Quantock Messenger – February edition
Click the picture or click the link here
Stowey Centre Project – Community Survey Results
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Alternatively you can read and save the full report here.
Works at Gulliford Garage
Please take care when approaching the footpath that connects St Mary Street with Oak Road at Gullifords Garage. While there is no authorised closure of the path as yet, there are machinery movements. We are advised that the developer has been instructed by Highways to obtain the correct permission before proceeding.
RETIREMENT OF CLLR PAT PARDOE
We are sad to announce the retirement of Cllr Pat Pardoe after 15 years of service.
Pat worked hard in her role as Councillor and never left any of us in doubt of her commitment to the village and the people who live here. She has a wealth of local knowledge which time and time again we were grateful for.
We will all miss her and wish her a happy retirement.
Pat’s resignation means that a vacancy has now arisen. Please see the formal notice below for further information. If no election is requested by 1 February the Returning Officer will give authority for the Parish Council to co-opt a new member.
If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, please contact the Parish Office or email to: clerk@netherstowey-pc.gov.uk or call 01278 733779 for further information.
Please beware of fake texts offering Covid-19 vaccine
Trading Standards is warning the public to be on their guard following reports that fraudsters are sending out fake texts offering a Covid-19 vaccine in an attempt to steal bank details.
The text offers a link to what police call an “extremely convincing” fake NHS website.
Once on the website people are asked to input their bank details to register for a vaccine.
The scam message reads ‘we have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine’ and then prompts you to click on a link for further information or to ‘apply’ for the vaccine.
If you receive a text or email that asks you to click on a link or for you to provide information, such as your name, credit card or bank details, delete it immediately.
Remember, the NHS will never ask for your payment details.
If you think you have been scammed, you can get advice and find out how to report it at Citizens Advice – What to do if you’ve been scammed.
For official advice from the NHS, the following website is publicly accessible and is being updated all the time. It is a really good source and provides links to a lot of information about priority groups, locations, phases etc.
One of the main messages is that the NHS will contact you when it is your turn.
Parish Council meeting Monday 11 January
The meeting will be held virtually using the Zoom platform and will start at 7pm. All are welcome. Link to meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6840675217?pwd=U3BrNGw5UE5KOG9hOTJlNStjQ0VvZz09
Meeting ID: 684 067 5217
Passcode: 3nSbgu
The agenda is available here: January agenda
Draft minutes:
previous Parish Council meeting are here: PC meeting 14 December 2020
There are no new Planning applications.
The Rural Transport Strategy consultation is open to the public and details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of-transport-rural-strategy-call-for-evidence
Parish Council meetings are open for the public to attend but are not public meetings. In order to facilitate contributions by members of the public there is a public session prior to the main part of the formal meeting.
During the public session, members of the public are welcome to address the Council on any matter relating to the agenda or on any other matter that they would like the Parish Council to consider at a future date. It is helpful if you inform the Chairman or the Clerk beforehand of any matter you wish to raise, so that the Clerk can have to hand any necessary information.
At the end of the public participation session, the Chairman will resume the formal meeting under standing orders. Members of the public are asked to respect the fact that this is a meeting of the Council to conduct Council business. They are not permitted to enter into the debate of agenda items unless invited by the Chairman. In this case, he will temporarily adjourn the meeting to allow that person (only) to speak.
The conduct of Parish Council meetings are governed by the Parish Council’s Standing Orders (adopted 14 October 2019) as updated by the Virtual Meetings Protocol (adopted 11 May 2020). These are available from the Clerk (by e-mail on request) or on the Council’s website by clicking the document name above.
Coronavirus update 30 December
The Government has now announced new restrictions starting on 31 December. Sedgemoor District is in Tier 4 as are neighbouring districts of Somerset West and Taunton and Mendip. For more information:
- A summary of the restrictions is here
- Full details of the restrictions in this area are here
- for other areas are available from the Government website.
The Parish Office is closed to the public, but we continue to work and you can contact us by e-mail to clerk@netherstowey-pc.gov.uk or phone: 01278 733779. Calls are diverted to the Clerk, but it takes a little longer to ring. If it is not answered we will call you back, but please leave message.
Roadworks – A39 Cricketer Farm from 14 December
County Highways will be carrying out drainage survey works on the A39 outside Cricketer Farm from 14 December. Work is expected to be completed by 18 December. There will be temporary traffic lights – so approach the village with caution.
Parish Council meeting Monday 14 December
The meeting will be held virtually using the Zoom platform and will start at 7pm. All are welcome. Link to meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6840675217?pwd=U3BrNGw5UE5KOG9hOTJlNStjQ0VvZz09
Meeting ID: 684 067 5217
Passcode: 3nSbgu
The agenda is available here: December agenda
Draft minutes:
previous Parish Council meeting are here: PC meeting 9 November 2020
There are no new Planning applications.
Parish Council meetings are open for the public to attend but are not public meetings. In order to facilitate contributions by members of the public there is a public session prior to the main part of the formal meeting.
During the public session, members of the public are welcome to address the Council on any matter relating to the agenda or on any other matter that they would like the Parish Council to consider at a future date. It is helpful if you inform the Chairman or the Clerk beforehand of any matter you wish to raise, so that the Clerk can have to hand any necessary information.
At the end of the public participation session, the Chairman will resume the formal meeting under standing orders. Members of the public are asked to respect the fact that this is a meeting of the Council to conduct Council business. They are not permitted to enter into the debate of agenda items unless invited by the Chairman. In this case, he will temporarily adjourn the meeting to allow that person (only) to speak.
The conduct of Parish Council meetings are governed by the Parish Council’s Standing Orders (adopted 14 October 2019) as updated by the Virtual Meetings Protocol (adopted 11 May 2020). These are available from the Clerk (by e-mail on request) or on the Council’s website.
Somerset preparing for mass Covid-19 vaccinations
Plans are fully underway in Somerset to prepare for a mass Covid-19 vaccination roll out now the Government has authorised the Pfizer vaccination for use across the UK, starting from next week.
Somerset County Council is working closely with health colleagues to support the vaccination programme. This includes having hundreds of Council staff on standby ready to be redeployed to assist the programme and identifying vaccination locations.
The Council is working with the NHS on a plan to make the vaccine available to the people of Somerset in a planned way and in line with national guidance – so watch this space for more information shortly.
The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations will shortly publish its final advice for the priority groups to receive the vaccine, including care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable.
Trudi Grant, Public Health Director at Somerset County Council said: “We welcome the news the 95% effective Pfizer vaccination has been approved. Following months of rigorous clinical trials, medical experts have concluded the vaccination meets its strict standards of ‘safety, quality and effectiveness’. This is a real turning point in the fight against the disease and will help save thousands of lives. We expect the first supplies of vaccination here in Somerset imminently and will keep you informed when we have more information to share.”
For more information about the announcement, check out https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-authorises-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine
A single phone number is available for anyone in Somerset who needs Coronavirus-related support from their councils. The Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline number, 0300 790 6275, is open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm, offering a range of support – from help accessing food or medicines, to emotional and financial support, and employment, skills and business advice.