DRAFT MINUTES
ATTENDANCE Cllr Batchelor, Cllr Robinson, Cllr Prescott, Cllr Willert, Cllr Hookway, Cllr Pilkington, Cllr Bell, Cllr Mannings, Ward Cllr Gourley, the Clerk Kathryn Manchee and one prospective councillor
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Ward Cllr McCabe.
2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS
None.
3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS The minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on 26 May were approved and signed by the chair of the meeting.
4 MATTERS ARISING
4.1 Update on Response from BANES re future of the A367 Dunkerton Bus Shelter Street Light and possible funding for the bus shelter lighting BANES Council is installing a new lighting column in August. It is presumed that they will then take over the responsibility for the Dunkerton Bus Shelter street light.
4.2 Update on Bus Service Campaign There is now a bus serving Tunley. There have been a few teething problems and publicity leaflets to be provided by WECA. If you have any issues with buses, contact WECA to resolve these. Cllr Gourley reported that Westlink has been relaunched with a new provider and changes to the zones.
4.3 Update on various speed measures on the B3115
Implementation of the 20mph scheme in Tunley will be happening soon but a date hasn’t been specified.
4.4 Update on Progress with new website and email addresses and Consideration of the Process for the Handover of the Existing Community Website to Dunkerton Parish Hall
The new website dunkertonandtunleyparishcouncil.gov.uk is now ready along with associated email addresses.
Dunkerton Parish Hall will take over the financing and operation of the existing community website. A letter of handover to be signed by both parties so that ownership of the domain along with the associated responsibilities is formally transferred and recorded.
The parish council now needs to publicise the new website and email addresses including advising the bank. The clerk and RFO will fill out an account management form with Unity which can be signed by 2 signatories at the next meeting.
4.5 Update on Cricket Club Relationship Management and this year’s Utilities Cost Billing It was unanimously resolved to give the cricket club the same discount re the standing charge cost as last year. Club to be invoiced for the season 2025 2026.
4.6 Update on Dirt Bikes on the Old Fosseway No response as yet received from traffic management at BANES Council.
4.7 Nature/Environment Update The contractor to undertake the vegetation clearance work at the orchard, cricket ground and bus shelter soon and a volunteer is using the newly acquired mower to undertake work around the trees.
The river has been tested from Paulton to Dunkerton and at Dunkerton there are high phosphate levels. The reason for this to be investigated.
With reference to PROW there are 3 fields with maize where no public footpath access has been provided. The landowner has been contacted to request that he reminds their tenant of their obligations re the PROW. Luckily its not long until harvest and this situation to be monitored earlier next year.
Cllr Willert would like parishioners to use the apples in the orchard. This to be put on the Dunkerton WhatsApp group.
5 URGENT BUSINESS AS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN Cllr Ball reported that at the Parish Liaison meeting parish councils were requested to communicate the Parish Charter and there is a vacancy on the Standards Committee. Clerk to circulate a copy of the Charter.
6 FINANCE
6.1 Financial Report including report on actual expenditure vs budget 2025 2026 The balance of funds is £15,369.15. The first quarter forecast and reasons for the significant variances report was circulated prior to the meeting. The surplus outcome in the budget is forecast to be lower than expected at year end but this is because the Dunkerton Bus Shelter repair was in last year’s budget but paid for in this financial year.
6.2 Payments for Approval Approved. Details can be found in Appendix 1.
6.3 Approval of Updated Asset Register to reflect acquisition of new mower It was unanimously resolved to approve the updated asset register.
7 PLANNING
7.1 BANES Planning Decisions
Planning Application REF 25/04195/FUL Blossom Manor Tunley Road Tunley Erection of detached 3no bed dwelling and garage on land south of Blossom Manor. REFUSED. Parish Council OBJECTED and further information submitted to the appeal. APPEAL REFUSED.
Planning Applications REF 26/00147/FUL and 26/00148/LBA Church House Church Road Dunkerton Demolition and replacement of an existing outbuilding to contain annexe residential accommodation. DECISION PENDING. Parish Council SUPPORTED.
Planning Application REF 26/01487/FUL – Lower Tunley Farm, Stoneage Lane, Tunley 2No extensions to existing farm buildings. Parish Council SUPPORTED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS. DECISION PENDING. This has been superseded by AGRN REF 26/02766
Planning Application REF 26/01684/FUL – Highacres , Bath Road, Tunley Erection of a Tractor Shed and partial demolition of the stable block (retrospective) Parish Council SUPPORTED. APPROVED.
Planning Application REF 26/01238/EOUT Parcel 4234, Combe Hay Lane, Combe Hay Outline application for phases 3 and 4 for up to 200 dwellings. Parish Council OBJECTED. DECISION PENDING.
Planning Applications REF 26/01338/FUL and 26/01339/LBA Crossways House Crossways Lane Various internal and external alterations to Crossways House including the reinstatement of a front porch; erection of curtilage wall, gates and railings; removal of the former inn car parking at the front and rear and reinstatement of soft landscaping; timber car port with integrated workshop; reconstruction of the former skittles building and change of use to C3 as an extension of the existing dwelling. Parish Council SUPPORTED. PENDING DECISION.
7.2 Planning Correspondence and other Planning Related Matters
The draft local plan will now go to cabinet in September.
7.3 Update on Draft Local Plan Somerset Coal Canal Policy
An update from the Somersetshire Coal Canal Communities Alliance update was circulated prior to the meeting.
8 QUARTERLY SUMMARY WRITTEN REPORTS FROM THE PARISH COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTATIVES – TRC AND DPH
The DPH hasn’t had a meeting to report on and a summary of the position of the TRC at year end and future work planning was circulated prior to the meeting.
9 NEW ISSUES RAISED BY COUNCILLORS/PARISHIONERS
9.1 Review of Councillors Portfolios
The portfolios are now
Planning – Cllr Willert/Cllr Robinson (with support from the nature Cllrs)
Finance – Cllr Hookway
Maintenance – Cllr Mannings
DPH – Cllr Mannings
TRC – Cllr Hookway
Nature – Cllr Pilkington/Cllr Hookway
Highways – Cllr Ball
Buses – Cllr Ball
PROW – Cllr Batchelor/Cllr Pilkington
10 OTHER ISSUES FOR THE ATTENTION OF DISTRICT WARD COUNCILLORS
Cllr Gourley reported that there are lots of roadworks at the moment primarily because of some urgent repairs and some Active Travel Schemes being implemented.
11 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 10 September 7.30 pm Dunkerton Parish Hall
Dunkerton & Tunley Parish Council Payments for Approval at meeting 28 July
Payments to Ratify
27 May Direct Debit Street Lighting April £32.76
28 May Direct Debit Cricket Club Electricity Feb to April £100.56
31 May Bank Charge Bank Admin Fee May £7.00
31 May Standing Order Clerk Net Salary May £665.96
21 June Direct Debit Data Protection Fee £47.00
22 June Direct Debit Street Lighting May £30.68
30 June Bank Charge Bank Admin Fee £7.00
30 June Standing Order Clerk Net Salary June £666.16
1 July Direct Debit Cricket Club Water Bill £46.36
21 July Direct Debit Street lighting June £27.89
Payments for Approval
28 July Bank Transfer Clerk’s Expenses £197.12
28 July Bank Transfer Cllr Robinson’s Expenses £82.69
28 July Bank Transfer ALCA New Cllr Training £45.00