Flooding Reports
Please send emails of the locations and any photos of flooding to the Parish Clerk at clerk@westburysubmendip-pc.gov.uk so they can be forwarded to Somerset Council.
Thank You,
Denise Boulton
WsM Interim Parish Clerk
Somerset Council notices
Somerset Council is promoting the following three items via Parish Councils:
a) Cardboard waste: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/news/think-outside-the-box-and-cut-the-cardboard-at-christmas/
b) Willow Man:https://somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/communities/willow-man-feasibility-study/
c) Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) in some areas of Somerset
http://www.somerset.gov.uk/swep
Presentations from Neighbourhood Plan Village Meetings
The information presented at the village meetings on 8th and 9th November are now available on the village website for those unable to attend or those who wish to refresh their memory. They can be accessed here
Neighbourhood Plan – New papers added to website
Two new papers are now available on the village website.
A Settlement Character Assessment that seeks to describe what makes the built environment of Westbury special & guidelines for producing developmenty that is ‘in keeping’
A report by Cotswold Archaeology on the heritage value of the traditional barns at Court House Farm and its implications for development.
They can be found here
Both are very large files and may take a little while to load.
‘Wellness Day’ – Weds 15th November
The organisers have asked for this ‘Wellness Day’ information to be published on the Westbury sub Mendip website.
-ends-
Stockhill Woods tree works
Good afternoon,
I am writing to let you know that we will be starting work Stockhill Wood tomorrow, where we will be removing diseased larch trees. Although these operations may not directly affect parish residents, I wanted to let you know that they may have a visual impact on the landscape.
We are legally required to carry out this work because areas of the forest are suffering from Phytophthora ramorum, a destructive tree disease which is affecting many of the nation’s larch trees. Phytophthora ramorum is harmless to people and animals, but highly infectious and harmful to trees and some other plant species.
I have attached a map to explain where we will be working. In areas highlighted red, there is a high density of infected trees and they will all be removed. Altogether, these areas total around 29 hectares. We are obliged to remove these trees as soon as possible to help manage the spread of Phytophthora ramorum.
Our climate is changing, bringing new threats to our trees, and we need to build resilience within our forests. With this in mind, we are already planning how we will restock these felled areas with a diverse range of tree species that will thrive in the climate conditions we expect in 2050 and beyond.
I would be grateful if you would be able to share this information through your news channels. We understand that communities may be upset at the change in their countryside and we are keen to explain why this felling is essential for the health of the nation’s forests.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Best wishes, Siân Brewer
Community Ranger, Bristol and Savernake, Forestry England
Neighbourhood Plan Meetings
Details of the village meetings about the neighbourhood plan with timings and zoom link are HERE
Neighbourhood Plan Working Group – Public Meetings
Neighbourhood Plan Working Group – Public Meetings
In the coming week there will be two opportunities to hear a presentation on the work of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, ask questions and make comments. On Thursday 9th November there will be an open meeting at 7.30pm in the village hall. On Wednesday the 8th the same issues will be covered in an online meeting via Zoom. The link to join the zoom call is
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85138767472?pwd=QzlFSTM3QzEyNlV2QzFKRElTZXAxdz09
Please join us to have your say in how the village should develop over the next 10 – 15 years.
Fire Safety: Flood Risk: Storm Ciaran
On Wednesday 1st Nov the Parish Council meeting received advice from the County Council regarding Fire Safety, Flood Risk and Storm Ciaran.
Fire safety advice for people experiencing power cuts (dsfire.gov.uk)
Flood Warden Autumn Newsletter 2023 (mailchi.mp)
Storm Ciaran: Prepare for potential disruption (somerset.gov.uk)
The Parish Council requested that this information should be made available via the village website.
Regards,
Mark Smith, Website Administrator
Neighbourhood Plan – Public Meetings
The Neighbourhood Plan Working Group have organised two opportunities for residents to receive an update on the work of the group and make their views on the future of the village heard. You can participate either by zoom on Wednesday 8th November or in person in the village hall on Thursday 9th. Details are on this NOTICE which will also be available on noticeboards and social media.