Present: Clls P Clark, D Coffin, I Houston, T Hunt and S Longdon
In Attendance P Chapman (Clerk), Dorset Cllr R Legg, and 3 members of the public.
In the absence of a Chairperson Cllr I Houston will chair the meeting as agreed at the February meeting.
- Apologies for Absence
Apologies were accepted from Cllr L Bennett.
- Declarations of Interests
None.
- Minutes of the Previous Ordinary Meeting
Cllr I Houston noted as he understood it the Parish Council would not use any leftover rubber chippings from the playing field shed under the whizzer. The Clerk noted there was not any in the shed to use, it was resolved not to change the minutes. The minutes from the meeting held on 4th February 2020 were approved by the Councillors in attendance and signed by Cllr I Houston.
Cllr I Houston suggested the Allotments are discussed earlier in the meeting as two members of the public were in attendance for this purpose. Cllr P Clark has been in contact with Mr G Wordsworth, Savills, representing Winchester College. He reported Winchester wish to let all of the land (4 fields) to a single Agreement for £750.00 per annum and will allow for a termination period of 12 months. It was unanimously agreed by the Councillors in attendance and supported by the members of the public, the Parish Council will sublet the allotment field to the BAAHA (Bradford Abbas Allotment Holders Association) for £250 and the remaining 3 fields for £500.00.
The Councillors supported the proposed plan to keep sheep on some of the fields and start growing wild flowers as it was reported by a member of the public Winchester College did not wish horses in the fields.
The Clerk will request a lease from Savills for £750.00, permitting sub-lets with a 12 month termination clause. The Parish Council will pass on the obligation to maintain the hedges, fences and general maintenance to the tenants. The Clerk will seek some expert advice prior to signing the Agreement. Action: Clerk
- Chairman/ Co-opt Councillor
At the time of the meeting the Clerk reported an election has not been called but the deadline is Thursday although it is very unlikely one will be called. Cllr I Houston noted a member of the public was interested in becoming a Councillor, the Clerk will contact her after Thursday. Action: Clerk
- Dorset Council Applications
- Dorset Council Planning Applications
WD/D/20/000112 Kandala, North Street, Bradford Abbas. Relocate bathroom. No objections.
- Dorset Council Planning Decisions
None to report.
- Telephone box on Churchwell Street
The Clerk reported the Agreement to adopt the telephone box has been signed and returned. BT will send a completion/ confirmation email once BT removes the telephone equipment.
A few suggestions were put forward from residents: book exchange/ library box, or charging point for electric cars. Cllr I Houston proposed a working group to discuss this in further detail.
Cllr S Longdon will head up a working group and contact the possible volunteers. The Clerk will forward suggestions to Cllr Longdon. Action: Cllr S Longdon/ Clerk
- Dorset Council Planning Applications
- Officer Reports
Village Hall: Cllr T Hunt noted they are looking for a secretary.
Trees: Cllr L Bennett not present.
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon noted they are all slippery and muddy. He cleared a few small trees and limbs blocking the footpaths.
District Cllr Legg reported the Yeohead Footpaths Officer and Dave Ackerley (Dorset Council) walked the local footpaths last week. Dave Ackerley will approach the landowner with their findings. District Cllr R Legg will forward the report to the Clerk and suggested the Parishes meet to discuss the issues within their parishes.
Fanny Brook’s Lane (an unclassified road, not a footpath) recent resurfacing was washed away. It has been reported by the Clerk and Cllr I Houston to request a new surface and to clear up the residue down Bakehouse Lane. The Clerk received an email from Mr P Thatcher (Dorset Council Highways) suggesting they will wait until the warmer, drier weather to repair it, if there is the budget available. His email suggested if there is not a budget for it lane will be closed.
- Footpaths
- Wyke Farm
The reply received from the letter to Velcourt Ltd sent by the Yeohead Parish Council Clerk on behalf of the Bradford Abbas Parish Council, Thornhacket Parish Council, Sherborne Town Council and Yeohead & Castleton Parish Council concerning the state of the local network of footpaths through the parishes was felt to be disappointing.
- Fanny Brooks Lane
This item was covered earlier in the meeting.
- Wyke Farm
- Community Land Trust
Cllr T Hunt sent a summary of the most recent group meeting. The CLT Group would welcome additional members and at the moment they are focussing on housing. The Clerk suggested someone from the CLT group provides and update at the Annual Parish Meeting in April. Cllr T Hunt will ask the Chairman, D Bennett. Action: Cllr T Hunt
- Allotments
Discussed earlier in the meeting.
- War Memorial Missing Names and Memorial Bench
The Clerk noted the St Mary’s Church Trust has kindly offered £500 toward the plaques. The Clerk has a draft of the plaques at the meeting. It was noted one name is missing from the plaque. The Clerk will contact Mr Louth. Action: Clerk
The Clerk emailed the Admirals Taverns to request permission erect a memorial bench next to the war memorial/ opposite Eric Garrett’s bench in order to commemorate Mr John Gilham. The Clerk suggested the Parish Council awaits a response before moving forward and a working group could be set up to provide drawings and estimate. The Clerk will update Mr A Fall. Action: Clerk
- Matters Arising / Actions Taken
- Village Plan
Cllr T Hunt had nothing to report. Cllr I Houston suggested the History Society research results could be incorporated in the Village Plan.
- Website
As agreed Cllr I Houston has moved the website to LCN. He provided updated costs per month to the Clerk, approximately £24 per month for LCN and £5 per month for Amazon Webservices (for backup). He suggested the Parish Council uses a debit card in order to pay for the monthly costs. The Clerk will look into the possibility. Action: Clerk
- Village Plan
- Climate Change Emergency Suggestion
A resident emailed the Clerk with some suggestions: a charging point for electric cars, wild flowers throughout the village verges, survey trees in the village for Ash Dieback and help to replace the trees that have died.
The Clerk will discuss a few of the suggestions with Cllr L Bennett, Tree Officer and thank the resident for their feedback and ideas Action: Clerk
Cllr I Houston suggested it would be a good idea to have a working group at some point to move things forward.
- Highways
- Flooding, Drains and Gullies
It was noted the Back Lane drains are blocked. The Clerk will walk out and take few photos to support the report to Dorset Council. Action: Clerk
The Hollow has tree limbs and rocks still on the side from the last storm. The Councillors discussed a litter pick. The 1st Bradford Abbas Scouts collected the litter last year, the clerk will contact the leaders to ask if it is an annual community service. Action: Clerk
- Any other Highways Matters
The Clerk reported the damaged verge at the junction of Back Lane/Church Road and the Church Street sign that is hanging off rotted wood and cannot be reattached. The Clerk will try to tie the sign on. Action: Clerk
- Flooding, Drains and Gullies
- Playing Field
- Inspection Reports
Nothing new to address. Cllr D Coffin pass on the keys to the padlock for the removable post to the Clerk.
The Clerk received an email from St Mary’s Week, they asked if it were possible to:
- have portoloos in the playing fields
- use mats on the grass for cars if the ground is wet
- dogs in the playing fields
The Councillors were happy with all the above but felt dogs MUST be on leads, ALL mess will be carefully cleared by the organisers and if possible a notice stating the dogs are only allowed in the fields during this event.
- Equipment Replacement Suggestions
The Clerk provided the zipwire costs for Wicksteed (£8,932.55) and Caloo (£7,500.00). The Clerk noted comparing costs Caloo did not provide a portaloo or safety fencing that was included in Wicksteed’s at a cost of £650.00. Mr M Hopkins’s estimated cost to remove the old zipwire will be £420.00. It was resolved the Clerk will go back to Wicksteed and verify the length of the equipment as it was noted as 20M and 25M in the costings. The Clerk will ask if there is any way to get the cost down closer to Caloo’s price. Action: Clerk
The Clerk met with Wicksteed and the representative suggested moving the new zipwire further away from the fence otherwise the tree will need to be trimmed and the grassmats could be installed directly onto the grass rather than building up the surface and using turf where the zipwire currently runs.
- Inspection Reports
- Financial Accounts
- Grants and Donations
None.
- Accounts for Payment
The following payment presented to the Councillors were approved.
£ 220.00 Clerk’s Wage 12
£ 14.40 last month of back pay
£ 76.09 Clerk's expenses (including £3 for copies*)
£ 152.00 KM Dike Nurseries Invoice
£ 39.20 Village Hall (3 CLT Meetings)
£ 22.00 Expense for war memorial wreath made payable to J Hayward
£ 523.69
*The Clerk requested reimbursement for the 2 x A2 copies of the war memorial plaques. The Councillors approved all payments including the £3.00
The Clerk provided the Councillors with following information:
Current Account
£7,341.21 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£1,946.05 Less February Meetings Payments
£5,395.16
Deposit Account:
£12,051.72 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ 599.90 Receipt: VAT refund
£ .53 February interest
£12,652.15
£18,047.31 Total in all accounts
The Councillors moved to accept the accounts. The Clerk reported the £43.00 taken from the current account by British Gas was refunded. Cllr T Hunt noted the CLT may need £40 in order to register with the financial authority.
- Grants and Donations
- Correspondences
- An email concerning the Place Day 2nd April organised by Dorset Council.
- Dorset Council’s workshops, possibly Highways attending. Cllr I Houston is interested but will need to look more closely at his availability.
- A resident was happy with the newsletters/ items
- The Clerk was made aware of the upcoming Peel Centre issues with noise and racing in the car parks, Atlas security and police presence will be there at the end of the month. The Clerk will follow-up.
- Items for the Pennant
- Upcoming Annual Parish Meeting (7th April 8pm)
- Defibrillator volunteer for the village hall
- Link to check your trees for Ash dieback
The Clerk noted no one has offered to take over the editorial position of the Pennant and it would be a shame to lose it, perhaps it is something the Parish Council would consider taking over. The Clerk has enquired how much time it takes a month for a general idea of work involved. Cllr T Hunt wondered if the Bradford Abbas could be incorporated into the Wriggle Valley Magazine.
- Any other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
Cllr I Houston proposed seeking permission from the owners to erect a bench in the field behind the Grange, near the river in memory of D Hayward. It was decided to hold off anything until the family is consulted.
Meeting end 9:40pm