Nestling at the foot of the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, the parish of Compton Bishop comprises the settlements of Cross, Newtown, Rackley, Webbington and of course Compton Bishop itself. Compton Bishop nestles in an unspoilt area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), visited by many who appreciate the beautiful breath-taking scenery. The parish has a network of more than 13 miles of well-used public footpaths, bridleways and permissive paths which provide a wonderful variety of routes with Crook Peak and Wavering Down dominating the sky-line. This area of The Mendip Hills is owned and cared for by the National Trust and provides a peaceful recreational space for all who visit.

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SOMERSET COUNCIL BRIEFING SHEET December 2023

Information and comments suplied by our SCC Councilor Bob Filmer

Click here to view

There have been quite a string of reports about illegal motorbike riding on Crook Peak with higher than usual reports to National Trust.It is believe to be linked to those riding in the quarry on Barton Road and who are leaving the gates open which allows livestock to escape. If the same ones are riding the tops of the hill and word gets around that police are involved  then this will help National Trust to manage and prevent livestock escaping and encourage all visitors to close the gates which will reduce these incidents.

If any reports come through or you hear of anyone mentioning it to you, can you please send the following information to Lauren Holt Area Ranger, Mendip Hills, Somerset Countryside & Coast on 07824820193 somerset.countryside@nationaltrust.org.uk Lauren Holt;

• Date
• Time
• Exact location and suspected access point – What 3 words or grid reference or even a good maps pin, the more accurate the better
• Photos or even better video footage
• Descriptions or number plates of any vehicles associated

That way National Trust can match it to the crime reference number they already have and keep logging it against it to enable rural crime resources to be directed to the issue.

PCC Mark Shelford is urging anyone who receives a call or message from somebody claiming to be from a trusted organisation and who suggests money should be transferred to hang up and dial 159, which connects people safely to their bank’s fraud prevention service.Please see the link below for more information on this service, which could protentially save your life savings.Attachments: https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk///media/32960730/pcc-says-stop-hang-up-and-call-159.pdf

View Somerset County Council's 'News Room' - click here to view their latest news. To check your up-to-date bin collection click here.

The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme has reported Rogue Traders operating locally in the Taunton area. The Neighbourhood Watch scheme members intervened when an elderly resident was offered services to their property for an inflated price, this was then reported back to the police. Do please remain alert for an similar activity. Previously residents are reported to have paid vast sums of money for poor quality work to these so called Specialists who have also taken the money and never returned to complete the work.There are a few things that you should be wary of before allowing anyone into your home or garden. Click here to view.

From the M5 motor way bridge to Rackley Lane to view the proposal see the two documents below.

Document 1 Notice : Document 2 Proposed 40mph speed limit.

 Axbridge Town Council has notified Compton Bishop Parish Council of a planning application for a the erection of 53 dwellings (30% affordable housing) on land to the South of Houlgate Way, Axbridge, and for approval of reserved matters, for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale. 

(Sedgemoor Planning Application number 02/22/00021/DT).

Somerset County Council statement : "We aim to make sure people in Somerset do not find themselves in a position where they must choose between heating and eating. Somerset residents struggling to pay the bills this winter could be eligible for support through the Household Support Fund. Includes help with food, information and advice, help with childcare, and help with bills". 

This funding will be used to provide food vouchers worth £10 a week to children eligible for Free School Meals during the school holidays, and enable people to apply for support with a range of urgent essentials including fuel, food, and white goods."

The County Council has been allocated £3.8m to distribute before March 31^st 2023 as part of the third round of funding provided through the Government’s Household Support Fund. To view SCC's full statement click here.

We need to do something about improving our buses in Somerset. Our county currently has the second lowest level of bus journeys per resident of all the counties in England and Somerset’s bus services have the very lowest level of passenger satisfaction in the country. Residents of Somerset experience this every day, whether it’s with difficulties getting to health services, reduced opportunities for those seeking work and further education or just the limited (if any) evening and Sunday bus services. As a result, we see ever increasing numbers of cars on our roads which causes higher levels of local air pollution and increase our carbon emissions.Somerset Bus Partnership was formed just a year ago to campaign for better bus services across our county and already we have a Somerset-wide network of 115 town and parish transport representatives who share our passion for better buses.Somerset residents have every right to expect better, but it will need funding.

We have developed a Somerset Bus Charter and invite not just Councillors but community groups, churches & residents to join with us & endorse it. Get in touch somersetbuspartnership@gmail.com

The route of the bus will be from Pier Street Burnham to Tweentown Cheddar. Click here  for the details and then scroll down for the full timetable timetable. The route is from Queens Drive Burnham, Edithmead Roundabout, Brent Street, Burton Row, East Brent Village Hall, Rooksbridge Garage, Tarnock Garage, Lamb Inn Weare, Old Coach Road, White Hart Cross, Axbridge Square, Cheddar Woods and then Tweentown Cheddar and will then return the same route. Please support this green initiative to help reduce pollution.

Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) is asking residents to put your recycling and rubbish out by 6am at the latest from now until further notice. The move will allow crews to start early if needed, making life a little easier when the weather gets hot this summer or other pressures make getting a flying start helpful. Click here to view the full Notice.

Compton Bishop Parish Council are asking for help to monitor speeding vehicles in the Parish.  We would like to create a Community Speed Watch Group to monitor the situation so we can collect useful data to strengthen our case for a reduced speed limit in our Parish.  We are a small team on the Council and really need volunteers who are keen to make an impact on this continuing issue. 

Would you be interested in donating a small amount of your time every month to help?

If so please contact our Clerk by email to comptonbishopparishcouncil@gmail.com

We need all hands on deck and hope you can help us, improve the safety of our village.

Somerset walks to download and print FREE Click here

Click here for details

A new grant has been launched which will help businesses save money and help save the environmentThe new Carbon Reduction Grants for Business Scheme is being jointly run by Somerset’s five local authorities and will see businesses of all sizes able to apply for grants between £500 and £1,000 to help reduce their carbon footprints. Click here for more information

Click here for the results

Trading Standards have released information on recent scams which includes :

Renewable energy : computer support : driveway repairs : garden services : advance fees ;: garden furniture : rouge roofers : white goods insurance : home insulation : Christmas : phising

Click here to view this file

Volunteers sought for a Parish Speed Watch Group

The Parish Council is looking for a number of volunteers to join with others  in setting up a speed watch group in the parish.  If you are interested then please contact the Parish Council Clerk at comptonbishopparishcouncil@gmail.com or phone 07856 846621.

For on-line information about Community Speed Watch - click on the link https://www.communityspeedwatch.org/

Please be aware that Sedgemoor District Council have had reports a company who are texting messages to members of the public, stating a refund is pending for council tax.  This is a scam and should be deleted. They ask residents to follow the link provided to claim their refund.  The first screen asks customers to confirm their details, followed by the second screen asking for members of the public to enter their bank account details. 

There have been a number of burglaries across this area where the offenders have targeted homes while the residents are on holiday. There are a number of things you can do to make your home safer. For some tips to make your home safer click here to view the advice on preventing burglary from the Avon and Somerset Police .

The three defibrillators are now up and running and are located at :

1. White Hart BT box ( BS26 2EF) 
2. BT box at the end of Church Lane on Webbington rd ( BS26 2EX) 
3. Webbington Hotel to the left of the reception steps ( BS26 2HU) 

Please take a note of the one nearest to your home and make an accessible list of people and their telephone number who could assist in retrieving a defibrillator in an hour of need. 

Defibrillators increase the chances of survival following cardiac arrest so please make a plan in your household of what to do after you have telephoned 999. The ambulance service will give you the keypad access code to your nearest defibrillator.

Automated public defibrillators can be used by anyone trained or untrained as they talk you through step by step. This is a very useful video from the BBC if you didn’t attend the training session and wish to learn more.

Do contact Tracey Brownlow if you require further information on how to access or use a defibrillator on 07731 892294.