Annual Report 2025/26

MARK PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2025/26

Over the last twelve months, the members of Mark Parish Council have met regularly at the Church Hall with minutes of the meetings being published on our new dedicated Parish webpage ( mark-pc.gov.uk) The Councillors ably assisted by our Parish Clerk Richard Young have done a sterling Job in making sure that the Council operates properly in accordance with laws and guidelines.

The Spring and early Summer of 2025 were very hot with no rain for a prolonged period. Cases of small fires being set near the Village Hall and incidents of Criminal Damage and anti-social behaviour at the Village Hall by several Teenagers caused serious concern. This was followed by the brakes on a girl’s bicycle being interfered with. It was very fortunate that she came to no harm. These incidents were reported to Police. It is fair to say the police response was not as satisfactory as could normally be expected and members of the Council spent an inordinate amount of time trying to get Police from different local Stations to liaise with each other and give a proper response. Fortunately, the problems stopped after a while and there was no reoccurrence during the remainder of 2025.

Sadly, it seems that a separate group of teenagers have recently acted in an anti-social manner at the Parish Church whilst Choir Practice has been taking place. The Parish Council have acted promptly to inform our local PCSO and bring to the attention of residents this atrocious behaviour which has thankfully stopped.

Each of the Parish Councillors have individual responsibilities and they have taken an active part in carrying out their duties: Minor repairs have been carried out on various bits of street furniture and signposts. Incidents of fly tipping have been properly reported.  A member of the Council has taken an active part in the LCN (Local Community Network)  initiative set up by Somerset Council. It is fair to say that this Initiative is still in its early stages and like everything else it acts on a limited budget. Another member of the Council takes every opportunity to remind people of the Bus Services available in the Village.

The Problems with flooding and problems with the road surface in Kingsway is a subject which the Council regularly bring to the attention of the Highway authorities. It is a problem with which they cannot get to grips due to their difficulty in identifying exactly where the blockages are on private land adjacent to this important thoroughfare. We will continue to press for action.

It was a matter of regret that during 2025 the Council had to accept the rulings that a 40MPH limit could not be imposed on the road from the Village towards Blackford. This was due to guidance from the Department of Transport.

The Parish Council supported a number of local initiatives with some monies during 2025 and are keen to offer support to other local groups who may need help. Naturally, there are restrictions on what we can do and our Parish Clerk is the first point of reference.  (As the owners of the Village Hall, we were pleased to once again help with their insurance, and will be supporting the Community Association as they try to raise all the funds required to replace the roof) Can we help you?

Danny Kehoe

Chairman

3/3/26