June Parish Council Meeting

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 5th June at 8.00pm in the Old School.  Please note the later start time.  The Agenda and Minutes can be downloaded from the Minutes and Agendas page a week before the meeting and members of the public are welcome to attend.    

Annual Parish Council Meeting

At the Annual Parish Council Meeting in May Janet Jones was re-elected as the Parish Council Chair for the coming year, Peter Glaisher was re-elected Vice Chairman and  Jayne Cox was re-appointed the Parish Council’s representative on the Village Hall Trust. 

Annual Parish Meeting

The Annual Parish Meeting took place on Wednesday 3rd April at 7.30pm in the Jubilee Hall.  Over 60 local parishioners came to hear a report of the Parish Council's year and for a film, a talk and a discussion focussing on farming in the parish.      

Allotments

There is currently one vacant allotments in the allotment field at Eastcombe available for a rent of £35 a year each.  If anyone in Batcombe or the surrounding villages would like to rent an allotment please contact the Clerk.  Annual rents are due in November and the vacant allotment can be rented for the remainder of this year for £25.  

Hincombe Hill

Drainage works have been undertaken by Somerset Highways on Hincombe Hill which is hoped will reduce the flow of water on the road that turns to ice in freezing weather.  While this work was undertaken Somerset Highways have fenced the gap in the hedge above the drop down into Pugh's Bottom Farm.  

Playing Field Litter Bin

This bin is intended for those using the Playing Field to dispose of their rubbish so that the Playing Field can be kept clean and tidy.  Please don’t use it as a dog poo bin - dog poo should be taken home and placed in your own wheelie bin.  And, without stating the obvious, please don’t put waste in the bin when it is full or leave waste on the ground by the bin.  If the bin is full, please take your waste home as it is important to keep the entrance to the children’s play are clean and free of dog poo.  The litter bin should be emptied once a week by Somerset Council.    

Winter Gritting

Residents should be aware that the roads in Batcombe will not be gritted during icy weather and so great care should be taken when driving on our roads in such conditions.

The Parish Council has looked at the possibility of local volunteers gritting at least one road out of Batcombe in icy weather, but the issue of insurance for the volunteers could not be resolved.  The Parish Council is hoping to reduce the amount of water on Hincombe Hill and is pressing Somerset Highways to erect a safety barrier on the edge on the drop down to Pews Bottom Farm.  The Parish Council has also requested additional grit/salt for the roads.   

Parish Council Precept

At its January meeting the Parish Council agreed its budget for the coming financial year with the precept increasing by £150 to £10,075.  Because of a small increase in the tax base for Batcombe, this means that the amount of Council Tax for residents of Batcombe resulting from the precept will be unchanged.  

Audit Requirements 2023 - Notice of Public Rights

Under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 the Parish Council is required to publish the Notice of Public Rights which can be downloaded below and which gives the period when members of the public have the right to inspect the Parish Council's financial records for the previous year.  

The Parish Council is also required to publish the Annual Governance Statement 2022/2023 and the Accounting Statements 2022/23 and these documents can be found on the Audit and Transparency Code page.

The Three Horseshoes Premises Licence Application

Following concerns about the new Premises Licence application made by The Three Horseshoes that were raised at the March Parish Council meeting, the Parish Council and several neighbours of the pub made representations to the Licensing Authority, resulting in a hearing to determine the application on March 31st.  As a result of the hearing, the Three Horseshoes has been granted a Premises Licence similar to that held before the renovation.  This allows the sale of alcohol to midnight (11.30pm on Sundays) and no live or recorded music after 11.00pm.  In addition, the outside area will be closed for licensable activities from 11.00pm.

Problems on the Roads

Problems on the roads can be reported directly on the County Council website at www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/#problems-on-the-road This includes issues such as potholes, blocked gullies, overhanging hedges and other safety issues.  The County Council can be contacted by phone on 0300 123 2224.  Out of normal working hours, an immediate safety issue on the roads can be reported to the police on 101.

Consultation on Local Community Networks

On April 1st 2023 a new unitary council will replace the County and District Councils in Somerset.  A consultation is taking place on the development of Local Community Networks (LCNs) that will be committees of the new unitary council that will allow more local voices to be heard.   More information about LCNs can be found on the New Somerset Council website.   

Para 79 House at Valley View Farm - Application Withdrawn

An application for the erection of a house under paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework at Valley View Farm was considered by the Parish Council at its meeting on Wednesday March 3rd 2021, when the Parish Council decided to recommend refusal.  Paragraph 79 of the NPPF allows a house to be built in the open countryside if it is ‘of exceptional quality, in that it is truly outstanding or innovative, reflecting the highest standards in architecture’.  It must also ‘significantly enhance its immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area’.  The Parish Council felt this proposal meet neither of these criteria.  The application has now been withdrawn.  

Parish Council & Unitary Council Election Results

The following seven people were elected to Batcombe Parish Council in May 2022: Jayne Cox, Peter Glaisher, Bryony Harling, Janet Jones, Clare Kingston, Tom Price and Ian Sage.  

Claire Sully and Alex Wiltshire (both Liberal Democrats) were elected to the two seats on Somerset County Council for the Mendip South Division and are now our Councillors on the new unitary Somerset Council.  

New Play Equipment - Playing Field Re-Opened

Thanks to the grant of £58,976 from the Viridor Credits Environmental Company (from the Landfill Communities Fund), the Parish Council was able to place an order with Sutcliffe Play South West for new play equipment and installation of the new equipment took place in April 2021.   

The Parish Council would like to thank those children who entered the competition to design two plaques to go in the Playing Field, one asking people to "Please look after our Playing Field" and the other reminding people that no dogs are allowed in the Playing Field.  The winning designs for each sign have been installed in the Playing Field.

Church Tower Broadband Transmitting Mast

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) have agreed to the installation of a temporary wireless transmitting mast on the church tower to redirect the wifi broadband signal provided by Voneus more widely around the village.  The PCC note that this is a very low powered signal - weaker than a normal mobile phone signal.  A full statement from the PCC can be downloaded by clicking on the icon below.

Priority Services Register

Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution have a Priority Services Register for anyone who needs electricity for home medical equipment, or who is disabled, has a young baby or receives a state pension.  Those on the Register are promised support during a power cut.  To register call 0800 294 3259 from a landline or 0345 072 1900 from a mobile or see the webpage for more details of the Register: www.ssepd.co.uk/PriorityServices/

Planning Applications

Details of all applications the Council considers can be found by following the link to the Somerset Council's planning search page from the Planning Applications page.

Guide to Information Available from the Parish Council

The Freedom of Information Act requires the Parish Council to publish "A Guide to the Information Available from the Parish Council."  Now that the Council has a website, this guide is available to download from the Parish Council Documents page along with the Parish Council's Standing Orders and other policies and papers that the Parish Council is required to publish.