Minutes for Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday, 4 April 2017

The Chairman welcomed the District Councillor, County Councillor, and members of the public to the meeting.

1. Apologies for Absence
   Cllrs L Bennett, D Coffin, T Hunt and S Longdon.
    
2. Minutes of the Last Meeting
   The minutes from the meeting held on 7 March 2017 were approved by the Councillors in attendance and signed by the Chairman, Cllr D Hayward, as a true record of the meeting.
    
3. Declaration of Interest
   None.
    
4. West Dorset District Council Applications
   1. Planning ApplicationNo objections raised.
      WD/D/17/000597:  Virginia Cottage, North Street, Bradford Abbas. Form an opening in existing garden wall for gate onto new hard standing for a single vehicle parking area. 
       
   2. Tree Applications
      No new tree applications were received. The Clerk received an email from the Walnut House owner informing the Parish Council a new tree has been planted satisfying the conditions of the application.
       
   3. West Dorset District Council Application Decision
      The application for 3 Westbury (WD/D/17/000421) and 1 Coombe Cottages (WD/D/17/002829) were both granted.
       
5. Affordable Housing
   The Parish Council’s sites are on hold due to the conversation Cllr D Hayward had with a representative of the Sports and Social Club recently. The Club is currently investigating building a small number of terraced affordable housing on site. Cllr D Hayward suggested they consider a Community Land Trust (CLT) although after the Committee discussed this during several meetings they resolved not to move forward with a CLT as it will be too big a project.
   
   The land owner of the farm on Compton Road has recently decided not to move forward with a small number of houses on the site of the dilapidated barns. The land owner will wait until the WDDC Local Plan of 425 houses opposite the barns outcome is known.
    
6. Litter Pick the Underdown Hollow and the A30 Area
   The Clerk organised a litter pick recently attended by Councillors and two volunteers. It has been difficult to get the rubbish collected from both sides of the padlocked gate. The rubbish will be collected by the end of the week.
    
7. Matters Arising / Action Taken
   1. Webiste
      Nothing new to report. Cllr I Houston stated this item will be picked up at the Annual Meeting.
       
   2. Design Statement
      Nothing new to discuss the Councillors will continue to review for the May Meeting.
       
   3. Defibrillator Update
      The Clerk emailed both the Chairman of the village hall and a representative of the Bradford Abbas Sports and Social Club concerning the procedures for checking and reporting each defibrillator as required. The village hall is submitting monthly reports online as required. The Clerk has not heard from the club and will follow-up before the next meeting. Action: Clerk
       
   4. Safe Cycle and Walking Route to Yeovil
      No progress to report.
       
8. County Councillors, District Councillor and Officer Reports
   Cllr M Lawrence has a report for the Annual Meeting (following the ordinary meeting). She noted it was a shame Dorset Councils Partnership’s decision not to consult Parish Councils when deciding on tree applications. The Clerk forwarded the email today and felt the statement including “flexible site notification” was confusing. Cllr M Lawrence said they will be told more about the decision at the next District Council Meeting. She also stated the area between the Babylon Roundabout, Peel Centre and the bridge is looking particularly untidy. The County Councillor made a note to look into the property owner as it may belong to the golf course.
   
   Tree Officer:  Cllr L Bennett was not present.
   
   Footpath Officer:  Cllr S Longdon was not present but emailed the clerk he has walked the footpaths and only noted some brambles need to be cut. He will do this when he next walks the paths.Cllr D Hayward noticed the weeds are overgrown near the playing field chain link fence. The Clerk will contact Mr Tomsett to trim/treat the weeds. Action: Clerk
   
   Village Hall:  Cllr T Hunt was not present.
    
9. Standing Orders
   This will be discussed at the next meeting in more detail. Cllr D Hayward has a few suggested changes he will pass on to the Clerk.   Action: D Hayward
    
10. Highways
    1. Fingerpost Refurbishment Update
       The work is ongoing. No progress to report at this time.
        
    2. Back Lane Mirror
       The Clerk has not had a response from Network Rail. She will follow-up before the next meeting. Action: Clerk
        
    3. Overhanging trees on Church Road
       The tree and bush have been trimmed. No further action at this time.
       
       There is a noticeable increase to the traffic through the village during the work on the Pen Mill Roundabout in South Somerset. The Queen Thorne Parish Council contacted the Clerk and with the support of Cllr M Hall Dorset County Council is attempting to meet with SSDC to better traffic management during roadworks especially when it comes to heavy good vehicles. Cllr M Hall reported damage has been done to local village roads as heavy goods vehicles are travelling through the lanes during the current road works on the A30 (Pen Mill). It is imperative this does not happen when the A30 is closed in June/July during the drainage repairs.
       
       The Clerk reported Mr R Skeats, DCC Highways, is happy to meet with a few councillors in order to discuss problems in the village. He is available the 11, 12 & 13 April. The Clerk suggested the councillors make a note of areas to discuss, including the upcoming closure of the A30, and get back to her. Action: Councillors
        
11. Playing Fields
    1. Inspection Reports from Volunteers
       Nothing to report.
        
    2. Ongoing Repairs
       Nothing to report, waiting for repairs to be completed.
       
       Cllr D Hayward noted it was not worth asking the Scouts to paint the benches/ seats at the playing fields as they should be replaced. The Clerk will look into replacements. Action: Clerk
        
12. Financial Accounts
    1. Grants & Donation
       None.
        
    2. Accounts for Payment
       The bank account balances as of 31/3 are:
       £ 3,098.69 - current account
       £10,172.54 - deposit account
       
       1 outstanding cheque of £12.60. Cheque approved for payment: £226.26 – Clerk’s wage (£209.34 Clerk's monthly wage + £16.92 back pay as agreed at the last month)
        
    3. Online Banking
       Lloyds did not receive the forms sent, the Clerk has reposted the forms.
        
13. Correspondences
    Rural Roads Newsletter – contains Community Transport Grant information
    Test Census 
     
14. Items for the Pennant
    Thank you to the litter pick volunteers and residents supporting the Parish Council at the Annual Parish Meeting
     
15. Any other information for May 2017 Agenda
    None.

Meeting Closed 7:55pm