Baltonsborough

Coordinates: 51°06′28″N 2°38′57″W / 51.1079°N 2.64923°W / 51.1079; -2.64923

Baltonsborough is a village and civil parish in the Mendip district of Somerset, England. According to the 2001 and 2011 census' it had a population of 864. Apart from Baltonsborough village, the parish also contains the hamlets of Ham Street, Catsham and Southwood.

History

The ancient, and some would argue correct, name of the village is Ballsbury. In the 1980s there was some debate as to whether the village should rename itself Ballsbury in order to make the village name road signs shorter.

The parish was part of the hundred of Glaston Twelve Hides.

Governance

The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.