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 2 members of the public
- Welcome and to receive apologies for absence
Cllr L Bennett welcomed Councillors and the 2 members of the public to the meeting. The Clerk had no apologies for absence to report.
- To receive declarations of interests
Cllr J Thomas declared an interest in her planning application appeal that may be discussed during item 4.
The members of the public are in attendance to discuss the shop/residence. It was agreed Cllr J Thomas would provide the update from the Shop Steering Group (item 7) prior to the discussion.
Cllr J Thomas reported there are approximately 10 people currently in the Shop Steering Group; 7 meetings have been held and the next meeting is in September but the date has not been confirmed. There was uncertainty when Wendy and Alan would vacate the shop. It was well used and essential during the pandemic but Alan reported sales dropped once restrictions began to lift. The Tuesday market in the playing fields is well used but does not fill the gap of a shop.
The 2 members of the public stated they reside in the Old Post Office House and do not plan to reopen the shop. It is their understanding from information received it was not commercially viable, however they would be happy to volunteer and assist the Steering Group to find a location for a community shop.
- To approve the minutes from the Ordinary May Meeting
The Clerk stated she has made a two minor changes; added Cllr D Coffin as present and adjusted the statement near the Tree Officer report as suggested by Cllr D Coffin. All agreed to amendments made. Cllr L Bennett signed the minutes as a true record of the meeting.
- To discuss Dorset Council planning applications and decisions
- P/HOU/2021/01457 Mayflower Cottage, Yeovil Road Bradford Abbas DT9 4RA. Erect first floor side extension with balcony. No objections raised.
- P/HOU/2021/01047 24 South View Bradford Abbas DT9 6RS. Erection of part two storey, part first floor front extension. The Clerk requested the Councillors comments prior to the meeting in order to meet the deadline. No objections.
(Cllr J Thomas left the meeting.)
The Clerk received notification application number WD/D/20/002276 application for a replacement conservatory was refused and is in the process of appeals. It was resolved the Clerk would reiterate the Parish Council’s support for this application as stated previously. Cllr R Legg reported the planning team are in the process of reviewing their policies in order to deliver more consistent decisions. Action: Clerk
(Cllr J Thomas returned to the meeting.)
- 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.
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon had nothing to report.
Telephone box library: Cllr J Thomas noted the library will have a cooking theme in September and gardening work continues at the top of Churchwell Street.
Village Hall: Cllr J Thomas reported a meeting is scheduled for next week.
Trees: Cllr D Coffin reviewed the application for the Queens Canopy and it appears you can apply for a small hedge or a copse of 30 trees or more. It was resolved the Clerk will forward the information to the school and offer support if needed. The Clerk noted there is an application for 2 Churchwell Close and handed over the map of trees to be felled to Cllr D Coffin to review. Action: Clerk
- To receive an update from working groups
- Telephone Box Working Group
This item was discussed under item 5.
- Climate Change Emergency Working Group
Nothing new to report.
- An update from the Shop Steering Group
This item was discussed at the beginning of the meeting.
Cllr J Thomas suggested the shop group could use some more members. A few of the Councillors will attend the next meeting to get their views on alternative issues and a possible COU application.
- Telephone Box Working Group
- To discuss local footpath issues
- Gollops Ground
Cllrs L Bennet, I Houston and the Clerk discussed the application’s deadline with a solicitor. Unfortunately, he agreed with Dorset Council and does not recommend pursing this legally as there are no precedence for the case, even in a pandemic.
The Clerk has written to the landowner to revisit the PC’s request to purchase and /or lease the field. The letter also invites them to suggest alternative solutions if they are not happy to sell or lease. The Clerk will deliver this letter tomorrow. Action: Clerk
Cllr I Houston & L Bennett joined a meeting a resident set up with a member of the rambling society to discuss the options. The Councillors were very impressed with her knowledge and will keep her in mind when the Clerk begins the Right of Way application.
(Cllr R Legg left the meeting)
- Any other footpath issues to report
The Clerk reported the kissing gate at the Church Road entrance to Gollops Ground is very tight to the DC Ranger. No reply received, although Cllr S Longdon noted the gate can be lifted off if you cannot get through it.
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
- Gollops Ground
- To consider the Community Governance Review (CGR)
Nothing to report.
- To receive a village plan update to include neighbourhood plan discussion.
Cllr T Hunt reported he contacted J. Witherdon, a planning consultant, is happy to provide a short presentation to the Councillors and CLT group free of charge. The councillors agreed the 14th September would be the best option. The Clerk will check the village hall diary and book it if it is available. Action: Clerk
- To discuss the website updates to include the Governments Ultrafast Broadband Scheme
Nothing to report. Cllr I Houston had problems renewing the SSL certificate, it is now sorted but it took quite some time to resolve.
- To discuss any highways issues
- Trees overhanging Underdown
The Clerk has not had a reply from the PCSO of meeting dates, another follow-up email is needed. Action: Clerk
- Flooding in areas of the village
The Clerk is awaiting a reply from Mr P Thatcher of DC 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.
- Any other highways issues
The Clerk emailed highways to request street name signs at the junction of Grants Hill and Underdown as requested by a resident
- Trees overhanging Underdown
- To review the playing field inspection reports
It was resolved Wicksteed’s Galahad is the best option to replace the large climbing frame. The Clerk requested if the PC would consider adding goalposts to the grant applications. The Councillors agreed. The Clerk will look into possible goalposts and grant applications for the next meeting. Action: Clerk
Cllr I Houston suggested to contact Voltalia as they support community projects in areas they are working in.
The Clerk noted the recent inspection report noted rough edges along the skate ramp. It also has graffiti on it and needs to be repainted and a few slats are missing from one of the picnic tables. The Clerk will get a few quotes for the skate ramp repairs. Action: Clerk
The Clerk reported a resident of Churchwell Close noted there is some damage to the stone wall along their boundary possibly from children climbing the wall. The Clerk will report it to the PSCO. Action: Clerk
The Clerk emailed DC Planning to request permission to remove the dead trees along the Westbury border and the large on in the middle of the playing fields.
- Financial Accounts
- To consider any grants and/or donation requests
Donation from residents toward the Open Gardens fundraiser totally £15.00.
- To consider June payments
The Clerk emailed the following information prior to the meeting
Current Account:
£5,810.89 551.24 Account balance reported from the previous mtg
£ 737.53 Less: June payments
£5,073.36
Deposit Account:
£10,284.66 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£ 631.00 Receipt: Open Gardens funds to PF equipment
£ 0.08 Receipt: June interest
£ 0.08 Receipt: July interest
£10,915.82 (£1K for allotments/ £2.5K + £631.00 for PF equipment)
Proposed June Payments:
£ 230.00 Clerk's wage
£ 115.00 Clerk’s overtime
£ 291.11 Clerks expenses / reimbursement
£ 600.00 Pengilly's Legal expenses (Village Green Application)
£ 155.80 K M Dike invoice May 21 grass cutting
£ 47.94 DAPTC subs
£1,442.95
Cllr T Hunt proposed the accounts are accepted. Cllr D Coffin seconded.
- To consider any grants and/or donation requests
- Correspondences received
- Code of Conduct updates from DAPTC and training.
- Dorset Plan timeline updated
- New dates for road resurfacing
- Proposed parking charging strategy
- Dorset Council planning updates and changes.
- The Clerk spoke to T Jacklin from St Mary’s Week concerning a premise license for the church to include the playing field. The would alleviate SMW having to apply for an events license each year when SMW use the playing field. Cllrs agreed.
- Cllr S Longdon reported he spoke to a resident and the bollards under the Churchwell Street railroad bridge are to close for mobility scooters. The Clerk will report this to Highways. Action: Clerk
- Items for The Pennant
- future fundraising for playing field equipment
- look to website for all updates and subscribe.
- Any other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
Tuesday 7th September Annual Parish Meeting in the village hall at 7:30pm
Meeting ended at 9:25pm
(These minutes were recalled at the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 4th January 2022)