Wedmore Parish Council Business
Wedmore Parish Clerk update
Hello friends, from my perspective as your Clerk, February is often a quieter month on the surface. Still, it is one of the most important points of the year for setting direction and ensuring decisions already taken are being followed through properly. This is when much of the real work happens: checking that plans are translating into action and that the foundations the Council relies on remain sound.
Since last month’s report, two formal meetings have taken place: The Planning Committee, which met on 16 December, considered a wide range of planning applications and related matters across the parish. Objections were submitted where proposals were judged to pose highway and pedestrian safety risks; cause harm to the Conservation Area or countryside character; or fail to protect trees and biodiversity adequately. The Committee also confirmed the street name Orchard Rise for the Combe Batch development and reviewed ongoing planning enforcement issues at several locations.
The Full Council met on 17 December and focused on finance, governance and committee oversight. Councillors formally set the precept for 2026/27; approved the Council’s Investment Strategy for 2025/26; confirmed internal audit arrangements; and received reports from all committees. Updates were noted on the highway’s drainage
concerns, community events, biodiversity activity, emergency planning, and the management of community assets.
The Highways Committee also met in early January to consider a range of ongoing highways, drainage and road safety issues raised by residents. These include flooding and drainage concerns at known locations, requests
for traffic management and signage improvements, and correspondence relating to road condition and maintenance. As the minutes of that meeting will not yet have been formally approved, a full report will be included in the next edition once decisions and actions have been confirmed.
Following agreement of the budget and precept, councillors have begun the detailed work of implementing priorities for the year ahead. This includes confirming committee work programmes, reviewing contracts and service arrangements, and ensuring that spending plans remain aligned with Council objectives.
Good governance does not stop at the meeting table; it relies on steady, careful work throughout the year. Work has started behind the scenes on the review of the Neighbourhood Plan. At this stage, the focus is on evidence gathering and understanding how planning policy has changed since the Plan was adopted. This groundwork is essential so that, when residents are invited to engage later in the process, that engagement is meaningful
and genuinely influences outcomes.
Flooding and drainage issues continue to be raised by residents, and rightly so. Further follow-ups have taken place to keep pressure on the Somerset Council and the Internal Drainage Board regarding known problem areas. Progress can be slow, but these matters remain firmly on the Council’s agenda until there is visible improvement.
Alongside this work, the revised Emergency Plan to improve community resilience is nearing completion, with a strong emphasis on clarity and real-world usability. Development continues on the household emergency information cards and an accompanying online resource hub. The aim is to ensure residents can access clear,
reliable information quickly if it is ever needed
The Environmental and Biodiversity Committee continues to focus on practical, achievable actions across the parish’s green spaces. These are incremental improvements rather than large-scale projects, but over time they make a real difference to habitats, landscape quality and how these spaces are used and enjoyed.
Wedmore’s character and resilience depend not only on the work of the Parish Council, but also on the everyday actions of residents. As homeowners and parishioners, small steps such as maintaining boundary hedges, keeping ditches and drains clear where they fall within private responsibility, and reporting issues promptly all contribute to the wider health and safety of the village.
This shared sense of responsibility is what helps Wedmore function as a strong and connected community. February has also involved routine but essential governance work, including policy reviews, compliance checks and preparation for audit later in the year.
As Clerk, one of my priorities is to ensure this work is not only done properly, but also is transparent and understandable, rather than hidden away in minutes and reports. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to raise issues, ask questions or share views with councillors and officers. Those conversations continue to shape the Council’s priorities. With spring approaching, there will be more visible activity to
report on it very soon.
Lindsey Baker, Clerk,
Please do not use the “Leave a Reply” option; 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)