Present: Cllrs L. Bennett (in the Chair), P Clark, D Coffin, T Hunt, I Houston (Vice Chair),
S. Longdon, J Thomas.
In Attendance: S Hillier (Clerk), T Chapman (Retiring Clerk) Cllr R Legg, 2 members of the public.
1. Welcome and to receive apologies for absence
Cllr L Bennett welcomed Councillors and members of the public.
There were no apologies for absence
2. To receive declarations of interest.
There were no declarations of interest.
3. To approve the minutes from the Ordinary Meeting held on October 2022
The minutes were approved by the Councillors present and signed by Cllr L Bennet (in the Chair) as a true record of the meeting.
4. Public Forum.
A period for comments and issues on the agenda (up to 15 minutes) for electors, residents in the parish or adjoining parishes to comment on any items o the agenda being discussed for decision.)
The applicants of Loscombe House P/FULL/2022/06099 gave a verbal presentation of the application.
5. To discuss Dorset Council planning applications and decisions
P/FUL/2022/05306 Cowpool Farm, Cow Pool farm Lane, Stoford. To retain roof over livestock loafing area. There were no comments or objections
P/MPO/2022/03015 Brabanto 3 Peel Centre Retail Park, Babylon Hill, Yeovil. No comment or decision.
P/HOU/2022/05888 5 Emlet Westbury, Bradford Abbas. Re-application for 2 off road parking bays and erect fence previously approved under WD/D/19/000875. No objection.
P/HOU/2022/05973 Ashe House, North Street, Bradford Abbas. Councillors expressed no objection.
P/LBC/2022/06262 Wisteria Cottage, North Street , Bradford Abbas – To replace thatched porch roof with aged red clay tiles. Councillors expressed no objection.
P/FUL/2022/06099 Loscombe House, Old Compton Lane, Bradford Abbas. Fpllowing a brief discussion, there was no objection to the development by Councillors.
P/ADV/2022/06475 Peel Centre Retail Park. Babylon Hill. Replace 4 no. totem signs with 4 no. illuminated totem signs. Councillors decided that they objected to the wording on the signs regarding the address of the Centre, that it should be Peel Centre or Babylon Hill but not Yeovil Retail Park. For the following reasons: The Retail Park is not in Yeovil which is in Somerset, it is withing the county boundaries of Dorset and the parish of Bradford Abbas. The suggestion of Babylon Hill Retail Park or Peel Retail Park would be preferred. Also had Yeovil Town Council been consulted as there were other retail parks in Yeovil who may well object to the name as being confusing.
Cllr Legg noted that he had been informed by the local police of instances of anti-social behaviour at the Peel Centre and had requested further information.
6. Officer Reports
Playing field - Cllr Coffin noted that the middle elm had been snapped but may recover. The church had been given a buddle of trees by the Woodland Trust who had asked if the Council could use any. Following discussion it was decided that there was not a suitable area on our land for them.
Footpath Officer – Cllr Longdon had walked routes and they were passable at the moment.
Heritage Trust – Cllr Hunt noted that the next committee meeting had been postponed until there was a more definite agenda
Village Hall – Cllr Thomas noted that the Annual Meeting was due the following day and that Finances were on target, no major building plans were envisaged.
7. Community Assets Update
T Chapman, (the retiring clerk) has agreed to continue with this project. Following the nomination of assets being discussed it was agreed unanimously by Councillors to recommend three (3) projects for inclusion that were of local and community value i) Gollops Ground ii) The Rose and Crown public house ii) the allotments
8. Working Groups
Telephone Box Library – Cllr Thomas noted that there was a plentiful supply of books. The group had been busy knitting poppies and making wreaths for Remembrance Day. The Parish Council agreed to purchase a Christmas Tree. Cllr Bennett would be laying the wreath at the Service of Remembrance on Sunday 13th November.
Neighbourhood Plan Working Group – Work was ongoing to find a new Chairman as Cllr
Had agreed to hold the post for one year. The workshop had joined forces with Clifton Maybank Parish Meeting. The Group has secured £8,000 in funding for research etc. This would need to be banked and ring fenced within the Bradford Abbas Account.
The Public Meeting had been well attended and very positive, there were a lot of ideas being put forward.
The next stage is to write a Vision and Objective Headings which will be brought back to the Parish Council. The Group had set a target of 3 years for the project.
There followed some discussion regarding web site costs for the Neighbourhood Plan and Cllr Houston stated that he would apportion costs for the Neighbourhood Plan and Bradford Abbas Council.
9. To receive updates re the DMMO applications.
Cllr Longdon to contact S Bucks regarding the registration of routes as BOATS.
10. Highways Issues
Concern was expressed regarding drainage in the Manor Farm Road and Pettits Close. The Council would be contacted regarding the clearing of the gullies as the area could become particularly dangerous if the runoff freezes. Cllr Houston to raise the matter with Highways. The footpath under the railway line is also flooding to a depth of six inches.
The salt bins had been looked at and all contained hardened rock salt which requires breaking up.
11. Playing Field
i) Inspection Reports from Volunteers – nothing to report. The Annual Inspection is due
ii)The nets had been purchased and new supports ordered.
iii) K M Dike to be contacted regarding the trimming of the hedge and verge on the Westbury side of the Playing Field.
12. Financial Accounts
i)To consider any grants and/or donations. There were none.
ii) The Insurance Company to be asked if they could recommend a company to survey the War Memorial with respect to getting it ensured. Cllr Hunt to e-mail War Memorial Trust to see if they could recommend a company.
iii) It was noted that National Association Of Local Councils had issued a revised list of Pay Scales for 2022/2023 backdated to April 2022 The increase amounts to £1 per hour increase. It was agreed unanimously that the salaries be adjusted accordingly.
iv) The proposed payments and future payments e-mailed to Councillors prior to the meeting were approved
v) Preliminary Budget Discussions – Suggestion to include a tree survey of the Playing Field. Footpath maintenance. Discussion followed regarding privately owned hedges that have become overgrown and impede the highway and footpaths. A reminder to be issued reminding owners of their need to keep footpaths and highways clear and safe.
vi) The Finance Risk Assessment will be reviewed at the next meeting.
13. Correspondence Received.
An e-mail requesting street map being posted on noticeboards from local Doctor surgery was discussed.
14. Items for Pennant.
Request regarding hedges and verges being kept tidy.
Thank you to residents for having helped collect evidence for the questionnaire regarding the Neighbourhood Plan.
15. Any Other Information/Date of the Next Meeting.
Next Ordinary Meeting to be held Tuesday 3rd January 2023 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall.
Financial information for November 8th 2022 meeting
Current Account
£9,653.54 Account Balance reported at October Meeting
£9.99 Less Pennant Payment
£162.88 Less K M Dike invoice 1482
£117.59 Less Clerk Expenses
£230.00 Less Clerk salary
£375.00 Less Savills Uk Ltd land rental
£14,149.02 Less Wicksteed Leisure
£12,000.00 Transfer in from Deposit Account
£6609.06
Deposit Account
£22,246.83 account balance reported at last meeting (Oct)
£0.89 RECEIPT October interest
£12,000.00 Transfer out to Current Account
£250.00 Payment in
£10,497.22
£17,106.28 Total in all accounts
Proposed payments
£230.00 Clerk salary
£184.00 Clerk salary
£224.20 Hucknetting
£240.00 PKF External Audit
£87.54 Play Inspection Company