Present: Cllrs L Bennett (Vice Chair), D Hayward (Chair), I Houston, T Hunt and S Longdon.
In attendance: P Chapman (Clerk) and District Councillors M Lawrence and R Legg.
- Apologies for Absence
Cllrs P Clark, Diane Coffin and County Cllr M Penfold
- Declaration of Interests
Cllrs D Hayward, I Houston, P Clark, L Bennett declared an interest in the item 13.1 concerning the discussion for a potential donation to the Bradford Abbas History Society. The Clerk requested the same document from the November 2018 meeting was signed by History Society Members in attendance to request for dispensation. The Clerk accepted the request as none of the Councillors would benefit financially from the requested donation.
- Minutes of the Last Meeting
The Clerk noted the payments for the see-saw (HAGS), grass cutting (KM Dike Nurseries) and the reimbursement of the fingerpost expenses (D Hayward) were approved at the meeting but not reflected in the minutes. The minutes were amended and accepted 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
WD/D/19/000086 | 44 QUEENS ROAD, BRADFORD ABBAS, SHERBORNE, DT9 6RR Erect single storey rear. The Clerk received notification of this application yesterday. The documents were forwarded to the Councillors and a hard copy was provided for the meeting as the deadline is the day of the March Parish Council Meeting. It was resolved to support this application, it does not appear to be contentious.
- West Dorset District Council Planning Decisions
WD/D/18/002661 (Peel Centre Totem signs) was approved by WDDC. The Parish Council did not support this application and noted concerns with the light pollution and increased size of the new advertising signs. Cllr R Legg shared his disappointment the application did not go to WDDC Committee as he suggested.
- Telephone box on Churchwell Street
Nothing to report. Cllr D Hayward will send in photos to support the case to have the telephone box repainted by BT. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- Planning Applications
- County Councillor, District Councillor and Officer Reports
Footpaths: The Clerk reported the a few planks over the pedestrian bridge off of Mill Lane are rotted. Cllr S Longdon noted the footpath next to Mill Farm is slippery from the recent rain.
Village Hall: Cllr D Hayward reported new chairs were delivered and the next redecorating efforts will be the toilets to include hot water and a hand dryer.
Trees: Cllr L Bennett reported the tree application for the Church has been approved.
The District Cllrs reported the most recent Shadow Authority Meeting discussed adopting a new constitution that raised concerns with the lack of input from Parish Councils for planning applications. The amendments will be made to reflect the current WDDC process of planning application that include parish council consultation. A new committee will be formed after the elections in May 2019.
- Affordable Housing
Nothing to report. Mr Simon Park, the Community Led Housing Enabler for DCP (Dorset Councils Partnership) has arranged to attend the March parish council meeting to discuss the opportunity to establish a CLT (Community Land Trust).
Cllr T Hunt suggested inviting a representative from the Sports Club. Action: Clerk
- Allotments
Cllr D Hayward set up a meeting on the 26 March with the Winchester Estate Bursar to discuss a more formal agreement concerning the rental of the allotments.
- War Memorial
The Clerk has not heard from Mr Bide. It was decided to hold off contacting him until spring.
- Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities Policies
Cllr D Hayward circulated the draft policies. The Clerk suggested a few amendments. The policies and amendments were unanimously agreed and will replace the February 2014 policies. Action: Clerk
- Matters Arising
- Village Plan
Nothing to report.
- Website
Cllr I Houston reported the village hall webpage is available and the booking forms are being used. The online completed forms can be seen only by the Booking Secretary/ Clerk.
Cllr I Houston noted people are subscribing to the news items and can opt out at any time. The Councillors thanked Iain for his continued work updating the website, particularly concerning the news items.
- Village Plan
- Highways
- Speed Limit along Underdown / Bradford Road
The Clerk noted Mr P Thatcher Dorset Highways will not be putting anymore “slow” signage Bradford Road.
The Clerk noted her disappointment with the Highways decision as there is a noticeable increase in cyclists using the route along Bradford Road over the past few years. There does not appear to be a warning sign for vehicles traveling on Bradford Road to make them aware it is also a national cycle route. The Clerk is happy to investigate this in further detail. Action: Clerk
- Drain & Gulley Maintenance
The Clerk is chasing M Adam Frost to discuss where and when the maintenance will take place. She received an automated response noting he is currently away on “winter maintenance” presumably with the recent snow they will be falling behind schedule.
Cllr D Hayward noted Mr T White has kindly cleared and opened up many of the drains throughout the village. It was suggested the Clerk put an item in the Pennant thanking him for his work to keep the drains and gullies clear. Cllr S Longdon noted there may be other volunteers that would help. The Clerk will speak to Tony about this. Action: Clerk
- Apply for official street name concerning Grants Hill
The Clerk has attempted to contact the street naming department of DCC to discuss the possibility of naming the road from the junction of Church Road to Smiths Bridge Thorndford Road. The Clerk is under the impression a parish council can only name roads within their boundary. The question remains if Clifton Maybank were to provide permission to for Bradford Abbas to name the road Thornford Road within the boundary of Clifton Maybank. She also pointed out there is also a road in Yetminster named Thornford Road that may cause confusion.
It was resolved to suggest the name Grants Hill is carried on to Smiths Bridge, staying within the boundary of Bradford Abbas. Action: Clerk
- Litter along the A30 Babylon Hill
The Clerk received an advertisement for “The Dorset Lengthsman” that provides services to the parish and town councils. The Clerk sent an email to request an estimate to litterpick the A30 between Babylon roundabout and Underdown Hollow. The estimate provided was £120 (minimum), although he is visiting the site on Thursday to ensure it is safe to litter pick the area. The Clerk will keep the councilors updated to the outcome. Action: Clerk
It was noted the majority of the litter appears to come from the Peel Centre as many of the litter bins are overflowing and not closing properly. The Clerk will contact the Peel Centre and retail outlets with overflowing bins. Action: Clerk
- Any other highways issues
The Babylon Hill Roundabout does not have the proposed artwork agreed last year from Ablebox. The Clerk will contact the Ablebox representative to query when it will be completed. Action: Clerk
- Speed Limit along Underdown / Bradford Road
- Playing Fields
- Inspection Report from Volunteers
Nothing new to report.
- Equipment
The Nexus Whizzer has been delivered. The Clerk did not receive any notification of delivery and was called out of her place of work in order to sign for the equipment and organise last minute storage. The Clerk will seek compensation delivery issues. Action: Clerk
Cllr D Hayward has begun the final grant application paperwork for seesaw, picnic tables and benches. Many thanks to District Cllr M Lawrence for keeping the Parish Council informed of the grants available.
The Clerk will contact Mr French to cut the hedges along the playing field. Action: Clerk
- Inspection Report from Volunteers
- Financial Accounts
- Grants and Donations
As stated at the previous Parish Council Meeting the Parish Council is not needed to meet any shortfall due to History Society’s successful grant applications for the information board. Although it was also proposed the Parish Council could contribute to the information board as the project will benefit the village. It was resolved to wait for the project completion to discuss the amount of the proposed donation.
- Accounts for Payment
The Clerk’s wage and monthly payment for grass cutting in the playing fields payment were approved by the Councillors in attendance.
The Clerk noted with the final tax base numbers the parish council tax rise is less than 10%.
- Grants and Donations
- Correspondences
- The Clerk forwarded an email from the NALC concerning changes to the code of conduct
- DAPTC annual conference
- Highways newsletter
- the Councillors commented they were happy to hear the shop was open after reading the Pennant. Cllr D Hayward noted the shop owners disappointed with the Parish Council concerning the minutes to the previous meeting
- Home libraries leaflet
- Items for the Pennant
Home libraries contact details, many thanks to the individuals clearing the drains, date of the annual parish meeting The Clerk will also put an item in from the village hall noting the new chairs, many thanks to D Hayward for the successful grant application and will also draw attention to the new website.
- Any Other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
The next Ordinary meeting will be held on 5th March 2019 in the Bradford Abbas Village Hall Committee Room at 7:30pm
Financial Information presented at the meeting:
Current Account:
£7,880.62 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ 512.34 Less: approved payments from the previous meeting
£ 151.94 KM Dike invoice 453
£1,325.44 HAGS (Vippy See-saw)
£ 16.00 D Hayward fingerpost expenses
£ 43.08 Parish Clerk expenses
£ 600.00 Receipt: See-saw grant from deposit account
£6,431.82
Deposit Account:
£10,913.18 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ .46 Receipt: January Interest
£ 600.00 Less: Transfer to current account
£10,313.64
£16,745.46 Total in all accounts