Council Meeting: 23rd Sep 2026

ANSFORD PARISH COUNCIL

Councillors are summoned, and members of the public invited, to attend the Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council to be held at 6.30pm, Wednesday 23rd September 2026 at Caryford Community Hall

PUBLIC FORUM

Before the start of the meeting, in accordance with Standing Order 3(e) there will be an opportunity for members of the public to comment on agenda items. In accordance with Standing Order 3(f) the question/comment time is limited to 3 minutes each, and the session shall not exceed 15 minutes (unless directed by the Chair of that meeting). Contributions from members of the public do not form part of the official meeting and will normally not be included in the official minutes unless they are deemed helpful in explaining subsequent Council decisions. Questions may be answered in writing.

The Public are reminded that once the meeting has started, they have no right to speak.

REPORTS FROM SOMERSET COUNCIL

Somerset Councillors Henry Hobhouse & Kevin Messenger are invited to give their verbal reports before the start of the formal meeting. This is also an opportunity to engage with the Somerset Councillors.

AGENDA

1. Election of Chair of the Council
2. Declaration of Acceptance of Office by the Chair
3. Attendance and Apologies
4. Declarations of interest
Members are reminded of their obligation to declare any Pecuniary or Other Interests they have under the Localism Act 2011 and the Somerset Code of Conduct. Members are reminded that they should leave the room for any item they have an interest in.
5. Parish Council vacancies: To consider any applications
6. Minutes: To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting
7. To consider appointment of members to the following roles:
7.1 Highways representative
7.2 Joint Neighbourhood Plan representative
7.3 Adoption of Maggs Lane Field representative/lead
7.4 Staffing Committee
7.5 Bank signatory
8. Planning applications:
8.1 New applications to consider:
8.1.1 23/02083/HOU: 1 Ancastle Avenue Ansford BA7 7JE – Installation of new window opening to South East elevation of existing dwelling, and internal works
8.1.2 Amendment to 25/03089/FUL: Land OS 4910 And OS 6011 North Of Burfitt Road And South Of Ansford Hill Ansford Castle Cary Somerset – Erection of 49 dwellings including affordable housing, access proposed from Burfitt Road, provision of pedestrian access and crossing over Ansford Hill, public open space and ancillary works
8.1.3 Amendment to 24/02946/REM: Land North Of Ansford Hill Ansford Castle Cary BA7 7PD – Reserved Matters application for the erection of 200 dwellings (70 affordable and 130 open market) with associated highways, drainage, landscaping and public open space – details of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale following Outline Planning Permission 19/01840/OUT (Appeal reference APP/R3325/W/20/3259668)
8.2 Updates/enforcement matters
9. To consider the following grant and donation requests and proposals
9.1 South Somerset Community Accessible Transport
9.2 Castle Cary and Ansford Carnival Committee
9.3 Caryford Hall Panto
9.4 Ansford Youth Cricket Club
9.5 Ansford Academy Remembrance Project
10. Parish Council Logo: To receive designs and agree whether to adopt
11. Dog Waste Bin: To consider purchase and installation of an additional bin for Maggs Lane, and the ongoing emptying collection charges
12. Replacement Bench on Station Road: To consider making a 50% contribution to replacing the bench where sinkhole works were completed
13. Collaborative working with Castle Cary Town Council: To discuss opportunities for joint working on matters affecting both communities, and to review the following items:
13.1 Dropped kerbs: To identify any locations where users of mobility aids/with mobility issues would benefit from dropped kerbs
13.2 Newsletter: To note the decision by CCTC to rename the newsletter “Castle Cary Community Newsletter” with APC
14. Fairfield Management
14.1 Fence Repairs: To consider whether APC will contribute towards wire perimeter fence reinstatement and repairs
14.2 Governance arrangements: To consider ongoing arrangements between CCTC and APC
15. Mulberry Meadows Construction Traffic Petition: To receive a report on a petition to prevent construction traffic utilising Mulberry Meadows for access to a possible development, and consider any actions to be taken by APC
16. Youth Connect South West contract renewal: To consider whether APC wishes to participate in the contract due for renewal in 2027/28, and to agree any next steps
17. Resilience Planning: To receive an update, consider whether APC and CCTC should have a joint plan and establish next steps
18. Annual Parish Meeting: To consider arrangements for 2027, including whether to hold a joint meeting with CCTC
19. Finance and Audit
19.1 External Audit: To note the externals auditors report and consider any necessary actions
19.2 Financial Reports: To note the latest financial reports and bank reconciliation
19.3 Banking: To agreed addition/removal of signatories
19.4 Payments:
19.4.1 To note the list of payments made since the last meeting
19.4.2 To approve the list of payments for authorisation
19.5 Asset Register: To confirm addition of the following items to the asset register:
19.5.1 2 no. gazebo
19.5.2 Handheld radios
20. Written and verbal reports and updates
NB: the written reports will be available from the Parish Council’s website.
20.1 Summary of actions from previous meeting not covered by other agenda items
20.1.1 Speed Indicator Device: To note acceptance by CCTC
20.2 Chair’s report
20.3 LCN – Somerset Council (Cllr Edwards)
20.4 Local Highways (TBC)
20.5 Open Spaces & Footpaths (Cllr Edwards)
20.6 Health and Safety (Cllr Parker)
20.7 The Adoption of Maggs Lane Field (TBC)
20.8 Resilience Plan (Mr Houlton)
20.9 Joint Neighbourhood Plan Update (TBC)
20.10 New Play Area, Bartlett Square, Lovells Farm (Mr Pritchard)
20.11 Parishioner contact verbal report (Clerk and Cllrs)
21. Items for the next meeting
21.1 Fairfield maintenance contract renewal
21.2 Rules for play areas
21.3 Gazebo Loan Agreement and hire charges
22. Date and time of next meeting: Wednesday 14 October 2026, 6.30pm at Caryford Hall

Exempt Business: The Parish Council may resolve to move matters into a confidential session if it considers that open discussion would be inappropriate due to the confidential and/or sensitive nature of those matters under discussion. Press and the public would be excluded in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and will be instructed to withdraw.