Present: Clls L Bennett, P Clark, D Coffin, I Houston, T Hunt and S Longdon
In Attendance: County Councillor R Legg, P Chapman (Clerk) and 2 members of the public
Deputy Chair Cllr L Bennett welcomed the Councillors and members of the public to the Parish Council’s first virtual meeting.
- Apologies for Absence
None.
- Declarations of Interest
Cllr P Clark noted he recently submitted an application. The Clerk has not received notification so it would not be discussed at this meeting.
Cllr L Bennett suggested that at this time one of the members of the public spoke to the Parish Council concerning the empty property, 3 Cross Road.
Sadly the owner of 3 Cross Road passed away in 2018 and the house remains empty. It is now looking very run down, fence panels have fallen, trash remains uncollected from the bins and they believe the garden is infested with vermin. It is understood probate has not been granted but due to data protection, ownership prior to probate is not known. Several residents of Cross Road have approached Environmental Health but they are not aware of any progress.
District Cllr R Legg kindly offered to contact Environmental Health on behalf of the Parish Council to query the status, normally probate takes a year and it has been nearly 2 years.
The Clerk will forward correspondences to Cllr R Legg and keep the resident updates. Action: Clerk
- Minutes of the March Meeting
The minutes from the meeting held on 3rd March 2020 were approved by the Councillors in attendance and signed by Cllr L Bennett.
- Co-opt Councillor
Cllr T Hunt proposed Mrs J Thomas to join the Parish Council. Cllr I Houston seconded. Cllr L Bennett welcomed Mrs J Thomas to the Parish Council. The Clerk provided Mrs Thomas with the code of conduct, standing orders, financial regulations and the declaration of acceptance form prior to the meeting. She asked Mrs J Thomas to sign the declaration and either scan and email or post it through her letterbox. Action: Cllr J Thomas
- Dorset Council Applications
See Attached for the status of the applications from March 2020 to present.
The application for the Solar Farm in Clifton Maybank (WD/D/20/001057) was discussed thoroughly. Cllr I Houston would like to view the site with the applicant to get a better understanding of the ecological affects to the wildlife in the area.
Cllr R Legg noted he believed Clifton Maybank Parish was not informed the application was submitted to Dorset Council. The Clerk informed him it was her understanding the deadline for comments concerning the applications is early June.
It was resolved the Clerk will request and extension for consultee comments, contact the Stoford/Barwick Parish Council and Clifton Maybank Parish to request their views on the application and email the agent and applicant to request a meeting on site. Action: Clerk
Cllr I Houston noted he believed it would be beneficial to invite Mr Dallas (Ichester Estates) to a future meeting to discuss farming and the challenges they face with respect to the issues the village has experienced.
All in favour of supporting the application for Stone Garth (WD/D/20/001037).
- Telephone Box on Churchwell Street
Nothing to report.
- Officer Report
Village Hall: Cllr T Hunt reported the meetings were cancelled and the PreSchool reopened this week.
Trees: Cllr L Bennett had nothing to report.
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon walked the footpaths and stated they were all passable. FannyBrooks Lane is still in a poor state but it passable, even with the high thistles. The new red sign requesting to keep to the footpath path on the field behind The Grange was discussed. Cllr L Bennett will approach the owner to ask if there was a particular incident that required the signage. Cllr J Thomas noted someone is spraying the weeds on the footpath between Tudor Cottage and The Grange that has damaged her roses. The Clerk suggested the Parish Council contacts the school to ask if it is Dorset Council spraying the weeds and to ensure they have a key to the new padlock entering the field. Action: Cllr L Bennett/ Clerk
- Footpaths
- Wyke Farm
It was reported the fields are dry and have been planted. Cllr I Houston noted perhaps it would be better if the surrounding parishes would like an extraordinary meeting with Mr Dallas. The Clerk will contact Castleton and Thornford. Action: Clerk
- Fanny Brooks Lane
Cllr I Houston noted a resident is willing to make the necessary repairs to make the area safe for walkers as Dorset Council Highways has put the repairs on hold until their budget is reviewed. All in favour to moving forward with their kind offer. Cllr I Houston will speak to the volunteer. Action: Cllr I Houston
County Cllr R Legg informed the Parish Council all surface dressing has been cancelled for this financial year. It is unknown if the list will be moved to the next year automatically or if Dorset Highways will re-evaluate the list in the future.
- Wyke Farm
- Community Land Trust
Cllr L Bennett reported the trustees are Mr Dick Bennett (Chair), Ms Anne Hurrell (Secretary) and Mr Terry Bennett (Treasurer). No progress at the time of the Parish Council Meeting but the Clerk has provided a cheque for £40.00 in order to register the CLT as a business.
- Allotments
The Clerk has not had a response from the recent email sent to Mr Robson (Solicitor, Warner and Richardson) requesting a lease. Cllr P Clark to follow-up. Action: Cllr P Clark
- War Memorial: Missing Names and Memorial Bench
The Clerk has not heard from the stone mason after trying to make contact in May. The project is ongoing but she is not sure of the progress at this time.
J. Gillham Memorial Bench: The Clerk has had an email stating the staff at the Admiral Pubs that deal with the request add a bench to the wall of the pub’s car park has been furloughed.
D Hayward Memorial Bench: The Clerk has telephoned and written to a joiner in the village but has not had a reply.
- Matters Arising/Actions Taken
- Village Plan
It was noted the Heritage Report should be incorporated in the Village Plan.
- Website
Cllr I Houston changed the website to reflect a more conventional style. The Pennant may be available on line in the near future. The Clerk noted printing of the Pennant has been sorted out and she will continue to organise delivery.
Cllr I Houston added he need to take a look at printing the agendas, it was not working for the Clerk. Action: Cllr I Houston
- Village Plan
- Climate Change Emergency Suggestions
Nothing to report.
- Highways Matters
The Cllrs noted cars were congregating at the Hollow, most likely scramblers, push bikes etc. in order to use the (illegal) course along the side of Underdown. The Clerk had reported activity to the PCSO during lockdown. He said he would try to speak with the drivers of the vehicles about Covid19 regulations, but they don't deal with private trespass.
Cllr S Longdon noted he has seen a delivery van parked in front of a farmer’s gate on Underdown, near Quarry Lane, possibly staying overnight.
- Playing Fields
- Inspection Reports
The play equipment is currently not inspected weekly due to Covid 19 lockdown, thus equipment cannot be used.
The Clerk, prior to the meeting, circulated the cost for crowning the trees overhanging 3 Churchwell Close’s garage of £520.00 It was resolved the Clerk will ask for two more quotes to compare. Cllr J Thomas will forward some suggestions of tree surgeons. Action: Clerk
- Equipment Replacement Suggestions
The Clerk circulated the revised costs for the proposed Zipwire. At the last meeting is was narrowed down to Wicksteed and Caloo. Caloo is less expensive by £800 but the ramp is constructed of wood and require repairs in the long term. The Clerk will approach Wicksteed again to ask if they would consider revising their cost. The Clerk will report back with the final cost prior to the next meeting.
(The Clerk’s internet connection was not working consistently after 15.2)
- Inspection Reports
- Financial Accounts
- Grants and Donations
None to report.
- Accounts for Payment for April, May and June
All agreed to accept the accounts the Clerk provided prior to the meeting.
- To approve section 1 of the Annual Return 2019 - 2020
The Clerk had not collected the audit from auditor in time for the meeting.
- To approve section 2 of the Annual Return 2019 – 2020
The Clerk had not collected the audit from auditor in time for the meeting.
- Grants and Donations
- Correspondences
The majority were dealt with earlier in the meeting. The Clerk was not online to report any additional correspondences.
- The Pennant
Nothing reported.
- Any other information / Date of next meeting
Tuesday 14th July 2020. Location TBD.