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) and one member of the public.
Present: member of the public
- Welcome & to receive apologies for absence
Cllr L Bennett welcomed the Councillors and the member of the public to the meeting. Apologies were received from County Cllr Robin Legg
- To receive declarations of interests
None received.
Public period for comments and issues on the agenda (up to 15 minutes allocated for electors, residents in the parish or adjoining parishes to comment on any items to be discussed for decision.)
The member of the public did not have anything to discuss.
- To approve the minutes from the Ordinary Parish Council Meetings held on the 13 July 2021, 4th January 2022 and 24th January
The proposed minutes were accepted by the Councillors as a true record of the meetings.
- To discuss Dorset Council planning applications and decisions
- P/HOU/2021/04573: Manor Farm, Rock Cottage, Farm Road Bradford Abbas DT9 6RP. Erect Garage with Office over. (Granted)
- P/FUL/2021/04205: Saxon Holiday Lodges Ltd, Bradford Abbas. Change of use of land for the stationing of 3no. holiday lodges (Comments Accepted until 7/3/22)
- P/FUL/2021/01851: St Mary's Primary School, Bradford Abbas. Construction of a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) within the boundary of the school playing field (Granted) Cllr R Legg emailed the Cllrs to inform the Parish Council a resident has requested a Judicial Review and may delay the project 6 weeks.
- P/HOU/2021/02357: 6, Manor Close Bradford Abbas DT9 6RN. Extension to form carport with studio annex over (Granted)
- To receive an update concerning community assets
The Clerk has not started the application as a Councillor had volunteered to speak to the owner of the field across from the pub prior to the Clerk beginning the process. The Clerk will continue to hold off the application until the resident is made aware of the process and purpose of the application. Action: Cllr I Houston
- To receive an update from the Shop Steering Group representative
The Shop Steering Group Representative noted it is an informal group without a chairperson or secretary. The representative has not had a response to the email enquiring if there would be another meeting in the future. It was determined the group is no longer active, not action at this time.
- To receive officer reports
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon reported the footpaths are in good condition and passable at the moment.
Village Hall: Cllr J Thomas invited the Councillors to the Village Hall Committee’s AGM to be held on the 9th March. The Wifi has been installed.
Tree application: Cllr D Coffin noted a new tree preservation order was submitted for an Oak Tree in Saxton Maybank.
- To receive an update from working groups
- Telephone Box Working Group
There is a good selection of fiction available and the spring planting continues.
- Climate Change Emergency Working Group
The Clerk and Cllr I Houston met with a representative of Dorset Council and the SAST’s representative from the Gryphon School to discuss the road safety campaign. The primary school winner of the road safety competition sign will be erected in the school (tarmac) playground, above the Parish Council noticeboard near the Church ramp and outside the Westbury playing field entrance. It was also suggesting that lines were drawn in the village hall car park for pedestrian/children entering the school. The Clerk will keep the Parish Council informed and communicate with the village hall committee. Action: Clerk
Cllr I Houston enquired with the SAST representative if some of the Gryphon School students would be interested in assisting with planting trees throughout the village. A local farmer is happy have trees planted in their fields as a project but the trees are only free if accessible to the public. The Clerk suggested a permissive path maybe acceptable and does not need to be open year around.
- Telephone Box Working Group
- To discuss location of the noticeboard
It was resolved the noticeboard will be erected in the Playing Field. The Clerk will contact M Hopkins. Action: Clerk
Cllr I Houston informed the Councillors he will need to work on the website to update the opensource coding and that the Pennant is available on the website. The Councillors thanked Cllr I Houston for all his work concerning the website.
- To discuss local footpath issues
- DMMO application update for East Farm & Gollops Ground
The Clerk and another resident met with the Secretary of the Dorset Rambler Association to discuss the Right of Way Application for Gollops Ground this afternoon. It was very informative and helpful. The letter informing the landowner of the proposed application submission has been delivered.
- To consider Mill Lane footpath (N6/5) resurface
Cllr I Houston emailed the Cllrs prior to the meeting with an estimated cost from a resident (that previously resurfaced Fanny Brook’s Lane) to resurface the Mill Lane footpath for £500 that includes labour, transport and materials to make it safe.
The Clerk has not had a response from Dorset Council concerning ownership and if DC will renew the path. The Clerk noted there are possibly grants available for this type of work as noted by the representative from the Ramblers Association. The Clerk has not had a chance to investigate the grants. The Cllrs resolved to move forward with this estimate. The Clerk will inform DC of the upcoming work that will be paid for by the Parish Council. Cllr I Houston will make the resident aware of the Parish Council’s decision. Action: Clerk/ Cllr I Houston
- Any other footpath issues to report
No other footpath issues were reported.
- DMMO application update for East Farm & Gollops Ground
- Update from Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
Cllr T Hunt noted the meeting held on the 1st February went well with a good outcome. The next meeting will determine a Chair for the Working Groups and the Clerk is in the process of setting a date in March/April.
The Clerk/ Cllr T Hunt have not had formal interest from the group to Chair. It was suggested Cllr T Hunt could Vice Chair for up to a year start the process but did not have any interest in becoming Chair. If no one comes forward the Clerk and Cllr T Hunt will send an email out asking if anyone of the group willing to take on the role of Chair. Action: Cllr T Hunt/Clerk
- To discuss any highways issues
- Underdown Hollow (trees & closures)
The Clerk spoke to Mr P Thatcher, Dorset Highways. The hollow has now reopened as of yesterday (28/2/22). He will request the large branches, mud etc is cleared along the hollow. The Councillors did not feel it was cleared beyond the area of tree was down and asked that the Clerk report their dissatisfaction. Action: Clerk
- Ruts along Bradford Road
The Clerk also spoke to Mr Thatcher concerning the poor condition of Bradford Road. The road will be inspected from the 30 mph zone to the Church Road junction to determine what is “puddling” and where to the road is breaking away and needs attention.
The Clerk will report the missing give way sign at the junction of Grants Hill and Underdown Hollow/Bradford Road and repairs to the vandalised “Bradford Abbas” sign the Clifton Maybank side of Smith’s Bridge. She noted DC does not normally repair non safety sign/ Village Signs. Cllr D Coffin volunteered to look at the sign to see if it can be repaired. Action: Clerk/Cllr D Coffin
The vandalism on the skate ramp was discussed and it was resolved it was not offensive and not to repaint the ramp at this time.
The Clerk has not been able to recover the Bradford Abbas sign from the fingerpost in Clifton Maybank. It was resolved not to replace it at the moment.
- Any other highways issues
Cllr R Legg sent an email noting the long running planning issue over the importation of landfill at the Yeovil Golf Club is nearing resolution. The remaining soil is coming from the Westland Airfiled which will finally have a hard surface rather than a grass strip.
- Underdown Hollow (trees & closures)
- Playfield Inspection reports from volunteers
Nothing new to report. It was resolved the not to repaint the skate ramp earlier in the meeting.
- New equipment Funding Update
The Clerk reported the Awards for All grant was successful receiving ÂŁ7,300 toward the new multi unit piece of equipment, goal posts and picnic benches. The Councillors thanked the Clerk for the time spent on the application and money raised at the cake sale.
The Councillors decided it was best to order all the equipment at this time, although fundraising still needs to take place and ÂŁ3,000 is coming from the 22/23 precept. Action: Clerk
Cllr L Bennett reported the Sherborne Good Neighbours Scheme covers Bradford Abbas and should be advertised in the Pennant. Action: Clerk
- Financial Accounts
- To consider any grants and/or donation requests
No grant requests received.
- To consider March & April payments
The proposed payments were sent to the Councillors prior to the meeting and agreed. (Please refer to the supporting document for this meeting)
The Clerk noted an invoice for ÂŁ421 is expected for the hedge cutting along the Westbury border of the playing field that was completed yesterday.
- To consider internal auditor
The Clerk suggested the Parish Council considers Michele Harding again this year to conduct the internal audit. The Councillors unanimously agreed.
- To consider any grants and/or donation requests
- Correspondences received
The Clerk had two suggestions from residents concerning the Queen Jubiliee Tree planting:
- a Gingo tree in the playing field
- a Prunus tree on Grants Hill near the Bradford Abbas millennium stone. It was resolved to plant a Prunus tree in the playing field. Cllr L Bennett asked all the Councillors to suggest a location for the next meeting. Action: ALL Cllrs
- Items for The Pennant
Annual Parish Meeting and other items discussed earlier in the meeting.
- Any other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
It was resolved the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting was not needed on the 12th April and the Annual Parish Meeting will begin at 7:30pm.
The Clerk noted the following meeting scheduled for Tuesday 3rd May is not an Ordinary Parish Council Meeting it is the Annual Council Meeting to begin at 7pm. All meetings to be held in the Village Hall