This is the webpage for the Parish maintained by the Parish Meeting Chairman Paul Chadwick. Summary information is usually circulated using the village e-mail system but more detail may be on this webpage. Not to be confused with any FaceBook page of a similar name – that’s not the Parish Meeting ‘noticeboard’. Paul Chadwick 07761 967075.
Useful contacts & websites – check this page here eg for reporting potholes/missed refuse collections/problems with footpaths – click on link:LAMYATT Matters contacts information May 23
(20/04/2024) Notice of the Lamyatt Parish Annual Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place in the village hall starting at 7pm on Thursday 23rd May 2024. All that live in the Parish, which extends as far as and includes Arthurs Bridge properties, are welcome to attend to hear reports from the constituted groups/bodies that serve the Parish and to discuss any other matters relevant to the wellbeing of the Parish. Highways (traffic, potholes, footpaths & bridleways), Planning and Flooding will be on the agenda along with the usual issues around which residents may want to raise concerns or be informed about (the shoot, winter preparations, broadband etc)
Lamyatt Annual Parish Meeting Agenda 2024
Draft MINUTES OF LAMYATT ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – 24th May 2023
Paul Chadwick (07761 967075)
(14/02/2024) Parish notices Update: Temporary Road Closure; Flooding; Footpaths
Road Closure: Wessex Internet have been granted a temporary road closure order effective 29th February but with the works anticipated to take place during the week of 4th March 2024. The closures in the village along to Waddon Farm, Taddywood Lane & Portway Hill will last up to 5 days (but probably much less) to enable Wessex Internet to install fibre cable across (under) roads. This timescale may, of course, slip if the weather is particularly bad that week. Emergency services will be able to access through these road closures. Wessex Internet hope to start connecting up those in the village who have now given the go ahead for the Fibre to the House grant to be paid over to them, and have set up a contract with them as from the end of March….
Flooding: If there are further instances of heavy rain and flooding affecting the drains and roads in Lamyatt please ensure you take a photograph and submit it to Highways asap. It is obviously very difficult for Highways to prioritise works if they can’t see the scale of any problem or damage. Contact link is, as usual, on the contacts note above. For those new to the village, or those who missed previous discussions and investigation about potential flooding, please see previous notes from the 2019-2021 period below, especially January 2022 meeting.
Footpaths & Bridleways: As is usual we are dependent on all in the village to try and keep the footpaths & bridleways clear of obstructions – now is a good time to walk some of the tracks with a pair of secatuers! If there is any major problem which can’t be sorted (e.g. broken bridges/stiles) then please register it with the Somerset Council but bear in mind that as Council resources are reduced there is sometimes a very long wait for any repair work to happen.
(26/01/2024) Lamyatt Lodge applications The Parish planning group have submitted the following comments to the Planning Department for Area East (Somerset) and have also sent a copy to our Divisional Member.
(19/01/2024) Many thanks to all who attended the Planning Meeting for the holiday accommodation at Lamyatt Lodge on Wednesday 17th January. Well over 20 local residents attended. Notes from the Meeting here: Lamyatt Village Meeting 17th February 2024 – Lamyatt Lodge Cottage__ and Barn planning application
See below for the link to the Planning Statement that supported the applications. Please forward any comments to me or submit separate comments direct to the Somerset Planning portal.
(12/01/2024) Planning Meeting on Wednesday 17th January 2024 6.30pm-7.30pm
A meeting will be held at the Village hall, starting at 6.30pm. The meeting is to hear from the applicant George Hallam & his agents with regard to the two linked applications made in December concerning Lamyatt Lodge becoming a Holiday Accommodation with gatherings.
The Parish Planning sub-group are, in particular, interested in learning more about the scale and duration of the intended gatherings at the premises, and to ensure that traffic and noise issues, for example, can be managed properly.
To read the detail of the applications – please review the documents on the Somerset Council’s planning portal. The Planning statement supporting the applications has been produced by the agents, Bidwells, and can be seen here: 2023_2357_FUL-PLANNING_STATEMENT-1342551
Please prepare any questions you might have about the applications after reading this. After the presentation by the applicant anyone present with a question will have the opportunity to ask that question.
(21/11/2023) The Shoot
The possible dates for the shoot have now been supplied by the contractor that organises the shoot on Creech Hill, adjacent to the Bridleway. If anyone needs to see the dates then please get in touch with me. Not all dates on the list will be used – dependent on weather & their bookings. The organisers have advised that they will keep to the usual arrangement of only starting to shoot in the afternoon, and signposting when shooting is in operation – stopping whenever someone is walking/riding on the bridleway. Please advise me if anything different.
(21/11/2023) Winter Preparations
Please will those residents closest to the 4 grit bins in the Parish check that they are useable by ensuring that any hardening of the salt/grit is broken down.
If there are any instances of heavy rain causing further flooding due to drains etc being unable to cope please take a photograph and report to the Highways authority using the link on the contacts sheet.
(30/05/2023) Lamyatt Annual Parish Meeting
Many thanks to all of the residents of the Parish who attended this year’s Annual Meeting.
Draft MINUTES OF LAMYATT ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – 24th May 2023
PCC Report for parish meeting 2023
Welch Alms House Trust Annual Report 2023
Wessex Internet – Meeting 27th April 2023
(19/05/2023) Lamyatt Annual Parish Meeting Wednesday 24th May 7pm Agenda here: Lamyatt Annual Parish Meeting Agenda 2023
(04/05/2023) Update – Revised date for Annual Parish Meeting – WEDNESDAY 24th May starting at 7pm. We hope to have the Acting Beat Manager for our Patch (PC Ross-Osborne) from the Police attending to give an update on what can be done to protect property.
Footpaths – For those who want to volunteer to do their bit throughout the year in Lamyatt there are always opportunities to help out. Simon Lang & I have already been out with our mower or strimmer to clear some footpaths/stiles and there are plenty of other paths/stiles which it would be helpful if villagers could sign up to look after this nettle growing season. Please take a look at the footpath/bridleway map. See here: Lamyat rights of Way Map
& let me know which stiles/gates you will look after or stretches of footpath. Photo below of the path cleared by Simon across towards Redlands
(17/04/2023) Update – Crime in the Village. After a recent burglary and a second attempt at the same property in Lamyatt please be aware of the possibility of theft. Thieves often return to the same location. Report any strange vehicles/activity to the Police. To check recent postings on rural crime in the Avon & Somerset area please check out this website here.
(05/04/2023) Update – Lamyatt Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Thursday 25th May 7pm in the village hall. The meeting will be an opportunity for all in the Parish to hear annual reports from the Village Hall Trust, the Parochial Church Council, the Welch Almshouse Charity. The meeting will also review any local concerns with the highways, footpaths, drains, traffic, and other matters.
(05/12/2022) Update
Winter Preparations – all the grit bins in the Parish should be full. If not then please contact me, They are situated:
- by the sentry box bus stop
- at the brow of the hill by Waddon Farm
- by the entrance to the church
- almost near the top of Portway Hill
Please use the grit bins to help de-ice dangerous village roads and nearby neighbours should make sure the contents don’t become unusable due to their becoming rock solid. Malcolm Frapple has again agreed to be ‘Snow Patrol’ coordinator to help if anyone in the village gets stuck due to snow and ice – he will keep a list of villagers with 4wd who might be able to come and help. If you have a 4wd vehicle please contact him to volunteer on the list. His contact details : 07811 600823.
The Shoot – this has re-started for the season and will take place on certain days on the hill after 1pm subject to weather conditions etc. If you need a copy of the shoot dates (not all are used) then please contact me. There should be a sign up at the start of the Bridleway on the days when they are shooting, and shooting should stop when there is anyone on the bridleway/footpath. Please advise me if that is not the case.
Fibre to the Property – Despite my chasing several times I’ve had no further updates from Voneus after their presentation last May.
Blue HGV Lorry signs – these were put up in the summer soon after the last Parish Meeting and should act as a deterrent to large lorries using the village roads as a short cut. Of course vehicles making deliveries to properties in the village can still access them. Residents should continue to keep a look out for any large vehicles they think are regularly using the roads for no good reason, and after making a note of any company name on the vehicle, should consider reporting it to the Highways Department for further investigation.
Paul Chadwick
Parish Chairperson
07761 967075
(23/06/2022) Update
Voneus presentation on their plans to bring Fibre to the Property in Lamyatt
Following on the presentation at the Parish Meeting Voneus have sent the following presentation which has all the detail. Please register direct with them if interested, but also bear in mind there are other providers too who may also look to bring Fibre so do keep all options open!
Highways – We are still awaiting a definite date for the installation of the Discretionary (Blue) HGV signage at either end of the village. Highways have been asked again to confirm a date.
Potholes – work will take place in the next week or so on the potholes on Portway Hill. It took over a month for the inspection to happen so please notify SCC Highways direct as soon as you spot something which starts to look as if it might be dangerous.
Footpaths – now is the time to get out and clear the nettles by the stiles or footpaths. If there’s an overgrown path near you then please take your secateurs (or strimmer!) with you when you next walk. Many thanks to those who help keep the paths open.
(31/05/2022) Lamyatt Annual Parish Meeting 2022
The Annual Meeting was held on 26th May with a presentation before the formal meeting commenced from representatives of Voneus. When a copy of their presentation is received we will add it to this webpage.
Draft Parish Minutes 26th May 2022
There were a number of reports provided at the meeting and links to those reports are here.
VH report for parish meeting 26.05.22
Parochial Church Council Annual Report 2022
Welch Alms House Trust Annual Report 2022
(Below: May 2022 – busy in the fields this past week)
(11/05/2022) Lamyatt ANNUAL Parish meeting 2022 – Thursday 26th May at 6.30pm
All that live in the Parish are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to receive an update from various village groups and to review a range of issues.
This meeting will take place on Thursday 26th May in the village hall commencing at 6.30pm. A representative of Voneous will give us an update on progress towards installing Fibre to the Properties in the village in order to improve Broadband connections.
Lamyatt Annual Parish Meeting Agenda 2022
Draft Annual Parish Meeting Minutes 2nd June 2021
Please sign the attendance sheet on arrival. It is intended that the meeting will last an hour or so.
There is a proposal to extinguish Footpath 13/9. The Parish footpath map showing 13/9 (& others) is here:
Paul Chadwick
Parish Meeting Chair
07761 967075
(22/03/2022) Update from the Parish
Flooding issue
The County Council team have been invited to convene a meeting for those with rights & responsibilities to help us avoid any repeat of flooding in the village. They should be contacting all those with land/property along the course of the village stream and will be able to advise on any actions that landowners and the Council can take.
Highways issues
After much negotiation, the County Council Traffic Management team have now agreed with me to install the blue ‘No Lorries’ signs at either end of the village. These carry discretionary powers and are installed to put off such vehicles from taking short cuts. You will have seen them on various other minor roads into other villages of late. The installation is due to take place in the next financial year (starting 1st April).
My thanks to the District Councillor Michael Gay and County Councillor Nigel Hewett-Cooper for their help with the above two matters over the past year(s).
Broadband
Residents advise me that they have been informed by TrueSpeed that they are currently installing Fibre to the Property in Evercreech and intend coming our way. Those of us who signed up to TrueSpeed with our interest in this some 2 years ago should consider all options available.
Solar Panels & Battery at the Village Hall
The installation has been delayed until May and when we have a definite date we will advise all as there may possibly be some inconvenience for 1 day on Portway Hill in order for them to gain access to the roof.
Council Elections on 5th May
New residents in the village should ensure they are registered to vote in advance of the Council elections coming up in May.
old Photos of Lamyatt
Historic England have published some old aerial photos, and amongst the collection are some from 1924 of Lamyatt. Example link here – RAF_CPE_UK_1924_FS_2108 – Aerial Photo | Historic England
The next Annual Parish Meeting will be held in April or May (date tbc) with notice given by village mail and on the village noticeboard. Minutes of the last meeting and background information etc about many of the above matters are below
Paul Chadwick
Parish Meeting Chair
07761 967075
(21/01/2022) An update on Parish Matters
- Village hall solar panels & battery storage to be installed on 21st March – contractors do not anticipate any inconvenience to road users.
- Flooding in the village latest report: Note of Lamyatt flooding meeting 18th Jan 2022
Paul Chadwick
07761 967075
(03/12/2021) An update on Parish Matters:
- Successful Grant Application for the Village Hall Solar Panels
- Flooding in The Village
- Traffic issues
- Winter Preparations
- Footpaths
This update follows on from our Annual Parish Meeting on 2nd June (see separate draft minutes below)
Successful Grant Application – thanks to Mendip Council & Wyke Farms
The grant application I made to the District Council for the installation of solar panels (photovoltaics) and the battery storage at the Village Hall was successful. Mendip District have granted £2,000 towards the project, with the bulk of the rest of expenditure from the Village Hall Trust and a contribution of £300 or so for the shortfall from Wyke Farms. The installation is due to take place sometime in February 2022, by IDDEA, on the South-facing roof of the Village Hall. This will save the Village Hall significant electricity costs going forward.
Flooding in the Village
Folk who attended Parish Meetings in the past 2 or 3 years will know this is a longstanding issue following renewed concerns raised in Summer 2019, to try and avoid the problems of flooding that affected some properties back in 1998. Somerset County Flood team have been looking at this and carrying out investigations ever since. They have just, in the past week, finally provided a lengthy report. The Planning sub-group, in the first instance, will consider this and see what interest there is especially amongst those properties at the bottom of the High Street who are most at risk in developing a Community Flood Plan with the assistance of the County staff. We will report at the next Parish Meeting on outcomes.
Traffic issues in the Village
A concern was raised at the last Parish meeting about heavy lorries in the village and whilst a previous Parish Meeting had voted against raising a precept to institute speed & lorry restrictions on the main village road, the most recent meeting decided to explore this further in respect of (just) the discretionary Heavy Goods vehicle signage (Blue signs). Costings were requested from County Council in June and these are awaited.
Winter Preparations
SCC Highways have been requested to ensure that the 4 Grit bins in the Parish are full in readiness for the likelihood of wintry weather. All, apart from the one on Portway Hill, now appear to have a good level. The 4 grit bins are located at:
- Opposite Wadham Farm cottages
- Adjacent to the sentry box bus stop
- Just inside the gate at the Church
- Near the top of Portway Hill
If those residents closest to the bins can keep a watchful eye on them that will help.
Malcolm Frapple has again agreed to be the ‘Snow Patrol’ man – if you have a 4wd vehicle/tractor please let him know your mobile number if you are prepared to help in an emergency when 4wd is necessary. Malcolm is on 07811 600823 and he will coordinate any response needed.
Creation of a Unitary Council for Somerset
The details for a new Unitary authority for the whole County are yet to be fully revealed. One aspect which is under discussion is the scope for local networks of Parish & Town Councils to have access to local (discretionary) funds. This would undoubtedly be a very small part (perhaps up to 4%) of the overall Council budget, the vast bulk of which is spent on the statutory requirements, especially the Care budget, Highways, the Waste contract etc. A recent meeting of Parish & Town Council representatives in this part of Somerset saw the scope for Wincanton, Bruton and Castle Cary Councils to liaise with the small Parish Councils & Parish Meetings (such as Lamyatt) to determine what local initiatives might be supported when the new Unitary is finally established.
Footpaths
Many thanks to the various Village volunteers who have helped keep particular footpaths accessible this past year by cutting back brambles, nettles and ensuring gates & stiles are clear. If you can help in 2022 please let me know. The Ramblers Association currently are leading on identifying any ‘lost’ footpaths that weren’t included on the 1951 Definitive Map of paths. You can interrogate their website map and report any that you think should have been included by following this link here. Don’t Lose Your Way (ramblers.org.uk)
Next Parish Meeting
Neither the District nor County Councillor are available to attend a Parish Meeting at this point in time, but it is hoped they can attend the next meeting in 2022.
Paul Chadwick
07761 967075
PREVIOUS POSTINGS:
(03/06/2021) Lamyatt Annual Parish Meeting 2nd June 2021
There was a good gathering of folk from the village at the Meeting. Many thanks to those who found time to attend – almost 20. Most also stayed behind for a drink afterwards.
Reports were received from various groups active in the village, as well as from the County Councillor and District Councillor. The reports received from some groups/councillors are here:
Church Report for Parish Meeting 2nd June 2021
Welch Alms House Trust Annual Report 2021
District Councillor report June21
The draft minutes of the meeting: Draft Annual Parish Meeting Minutes 2nd June 2021 (to be agreed at next Annual Meeting)
It is hoped that both the County Councillor and District Councillor will be able to attend our next meeting scheduled for the autumn.
Updates were given on various matters including Broadband, Planning, Highways etc. The point was made that if anyone spots a pot hole or faulty drain they should report it direct to Highways using the link on this website.
There was a discussion at the Meeting about heavy vehicles/lorries through the village prompted by a request from residents at Crossing Cottage for consideration for the Parish to purchase the Blue ‘No lorries’ signs at the access points. The Meeting agreed that the Parish Chairman should contact SCC to find out the practicalities and cost of such a proposal, and also request the Police to give their views, including on road safety matters.
A number of folk at the meeting signed up to attend a short visit to the Wyke Farms Bio-Digester next Saturday morning (June 12th). If we are oversubscribed for this date we will ask Wyke for a 2nd visit slot. Please contact Paul if you wish to attend.
PLEA ABOUT DOG POO – After the formal business a few people mentioned the need for all dog owners to continue to ensure they clean up after their dogs, as there had been some instances lately when this had not happened.
UPDATE ON FOOTPATHS
Many thanks to all the village volunteers who have looked after footpaths or stiles etc in previous years. As the nettles grow, now is the time to get out and help keep them clear! Simon has been busy on the bridge behind Speeds Farm (1st photo) whilst I’ve been keeping the stiles enroute to Bruton clear (2nd photo). If there is anyone who wants to help keep the track off Creech Hill down into Milton Clevedon clear, please let me know – my grass strimmer needs some help! No doubt now that some fields have been cut this week some paths will be easier to walk.
(the Huish track into Bruton is good right now and the two paths down through Greenscombe give good views)
(19/05/2021)
LAMYATT ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The Annual Meeting will be held in the village hall starting at 6.30pm on Wednesday 2nd June.
The Meeting will be held in accordance with Govt Guidelines on Covid-19, business meetings, and the Risk Assessment for the Village hall to be used. We will keep the big hall doors open and ask all to wear a face mask unless speaking. Seats will be set out socially distanced. Please make every effort to attend.
Agenda
1 Welcome
2 Apologies
3 Minutes of the previous Annual Parish Meeting for approval (16/05/2019) There was no Annual Meeting in 2020 due to Covid-19 DRAFT Annual Parish Minutes 16th May 2019
4 Minutes of the last Parish Meeting for approval (26/11/2019) Draft Parish Minutes Tuesday 26th November 2019 (1)
5 Updates on local matters – Broadband; Highways; Almshouses; Planning; Village Hall; etc.
6 Financial Report
……………………………..
This will be an opportunity for those new to the village to meet neighbours, and if weather permits for us to have a glass of wine or cider after the meeting on the patio.
Paul Chadwick
Parish Chairman
07761 967075
helenpaulsols@btinternet.com
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
(24/01/2021) Lamyatt Matters
Welcome
Welcome to all of the new residents who have moved into the village and wider Parish over the past 3 months or so. When conditions allow we will be able to resume social gatherings in the village hall and get to know each other. It would also be good to invite back former residents, who have recently moved away, so as to say some proper farewells. If you have a new neighbour please check that they are on the village e-mail system so that they can receive updates & news.
Last year we were not able to hold many public meetings in the village hall. In fact the last occasion was for the presentation by TrueSpeed on 5th Feb 2020 about plans for improving broadband in the Parish and in Milton Clevedon. When Covid-19 rules permit we will hold a formal Parish Meeting.
This Parish update covers:
- Covid-19 update
- Broadband situation
- Wyke Farms Cheese Storage Facility
- Highways & Footpaths/Bridleways including Winter prep
- Local Solar Panel scheme
- Census & Local election dates
Covid-19 Update: Most older residents in the Parish have either now had their first vaccination, or have been invited to attend for a vaccination. As the roll out continues & expands, new vaccination centres are opening and some villagers have volunteered to help at some of those Centres. If you wish to volunteer to assist at one then please follow this link.
For local information please continue to check the District Council/County Council websites. The latest Somerset update video can be seen here
UK Govt https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Somerset County Council https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Mendip District Council https://www.mendip.gov.uk/coronavirus
Even after the first vaccination, or both vaccinations, we will all need to continue to be cautious about carrying and passing on the virus.
Anyone who still needs to shield or isolate please ask neighbours, or one of the village volunteers, to assist. The list of volunteers and contact details is available on the village noticeboard by the Old Post Office/Telephone box, or please contact me.
Improved Broadband Scheme: Many of us attended a crowded village hall last February where TrueSpeed presented their proposal to roll out Fibre to the Property (F2P) broadband connections. Inevitably Covid-19 has delayed their intentions and other companies have been continuing to offer improved connections via aerial relays connection (e.g. Voneous; Wessex Internet). In December, TrueSpeed heard that they had been awarded the contract via Connecting Devon & Somerset to pursue the F2P roll out in a more vigorous way throughout Mendip. Contact has been made with them this past week requesting an update on their strategy and approach locally and I will report when this is received. In the meantime, contact is being maintained with neighbouring Parishes (Ditcheat, Batcombe, Wanstrow etc)so that we can have a stronger voice by acting together
Wyke Farms Cheese Storage Facility at the Old Piggeries : Wyke Farms have continued to discuss the fine detail of their planning application, which was approved with conditions back in October. The improved landscaping & screening proposals in particular have been drawn up with good input from the Parish. You can see the full proposals as they stand on the Mendip Planning Portal. The Parish Planning groups thanks to David Colman for help in this. Landscape Schedule link: 2020_2645_APP-LANDSCAPE_SCHEDULE_AND_SPECIFICATION-442411
Highways & Footpaths/Bridleways: The County Council Highways Department have been out a few times in the past few months to patch significant holes in the local roads. If you spot a pothole don’t wait, please notify the County Council direct. If it agrees it needs repair the hole, then it will then be marked with a white line within 10 days and repaired soon after. Use this link here
Highways are due to clear the drains through the village this month (January 2021) as the bi-annual programme has been delayed from September 2020 due to lack of resources. They have also been reminded since October of the need to top up the grit bins – the one at the top of Portway Hill has hardly any salt/grit. The 4 grit bin locations are: On the brow of the hill near Waddon Farm Cottages; by the sentry box bus shelter; inside the gate for the Church; & near the top of Portway Hill. Malcolm Frapple is the Parish Snow Patrol rep and if anyone in the Parish has a 4 wheel drive vehicle which they can use for emergencies, then please contact Malcolm with your contact details so that Malcolm can co-ordinate any action. Malcolm’s phone numbers 07811 600823 or 01749 813891
The resurfaced Bridleway up at the top of Creech Hill now seems to be bedding in, and the signs directing folk through the old quarry track past the shepherds ‘house’ are in place to ensure the correct route is followed. The footpath steps on the other side of the stream behind the church have recently been improved by one of our stalwart footpath volunteers.
A meeting was held in December with the County Council Footpaths Officer, the Chairman of Mendip Ramblers, myself and landowners to explore options for the Footpath SM13/9. This path, like all others in the Parish, was designated under the 1949 Act, approved by the Parish & Highways Authority in 1950. For most of the time since it has been obstructed or impossible to follow so walkers using the OS Paper Map or the County’s digital map have been unable to use it even though it is clearly shown on the map. Parish Meeting records show that this has been brought up a number of times over the intervening years. The path starts to the right hand side of the Almshouses, adjacent to No2, and that line can still be seen, though overgrown. The County Council have admitted that, due to their drafting error, the far end of the path had been incorrectly drawn across a pond. The County have made clear that extinguishing the path is not likely to happen. In discussion an alternative route was proposed by the landowners. An application is due to be made for this alternative route to replace the blocked route. Our thanks to the County Officer and Mendip Ramblers for assisting us.
Photo of left to right, landowner David Ash, with Parish Chair Paul Chadwick , the SCC Footpaths Officer & Mendip Ramblers Chairman:
Local Community Solar Panel Project: Bruton & Castle Cary Town Councils, One Planet Bruton, together with areas in between, are part of the Solar Streets scheme to roll out Solar Panels across the area. The Company supplying the Panels are IDDEA and information on their Scheme can be seen here. There is a live Q&A session by ZOOM this coming Thursday 28 January and anyone in the Parish interested in finding out more about the Project can take part. Please register in advance here.
Lamyatt Parish submitted a grant application to the County Council Climate Fund on behalf of the village hall committee back in November for Solar Panels to be installed on the hall roof and a decision is awaited. The grant would enable a 4kw array together with storage batteries so as to enable the Village Hall to make a considerable saving on its annual electricity bills. This will be part of the Solar Streets project.
Census 2021 and Local Elections: The Census 2021 will take place on 21st March 2021 and the aim is for it to be completed online, with paper copies available for those without online access. (The Census 1921 will be released later this year and it will also be accessible digitally early next year. This will enable us to look back at who was living in Lamyatt exactly 100 years ago.)
The next Local Elections for the County Council, and the Police & Crime Commissioner, are due to take place on Thursday May 6th. It is expected that there will be a polling station in the village hall, but arrangements may change in the light of the Covid-19 situation. New residents can ensure they are on the electoral register for the Parish by contacting Mendip Council.
Parish Meeting Chairman: Paul Chadwick, Witch Craig, Portway Hill, Lamyatt, BA4 6NJ 01749 812420/07761 967075 helenpaulsols@btinternet.com
END
PREVIOUS UPDATES & USEFUL CONTACTS FOLLOW BELOW
(23/10/2020) Lamyatt Parish Update October 2020
This update carries information on
- Covid-19 local situation
- Planning – Wyke Farms redevelopment of old piggery site
- Climate Change – the County Climate Fund & Solar Streets
- Broadband in the village
- Footpaths & Bridleways
- Highways & Drains & Winter salt
Covid-19
New local testing centres are up and running or being established in the near future. The latest figures show that as of yesterday (22nd October) across the County the infection rate is 42.1 per 100,000 population and that between 10th & 17th October of the 13,873 tests carried out in the County, there were 227 new confirmed cases.
For the latest on local information on the virus please review the information posted by the County & District Councils on a weekly basis. This indicates the scale of the spread of the virus in Somerset and the need for us all to continue to stay safe by following good practice.
Somerset County Council https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Mendip District Council https://www.mendip.gov.uk/coronavirus
UK Govt https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Planning: Wyke Farms re-development of pig farm for cheese storage
This was approved at the Mendip Planning Board on 21st October
To read the Officers report as submitted to the Planning Board please see pages 3-18 of the document here – it is very comprehensive.
The report contains recommended conditions which will now be carried over into the approval. All of the Parish Planning group’s requested conditions have been included. For a number of these conditions Wyke Farms had already signalled to the Parish back in April that they would comply with them, and since submitting the application Wyke Farms have been receptive and open to the proposals we have put forward to them over specific improvements to screening to be included in a revised landscaping plan.
Many thanks to our ward member, Michael Gay, for his representation on this planning application.
Refuse & Recycling – Recycle More
The new Recycle More system starts next Friday 30th October and the new Blue recycling bags should be delivered to all houses in advance. For more details the relevant website page is here.
If you haven’t received a Blue recycling bag by the 27th October, say, then please contact them direct to request one – online via the website link or by phone to Mendip Council 0300 303 8588. At the time of writing some of the Portway Hill properties haven’t received them.
Climate Change agenda – County Climate Emergency Fund – Solar Streets
Further to the last update on this – Bruton Town Council and One Planet Bruton have shared information with us about ideas they have. They are supporting a Solar Streets initiative and also a Feasibility Study into the possibility of some stretches of the old railway being restored to footpaths.
The Parish planning group have asked the Village hall committee if they want to further investigate the possibility of photovoltaics & an electric battery system for the village hall. It may be possible to apply to the County Climate Fund to cover the cost of such an installation if it is deemed technically feasible and can save money and CO2.
The Solar Streets initiative is to encourage householders & businesses to consider installing photovoltaics (solar panels) to off-set emissions and generate electricity for use in the home/business. It has been rolled out in Frome where over 70 households have become part of the scheme. The Parish Planning group are in contact with Solar Streets to discuss the village hall possibilities, but individual householders may wish to consider signing up to the Solar Streets scheme. See Detailed links with various videos explaining the scheme here:
Bruton Town Council support for Solar Streets
Broadband – improving connectivity in the Parish
Contact has been made with TrueSpeed to try and find out the current state of play with their Fibre to the property programme. The village meeting with their representative was held back in mid-February and almost 30 households signed up for a possible connection. As some of us may have spotted they have been very busy in places like Wells connecting up properties to their cabling but there is little indication of their moving this way just yet. This is partly due to the slow-down caused by Covid-19 but is also due to their being potentially involved in a more strategic approach across the wider County as the Connecting Devon & Somerset Partnership look to re-let the contract which was previously let to GigaClear and was terminated in 2019.
The Connecting Devon & Somerset website doesn’t have any updates since April 2020 but I understand there should be news about the new contract and hopefully a more strategic approach in the next few months. In the meantime all sorts of potential Broadband suppliers are looking to offer improved connections usually via wireless connections using masts – including Wessex Internet who many of us will recall presented to the village at an event back in 2016/17. Oddly enough, whilst many of us signed up for the possibility of a Wessex connection back then, they haven’t yet made any contact with us individually though have started looking towards Lamyatt as a possible route for them to gain more customers.
https://www.wessexinternet.com/rural-superfast-broadband/lamyatt/
Ditcheat are currently looking at the possibility of a similar mast & relay system using microwaves with the Voneus company. Again they have been promised connections in a certain timeframe (before Xmas) but we will track that to see if it actually happens.
The Shoot on Creech Hill
Nicholls of Barrow Farm is again shooting pheasants on the hill this season. They have supplied a list of the possible dates for the shoot – not all dates will be used either due to weather conditions or other factors. On the days they are shooting, usually after 1pm, they have agreed to put out signs on the Creech Hill footpath/bridleway so that folk are aware and of course they will stop shooting whenever anyone is on the path. If you need to check any date please contact me.
Footpaths & Bridleways
The trackway at the top of Creech Hill was improved for farm vehicles some months ago and has now been further improved this week (Tuesday 20th Oct) by some additional topsoil materials making it easier for horse-riders to use the section which is a bridleway. Additional signage has also been erected to ensure that folk use the correct route, which goes up through the old quarry area. Our thanks to Ryan from the Walters Farm for getting that sorted and to the County Footpaths team for their involvement.
Well done to the various volunteers in the village who have helped keep a footpath, gateway or stile clear of brambles, nettles and overgrowth this past season. Pete Candy did a very good job clearing the bridleway to the top of Portway Hill. If you notice any problem with a footpath please notify the problem to the County Council’s Footpath team via the links previously published.
Highways & drains & salt bins
The biennial (once every 2 years) clearing of the drains in the village has been delayed from the intended date of September 2020 until the new year. The blocked drain by the village hall has been reported several times but Highways have not deemed it a priority and believe it can wait until January.
Somerset County Council Highways – to report a pothole or blocked drain 0300 123 2224 or use the template here
Highways have been notified of the situation with the grit bins and should be re-filling them before the winter season.
Paul Chadwick (Lamyatt Parish Chairman) 07761 967075
(14/09/2020) Lamyatt Parish Update September 2020
Almost 40 from the Parish attended the village picnic and Take Art entertainment on 4th September – when will we next be able to gather together?
This update covers:
- Covid-19 sources of information
- Somerset Climate Emergency Community Grant Fund
- A Unitary Council for Somerset?
Covid-19
As we move out of summer and into the autumn months we will as a community need to continue to be vigilant in avoiding the spread and impact of the Covid-19 virus. The best source of up to date information at a national level continues to be the main broadcast,web & print media, with the UK Govt and NHS websites updated regularly. The local Council websites also continue to be frequently revised. The Covid-19 track & trace app is due to be launched nationally on 24th September.
UK Govt https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Somerset County Council https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Mendip District Council https://www.mendip.gov.uk/coronavirus
For those who might need to continue to shield, or will look to shield if we have a spike in the virus in the local area, we can continue to provide a volunteer, informal, good neighbour service in the Parish although the NHS is still operating its volunteer service. Use this link to find out more https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/
Somerset Climate Emergency Community Grant Fund
From 1 October, city, town and parish councils across Somerset are invited to bid for between £5,000 and £75,000 for innovative projects that can make a real difference in reducing carbon emissions and can contribute to making Somerset resilient to the effects of Climate Change and the Climate Crisis. Qualifying projects will include those to reduce carbon emissions, reduce consumption and to implement activities around climate change mitigation and adaptation.
At the recent village picnic (before the change in Covid-19 rules) a few ideas for projects were floated by various folk when chatting, including:
- More tree planting
- Reinstatement of old, or creation of new, footpaths
- Use of photovoltaics or ground source heat pump to help power the village hall, or to help power some other community project, such as a community car
If you have an idea which might be appropriate within the Guidelines issued – see here – then please let any member of the Parish planning group(*) know to help weigh up the potential. Clearly if any scheme involves the use of land please ensure that the landowner is open and keen to the idea. The Guidance advises that no match funding is required but it is a competitive bidding process so no doubt value for money and match funding (either in kind e.g. land , or cash) will be useful. We will try to find out what neighbouring parishes are thinking of in case we can work together on this.
(*) The Parish Planning group is Paul Chadwick, Romy Smallwood, David Ash & Simon Lang and David Colman has also been contributing some ideas so far on this matter
A Unitary Council for Somerset?
Both the County Council and the District Councils have made announcements on wishing to replace the existing two-tier Council approach with a unitary Council. You can read their thinking on this on these websites.
Mendip Council and the other Districts in the County want to see a separate East, and a West, Unitary authority, whilst the County Council want just one to cover all of Somerset.
Mendip District Council view: https://www.strongersomerset.co.uk/
Somerset County Council view https://onesomerset.org.uk/
No doubt at some stage as a Parish we may get the chance to discuss the options and express a Parish view but please look out for any opportunity to comment as an individual if you have strong views either way.
Paul Chadwick
07761 967075
PREVIOUS UPDATES FOLLOW:
(17/06/2020) Lamyatt Parish Update June 2020
Usually at this time of the year we would hold an Annual Parish Meeting to provide an update to local residents on a wide range of matters that might affect or be of interest to the Parish. Given the current lockdown rules concerning public gatherings we hope to convene a meeting as and when possible. In the meantime, this update covers:
Covid-19
Highways
Village Flooding
Footpaths and Bridleways
Welch Almshouse Annual Report
Bullbeggar Cider update
Parish Financial update
Covid-19 situation
To date, Somerset has been relatively fortunate in respect of the direct impact of Covid-19 and positive tests/fatalities etc though of course the wider impact to those individuals shielding, and those whose financial livelihoods/education are impacted, continues in some shape or form. Our thanks to all key workers and volunteers. Whilst we remain in lockdown with various rules to follow around physical distancing etc please continue to follow the advice as carried in national news bulletins and on other media. The following websites carry regular updates and may be useful:
Mendip District Council– note the District Council has a Residents Survey underway: please complete this if possible.
I’m sure many of us have appreciated the efforts of neighbours and friends to help during these times. If there is anyone who needs help or assistance and is not eligible for, or not using, the NHS Volunteer system then there is an informal list of village volunteers who can help with shopping, obtaining a prescription etc. Please contact Caryl Joyce if you need the list of contacts.
At a local level the shopkeepers in Bruton, Castle Cary and Evercreech have all been of help and it’s to be hoped that we continue to support them with our purchasing power after the Pandemic eases.
Highways
SCC Highways have continued to be active over the past few months and I’m sure that a number of us have seen the resurfacing and patching to roads that have taken place. They completed the patching on Portway Hill, and the cutting of drainage channels, or ‘grips’ as they call them, on the slope coming down to Crossing Cottage some time ago. The gullies/drains in the village are on a schedule to be cleared in September (2020) and the completely blocked drain adjacent to the village hall has been reported a number of times, but is not currently felt to be a major hazard by SCC. We will need to monitor that, and indeed any residents living close to a drain in a similar state should also monitor those. If flash flooding occurs, as can happen at the height of summer, and any drain is inundated please take a photograph and report to SCC Highways as soon as possible.
Please continue to notify SCC Highways direct of any potholes or other highway defects so that they can then take action. Use this link here
Village Flooding possibility
At last year’s Annual Parish Meeting, concerns were raised about the possibility of flooding due to run-off from the hillside. As a consequence of that, an onsite meeting was held with the involvement of our local Ward Member for the District, Michael Gay, along with Flood engineers from County Hall. A CCTV scan of the village conduits and underground water channels was then completed some time ago but we are still awaiting the final report and any conclusions of the Engineers about the state of the channels. We also understand that the County Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and Natural England will have provided some advice to local farmers about agricultural practices so as to reduce the potential for run-off.
Footpaths & Bridleways
We have seen a lot more use made of the Rights of Way over the past 3 months during lockdown. Thanks to the team of village volunteers who continue to help keep a particular stile or gateway clear of nettles, or strim a path. Pete Candy has been particularly active keeping the Bridleway up Portway Hill clear and also the official route at the top of Creech Hill that comes down the hollow by the Lime Kiln. Volunteers looking after a particular part of the network this year include Simon Lang, Anna & Michael, Nick Smallwood, Keith Pascoe, and myself. If you want to volunteer to help look after a particular gateway/path please let me know.
Lamyat rights of Way Map is here. Please notify SCC direct if you come across a blockage or problem with a damaged gate/sign. Link here.
Welch Alms House Trust Annual Report 2020
Bullbeggar Report to Annual Meeting
A.o.B. Spring cleaning – Many thanks to the villagers who helped out at the village hall cleaning day (before lock down) and also to Ali Stone (& others?) for their recent tidy up of the sentry box bus shelter.
Parish Financial Update
The Parish does not currently raise a precept and in the past year has had one purchase (for road salt in 2018/19 winter; no salt purchase this last winter) and income only from donations. Our thanks to the Shakespeare committee and those residents giving up their electricity ‘outage’ payments.
In the Financial year to 31st March 2020
Opening balance £26.01
Income
Shakespeare in Lamyatt contribution £250
Contributions from Electricity payments) £160
Total £410.00
Expenditure
Salt purchase – winter of 2018/19 £23.70 Total £23.70
Closing balance at 31st March 2020 £412.31
Draft Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting 2019 to be agreed at the next Parish Meeting – DRAFT Annual Parish Minutes 16th May 2019
Please contact me if you have any queries about finances, last year’s Minutes, or indeed about any of the other news items.
Paul Chadwick (Parish Meeting Chairman)
07761 967075 & 01749 812420
Parish Planning Group submission regarding Wyke Farms planning application as submitted 29th April 2020: Lamyatt Parish Meeting response to the consultation
(24/04/2020) This Parish update includes:
Local Coronavirus update
Wyke Farms clarification of points raised by the Lamyatt Parish planning group regarding their development
Footpaths & Bridleways
Update on Bullbeggar in self-isolation
Local Coronavirus update
Lamyatt Parish volunteers – please contact any of the volunteers who can assist with any shopping/collection of prescriptions etc. The list of volunteers was sent round by village e-mail on 20th March 2020 and can be re-sent to any that have mislaid it – please contact Caryl
Local Bruton shops – please support the local shops if you can.
Church Bridge Stores (CBS)- will deliver weekly. Please contact Mary-Clare so that your name & relevant details are on the CBS list.
Bill the Butcher/Spar Shop – will also do a delivery. Contact details are 01749 812388.
Bruton Convenience Store – has some lovely frozen homemade curries available
Fresh fish delivery – as previously circulated by Mary Clare – hartsnaturalseafoods.com
Newspaper Delivery – Anyone who is in self-isolation or being shielded and needs their daily newspaper delivered please contact Paul on 01749 812420
Grace Fay’s deliveries – we hear that the Easter Egg deliveries went well and if there are further deliveries of free vegetables then an email will be circulated
Important websites for regular updates (these often have daily updates, although of course important national updates are carried by all national media, including the BBC)
Wyke Farms clarification on points raised by the Lamyatt Parish planning group:
The Parish Planning group asked Wyke to clarify various points regarding their planning application (see previous updates). In nrmal circumstances we would no doubt have had a Parish Meeting with Wyke Farms. The planning group also involved David Colman given his knowledge of trees and screening etc and David was able to visit the site at the invitation of Wyke Farms. This is the full response from Jason at Wyke Farms:
“We are looking to build several buildings for the maturing of cheese at Lambrook piggery, these will be used for the maturing of cheese at between 12 – 14 degrees, the cheese needs to be matured for up to 2 years and we have run out of space in our existing stores at Wincanton even with the new one we are currently building there. We have used up all the space we can at our Wincanton operation and have rented everything available.
This means our cheese leaves the site here at Bruton passes the piggery site and makes its way to storage in Frome which is all we can find available nearby to store at what is an unusual temperature for “cold” storage. So therefore is makes sense to us to use the land we have available that isn’t green field to put some more storage on that will stop these trips up and down to Frome. The alternative for this site is continued use as a pig farm as we have had offers for the site from pig farmers looking to expand. The family and team at Wyke would prefer to keep the site under our control and transform the use into our current need for storage for mature cheddar for our growing export business.
The reason we want to build multiple stores instead of 1 large store: – You will note a large space around each store, this is so in the event of a fire, cheese burns very well once is has gained enough heat. Each store could contains about 2000T of cheese which is about what the business could lose and still survive obviously would be a massive loss we would be insured against but we are thinking more in the continuation of business. This also divides the valuable stock up into ‘insurable lumps’. Keeping them like this is something we have also done at our stores in Wincanton. We have looked to other options such as sprinklers but the cheese is very tightly packed in and the effectiveness of sprinklers is inconclusive and also the size of water tanks etc.”
The Parish planning group were looking for more clarity on:
(A) Hours of operation – please can you confirm the standard hours 8.00-6.00 M-F and 8.00-1.00 Sat? “There is no issue with this – the site will be manned by 2 people as per our Wincanton stores.”
(B) Lighting – in addition to the lighting plan please expand on its usage. “The lights will be set on a timer and sensor and only need to be on some part of the winter when the days are really short and will go off once everyone has left site. We have no intention of needlessly leaving lights on costing money. The site will contain valuable cheese stock, so much of the lighting is on sensors for security and cameras.”
(C) Noise – please describe the location and size of the refrigeration units on site and any sound proofing. “Refrigeration units are small and extremely quiet low energy units, we will put in acoustic units at the back of the buildings. The units are so well insulated as per our store at Bruton that they barely run – in fact these stores run at cheese maturing temperature which is 12 to 14C, pretty close to ambient as the cheese used to be matured in cold barns on the farm. The units have 150mm Rockwall insulation inside, you won’t hear anything from the internal evaporators.”
(D) No of vehicle movements – please confirm the anticipated number of lorry pick-ups per day and explain the other aspects (parking spaces etc) to satisfy national/County Highway standards including the normal staffing level anticipated on site. “At an absolute maximum 80 vehicle trips per day, this is probably far in excess of actual, from time to time we would need to conduct maintenance and have the occasional visit to site, however I don’t see this being any increase to what you would normally see as the lorries and cars would pass to go to other storage in Frome. In terms of parking spaces we were led by highways in the provision of these, however we only plan for 2 full time staff on site I have put the official note below, but the provision is due to size of site not actual use.”
“The transport statement says the following at section 6.3 regarding vehicle trip generation:
| 6.3.1. | Wyke Farms have stated that they would not expect the proposed development to result in any increase in vehicle trips when compared to the existing use. In fact, it is likely that, owing to the difference in use, the proposals would attract less trips that the existing use.
|
| 6.3.2. | For robustness, Wyke Farms has confirmed that the proposed development is likely to attract 80 two-way trips to and from the site over the course of a typical day, with HGV and car trips accounting for 50% each of the total trips.
|
| 6.3.3. | Once operational, Wyke Farms plan to base two full time employees at the site and that they would envisage a maximum of 10 visitors per day.
|
The transport statement says the following at section 5.6 regarding parking:
| Lorry Parking | |
| 5.6.1. | The development proposal includes the provision of one lorry parking space. This provision is deemed appropriate by Wyke Farms, and reflects the nature of the proposals (which are intended as storage facilities, and not distribution). |
| Car Parking | |
| 5.6.2. | The development proposal includes the provision of 20 car parking spaces, with one of these proposed to be a disabled parking space. Of the 20 car parking spaces, six are proposed to be provided with electric charging facilities, in line with SCC standards. |
| 5.6.3. | It is envisaged that one of the car parking spaces could be used by motorcycles, as and when required. |
| 5.6.4. | Based on the total proposed floor area of 9,250sqm, the ‘optimum’ car parking provision for a B8 storage use (1 space per 200sqm), according to the SCC Parking Strategy standards, would be 46 spaces. However, the proposed use would provide longer-term storage, rather than conventional storage and distribution. As a result of this and taking into consideration the projected number of staff and visitors to the site, it is considered that the proposed provision of 20 spaces will be sufficient for the proposed development. It should also be noted that the SCC Parking Strategy refers to the car parking standards as ‘optimum’ rather than minimum or maximum standards, which suggests that parking provision should be design-led. |
| Cycle Parking | |
| 5.6.5. | The development proposal includes the provision of 16 secure, covered and well-lit cycle parking spaces, in line with the SCC Parking Strategy standards. |
(E) Additional screening – as discussed with David Colman, the additional tree planting as suggested would make a big difference. David & I also wondered whether you might approach Richard Calver to see whether a corner of his field (closest to the road) on the North side of the site (adjacent to the Cottages) could be planted up – that would certainly reduce any visual impact for Lamyatt residents. “I probably need a site visit to go through with our landscape advisor Ian Clarke on the points raised in our discussions. Alex Coward our architect has contacted him but obviously needs more detail, but see no issue with the points raised by David and would look to adopt his advice so that he can formalise and I am happy to work together to ensure the screening is adequate and even continue to work with you once the buildings are built to ensure what we have thought works on paper actually does, in terms of the purchase of land that is not in our ownership I think the is probably something I will not be able to do however we will do everything we can on our own land to remedy and shortfalls in screening. I will let you know when I can have the site meeting and yourself and David are more than welcome to attend.”
“I would like to add as a company to most of us this area is not just our workplace but our home, we live and feel passionately about the area the landscape and the people a lot of who are our friends, colleagues and hopefully customers. It’s also important to our business in terms of trade supplying over 160 countries worldwide, bringing them to such a lovely part of the UK and seeing the UK is not just London it is amazing to see their faces when they see the beauty of our county and encourages them to buy other products from Somerset and believe in the history and excellence of our wonderful cheese.
We don’t have a massive amount of commuters from afar to our site and have had the same families working on site for years who all live in the local area, we use local firms as much as possible in all the building work and maintenance again who have worked with us for years.
I really thank you for your help and time in this application – it will give us the ability to massively cut down on road miles and the pride local cheese made by local people is being matured in the area that will be eaten around the world. Hopefully if we can gain site approval, when the site is opened, we can have an open day to show the local people what we do and grade some lovely cheese there!”
……………..
Our local District Councillor, Michael Gay, has also updated us on the procedure under which the planning application is being determined by the District Council. Michael’s update is here. From District Councillor Michael Gay
There is still time for anyone who wishes to express a view in support or against the planning application by following the links on the Planning portal here.
The Parish planning group will be supporting the application subject to conditions being attached related to the five points discussed above with Wyke Farms. Please contact Paul if you want any further clarification of the application. Many thanks to those who have been in touch about this application.
Footpaths & Bridleways
Hopefully those who are able to go walking or riding during this current lockdown period have been re-discovering some of the footpaths and bridleways? On the whole we are very fortunate to have such a good network of routes with most stiles/gates in good order. The footpath and bridleway map for the Parish can be seen here
This is a good time to walk the paths before the nettles take over certain stiles, gates and routes. There are a number of volunteers who look after certain stiles/gates by strimming or cutting back nettles and brambles – if you’d like to help please let Paul know.
The track over Creech Hill has recently been improved by Merv for his farming activities. The Bridleway/footpath actually goes up through the old quarry area, past the quarry shelter rather than on the main track at the top of the hill. New Bridle gates have now been installed at certain points.
If you find a path blocked, or a damaged sign/stile/gate please report it direct to the County Council using their online system. During coronavirus lockdown there is unlikely to be a speedy resolution to anything that needs sorting out. Reporting link here.
Bullbeggar in social isolation
It may be some time since we have seen Bullbeggar up on the hill but we understand that despite the current lockdown he is in good spirits and has regular supplies of his favourite Cider to keep him going. He is looking forward to when all this worry about the virus is over and he can once again lead us on a village walk to the top of the hill for a drink or two….
Paul Chadwick
01749 812420 or 07761 967075
When it’s all over we can go for a group walk together!
(09/04/2020) Coronavirus – Covid 19
Volunteers to help during Coronavirus ‘lock down’
The new NHS recruited army of volunteers started to be brought into action on Monday (06/04/2020) this week. Those who have received a letter advising that they should shield themselves against the virus (currently 1.5million nationally) will be the target recipients of this NHS managed aid. In Somerset we’re advised that just under 10,000 people will have received that letter and just under 1,000, so far, of these have registered to declare that they do not have access to essential supplies and will have received a food box from the Govt this week.
There will be others in Lamyatt Parish, however, who will also need help from time to time if they are self-isolating, worried, ill, or haven’t yet received a letter from Government identifying them as needing to be shielded, but might anticipate a letter if there is a second wave of letters sent out. The help could take the form of shopping; collecting prescriptions; etc. The list of Lamyatt volunteers was circulated by village email on 20th March – please feel free to contact any of them if they can help. (If you’ve mislaid the list please contact Caryl and she will re-send it)
Specific offers of local help:
Church Bridge Stores (CBS)- will deliver weekly. They will phone you to ask for your order and confirm delivery arrangements. Please contact Mary-Clare so that your name & relevant details are on the CBS list.
Bill the Butcher/Spar Shop – will also do a delivery. Contact details are 01749 812388.
Daily Newspaper delivery– 1 or 2 folk in the village were sorry to see that the daily delivery of newspapers from a local newsagent had recently ended. If there is anyone who would like Paul to deliver their daily newspaper at this time then please let him know. (01749 812420)
Spare vegetables: Grace Fay has also very kindly been bringing spare vegetables back from Morrisons on a regular basis and these are left in the old bus-shelter and an email will go around alerting folk to their availability
Refuse & Recycling – as per usual we expect the usual refuse collection to be a day late this week as it is a Bank Holiday on Good Friday. That means we should expect collection this week on Saturday (due Saturday 11th April) and that the early and late May Bank Holidays will also see a day later collection. Note however that we might expect, if some collection staff are self-isolating, that there may be some disruption to collections now and in the future, and if a recycling week is missed it may not be until the following week that a collection can be made. See information, and report any missed collection here:
https://www.mendip.gov.uk/missed
or use the Mendip Council number 0300 3038588
Dumping of rubbish – as Dimmer Tip is currently closed we may come across illegal dumping of rubbish – please report it so that it can be dealt with when resources allow. The tipping at the top of the Bridleway near Mary-Clare has already been notified, but its always better if more than 1 person notifies of any other situation rather than expecting that someone else has already done that (when they haven’t!).Report to: Mendip District Council using 0300 3038588 or the template at:
https://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/7612/Report-Fly-tipping-
Lamyatt Footpaths – a great time to try a different one!
The good news, for those of us who can get out of the house, is that this time of the year is excellent for walking the very many footpaths that link our village to Bruton, Castle Cary or Evercreech (for essential shopping or exercise, following Govt rules). The footpath and bridleway map for the Parish can be seen here
Something to look forward to? – when the Lock down is all over, it’s hoped that we can again hold a village walk, perhaps across to the Natterjack for a drink or meal together.
Useful websites at this time:
National websites with generic advice on Coronavirus (Covid-19)
For the local situation with regards to services these local Council and related websites may be of use:
(Mendip District Council also now has a Facebook page)
(07/04/2020)
Update on planning application – Deadline for comments extended to 30th April
Ref: application submitted on behalf of Wyke Farms for the demolition of the existing pig fattening units and the erection of 8 storage units Ref 2020/0581/FUL on the Mendip Council Planning portal (see previous postings on this – we encourage comments back to the Parish Planning Group – if you don’t contact us we can’t take account of your views)
Following on problems with people being unable to view the planning documents on the Mendip Council portal this past weekend, (4th/5th April) Mendip District Council have formally advised us, via the District Councillor Michael Gay, that the new deadline for people to comment on the application has been put back until 30th April 2020.
Mendip Council advise:
“…our web system went down over the weekend but this was an isolated incident and all information was available for consideration up until Friday and is once again available this morning.
At the present time we are unable to erect site notices so we will be unable to make a decision until one has been erected. We will then officially re-open the consultation process for 21 days from the date of the erection of the notice. In light of this the Case Officer for this application will be pleased to extend the deadline for comments to 30 April 2020 when the website will close for comments. After that we will continue to accept them by email to consultations@mendip.gov.uk up until the site notice is erected, and has expired.
During this pandemic situation the Planning Scheme of Delegation will continue to be operated as usual. Full details of this can be found on our website: https://www.mendip.gov.uk/article/6995/How-We-Deal-With-Planning-Applications I can confirm however that were Cllr Gay to request that the application be referred to Planning Board then a further referral to the Chair and Vice Chair of Planning Board would be made for them to make the final decision.”
As you can see from this statement, given the current situation with the Officers being unable to post the site notices the deadline of 30th April may change to a later date.
The Parish Planning Group would therefore welcome any further comments, for or against the proposal up until the 28th April prior to them formulating a response that takes account of the various views.
In addition, we will be taking the opportunity to clarify with Wyke Farms, on behalf of the Parish anything that is unclear in the application. If you’ve not already done so, then please ensure the Lamyatt Planning Group are aware of your concerns by 14th April by contacting Paul by email, or phone him if you don’t have access to e-mail. We will then be able to ask Wyke Farms a set of questions all at one go rather than in dribs and drabs and post up responses on the website. If the restrictions on public gatherings are lifted then we will be able to hold a village meeting to discuss this application with Wyke Farms but at this stage we’re expected to make a written response without having that facility..
Likewise, If you are uncertain about any aspects of the development and want some help interpreting or understanding the application the Parish Planning Group will do their best to assist you.
You are encouraged to register any comments you have, for or against the application, on the Mendip Planning Portal, or using consultations@mendip.gov.uk and can also contact your District Councillor, Michael Gay, with your views so that he is fully aware of any concerns you have. Michael is available via cllr.Gay@Mendip.gov.uk
Lamyatt Parish Planning Group
Paul Chadwick 01749 812420 & 07761 967075 helenpaulsols@btinternet.com
David Ash
Simon Lang
Romy Smallwood
7th April 2020
(02/04/2020) Planning Consultation – following on from the email sent by the Parish last Thursday 26th March (see below)
Lamyatt Parish comments on planning application
Demolition of existing pig-fattening unit and erection of 8 storage units
The planning group for Lamyatt Parish have
(1) reviewed the planning application;
(2) reviewed similar developments elsewhere; and
(3) consulted within the Parish, widely via email & website, and directly with the closest neighbours.
We would support the development subject to a range of conditions including:
(A) Hours of operation – that the site only be used between the hours of 8am to 6pm for deliveries and collections so as to minimise impact on the neighbouring properties.
(B) Landscaping – that the landscaping to the northern edge of the site be improved to ensure that the development is screened from the nearest properties to the site – this might be achieved by additional planting on a raised bund
(C) Lighting – that any lighting on site be kept to a minimum for security, and for operation in the winter months when natural light levels are low. The Lighting Design Proposal using downward lighting at suggested levels seems adequate for this purpose.
(D) Noise – that any plant and equipment on site shall be operated in a way that minimises noise, and if need be further measures be applied to ensure that baffles or bunds are used particularly to the northern edge of the development.
(E) Number of vehicle movements – the number of HGV movements o and off site during the hours of operation should be capped at the level as estimated in the Transport Statement as 20 HGV trips to and from the site per day, resulting in 40 two way trips.
Please contact Paul if you any any questions about the proposed submission on behalf of the Parish Planning Group. Many thanks to those who have been in touch.
Paul Chadwick (Parish Meeting Chairman)
Helenpaulsols@btinternet.com
07761 967075
(25/03/2020) Coronavirus and Lamyatt
The situation with the virus and its impact is changing day by day. The main news channels and Government & NHS websites will give you the very latest on a national scale. (see below for links)
LOCAL VOLUNTEERS: In Lamyatt there are a number of volunteers who have offered to help anyone who is self-isolating. They can collect shopping; collect a prescription; or in other ways, such as walking the dog. The contact list was circulated by village e-mail on Friday 20th March. (The Government has also launched a recruitment drive for volunteers to help the NHS and those volunteers will have specific formal roles.)
SHOPPING DELIVERIES: A few people have enquired about arranging a regular shopping delivery to the village by a local store (as opposed to one of the large supermarkets). Church Bridge Store in Bruton is one local shop that is looking to help with that. Those with underlying health problems or aged over 70, in particular, may like this service.
For the local situation with regards to services these local Council and related websites may be of use:
Please check those websites for the latest on any particular service as many are operating at a different level than before as resources are committed to the Coronavirus situation. For example, the local Dimmer tip recycling facility is currently closed.
National websites with generic advice on Coronavirus (Covid-19)
(25/03/2020) Other recent news
SCC Highways were contacted (09/03/2020) about the following: excess water run off adjacent to Crossing Cottage; Potholes on Portway Hill; Grit bins. On 14/03/2020 they were also asked to arrange for the drain by the village hall to be inspected and cleared. So far, they have marked the potholes on Portway Hill as far as the Mendip Council boundary – still waiting for the far end to be marked – and have the other matters in hand.
Broadband to the village. Following on TrueSpeeds presentation in early Feb a total of 26 households in Lamyatt and 6 in Milton Clevedon have completed the forms for a Fibre to the Property connection when it is available. TrueSpeed intend to hold a Drop in session in one of the local pubs to give an opportunity for people to find out more, ask further Questions, etc when the current Coronavirus situation has eased or ended. For those who have specific questions please contact Neil Rogers neil@truespeed.com or 07948 348805 (note Neil wasn’t able to attend the presentation in Lamyatt – one of his colleagues covered for him – but Neil has more local knowledge.)
Planning Matters. Mendip have advised us of a significant development to take place on the edge of the village by Wyke Farms: Demolition of existing pig fattening units, erection of 8 storage units. The application can be seen on the Mendip planning portal here:
The Lamyatt planning sub-group are looking at the details. If you have any thoughts or comments about the development which you think the group should take into account then please let them know, or submit your own comments if you wish.
Potential flooding in the village. We are awaiting the report and findings of the CCTV survey of the gullies and underground channels carried out recently by SCC Engineers in order to be sure that they are in good state.
Website updating. A small group of villagers will meet when the current Coronavirus restrictions are eased to review the format, layout and updating of the website.
Contact for all the above items is Paul Chadwick (Lamyatt Parish Meeting Chair) on 01749 812420 & 07761 967075. helenpaulsols@btinternet.com .
If you need to report anything in the village please contact the relevant agency/service direct using the information below. If it is a serious/urgent matter then please bring it to the attention of the village using the village e-mail system; and let Paul know if, after having raised it with the relevant authority, nothing seems to have been done.
Contact information and previous updates on various topics here:
Winter Preparations in the Parish
Previous postings:
(08/02/2020) TrueSpeed presentation in Lamyatt Village Hall
Lamyatt Parish hosted a meeting in the village hall on Wednesday 5th February to hear of the possibilities of TrueSpeed bringing an improved Broadband service to the area.
All properties in the Parish, and those in Milton Clevedon, had been informed of the meeting and there was a very good turn out to hear Andy Moore of TrueSpeed outline what the offer could be:
- Fibre to the House
- 200 Mbps upload & download speeds delivered by the Broadband connection (not ‘up to’ but minimum 200)
- Unlimited data
- Fibre connection enters house wherever householder wants it and Fritz (German) modem will be placed where householder wants it – Fibre connection and modem is free as company will claim connection costs using a Govt grant
- They use existing powerline poles to bring Fibre into the area and between houses but occasionally will use any existing culverts or dig new culverts if required.
- Includes 1 telephone line (cost of retaining existing phone number £15 one-off fee)
- Calls out can be made for free over the internet using smart phone settings on wi-fi
- 18-month contract for house is £47.50 pcm, after which householder can terminate contract (i.e. go back to the old set up using copper wires etc)
- Cost of £47.50 has stayed the same for past 4 years and no plan to increase it
- Additional charges per month if you want call divert, call waiting, voicemail services & any other calling plans but you do not need to sign up for these at the present time
- Existing contracts with other suppliers should be completed and then the TrueSpeed service can commence at end of that contract so as to avoid any penalty for early termination with old provider
- They provide a “free Hub for life” Broadband service to each community they come into – usually to a village hall
- Company started up 7 years ago and is backed by up to £75million of investment from Aviva Their long-term business model is to grow the number of subscribers from the existing 12,000 and generate profit from the revenue streams.
- Local Customer Care Centre – currently in Keynsham and about to re-locate to Bath
- They are working from the north of the County – originally starting in the Chew Valley – and gradually bringing their offshoots to their main Fibre cable southwards.
- They will only come to Lamyatt & Milton Clevedon if:
- There is sufficient demand shown by householders – that is best shown by a household signing up using the paper forms (a Service Order Form)
- They can bring their offshoot to the main Fibre cable into the area through a sequential delivery to adjacent and neighbouring settlements – i.e. communities between Lamyatt and the main route where they are currently delivering Fibre to the house.
They are currently looking at how to expand their operations and networks – we were told at the meeting that it would not be for 18 months that they might be able to install in Lamyatt & Milton Clevedon.
The vast majority of households represented at the meeting on the 5th signed up using the Service Order Forms available in order to signify their support for the prospect of Fibre to the house.
Naturally enough, TrueSpeed will go where there is most demand first and, as stated above, they develop their network in a sequential pattern. They have already been in discussions with Wanstrow and Batcombe (in 2019) about the prospects of bringing Fibre connections there and it may be that we ‘piggy back’ onto that line. Note however that whilst they were originally optimistic that they would be able to start in Batcombe in the summer of 2020, that this time-line might now have slipped.
TrueSpeed also held another meeting to explain their offer in Ditcheat for that community (including Alhampton & Sutton) on Thursday 6th February. Ditcheat has a Fibre to the cabinet exchange via Openreach (BT) but the copper wires from the cabinet mean that many people don’t get a very good service. Again there was a good turn out at the meeting and a large number of those present signed up using the Service Order Forms. It may be that if there are bigger numbers signing up from that community we might ‘piggy back’ onto their Fibre connection if that is first to be linked up with communities to the north of them, and receive a service from the Ditcheat direction.
The more people in the community that sign up using a Service Order form the more likely Lamyatt and Milton Clevedon will get connected. (Note that the Service Order form is the best way to make it clear that there is a demand for service). More copies of the information booklet and the form can be obtained either from Carol Phillis for Milton Clevedon or from me for Lamyatt inc Arthurs Bridge.
Please check out the information on the TrueSpeed website and contact them direct with your own queries and questions about their offer. Also take a look at the various YouTube videos of village examples. There is a different offer for businesses.
(There are other YouTube videos featuring villages which have now received a TrueSpeed service)
One of the real tests of TrueSpeed will be how well they communicate with all those individuals who have signed up using the Service Order form, and also with the Parish as a whole. The Parish Meeting gives us the chance to collectively discuss progress and developments with this Service possibility. The next Lamyatt Parish Meeting will be in early May. In between meetings, contact will be made with other Parishes to check on progress elsewhere.
If you attended the meeting on the 5th then please talk to any neighbour who didn’t attend who you think may be interested. If you didn’t attend the meeting, ask your neighbours for their views.
Paul Chadwick
Lamyatt Parish Chairman
07761 967075 & 01749 812420
(02/12/2019) Parish Meeting report
Many thanks to those in the Parish who attended the recent Parish Meeting last Tuesday evening (26th November 2019). A copy of the Draft Minutes are below.
Our thanks to our County Councillor and District Councillor for attending and reporting on various matters so as to ensure we are well informed.
The Meeting heard about:
- the forthcoming changes with the waste collection/recycling service due to start next summer
- the situation with the fibre to the house broadband project which has been long delayed
- the challenge facing SCC Highways with diminishing budget resources
- an update on the flooding issue first discussed at the last Parish Meeting
- and updates on preparations for winter; the shoot; and roads, footpaths and bridleways
Draft Parish Minutes Tuesday 26th November 2019 (1)
Copy of Fibre to house broadband report as reported to the meeting by Nigel Hewitt-Cooper – Statement from Connecting Devon
Link to the BBC documentary focusing on the Crisis in Care challenge faced by Somerset
Preparations for Winter – communications from SCC Highways:
- Letter Oct 2019 from Highways re winter prep
- Winter Service Precautionary Salting Network 2019 2020 (1)
- Winter 2019_20 – Snow Warden Initiative (1)
The Shoot on Creech Hill – please contact Paul if you need a list of dates that have now been provided to the Parish. As previously agreed, signs are to be put up by the Shoot on the days of the shoot by the bridleways/footpaths so that horse-riders/walkers are aware – these paths remain open and shooting will stop whilst people are using the paths.
PREVIOUS PARISH MEETINGS
(29/05/2019) The Annual Parish Meeting was held in the village hall on Thursday May 16th. There was a good turn out and it gave those present from the Parish the opportunity to hear detailed updates from:
- The Village Hall Committee
- The Welch Alms House Trust
- The Parochial Church Council
- The Bullbeggar Cider co-operative
The Meeting also had a chance to review local issues concerning Highways, the Pheasant Shoot etc. and review the Parish accounts.
Under AoB the recent electricity outage on May 13th was discussed and all in the village that had supplies cut off were advised about the compensation available from the Electricity Suppliers. If others want to follow the lead of some at the meeting wishing to donate their compensation to the Parish Account for future actions then please contact me for details.
Also under AoB there was a discussion about the possible impact that changes to the planting regime on Creech Hill could have; and also concerns about the village spring water supplies.
Please see the Draft Annual Meeting minutes for a record of discussions and actions.
Later in the year we hope there will be an opportunity at another meeting to invite our new Mendip District Councillor (Michael Gay) and the Somerset County Councillor (Nigel Hewitt-Cooper) to update us on their Council’s activities.
My thanks to Alison Stone for drafting these minutes
DRAFT Annual Parish Minutes 16th May 2019
Paul Chadwick (Parish Meeting Chairman)
01749 812420 & 07761 967075
(23/01/2019) Lamyatt Parish meeting – Tuesday 8th January
Many thanks to the 31 residents of the Parish that attended this meeting on a cold evening. There was a healthy discussion about highways & traffic measures; preparing for winter 2019; and whether or not to set a precept to cover any costs. The end result is that the Parish meeting determined that we won’t look to alter the current speed limit of 60mph in the village; nor apply for the signs looking to deter heavy lorries. It was also agreed that the salt for winter 2019/20 wouldn’t be bought by the Parish, but that Malcolm Frapple would coordinate raising funds and sourcing sufficient supplies. As a consequence no Parish precept will be set for the financial year 2019/20.
The response from the County Council to the Parish about the Highway matters was received by the Parish Meeting Chairman, Paul Chadwick, on the morning of the 8th Jan. This was despite the request being made back in October, followed up by three e-mails and a phone call, and contacting the County Councillor twice to chase a response. The response is copied here. You will note that the County Council changed their estimate for the traffic costs but gave no reason for this. My thanks to our County Councillor for attempting to get a response from the Highways Dept on this matter.
correspondence with county council highways
draft parish minutes 8th january 2019 –Approved at the Meeting on 16th May 2019
Subsequent to the meeting, the County Council Highways and County Councillor have again been asked to clarify why the Highway improvement costs had escalated so much, and also to explain the delay in replying to enquiries. No response to date.
(*) see detail below of level of precept required to raise different amounts in the village and what it equates to as an annual payment per household
Please advise your neighbours if you think they might not have seen the formal Meeting notice on the village notice board or in the village hall or the 2 emails that have been circulated.
An Annual Precept for the Parish? What would it cost each household?
Virtually all of the Parishes levy an annual precept in order to pay for local services/facilities. The precept is part of the local Council taxes that all households pay and is based on what Council Tax band their house falls into. Lamyatt hasn’t levied a precept for the past few years but did levy a Parish precept towards the village hall extension.
Detail from Mendip DC below shows what the annual cost would be per household (final column) to raise various totals for the Parish to spend. This means, for example, that to raise £2,000 the cost for a band D rated property would be £22.26 for the year = equivalent of 43p per week; & for a band H rated property the cost would be £44.52 per annum = approx 86p per week
“The household will get a charge depending on what Council Tax Band they are using the Tax Base. Please see below using 2018/2019 Tax Base (which will change next year) – Lamyat’s Tax base was 89.87
Precept Calculation Band D Increase in Tax bill annually
£500 £500 / 89.87 £5.56 approx 10p per week
£1,000 £1000 / 89.87 £11.13 approx 21p per week
£2,000 £2000 / 89.87 £22.26 approx 43p per week
£3,000 £3,000/89.87 £33.39 approx 64p per week
£4,000 £4,000/89.87 £44.52 approx 86p per week
Then depending on what band the property is you’d have to calculate the following
Band A – Band D / 9 x 6
Band B – Band D / 9 x 7
Band C – Band D / 9 x 8
Band D – As above
Band E – Band D / 9 x 11
Band F – Band D / 9 x 13
Band G – Band D / 9 x 15
Band H – Band D / 9 x 18 “
DRAFT Parish Minutes 31st October 2018
Footpaths Update
Footpath Re-opens: The footpath which used to go under the railway tunnel was re-opened in October 2018 following the bulldozing of the tunnel. It’s again possible to reach the ‘Natterjack’ across the fields on this route. (photo 21/11/2018). The footpath down into Bruton via the Huish Track is particularly good at this time of year too.
(01/11/2018) Lamyat Parish Meeting – summary of discussions
20 folk attended the Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 31st October 2018, for a discussion about setting a precept for the 2019/20 financial year – this was prompted by a request to consider purchasing a Defibrillator, but there was also a discussion about the need to be prepared for winter, and the possibility of reducing the speed limit through the village from 60 mph to 30 mph. A further meeting is to be held when the County Council provide more detail on the cost of the speed and lorry traffic order and signage.
Summary:
Defibrillator – Local villager, Dr Jonathan Bone provided a presentation, on behalf of the village hall committee, which was read out to the Meeting as he couldn’t attend in person. This clarified when and how a defibrillator would be of use, and what the cost of such an item would be. It was felt that training in CPR/basic first aid would be a good first step and that if Jonathan was prepared to provide the training all would attend. That would also give folk the chance to ask further Qs of Jonathan about the defibrillator. At this stage there wasn’t agreement to purchase a defibrillator. Jonathan’s presentation is here: Why We Need An AED
Winter preparations – In the light of no salt being provided (for free) by the County Council this coming winter, it was agreed to spend the remaining £26 in the Parish account on salt. This would secure us 5 or 6x 20kg bags compared to the 20 bags we have usually received. Paul will order. The village salt bins wouldn’t be topped up, but those residents closest to them that look after the bins would ensure remaining salt in them could be usable. For Winter 2019 we would need to have a budget for buying more salt, for the bins and/or in bags.
The Shoot – Dates available by hand. Paul would speak to Nicholls again: there had been no signage put up; and there was a continuing problem that some residents faced with birds.
Traffic/Lorries – Given that the County Council had now agreed that we could reduce the speed limit from 60 mph to 30 mph, and also have the discretionary blue ‘no HGV’ signs, (but that we would have to pay) it was agreed to try and get more detailed costings. Paul would also continue to see if the County would go some way to provide some of the funding. Various other informal actions (e.g. parking of cars/use of tabards) can be taken by those on the road to try and slow traffic down.
Setting a precept – in the light of not having a breakdown of the speed limit/HGV signs it was agreed that we would meet again in the next few months to determine what the precept could be. It was also noted that we needed to have some funds to pay for the use of the village hall for Parish meetings.
DRAFT Parish Minutes 31st October 2018
Many thanks to all those who attended and contributed to the discussions.
Paul Chadwick, Parish Meeting Chairman 07761 967075 or helenpaulsols@btinternet.com
Please advise any of your neighbours that you think may not see this information.
The next Annual Parish Meeting is due to take place in May 2019 but there will be another Parish meeting in the next few months when the further costings, referred to above, are received.
(29/10/2018) Traffic through the village
We have now just received a response from SCC Highways Traffic Management Team:
“Somerset County Council (SCC) would not be in a position to pay for a reduction in the speed limit and would look to the Parish to fund it on a rechargeable basis, and implementation costs would be in the region of £3k-5k.
With regard to the discretionary blue ‘No HGV’ signs, we have no objection in principal to these signs however they would not apply to local farms or businesses. It should also be noted that SCC would not be a position to fund them and would look to order the signage on a rechargeable basis back to the Parish.“
Clarification of the actual costs has been requested. The reason the County Council gives for it not being a priority to be funded by the County Council is due to the speed recordings taken in March, and budgetary pressures, although Central Govt policy is “that a 30 mph speed limit should be the norm through villages.” (Dept of Transport Guidance on ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’ Section 73 – Para 131.)
At the Parish Meeting there will be a discussion about how to proceed with this issue and specifically how to pay for such works as are necessary. My thanks to Caryl Joyce and Romy Smallwood for joining me in having the stamina for us to arrive at this point!
Previous update here:
As with all vehicular traffic, if you feel there have been incidents of poor or dangerous driving, please make a note of company name (if visible); number plate; or take a photograph and report these directly to the Police, advising the Parish Chairperson, Paul, that you have done so in order that we can keep count of incidents, and subsequently raise these with relevant authorities/companies.
(23/10/2018) Defibrillator:
The Village Hall committee have asked that we consider the purchase of a defibrillator. Local resident Dr Jonathan Bone will provide background information and the points to consider for the meeting. Background information on when, and how, the equipment can be used is here: click on British Heart Foundation
The BHF also have a aed_guide_01-08-17. (AED stands for automated external defibrillators)
(23/10/2018) Preparing for winter:
Following on the ‘Beast from the East’ events of the 2 weekends in March 2018 which disrupted the village we will need to discuss what preparations are needed for 2018/19. The County Council Highways have now advised (on 22nd October) that they are reducing the salting/gritting work they undertake across the County; and, specifically, no longer providing free salt/grit for the grit bins or the bags of salt that we usually obtain to help keep Lamyatt roads open. We can purchase salt if required. Details here:
Gritting letter for parish councils
Precautionary gritting network 2018-19
Precautionary gritting network 2018-19 – removed sections from previous …
(04/10/18) Somerset Waste:
There is a crew shortage at present in the Waste services – this sometimes results in missed or late collections. They are currently looking to recruit additional drivers. Always check the SWP website if in any doubt about what is recyclable and when; and contact them direct if you have any queries. The latest briefing now available is here:
SWP Member Briefing – Progress on Plastic
(04/10/2018) The Shoot –John Nicholls who organises the shoot has been asked to provide the list of possible dates for the shoot this season. A hard copy of the list is available from the Parish Meeting Chairman, Paul or from Anthony Ffooks.
Further to the issues raised at the Parish meeting, John Nicholls advised: “I can assure you that we will be doing all we can to prevent birds wandering. We are in the process of putting up more fencing, which should help keep them where they’re meant to be.With regards to the dates, sometimes weather conditions on the day (i.e. fog and low cloud) affect where we go and what drives we do. Because of this, in the past we have included lots of dates on the list, just in case we need to go to Lamyatt. We understand it is frustrating if a date is on the list and we don’t arrive, but we were concerned that if the date was not on the list and we did do a drive in Lamyatt, that would potentially cause problems. Perhaps you could let me know your thoughts on this?
On the subject of signs, we will put signs up from the start of the coming season. We have always stopped the shooting if a walker or rider wishes to pass through, but agree that signs would be helpful. I hope this addresses any concerns…”
Please let Paul know your thoughts on the issue of dates.
(04/10/2018) Footpaths: many thanks to all the volunteers who have helped to keep various footpaths and bridleways open this past summer by clearing around a stile or removing obstructions. The Trustees of the Alms House have been asked to formalise the situation regarding the obstruction of footpath SM13/9 (as raised at the Parish meeting).
The County Council Highways team have produced a Volunteer Newsletter September 2018 and this has useful information about who is responsible for keeping footpaths clear and a report on all the good work being carried out across the County.
(17/10/2018) Broadband services: Lamyatt is included in Lot 3 – Eastern -the Alhampton package where Fibre to the Property is intended. the plan was for minimum 30mb connection. Work was shown as due to commence in Q1 2019, and to be completed by Q3 2019, but we notice that the website has recently started to state ‘under review’ for all packages – we will keep an eye on how progress is being made in nearby Parishes where their start date was earlier than ours.
GigaClear Statement, as released 8th October 2018 : “On behalf of Gigaclear plc, I would like to apologise for the delays in delivering a full fibre network across rural Devon and Somerset. Whilst the first customers are now connected in East Devon, the project is running significantly behind schedule and we accept our performance to date has fallen short of the high standards that we set for ourselves.”
For an explanation of why there is now a delay and what they envisage doing about it:
Connectingdevonandsomerset: GigaClear-delays
You may register your interest. This does not commit you to anything, it just allows Gigaclear to keep you informed on progress with the rollout. You can also find out more about the likely cost of the various services from Gigaclear and the Internet Service Providers on he same website.
For those who have signed up to an alternative provider, it will be in your interest to keep your options open by registering.
(04/10/2018) Planning Matters: As discussed and agreed at the Annual Parish meeting, where we are made aware of them, we will whenever possible list all planning applications that affect the parish on this website. This gives all living in Lamyat Parish the opportunity to see what developments are in the pipeline, and to comment as they see fit. Alternatively you can register on the Mendip Council website to receive notifications of new applications.
The Parish view will be submitted by the planning sub-group of Paul Chadwick (Parish Chair), Romy Smallwood, Simon Lang, and David Ash. All correspondence sent or received by the Planning group is held on file and available for all in the Parish to review. A copy of the District Councils Planning Policies is held by the Parish group, but can be seen online on the Mendip planning portal. Applications for development should also have a notice pinned up on the premises to alert any villager, and close neighbours should be notified direct by Mendip Council
If you have views on any planning application, positive or negative, or concerned with the detail, which you think that the Parish planning group should take account of, then please let them know. Other comments relating to the application are, as usual, available to view on the Mendip Council planning portal.
The most recent planning application, for the ‘Erection of a first and first floor side extension – Bakewell House’, was approved in early December 2018 with conditions and that can be seen on the Mendip Planning portal here
(08/05/2018) Mendip Local Plan Consultation: the District Council is now finalising the Draft Local Plan Part 2. This contains policies for the District concerned with, inter alia, housing allocations and potential employment site growth. The relevant website page is here www.mendip.gov.uk/localplanpart2
The Planning sub-group of Paul Chadwick, Romy Smallwood, David Ash and Simon Lang met to discuss the Plan proposals and they submitted a set of comments on behalf of the Parish. You can have sight of their submission here: Lamyat Parish comments on Mendip Local Plan II. The Mendip website also now lists all other comments submitted by the deadline and these can be found here (all 717 comments, though only a few perhaps directly relevant to Lamyat Parish). We await further news on this.
Read on for important links and background on the Parish Meeting
Lamyat Parish
Lamyatt village and surrounding outlying farms and houses are part of Lamyat Parish. The Parish is too small to have a Parish Council but since 1894 it has held a Parish Meeting at which local issues have been debated and discussed. (Note that whilst the village name has two ‘t’s the wider parish name has only one in historical records)
There has always been at least an Annual Meeting, and on occasions additional Meetings are held to discuss specific major issues. The Meeting through its Chair, and assisted by others, has been able to: bring a piped water supply to the village (1930’s); oversee the supply of electricity to the village (1940’s); press for the building of local authority housing in the village (1950’s); help resolve flooding and drainage problems on the High Street (1990’s-2000’s); raise a precept to help fund the village hall extension (2010’s). Of course some issues, such as planning developments both within the Parish and adjacent Parishes; highway and transport problems; and rights of way matters; have cropped up on a regular basis.
The Lamyat Parish history as told through the Parish Meeting minute book gives us an insight into how issues have been dealt with, and may make us realise that some have been around in some shape or form for over 100 years!
The 2017 Annual Meeting elected Paul Chadwick as Chairman and gave thanks to the previous chairman Anthony Ffooks for chairing the Meeting in recent times. The Parish Meeting Secretary is Ali Stone. The actions of the Parish are carried out by the Parish Chairman, with the help of others in the Parish and at the Meeting in October 2017 David Ash, Romy Smallwood, and Simon Lang volunteered to help with planning matters. Contact numbers for Paul: 01749 812420 & 07761 967075
The Minutes of the Parish Meeting
Parish Minutes 18th June 2018 – Approved at the Annual Parish Meeting on 16th May 2019
Parish Minutes 25th Oct 2017 – Approved at the Parish Meeting on 18th June 2018
Parish Minutes 26th oct 2016 – Approved at the Parish Meeting on 18th June 2018
Copies of most of the previous Parish Meetings are held in archives.
Lamyat Parish history 1894 to 1918
Further extracts from the minute book will be added at a later date. If anyone wishes to see the original minute book and maps held by the parish please contact Paul.
VOLUNTEERING
The Parish Meeting has always depended on volunteers within the community to help look after the Parish. That might be to help look after a particular footpath; to ensure that any nearby drain or culvert is clear of debris; or to keep a stock of salt ready for use on the road in winter. Please contact the Parish Chairman if you want to ‘adopt’ a drain or footpath!
USEFUL CONTACTS & INFORMATION
Parish Meeting Chairman: Paul Chadwick, Witch Craig, Portway Hill, Lamyatt, BA4 6NJ 01749 812420/07761 967075 helenpaulsols@btinternet.com
Somerset County Council Highways – to report a pothole or blocked drain 0300 123 2224 or use the template here
Roads & Transport Team roadsandtransportSD@somerset.gov.uk
Local Mendip Area Depot countyroads-mendip@somerset.gov.uk
To report a pothole or blocked drain it is useful to take a photo of the location and send it with an email. Highways will endeavour to inspect within 48 hours and give you feedback. The road gullies in the parish are part of the Council’s Programmed activity, which are currently cleaned on a bi annual cycle. The gullies were last cleaned in the 2016/2017 financial year and are scheduled to be cleared again in the 2018/2019 financial year.
Rights of Way – please contact Paul for a copy of the definitive rights of way map. The Parish aims to ensure all are kept open with the assistance of landowners and the County Council’s Rights of Way team. There has also been a request for the Parish to place an appropriately mounted copy on a display board in the parish – suggestions for location welcome at the next Parish Meeting.
Contact to report any obstructions or concerns rightsofway@somerset.gov.uk
Note: Clare Haskins helps look after Lamyat Parish R.o.W. cxhaskins@somerset.gov.uk
Mendip District Council Planning – to submit an application or comment on an application
You can follow the progress with an application by going to the District Council website. Any significant development will need planning permission and any neighbour will be notified and a notice posted up on the property. The Parish Meeting will be asked for comments and observations and in addition to any comments you send in yourselves you could ask the Parish Meeting Chair to make comments. When there is any application made within the Parish this page will carry notice of it with a link to relevant documents.
Mendip District Council main switchboard for all matters 0300 303 8588
The District Council produces a monthly Parish bulletin with a range of useful information including that from other local agencies. This information includes items of relevance to those in business as well as for local residents.
Waste & recycling collections – check the Somerset Waste Partnership website if in any doubt about collection dates/updates, especially if weather or some other event upsets the schedule. Usually, Lamyat properties see a recycling collection every Friday; and waste collection every alternate Friday, but note that Bank Holidays can affect that pattern.
Join the village/parish email list. Regular e-mails are sent around by Caryl Joyce. Please give Caryl your e-mail address if you wish to receive these. caryl.joyce51@gmail.com
Neighbourhood Watch & Farm Watch – Anthony Ffooks has confirmed that he is the contact for these. Please contact him for more information.
Lamyatt village oil buying group – Anthony Ffooks continues to look after this group and a village e-mail goes round to remind all who want to be in on an order. Orders are placed approximately every Quarter- Please contact Anthony by telephone on 812994 or email on ant@lamyatt.demon.co.uk
BULLBEGGAR CIDER – 2018 – info
Spark – have been providing practical support to the voluntary sector in Somerset for many years. Their aim is to inspire strong and sustainable communities through voluntary and community action. Spark website
Community Council for Somerset – CCS supports organisations and individuals throughout the County, and they have been involved in many successful projects. 01823 331222 CCS website
Lamyatt - Somerset 