Present: Cllrs L Bennett (Vice Chair), P Clark, D Hayward (Chair), I Houston. T Hunt, and S Longdon.
In attendance: P Chapman (Clerk), Dorset Councillor R Legg
- Apologies for Absence
Apologies were accepted from Cllr D Coffin.
- Declarations of Interests
None.
- Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes were approved by the Councillors in attendance and signed by the Chairman, Cllr D Hayward, as a true record of the meeting.
- Dorset Council Applications
- Dorset Council Planning Applications
WD/D/19/000875 5 Emlet, Westbury, Bradford Abbas. Form parking space for 2 vehicles. Due to a technical issue with the dorsetforyou website the Clerk was unable to add comments online. The comments were emailed to the planning team . “Whilst the Bradford Abbas Parish Council support the principle of getting cars off the highway at this difficult location it cannot fully support the application as it stands due to the lack of detail submitted. More information is required as to the construction of the proposed parking bay and the provision of safety barriers in the garden area at the top of the steps. Whilst the application is welcomed, it solves the issue for one property only, whereas removal of the DCC owned bank in the vicinity of the footpath and creation of a layby would greatly reduce congestion and improve safety on this difficult stretch of road.”
- Dorset Council Planning Decisions
WD/D/19/000629 (1 Churchwell Lane) and WD/D/000050 (17 Wessex Drive) were granted approval.
- Telephone Box on Churchwell Street
Cllr D Hayward reported the telephone box was in need of repainting to BT last month. BT has confirmed that this has been added to their work schedule. Separately a fault with the door has been logged and a job number issued. He contacted BT this morning and was informed the door job was signed off. The door work was not completed, Cllr D Hayward will follow-up with BT, again. Action: Cllr D Hayward
(Cllr R Legg arrived)
- Dorset Council Planning Applications
- Officer Reports
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon reported he has strimmed the Mill Farm footpath. Cllr P Clark noted the Clifton Maybank footpaths are in poor state. Both the Clerk and Cllr S Longdon have reported these footpaths in the past to Mr Ackerley, Dorset Council. A volunteer has come forward to assist Cllr S Longdon in clearing the footpaths.
Trees: Cllr L Bennett had nothing report.
Village Hall: Cllr T Hunt reported on Saturday 22/6/19 there will be a coffee morning to raise funds for the village hall. He noted the committee has decided to paint the toilets and possibly introduce hot water in the woman’s toilets, depending on the cost.
Cllr R Legg reported he is a member of the Dorset Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee and noted the Ophthalmology Department is moving from the Yeatman to YDH and he attended the first unitary council’s Planning meeting last week.
Cllr I Houston enquired if there is anything the Parish Council could do to support Dorset Council’s declaration of climate emergency. Cllr R Legg noted a press release is due imminently that will outline the Dorset Council’s proposals to support.
- Affordable Housing
Nothing to report. The Clerk will change the agenda item to “Community Land Trust” Action: Clerk
- Allotments
The Councillors discussed the draft lease provided by the Winchester Estates solicitor and raised concerns the word “allotment” was not seen/used, instead the land was referred to as private gardens, possibly to avoid the added protection accorded to allotments particularly in the extended notice of termination of the lease that would apply. Likewise, Winchester Estates seem keen to avoid having the two fields being let under an agricultural lease. The three month notice for the landlord (only) still needs to be addressed.
Cllr D Hayward had a telephone conversation with the solicitor, he was not fully briefed on the existence of a Bradford Abbas Allotment Association. Cllr D Hayward will speak to Mr B Hunt of the Allotment Association to inform him of the reasons for the delay and will contact the Estates Bursar at Winchester College to discuss further. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- War Memorial
The Clerk has requested an estimate from a stone cutter to add the names to the plagues on the war memorial. This estimate will give the Parish Council an idea if the grant from the St Mary’s Festival of £400.00 will be enough or if the Parish Council will need apply for additional grants from the Memorial Trust. Action: Clerk
- Matters Arising / Actions Taken
- Village Plan
Nothing to report at this time.
- Website
Nothing to report.
- Village Plan
- Sherborne Area Roadsafe Campaign
The Clerk emailed the campaign committee to decline joining the campaign at this time. Mrs J Warburton is happy to attend a Parish Council Meeting to discuss what the propose to do. There was a discussion where the signs from the childrens’ contest will be erected with reference to the conversation the Clerk had with Mr Paul Thatcher recently concerning Dorset’s policies to lessen road signs. It was noted the white lines / markings near the school have been repainted.
- Financial Risk Assessment Policy Review
The Clerk has amended the policy as discussed at the previous meeting. She also added the category for the website under Physical Equipment. She has asked Cllr I Houston’s advice concerning security the of the website. Cllr I Houston will give this some consideration and get back to the Clerk. Action: Cllr I Houston / Clerk
- Highways
- Drain and Gulley Maintenance Update
All the gullies have now been cleared.
- Apply for official street name concerning Grants Hill
The Clerk has not received any response from her letter to the two properties proposing the unnamed section of the road between the junction of Church Road and Smith’s Bridge is officially named Grants Hill. The Clerk forward a summary to Cllr R Legg to clarify if there is a possibility to officially name the road and guarantee the post code will not be changed. Action: Clerk
- Any other highways issues
The Councillor noted the white markings on the roads outlining problem area. The Clerk is not aware of when the work will be done.
Cllr D Hayward informed the Councillors the History Society’s interpretation board design is finalised and the agreed location is near the war memorial. Highways is aware of the location and does not have any objections. They hope to have installed during the summer.
- Drain and Gulley Maintenance Update
- Playing Field
- Inspection Reports from Volunteers
One of the (volunteer) inspection reports noted some wood rot on the multiplay and the zip wire. The E2R frame needs to be repainted. Cllr P Clark suggested the Parish Council earmark funds to replace the toddler multiplay equipment. It was agreed this is a good idea.
The Clerk received an email from a resident along Churchwell Close concerning a dead tree in the playing field. The Clerk contacted both KM Dike and Original Landscapes for an estimated cost to lay a hedge and remove the dead tree. Action: Clerk
Cllr D Hayward will unlock the playing fields padlock for the festival of wheels. Action: Cllr D Hayward
The grit tape the Clerk purchased and Cllr S Longdon installed has come off. The Clerk will investigate a better option. Action: Clerk
- Equipment
The Clerk received an estimate for removing the seesaw with turfing the area (£370.00), or seed the area (£205.00). It was resolved and unanimously agreed by all the Councillors in attendance to seed the area and turf in the autumn in the if the seed does not take. The Skittles Team has asked for the rubber chippings and as the Clerk has had no response from the primary school (emailed months ago) it was resolved the Skittles Team is welcome to them. Cllr D Hayward will contact the team. Action: Cllr D Hayward
- Inspection Reports from Volunteers
- Financial Accounts
- Grants & Donations
Nothing to report.
- Accounts for Payment
Current Account:
Account balance reported from the previous meeting £ 8,079.76
Less: Approved payments from the previous meeting £ 847.92
£7,231.84
Deposit Account:
Account balance reported from the previous meeting £11,759.22
Receipt: May Interest £ .48
£11,759.70
Total in all accounts £18,991.54
The following payments were unanimously approved by the Cllrs in attendance:
£215.20 Clerk’s wage
£152.00 KM Dike invoice 546 grass maintenance for May 2019
£ 75.93 Clerk’s expenses
£443.13
- End of Year Accounts
The Clerk noted the internal audit has been completed, no issues to report.
- Grants & Donations
- Correspondences
- The Clerk received an email from a Compton Road resident stating they fear the 4 x 4s maybe gaining access from the top of the Hollow. The Clerk will email highways to have them move the concrete block to its original place or adding another block. Action: Clerk
- Letter received from DAPTC concerning the new unitary councils relationships with Parish and Town Councils. The Clerk will scan and send out the letter to the Councillors. Action: Clerk
- Dorset Travel and Transport Newsletter
- Items for the Pennant
Removal of the seesaw. Cllr L Bennett kindly offered to put the item in the Pennant as the Clerk will be on holiday until the 17th June. Action: Cllr L Bennett
- Any Other Information/Items for July Agenda
It was noted Thornford has some “Clean it up” dog fouling signs. The Clerk investigate signs for the next meeting. Action: Clerk
Meeting end 9:55pm