Hatch Beauchamp

At our July meeting Cllr Heather Shearer kindly attended to give us an update on the changes implemented since the incident at Westford House in May. She will keep us informed about the outcome of the current review of Somerset Council’s Children’s Homes.  We asked Cllr Sarah Wakefield to raise with the planners the recent mowing of the Orchard field in Station Road, subject to planning application for housing, without following the planning conditions.  Cllr Wakefield agreed to alert the planning team to this work and also to make sure the developers work with us as the work begins at the site in Station Road.

Kevin Comer reported the overwhelming 94% support for our Neighbourhood Plan at the referendum held on 25 June. Our plan has now been ratified at the Somerset Council committee meeting on 22 July. Thank you to residents who worked with us, supported us and who attended our consultation events to give us their views, and finally those who voted for our plan. 

Our Clerk reported that the additional Dog Bin has arrived and will be installed shortly at the upper end of Station Road, to provide more space to reduce the overflowing of these bins. A gentle reminder to all dog owners to help to keep our Parish clean and remember to pick up after their dogs.

We have applied for an additional defibrillator from the British Heart Foundation which we intend to be installed outside the Village Hall.  If our application is successful training will be given, so look out for dates of this training if you would like to come along.

Greener Hatch Beauchamp held a successful repair café in June, and you will still be able to have items repaired at the next Repair café in October. We now have a quote for the installation of solar panels at the Hall plus batteries to reduce power costs for the Village Hall and to provide power resilience for the Village Hall as a Place of Saefty in the event of an extended power outage or other emergency.  We are also reviewing the possibility and cost of installing an Electric Car charger at the Village Hall.

Cllr Bill Revans, leader of Somerset Council, has agreed with our request to extend the debate about traffic issues in surrounding roads caused by the frequent closure of the M5, to traffic issues caused by the frequent closure of the A358, with another extended closure at the start of July between the Village and Taunton.

We are setting up a meeting with Airband to discuss their proposed installation of new telegraph poles in inappropriate locations in the village, e.g. the Conservation Area. Members of the council attended a meeting with broadband providers, organised by Gideon Amos, to discuss current progress with Rural FTTP rollout. The situation is messy and uncertain, but we have established some contacts and expect to provide a more detailed update soon

Enjoy your summer, and this glorious weather.

Pippa Fowler