West Monkton Parish Council – Meeting Overview
Date: 13 January 2026, 7:00pm

>>Location: West Monkton Parish Council
>>Present: Cllrs Cavill, Chapman, Gage, Haskins, Munson, C. Cronshaw, D. Cronshaw
In Attendance: Amy Shepherd (Clerk), Kate Welsh (Assistant Clerk – Community), Candy
Sully (Volunteer Coordinator), Mr. K Perry (Flood Warden), Cllr D. Fothergill (Somerset
Council), and two members of the public.
>>Apologies: Cllr Besley

Key Business Items
Clerk’s Reports
 Website and Admin: Accessibility updates completed, new “Assets” tab planned,
fundraising pages updated, defibrillator maintained.
 Finance: VAT claim approved, Q3 reports complete, budget and precept work
finalised.
 Planning: Updated logs and PowerPoint support for meetings.
 Country Park: Compound fencing done, CCTV delayed, new equipment received,
pathways tender closing 16 Jan, grant and vision work ongoing.
 Sports Pitches: Planning approval imminent; Persimmon Homes have stated a
commitment to complete utilities by 31 Jan; floodlighting tender review and pavilion
fundraising / grant applications in progress.
 Other Areas: Ongoing maintenance issues (bins, fencing, signs) with Persimmon;
preparation for meetings and volunteer events.

Assistant Clerk – Community Report
 Community Projects: Active communications, social media management, funding
applications.
 Grants: Community Garden £1,500 from Sainsbury’s; further funding sought for
HYPE youth project.
 Community Fridge & Café: Volunteer coordination, training, events, and food
safety compliance.
 Youth Work: Organising sessions, managing grants, volunteer youth leader
programme, and communication via HYPE Facebook.
 Events: Major community events planned throughout 2025/26 (Easter Hunt, Funfest,
Dog Shows, Flower Show, etc.).

Main Discussions and Resolutions
Feedback & Reports
 LCN (Hestercombe) Meeting: Updates on transport, youth projects, Hinkley Point
impacts, Boundary Review, and local bus services.

 Flood Warden Report: December flood alert; new flood guards distributed; pumping
effective; follow-up meeting with Environment Agency planned.
 Communications: Strong social media performance and website engagement (e.g.,
92.9k views on PC Facebook).
 Village Hall: Need for more committee members/trustees; exploring solar panels and
noticeboard replacements.
 Consultations: Division Boundaries response approved and submitted.
Planning
 Mulberry House, West Monkton: 4m fence proposal — more information requested
on ground levels and heritage wall interaction.
 Little Marlows: Tree works – no objections.

Environment
 Level Crossing Closure: Council supports closure due to safety but highlights future
pedestrian connectivity plans.

Community
 Christmas Events: Highly successful festive programmes; £135.86 in donations
raised; plans for community-led awards next year.
 2026 Events Leaflet: Approved for printing as A5 concertina format using £250
grant toward total (up to £650) cost.

Assets / Projects
 Country Park: Gas leak reported, repairs and maintenance ongoing; volunteer
activity growing; CCTV follow-up needed. Agreed to advertise for a weekly cleaner.
 Hyde Park Sports Ground: Site meetings held; floodlight tenders received; parking
and ducting under review.
 Blundells Lane Flood Project: Gully cleaning completed; awaiting contractor
updates and Somerset Council action on drainage issues.

Finance
 Major Approvals:
o Purchase of refurbished iPad for Youth Café (£150 + VAT).
o Purchase of viburnum tinus hedge (£625 max) and 5 Marmax picnic benches
(£2,015 + VAT).
o Authorised extensive schedule of staff salaries, expenses, and
maintenance/vendor payments.
 2026/27 Budget & Precept:
o Total budget: £569,165
o Precept required: £239,940
o Council Tax (Band D): £106.20/year (+11%)
o Approved unanimously.

Other Matters
 Future discussion: Solar panels for Primary School, MH1 football posts, Bridgwater
Road pitch, Church Hill cleanup, and staff social event.
 Training and meeting schedules noted (Audit Working Party on 23 Jan; Annual Parish
Meeting 24 Mar 2026, regular monthly meetings scheduled).

Poppy of Honour Project
 Concerns raised over preservation, security, and structure design.
 Four options debated regarding display and weatherproofing.
 Resolution: Proceed only if the existing Poppy is re-created in weatherproof form
(Option B) and placed within a semi- or fully-enclosed structure (Option C or D).
 Cllr C. Cronshaw to research materials; Cllr Haskins to sketch design concepts;
funding discussions to follow.