Present: Cllrs L Bennett (Chair), P Clark, D Coffin, I Houston (Vice Chair), T Hunt, S Longdon and J Thomas.
In Attendance: P Chapman (Clerk), County Cllr R Legg and four members of the public.
- Welcome and to receive apologies for absence
All present.
- To receive declarations of interests
Cllr D Coffin declared an interest in the agenda item 7.1.
- To approve the minutes from the January Extraordinary Meeting and February Meeting
The minutes from the Extraordinary Meeting held in January and the February Ordinary Meeting were approved by the Councillors and will be signed by the Chairperson, Cllr L Bennett, as a true record of the meeting.
- To discuss Dorset Council planning applications
No new applications to be considered.
(County Cllr R Legg joined the meeting)
- To discuss the Local Plan Consultation
Cllr L Bennett attended 2 webinars concerning the Dorset Local Plan.
Cllr R Legg noted the comments deadline is 15/3 and will not be extended. The Clerk to Queen Thorne Parish Council emailed the BAPC clerk noting their objection concerning the possible housing along Compton Road. Compton Road is a tier 3 proposal and not one of the local plan’s preferred options. The Clerk will reply to Queen Thorne PC confirming the BAPCs objections. Action: Clerk
The Clerk recently forwarded a link to the Sherborne Castle Estate consultation to local housing, overall supported by the councillors.
The Cllrs discussed the targets and their concerns it is derived from algorithms rather than local communities need, developer-led housing projects, infill in villages, and to ensure the plan allows for small development of low cost housing.
It was resolved to put forward the Parish Council’s concerns and support the proposed preferred options. Cllr P Clark & T Hunt will draft a comment from the Parish Council for all to review and reply with suggestions. Action: Cllrs P Clark/ T Hunt
- To receive officer reports
Village Hall: Nothing new to report. Preschool and Post Office are the only organisations eligible to hire hiring the hall. The hall has a new secretary.
Trees: Cllr D Coffin contacted the resident of 3 Churchwell Close to let her know the PC is moving forward reducing the height and overhanging trees on their border from the playing fields.
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon reported the paths are mostly dry and walkable. He noted he is disappointed to see the appearance of the No Access signage from the Sherborne Castle Estates in the area. Cllr R Legg suggested the new owners are ensuring walkers keep to the designated footpath. Cllr Legg asked Cllr S Longdon to forward the signs, he has heard these are appearing around other villages as well. Action: Cllr S Longdon
Cllr T Hunt had nothing new to report on behalf of the CLT.
- To discuss local footpath issues
- Ambrose Close access/footpath
The Clerk reported Cllr I Houston was contacted concerning some overhanging tree branches from the verge next the to the footpath from the Emlet to Ambrose Close. The Clerk wrote to Dorset Council. The trees should be trimmed by end of March.
It was noticed the leaning fence has been removed from the footpath. The Clerk will write to the resident to thank them. Action: Clerk
The Clerk reported she was approached by a resident reporting an access issue between 18 and 19 Ambrose Close. (Cllr D Coffin declared an interest and cannot take part in the discussion). The resident of 18 Ambrose Close was concerned 19 Ambrose Close blocked access with a fence. An access path does not appear on the deeds for number 19 Ambrose Close, and for this reason the councillors resolved it is not an issue for the Parish Council. The Clerk will contact the resident of 18 Ambrose Close. Action: Clerk
- Any other footpath issues to report
None.
- Ambrose Close access/footpath
- To receive a telephone box working group update
Cllr J Thomas reported the group has not been able to meet. The books, puzzles and DVDs are popular. They will start a cuttings/seed exchange as the weather gets warmer. They will order planters that Cllr S Longdon kindly offered to will level once in place. Action: Cllrs J Thomas/ S Longdon
- To discuss 2021 Census support
The Clerk added an item in the Pennant. Letters from the government should be received by all shortly, if not already. The Clerk will put up more posters around the village and in the shop. Action: Clerk
- Community Land Trust update
Nothing new to report
- To receive a war memorial update
- Missing names plaques
The plaques are now erected and the invoice has been received.
- D Hayward Memorial bench
The Clerk to contact M Hopkins with decision of steel fixings at the feet of the bench in order to protect the bench from woodrot. It was resolved the bench will be 5ft from the telephone box and a planter will be placed between the bench and the junction of Church Road. Action: Clerk
It was noted work began on J Gillham’s bench alongside the war memorial; no final plans with materials received. The Clerk will follow-up with Mr A Fall. Action: Clerk
The pub landlord spoke to the Clerk; it is not necessary to get approval from Admiral’s Tavern for the Christmas tree, or wall. She can and will provide permission.
- Missing names plaques
- To receive a village plan update to include neighbourhood plan discussion
Cllr T Hunt will attend the training sessions provided by DAPTC for the Neighbourhood Plan (NP) on 11/3. He will attend the second on 25/3 if no one else can attend. The Clerk will reserve places. Action: Clerk
- To discuss the website updates
Nothing to report. Cllrs I Houston & T Hunt will work together to add an article to the website requesting volunteers for the NP Action: Cllr I Houston/ T Hunt
- To discuss the Government's Ultrafast Broadband Scheme
Many residents are moving forward pledging the vouchers. It remains at approximately 75%, Cllr I Houston is doubtful the target will be achieved.
- To discuss the Climate Change Emergency Working Group
Cllr I Houston has participated in several online meetings. The disease resistant elm trees have been planted in the playing field and one in Kelvin’s field the remainder were donated to Manor Farm.
- To discuss any highways issues
The Clerk reported the most recent list of works from Dorset Council included surface dressing on Back Lane sometime between April and September 2021.
No news on the replacement bin up at the top of North Street, although the Clerk is not sure she will receive any communication from Dorset Waste Partnership.
The Clerk reported P Thatcher (DC Highways) has alerted the Golf Club to the potential danger of the overhanging trees / branches in Underdown Hollow.
The Clerk reported issues with the bmx track with the police (emailed 101), no response has been received from previous reports. The Clerk noted when up in the area she saw damaged trees and holes were dug through tree roots in order to make the track. Cllr R Legg kindly offered to investigate if the area is considered SSSI. The Clerk will forward the photos to him. Action: Clerk
The Clerk reported the drain near Pettitts Close at the junction of Bishops Lane and Quarry Lane. Cllr L Bennett asked if the Clerk could add the flooding in that area to her email to P Thatcher concerning the culverts/gullies on the Clifton Maybank side of Smiths Bridge. Action: Clerk
Cllr S Longdon reported the fly tipping along Underdown near Westbury. Cllr L Bennett alerted the farmer 2 bags were left in the field were not cleared by DC as they were not on highways verge.
- To discuss how to support the upcoming census
Discussed under 9.
- To review the playing field inspection reports
Cllrs I Houston and S Longdon will tighten the zip wire in better weather. Cllr D Coffin kindly replaced the cradle swing.
A few of the Councillors are yet to review the catalogues for a new piece of equipment. The Cllrs hope to set a meeting to discuss in person.
- Financial Accounts
- To consider any grants or donations
The Clerk forwarded a DAPTC newsletter that had an example grant policy and form. It was resolved a grant policy and form would be a good idea; the Clerk will look into the policy. Action: Clerk
- To consider March payments
Cllr T Hunt moved to accept the financial accounts the Clerk distributed
Current Account:
£3,039.60 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ 538.56 Less: February payments
£ 44.76 Less: MA&AJ Shallcross (tree guards)
£ 43.00 Receipt: British Gas credit???
£ 300.00 Receipt: Donation to DH bench
£2,799.28
Deposit Account:
£ 9,784.34 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ 0.08 Receipt: February interest
£ 9,784.42
£12,583.70 Total in all accounts
Proposed March Payments:
£ 220.00 Clerk's wage
£ 155.80 K M Dike invoice 1025 (Jan 21 grass cutting)
£ 66.00 MA & AJ Shallcross
£ 10.00 Shop Committee property searches
£1,530.00 Bellstone (war memorial plaques)
£ 22.45 D Coffin expenses for trees
£ 99.58 Clerks expenses/ reimbursement
£2,103.83
- To consider any grants or donations
- Correspondences received
- Allotment lease received and forwarded. The lease included a 14 month termination notice period and gardening farm tenancy. The maps included were incorrect. Cllr P Clark will review and respond. Action: Cllr P Clark
- Newsletters and Bulletins from DAPTC and DC
- Items for The Pennant
- open garden’s date 4 July
- Any other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 6th April, 7:30pm on Zoom. The next agenda should include the Allotments and Governance Review
Mtg closed 9:30pm