Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 2nd July 2024 at 7.00pm in Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Present: Cllrs Robin Legg (Chairman), Jenny Thomas, Dave Furby, Sally Jenkins, Peter Clark and Jo Barber.
Others Present: Mrs S Hillier (Parish Clerk) and 2 members of the Public
1 Welcome and receive apologies: The Chairman welcomed Councillors and members of the public to the meeting. Cllr Coffin had sent her apologies for absence which were accepted.
2. Declarations of Interest. There were no declarations of interest.
3. To approve the minutes of meetings held on 11th June 2024. These were agreed and signed accordingly were agreed by those present and signed accordingly.
4. Public period for comments and issues. Jacquie Cuff, Dorset Rural Housing Enabler from Dorset Community Action was in attendance. She addressed the meeting about how in her position she could help advise the Neighbourhood Plan team on the provision of small scale rural affordable housing. The aim was to provide rural communities with an independent advisor and guide, to help navigate the complex process of delivering affordable housing, so people with local can remain in the area closer to families and work. She noted that at the present time there were 9 families on the Housing Register for Bradford Abbas and a further 24 with Bradford Abbas as a preferred area. At present there are 35 social housing properties 12 of which are bungalows. Cllr Legg asked what the turnover o these properties was. Properties did not come up very often and people may be in unsuitable properties because there is nowhere for them to move to. Cllr Thomas noted that we were working with the Community Land trust with regards to finding possible suitable sites. It was also noted that if properties became available they did not always go to residents with local connections and that was the problem with some social landlords. Ms Cuff indicated that she would like to address the Neighbourhood Plan Group. Cllr Thomas to be given her contact details.
Former Cllr Longdon handed over equipment to tension zip wire to Cllr Clark. Cllr Longdon also raised a query regarding a possible request for a change of boundary to 5 Churchwell Street. Plans were handed over and will be discussed at next meeting.
5. To receive any reports from representatives to outside bodies
a) Tree Preservation Officer – Cllr Coffin – the church is still awaiting permission from the diocese regarding the tree surgery.
b) Pennant & Heritage – Cllr Barber – had posted on Facebook the request for dash cam footage on the Grants Hill accident.
c) Rights of Way/Footpaths Officer – Cllr Furby had constructed a spreadsheet of the footpaths. He noted that the path from Queens Road had a broken fence obstructing it from Magma Housing Association property. It was suggested that it be reported to Dorset Council via the web site for them to look at.
d) Village Hall Representative – Cllr Jenkins Not heard anything as yet. Cllr Jenkins would talk to the Chairman re the King’s Portrait.
e) Community Land Trust – Cllr Clark nothing to report
f) DAPTC area committee representative -Cllr Furby Nothing to report.
6. To Receive reports from Working Groups
a) Playing Field – Councillors to look at field and equipment on a rota basis. Waste bins Clerk to request Council empty them or we will remove and put Council one in.
b) Neighbourhood Plan Working Group – Cllr Thomas – continuing to meet monthly, they had applied for a grant for this year. Businesses had been written to. There were comments regarding parking. There was a interest in 20mph limit or Speed Indicator Device (SID). Clerk instructed to write to SIDS team re a speed survey and to ask their advice with regards to a possible visit in September.
c) Telephone Box Working group – Cllr Thomas – continues to be well used.
d) Website Working Group – Cllr Clark Clerk still to write to Mr. Houston.
7. Planning Applications and decisions:
1. P/HOU/2024/02418 Yorkfold Churchwell Street - convert attic and install Juliet balcony and roof lights. Consultation closed – no decision.
2. P/HOU/2024/07728 - 27 Manor Close, Bradford Abbas – Erect Single storey extension – Granted
3. P/FUL/2024/03357, P/FUL/2024/03281, P/FUL/2024/93280 all refer to Unit 3 Peel Centre – alterations to the unit and signage on the totem poles and above the main door of the unit. .The plans were reviewed and there were no objections.
8. Financial Accounts – Payments made, payments due and those over the next month were presented and agreed. It was noted that expenditure on the May elections would not be known from Dorset Council until September. There had been a few problems re change of authority on the mandate but this had now been clarified with the Bank and will be progressed.
Financial Information for Council meeting 2nd July 2024
Current Account
£11575.91 Account Balance as at 7th June 2024
Payments made since
£5000.00 transferred to Deposit Account as agreed at meeting of 11th June 2024
£70.80 LCN Web site
Direct Debits Paid
None since last meeting
Receipts
None since last meeting
£6505.11 Balance in Current Account as at 30th June 2024
Proposed payments from Current Account
£219.60 Salary Month 2
£164.60 HMRC - PAYE
£219.80 Salary Month 3
£176.17 KM Dike Inv 1971
£13.60 Postage (NP)
£33.73 Telephone Box Group
Not yet due
£40.00 DAPTC Training Cllr Jenkins
£176.17 KM Dike
£219.60 Salary Month 4
Deposit Account
£17328.68 Balance reported at meeting on 9th June 2024
£19.75 Interest
£5000.00 Transfer in from Current Account
£22348.43 in Deposit Account as at 30th June 2024
NP denotes Neighbourhood Plan expenditure monies held in Deposit account and transferred out as required
Total in accounts as at £30th June 2024 is £28853.59
9. Footpaths (Definitive Rights of Way) -Chairman presented 3 maps showing footpaths that pass through residential properties and gardens and have not been altered on the definitive map N6/1. N6/2 AND N6/7. Clerk to contact Rights of Way officer regarding these anomalies
10. Highways verges, footpath route maintenance -. It was noted that the footpath from Queens Road to Westbury was also very overgrown. Clerk to contact the Ranger and see if anything can be done. It was also suggested that the Ranger be invited to meet with some of the councillors to look at some at of these footpaths.
The state of some of the roads was also discussed with regards to mud, verge and ditch collapse and speed of some tractors on the narrow roads. Reference was made to the accident on Grants Hill.
Cllr Furby also reported that youths had been throwing sand over the edge of Underdown Hollow onto the road. This had been reported to the Police and they were going to make a visit. It was also noted that the unofficial parking in that area by the bikers appeared on Google Maps as a parking area!
There had not been a meeting of the working group with Queens Thorne Parish Council re the A30 accidents. Clerk asked to write to Queens Thorne Clerk as this had been their request.
11. Items for Pennant – Cllr Barber to take items from discussions.
12. Date of Next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting - Tuesday 3rd September 2024 at 7.00pm in Bradford Abbas Village Hall.
The Meeting Closed at 8.50pm