Puxton

Coordinates: 51°22′02″N 2°51′14″W / 51.3673°N 2.8540°W / 51.3673; -2.8540

Puxton is a village and civil parish, 5 miles (8.0 km) north west of Axbridge in the Unitary Authority of North Somerset within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England.

The civil parish includes the isolated hamlets of East Hewish and West Hewish.

History

The parish was part of the Winterstoke Hundred.

Puxton was part of the manor of Banwell held by the Bishop of Bath and Wells until the reign of Henry VI when it passed to the St Loe or de Sancto Laudo family who held it for over 100 years.

Puxton Park, a family attraction with small animals, a falconry centre and farm shop, opened in 2007. The park gained some notability when it was revealed that they will not allow any single people to visit under the assumption that they are all paedophiles.

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, such as the village hall or community centre, playing fields and playgrounds, 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 of interest to the council.