December | 2025 | North Cheriton Village Blog

NORTH VALE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting
held at Holton Village Hall on Monday 17th November 2025

A meeting of the North Vale Parish Council was held at 7:00 pm on Monday 17th November 2025 at Holton Village Hall.
Present: David Young (Chair) (DY), David Badham-Thornhill (DBT), Graham Boaler (GB), Jenny Chambers (JC), Janet Down (JD), and Philip Bourne (PB). Barry Druce (Clerk) Hayward Burt (HB)(Unitary Councillor) 1 member of the public
Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Douglas Hodges, Julian Sincock, and Unitary Councillor Nicola Clarke..
Electors Question Time /Comments: No matters were raised for discussion at this point.
Unitary Councillors’ Report: The Unitary Councillors’ written reports which had been circulated previously were taken as read and noted. HB referred to the 3 month shut-down that the Planning Office has operated so that they could deal with the backlog of cases. It was estimated that they would clear 300 cases in that time and if not were considering crunching down to 1 email address. HB also referred to the ongoing unresolved issue being discussed with Dorset Council over the use of Dorset Waste Centres by Somerset residents and reported that nothing had been finalised yet, and was pleased to report the reopening of the local railway line.
25.083 Declaration of Interest/Dispensations: None were declared.
25.084 Minutes of Last Meeting: The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on the 20th October 2025 were taken
as read and as PROPOSED by PB, SECONDED by JC, were unanimously approved. There were no matters arising.
25.085 Planning Applications: No planning applications had been received since the previous meeting:-
25.086 Planning Decisions – The following planning decisions had been received since the previous meeting:-.
25/02101/DPO – Application to remove/discharge the S106 Agreement between South Somerset District Council and Claude Laurence Greville Wadman and Jean Wadman dated 8.6.07 relating to planning approved permission 05/01729/FUL – Elliscombe Farm Maperton –
PLANNING OBLIGATION SPECIFIED ABOVE CAN BE DISCHARGED
25.087 Planning Other – GB reported that PA 25/00734/FUL in respect of Maperton Dairy Unit Maperton, was now being referred to the Planning Committee for consideration instead of simply being dealt with by the Officers.
25.088 Correspondence: All correspondence of interest received by email had previously been distributed and were taken as read, and items of potential interest were referenced.
Mr Wilson in attandance, was invited to present his case in respect of the use of a lay-by in Holton. He explained that cars are always parking in this narrow lay-by and this is making it difficult and dangerous for him to enter and leave his driveway. He stated that his neighbour has previously claimed ownership of the lay-by and is insisting on priority usage. Mr Wilson reported that he has spoken with a Somerset Council Highways Department Officer concerning the possibility of installing restrictive ‘Private Parking’ signs and had received a flat refusal as this was to be retained for public use. Mr Wilson stated that his visitors are never able to use the lay-by as it is always
occupied by other cars, and have to park elsewhere. PB stated that he had inspected the area and had found cars parked in the lay-by and they had narrowed the lane to a less than designated highways width limit. After general discussion is was decided that the Clerk should write to the Somerset Council Traffic Management Officer and seek advice on whether or not there is a remedy for this problem.
25.089 Financial Matters
(a) Review balances as at 31st October 2025 – The schedule was reviewed. The balance as at 31st October 2025 stands at £17,635.57.
(b) Authorise Payments – The following items were authorised for payment:-
(i) Barry Druce – Clerk’s salary and expenses for October 2025 – £331.51
(ii) HMRC – Payment of PAYE deduction – £77.20
(iii) Lloyds Bank Charges – £4.25
(iv) Wayne Pamphillion – Inv 12 – £90.00
(c) Report Monies Received – The following payments had been received:-
(i) 9th October 2025 – Bank Interest – £8.88
25.090 Speed Indicator Device latest update – PB stated that Crestmoor Construction were ready to carry out the work and are just waiting for information on where the posts are going to be installed. The Clerk referred to the offer which had been received from Elan City and circulated to all members, and suggested that the deal for two devices for £4.5k was very good. PB agreed with this and the Clerk reported that DH had indicated his approval by email. General discussion followed and it was PROPOSED by PB, SECONDED by JD, and unanimously agreed
that two devices should be purchased from Elan City at the stated price, and to be sited once the positions for the posts are confirmed and installed. PB undertook to speak to the Village Hall Treasurer with the view to having the designated money transferred to the Parish Council so that it will be available for purchasing devices. The Clerk was instructed to submit the order.
25.091 Matters of report and items for next meeting. – (a) JC reported that the road markings on the slip road off the A303 near the junction with the Maperton/Holton road, needed to be repainted and the Clerk undertook to notify the Highways Department.
(b) The date of the next meeting is the 15th December 2025.
The Meeting closed at 8:05 pm