the facilities in Broadway and Horton or the closest town of Ilminster.  The sewage network is inadequate to support even the existing properties, releasing foul water onto highways during heavy rainfall.  The council believe the ecological surveys and assessment of environmental impact are insufficient.  They have not covered reptiles which have been reported by residents locally or the impact on species present in the river Ding of significantly increased polluted surface water run off from the newly created impermeable surfaces in the proposed development. 

In consideration of other developments already approved since 2023, the council consider a further 47 properties to be unsustainable in terms of the capacities of the facilities and infrastructure of the area.

ii.    24/02731/HOU: Sunrays Hare Lane Broadway TA19 9LN - Erection of a two-storey rear extension and replacement front porch

RESOLVED to submit a SUPPORT response on the basis that the proposal was appropriate in size and design, with no detrimental impact on neighbours, the landscape or ecology and would be an enhancement to the current visual outlook of the property.

iii.  24/02710/HOU: Sunrays Hare Lane Broadway TA19 9LN - Demolition of existing garage and erection of a replacement carport & store

RESOLVED to submit a SUPPORT response on the basis that the proposal would not have a detrimental impact on neighbours, the landscape or ecology and would be an enhancement to the current visual outlook of the property.

b.     Updates and Enforcement

No items raised.

The Council’s full responses to all planning applications are available to view against the respective applications on the Somerset Council planning portal Link to Planning Portal

1010.     Accounts and Financial Information

a.      Financial statement to 30/11/24: RESOLVED to approve the financial statement. 

b.     Payments requiring authorisation:

The Council RESOLVED to authorise the following payments:

c.      2025/26 budget:

The Clerk had circulated proposed budget figures, based on final forecast for the current financial year and estimates of expenditure for the upcoming financial year. Provisions for contingency for loss of services currently provided by Somerset Council were proposed. The Council are expecting reactive services to be affected in relation to some highways works, frequency of drain/gulley clearing, emptying of some dog and waste bins (not household) and rights of way maintenance. The provision of services from Somerset Council remains uncertain and Councillors agreed it was necessary to maintain a general contingency fund for the potential loss of services.

After discussion, a draft budget was agreed in principle (see Annex. 1), with final approval to be made at the January meeting, in advance of setting the precept for 2025/26.

1011.     General Updates and Actions

a.      Highways:  A digger parked on the verge by Bullens Close has caused damage but have been assured this will be addressed  in March.  To be monitored & followed up if necessary. 

Problems in the road such as potholes and other hazards can be reported to Somerset Council online: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road/

b.     Flooding: The bridge at Suggs Lane was blocked with a fallen tree which has been removed.  There was significant flooding at Goose Lane during storm Bert.

c.      Rights of Way:  A slat is missing on a bridge in the field opposite the church/school (CH 2/9).  The issue has been reported to Somerset Council but no remedial action yet. Residents can report issues direct to Somerset Council using the following reporting tool: https://roam.somerset.gov.uk/roam/map

d.     Playpark: No updates.  Awaiting external inspection.

e.      Defibrillator: Cllr Toms was not present to offer an update.

f.       Speed Indicator Device: Device will be moved to Pound Road.  Data has been downloaded and will be reviewed.

g.      Volunteering and Community Group Updates: Horton Youth Club meet on a Sunday, 6.30-8pm and is open to all KS3 children. 

h.     Clerks Report (in addition to items already reported): No additional items to report.

i.       Local Community Network:  No updates to report at the time of the  meeting. More information on LCNs can be found at the following link: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/local-community-networks/

1012.     Correspondence/Matters for Report

General correspondence and updates are circulated to councillors regularly.  No significant items to report.

1013.     Items for the next meeting:

a.      2025/26 budget

b.     2025/26 precept

1014.     Date of next ordinary meeting: Tuesday 7^th January 2025.

The Chair closed the meeting at 9.10pm.

Signed  …Steven Neate, Chairman……………                                                      Date  ……7^th January 2025…

Annex 1 – Draft Budget