BRADFORDABBAS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 2nd September 2025 at 7.00pm on Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Attendance: Cllrs. R Legg, P Clark, D Furby, S Jenkins, D Coffin, J Barber, J Thomas, 15 members of the public and the Parish Clerk.
- Welcome and Apologies for Absence: The Chairman welcomed Councillors and members of the public to the meeting. It was stated that the order of business would be altered to accommodate issues raised by the public. There were no apologies for absence.
- Declarations of Interest: Cllr Legg declared an interest in Item 10, Dorset Council Local Plan consultation as a member of Dorset Council.
- Minutes of the Meeting of the 1st July 2025 – These had been circulated, their acceptance was proposed by Cllr Clark, seconded by Cllr Jenkins – Agreed unanimously.
- Matters arising from the Minutes a) Blackberry Solar Farm, a letter had been received from Marengo Communications explaining that there was a delay in submitting a planning application as the Government had changed the process for obtaining a permit to access the National Grid .
b) T474 Saxon Maybank footpath – The footpath was now fully open and access widened to one metre. There is one area where the electronic box operating the gate obstructs the edge of the path and Dorset Council has been informed. Cllr Furby was thanked for his persistence in getting this work done which was reiterated by members of the public.
c) A30 – This discussion was combined with Item 8 – A meeting with Highways Officers, the M.P. members from Queens Thorne Council and Bradford Abbas Council met to discuss the proposed closure of the crossing across the A30 at Old Compton Road. There would remain a crossing for pedestrians and cyclists but not for vehicles. A letter was prepared by Bradford Abbas and Queens Thorne Parish Councils to be sent to the Chief Constable, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Coroner urging the installation of speed cameras at the first opportunity as a speed survey indicated that on a daily basis more than 40% of vehicles were exceeding the speed limit with some reaching speed of over 100mph. That the letters be sent as indicated was proposed by Cllr Legg, seconded Cllr Furby -Agreed unanimously.
5. Public Forum – This was combined with Agenda item 9 – discussion of a letter from
Hallam Land . The majority of the members of the public attending were representing residents of Compton Road. A resident stated that they had set up a Whats App group and were exchanging information. In their opinion nothing had changed since the previous Local Plan in 2017. The land was very susceptible to flooding and flash flooding. There were endangered species such as bats, there was a badger sett and a wealth of other wildlife. Cllr Leg explained that the site had not been identified in the present Local Plan consultation as site for development as the reasons for rejection last time still stood, however, it could still come forward under the |flexible Development Policy as Dorset does not have a sufficient number of sites identified at present. Cllr Clark noted that much of the site was in Yeovil and the two areas would have to work together. Residents were urged to keep a diary and photographic evidence of wildlife sitings. flooding, speeding issues and traffic problems along Compton Road and the roundabout. Residents were urged to keep dialogue open with the Parish Council because although we could not comment at the present time we needed as mush information as possible.
The issue of the need for a bus service was raised. It was noted that a bus ran to Yeovil to Sherborne but not through the villages. Cllr Legg urged that comments be made in the Local Transport Plan Consultation which could be found on-line at the Dorset Council web site.
Flooding at the bottom of The Cross was an issue with blocked drains causing an issue,similarly, down Back Lane where there seemed to be insufficient drains. Floding could be reported on-ine.
6. Financial Matters – a) Payments made and Payments due. A list had been circulated to Councillors and acceptance was proposed by Cllr Legg, seconded by Cllr Coffin – agreed unanimously. There was a request to purchase a wreath for Remembrance Day, this was agreed and Cllr Legg agreed to lay it on behalf of the Council. Financial Information for Ordinary Council Meeting 2nd September 2025
Current Account
£7554.77 Balance in Current Account as at 30th June 2025
Payments made since that date Agreed Direct Debit
£408.00 Ch 1004 Defibrillator check 01/07/25 AWS EMEA 0.30
£172.20 Ch 1002 HMRC PAYE 01/07/25 AWS EMEA 0.31
£229.80 Ch 1003 Salary Month 3 01/07/25 AWS EMEA 0.32
£5.75 PAY Bank charges
£150.00 Ch1006 Internal Audit 01/07/25
£102.08 Ch1005 SSL Certificate 01/07/25
£181.45 Ch 999 K M Dike Inv 2260 01/07/25
£229.80 Ch 1007 Salary Month 4
£181.45 Ch 1008 KM Dike Inv 2283
£7.25 PAY Bank Charges
£5704.93 Balance in Current Account as at 2nd September 2025
Future Payments
£181.45 KM Dike Inv 2304
£375.00 Allotments Estimated Payments
£229.60 Salary Month 5 £229.80 Salary Month 6 approx.
£6.75 Bank Charges
£172.00 HMRCPAYE approx.
£754.46 Insurance
£29.00 Remembrance Wreath est.
£1978.07 Total Future Payments (including uncleared payments - £5,860.64 approximately)
Deposit Account
£29,877.54 balance in Deposit account at 30th June 2025
£17.71 Interest July
£18.92 Interest August
£29,914.17 balance in Deposit Account 2nd September 2025
b) Salary Update - A paper had been circulated indicating a salary rise of 3.2% for the year 2025/2026 backdated to 1st April had been agreed by SLCC/NALC. This represented an increase of 0.46p per hour. Proposed Cllr Legg, seconded Cllr Thomas that tis be paid – agreed unanimously
c Insurance Renewal - Had been received, payment was due by 10thSeptember. Clerk has requested quotes from other companies to compare but not received. Clear Council/Ecclesiastical was for £754.56 appreciably higher than last year but that had been on a three year fixed term. The Clerk requested agreement for this sum, but should the alternative quotes come in at a lesser amount Councillors would be informed. Proposal to accept was proposed by Cllr Legg, seconded Cllr Thomas – agreed unanimously.
- Report on Meeting with Atlas This was an online meeting with the aim of finding a suitable site for a mobile phone mast to improve the signal in the area. The proposal was for a twenty metre high mast. Four possible sites were put forward. The favoured sites were behind the allotments next to the rail cutting, and further along the cutting closer to the road. The land is Winchester College land. Atlas had a survey form that could be distributed via Pennant to ascertain the favoured site.
10. Dorset Local Plan Consultation- Digby Hall in Sherborne on October 7th 2pm-7pm Dorset Council officers would be present to explain options. Members of the Public and Council members as individuals were urged to complete the Consultation form that could be found on-line. Although Bradford Abbas has no identified housing development sites in the plan the Flexible Settlement Policy was a concern as it could allow modest developments of 30-40 houses connected to the Parish boundary and in sustainable locations. It was agreed to hold an Extraordinary Meeting of the |council to discuss the Development Plan on Wednesday 8th October in the Village Hall at 7.00pm. Concern was also raised regarding the areas for wind and solar provision. The Local Transport Plan Consultation is also happening with the same closing date of 13th October 2025 and the two should be considered together.
11. Planning Applications and decisions - P/HOU/2025/04606 – 30 South View DT9 6RS – erect single storey garage (demolish existing) and erect front porch. Form 2 no. dormers to front elevation – no objection
P/HOU/2025/04282 – Willows, Mill Lane DT9 6RH – Convert loft into living accommodation with large rear dormer. Erect single storey rear extension and external alterations – No objection
P/HOU/2025 04041 – East Farm House Access Lane to East Farm from Underdown Hollow DT9 6JN – Erect two storey side extension and external alterations (Demolish single storey side extension). – Positive improvement to the site, Councillors support. Granted 26-08-25
P/HOU/2025/04811 – 1 Higher Westbury DT9 6RX Erect single storey ide and rear extensions with roof lights. Cllr Furby had spoken to the Conservation Officer as partly in the Conservation Area, no problem foreseen as has roof lights and no adverse effect on 1 & 2 The Cross – No objection.
P/TRC/20245/02368 Ruskin House Church Road – fell crab apple – Granted 03-07-25
P/FUL/2024/06716 – Loscombe House Old \Compton Lane – Continue use of land for car storage (Class B8) – no decision
P/FUL/2024/04791 – 3 holiday lodges and a package treatment plant at Saxon Maybank East Farm Grain Mills – no decision
P/FUL/2024/06236 – Old Poat Office House, Church Road – Remove redundant shop front and replace with traditional style casement windows and stonework – Granted 19-03-25
12. Expenses Policy - A draft policy was presented covering mileage and transport expenses for Councillors in pursuant of their work when travelling outside of the Parish boundaries, mileage allowance in line with HMRC rates, subsistence costs by Councillors and Clerk, general expenses and purchases by the Clerk. All to be approved by the Parish Council and backed by receipts. To be reviewed in 3 years or earlier should the need arise. – Proposed by Cllr Legg, seconded Cllr Furby – agreed unanimously
13. Reports from Representatives – Tree officer, it was noted that a tree had been damaged on the field Cllr Coffin and Cllr Furby to address.
Rights of Way Officer – Cllr Furby had submitted the monthly report on footpaths and rights of way, no problems other than that reported in Item 4b.
Pennant and Heritage Officer – nothing to report, will put Atlas survey in Pennant.
Village Hall Officer – no further contact from the school regarding the fence.
14. Reports from Working Groups – Telephone Box Group – very well used, an every changing number of books. Flags were flown for VJ day and VE Day along with spam and margarine sandwiches! Planters need new compost and will be planted with dwarf bulbs. Donations of compost are sought.
Recreation Field – Damage to the pedestrian gate Cllr Coffin and Cllr Furby to look at repairs. Neighbourhood Plan – In the final stages of the work the plan is with the consultant and should be with Councillors and published on-line on 23rd. There will be a public launch on 30th September in the Village Hall introduced by Cllr Legg followed by presentations by Terry Hunt and Dick on the Community Land |trust. Residents will then have the opportunity to visit stands on the various sections and make comments. Twenty hard copies will be printed and posters displayed. Copies will be lodged around the village. Following the consultation period the consultant will write and submit a concluding statement on behalf of the Parish Council. Dorset Council will then be consulted before going to the examiner. Prior to a referendum. The Government withdrew funding for Parish Plans as of April this year with no notice – we are so close to finishing it would be wrong not to complete the exercise. It was proposed that the Parish Council will fund the project to its conclusion. Proposed Cllr Coffin, seconded Cllr Barber – Agreed unanimously
15. Communications and Urgent Business – UK Government Emergency Alert Testing at 3pm on 7th September.
Re engage Play Inspection Company to inspect the Play Equipment. Engage Southern Playground Services to look at matting under equipment if out of guarantee. Contact Finding Fitness regarding possible new play equipment
There had been no Urgent Business notified to the Chairman
The meeting closed at 9.05pm
Date of Next Meeting - 8th October Extraordinary Meeting to discuss Dorset Council Draft Local Plan 7.00pm Village Hall
4th November Ordinary Parish Council Meeting 7.00pm Village Hall
Members of the public are welcome at both meetings