The council met remotely on Monday, May 18, due to coronavirus restrictions.

National Lottery Award – the council has been notified that its application for funding for a defibrillator in East Nynehead cannot be taken further. It was advised that all funding decisions for the next six months will prioritise addressing the Covid-19 situation. A new application can be submitted in future. The clerk will research other funding sources but it could be a lengthy process before alternative funding is secured. Malcolm Vest will e-mail East Nynehead residents to solicit views. If privately funded, the parish council will pay annual maintenance costs.

The council’s coronavirus information sheet appears to have been well received and thanks are extended to those who helped with distribution. The clerk received some positive responses and three offers to help in the community.

Jill Larcombe conducted the internal audit on Friday, May 15. She will send her written report which will be discussed at the next council meeting in June.

Members discussed whether a May edition of the Nynehead Newsletter was needed. In the absence of any reports on past activities and uncertainty about future events, there is little to report and the recently distributed council coronavirus information sheet included advice and sources of help. It was decided to defer publication until a later date. This will be reviewed at the next meeting. A copy of ‘Your Somerset’ will be delivered to every household at the end of the month. This special edition is designed to ensure that Somerset residents have all the information they need to remain safe during the Covid-19 pandemic and access any support they need as the crisis continues. The council thanks Rosemary Lea and the volunteers who have agreed to distribute ‘Your Somerset’ instead of the newsletter.

The renewal invitation from BHIB Ins Co Ltd for 2020/21 for local council insurance policy had been received. The clerk reported that she had checked the policy documents and recommended acceptance. The cost was 51 pence cheaper than last year but this is the final year of a three-year agreement and the policy – and possibly provider – will need to be renegotiated next year.

The clerk reported the difficulties she was experiencing with the HMRC Basic Tools software and PAYE submissions. The data from previous years had not transferred to the download of this year’s software package causing problems with the generation of her P60 and acceptance of current PAYE submissions. In spite of persistent enquiries, HMRC was unable to offer any support and, therefore, upon the recommendation of the internal auditor, members agreed she should change to Moneysoft – a more accessible and user-friendly payroll package at the annual cost of £72 plus VAT. This would also generate the now required monthly payment slips.

In the absence of PCSO Henderson, the clerk read a report she had received. There were 236 calls into 101 and 999 for the Wellington Rural Beat in April, which represents an increase of 108 from the previous month. Three of those calls concerned Nynehead/Oake/Bradford-on-Tone/Langford Budville and they involved a mental health episode and fear of violence. No calls regarding anti-social behaviour across the whole of the rural beat in April involved Nynehead.

PCSO Henderson’s report highlighted the increasing threat of scam telephone calls and e-mails. A number of residents in the Bath area have received calls ‘from the Government’ on their landline, from a fake number. The automated voice instructs them to wear a face mask and to press a number on the keypad to make a purchase. A scam e-mail, claiming to be from Tesco, is circulating stating ‘You are a winner’. Recipients are invited to click a link to confirm identity. This downloads a virus onto the computer and personal details can be stolen. As with any e-mail received from an unknown source, the message should be deleted without clicking on any of the links.

Incidents of trespassing, anti-social behaviour and the use of bikes in the fields around Hornshay Farm have taken place recently. The police have been alerted. In addition, there have been thefts of plastic and metal garden ornaments. With increased footfall in the area, residents are urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.

In the absence of parish paths liaison officer Joe Frost, the clerk read a report she had received. Footpaths are busy and it is pleasing to see so many young families using them. Social distancing on narrow sections is being correctly observed but discarded bags containing dog mess remain an issue. Dog owners are urged to clear up after their pets, especially as fresh food products are being grown in these fields.

Mr Frost has been in contact with Martin Cooper at Somerset County Council and he hopes to be allowed to resume strimming duties shortly. Footpath WG 8/5 at Perry Farm field needs urgent attention as does Footpath WG8/15 behind Nynehead Under-5s Preschool. Mr Frost expressed his thanks to Ben Tingay for using his own equipment to strim from the Memorial Hall to Blackdown View.

Mr Frost reported that Footpath WG8/19, which crosses Court Field from Three Arch Bridge to Nynehead Court, has now been reinstated following the planting of potatoes.

The council authorised the issue of cheques for: the clerk’s salary for April – £219.12 – and expenses – £125; BHIB Ltd Ins premium 2020/21 £154.93; Jill Larcombe, internal audit 2020 £35; HMRC VAT repayment £127.15; donation 60p; refund from grant awarded to Nynehead Memorial Hall £268.