West Monkton Parish Council Meeting 11th August: Summary of Key Decisions & Discussions

Attendance & Administration
 Apologies from Somerset Council’s David Fothergill and Cllr Munson.
 No changes to declarations of interest or DPI register.
 Minutes of 28 July 2026 approved.

Clerk & Assistant Clerk Reports
Clerk
Extensive operational work across admin, finance, highways, planning, Country Park,
Somerset Wood, sports pitches and BACH. Key highlights:

 Letters issued to homeowners about overgrown hedges.
 SID location on Bridgwater Road awaiting Somerset Council approval.
 Sports Ground grand opening successfully delivered.
 Multiple contractor meetings, inspections, signage updates, and utility connection
escalations.
 Audit Working Party held; finance reports prepared.

Assistant Clerk (Community)
 Major work on community groups, youth provision (HYPE & detached youth work),
grant applications, events, volunteer management.
 Detached youth work engaged 111 young people across multiple sites.
 Youth Café launched summer sessions; new management system implemented.
 Grant applications submitted for £10,000 Older People’s Fund and mural project.

Reports & Updates

Bathpool Flood Warden
 Extremely dry July (1mm rain).
 Riverbank collapse under investigation; EA permit may take up to 20 weeks.
 Pump installation progressing slowly; design company appointed.
 National Grid agreed underground supply route.
 Temporary bund improvements expected for winter.

Communications
Strong growth across all WMPC digital platforms:

 Parish Council Facebook: 1764 followers, 100.4K views.
 Monkton Matters: 656 followers, 28.4K views.
 Country Park: 1485 followers, 30.1K views.

Village Hall
 Noticeboard location agreed; steel legs being made.
 CCTV installed.

Broadband Meeting
 National target of 99% superfast broadband by 2032 unlikely to be met.
 Airband withdrawal causing rural delays.
 Openreach contact to be shared for installation queries.

Consultations
Council agreed no comments on:
 Parish councillor number changes.
 Polling district review.
SCITS consultation to be discussed at September meeting.

Public Questions
Issues raised:
 Poor pavement condition near new Tesco.
 Overgrown hedges (letters already issued).
 Vegetation clearance concerns on Gotton Lane.
 Anti-social behaviour at Beacon Close.
 Primary School seeking help with nursery flower bed (can apply for wellbeing grant).
 Solar panels saved school ~£5000 over three months.
 Potholes on Noahs Hill – to be raised with SC Highways.

Somerset Council Report (Cllr Cavill)
Major financial concerns highlighted:
 Government issued Best Value Notice due to “fragile financial position”.
 New Chief Finance Officer appointed (Lizzie Watkin).
 CIPFA review rated SC financial management 1 star out of 5.
 £7m loss on Steelite site equivalent to 65,000 pothole repairs.
 Temporary limit of one fridge/freezer per household at recycling sites.
Cllr Gage suggested writing to SC expressing loss of confidence.

Planning
 Large Staplegrove East development amendment reviewed; no comments submitted.

Finance
Key approvals:
 Benches: 1 from Somerset Timber Services + 6 from Oakworld.
 40ft container: Lion Containers quote accepted.
 Hedge trimmer: AHC Power Tools.
 Mower insurance renewed (£553.42).
 Football post installation delegated to Clerk & Chair.
 Grant funding: £500 awarded to young person; cap set at £500.
 Transfers approved (including £50,000 from PSDF for cash flow).

Audit Working Party recommendations accepted, including:
 Request MH1 Management Company to produce 5year plan.
 Allocate £70,000 CIL towards Sports Pitches pavilion.

Projects

Hyde Park Sports Ground
 Electric and water connections progressing; no change to planned location.
 Pump track issues addressed (bench securing, signage, fencing repairs).
 Proposed shelter not supported.
 Container organisation planned; scaffolding poles arriving.
 Event enquiry for next year – Clerk to gather details.

Poppy of Honour
 Winter storage being arranged.
 SC asked to match £26k raised.
 IKO sponsoring roof tiles.
 Architect quotes to be gathered.
 POH attending multiple shows; permanent storage needed.

MH2 Development
 Joint work with CSMPC ongoing; awaiting updated developer documents.
 Next steps include meetings with both PCs and developers.

Community
 Youth Café quieter second week; outreach planned.

 Pain Café ongoing; Heathfield Hall may be used for vaccinations.
 Flower Show successful; improvements planned for next year.

Assets

Country Park & Somerset Wood
Volunteer Coordinator reported:
 Tree watering/fleecing due to heat.
 Container painting, nursery area improvements, wildflower seed collection.
 Homeless visitor reported to authorities.

Heathfield Gardens POS
 More payments received after enforcement letters.
 Tree surgeon quotes being gathered.

Environment
 No update on 20mph extension.
 SRA Community Flood Action Fund application approved for submission.

Other Notes
 Crocus bulbs offered for school garden.
 Turnip shy to be returned to Newport Catering.
 Next agenda items due by 31 August or 14 September.

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