Minutes 9. 5. 2023
STOGURSEY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 9th MAY 2023.
Held at in the Quantock Room, Victory Hall, Stogursey.
PRESENT:
Cllr Chris Morgan (Chair), Cllr Sue Goss (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Scott Nurton, Cllr Chris Ford, Cllr Susan Jones, Cllr Gregor Millar, Cllr Jenny Ody, and Cllr Allan Searle B.E.M.
In attendance: R Wand (Clerk), and 7 members of the public.
PRESENTATIONS
Two representatives from HPC gave an update on the Marine works taking place in relation to the water inlets which had initially disturbed the sleep of many residents. Work had recommenced, but taking into account the variable weather conditions and it was hoped that the noise levels would be minimal and kept below DCO applicable levels to the working hours. It would take between 5-10 work periods, of about 90 minutes each, and all would be completed by mid July.
The WWT Steart Marshes Site Manager gave a brief update and took questions on the change in the Countryside Stewardship Agreement of Bridgwater Bay National Nature Reserve from Natural England to WWT and that the Environment Agency will also be leasing the majority of Bridgwater Bay to the WWT under a Nature Reserve Agreement.
PUBLIC FORUM
Allotments – several allotment holders raised concerns over the unkempt state of several plots which was affecting all the other plots.
Defibrillator awareness sessions advertised in Stogursey News had not taken place and would need to be rearranged.
The request for permission to use the Gravel for some tables and chairs was requested by the café owner who asked the Parish Council to give permission as soon as possible.
Noise from the BRPA shelter. A resident raised concerns over the banging by youths on the metal sheeting structure covering three sides of the bench/shelter which caused a noise nuisance for nearby residents.
23/1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Cllr Helga Staddon
23/2 MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on 11th April 2023:
The draft minutes of the last parish council meeting and annual assembly meetings had been circulated. They were proposed by Cllr Ford seconded by Cllr Searle and were unanimously AGREED for signature by the Chairman as a true and accurate record of the meetings.
23/3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS:
Declarations of Interest and / or dispensations in addition to those already declared and available for public inspection, were made by Cllrs Morgan, Goss, Ford and Searle in respect of the Victory Hall and Cllr Nurton regarding employment at Hinkley Point
23/4 CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLOR
The Clerk was asked to arrange for an informal interview of the potential candidate as soon as practicable.
23/5 UPDATE FROM SOMERSET COUNCILLORS
- CCllr Woods and CCllr Davies had submitted written updates which had been previously circulated to the members were noted.
23/6 REVIEW OF LONG-TERM ACTION LIST
Castle Street site had been visited to check the watercourse, which appeared to be flowing well and the overflow pond was clear. ACTION – Review Autumn 2023
An update regarding the grant application was still awaited from the PCC’s Road Safety Fund.
23/7 HINKLEY POINT POWER STATION
Cllr Goss had no further update following the presentation given.
23/8 FINANCE
a) The list of invoices for payment and monies received, (Appendix 1) and the Financial Statement (Appendix 2) had been forwarded to members before the meeting and are attached to these minutes.
b) The Financial Statement was noted. It was resolved unanimously that the Invoices for payment were to be settled. All payments will all be made online, by cheque, direct debit or by debit card. ACTION: Clerk
c) The meeting reviewed and resolved to accept the long term agreement (three years) with Zurich Insurance. ACTION – Clerk
d) The meeting received and noted the report of the internal auditor Richard Young, there were no matters to bring to members attention.
e) The meeting reviewed Section 1 Annual Governance Statement of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2022 to 2023 (AGAR) and resolved to submit the completed form, which was then signed by the Chairman and Clerk. ACTION – Clerk
f) The meeting reviewed Section 2 Accounting Statement of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2022 to 2023 (AGAR) and resolved to submit the completed form, which was then signed by the Chairman. ACTION – Clerk
g) An application for a grant of £250 by the Stogursey and District Victory Hall Committee was considered and it was resolved by majority to support the grant. Four members abstained. ACTION – Clerk
23/9 MEETING REPORTS
a) Unitary Council for Somerset Update: had been circulated and the Victory Hall had been submitted as a suitable location for future meetings of the Dowsborough LCN, the first meeting would be held in the mid summer.
23/10 NOTIFICATION OF FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
HPC
Community Forum 18.05.23
Main Site Forum 22.06.23
Site Stakeholders Group 30.06.23
Transport Forum 13.07.23
Steart Forum 10.05.23
PCC meeting 12.05.23
LCN meeting 18.06.23
23/11 CORRESPONDENCE
To cons der a response to the Environment Agency public consultation on a change to HPC’s water discharge activity permit which closes 25.5.23.
the meeting resolved that no comments were required.
To consider a response to the NDA consultation on Intermediate Level and Low Level Waste disposal. The Vice Chairman asked for comments as the SSG Chairman was seeking feedback ahead of the formal consultation period. It was felt that terminology was important and that near surface storage was safe for LLW and that the proposals for the use of such facilities at A Station was acceptable, with probably little impact on traffic levels.
To consider a nomination for the Somerset Council Chair’s Award – closes 30.6.23. There was agreement that last year’s proposal to support the Speedwatch group members would be resubmitted.
To consider response to Somerset Council regarding transfer of two parcels of land at Paddons Farm to Stogursey Parish Council under 3/32/06/003 & 3/32/20/009 s.106 obligations. A site visit had been undertaken, but a further discussion with planning officers would help to resolve the issues. The offer of an additional piece of land adjoining the north parcel was rejected by the meeting.
Action: Clerk
To consider issues arising from Off Shore Marine Works in connection with HPC, following the presentation it was felt that the situation had been clarified and would be monitored in the coming weeks.
To consider noise nuisance being caused at the BRPA. It was resolved by a majority that the shelter would be removed as soon as practicable. Action: Clerk
To consider an application by Vines Café for use of tables and chairs on The Gravel during opening hours. The meeting requested further information be submitted by the applicant as soon as possible as had been requested several times by the Clerk in correspondence to enable a decision to be reached.
23/12 ENHANCEMENTS
In the absence of Cllr Staddon no update was received.
23/13 HIGHWAYS ISSUES
Members resolved that they would support the installation of a safety mirror to assist drivers manoeuvring into Monkton Hall Lane, following a recent collision.
23/14 PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
Cllr Jones reported no issues of concern had been raised.
23/15 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND DECISIONS:
Cllr Ody reported on current matters:
- i) Ongoing matters
Appendix B to the agenda was noted
- ii) New Applications;
SCC/4052/2023 Installation of a ventilation discharge stack to the Concrete Box Loading Facility (Building 124), together with associated concrete slab, shield wall and crash barrier. Hinkley Point “A”. The meeting had no issues to raise in relation to the application.
H/32/23/001 42 metres of hedgerow removal, Farringdon Reservoir, Stogursey 322635.142951
The meeting had no objections to raise, but would ask that the works were not carried out during nesting season to assist bio-diversity matters.
23/16 DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday 13th June 2023 at 7.00pm meeting at the Victory Hall, Stogursey.
The meeting closed at 21:30
Signed: …..………………………………………….….. (Chairman) Date: ……………………………………
APPENDIX 1 SPC Minutes 9th MAY 2023
Schedule of Receipts and Invoices for Payment 9th May 2023
Payments made since the last meeting on 11.4.23
| Payee | Amount
£ |
Payment Type | Details |
| R Wand | 650.51 | BP | Clerk Salary Mar 23 (includes allowances, less PAYE & Pension contributions) |
| HMRC | 181.40 | BP | Employee tax & NIC (PAYE) & Employers NIC Mar 23 |
| NEST | 93.10 | DD | Employee & Employer Pension Contribution Mar 23 |
| S Foster | 460.00 | BP | Closed Churchyard Mow n Strims 15.2 & 21.3.23 and
Bench removal from The Gravel |
| Microsoft | 11.28 | DC | Business 365 monthly fee |
| Gifts 2 Impress | 545.33 | DC | Coronation Mugs |
| IONOS | 5.99 | DC | Website hosting April 2023 (due 28.4.23) |
Payments due 9.5.2023
| Payee | Amount
£ |
Payment Type | Details |
| R Wand | 655.51 | BP | Clerk Salary Apr23 (includes allowances, less PAYE & Pension contributions) |
| HMRC | 181.40 | BP | Employee tax & NIC (PAYE) & Employers NIC Apr 23 |
| NEST | 110.03 | DD | Employee & Employer Pension Contribution Apr 23 |
| GWB Services | 85.20 | BP | BRPA mow n Strim 16.3.23 |
| R Young | 50.00 | BP | Internal Audit 2022-2023 |
| M Wheeler | 248.90 | BP | Repairs to allotment water system |
| Microsoft | 11.28 | DC | Business 365 monthly fee |
| IONOS | 5.99 | DC | Website hosting May 2023 (due 28.5.23) |
Receipts since last meeting
Bank Interest – April 2023 £ 74.59p
VAT reclaim – Sept 22 to March 2023 £ 1,363.78p
Precept – 2023/2024 £ 31,425.00p
Allotment rents – 2023/2024 £ 150.00p
APPENDIX 2 SPC Minutes 9th May 2023
| STOGURSEY PARISH COUNCIL | |||||||||
| FINANCIAL STATEMENT – AS AT 30th April 2023 | |||||||||
| Balances as per bank accounts 31.3.23 | |||||||||
| Treasurers Account | £1,237.19 | ||||||||
| Deposit Account | £9,000.24 | ||||||||
| Reserves & Grants Account | £108,652.75 | £118,890.18 | |||||||
| Plus Receipts – April 2023 | |||||||||
| Treasurers Account | £34,438.78 | ||||||||
| Deposit Account | £25,005.81 | ||||||||
| Reserves & Grants Account | £3,118.78 | £62,563.37 | |||||||
| Less Payments – April 2023 | |||||||||
| Treasurers Account | £29,991.62 | ||||||||
| Deposit Account | £1,500.00 | ||||||||
| Reserves & Grants Account | £0.00 | £31,071.75 | |||||||
| Balances as per bank accounts 30.4.23 | |||||||||
| Treasurers Account | £5,684.35 | ||||||||
| Deposit Account | £32,506.05 | ||||||||
| Reserves & Grants Account | £111,771.53 | ||||||||
| £149,961.93 | |||||||||
| Less unpresented cheques | £0.00 | ||||||||
| Plus uncleared credits | £0.00 | ||||||||
| Available Funds at 30.4.2023 | £149,961.93 | ||||||||
| Balance as per cash book | |||||||||
| Treasurers Account | £5,684.35 | ||||||||
| Deposit Account | £32,506.05 | ||||||||
| Reserves & Grants Account | £111,771.53 | ||||||||
| £149,961.93 | |||||||||
| Summary of Reserve Bank Account @ 30.4.2023 | |||||||||
| 1621.89 | Ext Grant – Stogursey Oral History Project | ] | |||||||
| 3859.27 | Ext Grant – Castle St Flood Scheme | ] | |||||||
| 226.84 | Ext Grant – Castle St Flood Scheme Contingency | ] | |||||||
| 52417.00 | Ext Grant – (from HPC) – Lenghtsman Scheme | ] Not PC Funds | |||||||
| 1305.37 | Fingerposts project grants | ] | |||||||
| 1449.94 | Ext Grant – Growing for Health and Wellbeing | ] | |||||||
| 90.00 | Allotment Refundable Deposits | ] | |||||||
| 60970.31 | Total External Grants | ] | |||||||
| 396.21 | Interest to 30.4.23 | Reserves a/c only | |||||||
| 5000.00 | Multi Sports Area | ||||||||
| 2250.00 | SWTC Election Costs 2022/2027 | ||||||||
| 700.01 | Laptop | ||||||||
| 4500.00 | BRPA essential maintenance | ||||||||
| 2000.00 | Refurbish the Pound | ||||||||
| 5000.00 | Grounds and maintenance | ||||||||
| 4500.00 | Defibrillator (annual build-up of funds) | ||||||||
| 25280.00 | Contingency | ||||||||
| 1175.00 | Reopening Grant – Bench on The Gravel | ||||||||
| 50801.22 | Total PC funds | ||||||||
| 111771.53 | TOTAL IN RESERVES’ ACCOUNT | ||||||||