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 25 members of the public
- Welcome and to receive apologies for absence
Cllr L Bennett stated to the members of the public that this is an Ordinary Parish Council Meeting and 15 minutes will be allocated to a public session for residents to speak on an agenda item. It was confirmed the members of the public were all in attendance for the item Gollops Ground.
It was resolved to move the item 8.1 to the top of the agenda. Cllr L Bennett reviewed the actions taken by the Parish Council to date. Members of the Parish Council met with the owners in June 2020 when the sign “Private Land Keep to the Footpath” was erected. It was understood the landowners were concerned with their liability of an accident (specifically connected to the river), amount of dog waste in the field and lack of social distancing during the pandemic.
The Parish Council sent a letter to the landowner in May 2021 shortly after the fence was erected suggesting the PC would be happy to lease or purchase the field, however the Parish Council has not received a response. Cllr R Legg, the Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk of the Parish Council met with the landowner to put forward the views of the residents. The landowner is considering the Parish Council’s request.
Cllr L Bennett noted the Parish Council also has an option to apply to for village green status and/or apply for a modification order to request a designated footpath near the riverside. These options could take years (10+).
Cllr L Bennett opened the meeting to the public.
Several members of the public spoke stating their objections to the erection of the fence cutting off access to the river. The members that spoke noted
- the confusion to the location of the defined footpath
- villagers have used the path near the river for generations
- emergency access to the school’s sports field
- for generations, access to the school playing fields etc.
The Parish Council understood that, after the meeting with the Senior Ranger of Dorset Council, the fence was erected within the guidelines leaving adequate space for maintenance equipment and an ambulance to gain access to the Primary School Sports Field.
Cllr I Houston asked the members of the public to raise their hands if they wish the Parish Council to apply for a village green status and/or right of way. All hands were raised from the public for both applications.
The Clerk explained it was her understanding the application must be made one year from the erection of the sign and the PC believes that is 3rd June. She has spoken to OSS (Open Space Society) and Dorset Council and they have concurred. The Clerk spoke to the Manager of the Definitive Map Team stating they do not have much experience or training with village green applications and could not offer assistance.
It was resolved, with the support of the members of the public the Parish Council will move forward with both an application for a village green and right of way. Action: Clerk
- To receive declarations of interests
Cllr P Clark declared an interest concerning agenda item number 4, the planning application for his neighbour, Greystones, Church Road.
- To approve the minutes from the Ordinary May Meeting
Cllr T Hunt noted with reference to the minuted item 13.3 the Shop Steering Group can set up a separate benefit society in order to secure a property if they wish do to so, it is not required that the CLT is used for this purpose. All agreed to amend the May minutes. The Clerk will add this to the minutes for Cllr L Bennett to sign as a true record of the meeting. Action: Clerk
To discuss Dorset Council planning applications and decisions
- WD/D/2021/00799 Greystones, Church Road, Bradford Abbas. Erection of reasr single storey extension, two storey side extension and garage (removal of existing) It was resolved to support this application. Action: Clerk
- To receive officer reports
CLT: Cllr T Hunt noted they will move forward with a questionnaire in order to gain the feeling of residents concerning housing in the village.
Tree Officer: Nothing to report. Cllr D Coffin discussed the Queens Canopy documentation the Clerk sent out and suggested it maybe a good idea to replace. She noted there are quite a few dead elm trees in the Westbury hedge/ border of the playing fields. It was suggested as long as the trunk diameter is greater than 75mm when measured at 1.5m above ground level. The Clerk will look into if the an application is needed. Action: Clerk
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon reported the footpaths are all ok, slightly overgrown but passable. In order to avoid confusion Cllr S Longdon requested two yellow arrow signs to note the designated footpath that runs along the northside of the hedge of Mill Farm footpath.
Village Hall: Cllr J Thomas noted the committee met in person and the preschool and dance club continue to use the hall. Requests are coming in for usage. Dates of clubs returning are not known at the moment making it difficult to predict the loss. - To receive an update from working groups
- Telephone Box Working Group
Cllr J Thomas reported June will be crime and thriller month. The Open Gardens is moving forward on the 4th July.
- Climate Change Emergency Working Group
Cllr I Houston noted the solar farm application has been granted and works to the hedges along the footpath in the area will begin.
- An update from the Shop Steering Group
Cllr J Thomas reported, currently, the next meetings date has not been set.
- To discuss local footpath issues
- Gollops Ground
This item was discussed earlier in the meeting. It was decided Cllr L Bennett will write to the landowner to inform him of the decisions to move forward with a village green and right of way application made at this meeting. It will also stress the Parish Council’s continued interest in leasing or purchasing the field. Action: Cllrs L Bennett & I Houston
- Any other footpath issues to report
The Clerk heard from a resident concerning the kissing gate accessing Gollops Ground is a “tight squeeze”. Cllr S Longdon will look into it to see if there is anything that can be done. Action: Cllr S Longdon
Cllr I Houston asked if the Clerk heard form DC who owned the Mill Lane footpath as it is steep and dangerous in the wet weather. The Clerk will follow up. Action: Clerk
Cllr T Hunt suggested it would be beneficial to list Gollops Ground as an asset of community value, specifically as a Community Right to Bid.
- Gollops Ground
- To consider the Community Governance Review (CGR)
The Clerk forwarded the information to Mrs Mellish concerning the CGR and received a response it will be considered but noted that Clifton Maybank residents do not pay any tax and that would change if they were to link with Bradford Abbas Parish Council. It was suggested the Clerk remind them of the deadline. Action: Clerk
- To receive a village plan update to include neighbourhood plan discussion.
Cllr T Hunt reported he contacted J. Witherden, a planning consultant who offered a 30 minute session about neighborhood planning at no cost. The councillors agreed this would be very beneficial for the autumn. Action: Cllr T Hunt
- To discuss the website updates to include the Governments Ultrafast Broadband Scheme
Nothing to report.
- To discuss any highways issues
- Trees overhanging Underdown
The Clerk had a reply from the PCSO and a meeting will be set up over the next month. Action: Clerk
- Flooding in areas of the village
The Clerk has not had the chance to email Highways suggesting the drains along Quarry Lane could connect to Pettitts Close storm sewer in order to elevate the flooding at the junction of Bishops Lane and Farm Rd. Action: Clerk
- Trees overhanging Underdown
- To review the playing field inspection reports
Nothing new to report. The Clerk was contacted by a resident to ask if fruit and veg stalls could use the playing fields as the pub carpark may not be possible until the new tenants move in. The Councillors agreed it was a good idea for the summer but in the winter the ground will most likely be too wet. The Clerk will contact Admiral Tavern/ or the new owners in July to discuss using the pub carpark. Action: Clerk.
The Clerk received an email from Wicksteed suggesting equipment for the playing fields. The email received did not include prices. The Clerk will forward the suggestions and costs to the Councillors. Action: Clerk
- Financial Accounts
- To consider any grants and/or donation requests
No new requests. The Clerk is waiting for the bank details for the contribution of £250.00 toward the memorial bench for J Gillam as previously agreed.
- To consider June payments
The Clerk emailed the following information prior to the meeting
Current Account:
£ 551.24 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ 638.90 Less: May payments
£ 3.96 Less LB expenses
£ 149.99 Less telephone box expenses to KE
£ 360.00 Less: Toomer Tree Services
£6,412.50 Receipt: Precept 1st instalment
£5,810.89
Deposit Account:
£10,284.58 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ 0.08 Receipt: May interest
£10,284.66 (£1K for allotments? £2.5K for PF equipment)
£16,095.55
Proposed May Payments:
£223.30 Clerk's wage (includes wage increase)
£155.80 K M Dike invoice May 21 grass cutting
£355.33 DAPTC subs
£734.43
Cllr L Bennett noted the Clerk should keep a note of the additional hours needed for the Gollops Ground applications. All agreed to accept the financial information provided and proposed payments. Action: Clerk
- To approve the Fixed Asset Register for 2020/21
The Clerk reported the register will be updated as it was unclear the item description for the £5,130 on the register. The Clerk noted it was the grass matting under the double swings. Cllr S Longdon proposed acceptance; Cllr P Clark seconded. (documentation available upon request or go to the PCs website bradford-abbas.uk)
- To approve section 1 of the Annual Return 2020/21
Prior to the meeting the Clerk distributed Annual Governance and Accountability Return for 2020/21 along with the supporting documents. The Clerk commented the Risk Assessment must be reviewed every year; it was missed in 2020. (the documents included the Certificate of Exemption) Cllr P Clark proposed acceptance; Cllr J Thomas seconded. (documentation available upon request or go to the PCs website)
- To approve section 2 of the Annual Return 2020/21
Cllr D Coffin proposed acceptance; Cllr S Longdon seconded
(documentation available upon request or go to the PCs website)
- To consider any grants and/or donation requests
- Correspondences received
- Queens Green Canopy
- Cllr R Legg link to a further explanation of the 5 year housing supply calculation
- DC and DAPTC newsletters
- Items for The Pennant
- Annual Parish Meeting.
- Any other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
Tuesday 6th July Annual Parish Meeting in the village hall at 7:30pm
Tuesday 13th July Ordinary Parish Council Meeting in the village hall at 7:30pm
Meeting ended at 9:25pm
- Telephone Box Working Group