Present: Cllrs L Bennett (Chair), P Clark, D Coffin, I Houston (Vice Chair), S Longdon and J Thomas
In Attendance: P Chapman (Clerk) and County Cllr R Legg
- Welcome and to receive apologies for absence
Cllr L Bennett welcomed the Councillors to the meeting. No apologies were received.
- To receive declarations of Interests
Cllr J Thomas declared and interest in her planning application P/FUL/2022/03157.
- To approve the minutes from the Ordinary Meeting held on 7th June 2022
The Clerk noted she amended the minutes adding the payment, as agreed in the meeting, of £100.80 to reimburse Cllr L Bennett for the clerk's vacancy advertisement in the Blackmore Vale. All agreed with the amendment. The minutes were signed by the Chair, Cllr L Bennett as a true record of the meeting.
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.)
No members of the public were in attendance.
- To discuss Dorset Council planning applications and decisions
- P/MPO/2022/03015: Brantano 3 Peel Centre Retail Park Babylon Hill Yeovil Modify S106 Agreement dated 2/10/1998 associated with planning permission no. 1/N/97/0289 to remove the restriction against the sale of food for consumption off the premises within Unit 3, The Parish Council did not have any objections. Dorset Council has not made a decision concerning this application at the time of the meeting.
- P/FUL/2022/03113 Mayflower Cottage, Yeovil Rd, Bradford Abbas DT9 4RA Change of use of land from agricultural to residential garden land & retain 2no. railway carriages & wooden bandstand/gazebo. Dorset Council granted this application.
- P/FUL/2022/03157 3 Peel Centre Retail Park, Yeovil, Dorset BA21 5BT External alterations to the front elevation. The Parish Council did not have any objections. Dorset Council has not made a decision concerning this application at the time of the meeting.
- P/HOU/2022/01765: Tudor Cottage, Church Road, Bradford Abbas. Erection of free standing garden room and removal of soil and construction of retaining wall. The Councillors support this application.
- P/HOU/2022/03597: 3 Cross Road, Bradford Abbas. Erection two storey & single extensions. Convert Loft. Erect extension to garage & install solar panels. The Councillors support this application.
Cllr R Legg noted the residents of Saxon Maybank are frustrated with the continuous extensions to the deadline. It was resolved the Clerk will write to Dorset Council Planning Team to ask if they anticipate more extensions and when the decision will be made. Action: Clerk
- To receive officer reports
Village Hall: Cllr J Thomas stated the only issue outstanding is the fence adjoining the stone wall along the school grassy area that will be discussed at the next meeting.
Footpaths: Cllr S Longdon reported all footpaths are passible, although the weeds along Fannybrooks Lane are overgrown and very high at the moment.
Trees: Cllr D Coffin noted a tree protection order (TPO/2022/0004) was granted at Saxon Maybank under delegated powers by Dorset Council .
Heritage: Cllr T Hunt noted the Annual Meeting for the Heritage Fund was held last month. The Church representatives discussed the quinquennial inspection report (inspection of exterior of the church). The trustees resolved to support the funding for the stonework on the porch. The members will have further discussions on the appropriate usage of funds. The Councillors would consider a donation toward major churchyard projects if this were received prior to the January budget setting meeting.
CLT: Cllr T Hunt reported the working group met with their advisors and it was decided to see how the housing needs survey ties in with the NP.
- Community Assets Update
The Parish Clerk has not had a chance to move forward however she anticipates this will be completed by the end of the month/ next meeting. Action: Clerk
- To receive an update from the working groups
Cllr I Houston noted he is working with the NP Working Group for their area of the website. He has made a few updates and changes to the website. The NP Working Group suggested paying Cllr I Houston in the future for his work although he feels there would be a conflict of interest and would consider donating any funds to the Drupal, the free open development software used to develop the Parish Council website.- Telephone Box/Library Working Group
Cllr J Thomas reported the group decorated the box for the Jubilee weekend and the plants for the planters were donated by residents. The fundraiser held to cover costs for the materials for the planter in front of the war memorial box was successful.
- Climate Change Emergency Working Group
Cllr I Houston did not have anything to report and requested it was taken off the agenda. Action: Clerk
- Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
The Clerk forwarded a link to the Councillors noting the process for a NP Designating a neighbourhood area - Dorset Council - Dorset Council that is very helpful in understanding how the NP will move forward. Once the letter designating the area for the NP is sent Dorset Council will consult with the residents of Bradford Abbas and Clifton Maybank for 6 weeks. If objections are received this could take up to 13 weeks. The advisor suggested both the registration of interest (designating the area) and funding applications can run alongside each other. The Terms of Reference will need to be reviewed once the area is approved.
- Website Working Group
See above.
- Telephone Box/Library Working Group
- To receive updates concerning the DMMO applications (Gollops Ground and Unclassified Roads)
Cllr S Longdon has not had a chance to review the documents in order to provide them to the Clerk. If the Clerk is able to copy all the evidence forms the Gollops Ground DMMO applications should be in by the end of the month. The Clerk provided the map of the route for the councillors. Action: Cllr S Longdon & Clerk
- Parish Clerk Vacancy Update
Two candidates are scheduled for interviews tomorrow evening.
- Highways
No issues were raised.
Cllr R Legg was asked to update the Parish Council if there was any progress on Kit Hill. He noted there was no progress as finding a builder was proving difficult and there are plans to change the junction from Cornhill. (https://sherborne-tc.gov.uk/a30-kitt-hill-newell-b3148-marston-road-junction-sherborne/)
- Playing Field
- Inspection Report from volunteers
Many thanks to Cllr D Coffin and her husband for weeding, mending the Whizzer and fixing the guttering over the noticeboard on the shed in the playing field.
It was noted on a report the wooden gate is damaged near the pedestrian tunnel that leads to Higher Westbury. It was resolved the gate was not needed and will not be replaced or repaired. The Clerk will put it behind the shed in order to move it from the path and be disposed of when the new equipment is installed. Action: Clerk
- Litter collection in the playing field
A kind resident is no longer available to collect the litter in the playing field. The Clerk and Cllr I Houston have been unsuccessful to find a group or individual to volunteer. It was resolved the Cllrs/Clerk will collect the litter when completing their inspections. Action: Cllrs/Clerk
It was agreed a gift/ token of appreciation will be provided for the volunteer that kept the playing field clear of litter for many years. Action: Clerk
The Clerk has collected the plaque that will be erected on the wooden surround of the Platinum Jubilee Tree. It was decided to dedicate the tree on Saturday 16 July at 2/2:30pm. Action: All Cllrs/ Clerk
Cllr R Legg informed the Cllrs with reference to the Primary School’s Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) application that has been delayed is in Judicial Review the SAST solicitor noted the objector suggested a different location for the MUGA. (Cllr R Legg left the meeting)
- New equipment orders and fundraising
The Clerk noted the Jubilee Committee has kindly offered the profit of £1,500 toward the playing field equipment with the request to return all funds not needed. The Clerk will write a letter of thanks. Action: Clerk
The Clerk noted she received an email from the SMW Trust requesting to use the playing field on the 10th September for their annual event. It was unanimously agreed the SMW Trust could use the field. The multi unit equipment will be installed end of August/ beginning of September. The Clerk will inform SMW Trust 10 September is approved and ask Wicksteeds to install the new equipment prior to the event. Action: Clerk
The Clerk will email A Fall concerning the maintenance of JG’s Memorial bench to confirm it is not up to the Parish Council to provide maintenance. Action: Clerk
- Jubilee Tree Planting
See above
- Inspection Report from volunteers
- Financial Accounts
- To consider any grants/or donation requests
The Clerk received a letter from the Church and Life Education. It was agreed and resolved to increase the grant to the upkeep of the Churchyard form £500 to £600 and £100 to Life Education. Action: Clerk
- To consider any additional July/ August Payments
The Clerk distributed a list of payments that were approved by all the Cllrs in the meeting.
Financial Information for July 2022 Meeting
Current Account:
£8,194.88 account balance reported at the last meeting
£3,006.37 Less: June Payments (KM Dike invoice not received)
£ 117.07 Less: R Green (Jubilee Tree)
£ 250.00 Less: Donation to PreSchool
£ 125.50 Receipt: BAAHA allotment land hire
£4,946.94
Deposit Account:
£19,781.65 account balance reported at the last meeting
£ 0.17 Receipt: June Interest
£ 128.50 Receipt: Cake Sale fundraising for PF equipment
£ 134.32 Receipt: The Pennant (last payment from closed account)
£20,044.64
£24,991.58 Total in all accounts
Proposed July Payments:
£162.88 K M Dike Nurseries invoice not received yet
£230.00 Clerk's wage 3
£42.00 Reimburse Clerk for Jubilee Plaque
- To complete the forms for a debit card for the Treasurers Account
It was agreed at the last meeting the Clerk will investigate if a debit card could be ordered on the Treasurers Account. The Clerk was informed it was possible. Cllr I Houston proposed we move forward immediately with the forms; Cllr J Thomas seconded. Action: Clerk
- To consider any grants/or donation requests
- Correspondences received
- Various Dorset Council and DAPTC newsletters forwarded
- all other correspondences were discussed earlier in the meeting
- Items for The Pennant
- The Clerk will organise a defibrillator training session in the village hall and advertise it in the Pennant
- Any other Information / Date of the Next Meeting
The next Ordinary Parish Council Meeting will be held on 13th September at 7pm
Meeting closed 9:25pm