A new season of talks and outings for 2023

• If you love gardens or gardening
• Enjoy hearing about or visiting beautiful gardens
• Want to pick up lots of tips or add to your garden knowledge
• Enjoy a social gathering of enthusiasts
• Like listening to experts on a wide variety of gardening subjects…..

then come and join our monthly club!
We meet at the Church Centre, St. Mary’s Street, Nether Stowey. TA5 ILJ every 3rd Thursday of the month at 7.00 for 7.30pm.
Come as a visitor to try us out. £5 for a talk including tea/coffee & cakes and there is a raffle and garden table too. Annual membership is £20. Car sharing available for visits.
Contact Lucy Haswell, Secretary. Phone: 01278 671289 or email: shbassoon@aol.com  website: https://sites.google.com/site/stoweygardeners

Diary 2023

Thurs 19th Jan	AGM at 7pm followed at
	7.30pm  by a talk by Nick Wray, Curator of University of Bristol Botanic Gardens – Gardens and Landscapes of Sicily
Thurs 16th Feb	Gardeners Question Time
Thurs 16th Mar	a talk by Michael Smith – Hanging Baskets and Containers
Thurs 20th April	a talk by Josh Hartnell – Orchids
Fri 21st April	2.30pm  car visit to Barford Park, Spaxton
Sat 29th April	10am-1pm Plant Sale at Thomas Poole Library, Nether Stowey
Thurs 18th May	a talk by Dr Gavin Haig – Creating a Wildlife Garden
Tues 23rd May	car visit to Hillcrest, Curload, Stoke St Gregory
Thurs  15th June	a talk by Margaret Adams – Living with the Boss (Tales of a Farmer’s Wife)
Thurs 22nd Jun	car visit to Vexford Court, Higher Vexford, Lydeard St Lawrence
Tues 11th July	car visit to Avalon, Higher Chillington, Ilminster
Thurs 20th July	a talk by Claire Hart – Poultry Keeping for Beginners- you can have hens and a nice garden
Thurs 17th Aug	Members Summer Garden Party – date (tbc)
Thurs 7th Sept	car visit to Hartwood House, Crowcombe Heathfield
Thurs 21st Sept	a talk by David Wright – A Year Round Garden – Lifting the Latch
Tues 26th Sept	car visit to Postbox Cottage, West Bagborough
Thurs 19th Oct	a talk by David Usher – Care and Management of Trees and Shrubs
Thurs 16th Nov	a talk by Micky Little (Avon Bulbs) – Roses
Wed 13th Dec	Members Christmas Party

The meeting will be held at the Church Centre and will start at 7pm. Everyone is welcome. There is a public session at the beginning of the meeting when 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.

The agenda is available here

Draft minutes: Minutes from the most recent meeting(s) are posted here : Draft Minutes from the meeting on 13 February are here.
Minutes for previous Parish Council meeting are here: Previous minutes

Planning applications: Links to planning applications on the agenda are below (opens the  application in the Sedgemoor Planning website):

• 36/22/00028 – Land North of A39 and East of, Stogursey Lane, Nether Stowey – Outline Application with all matters reserved for, the erection of up to 83no. dwellings including affordable homes (40% minimum) and retail facility.
• 36/22/00026 – Budley  Farm, , Cannington Road, Nether Stowey
  Erection of replacement and rebuilding of fire damaged livestock buildings, with the erection of an additional storage building and covered silage pits. Also, the change of use of existing B2/B8 building to Class E(d) indoor gymnasium.

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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 at the beginning 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. This is so that the Clerk can have to hand any necessary information. Further details are available on page 2 of the agenda. The Council is not required to give a response to a matter raised during the public session but may do so. Alternatively, the Chairman may direct the Clerk to follow the matter up or give a written response at a later date. Please note that no decisions can be made and no expenditure approved on any item raised during the public session unless the matter has been legally notified on the agenda in advance.

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 to do so 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 Code of Conduct (adopted 16 May 2022) and the Parish Council’s Standing Orders (reviewed and re-adopted on 16 May 2022). These are available from the Clerk (collect from the office or by e-mail on request) or on the Council’s website by clicking the document name above.

The Parish Council are delighted to announce that the funding is now in place to deliver the 16 affordable houses originally promised at the Cricketer development. We are very grateful to Duncan Harvey and his team at Housing Development at Sedgemoor District Council who secured grants from Homes England and Hinkley Point C in order to buy the houses and ensure the village gets the affordable housing it needs.  We also recognise Strongvox Home’s contribution in keeping the houses available at a price that made it viable for Sedgemoor to buy them.

Local people with a housing need, and who have the strongest connection with Nether Stowey, will be given the highest priority for the new homes.

Sedgemoor District Council will own these properties and they will be available on a rental basis through Homefinder Somerset. Register with Homefinder Somerset as soon as possible. Find out more at Affordable Homes Coming to Nether Stowey – What To Do Next below. The 16 houses are made up as follows:

• 6 x 2-bedroom Flats,
• 6 x 2-bedroom houses,
• 3 x 3-bedroom houses and
• 1 x 3-bedroom house suitable (wide)

it is expected that the first four affordable homes will be ready for occupation in July this year, with six more coming in October, and the remaining six in October 2024. Information on which homes will be available at each stage is to be confirmed soon.

More information will be available on the notice boards, this website and on social media. Keep checking for updates!

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What To Do Next

by Duncan Harvey, Service Manager (Housing Development, Sedgemoor DC)

As you may know, the 16 affordable homes promised on the Cricketer development are now going ahead, purchased by Sedgemoor District Council.

Construction of the attractive new homes on the site continues to progress well. Whilst still subject to change, it is expected that the first four affordable homes will be ready for occupation in July this year, with six more coming in October, and the remaining six in October 2024. This would mean that anyone wanting one of the first homes would need to be ready to bid in May this year.

On offer –

• 6 x 2-bedroom Flats,
• 6 x 2-bedroom houses,
• 3 x 3-bedroom houses and
• 1 x 3-bedroom house (wide).

Sedgemoor District Council will own these properties and will be available to rent.

Local people with a housing need, and who have the strongest connection with Nether Stowey, will be given the highest priority for the new homes.

The next steps, if you are after one of these affordable homes

Step 1: You must be registered on the Homefinder Somerset system. You can do this online at www.homefindersomerset.co.uk. Help is available for those who cannot register online. You are advised to do this as soon as possible, as it can take two months to complete the assessment process. Once registered:

Step 2: You must make sure your information is up to date and crucially, make sure your application confirms what local connection you have with Nether Stowey. This is very important.

Step 3: From about May onwards (timing to be confirmed and will be advertised locally), you must regularly login into this system to check when you can bid for one of these homes. The advert will make it clear that priority for the new homes goes to applicants with a connection with the parish of Nether Stowey.

Step 4: You must bid for one of these properties (when advertised) to be considered.

Key Messages

If you are not registered, you cannot bid. You will not be considered for one of these homes, if you do not bid.

You can find out more about the allocation system at www.homefindersomerset.co.uk.

The Parish Office will also have information shortly. We will advertise further details and events to help possible applicants on the Parish notice boards at The Cross, the Parish Office window and at Harry Prowse Close. We hope local shops and other outlets will  be willing to help. We will also post information on this website and on Facebook and Nextdoor – please check frequently for updates.

The meeting will be held at the Church Centre and will start at 7pm. Everyone is welcome. There is a public session at the beginning of the meeting when 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.

The agenda is available here

Draft minutes: Minutes from the most recent meeting(s) are posted here : Draft Minutes from the meeting on 9 January are here. Draft Planning Committee minutes are here.
Minutes for previous Parish Council meeting are here: Previous minutes

Planning applications: Links to planning applications on the agenda are below (opens the  application in the Sedgemoor Planning website):

• 36/23/00027 – The Old House, St Mary Street, Nether Stowey – Certificate of lawfulness for the proposed mixed use of existing dwelling to include 2no. holiday apartments and 2no. bedrooms used for bed and breakfast.
• 36/23/00002 : Stowey Court, Cannington Road, Nether Stowey
  36/23/00003 : Stowey Court, Cannington Road, Nether Stowey
  Erection of detached stables (revised scheme). Please note that Sedgemoor DC have advised that the proposal does not include a tennis court as previously stated.

Consultations:

• Diversion of Public Footpaths BW22/19 and BW 22/21.
  Link to information here
• Somerset Council Statement of Community Involvement on Planning. Link to consultation on Somerset.gov.uk. There is also a short YouTube video that aims to explain the consultation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n42IBJ5ny90 . 

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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 at the beginning 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. This is so that the Clerk can have to hand any necessary information. Further details are available on page 2 of the agenda. The Council is not required to give a response to a matter raised during the public session but may do so. Alternatively, the Chairman may direct the Clerk to follow the matter up or give a written response at a later date. Please note that no decisions can be made and no expenditure approved on any item raised during the public session unless the matter has been legally notified on the agenda in advance.

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 to do so 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 Code of Conduct (adopted 16 May 2022) and the Parish Council’s Standing Orders (reviewed and re-adopted on 16 May 2022). These are available from the Clerk (collect from the office or by e-mail on request) or on the Council’s website by clicking the document name above.

Order to divert the above public footpaths as shown on the map below.
Representations or objections can be sent Sedgemoor District Council as shown on the Order notice, or by e-mail to laurie.page@sedgemoor.gov.uk by 1 March.

The full documents are available here:

• Notice of Public Path Order
• Sealed Order

Stephen Bradford was welcomed as a new member of the Council following his co-option at the Parish Council Meeting on Monday 9 January. The Council are grateful to Stephen for volunteering. He brings a wealth of experience and skills that will be very useful to the parish.

There remains one vacant seat on the Council. Could it be yours? For full details please visit our co-option page or contact the Parish Office or any Councillor for an informal chat.

The Parish Council has compiled a Welcome Pack to help new residents get to know the village. Thanks to Kevin Ferriday who did most of the work, Terry Sackett who edited and put a professional gloss on it, and Strongvox who have printed it. There a still a few printed copies available from the Parish Office available to collect on a “first come first saved” basis. A more recent online version is available here or click the booklet below. If you know someone who is moving to the village please pass it on.

We intend to update the booklet regularly. If you see something that needs changing or to be updated, please contact Kevin or Caro. Information comes from a variety of outside sources and we may not have been told.

The meeting will be held at the Church Centre and will start at 7pm. Everyone is welcome. There is a public session at the beginning of the meeting when members of the public are welcome to address the Committee on any matter relating to the agenda. 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.

The agenda is available here

Draft minutes: Minutes from the most recent meeting(s) are posted here : Draft Minutes from the last Committee meeting on 24 May 2021 are here. Minutes for previous Parish Council meetings are here: Previous minutes

Planning applications: Links to planning applications on the agenda are below (opens the  application in the Sedgemoor Planning website):

• 36/22/00024 – Inwood Farm, Nether Stowey – Change of use of agricultural field for the provision of caravan pitches and continuation of existing caravan site for use by HPC workers until 31st December 2025. Erection of welfare building and bus shelter. Retention of 4no. buildings for holiday accommodation. Development of a footpath from site to Nether Stowey village.

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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 at the beginning 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. For Committee meetings, this is limited to matters within the purview of the Committee. It is helpful if you inform the Chairman or the Clerk beforehand of any matter you wish to raise. This is so that the Clerk can have to hand any necessary information. Further details are available on page 2 of the agenda. The Council is not required to give a response to a matter raised during the public session but may do so. Alternatively, the Chairman may direct the Clerk to follow the matter up or give a written response at a later date. Please note that no decisions can be made and no expenditure approved on any item raised during the public session unless the matter has been legally notified on the agenda in advance.

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 to do so 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 Code of Conduct (adopted 16 May 2022) and the Parish Council’s Standing Orders (reviewed and re-adopted on 16 May 2022). These are available from the Clerk (collect from the office or by e-mail on request) or on the Council’s website by clicking the document name above.

The meeting will be held at the Church Centre and will start at 7pm. Everyone is welcome. There is a public session at the beginning of the meeting when 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.

The agenda is available here

Draft minutes: Minutes from the most recent meeting(s) are posted here : Draft Minutes from the meeting on 12 December are here. Minutes for previous Parish Council meeting are here: Previous minutes

Planning applications: Links to planning applications on the agenda are below (opens the  application in the Sedgemoor Planning website):

• 36/22/00025 – Land To The North East Of, Butchers Lane, Butchers Lane, Nether Stowey – Erection of a bungalow with parking provisions and associated works.

Please note that application 36/22/00024 – Inwood Farm will be considered at a Planning Committee meeting on Monday 23 January (7pm at the Church Centre)

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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 at the beginning 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. This is so that the Clerk can have to hand any necessary information. Further details are available on page 2 of the agenda. The Council is not required to give a response to a matter raised during the public session but may do so. Alternatively, the Chairman may direct the Clerk to follow the matter up or give a written response at a later date. Please note that no decisions can be made and no expenditure approved on any item raised during the public session unless the matter has been legally notified on the agenda in advance.

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 to do so 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 Code of Conduct (adopted 16 May 2022) and the Parish Council’s Standing Orders (reviewed and re-adopted on 16 May 2022). These are available from the Clerk (collect from the office or by e-mail on request) or on the Council’s website by clicking the document name above.