Present: Cllrs D Hayward (Chairman), L Bennett (Vice Chair), P Clark, I Houston, T Hunt and S Longdon.
In Attendance: Mrs T Chapman (Clerk), County Councillor Matt Hall, District Councillor Margaret Lawrence and two representative from Network Rail.
- Apologies for Absence
Cllr D Coffin and District Cllr R Legg.
- Minutes from the Last Meeting
The draft minutes from the meeting held on 4th October 2016 were approved by the Councillors in attendance and signed by the Chairman, Cllr D Hayward, as a true record of the meeting.
- Declarations of Interest
Cllr P Clark declared an interest in his planning application (WD/D/16/002090).
- Presentation from Mr Daminan Haynus, Network Rail, concerning a safety improvement scheme for Wkye Farm.
Mr Damian Haynus and Mr Colin McGowen requested to attend the Bradford Abbas Parish Council Meeting in order to discuss the proposed plans for a safety improvement scheme for the Wyke Farm level crossing.
Network Rail is looking to improve safety and level crossings are the primary source of risk. Wyke Farm crossing is one of the level crossings which can removed that is cost effective with a fundamentally safer option nearby. They are seeking support for their proposed scheme.
The level crossing would be closed to the public but remain open for farm traffic (this includes Railway Cottage). The public footpath would be diverted to the road nearest to the level crossing. Network Rail is currently in discussions with the farm tenants and landowners finalising the scheme. Network Rail will apply for the public footpath to be diverted.
The Councillors did not have any objections, the Parish Council would support moving the public right of way for safety reasons. However, the rossing is acutally in Castleton and therefore covered by Yeovo head Parish Council and not Bradford Abbas. Network Rail wished to consult with both parishes on this matter and the Clerk had invited a representative of Yeo Head Parish Council to this meeting, but they were happy for Bradford Abbas to report back any issues.
- Report from the Planning Committee
- Planning Applications:
WD/D/16/001995 Mill Farm, Bradford Abbas. Creation of walled garden and bund. No objections raised. Cllr T Hunt reiterated concerns raised at the last meeting that the Mill Farm applications are dramatically changing the landscape of the area with each application.
Cllr L Bennett emailed Mr David Ackerley (DCC) to report the kissing gate at the Mill Farm footpath has been removed and an area has opened up along the field to navigate walkers away from the house. The Clerk spoke to Mr Ackerley and he will look at the area but he suspects it is an alternate temporary footpath while work on the wall is in process.
The Clerk contacted Mr Ackerly concerning an action from a meeting a few months ago for reflective wooden posts either side of Smith Bridge in order to alert drivers to the narrow bridge. The Clerk has now contacted Mr Roland Skeats and Mr Paul Thatcher of DCC Highways. (Cllr P Clark left the room)
WD/D/16/002090 (LBC) Old Downs, Church Road, Bradford Abbas. Recovering slate roof reusing existing slates where possible, salvageable existing slates will be used on the front of the elevation and new slates on the rear. No objections raised. (Cllr P Clark re-entered room)
WD/D/16/002113 11 Cross Road, Bradford Abbas. Erect single storey extensions & internal alterations. No objections raised.
WD/D/16/002225 Little Acre, Back Lane, Bradford Abbas. Erection of 2 bay garage. No objections raised.
- West Dorset District Council Planning Notifications
Cllr D Hayward stated Toll House, Toll Bridge Farm, Compton Road has two planning applications online concerning confirmation of compliance. The Parish Council does not need to respond.
- Tree Applications
No new applications.
- Affordable Housing
Cllr D Hayward spoke to Mr Peter Friend, (Hastoe) concerning the possibility of discussing this openly with the community at the Annual Parish Meeting in April and if he would consider attending. Mr Friend agreed to attend the meeting although he mentioned the Bradford Abbas affordable housing site is not high priority for Hastoe. Mr Friend confirmed there are 14 potential names on the Housing Register at present. The Parish Council does not know the names on the list or their links to the village. The item will be discussed with the Mr Loxton and the Parish Council will only move forward if he is happy for this to be discussed at the Annual Meeting. The preferred site is behind Pettitts Close with access off Quarry Lane.
- Churchwell Lane Stone Wall
After discussing the issues of the unknown cost and ongoing responsibility for maintenance it was concluded the item will be considered for the Annual Parish Meeting in April. Cllr L Bennett stated an idea of cost should be known before it is raised at the Annual Meeting.
- Planning Applications:
- Matters Arising / Actions Taken
- Website
The issues the Clerk was having entering expenditure over £100 is now sorted.
- Design Statement
Nothing to report.
- Defibrillators
The Clerk understands Mr T Jacklin is arranging for the training sessions for the defibrillators. The Clerk will offer to organise them asap. The offer of help will be raised at the next village hall meeting as well. Action: Clerk/ Cllr T Hunt
- Safe Cycle Route to Yeovil
The proposed/possible cycle path route maps will be on the website for the January Meeting. Cllr I Houston was hoping for more support from the village before moving forward. Action: Cllrs P Clark and I Houston
- Website
- Removal of Telephone Box
Cllr D Hayward distributed information concerning the removal of the telephone box prior to the Parish Council Meeting. Comments from the Parish Council are due by 27 November. Previously the phone box was retained on the grounds the mobile coverage is poor in the area. It was resolved to object to BT removing the phone box on the same grounds noting there are now defibrillators in the village.
County Cllr M Hall noted the ambulance service uses EE mobile provider for emergency callouts. Heart monitors supplied by NHS will also run off EE mobile phone services, patients will not be discharged to their homes unless access is available. BT has proposed a high number of telephone boxes are to be removed in the surrounding villages.
If the objection is not successful Cllr D Hayward noted the History Society would consider using an empty box as a village information and interpretation facility. The scheme of purchasing it for £1 from BT is still in place. Cllr D Hayward will prepare an objection for the Clerk to submit. Action: Cllr D Hayward / Clerk
- County Councillor, District Councillor and Officer Reports
Trees: Nothing to report.
Village Hall: Nothing to report, a meeting is scheduled for next week.
Footpaths: No problems to report.
District Councillor M Lawrence reported WDDC will now be paperless and the committee papers will now be available online. Cllr I Houston will upload a link on the Bradford Abbas Parish Council website. Cllr M Lawrene also suggested it may be worth sending a representative from the Parish Council to the Urbansiation of Dorset on 19/11 at the Cerne Abbas Village Hall. Action: Cllr I Houston
County Cllr M Hall informed the Parish Council residents have contacted him to request the drains are cleared on Back Lane. This will be done before Christmas but no specific date was set.
The Reshaping of Councils survey was completed and posted in by Cllr D Hayward.
County Cllr M Hall reported Dorset County must move forward with elections in May.
- Highways
- Fingerposts
The Parish Council with the help from a volunteer has begun repairing the Clifton Maybank fingerpost. It was agreed to pay the welding cost of £50 due to a crack in the finial. It should be completed in the next few weeks.
The Parish Council and volunteer decided to wait until spring to refurbish the fingerpost at the top of Grants Hill. The Quarry Lane fingerpost is ready to be fitted. Many thanks to both the Clerk and Country Councillor M Hall for requesting and acquiring a £100 donation from Yeo Castleton Parish Council for the fingerpost in their Parish (Grants Hill & Underdown Hollow). The Clerk will contact Mrs Rose Edwards, Clerk to Yeohead Parish Council, to arrange for a cheque. Action: Clerk
- Peel Centre Noise Complaints
The Clerk noticed the speed bumps near Argos were extended. She spoke to a few late night employees of Matalan who mentioned the noise has significantly decreased over the past few weeks. The Clerk will contact the residents on Compton Road concerned with the noise level to ask if they had noticed the same. Action: Clerk
Cllr Bennett noted she checked the grit bins on Back Lane and Fannybrook Lane.
The Clerk will report the telegraph pole in the hedge on the Clifton Maybank side of Smiths Bridge. The Clerk reported the broken railing on Smith’s Bridge but has not had any response noting repairs will be done. She contacted Paul Thatcher, DCC to discuss possible reflectors on either sides of the bridge to warn drivers of the restricted narrow bridge. Action: Clerk
- Any other Highways Matters
Nothing reported.
- Fingerposts
- Report from Playing Field Committee
- Playing Field Inspection Reports
Nothing new to report from the recent checklists.
Cllr D Hayward noted he had repaired the dent in the skate ramp. The Clerk mentioned in the Autumn DAPTC Newsletter included an article about the refurbishment of Barton Hill Skate park. It was professionally painted, the before photo looked very similar to skate ramp in the playing fields. Cllr D Hayward noted the Beavers and Cubs might again paint the ramp in the spring for their community challenge award/badge. The Clerk will contact the leaders. Action: Clerk
Cllr D Hayward reported he spoke to Mr J Metcalf to inform him the Parish Council will not at this time move forward with clearing the churchyard border. Mr Metcalf said that the Church had not firm plans to install a fence at this time.
The Clerk reported spoke to a friend of the resident at 3 Churchwell Close it was noted she felt many of the trees from the playing fields overhang the boundary blocking light to the garden. The resident can no longer use the greenhouse for this reason. Cllr D Hayward will address this with the resident of 3 Churchwell Close.
Action: Cllr D Hayward
- Repairs
The Clerk distributed the estimate from Mr Hopkins for repairs needed to the climbing frame support, toddler unit panel and zip wire platform of £495. It was resolved to accept the estimated cost. The Clerk will inform Mr Hopkins. Action: Clerk
- Playing Field Inspection Reports
- Grants & Donations
None received but £100 expected for the fingerpost from Yeo Head & Castleton Parish Council.
- Financial Accounts to include accounts for payment
The Clerk distributed the following for approval for payment:
£192.33 – Clerks wage month 8
£192.33 – Clerk’s wage month 9
£ 65.00 – DAPTC Essential for Councillors – Cllr Houston is attending Part 2 in November.
Cllr D Hayward requested approval for:
£19.50 – Remembrance Sunday wreath
£59.68 – fingerpost supplies
£54.00 – welding cost (invoice not received as of the meeting)
The above requests were approved for payment. The Clerk reported the current account balance is £5,567.78 and the deposit account balance is approximately £8,119.00.
At the next meeting the Parish Clerk will submit an expense form for the Amazon.com payments in reference to the website. Presently the sum is £46.24 but this does not include October, November or December. This is being paid monthly from a personal credit card but it was requested a standing order could be set up once online banking is put into place. For this reason, the Clerk asked to apply for full access to the bank account on the internet. This was unanimously agreed.
- Budget
The Clerk proposed a first draft budget of £9,070 this increase is due to:
The new auditing system (the cost is unknown)
Projector for planning applications to be discussed in meetings as WDDC will no longer provide paper planning applications
Fingerpost refurbishments
The Clerk asked if any of the Councillors had any projects or requests that should be included in the budget. A detailed budget will be emailed to the Councillors before the next meeting for discussion. The Clerk will review the budget in order to make savings as some costs have not been finalised. Action: Clerk
Cllr D Hayward and the Clerk will add the requested data to the Asset Register in the New Year. Action: Clerk / Cllr D Hayward
The Clerk will email Cllr M Hall concerning flooding at Smith’s Bridge and Quarry Lane (near the Club). Action: Clerk
- Budget
- Correspondences
Cllr D Hayward reported he received a complaint concerning Ledras, Westbury as it is untidy and possibly has vermin in the garden. Cllr D Hayward has responded to the complainant and has also spoke to the owner to of the property.
Urbanisation of Dorset 19th November Cerne Abbas Village Hall. Cllr D Hayward and T Hunt may attend.
- Items for the Pennant
Thank you to the volunteers that tidy up areas throughout the village.
- Any Other Information/Items for January Agenda
None.
- Proposed Dates for the 2017 Meetings.
The Clerk emailed proposed dates prior to the meeting. The dates were approved by the Councillors present. The Clerk will book the village hall.
Date of Next Meeting – Tuesday 3rd January 2016
7:30pm Bradford Abbas Village Hall Committee Room.
The meeting closed at 10:15pm.