Agenda and minutes

Only members of the core membership are eligible to be nominated as the Chair. Either the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Local Community Network shall be a Somerset Council Councillor.

Only voting members can make nominations. The nomination must be seconded to be valid.

It was proposed by Councillor Sarah Wakefield and seconded by Colin Fisher (Stoke St Mary Parish Council) that Keith Read (West Hatch Parish Council) be elected as Chair of the Chard and Blackdowns Local Community Network. 

There being no other proposals it was:

Resolved:

That Keith Read (West Hatch Parish Council) be elected as Chair of the Chard and Blackdowns Local Community Network for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Only members of the core membership are eligible to be nominated as the Vice-Chair.  Either the Chair or Vice-Chair must be a Somerset Council Councillor.

Only voting members can make nominations. The nomination must be seconded to be valid.

It was proposed by Councillor Ross Henley (Somerset Council) and seconded by Charlie Field (Otterford Parish Council) that Councillor Sarah Wakefield (Somerset Council) be appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Chard and Blackdowns Local Community Network.

There being no other proposals, it was:

Resolved:

That Councillor Sarah Wakefield (Somerset Council) be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Chard and Blackdowns Local Community Network for the 2023/24 municipal year.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Connor Payne (Somerset Council), Peter Cordier (Chair of Pitminster Parish Council) and the representative of Ruishton and Thornfalcon Parish Council.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair to advise of any questions, statements or petitions received that are not covered by items on the agenda for the meeting on which members of the public have requested to speak.

There were no questions raised during public question time.

The Service Manager for the LCN’s advised that there were 18 LCN areas across the county and two thirds of their first meetings had taken place.  She provided a short power point presentation (slides attached) on the purpose of the LCNs and how they would be supported.

There then followed a round table discussion on the topics important to local residents and what could be done to resolve or improve the issues identified. The following points were raised:

• The role and involvement of the LCNs in Strategic Planning at Somerset Council.  Their role in the Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA), Community Planning and the new Local Plan.
• Access to medical care such as doctors, dentists and mental health services.  The police spend time on people with mental health issues when this is not their area of responsibility.
• Antisocial behaviour.
• The lack of bus routes in Chard and the surrounding villages.  The example of Hatch Beauchamp PC who had pump-primed their own service was mentioned and also the possible use of mini-buses rather than 53 seat coaches.
• The general state of the highways and roads in the area.  Their drainage, support and infrastructure together with poor feedback to issues raised with the County Highway team.   Also some speed limits were no longer appropriate for the roads.  Roads often widened by large tractors using them.
• Conservation including flooding was not just limited to the Levels.  An expert at County level was needed to give advice on flooding issues and solutions. .
• The LCNs could help to reach out to other groups to understand the nature around them.

The Chairman then summarised the main points as:

• Planning and development around Chard and Taunton Racecourse with no development south of the M5 motorway.  LCN input.
• Lack of provision of healthcare and how could the LCN help to resolve this.
• The provision of buses and public transport.  Park and ride was not always the solution.  The state of local roads and speeding traffic.
• Nature and recovery.
• Conservation and flooding.

During discussion the following points were made:-:

• Need to involve  the farming network
• Problems with National Highways' A358 Development Plans
• Connectivity of rural broadband
• Access to officers at Somerset Council with the suggestion of a directory of contacts for services.

At the conclusion of the feedback session, the Service Manager for the LCNs confirmed that all the comments would be collated and would inform the debate at the next meeting. 

The Chair suggested that LCN members work in small groups with officers and look for funding in partnership with other local groups.

Other priorities, which were captured on flipchart paper included:

Group 1:

·        Planning, Development

·        Cemetery (TFPC)

·        Speeding (Minor roads)

·        Conservation – AONB engagement

·        Highways A358 / M5

·        Superfast Fibre Optic

·        Flooding

 LCN work groups and County experts on each ‘issue’.

 Group 2:

·       Access to medical care – GPs, Dentists, Mental Health, Community Care (Isolation and loneliness)

·       Improve communication with SC -directory + contacts.

·       Supporting youth provision

·       Anti-social behaviour

·       Housing developments – pressure on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Service Manager for the LCN’s advised that it was anticipated to schedule the LCN meetings every two months with the next to be held in late October/November.  There could be working group meeting held in between these dates as an effective way of information gathering on a particular issue.

In response to a question on the appointment of LCN Link Managers, the Executive Director for Strategy Workforce & Localities advised that the Council were redeploying resources within its current financial constraints although there was a small amount of reserve funding.

Councillor Val Keitch, as Associate Lead Member for Localities (LCNs) & Public Health thanked all for attending and said she was confident the LCNs would work but may take time to bed in.  She thanked all the staff for their attendance.

The Chairs also thanked all for attending and asked that people keep involved and let their villages and Parish Councils know about the discussion.

The schedule of LCN meetings for the next 12 months will be circulated as soon as the dates and venues are confirmed.