Present: Cllrs L Bennett (Vice Chair), D Coffin, D Hayward (Chair), I Houston, T Hunt and S Longdon.
In attendance: P Chapman (Clerk) and Dorset Councillor R Legg
- Apologies for Absence
Cllr P Clark
- 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
No new application were online for consultation.
Cllr R Legg discussed the issues concerning the withdrawn application for (WD/D/19/001891) Underdown Hollow, Bradford Abbas. The application for change of use from Agricultural building to 4 dwellings possibly did not meet the requirements to do so. He does not know what the plans are at the moment but there maybe another application submitted in the near future. Cllr D Hayward thanked him for keeping the Parish Council informed.
- Dorset Council Planning Decisions
Nothing to report.
- Telephone Box on Churchwell Street
The Councillors discussed the application notice to remove the telephone box. After a discussion it was unanimously decided to adopt the telephone box. The Clerk will object to the removal of the telephone box and inform Dorset Council the Parish Council wish to adopt it. She will contact the skittles team to accept their kind offer to refurbish, and possibly maintain, the telephone box. The Clerk will request an estimate for the refurbishment. Action: Clerk
- Dorset Council Planning Applications
- Officer Reports
Village Hall: Cllr T Hunt reported the Variety Club is in the process of planning a Christmas Concert fundraiser for the village hall on the 7th December. The Committee continues to discuss refurbishment of the toilets in the hall. It has been reported hall hirers are not carefully locking up that may lead to security issues. The history society would like to put an information board in the hall at no cost to the Village Hall. The AGM is 17th October, all welcome to attend.
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon has not been able to walk all the paths due to the weather. He has reported the fingerpost that needs repair/replacing near Mill Farm to Dorset Council. Cllr S Longdon noted the anti slip strips were coming off the footbridge between Castleton and Mill Farm. Action: Clerk
Trees: Cllr L Bennett had nothing to report. The Clerk noted the application to fell the dead tree in the playing field was granted and has contacted K M Dike to proceed. Cllr D Coffin informed the Councillors the overgrown vegetation on the footpath behind Ambrose Close has been reported to the landlord by the tenant. No action required.
Cllr R Legg noted the drainage works in Grope Lane/ Churchwell Lane will move forward in October. He will also reiterate the need for an additional concrete block at the top of Bradford Hollow to P Thatcher.
- Community Land Trust (CLT)
The CLT public meeting is now scheduled for 21st November due to a schedule conflict with A Ward, Community Led Housing Adviser, Wessex Community Land Trust Project. The Clerk has offered to provide tea, coffee and biscuits. The Clerk noted Pennant insert was printed at Snell Printers in Yeovil and they generously offered 100 free copies in support of a CLT. The Clerk will put an item in the November Pennant, print posters nearer the time and put an agenda up on the noticeboard. The agenda will include the Parish Council introducing the speakers, Simon Parker of DC and A Ward. Cllr D Hayward noted it would be beneficial to discuss the history of the attempts for affordable housing and the survey taken last year. Action: Clerk
- Allotments
Cllr D Hayward reported he spoke to the solicitor representing Winchester Estates to confirm receipt of his notes concerning the leases he received the previous month. The solicitor received the notes and will get back to Cllr D Hayward.
- War Memorial
Cllr T Hunt suggested if a grant were to be obtained from the Memorial Trust it may cause delays and it would be nice if the plaques were in place for VE Day 2020. The Clerk noted she was only able to obtain 2 estimates due to the nature of the work. It was unanimously agreed to move forward with the estimate costing £1,530 as it will benefit the community. The Clerk will inform Mr Louth and let the St Mary’s Trust know the decision. The Clerk suggesting a meeting was set up with Mr Louth and invite Mr Hann and Mrs Martin from the History Society to discuss the details of the work to be completed. Action: Clerk
- Matters Arising / Actions Taken
- Village Plan
Nothing to report at this time, Cllr T Hunt will update the plan.
- Website
Cllr I Houston had nothing to report at this time.
- Village Plan
- Financial Risk Assessment Policy Review
Cllr I Houston will risk assess losing the website/ data. He will provide the Clerk a memory stick with the recover process for storage. The website’s data history is backed up with Amazon Web Services. The Clerk will complete the policy with the information and now provide the final draft. Action: Clerk
- Highways
The Clerk noted after the last meeting she had a response from the police concerning the 4 x 4s track from the Peel Centre Car Park. They have alerted the Peel Centre and the PCSO is also aware of the issues.
Cllr I Houston reported he and Cllr P Clark were unable to repair the Bradford Abbas sign on Grants Hill. Cllr P Clark will try to get more help to shift it further up the pole. Cllr P Clark removed the Damroy bus timetable.
The Clerk was unsuccessful in her request for the additional block to added to the top of the hollow to Mr P Thather, Dorset Council.
- Playing Field
- Inspection Reports from Volunteers
The Clerk was unable to get to the playing fields before the meeting as it was raining heavily. She reported the weeds were trimmed and the grass was growing well. The fence was removed around the newly planted grass. The annual inspection should have taken place in September, she has not received the report yet.
- Equipment
The Clerk received an estimate of £64.00 to prepare and paint the E2R frame from a local handyman. It was agreed unanimously to move forward with this estimate.. Action: Clerk
- Inspection Reports from Volunteers
- Financial Accounts
- Grants & Donations
Nothing to report.
- Accounts for Payment
The Clerk distributed the balance of both the current and deposit accounts. She presented three payments for approval:
£215.20 Clerk's wage 7
£217.86 Clerk's expenses
£152.00 K Dike Nurseries August grass maintenance
The payments were unanimously approved.
Current Account:
£ 5,896.51 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ 1,612.94 Less: September Meeting payments
£ 152.00 Less: KM Dike Nurseries invoice 626 August 2019
£ 5,327.50 Receipt: Precept
£ 9,459.07
Deposit Account:
£12,049.20 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ .51 September interest
£12,049.71
£21,508.78 Total in all accounts
Cllr D Hayward reported the History Society the interpretation board installed on Church Road and he is happy to report there is no (monetary) shortfall, but they have significantly dipped into their own funds. Cllr D Coffin suggested £200 is donated to the History Society to lessen the burden from their funds for the benefit of the village and toward future printing costs for leaflets. Cllr S Longdon seconded this proposal. All agreed. Action: Clerk
- Grants & Donations
- Correspondences
- Dorset Council Workshop to develop an agreement about working with Town and Parish Councils. Cllr I Houston available to attend, the Clerk will rsvp. Action: Clerk
- A resident has contacted the Clerk with reference to using the water from the Allotment. The Clerk has forwarded this request to BAAHA.
- Land Availability ‘call for sites’ from Dorset Council
- Items for the Pennant
Community Land Trust public meeting, War Memorial additional names available on the website.
- Any Other Information/Items for October Agenda
The Clerk summarised the Clerk Seminar she attended last week. A few points that need action are:
- She should receive poster and information concerning ringing 105 when residents lose electricity and encourage vulnerable people to register as priority service customer.
- She spoke to V. Penny of the Definitive Map Team and the Parish Council should receive the objections from with reference to the East Farm footpath.
Next Meeting, Tuesday 5th November 2019 Bradford Abbas Village Hall
Meeting closed 9:20pm