Wedmore Parish Council Business
Hello friends,
Wedmore Parish Clerk Update
Wedmore Parish Clerk Update
Hello friends, it’s been another busy few weeks at the Parish Council. Autumn is flying by in a blur of meetings, paperwork, and planning for the year ahead. Between managing the day-to-day, chasing updates from
Somerset Council, and keeping our committees moving, there’s plenty going on behind the scenes.
We’ve now got our new Locum Responsible Financial Officer in post, which is already helping as we head into budget season. The Finance Committee has been through the annual risk review, and I’m working with councillors to start shaping next year’s figures, looking carefully at what we can realistically afford to maintain, improve, or deliver in partnership with others.
The Planning Committee has been particularly active, wading through a mixture of new and amended applications. Some straightforward, others less so. The Council recently objected to proposed changes at Paradise Barton in Blackford, mainly over affordable housing and community impact. Consultants have also been brought in to
helping us respond properly to the proposed Lascot Hill development.
Over in Amenities, repairs to play areas are now underway, signage is being replaced, and work is starting on a more formal maintenance schedule. It’s not glamorous, but these are the small, steady jobs that make the difference when you walk around the parish. Allotments are nearly all let, and councillors are looking at
whether we can introduce smaller ‘starter plots’ next year.
The Events and Community Engagement Committee has been reflecting on a very full summer, while turning its attention to Lamplight. We’re also drafting letters to local groups to encourage more people to volunteer, even in small ways. Wedmore works best when people pitch in.
The Community Resilience Committee has been focusing on winter preparation. The Somerset Prepared grant is now funding a practical kit, and pre-winter checks are happening along local drains and brooks, with any concerns fed back to the Somerset Council. I’m also drafting a Volunteer Risk Management Policy to make sure our procedures are watertight.
Our Environmental and Biodiversity Committee, with support from Green Wedmore, has begun baseline surveys across parish land, which is the first step in the new Biodiversity Action Plan. A new rowan tree will soon be planted by the cemetery pond, and we’re working with local schools and youth groups on small community growing projects for next spring.
Useful Contacts:
I’m asked all the time where to report things — potholes, blocked drains, overgrown verges, or sudden road closures — so here it is in one place!
• Road closures and diversions, visit www.one.network
• Blocked drains, potholes, or verges, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/report-it
• Flooding concerns: Environment Agency, call 0800 80 70 60
If you’re not sure where to start, contact the Parish Office and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction. It’s a lot to juggle, but progress is happening, bit by bit, project by project, we’re keeping Wedmore moving in the right direction. See you soon!
Lindsey Baker, Clerk, Wedmore Parish Council
Please do not use the “Leave a Reply” but use only the email contact information provided below.
Parish Clerk, Wedmore Parish Council,
Grant’s Lane, Wedmore, Somerset BS28 4EA
Telephone 713087,
email clerk@wedmore-pc.gov.uk
Wedmore Parish Council NEW Website (for the latest detailed minutes)