> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://chagos.gitbook.io/parish-online/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://chagos.gitbook.io/parish-online/parish-online-banter-sessions/260724-24jul26-session-26-30.md). # 260724 - 24Jul26 - session 26-30 Ordnance Survey NGD layers, Local Nature Recovery Strategy layers. new circle facility within Feature Editor, application to DEFRA for Bathing Water Category, plenty of non-PO council banter {% embed url="" %} *** #### Presentation: No formal presentation this week *** #### Meeting Summary: Jul 24, 2026 02:02 PM London ID: 897 5877 7706 ### Quick recap This was a Parish Online meeting where participants discussed various local government and parish council matters. Graham reported that Parish Online has been working with Cambridge County Council on local nature reserve strategies and discovered that Bembridge has 10 defibrillators listed in the system. The group discussed local government reorganization, with Stuart sharing that his area is moving from district council to a unitary authority shared with Leicester City, and participants exchanged experiences about the challenges and costs of unitary authority transitions. John shared his decision to step down after 25 years as a parish councillor due to difficulties working with Somerset Council, though he and his deputy will continue to participate in working groups. The conversation also covered cemetery management issues, library services challenges, and the ongoing HS2 railway project that required exhuming bodies from an old churchyard in Buckinghamshire. ### Next steps #### Graham * Follow up on the application to DEFRA to classify the bathing beach, including providing required information on distances to facilities (shops, defibs, toilets). #### John * Renew the ACV (Asset of Community Value) on the medical center property every five years. * Form a working group for future projects and join it, after stepping down as a councillor next year. #### Collaboration * John's Clerk: Complete the SILCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) course. ### Summary #### Parish Online System Updates Graham reported that Parish Online has been collaborating with Cambridge County Council on local nature reserve strategies and discovered that Bembridge has 10 defibrillators listed in the system. Graham also mentioned they are working on an application to DEFRA to classify their bathing beach as a bathing water category, which would provide additional tools for addressing water quality issues with the local water company. The group discussed the new Ordnance Survey NGD layer feature in Parish Online, and a new feature in Feature Editor that allows for creating circles and polygons, which Graham found useful for measuring distances to facilities like defibrillators and shops. #### Local Government Reorganisation Discussion Stuart asked about the addition of new maps for LGR (Local Government Reorganisation), and Graham confirmed they would likely be added under administration boundaries, though it was early and decisions hadn't been finalized yet. (Stuart later confirmed that the new boundaries for his area are in fact already in Parish Online).The group discussed experiences with unitary authorities, with John noting that only Buckingham seemed to work well, while Angie shared challenges from Buckinghamshire's transition, including conflicts between staff from different previous councils and significant costs for rebranding. John also mentioned issues with Somerset's unitary authority and the proposed introduction of regional mayors, which would effectively reintroduce two-tier government. #### Churchyard Construction and Burial Practices Angie discussed how HS2 construction involved exhuming bodies from an old churchyard and placing them in a temporary tent, with artifacts later displayed at a Buckinghamshire Museum. John explained that when a church becomes disused, responsibility for the churchyard can transfer from the church to the parish or district council, which happened in Angie's case with the Somerset Council taking over maintenance responsibilities. John also shared a personal anecdote about discovering a skeleton while working on a petrol station construction project in a disused churchyard. #### Cemetery Space and Expansion Challenges John discussed two major issues facing the cemetery: tilted gravestones that need to be laid flat, and limited available space that will soon run out. He explained that the community tried to purchase a nearby medical center from the current doctors' wives to expand the health facilities, but the owners refused to sell. John noted that while he currently has an ACV (Asset of Community Value) on the property, which requires renewal every five years, he plans to step down from his position after 25 years and won't be involved in future decisions if the opportunity arises before the next elections. #### Parish Council Leadership Transition John announced he will step down as a Parish Councillor next year but will remain available to join working groups on specific projects. He expressed frustration with the cooperation difficulties from Somerset Council and noted that if Somerset goes bankrupt, they may need to reconsider their approach to devolved services. The discussion also covered concerns about library services, with John explaining that their volunteer library relies on Somerset for books and IT systems, and Stuart sharing details about his local community library's recent relocation challenges. #### Somerset County Council IT Challenges The group discussed challenges with Somerset County Council's IT department and culture, with John describing how officers often refuse to engage with councillors and maintain a "we know best" attitude. Graham shared a positive experience with Cambridgeshire County Council's collaborative approach to nature reserves, contrasting it with Somerset's difficulties. The discussion highlighted ongoing issues with Somerset's IT systems and mapping implementation, with no decisions made yet on the overall mapping system, though South Somerset district had successfully revamped their IT system with better customer focus. #### Council Staff Recruitment Challenges The group discussed challenges in recruiting and retaining staff for local councils, particularly noting that planning enforcement officers in the Midlands are locums due to recruitment difficulties. They discussed how councils are struggling to find qualified personnel, with one council having had five financial directors over recent years. The conversation also covered remote meeting capabilities for parish councils, where while remote participation for administrative staff is permitted, councilors must still attend physically, though some participants expressed concerns about the practicality of remote clerks handling local administrative tasks. #### Certificate in Local Council Administration Stuart explained the Certificate in Local Council Administration qualification, which requires coursework and demonstrates a clerk's knowledge and proper execution of duties. John noted that the small parish's lack of major projects presents a challenge for completing the qualification, though Stuart mentioned they offer training through SALC. The discussion also touched on the qualification's cost and benefits, including access to additional powers like wellbeing powers. #### HS2 Project and Infrastructure Planning The group discussed the HS2 rail project, with John noting that despite the change in government, the project is likely to continue due to the significant cost of cancellation. They discussed the construction of Number 10 North, a new purpose-built building in Manchester's GCHQ complex, and debated whether it could potentially serve as temporary quarters for MPs while the Houses of Parliament undergo renovation. The conversation also touched on tunneling equipment from HS2 potentially being repurposed for future projects, and Stuart shared information about proposed tunnels between Manchester and Leeds. *** #### Chat: 00:17:29 Angie Bamford: This is when HS2 went through the old Church at Stoke Mandeville and exhumed the bodies. What I was talking about last week, or the week before? \ 00:27:46 Angie Bamford: Roman Statues found \ 00:31:00 Angie Bamford: \ 00:53:33 Stuart Bacon: \ 00:57:26 Stuart Bacon: \\ ***