Present: Lynne Bennett (Vice Chair), D Hayward (Chair), I Houston, T Hunt and S Longdon.
In attendance: T Chapman (Clerk), County Councillor M Penfold, District Councillors M Lawrence and R Legg
- Apologies for Absence
Cllrs D Coffin & P Clark
- Declarations of Interests
None.
- Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes were approved by the Councillors and signed by the Chairman, Cllr D Hayward, as a true record of the meeting.
- West Dorset District Council Applications
- Planning Applications
No new planning applications were submitted to be considered.
- West Dorset District Council Planning Decisions
The Clerk is not aware of any new planning decisions made since the last meeting.
The Clerk mentioned at the most recent Clerk Seminar there was an informal conversation concerning parish council responses to planning applications if the application was non controversial. Of the Parish Council that submitted responses they would tick the comment box and either state “no comment” in the comments box or state the application was reviewed at a parish council meeting and no comments were made.
Cllr L Bennett mentioned the tree application for Purbeck house was withdrawn.
- Telephone box on Churchwell Street
Cllr D Hayward reviewed the background for District Cllr R Legg stating the first applications to list the telephone box for Historical England was denied and a second application was not submitted due to the lack of new information. An item was put in the October Pennant to ask for residents to contact the Clerk with their opinions/thoughts on whether the Parish Council should purchase the telephone box for £1 from BT. The Clerk has already received quite a few responses, all favouring keeping the telephone box. A few volunteers have offered to help the refurbishment.
Cllr D Hayward reported the telephone line is in working order. He will contact BT to request some refurbishments to be done as at the moment it is in very poor condition. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- Parish & Town Council Training Session (9/10/18)
No one is available to attend the training session
- Planning Applications
- County Councillor, District Councillor and Officer Reports
County Cllr M Penford reported Matt Prosser has been appointed Chief Executive Officer for Dorset Council. Children’s Services and Social Care are the largest areas the budget will be spent on, although meetings are still taking place and the budget is not finalized.
District Cllr R Legg noted the local plan is currently in consultation until the end of October. The consultation includes potential new houses being built between the new Bovis Homes (behind Bradford Road) and Silverlake Lane. The access point for these this development is from the dual carriage way, not Bradford Road. West Dorset is vulnerable for housing development due to the fact the required number new dwellings per year has not been met. The planning department will shutdown in April and May 2019 in order to move forward with the new unitary council that is being created.
Cllr S Longdon reported the footpaths are passable and dry at the moment. His request to clear the bottom of Fannybrook Lane was declined by DCC. Cllr I Houston kindly offered to ask the owner/tenant allotment field next to the footpath to tidy up the side of the path adjacent to the allotment field. Cllr S Longdon suggested the cuttings from the tidy up could go toward bonfire night. Action: Clls S Longdon/ I Houston
Cllr L Bennett had nothing to report concerning trees in the village
Cllr T Hunt invited the Cllrs to the AGM for the Village Hall on the 10th October at 7:30pm. The village hall committee has a new cleaner for the hall.
- Report from the Clerk's Seminar
The Clerk reported there is a recharging policy for the upcoming elections that will need to be considered in the next budget. The cost will vary, if it is a combined election the Parish Council will be charged only 50% for the polling station, staff and 100% for anything that pertains directly to the Parish Ballot Paper. Estimated costs will be provided by the end of October.
Mr Ian Dewar spoke about the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough combined authority and how parish councils are finding more flexibility at a local level and providing services that the community has prioritised. He felt the council was working more efficiently and it was a positive move.
- Affordable Housing
Cllr D Hayward spoke to the owner of the proposed site for the affordable housing to let him know the outcome of the recent survey. He was interested in the results and agreed with the overriding theme/concern that the residents in the homes had strong links to the village. The landowner would like more time to consider the proposal and discuss it with his family.
The Councillors discussed how to ensure the potential residents had strong links to the village. Cllr D Hayward noted Hastoe has no legal requirement to consult the Parish Council but he was informed by Hastoe Yetminster did have some input. If the land were put into a Community Trust Hastoe would be required to consult the Parish Council.
- Matters Arising/Actions Taken
- Village Plan
Cllr T Hunt distributed the working group’s meeting notes from 21/9/18. It was suggested from the meeting that residents were encouraged to add content to the village plan. An example is the history of their house or organisation within the village.
- Website
The Village Hall booking system on the Parish Council Website is not live/ used by the Booking Secretary yet as it is not approved by the Village Hall Committee. The next meeting is scheduled for 10th October when the Clerk will request for approval to use the new website. Action: Clerk
- Village Plan
- Highways
- Speed Limit along Underdown/Bradford Road
The Clerk emailed the member of the public that requested the speed limit along Bradford Road/ Underdown is reduced to 40mph to inform him the response from Mr P Thatcher was not positive and the Parish Council has resolved not to move forward with a request for a TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) at this time due to the cost. Cllr D Hayward read the member of the public response to this disappointing news to the Councillors in attendance. He raised an issue with Mr Thatcher’s assumption the speeding is “perceived”.
Highways has added "slow" on the road and a new sign on Underdown at the hollow. The Clerk will request more slow road markings are added near the dip, silverlake and near the art studio sign. Action: Clerk
- Estimated Cost to Maintain the Drains
The Clerk met with a representative from Metro Drains to get a quote for clearing the drains in Bradford Abbas. The cost for a day is £1650, excluding VAT, this includes waste removal, a road closure (£400 if necessary) and a gully tanker. In one day they could clear up to 10 drains but it depends on the condition of drains and it is also restricted by the amount of waste the container can hold. The Parish Council can prioritise the drains to be cleared. It was resolved the Clerk will obtain at least one more quote by the next meeting with a view to get the drains cleared before the new year. Action: Clerk
The Clerk contacted Mr P Thatcher to request street cleaning due to the broken glass and leaves on Church Road. Mr Thatcher informed the Clerk she needs to go to DWP (Dorset Waste Partnership) directly. This can be requested online. It was decided to request Church Road, Bakehouse Lane, North Street, Cross Road and Higher Westbury as these are the streets that collect the leaves and dirt when the water flows from the top of the village. The Councillors also suggested the Parish Council can alert parked vehicles if they are given the street sweepers schedule. The Clerk will note this suggestion online. Action: Clerk
It was mentioned the stone wall outside the Old Rectory has not been repaired. The Clerk will write to the residents to ask if they intend to repair it. The large stones from the wall are on the highway and often vehicles need to move around them on the narrow bend. Action: Clerk
- Speed Limit along Underdown/Bradford Road
- Playing Field
- Inspection Reports from Volunteers
Nothing to report. It was noted the picnic tables are up against the railway line fence. The Clerk will move them away from the fencing. Action: Clerk
- Equipment
The Clerk received the contract for the new Vippy Seesaw from HAGS. The Clerk asked Cllr D Hayward to review the order. He noted the Parish Council is responsible for offloading the equipment. Cllr D Hayward has not heard from Wessex Ground Services in reference to the estimate for installation of grassmats. Measuring the fall height it was resolved grassmats are not required and only turf is needed for the seesaw. The Clerk will contact both Wessex Ground Services and Mr M Hopkins for an estimate. Action: Clerk
- Inspection Reports from Volunteers
- Financial Accounts
- Grants and Donations
(see correspondences)
- Accounts for Payment
Current account:
Account balance reported from the previous meeting: £6,180.91
Less approved payments from the previous meeting: £ 804.48
Receipts (Precept) £4,815.00
Balance as of 4/9/2018 £10,191.43
Deposit Account:
Account balance reported from the previous meeting: £10,779.75
Interest £ .47
Receipts £ 83.00
Balance as of 4/9/2018 £10,863.22
Total in all accounts £21,054.65
- Parish Council Insurance Renewal
This item was not needed for this agenda. The insurance has been renewed.
- Grants and Donations
- Correspondences
- The Clerk mentioned the extension of the footpath closure. Cllr D Hayward will speak to Dorset County Council to express the Parish Councils frustration in reference to the length of time the well-used footpath has been closed. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- Cllr D Hayward read aloud the letter received from the History Society requesting a grant for an information board. The Clerk suggested this is discussed at the next meeting as a few Councillors will need to declare an interest prior to the discussion. The Clerk will scan and email the letter. Action: Clerk
- Items for the Pennant
- Extended footpath closure.
- Village Plan comments and requests for information
- It was suggested an item is put in concerning the restriction of speed limits and/or a questionnaire.
- Any other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
Tuesday 6th November 7:30pm Bradford Abbas Village Hall.
Budget and Grant for history groups information board and budget will be added to the next agenda.
Cllr D Hayward mentioned he received the invoice from Mr Bide as estimated for the repairs to the War Memorial. The Councillors are not happy with the repairs as they are at the moment. Cllr D Hayward will contact Mr Bide to discuss this in further detail. The Clerk will try to find a company or stone mason that specializes in memorial repairs. Action: Cllr D Hayward/ Clerk
Meeting closed 9:30pm