Present: Cllrs L. Bennett (in the Chair), D Coffin, T Hunt, I Houston (Vice Chair), S. Longdon,
In Attendance: S Hillier (Clerk), T Chapman (Retiring Clerk) Cllr R Legg, 4 members of the public.
- Welcome and to receive apologies for absence - Cllr L Bennett welcomed Councillor's and members of the public.
There were no apologies for absence from Cllr J Thomas and Cllr Peter Clark
2. To receive declarations of interest. - There were no declarations of interest.
3. To approve the minutes from the Ordinary Meeting held on 8th November 2022 - The minutes were approved by the Councillor's 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 from the Post Office P/FUL/2022/07038 explained that they did not want to alter the exterior of the building, but wanted to use the retail area for residential purposes. The shop front would stay. They wanted to improve the structure of the building by stopping water ingress, and heating the shop area amounting to 24sqm. They had sought pre-planning advice from Dorset and were aware that it was not what the Parish Council wanted to see but as a shop in their opinion it was not a viable proposition.
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. Granted
P/MPO/2022/03015 Brabanto 3 Peel Centre Retail Park, Babylon Hill, Yeovil. Granted
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. Granted.
P/HOU/2022/05973 Ashe House, North Street, Bradford Abbas. Granted
P/LBC/2022/06262 Wisteria Cottage, North Street , Bradford Abbas – To replace thatched porch roof with aged red clay tiles. Refused
P/FUL/2022/06099 Loscombe House, Old Compton Lane, Bradford Abbas. No decision.
P/ADV/2022/06475 Peel Centre Retail Park. Babylon Hill. Replace 4 no. totem signs with 4 no. illuminated totem signs. Granted
P/FUL/2022/07038 Proposal: Change of use of part of building (former Post Office) from mixed use (sui generis) to residential accommodation Old Post Office House. Councillor's decided to object to the application. A group would meet to document Councilors' comments.
6. Officer Reports
Tree Officer - Cllr Coffin noted that the middle elm had been snapped but may recover.
Footpath Officer – Cllr Longdon noted that at present it was too wet to walk the footpaths
Village Hall – Meeting on 18th January, heating costs were an issue and as a consequence fees may have to be an increase.
7. Community Assets Update
T Chapman, (the retiring clerk) has agreed to continue with this project. i) Gollops Ground Dorset Council solicitor indicated that there were too many obstacles to make this a viable proposition – decision to drop this application ii) The Rose and Crown public house – tenants not opposed but have lease with Brewery, the tenants would e-mail the Brewery regarding the proposal ii) the allotments it was agreed to continue with investigations on this proposal
8. Working Groups
Telephone Box Library – No report.
Neighbourhood Plan Working Group – Cllr Hunt was pleased to note that the funding from Groundworks for the project had been received by the Council. The next meeting was to be held on 19th January at that meeting it was hoped to design a questionnaire, decide how much of a focus there should be on housing. Pennant could be a contact point.
The Neighbourhood Plan is in development and meetings had indicated a strong desire for a shop, especially as a large proportion of residents were elderly, unable to drive or did not have a computer for booking deliveries.
9. To receive updates re the DMMO applications. = No update.
10. Highways Issues – Farm Road, Dorset said drains had been cleared and problem fixed, this is not the case. It was suggested that there be a meeting with Dorset, Parish and sports club to try and resolve the issue. It was suggested that photos be taken and forwarded to Dorset, the problem seems to be the culvert that cannot cope. Cllr Legg to contact County officers on the matter.
A report on the accident on the A30 at the Over Compton junction would be available soon. The police had stated that they had not records of any other accidents in this area! Possible solutions were to light the junction and/or alter the speed limit but this would require some level of enforcement action.
11. Playing Field – New rota required for inspections by volunteers.
Annual inspection has been carried out – one piece of equipment requires work or to be taken down, the climbing frame. Councillors to meet to look at it and decide whether to replace.
12. Financial Accounts
i)To consider any grants and/or donations. There were none.
ii) It was decided to ask a Monumental Mason to look at the War Memorial with a view to repairing it and also giving a valuation for insurance purposes..
iii) The proposed payments and future payments e-mailed to Councillor's prior to the meeting were approved
iv) The Finance Risk Assessment will be reviewed at the next meeting.
13. Correspondence Received. – Information received re grants for ground source and heat pumps.
14. Items for Pennant. – Future dates of Council Meetings to be listed and also a reminder of the times of the Post Office opening at the Village Hall.
15. Any Other Information/Date of the Next Meeting.
An extra Ordinary Meeting will be held on Tuesday 24th January 2023 to discuss Budget and to set the Precept for 2023-2024. Meeting to be held in committee room at the Village Hall.
Next Ordinary Meeting of the Council Tuesday 7th March 2023 7.00pm in the Village hall
Financial Information for 3rd January 2023
Current Account
£6609.06 Account Balance reported at November Meeting
£ 230.00 Clerk Salary (8)
£ 230.00 Clerk Salary (7)
£ 184.00 Clerk Salary S Hillier (8)
£ 224.20 Hucknetting
£ 240.00 PKF External Audit
£ 87.54 Play Inspection Company
£ 228.00 Village Hall
£ 162.88 KM Dike inv 1529
£ 840.00 SW Ambulance Service (Defibrillator)
£4,182.44 In Bank as at 30th December 2022
Deposit Account
£17106.28 account balance reported at last meeting (Nov)
£ 1.16 RECEIPT November interest
£3,626.45 RECEIPT HMRC refund
£ 125.00 RECEIPT Payment
£ 3.34 RECEIPT Interest December
£6,776.00 RECEIPT Groundwork (Ring Fenced NP)
£21,029.17 Total in Bank as at 30th December 2022
£25,211.61 Total in all accounts (£6776.00 ring fenced)
Proposed payments
£230.00 Clerk salary (9)
£187.68 Clerk salary (9)
£162.88 KM Dike Inv 1554
£ 45.00 St.Mary’s Primary School
£162.88 KM Dike Inv 1576
£788.44