BRADFORD ABBAS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 4th March 2025 at 7.00pm on Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Attendance: Cllrs. R Legg, J Thomas, D Coffin, P Clark, D Furby, J Barber, S Jenkins. Parish Clerk. There was one member of the public present
- Welcome and Apologies for Absence -The Chairman welcomed Councillors to the meeting. There were no apologies for absence.
- Declarations of Interest – There were no declarations of interest.
- To approve the minutes of the meeting of 7th January 2025 – Agreed unanimously
- Matters Arising from 7th January not elsewhere on the Agenda –
- Blackberry Solar Farm – a copy of the standard agreement re distribution of funding had not been received by Cllr Legg from RWE as yet. It seems that the application will not be presented until April/May as an Environmental Impact Assessment was required. Deliveries to the middle and southern sectors of the site were likely to be via Bradford Road as Over Compton Road junction was a traffic blackspot..
- T474 East Farm footpath – the Order recognising the footpath has been issued. Cllr Furby noted that the route was not easily accessible, he would be contacting the footpath officer at Dorset Council for him to view.
- Laptop – The new laptop had been purchased but as yet not functioning as not able to load Microsoft 365 – to investigate further. Clerk Broadband had been down and old laptop could not access new supplier.
- Atlas Group had met with some of the local Parishes via Zoom but as yet not with Bradford Abbas. Clerk to enquire further.
- 20mph zones do not need to already be 30mph. At present all requests that met the requirements were being funded. The pre-requisite was a speed survey funded by the Parish. Clerk to Investigate further with the relevant department.
- Public Consultation – There were no comments or questions
- To Consider any Planning Applications and Receive Decisions –
- P/FUL/2024/04791 Station 3 holiday lodges, install a package treatment plant at Saxon Maybank, East Farm Grain Mills. DT9 6JN = no decision – more documents added even though consultation has closed – Cllr Legg urged case officer to make decision or take to committee.
- P/FUL/2024/06236 – Old Post Office House, Church Road DT9 6RF – Remove redundant shop front and replace with traditional style casement windows and stonework – no decision – black plastic an eyesore. Cllr Legg to contact case officer
- P/HOU/2025/01030 Mill Farm DT9 5RE Erect a single storey extension and enclose roof over side yard to create a boot room and link. – a very large extension in an area liable to flooding. 4 For, 2 abstentions, 1 against development.
Financial Accounts –Payment made since last meeting and payments due were presented to Council – Acceptance of the accounts was proposed by Cllr Legg, seconded by Cllr Barber – carried unanimously.
Bank Accounts – Since the last meeting Lloyds had changed the account to a Community Account incurring charges of £4.25per month plus additional charges of 50p per cheque. Also deposit account rate had been cut to 0.9%. Clerk had investigated and recommended changing account to Unity Bank who had a flat rate fee of £6 per month with no additional charges and a Savings Bank rate of 2.25% Gross. It was agreed to further investigate and change the Bank via Switch at a convenient time – Proposed Cllr Legg, seconded Cllr Furby – unanimous,
- 2024-2025 Budget to date could not be presented due to inaccessibility of old machine at this time.
- Maintenance of Hedges and Verges – Toomer had been engaged to cut Westbury Hedge again. Quotations had been gained and circulated to Counsellors for decision.
- Engaging with Parishes Meeting – Hosted by Sherborne Town Council. Cllr Legg with Officers from Dorset Highways and the Cabinet Member for Highways met with Clerks and Councillors from local Parishes to discuss several issues raised by the Parishes, Notably A30, especially Over Compton junction, 20mph speed limits, mud on the roads and pot holes.
To receive reports from representatives –
a)Tree Officer – a lot a trees at the moment being subject to tree surgery –trees on the field which were covered by rope has been removed.
b) Pennant and Heritage – Road closure notice for Underdown Hollow was posted.
c) Rights of Way – A report had bee circulated to Councillors. Dorset to be contacted re T474, and Gollops Ground and Fanny Brooks Lane progress.
- Village Hall – Heating has been repaired. Looking to replace the old control panel. The Play School and Primary School liking to be working more closely together. Looking for quotes to replace fence around oil tank.
- DAPTC – Area committee meeting scheduled for 18th March 7.00pm.
- Reports from Councillors on Working Groups –
- Neighbourhood Plan – Meeting more frequently as nearing completion and nearly ready for consultation one section on green spaces left to clarify. There will need to be a special meeting of the Council to look at the plan as presented by the Working Group and possibly a Zoom connection with the consultant. Hopefully a grant for next year will be applied for. Once agreed there will then be consultation with the public.
- Recreation Field – Goal post net support has been damaged. Dog bin outside the field to be applied for positioned outside the field on the footpath.
- Telephone Box Group – Constantly changing supply, still well used.
- Items for Pennant - Meeting of Parish Council, Neighbourhood plan progress towards Public Consultation.
- Communications – Underdown Hollow road closure 17th – 19th March for tree works. Heart of Wessex rail closure 10th – 16th March, Sherborne Directory please check entries.
- Next Meeting Annual Parish Meeting 1st April 7pm Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Ordinary Council Meeting 6th May 7pm Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Meeting Closed at 8.50pm