Welcome to Hemington, Hardington and Foxcote Parish Council

COUNCILLOR VACANCY

Do you want to make a positive difference in our village and influence decisions that affect the village?   If so, then this could be who we are looking for !!!

As a Parish Councillor you need to be willing to give up some of your time. Invest in listening to residents and carrying out their wishes as a benefit to the community as a whole. Local councillors are the champions of their community who invest time in local projects and issues to the benefit of residents and the neighbourhood. Councillors attend to local needs of residents, local groups and businesses, make decisions on local services, collaborate with district councils to identify local needs, and progress vital projects to invest in the future of the community.

We have a full Parish Council meeting once a month usually on the second Wednesday of the month and these meetings normally last around 1-2 hours.

You must be 18 or over, an elector and have been a resident or worked within 3 miles of the Parish for the last year.

If you would like to be considered, please contact Acting Chairman Tony Hucker via email huckertv@outlook.com

Closing date: 3rd January 2024

ENTHUSIASM AND COMMITMENT ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EXPERIENCE !! 

CHAIRMAN

It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing of our Chairman Mark Corney. Mark was a formidable character with Faulkland and its residents at his heart.  He will be hugely missed by fellow Councillors and the wider community.  We ask for patience at this time whilst we consider the future in the meantime if you have any issues please contact relevant Council members or  Tony Hucker Vice Chairman whose details you will find on the Council page.  Mark’s funeral will be held on 5th January at Semington Crematorium at 2.45pm with an appropriate celebration back at the Faulkland Inn.

PLAY PARK

There has been much happenings on the Recreation Field. The new play equipment has been installed and sign off granted … its been a long time coming but we are proud of the work done and to contractors Creative Play and various grant givers that allowed this project to go ahead

Community Speed Watch – update

Thanks to those who have come forward to help – this will enhance our AutoSpeedWatch system to send letters of warning to those speeding.  We have registered a team of people and hoping for the go-ahead and training within 4-6 weeks.  There is time if you still want to join – Please contact the Chair Mark Corney via email with an expression of interest – mark.redpig@btinternet.com

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Every year, in every Parish, the Local Parish Council is required, by law to hold a ‘Parish Meeting”. Whilst the Parish Council arranges this meeting and provides reports upon Parish matters, it is not a meeting of the Parish Council. It is, specifically, a meeting for Parish residents and community groups to bring up any issue, raise any questions or put forward ideas and proposals in relation to the Parish.  This will be held ahead of the Annual Council Meeting on 24th May at 7.30pm at the Faulkland Village Hall.

SHOP

The Faulkland Inn now stocks some essentials for you. Open during pub opening hours, you can also order weekend newspapers for collection.

POST OFFICE

Following our previous request we have had no objections to ceasing the post office service therefore there will be no service from the 1st April. Currently staff at the outpost are on sick leave so there is no service anyway

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING INFORMATION

The next Parish Council Meeting is a  Full Meeting of the  Parish Council which take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 14th February 2024 at Faulkland Village Hall. Residents are also welcome to join us  where there is a public participation session at the start of each meeting and any residents have the opportunity to speak to the council and raise any issues of concern.

PROPOSED LAVENDER CLOSE DEVELOPMENT

We have been advise that Cotswold Homes have withdrawn their interest in Lavender Close.

AUTOSPEED WATCH

Somerset & Avon Police agree to adopt AutoSpeedWatch.

After sustained lobbying by the Parish Council and Tim Gibbs, developer of AutoSpeedWatch, we are delighted to confirm that Avon and Somerset have finally agreed to approve the use of the system and will now be acting upon the data generated by the cameras.

AutoSpeedWatch was developed in Faulkland by Tim Gibbs and trialled on the A366 through the village. The ‘smart’ system uses ANPR to record speeding offences and automatically identifies repeat offenders. The system has already been adopted by a number of English police forces and the decision by Avon and Somerset police to use the system will be a major contribution to road safety through Faulkland.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II

The Parish Council are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  We join those mourning her loss in the UK and around the world.

IT’s BACK !!! 

Picture of post box free standing

we are pleased to report that the post box at Turners Tower is back and operational.  In a slightly different location than its predecessor but very noticeable….

CALLING ALL FARMERS!!! 

and even if your not a farmer and want to know more on climate change and how farming can help, Mendip District Council is working in partnership with an independent farmer-led enterprise, to support Somerset landowners to tackle climate change.

The Farm Carbon Toolkit will deliver a series of free agricultural webinars throughout the summer on how to measure, understand and act on greenhouse gas emissions.

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH PAYING BILLS?

The Household Support Fund is designed to provide short-term urgent financial help to Somerset residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as buying food, paying for energy and water bills and other essential household items such as beds and white goods.  Click the link for more information Somerset Household Support Fund

SOMERSET TRAVEL

Do you have to travel across the county, possibly using public transport.  Why not try this useful website Think Travel : Homepage it will get you where you need to go whether by bike, bus or community transport.

ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN 

Each year the Parish Council’s Accounts are internally audited. As part of that process the Parish Council publish an Annual Governance and Accounting Statement (AGAR) and submit it to the external auditor as an exempt authority. The AGAR was approved at the meeting on 8th June 2022

The financial statement, explanation of variances for the previous year 2021/22 and the bank reconciliation at end of March 2022 are included on our Parish Council “Finance and Audit” pages.

Please note that each year there is a period when you have the right to inspect the previous year’s accounts. This year the right to inspect the accounts for 2021/22 will open on Monday, 13 June 2022 and close on Friday, 22 July 2022. The notice of this right is also included on our finance pages.

20MPH ZONE

At the last PCM we discussed the viability, pro’s and con’s of a 20mph through the village based on data from National and Somerset Highways.  Herewith the necessary links so that you can research the subject and be well informed on considerations and implications

Setting local speed limits (publishing.service.gov.uk) and Speed limits (somerset.gov.uk)

LITTER PICKING

The Faulkland Wombles collected a whopping 17 bags of rubbish. Special thanks to members of the community who came along to give their support.

 

TREE PLANTING

On Sunday 28th November members of the PC were joined by nearly 20 members of our community to plant 100 saplings provided by the Woodland Trust. All are native hardwood species and include Oak, Wild Cherry and Rowan. The trees have been planted along the southern edge of Faulkland playing field. A big thank you to all who helped.

MOBILE LIBRARY

Do you know someone who loves reading but cannot access library services?  There is a FREE mobile library service which provides all types of books, large print and audio books for more information contact 07814 079 831 www.somersetlibraries.co.uk

About the parish

Hemington, Hardington and Foxcote Paris

Faulkland Greenh lies at very north-eastern edge of Somerset. It is a rural parish containing 260 homes, many farms and several small office businesses. There are two pubs and a thriving primary school. There are approximately 650 parishioners, many of whom have a strong sense of cooperation that is demonstrated by voluntary community projects and collective events such as the Hemington Open Weekend.

Historically, employment was in farming and coal mining. The last mine in the area closed in 1973. In common with other rural parishes the number employed on the land has reduced considerably and some farmers have diversified. Over half the people now work outside the parish, many commuting to Bath, Bristol, Frome or Trowbridge. A quarter of parishioners are retired. There are also many young families.