Present: Cllrs L Bennett (Chair), P Clark, D Coffin, I Houston (Vice Chair), T Hunt and J Thomas.
In Attendance: P Chapman (Clerk), County Cllr R Legg (arrived 8:10pm) and 1 member of the public
- Welcome and to receive apologies for absence
Cllr L Bennett welcomed Councillors and the Mr A Fall to the meeting. The Clerk reported Cllr S Longdon was away and unable to attend the meeting.
Mr A Fall was in attendance to share the future plans of the sports and recreation club with the parish council. Recently the committee members of the BA Club began to examine how they can improve their connection to the village. Traditional sport activities that were very successful are currently struggling. Their goal is to promote community accessibility throughout the day, not just the evenings. A letter will go out to every resident in the village to get their views and support. A new boule piste has been installed and he hopes many more of this type of activity can be put in place. He is aware next week there is meeting to discuss a Neighbourhood Plan that he is unable to attend but fully supports the idea and hopes the document will reflect the importance of village assets such as the sports and social club.
Cllr L Bennett offered to meet with members of the club to discuss working together better. Action: Cllr L Bennett
Cllr T Hunt noted the meeting with the consultant to discuss a possible Neighbourhood Plan for Bradford Abbas is scheduled for 14/9 at 7:30pm. The Clerk will organise a projector and screen. Cllr T Hunt suggested the CLT members were invited not only by email as many members are not actively checking their emails. Cllr L Bennett will pass this onto the Chairperson of the CLT. Action: Cllr L Bennett & Clerk (Cllr R Legg arrived)
The Councillors noted it has been brought to their attention the possible residential usage of the shop area of property Old Post Office. Prior to this the Clerk emailed Dorset Council with growing concern the property owners have not applied for change of use. A Technical Support Officer replied suggesting these concerns could be raised with enforcement however the Clerk felt it does not accurately fall into the categories enforcement normally deal with and could restrict any other action that could be taken. It was resolved the Clerk will write to both Cllr R Legg and the MP to make them aware of the situation. Cllr R Legg will investigate the possible enforcement issue in further detail and get back to the Clerk. Action: Clerk
It was agreed to discuss item 8.1 while Cllr R Legg was in attendance. Cllrs L Bennett, Iain Houston and 2 members of the public met with the landowner of Gollops Ground and although they do not wish lease or sell the field to the Parish Council discussions will continue with the members of the public and a representative from the Parish Council. Cllr I Houston will represent the Parish Council in the working group.
(The following amendment from the Ordinary October Meeting held on 5th October 2021.) The purpose of the working group is to:
- To communicate with landowners their compromise plan for access to the river bank.
- to garner the opinion of the wider Bradford Abbas community
- to communicate a response to the landowner
- not to submit any application for the re-establishment of the traditional footpaths through the field until after the response to the landowner has been made.
Currently the ROW application is on hold.
- To receive declarations of interests
None to report.
- To approve the minutes from the Ordinary July Meeting
No changes or amendments were suggested. 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. No decision from Dorset Council.
- P/HOU/2021/01047 24 South View Bradford Abbas DT9 6RS. Granted
- P/LBC/2021/00466 Glynn Cottage North Street Bradford Abbas Dorset DT9 6SA. Withdrawn
- P/HOU/2021/02357 6 Manor Close, Bradford Abbas DT9 6RN. Extension to form carport with studio annex over. This item was received after the agenda was published with comments due before the next scheduled Parish Council Meeting. The Cllrs did not objection to the application.
- To receive officer reports
County Cllr: Cllr R Legg asked if for an update from the issues concerning Underdown. The Clerk spoke to the PCSO on Friday who reported they have issued 3 warning to (motorized) dirt bikers. There is an issue / question of ownership of the property the unauthorized trails are on. The Clerk is waiting for a meeting date. The PSCO is also contacting the Peel Centre to discuss issues raised by the Parish Council.
Trees: Cllr D Coffin noted two applications were recently approved. She reported a resident of the village was happy to remove the large maple tree in the playing field. The Clerk received a quote from Toomer Tree Services for £540.00 to remove all dead trees in Westbury border hedge and the large maple. It was agreed to go with Toomer Tree Service. Action: Clerk
Village Hall: Cllr J Thomas reported the fee increase beginning in September for anyone hiring the hall. The Committee are looking into new crookery and will install WiFi.
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon was not in attendance, nothing reported to the Clerk that required attention.
Cllr T Hunt had nothing new to report concerning the CLT.
- To receive an update from working groups
- Telephone Box Working Group
Thanks to Cllr S Longdon the internal light was repaired. The books will be changed soon and the planting in the area continues.
- Climate Change Emergency Working Group
Nothing new to report
- Telephone Box Working Group
- An update from the Shop Steering Group
No meeting has taken place. Cllrs T Hunt and J Thomas will contact C Massey in order to discuss the possible questionnaire to go to residents. Action: Cllr T Hunt & J Thomas
- To discuss local footpath issues
- Gollops Ground update and right of way application
Discussed earlier in the meeting.
- Any other footpath issues to report
Nothing to report.
- Gollops Ground update and right of way application
- To receive a village plan update to include neighbourhood plan discussion.
Discussed earlier in the meeting.
- To discuss any highways issues
- Trees overhanging Underdown
Discussed earlier in the meeting; await a meeting date.
- Flooding in areas of the village
The Clerk received a reply from Mr P Thatcher of DC Highways concerning the suggestion the additional gullies/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. He does not believe this will alleviate the issues.
- Replacement litter bin on Cross Road
Cllr D Coffin has followed up on with the Clerk’s request for a larger bin to replace the open bin attached to the telegraph pole that is often overflowing. The costs the Parish Council would be responsible for are:
- £150 to 200 for a larger bin
- £50 installation
Or increase the collection costing £5.25 per collection
It was resolved to pay for a larger bin and installation; not increase the collections. Action: Cllr D Coffin
- Any other highways issues
The Clerk will report the damage to the Church Road wall between Back Lane and Grants Hill, that was noticed after the roads were resurfaced. Action: Clerk
- Trees overhanging Underdown
- To review the playing field inspection reports
It was noted on a report some repairs are needed to the large playing unit. Cllr P Clark will contact Mr Hopkins to discuss the work required. Action: Cllr P Clark
The Clerk reported the skate ramp has been welded and will be painted dark green soon and the total cost will be approximately £600. It was resolved not to replace the destroyed picnic table. The Clerk noted the annual inspection is due in November. It was agreed to continue with the Playing Field Inspections for £69.50. Action: Clerk
Cllr J Thomas suggested a fundraiser in the spring to be located at the Club to benefit village organisations. Cllr L Bennett will follow-up with Mr Fall and contact Cllr J Thomas. Action: Cllr L Bennett & J Thomas
- Financial Accounts
- To consider any grants and/or donation requests
Cllr L Bennett noted she received a request from the Church treasurer for a donation toward the upkeep of the churchyard. It was resolved to donate £500.00. Action: Clerk
- To consider parish council insurance renewal
The Clerk emailed the quote across to all the Councillors. The increase is due to the long term agreement that kept the price down ended this year and they no longer work with the company that specialises in parish councils with less than 1,000 electors. The quote was received just before the Clerk went on annual leave and there is not enough time to tender additional quotes. It was agreed to accept the cost of £527.42 for one year and try to find insurance that deals with smaller parish councils. Action: Clerk
- To consider September payments
The Clerk emailed the following information prior to the meeting
£5,073.36 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£1.442.95 Less July payments
£ 160.63 Less August Payments
£3,469.78
Deposit account
£10,915.82 Account balance reported from the previous meeting
£.09 Receipt: August Interest
£10,915.91 (£1K for allotment/ £2.5K for PF equipment)
£14,385.69 Total in all accounts
Proposed Sept Payments:
£ 230.00 Clerk’s wage 6
£ 158.90 Grass Cutting inv 1165
£ 18.80 HMRC payment/ Clerk paid
£ 15.70 Cost of meetings/ village hall
£ 230.00 Clerk’s wage 5
£ 50.00 Code of Conduct training (LB)
£ 158.90 Grass Cutting inv 1189
£ 120.00 J H Atyeo invoice provided at the meeting by Cllr D Coffin
August Payments made:
£85.00 M Hopkins (DH bench)
£50.00 M Harding (internal auditor)
£25.63 IH reimbursement (Drupal Membership)
Cllr T Hunt proposed the accounts are accepted. Cllr J Thomas seconded.
- To consider any grants and/or donation requests
- Correspondences received
- Email from Mr P Thatcher concerning Quarry Lane flooding (mentioned earlier in the meeting)
- Newsletters from DAPTC and DC forwarded via email
- Crime report from the PCSO; no crime in Bradford Abbas
- damage to residents bank on Back Lane during resurfacing
- rail disruptions during December
- Items for The Pennant
Gollops Ground working group and a reminder how to report fly tipping, potholes etc. - Any other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
Tuesday 14th September NP Mtg in the village hall at 7:30pm
Tuesday 5th October Ordinary Parish Council Meeting in the village hall at 7:30pm
Meeting ended at 10:10pm