Minutes of the meeting of High Littleton Parish Council held on Tuesday 11 March 2025 7 pm.
Councillors present
K Fuglesang, S Gould, P Ghillyer, M Whiting, A Godwin, C Lindley and Ward Cllr A Morgan (arrived 7.30pm).
Opportunity for the members of the public to speak (the public are asked to limit their address to 5 minutes with maximum time allowed 20 minutes). Please note that the Parish Council cannot make a decision on any item which is not on the agenda, but items may be put forward for a future agenda.
The Council heard from
- Five residents with concerns regarding the works taking place on a newly purchased plot of land on the footpath along The Drung (the footway from The Batch to Butlass Close).
The Council agreed to liaise with B&NES on any issues breaching planning regulations and will attempt to contact the owner to discuss.
- A resident regarding proposals on the Somer Valley Links consultation for Harts Lane
The Council noted the comments.
Agenda
2503.1 Apologies – to note apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from R Lane.
Agenda
2503.2 [TO RESOLVE] To confirm and approve minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 11 February 2025
Resolved – the Council agreed that the 11 February 2025 minutes were a true and correct record of the meeting.
2503.3 Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Request for Dispensations
To receive declaration of any members personal or prejudicial interest in any item on the agenda
None
Development Control, Forestry Works and Footpath Diversions
2503.4 Planning applications to consider and decide comment for submission to B&NES
a) Applications to consult
{TO RESOLVE] 25/00557/FUL 22 Southover Road High Littleton BS39 6HR
Erection of a first floor rear extension. Installation of first floor side window with obscured glazing.
Resolved to support.
b) To note decision notifications
23/04622/VAR Hallatrow Business Park Wells Road Hallatrow BS39 6EX
Variation of condition 7 (Plans List (Compliance)) of application 22/02775/FUL (Change of use to learning and non-residential institutions (Use Class F1) for a temporary three year period with associated siting of porta-cabins and shipping containers (part retrospective)). Condition Number(s): Condition 7 – Approved plans Conditions(s) Removal: Please see covering letter Please see covering letter
Pending consideration
23/04623/VAR Hallatrow Business Park Wells Road Hallatrow BS39 6EX
Variation of condition 9 (Plans List (Compliance)) of application 22/02777/FUL (Change of use to storage or distribution (Use Class B8) for a temporary three year period with associated siting of porta-cabins and shipping containers). Condition Number(s): Condition 9 – Approved Plans Conditions(s) Removal: Please see covering letter
Pending consideration
23/04687/FUL Hallatrow Business Park Wells Road Hallatrow BS39 6EX
Material change of use (temporary) for B8 use and associated operational development (in connection with adjacent permitted use) (Retrospective).
Pending consideration
23/03092/LBA The Grange, Paulton Road, Hallatrow, BS39 6EG
External alterations for the replacement roof covering includes new tiles, battens and underlay.
Pending consideration
23/04686/FUL Parcel 0172 Wells Road Hallatrow
Material change of use (temporary) for F1 use and associated operational development (in connection with adjacent permitted use) (Retrospective)
Pending consideration
24/02290/FUL Hallatrow Business Park Wells Road Hallatrow BS39 6EX
Erection of warehouse (Use Class B8) with associated hard/soft landscape works; drainage; and ecological enhancement area, together with stopping up of existing business park access to vehicular traffic; creation of new vehicular access for business park off the A39 with right turn lane and widening of the A39 to accommodate a new public foot/cycle path.
Pending consideration
24/04751/PACOU Poultry Houses Langfords Lane High Littleton t Somerset
Prior approval request for the change of use from an Agricultural Building to two no. unit apart hotels.
Refused – to be removed from the agenda.
24/04766/TPO Little Dene 8 Greyfield Road High Littleton BS39 6XX
T1 beech tree – reduce by 2.5m height.
Consent – to be removed from the agenda
2503.5 {TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide response to the B&NES site assessment for the local plan for housing needs
Resolved to submit the agreed comments. S Gould to liaise with B&NES re submission and to arrange a meeting.
2503.6 {TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide response re PUBLIC BRIDLEWAYS CL6/45 AND CL11/41, GREYFIELD, CLUTTON AND HIGH LITTLETON) MODIFICATION ORDER 2025
Deferred.
2503.7 {TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide response to proposals by BANES to alter the Harts Lane junction with A39 – deadline 16 March
Resolved to comment to support the proposal to slow traffic on Hart’s Lane and to request that the virtual pavement is reinstated (through the use of coloured tarmac and white lines), together with signage to give priority to traffic entering Harts Lane from the A39, which would use a natural choke point to slow traffic and give pedestrians greater protection.
2503.8 {TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide response to the Somer Valley Links project and consultation – deadline 16 March
Resolved to comment that the Council is disappointed that the A39 from White Cross through to Corston was omitted from consideration, which is a major route for traffic travelling to and from Bath, is heavily used by commuting/leisure cyclists, has substantial sections with no footpaths, and no direct bus service to Bath, despite serving 5 villages, (Hallatrow, High Littleton, Farmborough, Marksbury and Corston). Should this consultation require a re-think, we request that the communities along the A39 be included.
2503.9 [TO RESOLVE] To review 2024 internal and external auditors and approve internal auditor for 2025
Resolved to approve the 2024 internal auditor to be used for 2025. The Clerk reported that both audits went smoothly in 2024 and expects the external auditor for 2025 to be the same company used in 2024 and this is their third year of auditing.
2503.10 {TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide purchase of new noticeboards
Deferred. The Council agreed to initially investigate refurbishment of current noticeboards. C Lindley to lead.
2503.11 {TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide purchase of new printer and Office 2024
Resolved to approve. Clerk to order.
2503.12 {TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide responses to WERN Community Survey
Defeated.
2503.13 [TO RESOLVE] To approve the following finances
a) Payments
Resolved to approve the following items for payment in March.
| Description | Amount £ | |
| DD | Sage Payroll – Mar 2025 | 12.00 |
| DD | Pension Contributions– Jan 2024 | 40.84 |
| DD | Yu Energy – Feb 2025 | 110.61 |
| SO | D Stephenson – website maintenance | 25.00 |
| Total | 188.45 | |
| CARD | Somer Printing – Mar/Apr News & View printing | 417.10 |
| Total | 417.10 | |
| Cheques | ||
| 002733 | Kirsty Headlong Mar 2025 Salary Pension PAYE Tax National Insurance Working from home allowance Net Total Clerk’s Expenses Feb 2025 mileage & stationery & admin Cheque Total | 1103.48 (23.34) (188.40)(4.44) 26.00 913.30 28.18 941.48 |
| 002734 | HMRC Employer’s and Employee’s NI Mar 2025 Feb 2025 Tax – K Headlong Total | 52.12 188.40 240.52 |
| 002735 | B George – Mar/Apr News & Views delivery | 150.00 |
| 002736 | Trenjory Designs – Mar/Apr News & Views editing | 200.00 |
| 002737 | JRB Enterprises – dog poop bags | 64.94 |
| 002738 | Holy Trinity Church – hall hire | 160.00 |
| Cheque Total | £1756.94 | |
| Grand Total | £2362.49 |
b) To note receipts
None
2503.14 To receive any updates on district matters from Ward Cllr Ann Morgan
Ward Cllr Morgan reported that she had attended the WECA scrutiny panel and highlighted the lack of railway line to the South West. And is investigating whether powers of compulsory purchase have changed re Rosewell.
2503.15 To receive reports and updates on current items
- Allotments
The Council noted a new owner on plot A2.
- Recreation Ground
K Fuglesang reported that she is looking into outdoor gym equipment.
- Police and Neighbourhood Watch
The Council noted break ins at the Spar and in Hallatrow.
- Defibrillator
The Council noted that it might be a good idea to run CPR training sessions at the Village Day.
- School Governors
A Godwin reported that the school has agreed that the Gardening Club would maintain a planter placed outside the front of the school.
- Grass and Cemetery
The Council noted that the first cut is to be done this week.
- Charity of Mary Jones
No news/updates.
- Parish Magazine
S Gould reported that the next edition will be delivered before 1 May so that residents can be made aware of the Neighbourhood Plan referendum.
- Greyfield Wood
P Ghillyer reported felling taking place on the North West of the wood and swathes are being cut into hedgerows to encourage the growth of some grasses. K Fuglesang to liaise with B&NES re dog poo bags being left on the track.
- Environmental Group
No news/updates.
- Parish sweeping – [TO RESOLVE] to consider and approve any areas to be swept
No areas identified but any issues can be reported to the Clerk at any time.
- Highway/footpath Issues
The Council reviewed and updated the Highways Sheet.
- Transport/buses
P Ghillyer to investigate a questionnaire to gauge the need for a shuttle bus to local villages and to Bath.
- Neighbourhood Plan
S Gould reported that a referendum for the 1 May has been confirmed.
- Streetlighting
The Council noted new B&NES lampposts in Gores Park.
- Rosewell Home
See 2503.14.
- Church Farm
No news/updates.
- Councillor vacancies
The Council noted 2 vacancies which can be filled by co-option. Any interested residents to contact the Clerk or any Councillor to register their interests.
- Hallatrow polling station – [TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide action to be taken re a polling station in Hallatrow
Deferred – S Gould to liaise with B&NES on suitable locations.
- Village planters funded by Ward Councillor fund
S Gould to order materials from Charltons.
- Councillor lanyards
A Godwin to make up badges with the Council logo and Councillor name to bring to a future meeting.
- CIL Funds – {TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide 2025 CIL projects/expenditure
Deferred. Potential projects noted – refurbishment/new noticeboards, outdoor gym equipment at the Recreation Ground and a Community Youth Bus.
- Investment of reserve funds
S Gould reported that he has liaised with the bank on options and the Parish Council may have to consider investments outside of their current bank.
2503.16 Correspondence
2503.17 Items for next meeting
Review Risk Register
2503.18 To note future meetings
Date of next meeting – 8 April 2025
The Chair closed the meeting at 9.00pm.
| Kate Fuglesang Chair | Kirsty Headlong Clerk |