Summary of Minutes – West Monkton Parish Council Meeting (9 December 2025)

Attendance: Full council present except Somerset Cllr David Fothergill (apologies).
Representative from the Village Hall, and the Flood Warden also attended.

Key Decisions & Actions
1. Administration
 Minutes of 25 November 2025 were approved.
 Clerk continues major workloads including website accessibility improvements, gully
mapping, planning administration, and Sports Ground project management.
 Assistant Clerk Community reported active progress across youth work, community
events, grant funding, volunteer support and social media management.

2. Somerset Council Report
Cllr Cavill provided updates on:
 Red Flags issued by external auditors regarding Somerset Council’s finances and
governance.
 Cost of a new temporary Planning Service Director (£800–£1,000/day).
 Parish responsibilities for election costs.
 Pending decision on Sunday parking charges.
 Asset sales including the Yeovil M&S building with significant loss.
 Reopened Boundary Commission consultation (deadline 14 Jan 2026).
 EV charging infrastructure rollout from early 2026.
 Public consultation on 2027/28 school admissions.

3. Reports from Community Representatives
Bathpool Flood Warden
 Significant rainfall has caused debris in the Old River Tone; volunteers have
undertaken clearing.
 Two recent flood alerts; reservoirs now ~45% full.
 Relief pump activated twice this month.
 Meeting arranged with Environment Agency in January.

Village Hall
 Hall financially stable and well-used.
 Working on projects: car park purchase, solar panel installation, new noticeboards.
 Will share booking information with Assistant Clerk Community.

4. Communications & Engagement
 Strong growth across all Parish social media platforms, particularly Monkton
Matters, which saw 78.7k views following AI-minute summaries.
 Noticeboards updated and online content regularly refreshed.

5. Planning
Council supported:
 48/25/0065 – 1 dwelling at Sidbrook Orchard (with biodiversity and lighting
conditions).
 48/25/0066 – Timber outbuilding at Birds Farmhouse.
 48/25/0067 – Rear extension at Lyndwood (with biodiversity & lighting suggestions).
No further comment on the large Cheddon Road resubmission (APP/E3335/W/25/3374315).

6. Environment
 Layby opposite Thornash Close: residents supportive of hedging and wildflowers;
concerns about fencing and security. Clerk to gather hedge options.
 Damage to hedgerow on Monkton Heathfield Road by Hinkley buses: awaiting
company response.

7. Assets & Projects
Country Park
 Fencing to be completed this week; CCTV installation 18 December.
 Pathway specification approved with amendments—will be tendered.
 Repairs needed at Forest School; new shrubs, signage and Christmas gathering
arrangements in progress.

MH2 Development

 Meeting to be arranged with CSM PC on S106/CIL issues.
 Parish Council to submit comments opposing residential allocation behind Dosters
Lane, as it conflicts with the Core Strategy.

Hyde Park Sports Ground
 Fencing and gateway works completed.
 Car park urgently required for rugby fixtures; trenching quotes included in Finance
Report.
 Further pressure to be applied to Persimmon regarding utilities and drainage.
 Pump Track Tender: Contractor Tender C appointed unanimously.

Poppy of Honour
 Fundraising progressing well; high-value whiskey donations.
 CJL offered to sponsor pavilion foundations.
 Council approved purchase of a £380 bench for memorial plaques.
 Meeting with Poppy of Honour Committee to be arranged in January.

8. Finance
 Extensive receipts and payments approved.
 Approved:
o Purchase of 2 community event benches (eBay option).
o FILCA training (£144) for Admin & Events Assistant.
o Up to £4,000 for trenching at Sports Ground.
o Two Platinum Walk signs from Print 2 Media.
 Budget for 2026/27 deferred to January pending Council Tax Base confirmation.
 £50,000 transferred from PSDF to Lloyds for cashflow.

9. Other Updates
 Orienteering event at Country Park on 31 December.
 Issues with parking on Greenway appear to have eased.
 Christmas tree installed at The Street; further decorations pending.
 Gully-sucking due before Christmas.
 Events Working Group meeting later this week.

10. Forthcoming Meetings
 Next PC meetings: 13 January 2026 (business) and 27 January 2026
(community/project).

 Other dates include APM (24 March 2026) and Sports Pitch Committee (20 January
2026).

Note: This summary was produced by AI using the DRAFT minutes of the Parish Council
Meeting on the 9th December. The full minutes will be available on the parish council
website once they are approved at the next parish council meeting.