BRADFORD ABBAS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 6th January 2026 at 7.00pm on Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Attendance: Cllrs. R Legg (Chairman), D Furby, S Jenkins, D Coffin, J Barber, J Thomas and 1 member of the public and the Parish Clerk.
- Welcome and Apologies for Absence: The Chairman welcomed Councillors and the member of the public to the meeting, wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr. Clark, apologies were agreed and accepted unanimously.
- Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest other than the general exception for Councillors when discussing the Budget and Precept for the forthcoming year 2026-2027.
- Minutes of the Meeting of the 4th November 2025 – These had been circulated, their acceptance was proposed by Cllr Coffin, seconded by Cllr Jenkins - Agreed unanimously
Matters arising from the Minutes a) Blackberry Solar Farm – nothing to report. It was noted that there were plans for 2 further Solar farms in Dorset, one at Motcombe and the other at Ryme Intrinsica alongside the A37 adjoining the development already in place. This is hoe a 40Mw display and 20 Mw Battery storage.
c) A30 – It was reported following the Cabinet meeting in December Dorset Council approved the installation of speed cameras to the value of £1.1-1.2m. Cllr Legg was to be invited to the discussion on the positioning of the cameras in January.
- Public Consultation – The member of the public raised the problem of gulley blockages, flooding and field mud washing onto Back Lane, Cross Road and other local roads. A sketch map of the problem spots was provided. The matter would be discussed further under item7 on the Agenda
Financial Matters – a) Income and Expenditure – Income and Expenditure data for November and December had been circulated in advance along with proposed expenditure for January as known to date.Financial Information for Ordinary Council Meeting 6th January 2026
Current Account
£3717.43 Balance in Current Account as reported at 3rd November 2025
Payments made since that date Agreed Direct Debit
£266.60 Ch 1020 Salary Month 7 04/11/2025 03/11/25 AWS EMEA 0.32
£181.45 Ch 1018 KM Dike Inv 2349 04/11/2025 02/01/26 AWS EMEA 0.35
£18.00 Ch 1019 Hall Hire (NP) 04/11/2025 02/12/25 AWS EMEA 0.34
£22.50 Ch 1019 Hall Hire 04/11/2025 £6.75 Bank Charges Oct
£150.00 SLCC Membership Card £7.25 Bank Charges Nov
£240.00 Ch 1027 Hall Broadband 04/11/2025
£181.45 Ch 1025 KM Dike 2372 04/11/2025
£37.50 Ch1026 DAPTC half conf fee 04/11/2025
Balance in Current Account as at £2505.75 03/01/2026
£76.80 Parish on Line (NP) 04/11/2025 sent but not cashed
Future Payments
£237.00 Salary Month 8 (Nov) £6.75 Bank Charges Dec
£181.45 KM Dike Inv 2393 £4.75 Bank Charges Jan
£237.20 Salary Month 9 (Dec)
£185.00 HMRC PAYE
£237.00 Salary Month 10 (Jan) estimated
£118.75 Web Site work
£1196.40 Total Future Payments
(NP) denotes payments to the Neighbourhood Plan budget
Deposit Account
£38,744.19 balance in Deposit account as reported at 3rd November 2025
£16.35 Interest October
£18.48 Interest November
Balance in Deposit Account £38783.05 03/01/2026
Approval was proposed by Cllr Legg, seconded by Cllr Furby – Agreed unanimously .
b) Appointment of Internal Auditor – the Clerk recommended that the Internal Auditor used for 2024-2025 be re-appointed. The cost would be based on precept and so would be £175. This was very favourable compared to quotes received last year. Appointment of Barker-Fox was proposed by Cllr Legg, seconded by Cllr Furby – Agreed unanimously.
- Budget for 2026-2027 An updated draft Budget paper was circulated in advance to Councillors. Following discussion it was decided to include a grant amount of £350 to Wriggle Bus for 2026-2027 in the light of increased service from 2nd January 2025. Proposed Cllr Legg, seconded Cllr Furby – Agreed unanimously. It was also proposed that a sum be included for a new defibrillator for the Hall as the present one is out of Warranty and more modern machines can be used more easily for children and as the Play Group meets in the Hall this seemed appropriate. Avenues would also be investigated for funding for a new machine at the Sports Field. Proposed Cllr Legg, seconded Cllr Thomas – Agreed unanimously. A revised Budget would be circulated and Councillors were asked to respond with their views/objections/approval via e-mail to the Clerk. Circulated and approved unanimously
- Precept for the Year 2026-2027 – It was agreed that the precept should be as close as possible to 3.8% which is approximately the current rate of inflation. This will be circulated with the revised budget for final approval. Circulated with a precept increase of 3.63% or £1.69 increase per year for a Band D equivalent property and approved unanimously at 3.63%
To consider any Planning Applications and 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/LBC/2025/06082 Wild Thyme Cottage The Cross Bradford Abbas DT9 6RY Proposal: Replace timber windows to front and rear of property, with timber double glazed window units. Decision: Granted 23/12/2025
No new applications as of 03/01/2026
- Flooding. Gullies etc. – Cllr Furby thought that the gullies raised by the resident in 5) above had been cleared but he would check. If not the map left by the resident would be reported to Highways. Concern was expressed about flooding at Smiths Bridge which had been particularly in December. Cllrs and members of the public were urged to report all incidents tom the Council and the Environment Agency. The Clerk would supply contact details to Councillors and post them on the Noticeboards. It seems that the recent flow did clear some of the debris blocking the river.
- Reports form Representatives – a) Tree representative – nothing to report. b) Rights of Way representative – There had been a Fallen tree at Saxon Maybank and Cllr Furby had cleared it, he was thanked for his work. There had been two incidents of fly tipping which had been cleared, one part was inside the fence line and so was not cleared by Dorset Council as on private land. The farmer had indicated that he would clear the footpath at Mill lane which was heavily rutted. The Gollops Ground order had been published although not yet operational. c) Pennant and Heritage –The article would include flooding and who to contact. Also information regarding replacement defibrillator for the Sports Field. d) Village Hall – The heating had been upgraded and was controlled via Hive. The next meeting was to look at ways of trying to encourage new business. The Parish Council had made a donation towards the cost of the wi-fi for the Hall. e) DAPTC – nothing to report.
- Reports from Working Groups – a) Telephone Box Group – The Parish Council would like to thank all those who have looked after the planters by watering them over the summer and replanting them seasonally, also to thank those involved in the Remembrance Day display and Christmas display both of which were excellent. Thank you again for all the hard work it is much appreciated. b) Recreation Field – a new rota for inspection s is due. Quotations are also being sought for quarterly inspections by an inspection company. c) Neighbourhood Plan – Consultation on the Draft closed in September and work has been ongoing to update the Plan in the light of comments. Once amended the Plan will go to our consultant for checking prior to a special Council meeting for Councillors to look at the Plan prior to approval and submission.
Communications and Urgent Business - Higher Westbury wall was raised as in places it has collapsed and in others it is leaning. Clerk to contact Dorset Council with photographs. The roof tile on the War Memorial had been replaced – a major thank you to the resident who donated their time to the repair work.
Communications – Mobile Police Station 3rd February outside the Co-Op in Sherborne 11am – 1.00pm
Town and Parish Planning and Building Control Forum – 3rd February in person Corn Exchange am or on-line pm. Contact Clerk for details. Parish Meeting in April to invite other organisations to attend.
Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 3rd March at 7.00pm in Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Meeting closed at 8.50pm