PRESENT: Cllrs S Hillier (Chairman), J Thomas (Vice-Chair), P. Clark, S Longdon, D Coffin
Also in attendance: Mrs S Hillier (Clerk) 4 Members of the public
- Welcome and apologies for absence: The Chairman welcomed Councillors and visitors to the meeting. Apologies were received from Councillor Iain Houston, Cllr L Bennett, Cllr R Legg
- Declarations of Interest: There were none declared.
- To approve the minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 22nd January 2024: Their approval was proposed by Cllr Longdon, seconded by Cllr Coffin – agreed nem con.
Public Forum – The recent accident on the A30 was discussed with members from Queens Thorne PC also being present. There is a plan to reduce the speed limit to 60mph between Yeovil and Sherborne – this accident was due to a vehicle with a trailer attempting a’U’ turn at the junction and a car hit the trailer. Could do with accident blackspot signage, SID indicating speed? Other alternatives include a roundabout, blocking central reservation gap. Need to produce as much evidence as possible to back arguments – It was agreed that 2 members from each Council would meet to collate information. Cllr Thomas and Cllr Clark would represent Bradford Abbas PC. Cllr Thomas suggested that this matter should be considered form inclusion in the Neighbourhood Plan. Cllr Hillier would contact the PCC David Sidwell to request that police reports on the accidents should be forwarded to Dorset Council as a matter of urgency.
Matter Arising - Councillors are disappointed there is no movement on the Post Box installation – Clerk to contact the Royal Mail agents again.
DMMO Fanny Brooks Lane – Clerk to contact landowners and leaseholders.
- Planning Application and decisions.
P/FUL/2022/07371 – Yeovil Golf Club, Bradford Hollow. Erection of a single storey side extension to form a new Sports Bar and extension to the Driving Rage to form a Swing Studio. –No objection no decision
P/HOU/2024/00172- 2 Yew Tree Cottages North Street Bradford Abbas Dorset DT9 6SB - Increase the chimney height, line & insulate existing masonry flue. Install galvanised steel register plate. Support application as important to protect thatch roof – a feature of the village.
- Community Assets – register to be updated. Councillors requested to check list.
- To receive Officer Reports.
1. Tree Officer – Cllr Coffin noted that the church had worked on some of the storm damaged trees. Hedge on Westbury had started to be trimmed. Clerk reported that work would continue later in the month and was to be done by hand, not machine.
2. Footpath Officer – Cllr Longdon noted that footpaths were passable but very muddy. Right of Way N6/5 Bridge on footpath behind school to be closed for repairs from 15th April for 3 weeks.
3. Village Hall – no report
7. To receive an update from Working Groups.
1. Telephone Box /Library Group – Cllr Thomas gave an Annual Report – Books and Jig-saws still being well used and regularly replenished. The Coronation coach had been well received and reported on locally, nationally and even Internationally! Cllr Longdon was thanked for his input for the Remembrance Day display and it was thought that there would be some display to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June.
2. Neighbourhood Plan Working Group Councillors met informally with members of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group on 6th February 2024. The working group gave a presentation demonstrating progress to date on the development of the Neighbourhood Plan. This includes the vision for the Plan, collection and collating of information, the headings the Plan considers, and consultations to date, a Design Code for Bradford Abbas and Clifton Maybank had also been prepared as a supplementary document to the Plan.. Parish Councillors were given the opportunity to question members of the Group on matters of content and presentation. The Neighbourhood Plan Working Group requested that the Parish Council agree with this progress to date and whether as the responsible body they would like the work to continue. This work would include another Public Consultation on the Draft Document.
Following a short discussion it was formally agreed that work should continue and that the Working Group be thanked for their hard work to date. Proposed Cllr Coffin, seconded Cllr Longdon – carried nem con
3. Web site group – Cllr Clark & Cllr Hillier requested a meeting with Cllr Houston regarding the web site.
8. Elections May 2024- Nomination papers were available and would be circulated to interested parties. The Clerk had a copy of the register and would check forms and return them to Dorset Council for nominees.
9. Discussion on Highways Issues. Discussion about the problems on the A30 took place under Public Forum. There were no other issues.
10. Playing Field - A second picnic bench had been damaged. It was decided not to replace them.
11. Financial Accounts
- To consider any grants or financial requests. – there were none
- To consider February/March/April payments. Acceptance proposed by Cllr Longdon, seconded Cllr Coffin. Accepted nem con
- To consider internal auditor – Clerk to contact auditor from last year.
- To consider the External Auditors Report
12. Correspondence – Notifications regarding the Parish Council elections on 2nd May 2024. Nominations are open and papers are available from the Parish Clerk.
13. Items for Pennant – Progress on the Neighbourhood Plan, A30 working party set up,
Meeting closed at 8.52pm
Date of next Meeting Tuesday 2nd April 2024 Annual Parish Meeting 7.00pm in the Village Hall
Date of the next Parish Council meeting to be advised when the results of the Parish Elections are known.
Financial information for 5th March 2024 meeting
Current Account
£7,374.82 Account Balance as at 19th January 2024 Neighbourhood Plan Group
£81.00 Braford Abbas Village Hall (NP) £6807.00 received current
£168.00 Village Hall Hire account transferred to Deposit Acct.
£252.00 BDO LLP External Audit Transfer money to Current account
£1900.80 Dorset Planning Co. (NP) £1980.80 – Dorset Planning Co.
£213.60 Hosting (Iain Houston) £81.00 – Village Hall
£169.39 KM Dike Inv 1856 £38.18 Parish on line
£169.39 Km Dike Inv 1876 £1900.80 Dorset Planning Co
£219.60 Salary month10
£304.00 Salary Back pay increase
Direct Debits
£0.27 AWS EMAE Hosting (Feb)
£3896.77 Account Balance as at 3rd March 2024
Deposit Account
£24,825.31 Account Balance as at 19th January 2024
£27.41 Interest Paid Feb
£24,852.72 Account Balance as at 3rd March 2024
£28749.49 Total in all accounts
Proposed payments
£219.80 Salary Month 11
£375.00 Savills Allotment Rent
£169.39 KM Dike Inv 1897
£92.00 J Thomas Xmas Tree and decorations
£38.16 Parish on line (NP)
£1900.80 Dorset Planning Co. (NP)
£497.79 total before March meeting so far!
Before Next Meeting (approx. amounts)
£219.60 SALARY Month 12
£ 240.80 HMRC