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 and District Councillor Robin Legg.
- Apologies for Absence
Cllr D Coffin.
- Minutes from the Last Meeting
The draft minutes from the meeting held on 8th November 2016 were approved by the Councillors in attendance and signed by the Chairman, Cllr D Hayward, as a true record of the meeting. (Cllr T Hunt arrived)
- Declarations of Interest
None.
- Report from the Planning Committee
- Planning Applications
No new planning applications received by post.
The Clerk noted in January West Dorset District Council will no longer provide hard copies of planning applications to the Parish Councils. Cllr L Bennett has submitted an application for an extension but the website dorsetforyou.com did not provide the Case Officer details for the Clerk to contact in order to request an extension for the deadline (27/1). There is some confusion why another Parish is consulted on the application. Once the Case Officer is listed the Clerk discuss the deadline and other concerns and let the Councillors know if an extra ordinary meeting is required.
- West Dorset District Council Planning Notifications
WD/D/16/002090 (LBC) Old Downs, Church Road, Bradford Abbas. Approved by WDDC
WD/D/16/002113 11 Cross Road, Bradford Abbas. Approved by WDDC
WD/D/16/00203 & 001934 Little Thatch, Mill Lane, Bradford Abbas. Approved by WDDC
- Tree Applications
WD/CA/16/00507 – Orchard Close, North Street, Bradford Abbas. No objections.
WD/CA/16/00456 – The Grange, Church Road, Bradford Abbas. No objections.
WD/CA/16/00487 – 1 The Cross, Bradford Abbas. No objections.
The Clerk submitted decisions at the in December.
- Affordable Housing
Cllr D Hayward noted the Clerk was contacted by a family applying for a (Magna) house in the village. Their strong links to the village were not taken into consideration and the applicant asked for the Parish Council’s advice and guidance. The Clerk forwarded the email message to the District Councillors and Cllr D Hayward to ask if they could help the family. Cllr D Legg reported they were successful after the application was correctly re-advertised. The original advertisement for the house noted the applicants would benefit from links to Sherborne, not specifically to Bradford Abbas.
Cllr D Hayward did not have anything else to report concerning affordable housing.
The Churchwell Lane Stone Wall will be considered for the Annual Parish Meeting in April. Cllr R Legg stated the stone wall is referred to in the conservation plan. He will look into the possibility of Adverse Possession on behalf of the Parish Council.
- Planning Applications
- Bus Consultation concerning concessionary passes
The Clerk has forwarded the consultation to the councillors. It was resolved the consultation does not require a view from the Parish Council and it may be more effective if each Councillor were to complete the survey individually.
County Councillor M Hall noted the county received £1 for a concessionary bus pass and is also in communications concerning local services with Somerset County Council as many of our buses originate from Yeovil.
- Matters Arising / Actions Taken
- Website
Cllr I Houston has added a link to the WDDC Committee meeting information.
The Clerk would like to distribute the minutes and agendas to the District and County Councillors directly from the website, although they do not need a login. Action: Cllr I Houston
- Design Statement
Cllr T Hunt reported the working group met and he will draft some information for the February Meeting. Action: Cllr T Hunt
- Defibrillators
Cllr D Hayward reported the training session took place in December and was well attended.
The Clerk will contact Mr T Jacklin to discuss procedures in place for checking the defibrillators and reporting back to South Western Ambulance Services website. Action: Clerk
- Safe Cycle Route to Yeovil
Cllr I Houston and Cllr P Clark walked the area and drafted the route (attached to the minutes). The preferred route is Leaze Lane although some of this route is the property of the Yeovil Golf Club. The route near Underdown is very steep and unsafe. It was resolved Cllr D Hayward will contact the Yeovil Golf Club to set up a meeting. It was suggested if the Golf Club wish to do so they could set up a permissive pass immediately on an experimental basis. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- Website
- County Councillor, District Councillor and Officer Reports
Trees: Cllr L Bennett noted the trees overhanging near the top of North Street. Cllr L Bennett asked the Councillors to have a look and see if any action is required. Cllr D Hayward spoke to the resident at Churchwell Close concerning the overhanging trees from the playing fields mentioned to the Clerk last month. It was felt the trees most likely blocking the light to the resident’s greenhouse and garden are from the Churchyard. The Councillors will review the area if it is decided to take out the dead tree in the Playing Field in the future.
Village Hall: Cllr T Hunt discussed the upcoming Film Nights which are slowly growing in numbers.
Footpaths: No problems to report. It was resolved the Clerk will speak to the agent of Mill Farm planning applications in order to invite meet with them to get a general idea of their plans for the property and if more applications are to be expected. Action: Clerk
District Councillor R Legg reported the District Council is meeting on the 25th January to discuss the possible upcoming reorganisation.
- Highways
- Fingerposts
Cllr D Hayward noted the Quarry Lane fingerpost is complete. The Clifton Maybank has a few items left to complete before it is installed. For safety reasons the County is not willing to help dismantle the fingerpost at the junction of Church Road and Grants Hill. Cllr D Hayward will speak to Mr J Mellish to determine who owns the field behind the post and see if the volunteers could have permission to complete the repairs from the field side instead of the dangerous junction. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- Mirror Back lane
Cllr L Bennett requested on behalf of the BAAHA (Allotment Association) if a mirror could be erected opposite the allotment access onto Back Lane. It was resolved the Clerk will contact Network Rail for permission as they own the verge. County Councillor M Hall suggested getting the permission in writing to avoid any problems with Highways in the future. Action: Clerk
Cllr Bennett also asked what happens if the Mr Loxton no longer rents the field currently allocated for the allotments to the PC? Mr Loxton has assured the Parish Council as long as Winchester College rents the field to him he will make is available to the Parish Council at cost but would not guarantee what would happen if he gives up his tenancy. If there is a significant number of requests from tax paying residents the Parish Council has a statutory obligation to provide an allotment.
- Any other Highways Matters
County Councillor M Hall noted the A30 dual carriage way will be begin works next week. This may affect Bradford Abbas due to queuing traffic. He suggested the Parish Council contacts Mr P Thatcher or Mr R Skeats if there is a significant increase in the traffic in the village.
It was requested the Clerk contact Dorset Direct again to get the Smith’s Bridge railing repaired for safety reason. Action: Clerk
- Fingerposts
- Report from Playing Field Committee
- Playing Field Inspection Reports
The Clerk will prepare a 2017 inspection rota and email it out to the Councillors asap. Action: Clerk
- Repairs
The Clerk wrote to Mr Hopkins accepting his estimate for repairing the climbing frame support, toddler unit panel and zip wire platform of £495.
- Playing Field Inspection Reports
- Grants & Donations
None.
- Financial Accounts to include accounts for payment
The Clerk distributed the following for approval for payment:
£1,105.00 – Mr P Tomsett cutting the grass in the playing fields for 2016
£ 79.20 – Bradford Abbas Village Hall for the 2017 meetings
£ 137.24 – P Chapman expenses (£59.03 website; £78.21 stationary)
£ 192.33 – Clerks wage month 10
The above requests were approved for payment.
The Clerk reported the application for online banking is in but she has not heard anything else. Ideally the monthly website costs will be a standing order/ direct debit. Cllr I Houston noted this may not be possible with Amazon and a debit card maybe necessary. The Clerk does not think with the standing orders this is possible but will speak to the bank again to query this. Action: Clerk
Cllr T Hunt noted the current account spreadsheet stated the grant for the defibrillator came from the Bradford Abbas Village Hall not from the fundraising working group. The Clerk used this notation as the money was a direct deposit from the BA Village Hall Accounts. A letter was received from the Village Hall stating the money deposited was on behalf of the fundraising group.
- Budget
Prior to the meeting the Clerk emailed a revised the proposed budget of £8,740.00 this took into account information received after the November Meeting. The new budget is for £8,740.00 with a Local Council Tax Support Grant of £124.00 available. The precept charged to the taxpayers will be £8,616.00. All in favour of the proposed budget. The Clerk will complete the Parish Precept Request form. Action: Clerk (detail of the budget by request).
- Budget
- Correspondences
Have Your Say – Council Tax Funding (Clerk forwarded via email)
Grants & Funding available (Clerk forwarded via email)
Dog Control Orders – it was resolved this is not an issue in the playing fields and the orders will not cover pavements, roads etc.
Local Council Online Consultation: Changes and Solutions – WDDC event. The Clerk will book this event for herself and Cllr D Hayward
The Clerk noted the Annual Highways Service Survey is available online
The Clerk forwarded a letter dated 7/11/16 via email concerning WDDC housing supply reports and dates that are available online (http://moderngovdcp.dorsetforyou.gov.uk)
- Items for the Pennant
Thank you to the volunteers for refurbishing the fingerposts and Annual Parish Meeting date. Cllr I Houston suggested a contact page on the website for the Parish Council.
- Any Other Information/Items for February Agenda
None.
Date of Next Meeting – Tuesday 7th February 2017
7:30pm Bradford Abbas Village Hall Committee Room.
The meeting closed at 9:45pm.