Archive for category: News

The Local Audit & Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts & Audit Regulations 2015 set out the responsibilities of all local councils in respect of their accounting and auditing procedures.

Each year, the Council’s financial accounts and statements are examined by an independent ‘internal’ auditor appointed by the Council.

The Council is also required to complete an ‘Annual Return’ which includes the findings of the Internal Auditor, together with Governance Statements and Financial Statements. This Annual Return is then submitted for review to an ‘external’ auditor -currently PKF Littlejohn LLP (who is appointed by the Smaller Authority Audit Appointments Limited on behalf of the Government).

As part of this process, the Council must publish the unaudited Annual Return and must make arrangements for a period in which interested persons can inspect the Council’s accounts and related documents. This is usually for a period of 30 working days including the first ten days of July.

Owing to the current situation, the inspection requirement has been amended by the Accounts and Audit (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. The Parish Council has agreed to start the period on Tuesday 1 September in the hope that by then most people will be able to exercise their right should they wish to.

If you are a registered local government elector (i.e. you appear on the electoral register for the area covered by the Council) you can also ask questions about the accounts and object to them.  

The Parish Council’s Annual Return was approved by the Parish Council at the meeting on 8 June. The period for the exercise of electors’ rights begins on Tuesday 1 September and ends on Monday 12 October during office hours and by prior appointment (depending on the situation). Further information is available here:

Annual Governance Statement and Accounting Statement
Annual Accounts detailed report
Declaration of Status notice
Notice of public rights and audit
Accounts and Audit (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
Local Authority Accounts: a Summary of your Rights
Smaller Authority Audit Appointments Ltd

The meeting will be held virtually using the Zoom platform and will start at 7pm. All are welcome. Please contact the Clerk at clerk@netherstowey-pc.gov.uk for the password to the meeting.
Link to meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82445438227

Please note: Zoom has been updated – check you have the latest version! Help from Zoom is available here.

The agenda is available here: June agenda

Draft minutes:
previous Parish Council meeting are here: PC meeting 11 May 2020

Documents:
Annual Governance and Accounting Return

The meeting will be held in accordance with the current adopted Standing Orders as modified by the Virtual Meeting Protocol

News from the Quantock Medical Centre
We would like to thank all the volunteers who have come forward to help deliver medications to those patients who are self- isolating and shielding due to the coronavirus, this has been enormously helpful and greatly appreciated.

We would like to also thank patients for their support whilst we have had to change the way we run the Medical Centre. We are trying to reduce rates of cross infection for patients and staff and have had to change the way we do things for the foreseeable future.

We are, and always have been open for business, however we are unable to let patients just walk into the practice now.

Appointments
We ask that patients call in 01278 732696 for a telephone triage appointment with an appropriate clinician first, they will then be able to help on the phone or may ask you to come into the practice to be seen.

You can also go to our website (Google search: Quantock Medical Centre or www.quantockmedicalcentre.gpsurgery.net where we have an eConsult facility which you can use to contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

When you call in we will ask you a few questions. Please be honest with our team about your symptoms; we will not refuse to see you. Your health is our main concern, but it is helpful to know what we are dealing with.

If you have an appointment with the Nurse or Doctor please do not come to the surgery before your appointment time. You will not get seen any quicker and we would like to reduce the amount of people in the waiting area for your own safety, maintaining social distancing.

If you have a medical condition you might wish to purchase your own Blood Pressure monitor (approx. £25), thermometer (approx. under £5) and or pulse-oximeter (approx. £20) for your own use to have with your first aid box. Your doctor or nurse may ask you for these readings and it would save you regular trips to the Medical Centre if you could do these at home and have the results available for your telephone appointment.

Medication
Prescriptions can be ordered by phone 01278 733385 Monday to Friday 10 am-12 noon or 4-5pm
Or By email : quantock.mc@nhs.net

You can collect your medication: Monday to Friday between 10 am-12 noon and 4-6pm

We currently have someone to help hand over your medication at the door but will try to change the door system to allow ‘one in and one out ‘ during these hours only, reminding people to maintain social distancing with respect and kindness to one another at all times.

Testing for COVID-19
If you feel that you do have COVID – 19 symptoms (a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) you can refer yourself for a test via England: NHS 111 online coronavirus service   https://111.nhsuk/covid-19

This is called an antigen test. There is another type of test (antibody test) that checks if you’ve already had the virus. This test is not available yet.

To keep up to date with what is happening and the latest news on COVID-19 please use the government website and there is a link to useful information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

Government food parcel no longer needed?
How to stop the weekly government food parcels:

If you received an NHS letter and if you have registered as shielding, you may have received a weekly food parcel. This will contain enough food for one adult for one week.

If you want to cancel this, do one of the following:
  – refuse the parcel when it is delivered, this will then cancel it and remove you from the government distribution list
  – go to GOV.UK where you registered as shielded, go to the question ‘Do you have a way of getting essential supplies delivered at the moment?’. You previously answered no to this question, please now reply as yes. You will then be removed from the government distribution list
   –  call 0800 028 8327 and make sure you have your NHS number (this will be on the top of your NHS letter). This is an automated phone line and you will need to follow the instructions. You will be asked the question ‘Do you have a way of getting essential supplies delivered at the moment?’. You previously answered no to this question, please now reply as yes. You will then be removed from the government distribution list

How to donate unwanted food parcels
Bridgwater Foodbank: Mount Street Day Centre. Mount Street  Bridgwater TA6 3ER
Phone:01278 434636 or 07804 119273
Website: http://bridgwater.foodbank.org.uk/
Email: info@bridgwater.foodbank.org.uk
Take care and do contact us if you need medical care, we are open to help you.

Helen Stacey Practice Manager Quantock Medical Centre
19.5.2020

Nether Stowey Neighbourhood Plan – Regulation 16 Publication

From Sedgemoor District Council
The Nether Stowey Neighbourhood Plan was formally submitted to Sedgemoor District Council in January 2020.

Sedgemoor District Council is satisfied that this submission meets with the requirements of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) and in accordance with those regulations, as the Local Planning Authority, are publicising the plan for representations for a period of six weeks from 20 April 2020 to 2 June 2020.

The submitted plan and associated documents are available for inspection on our website during the consultation period at:

https://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/article/1295/Nether-Stowey-Neighbourhood-Plan-Regulation-16-Publication

The submitted Nether Stowey Neighbourhood Plan contains proposed planning policies relevant to the designated neighbourhood area. The Neighbourhood Plan if adopted, will form part of the Development Plan for the area, and will guide future development.

How to comment
Representations are invited on the submitted Neighbourhood Plan by 5.00pm, 2 June 2020:
• By email to ldf@sedgemoor.gov.uk

• By post to Andrew Reading, Planning Policy Team, Inward Investment and Growth, Sedgemoor District Council, King Square, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AR

Representations made during this publication consultation stage will be forwarded in due course to the person appointed to carry out the examination of the plan. Representations may include a request to be notified of the Local Planning Authority’s decision under Regulation 19 in relation to the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

If you have any queries please contact the Planning Policy team on the number below.

Planning Policy Team
Inward Investment and Growth
Sedgemoor District Council
Tel: 01278 435544