Minutes

Draft Copy.

Minutes of Meeting 13.04.26.

Councillors present:  A. Creed (Acting Chair), M. Heal, S. Petherbridge, D. Creed, A. Oakerbee and J. Gane.

Apologies:  G. Willcox, T. Holley and SC Claire Sully.

There were Nil Declarations of Interest.

Approval of Minutes of Meeting 09.03.26 – Proposed, seconded, all in favour and duly signed.

Matters arising from the last Minutes:

Litter picking:  Councillor Petherbridge requested a date for litter-picking along the A361.    To be arranged/discussed and reported at Annual Parish and Annual Parish Council Meetings on May 11^th - Councillors Oakerbee  (group liason councillor)and Holley.

Correspondence circulated.  The following information posted at westpennard.org.uk and on the village noticeboard:  Foster care fortnight 11-24^th May, Update on Fusion Leisure Centre facilities in Somerset (Frome, Wells, Glastonbury, Street and Shepton Mallet), Habits for Health (Movement, Sleep, Nutrition, Emotional Wellbeing and social connection Programme 13.05.26-17.06.26, Step, Ride, Thrive Steering Group/Avalon and Poldens LCN.

Avalon and Poldens Discover Nature Fortnight 18^th-31^st May 2026.  It was Proposed by Councillor Petherbridge, seconded by Councillor Oakerbee for a parish walk to be organised, advertised on ‘Legend’ and to include refreshments.  To be reported at May meetings.

Lining requests – to be reported at next meeting (Councillor Petherbridge).

Finance:  AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2025/6 duly signed.  To be presented at Annual Parish and Annual Parish Council (A.G.M.) meetings on May 11^th 2026.  Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return, Accounts for the year ended 31.03.26 duly posted at westpennard.org.uk and noticeboard. 

Lloyds Bank Forms to delete previous parish councillors and add current parish councillors:  Forms re-submitted including two sets of Board Resolution instructions to accommodate 7 councillors and clerk.  As the matter has not been cleared by Lloyds Bank since January it was felt should there be a failure this time the parish council will consider banking elsewhere.

Receipt of Precept £17,000.00, Somerset Council.

Planning:

Planning decisions, Somerset Council:

1. Appeal allowed: LBC granted for removal of existing (modern) chimney breast from kitchen, to repair and preserve kitchen door (external), remove modern glazed panel, rebuild as a stable door and reverse door frame so it opens outwards/Mulberry Cottage (Mulberry Farmhouse)/Planning Ref 2025/0553/LBC.
2. Erection of new build dwelling and carport/Land at 354425 and 136507/Coxbridge Drove/Planning Ref 2025/2162/FUL – Application withdrawn.

Planning Applications:

1. Notification only: Application for an existing lawful development certificate for use of the site including the buildings and land within the red boundary line have been solely in use for residential operations/Breach Farm/Certificate of Use Existing/Planning Ref 2026/0470/CLE.
2. Erection of single storey extension on side elevation/Green Pastures/Newtown Lane/Planning Ref 2026/0517/HSE.

It was Proposed, seconded, all in favour, Recommend Approval for the following reasons:

1. There is no adverse effect on other properties.
2. The proposed is on the back.
3. There are no highways issues.
4. The proposed has no visual impact on listed buildings.
5. The proposed is very sympathetic to the surroundings.

Lead Councillors Reports:

Circulated and posted at westpennard.org.uk and noticeboard:  SC C. Sully’s Annual Parish report and Energy and Cost of living Crisis – help available from Somerset Council and Citizens Advice.

Councillor Oakerbee confirmed quotes for the  erection of posts for Speed Indicator Devices is in hand and will report at next meeting.

Councillor Petherbridge reported she is compiling a list of white lining required in the village and will report at next meeting.

Highways:

1. Notice of Temporary Road Closure ttro610114E The Causeway and Street Road, Street and Glastonbury 30^th April for 13 nights (18.00-0.7.30 HRS) to enable prep and resurfacing works. Duly posted at westpennard.org.uk and noticeboard.
2. Clerk reported having informed Highways of bent and missing signs, A361 for Sticklynch junction.
3. Clerk to report potholes in Bradley Way – 1 – outside Victoria Farm and others 200m onwards Upper Woodlands Farm.
4. Clerk to report dire state of the A361 from Piltown farm to Steanbow.
5. Clerk to report toppled 30MPH signpost coming from Pilton towards the village and toppled speed camera sign by Pennard Farm.

There being no further business the meeting was closed. Time 9.30 PM (21.30HRS).

Next meetings – Annual Parish Meeting followed by Annual Parish Council Meeting on Monday 11^th May 2026.

Chair.