075 9559 8995
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting 31.5.22
Corscombe, Halstock and District Parish Council
Draft Minutes for the Parish Council
Tuesday 31st May 2022
Councillors present: Elizabeth Southern (ES), David Hallett (DH), Roger Hallett (RH), Dave Clary (DC), Nigel Clarke (NC), John White Hamilton (JWH), Richard James (RJ), Henry Lovegrove (HL), Grant Prior (GP) and Jez Hodesdon (JH)
Public period for comments on issues on the agenda
4 members of the public were present.
Tony Hickling (Tin Barn) raised a question relating to the conduct of a member in a personal capacity unrelated to his office as a parish councillor. This issue was raised last year, and Mr Hickling was given details of the complaints procedure which he has not followed. As this was not a Parish Council matter the chairman allowed no debate on it.
Reports from Dorset Council Councillor and Police Liaison
The report from the police liaison officer was read out.
Summary:
- At the start of April, we had a report of loose horses in the road in Halstock, around Common Lane towards Yeovil Road. I would like to remind horse owners to ensure that stables and fields are kept secure, and you regularly check the boundaries for forming gaps that may allow horses or other livestock to escape. I would also like to remind people who go out walking, to ensure that gates are closed behind them to prevent horses or other livestock from escaping.
- In April we had a call from a resident in Halstock, concerned that a drone was being flown over properties where there may be machinery and other valuable items. There have been no reported thefts or breaks in the area since this report. Often drones are used by hobbyists. It is unlikely that many criminals would draw attention to their activity, potentially alerting people to what they are doing. Criminals are able to use other methods to identify potential targets without visiting a site or using drones, such as using Google Maps, or other satellite methods. There are certain rules for the use of drones, which are set out by the Civil Aviation Authority. If you use a drone, or are interested, please visit their website for more information on how to use drones responsibly.
If anyone would like to speak to our police liaison officer, they can contact Alex Bishop via email Alex.Bishop@Dorset.PNN.Police.uk , or they can call 101, or go online at www.dorset.police.uk and leave a message .
1. To receive and accept apologies and declarations of interest.
Councillors Deborah Childs, Debbie Rix and Mary Penfold
Councillor Richard James declared an interest regarding item 12.3 Higher Crockermoor farm.
2. To approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 28th March 2022 and note the meeting of 28/3/22 referred in error to the approval of the minutes of the meeting of 29/11/21. It should have read 25.1.22. (A).
Approved 10/10
A further update to the minutes was approved to item 17 – Clerks review to reference NALC pay scale increase from 22 to 23 for the benefit of the internal auditor. Approved 10/10
3. To discuss matters arising from the minutes not covered in this Agenda.
Defibrillator signs for Halstock. The Halstock village shop has approved the placement of further defibrillator signs which have been provided by the First Responders. However , it was noted these signs were not glow in the dark and it was not possible to annotate the signs to give directions. It was agreed by councillors that a budget of £100 would be approved should further defibrillator signs be required. Approved 10/10. Action Clerk to arrange.
4. To agree the council’s response to the report of the internal auditor (B)
Agreed. Proposed councillor Henry Lovegrove and seconded councillor Elizabeth Southern
Agreed 10/10
5. To approve the 2021/2022 governance statement Section 1 AGAR form 3 (C)
Approved. Proposed councillor Henry Lovegrove and seconded councillor Dave Clary
Agreed 10/10
6. To approve the 2021/2022 Accounting statement Section 2 AGAR form 3 (D)
Approved. Proposed councillor Henry Lovegrove and seconded councillor Dave Clary
Agreed 10/10
7. To note the statement of expenditure to date and bank reconciliation (E) and to approve the schedule of payments since the last meeting. (F)
Noted and approved.
Proposed councillor Richard James and seconded councillor Jez Hodesdon
Agreed 10/10
8. To note missing item from the payments approved list June DD for website 28.6.21
Parish Council noted and approved (10/10) a missing June direct debit spend of £12 from the 26thJuly 2021 appendix C, item 4 Scheduled payments as noted in point 2.3 of the 2021/22 Internal audit report.
9. To note/receive a maintenance update for the playground and outdoor gym (Verbal) TS
Noted.
ROSPA annual review has been completed, no serious issues raised, report sent to Roger Whittingham to follow up maintenance. Councillor RH reported no issues on monthly safety review. An issue was raised about dogs of leads in the playground. Action: Clerk to look at further signage at entrance to play area.
Additional note Outdoor gym:
As originally agreed last year we will be starting the maintenance contract with Fresh Air Fitness in July as the one year’s warranty will be up. We will be confirming the maintenance contract costs with Fresh Air Fitness in June. Anticipated to be around £370 per annum excluding VAT.
10. To note key issues raised at the Corscombe and Halstock parish meetings.
Noted
11. Highways and Rights of Way
- To receive an update on replacement of stiles to gates (Verbal) DCh.
Report read out and noted. No action required at this time.
- To note CPRE finger post £200 grant update – (Verbal) NC/TS
Noted. On-going, Councillor NC is still looking at costings after contacting Roger Bond. Hope to have costings in place in the next few months.
- To note Green Pond Halstock update (verbal) TS/JH
Noted. No response from Chimes article asking for any further information on ownership of Green Pond. Action Clerk to contact the land registry and look at potential costs of formally registering Green Pond as a Parish council asset.
- To discuss the response from highways and cost of accessing the speeding issue between Halstock and Higher Halstock Leigh – Neville Farm (G)
The cost of speed surveys necessary to support any application to extend the speed limit is approximately £425. Given the historic poor response to such speed surveys in Halstock the Parish council did not approve spending on speed surveys. However, they would support any application made to extend the speed limit if the survey could be funded separately by the Halstock community.
- To update the PC response to the Government Landscape review public Consultation – Recreational vehicles on green lanes (Verbal) HL
Update noted. The complexity of the government report and survey made it difficult to give a valid response without extensive further investigation and it was decided not to pursue this issue.
- To note circulation and publicity arrangements for the Walks Guide (verbal) HL
Noted. Thanks goes to Simon Dalton and all the PROW for a very successful undertaking.
- To note the minutes of the PROW meeting held on 7 April 2022 (H)
Report read out and noted. No action required at this time.
- Footpath review for Hill Farm Ref 21-028-100 (I)
A meeting was held between the applicants and councillor JWH relating to the now formal application regarding moving the current footpath. In response to the original PROW concerns and JWH recent visit there has been an amendment to the footpath plans. The Parish council has also received several emails of support from horse riders who use this foot path. The Parish Council would approve this proposal contingent on PROW assessment of the new proposed footpath route.
12.To consider and note planning applications and decisions. (J) TS
- Unauthorised dwellings update (verbal) TS/RJ
On-going
Concern was raised about unconsented dwellings at Buttercup Cottage. The owners will be approached to discuss our concerns. Action: Planning working group will undertake this.
- Dorset Council planning forum update (Verbal) TS
Forum was held but was not attended by any parish councillors. Minutes will be made available through DAPTC plus comments from Dorset Deserves Better.
- To discuss the PC handling of planning related to Higher Crockermoor Farm/Pondsmead Farm (K) HL
Councillor Richard James declared an interest regarding item 12.3 Higher Crockermoor farm. However, the Chairman allowed him to read out a response to the letter received from Richard Fry (appendix K).
Members expressed concern that the bridge and private way for which planning permission was refused on 17/11/21 was still there and reportedly used on a daily basis.
- Sandpipers concern over failure to comply with original application designs (Veral) TS
Ongoing, no response from the enforcement office despite follow up emails.
General concern was raised about the lack of progress on enforcement issues raised.
13. To update the progress of the licence for the Roman Villa land (verbal) TS
No progress made as related property is for sale.
14. To receive and note training update (Verbal) TS
Councillors JH and RJ to undertake DAPTC New Councillor training soon, delayed until June. Councillor HL has completed DAPTC Changing Chairs training.
15. Jubilee memorabilia and commemorative trees update (verbal) HL
Halstock’s Walnut tree is yet to be planted. Corscombe’s cherry tree is planted at the playground. Jubilee Queens Canopy plaques have been purchased, PC approved funding of £120.20 inclusive of VAT. Formal unveiling will be held over the Jubilee weekend. Jubilee water bottles have been purchased and distributed to Sticklands Primary School to commemorate the Jubilee, with some bottles being retained for local children who do not attend Sticklands.
16. Correspondence to be discussed and noted.
- Dorset Local Plan Campaign update (verbal) TS
No progress, awaiting to hear back regarding the response from councillor Flower.
- Electronic banking – to note progress (Verbal) HL
The Unity Trust electronic Banking system is up and running well. Controls regarding the raising and dual approval of payments are operating smoothly. There is currently no savings account facility but given the extremely low interest being generated (0.02p per month) on the TSB account, it was decided to add the savings account money (@£341.07) to the Unity Trust Bank account. Approved 10/10
Action: Clerk to complete transfer of funds from TSB to the Unity Trust Bank and to close the TSB current and savings accounts.
- Bins Update (Verbal) TS
The Clerk has looked into the issue of the overflowing bin outside Halstock shop. The bin is an historic bin operated by Dorset Council. Collections are currently not paid for, but this will change. Dorset Council empty his bin once a week on a Wednesday. There is no scope for further collections. The matter is now closed as the Parish Council can not provide any further information or help in the matter. It is suggested that the Halstock community decided how they would like to further this matter e.g. removal of bin , signage etc.
17. Climate and Ecology emergency action to be noted
- Update on Dorset Green living and other environmental initiatives. (Verbal) ES
Update noted. Dorset Green Living has now closed and has been successful with some families looking independently at further ways to live greener.
- Assess interest in a Community Resilience Plan (L) TS
The plan was considered and as previously it was felt that much of the initiatives
were being undertaken already, if informally. Despite renewed emphasis on Community Resilience plans by the Government the Parish Council has decided not to pursue this further.
18. To consider urgent matters to report from members and items for the next meeting.
None
19. Date of next Parish Council meeting will be the 25th July 2022 at Halstock village Hall.
Clerk to the Council: Tessa Safadi, Tel: 01935 891068
Email: CHparishclerk@gmail.com
chdpc.org.uk