Minutes of the Meeting of High Littleton Parish Council held on Tuesday 12 August 2025 7 pm.
Councillors present
K Fuglesang, P Ghillyer, A Godwin, C Lindley, R Lane, M Whiting and S Gould. Ward Cllr 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.
None.
Agenda
2508.1 Apologies – to note apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from D Hunter.
Agenda
2508.2 [TO RESOLVE] To confirm and approve minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 8 July 2025
Resolved – the Council agreed that the 8 July 2025 minutes were a true and correct record of the meeting.
2508.3 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
2508.4 Planning applications to consider and decide comment for submission to B&NES
a) Applications to consult
None.
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
23/04686/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
25/02015/FUL Leafy Way Mearns High Littleton BS39 6JR
Erection of a replacement dwelling following demolition of existing and associated works.
Pending consideration
25/02196/OUT Parcel 5378 Hallatrow Road Paulton
Outline permission for the erection of a care home (Use Class C2), access, car parking, servicing and other associated works, with consideration of layout, scale, and access.
Pending consideration
24/04072/FUL Detached Part Of Rolmar High Street, High Littleton
Erection of 1no. 3bed residential dwellinghouse
Pending consideration
2508.5 For information – Proposed Residential Development on land at Farrington Road, Paulton
The Council noted the advice that a public consultation will begin soon on this proposed development.
2508.6 Feedback from Parish Liaison meeting 16 July 2025 feedback (Local Plan and Rural Communities)
K Fuglesang reported that the meeting covered rural transport and local issues, and the Local Plan. The Draft local plan is expected to be available in summer 2026. Councillors to attend future meetings on a rota basis.
2508.7 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide a facebook meet your Councillor post with Councillor photos
Defeated.
2508.8 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide response to B&NES Draft Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) Update Consultation – deadline 25 Aug
Resolved to support in principle.
2508.9 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide any action to take re the derelict Royal British Legion hut
Deferred. C Lindley to lead on this issue.
2508.10 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide offer of trees from Avon Forrest Group
Defeated – the Council own no land.
2508.11 Feedback from meeting on 18 July with B&NES Highways engineer on issues in the parish
K Fuglesang updated Councillors on advice given on the Highway issue – see below 2508.12, 2508.13 and 2508.22 l).
2508.12 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide request for parking restrictions at junction of Scobell Rise
Resolved to support (by vote 5 for, 2 against) a ‘giveway’ sign at this junction.
2508.13 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide any action re resident email of traffic issues on New Road/Farmborough end of High Littleton
Resolved to support additional 20mph repeater signs and roundels. Councillors to visit site to assess the best site to relocate the VAS on this road.
2508.14 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide the purchase of village name signs for entry into the parish at Scumbrum Lane, Timsbury Road and Harts Lane
Resolved to request from B&NES Highways/Fixmystreet. Clerk to liaise.
2508.15 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and approve Quarter 1 (Apr – June) accounts and bank reconciliation
Resolved to approve. The Council agreed that K Fuglesang sign the accounts.
2508.16 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide Christmas tree suppliers and dressers for 2025
Resolved to approve the same specifications tree and the same contractors as 2024.
2508.17 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide the purchase of additional email quota
Deferred. Clerk to obtain further information on options.
2508.18 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and approve NALC recommended 2025.26 Clerk pay award
Resolved to approve.
2508.19 i)To review Internal and external auditor 2025 ii) {TO RESOLVE] to review and approve internal auditor for 2026 iii) review of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for the year ended 31 March 2025
i)The Clerk reported that both audits went very smoothly this year. Ii) Resolved to approve that the same internal auditor be used for 2025.26 ii) the Council noted the conclusion of audit with no issues raised.
2508.20 [TO RESOLVE] To approve the following finances
a) Payments – Resolved to approve the following items for payment in August.
b) To note receipts
B&NES Ward Empowerment Funding 2024.25 £650.
HMRC 2024.25 VAT reimbursement £2004.78
2508.21 To receive any updates on district matters from Ward Cllr Ann Morgan
Ward Cllr Morgan reported that B&NES have sent an enforcement order re the building on the garden on the Drung, and that she would like the next Ward Empowerment Grant to be used specifically for Hallatrow – S Gould to liaise with residents on its use.
2508.22 To receive reports and updates on current items
- Allotments
No news/updates.
- Recreation Ground
The Council noted the Village Day takes place on 23 August.
- Police and Neighbourhood Watch
No news/updates.
- Defibrillator/Bleed Kits
The Council noted both defibrillators have been checked and are in service. M Whiting to liaise with The Recreation Ground Committee re a bleed kit for the play area.
- School Governors
No news/updates.
- Grass and Cemetery
No news/updates.
- Charity of Mary Jones
No news/updates.
- Parish Magazine
No news/updates.
- Greyfield Wood
C Lindley reported that diseased Larch will be taken down in September.
- Environmental Group
R Lane reported a Bat Walk took place on 8 August and another is planned for 12 September, there will be a Share & Repair stand at the Village Day. An Avon Plants Trees event on 21 October and a Quiz on the 21 November in the Church Hall, and a Fungi Forage walk in September.
- Parish sweeping – [TO RESOLVE] to consider and approve any areas to be swept
No areas identified.
- Highway/footpath Issues – i) [TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide any action to take re vehicles parking on the A39 at the bend in the road near Laurels garage ii) Hallatrow Hill Sat Nav speed limit error ii) VAS report from Paulton Road, Hallatrow
i) Defeated – no action identified to be taken. ii)M Whiting to liaise to rectify iii)the Council noted the report.
- Transport/buses
P Ghillyer to liaise with B&NES on the Cam Valley Bus service/rural buses.
- Neighbourhood Plan – to be removed from the agenda.
- Streetlighting
P Ghillyer reported he is waiting for quotes to decommission lights not working and to replace the light in the lamp by the Laurels.
- Rosewell Home
No news/updates.
- Church Farm
No news/updates.
- Councillor vacancies
The Council noted one vacancy. M Whiting to advertise via the facebook page.
- Hallatrow polling station – [TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide action to be taken re a polling station in Hallatrow
No news/updates.
- i) Village planters funded by 2023.24 Ward Empowerment Fund ii)2025.26 Ward Empowerment Funding
i)The Council noted two planters in place and an additional two purchased to be planted up. Ii)See 2508.21.
- CIL Funds – [TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide 2025 CIL projects/expenditure
Potential – new VAS for Paulton Road and C Lindley/M Whiting to investigate new noticeboards.
- Investment of reserve funds
The Council noted the report circulated by D Hunter.
- For information – remote attendance and proxy voting in local authorities: consultation results and government response
The Council noted that remote attendance and proxy voting will be ALLOWED (not required) and consider that currently there is no need but this will be reviewed regularly and standing orders will be updated appropriately when reviewed.
- For information – Preparing for Assertion 10
The Clerk identified that an official address for the Clerk will be needed which will mean that with the current system the Council will need to purchase additional email quota. The Council already has a Data Protection Officer and training in place with online training planned for October 2025.
2508.23 Correspondence
2508.24 Items for next meeting
2508.25 To note future meetings
Somer Valley Forum Meeting – Wednesday 17 September 6pm.
Parish Liaison – Wednesday 15 October 2025 6.30pm Keynsham Community Space.
The Chair closed the meeting at 9.00pm.
Date of next meeting – 9 September 2025
| Kate Fuglesang Chair | Kirsty Headlong Clerk |