Minutes for Ordinary Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Present:  Cllrs L Bennett (Chair), P Clark, I Houston (Vice Chair), S Longdon and J Thomas.
In Attendance:  P Chapman (Clerk) and County Cllr R Legg

1. Welcome and to receive apologies for absence
   Cllr D Coffin
    
2. To receive declarations of interests
   None.
    
3. To approve the minutes from the September meetings
   The minutes from the meetings held on the 8th September were approved by the Councillors in attendance and signed by the Chairperson, Cllr L Bennett, as a true record of the meeting. Cllr T Hunt reminded the Cllrs that Cllr J Thomas is the village hall representative.
    
4. To discuss Dorset Council planning applications
   WD/D/20/001594:  51 Queens Rd, Bradford Abbas DT9 6RR has been approved by Dorset Council.
   
   The solar farm application in Clifton Maybank has not been decided by Dorset Council. Cllr I Houston noted after Cllr L Bennet and he met with representatives from Voltek he felt if they provide the proposed improvements to the sounding footpaths and bridlepaths as agreed he suggested the objections is removed and focus on the issue concerning transportation lorries through the narrow lanes.  It was concluded to withdraw the objections noting the improvement to the surrounding footpaths/bridleway proposed are followed up and smaller lorries are used.  Action:  Cllr I Houston/Clerk
    
5. To receive officer reports
   Tree Officer: Nothing to report. Cllr D Coffin asked if DC should review the safety of the  hollow, many trees and branches overhanging the road and are coming down in storms.  Action: Clerk
   
   Footpaths:  Cllr S Longdon reported all the footpaths are good, at the moment.
   
   Village Hall:  Cllr J Thomas has not been receiving the emails from the Committee. The Clerk will forward any current emails to Cllr J Thomas.  Cllr L Bennett reported the village hall did not qualify for the most recent grants. Action: Clerk 
    
6. To discuss local footpath issues
   The Clerk had a reply from the Mill Farm footpath landowners concerning the slippery surface in the wet weather.  The recent resurfacing near the pond will not extend to the footbridge, it would end up washing away.
   
   The Clerk has contacted the Mellish’s to ask about ownership of the Mill Lane footpath. They believe the ownership is Dorset Council/unregistered land.  The Clerk will photo the footpath and ask DC to make it safe.  Action: Clerk
    
7. To receive a telephone box working group update
   Cllr S Longdon circulated the notes from the previous meeting, the next meeting will be tomorrow evening. Unfortunately, they are unable to meet in the village hall at this time.
    
8. Community Land Trust Update
   Cllr L Bennett reported the committee is in the process of opening a bank account. Their next meeting will focus on housing development and making arrangements for residents to purchase shares.
    
9. To receive a War Memorial Update
   1. Missing names plaques
      Ongoing, the Clerk has had contact from Mr Louth with a photo of the corrections made for approval.  The Clerk has passed it on to all the Cllrs and Mr R Hann. Cllr T Hunt to measure the originals size to the War Memorial to ensure it will fit.  The Clerk will then contact Mr Louth with final approval.  Action: Cllr T Hunt/ Clerk
      
      The Clerk has ordered the wreath for the service that she understands will go forward.
       
   2. D Hayward Memorial bench
      The Clerk ordered the bench but does not have a delivery date.
       
   3. J Gillham Memorial bench
      The Clerk was contacted to ask if the Parish Council / Clerk would be prepared to bank all donations and facilitate payments.  The Clerk did not feel this is legal as this group was not a working group of the Parish Council. She also noted there may be cost implications to the end of year audit.  Cllr L Bennett did not feel it was something the PC should take responsibility for.
       
10.  To receive a village plan update
    Nothing to report.  Cllr T Hunt asked the Chair to consider a Neighbourhood Plan (NP) similar to Yetminster and Ryme Instrinseca.  The Clerk recently received and circulated their NP, not all Cllrs has had the chance to review it.
    
    Cllr R Legg reported there is a consultation of a white paper that closes at the end of the month proposing changes to the current planning system and it is not clear how this paper fits in with neighbourhood plans.
    
    Cllr T Hunt noted it is important the consider a NP in order to protect the village. He suggested all Cllrs read the conservation area appraisal for the history but the Parish Council needs to look to the future. It was resolved NP will be added to the next agenda. Action: Cllrs/Clerk
    
    Nothing to report, looking for articles from the Cllrs. Cllr T Hunt will meet to discuss the updates needed for the village plan.  Action: Cllr T Hunt
     
11. To discuss the website updates
    Cllr I Houston enquired if the Telephone Box Working Group had an update they could put on the website.  Cllr S Longdon sent the Cllrs notes of the meeting held and can add an article/ update to the website. Cllr I Houston is happy to help getting it on the website if needed.  Action: Cllr S Longdon 
    
    The Telephone Box Working Group item is needed on the next agenda.
     
12. To discuss the Climate Change Emergency Working Group
    Cllr I Houston and the Clerk recruited new members to join the working group and will send Cllr J Thomas their details.  Action:  Cllr I Houston/ Clerk
    
    Cllr J Thomas stated the working group needs to decide what can be done locally.  Both Cllrs J Thomas and I Houston will investigate replacing the elm trees with disease resistant trees along Westbury. Action:  Cllrs J Thomas / I Houston
     
13. To discuss any highways issues
    Cllr L Bennett asked County Cllr R Legg if the resurfacing of the roads within Bradford Abbas were rescheduled.  Cllr R Legg has only seen checking RR bridges on the capital works spreadsheet.
    
    After a discussion concerning the safety of the customers leaving the shop directly on to the road it was resolved the Clerk will purchases two traffic cones.  Action:  Clerk
     
14. To review the playing field inspection reports and future budget
    Cllr P Clark looked into the Field in Trust for possible funds in order to replace the large toddler frame.  He does not think it will be helpful.  He has contacted Wicksteed and Kompain for quotes.  Wicksteed no longer has the staff to come out to the site in order to provide an estimate, a link to possible equipment was sent to all Cllrs by Cllr P Clark.
    
    The litter bin near the Westbury entrance was damaged. The Clerk asked the Cllrs to be sure to look for the damage and assess if it needs to be replaced. The Clerk will investigate a replacement cost for the next meeting.  Action:  Cllrs/Clerk
    
    Cllr J Thomas suggested some changes to the playing field checklist as they are not professional. (ex “seem to be secure”).  Action: Cllr L Bennett/ Clerk
    
    The Clerk has not had a response to the suggested goalposts from the resident who originally proposed new goalposts and possible funding. 
     
15. Financial Accounts
    1. To consider any grants or donations
       None.
        
    2. To consider September payments
       See below.
       
       The Clerk recommended transferring at least £2,500 from the deposit account to the current account.  The Cllrs approved the Oct payments.
        
16. Correspondences received
    - The Clerk received and forwarded an email updating the Parish Council with the issues concerning the empty property 3 Cross Road. The Clerk will forward to Cllr R Legg.  Action:  Clerk
    - Ultrafast Broadband Government Scheme. Cllr I Houston will promote this item with potential costs in the next Pennant. The Clerk will insert the item in the next Pennant.  Action: Cllr I Houston/ Clerk
    - The Clerk suggested the Parish Council could get the ball rolling concerning the future of the shop. The Clerk will put an insert in the next Pennant in order to ask for volunteers to join a community shop steering group.  Action: Clerk
     
17. Items for the Pennant
    None.
     
18. Items for the next Agenda
    Ultrafast Broadband Scheme.
     

    Current Account:                           
    £6,913.93    Account balance reported from the Sept Meeting (excel spreadsheet)                       
    £1,902.94    Less:  Approved September Payments (see below)                       
    £5,357.50    Receipt: Precept
    £10,368.49

    Deposit Account:                           
    £12,655.19    Account balance reported from the previous meeting                       
              £0.10    Receipt: September Interest 
    £12,655.29
    £23,023.78  Total in all accounts    
    
    Proposed October Payments                                    Approved September Payments       
    £   220.00    Parish Clerk's wage                                £155.80    KM Dike (inv 900)   
    £   840.00    Defibrillator Support Package             £420.00    M Hopkins removal zipwire   
    £     23.94    IH Website Exp ((inv 2609947)             £473.83    M Hopkins repairs   
    £8,725.92   Wicksteed Cableway (inv 811556)          £220.00    Parish Clerk's wage   
    £   155.80   KM Dike (inv 925)                                     £190.03    Parish Clerk's expenses   
    £9,965.66                                                                      £443.28    Parish Council Insurance   
                                                                                        £1,902.94