Full Council

Council Meeting – 10th September 2026

DRAFT MINUTES

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr Mannings and Ward Cllr McCabe.

2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS

None.

3 Consideration of Co-option to fill the Councillor Vacancy

The prospective councillor is still interested in becoming a parish councillor but not at present.

4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 28 July were approved and signed by the chair of the meeting.

The Chair brought forward agenda items 8.6 and 9.2

8.6 Consideration of a Response to Planning Application REF 26/03226/FUL Blossom Manor Tunley Road Tunley Bath Erection of detached bungalow with detached garage

The parish council unanimously objected to this planning application because it doesn’t comply with planning policy ST7 relating to highway safety.

9.2 Speed of Traffic on the A367 near the Church Lane/A367 There has recently been understandable concern expressed on the Dunkerton WhatsApp by several Dunkerton residents concerning the speed of traffic on the A367 near the Church Lane / A367 junction. The parish council has tried on numerous occasions over the years, working closely with residents and the appropriate B&NES Highways officers to find ways of improving the traffic and pedestrian safety on this stretch of the A367.  

Suggestions have been put before B&NES Highways officers for a zebra Crossing, pedestrian lights controlled crossing, and a central island, all of which proved not to be possible due to the high speed limits and also the narrow width of the road. A reduction in speed limits, high visibility road signage, and many other proposals were put forward to B&NES. The parish council was successful in getting high visibility road signage installed, and a pavement installed linking the bus stop, on the east side of the road, with the Old Fosseway. The parish council also succeeded in getting the hedge cut right back on the south bound side of the A367 opposite the canal lay-by which improved the visibility for south bound drivers of any stationary queuing traffic. As the A367 is a major trunk road we continually ran up against problems in trying to get the speed reduced. 

The parish council suggested to concerned residents in attendance that they form a steering group to resolve this matter. The parish council would support this starting with setting up a meeting between residents and the BANES highways to discuss how this issue could be addressed.

5 MATTERS ARISING

5.1 Update on the Dunkerton Bus Shelter lighting Nothing new to report.

5.2 Update on the Tunley Bus Service There have been more teething problems which WECA has raised with the operator. Measures taken to address these problems include

• Bringing in drivers from other parts of the country to help in the short term

• Recruiting and training new drivers and support staff

• Standing down failing vehicles and put temporary vehicles in place

• Purchasing 3 new vehicles

Some issues still remain so the supplier is being monitored by WECA and residents should report issues when they arise.

The parish council is working on improving the bus stop in Bath,

5.3 Update on various speed measures on the B3115

The parish council is still waiting for an implementation date for the introduction of the 20 mph limit in Tunley.

5.4 Update on Dirt Bikes on the Old Fosseway Traffic management at BANES has suggested that this issue of speeding dirt bikes should be reported to the police. Therefore the parish council would request that future instances of this should be reported by parishioners who witness this behaviour at  https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/anti-social-driving/

2. 5.5 Nature/Environment Update The bramble clearance work continues. A path has been mowed through the orchard thanks to a volunteer. The parish council is due to receive some cherry trees which will be planted at the cricket ground. There are high phosphates in the Cam – this being investigated.

6 URGENT BUSINESS AS AGREED BY THE CHAIRMAN Temporary Closure of Public Footpaths BA10/1, BA10/2. BA20/2 & BA20/3 and Public Bridleways BA10/4 & BA20/4, Bath Road, Tunley

Bristol Water to be contacted to request that a blanket closure as this is not required while the new water main is being installed. Closures only should be made as the work requires so as to keep more of the footpaths open for use. Chair

7 FINANCE

7.1 Financial Report including report on actual expenditure vs budget 2025 2026 The balance of funds is £13,794.14.

7.2 Payments for Approval Approved. Details can be found in Appendix 1. Clerk

7.3 Signing of Letter by Two Signatories to Unity Bank to amend email addresses

The letter was signed and now to be sent to Unity Bank Clerk

7.4 Consideration of Implementation of the 2026 2027 Local Government Pay Settlement regarding the Clerk and RFO’s Salary

This was unanimously approved.

8 PLANNING

8.1 BANES Planning Decisions

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. APPROVED. 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. This application was superseded (and has now been withdrawn) by an AGRN application REF 26/02766. DECISION WAS DIDN’T REQUIRE A FULL PLANNING APPLICATION.

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.

8.2 Planning Correspondence and other Planning Related Matters

An update to the National Planning Policy Framework has been published recently.

8.3 Update on Draft Local Plan Somerset Coal Canal Policy

The restoration policy has not been included in the draft local plan.

8.4 Consideration of a Response to the Draft Local Plan Consultation.

As well as increased traffic the parish council has concerns about the impact on residents relating to sewerage services, school capacity, doctors’ surgeries capacity, employment opportunities from the additional houses. The parish council response will be worked on once the consultation commences. An event is being held by the Ward Councillors on October 1.

8.5 Consideration of a Response to Planning Application REF 26/02496/FUL The House Tunley Equestrian Centre Withyditch Lane Dunkerton Bath Change of use from equestrian to dog walking.

The parish council unanimously supported this application as it complies with planning policies D1, D2, D3, D5, D6 and CP8.

9 HIGHWAYS, PUBLIC TRANSPORT, PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY AND WASTE RECYCLING – ANY NEW ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION AND/OR DECISION

9.1 Blind Lane Resurfacing

The B3115 is to be resurfaced for a distance of 200m in both directions either side of the Palmers Lane junction. Cllr Robinson has arranged with B&NES Highways that the plainings from this resurfacing work will be laid along Blind Lane, from the point where plainings from the resurfacing of Tunley Hill were laid. This was for approximately the first 100m of Blind Lane from the junction with Bath Road. B&NES PROW have kindly agreed to cover the cost involved in laying the plainings. Use of these plainings is of course subject to the usual caveat that they are not contaminated.

10 OTHER ISSUES FOR THE ATTENTION OF DISTRICT WARD COUNCILLORS

None as already advised by email or elsewhere in the meeting.

11 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 27 October 7.30 pm Tunley Recreation Centre.

Appendix 1 Dunkerton & Tunley Parish Council Payments for Approval at meeting 10 September

Payments to Ratify

31 July Bank Charge Bank Admin Fee July £7.00

31 July Standing Order Clerk Net Salary July £666.36

21 August Direct Debit Street Lighting July £29.84

28 August Direct Debit Cricket Club Electricity April to July £121.73

31 August Bank Charge Bank Admin Fee August £7.00

31 August Standing Order Clerk Net Salary August £666.36

Payments for Approval

10 Sept Bank Transfer Clerks Expenses June July £86.72