Present: Cllrs L Bennett (Vice Chair), D Coffin, P Clark, D Hayward (Chair), I Houston, T Hunt and S Longdon.
In attendance: P Chapman (Clerk) and 1 member of the public
- Apologies for Absence
Mrs M Lawrence and Cllr M Penfold
- Declarations of Interests
None.
- Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes were accepted by the Councillors in attendance and signed by the Vice Chair, Cllr L Bennett, as a true record of the meeting.
- West Dorset District Council Applications
- Planning Applications
WD/D/19/000558 12 Cross Road, Bradford Abbas. Erection of detached Garage/workshop No objections raised
WD/D/19/000050 17 Wessex Drive, Bradford Abbas. Erect front and rear single storey extensions, and side and rear first floor extensions. The Clerk received notification for this application after the agenda was produced. There was some confusion with the plans online. Cllr L Bennett stated the neighbours on both sides of 17 were aware of the application and are reviewing the plans. In principal, no objections were raised.
The Clerk received notification today for WD/D/19/000629 1 Churchwell Lane, Bradford Abbas. The extension is similar to that other Chalet bungalow extensions within the village, no objections were raised although not all the Councillors had a chance to review the application. The Clerk will delay commenting until she had heard from all the planning working group members.
- West Dorset District Council Planning Decisions
WD/D/19/000169 Saxon Maybank, East Farm Access Lane from Underdown Hollow, Bradford Abbas. Approval granted.
- Telephone box on Churchwell Street
Nothing to report. Cllr D Hayward will contact BT to request an update. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- Planning Applications
- County Councillor and Officer Reports
The County Councillor is not present.
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon reported the footpaths are all in good condition, although the access to Mill Lane footbridge has overgrown nettles.
Village Hall: Cllr T Hunt noted the committee members are discussing redecorating (not refurbishing) the toilets.
Trees: Cllr L Bennett had no objection to the application to fell the conifer tree submitted by Tudor Cottage, Church Road.
Cllr I Houston discussed the Shadow Meeting he attended a few weeks ago. He put forward the Parish Council’s concerns with consultations particularly with planning and business rates. Although publicly the panel felt the parishes are not affected by the businesses within their boundary Cllr I Houston had a word with Mr Ferranti after the meeting to discuss in more detail the ways businesses centres affect small parish.
- Affordable Housing
It was noted Mr S Parker’s talk at the March meeting was very informative and there is a lot to discuss concerning Community Land Trusts (CLTs). Cllr T Hunt suggested it would be worth considering a public meeting as suggested by Mr Parker.
Cllr D Hayward asked due to the time limitations of this meeting if the Councillors would take a look at the Buckland Newton example of CLT prior to the next meeting. Action: All Councillors
- Allotments
Cllr D Hayward attended a meeting with the Bursar of Winchester College, representatives of the Bradford Abbas Allotment Society (BAAHA) and Mr K Tinsley. His meeting notes were sent to the Cllr prior to the meeting via email. The purpose of the meeting was to have a legal agreement for the land/fields currently used by the allotment society, Mr Tinsley and the 2 fields north of the railway line. The Cllrs were unanimously in favour of the Parish Council leasing the fields directly from the Winchester Collage and subleasing to Mr Tinsley and the allotment society. The total cost from Winchester College will be £750.00 annually.
Cllr D Hayward will scan and email the draft of the lease from the Bursar to the Councillors and inform the Bursar of the decision. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- War Memorial
Cllr D Hayward received a letter from the Bradford Abbas St Mary’s Week Charitable Trust stating they will provide a grant of £400.00 toward the refurbishment of the War Memorial plaques that do not accurately represent all the local residents that lost their lives in the First World War. The funds will be held for 6 months only. The Parish Council will wait to hear from the History Society who will be organizing the project.
Cllr D Hayward will contact Mr Bide to ask for the approximate date he will return to test the repairs to the mortar for review by the Parish Council. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- Matters Arising / Actions Taken
- Village Plan
Nothing to report.
- Website
The Clerk updated the fixed assets, news items and expenses.
- Village Plan
- Highways
- Speed Limit along Underdown/Bradford Road
The Clerk is waiting to hear from Mr P Thatcher concerning the suggestion of a triangular (cycle) warning sign mounted on the nation speed limit post on Bradford Road. The Clerk will follow up on this. Action: Clerk
- Drain and Gulley Maintenance Update
The Clerk has set up a meeting (12/4) with Mr Adam Frost, Dorset Council, and the site manager to prioritise the gullies to be cleared. The Clerk spoke to Mr T White to ask his opinion as he has kindly been clearing overgrowth from the drains/gullies. Action: Clerk
- Apply for official street name concerning Grants Hill
The Clerk has had communication from the Dorset Council Street Naming Officer noting the post code may change if the Parish Council moves forward with naming the unnamed road from the junction of Church Road to Smiths Bridge. The Clerk will consult the two properties that may be affected if the post code is changed. Action: Clerk
- Any other highways issues
The Clerk reported a dead badger at the junction of Church Road and Back Lane and the broken Back Lane street sign. Cllr D Hayward noted the email the Clerk sent last month with reference to the School Trust Community Road Safety Campaign that will be mentioned in his report at the annual meeting and suggested it is discussed in further detail at the May meeting.
- Speed Limit along Underdown/Bradford Road
- Playing Field
- Inspection Reports from Volunteers
The Clerk had a resident contact her concerning a broken picnic table bench in the playing fields. The resident kindly offered to repair it. It was reported the repairs have been made.
- Equipment
Mr Hopkins installed both the seesaw and Whizzer. The invoice received does not include removal of the old see saw and turfing the area. It was reported the new equipment has been well received.
- Inspection Reports from Volunteers
- Financial Accounts
- Grants and Donations
The Clerk reported the Parish Council received the £900 grant from the Leisure Fund in the account.
- Accounts for Payment
£6,070.78 Current account balance reported from the previous meeting
£2,806.32 Less: approved payments from the previous meeting
£3,264.46
£20.00 British Gas Service - direct debit taken in error, will be refunded
£3,244.46
£10,858.36 Deposit account balance reported from the previous meeting
£.40 March Interest
£900.00 Leisure Fund Grant
£11,758.76
£15,023.22 Total in all accounts
The Clerk noted the pay rise approved in January/February is now in place. Request for the approval of three payments this month: Clerk's wage £215.20; Dorset Lengthsman (litter picking A30) £125.00 and the invoice the Clerk received yesterday from K M Dike Nurseries for £152.00. All payments were unanimously approved.
The Clerk reported a few days ago she noticed a direct debit from the current account to British Gas. She contacted British Gas to learn the account was used on an online form for a British Gas promotion. The £20 will be refunded by cheque and sent to the Parish Clerk.
Unfortunately, although the bank accounts have a mandate the Clerk confirmed with the bank this does not include a direct debit online application form. The Clerk requested to block these forms in the future in order to protect the accounts, she was told this is not an option.
- Grants and Donations
- Correspondences
- Cllr M Penfold spoke to Mr Paul Thather concerning the Parish Council’s request parking outside the Old Rectory stone wall for safety reasons. Mr Thatcher told Cllr Penfold the Clerk needs to speak to the police. The Clerk spoke to the PSCO who said the Parish Council needs to apply for the restriction with Dorset Council Highways before they can take any action. The Clerk will go back to Mr Thatcher. Action: Clerk
- The Babylon Hill Roundabout design has changed to one single box in the centre instead of the approved design presented last year. The reason for the change was due to the cost.
- Shaping Dorset Newsletter
- Information concerning the Dorset Community Association Membership
- Items for the Pennant
Nothing at this time.
- Any other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
Tuesday, 7th May 2019 to be held in the Committee Room, Bradford Abbas Village Hall
The Clerk requested the End of Year Accounts and Financial Risk Assessment for the next agenda.
Meeting Closed 8pm.