Minutes of the Parish council Meeting 31.7.23

Corscombe, Halstock and District Parish Council

 Minutes for the Parish Council meeting 31^st July 2023

Meeting to be held at Halstock Village Hall.

Councillors present: Elizabeth Southern (ES), Roger Hallett (RH), Deborah Childs (DCh), David Hallett (DH), David Clary (DC), Grant Prior (GP), Richard James (RJ). Henry Lovegrove (HL), John White-Hamilton (JWH) and Jez Hodesdon (JH)

Dorset Council Cllr. Penfold and 10 members of the public were present.

The meeting started at 7.30pm and was chaired by the chairman Cllr. James.

 Public period for comments on issues on the agenda

Mr Dodge spoke about his concern over the Parish Councils (PC) lack of contact before making a response to Planning regarding his most recent planning application. Particularly in respect to the proposed use of the site for auctions, opportunity was not given for him to address the PC’s concerns raised over issues of blocking of the road and noise.  The council listened to Mr Dodges presentation and said it would be discussed further under point 8.2. The Chairman mentioned that the site had been operating as an auction site without planning permission, including after it had been refused. It was also pointed out for clarity that the PC do not make any planning decisions, they can only comment and their comments have the same weight as any other consultee.  The fact that the PC did not support this application does not mean the application would be refused by Planning.

Mrs Burnett spoke about her concern over the lack of signage at the bend at the Stable Cottage, Mill corner where there have been numerous accidents (loss of wing mirrors etc) and near misses.  There is signage on the road alerting drivers to slow down coming from Corscombe but nothing on the road coming down the hill from Halstock or any warning that a blind bend is coming up or that it is very narrow at this point and two cars cannot pass without going up into the bank at this point.   This issue will be discussed further under item 7.3.

Concern was raised over Dorset Council’s handling of enforcement issues.  Cllr. Penfold offered to follow up on this issue.

A parishioner asked how long Dorset Council enforcement would take to enforce their ruling regarding Planning appeal Ref: APP/D1265/W/22/3298936.   Cllr. Penfold said timescales for enforcement would depend on whether an appeal was made and other factors, on a case-by-case basis.

 Reports from Dorset Council Councillor and Police Liaison

No report from police liaison

Report from Dorset Council Cllr. Penfold

• Consultation now being undertaken concerning the restrictions of dogs in public spaces.
• The housing team are available for appointments at Dorset Libraries to discuss any concerns face to face with parishioners, these can be booked.
• DC has been selected to be one of the three local authorities to be a Pathfinder in the governments new program to ensure families are better supported.
• Dorset council has been shortlisted for best climate action in the association for public services.

 1. To receive and accept apologies and declarations of interest.

Apologies from Cllr. Clarke and Cllr. Rix.

Declarations of interest from Cllr. James item 8.3 on agenda

 2. To approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 30^th May 2023 (A)

Proposed Cllr. R. Hallett, seconded Cllr. Hodesdon

Approved 7/10

 3. To discuss matters arising from the minutes not covered in this Agenda.

None

4. To note the statement of expenditure to date and bank reconciliation (B) and to approve the schedule of payments since the last meeting. (C)

Statement of expenditure to date and bank reconciliation noted 10/10

Schedule of payments approved 10/10

5. To note/receive a maintenance update for the playground and outdoor gym (Verbal) TS/RH

Noted

• 5.1 Initial playground discussion for replacement equipment

A working party is to be set up to look at costings and obtain quotes for replacement to some or all of the current Corscombe playground equipment.  The working party will include Cllr. Southern, Cllr. Lovegrove, Cllr. R. Hallett and Mr. Whittingham.  The working party will report back to the Parish Council at the 26^th  of September meeting. Approved 10/10

A separate working party is to be set up to investigate interest and a possible location from a playground in Halstock.  Working Party Cllr. James and Cllr. Hodesdon.   Approved 10/10

Funds are available for both these initiatives.  The Clerk will support both working parties where needed.

 6.Defibrillator Report (D)

Noted.

 Note Cllr. John White-Hamilton made his apologies and left after item 6.

7. Highways and Rights of Way

•  7.1 Update on  gates

Noted – Gates have now been paid for.

•  7.2 Update on rebuild of salt bin

The quote from Mr Fry was accepted and the salt bin rebuild has now been completed.  The Chairman asked that Mr Fry be thanked for undertaking this work.

• 7.3  To  discuss parishioner request regarding the speed of traffic at Stable     Cottage, Mill Corner Corscombe

Following on from comments given at the beginning of the meeting it was agreed that the council would write to Highways requesting they look into the situation at Mill Corner and consider they place further signage on the road and notification of a blind bend when coming from the Halstock direction.

Action: Clerk to write to highways.  Note discussed after point 4  –   Agreed 10/10

 8.To consider and note planning applications and decisions – note discussed after point 4

• 8.1 Enforcement update and statistics (verbal)

The question raised in the Freedom of information request.

• • the number of enforcement issues raised

Response: There have been a total of 2233 cases opened across Dorset Council over the last 3 years commencing 01/04/2020. Of this number 511 are within the West/South Planning Area. I must advise that this figure is only regarding cases opened and not the amount of enquiries received by DC.

• • the number of enforcement actions successfully prosecuted

Response: There are 2 cases recorded across Dorset Council one in the Eastern Planning Area and a Simple Caution in the Northern Planning Area.

• • the number of enforcement actions closed as no enforcement required

Response: 109 cases in total across the whole of Dorset Council of which 39 cases are within the West/Southern Planning Area.

• • the number of enforcement actions closed as prosecution was not successful

Response: 0

Note –  the figures only show a statistical view of the work undertaken and not the larger picture of what the planning enforcement team are faced with.

 The statistics were discussed, and general dismay was raised over the lack of enforcement in Dorset and particularly in the Northern Planning Area.   Cllr. Penfold was asked for any comments.  She suggested the PC ask a member of planning/enforcement team to attend and speak at the next PC meeting.

Action:  Clerk to send an invitation to planning along with a list of questions.  Councillors were asked to send in suitable questions.

 

• 8.2 Planning application P/FUL/2023/03556

Following on from the comments made by Mr Dodge at the start of the meeting the council reviewed its decision and voted to not change their original comments to planning.  Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, seconded Cllr. R. Hallett.  Approved 10/10

• 8.3 Planning appeal Ref: APP/D1265/W/22/3298936 update

The decision and conclusion were read out.

Conclusion below.

• • “The proposed development, insofar as it relates to the private way and bridge, conflicts with the development plan when considered as a whole, and there are no material considerations, either individually or in combination, that outweigh the identified harm and associated development conflict. Therefore, I conclude the appeal should be dismissed insofar as it relates to the private way and bridge.
  • Insofar as it relates to the works hardstanding, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed.”

Noted.  We will continue to monitor this and follow up with enforcement if no action is being taken regarding removal of the private way and bridge.  Note any appeal against the PINS decision has to be taken by the appellant within six weeks of the letter of decision.

Approved  9/10. Cllr. James declaration of interest made.

8.4 Report of SLCC Virtual Planning Summit

The Clerk attended the SLCC Virtual Planning summit – Key points  and proposals were reported back to council.

• • 2020 reform of planning System
  • Government well behind its own timescale
  • An incremental approach is now being taken with a series of reforms.
  • Key milestone 2021 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
  • More changes are in the pipeline with the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill
  • Government is currently consulting on the NPPF – emphasis is on good design, clearer rules and making it easier to build up and sideward.
  • Changes to class orders
  • Quicker planning decisions
  • Community infrastructure levy (CIL) to be replaced by simpleton single infrastructure levy (SIL)
  • No change is expected to the governments formula to calculating housing need. The Government is still committed to 300,000 new homes.
  • Strong emphasis on environment and Climate change – wind development is favoured
  • Not enough Brown Field sites to meet housing needs in any region – only 31% nationally and some of these are not viable locations.
  • Only 40% of LPA have updated their 5 year plan.
  • Most importantly – more opportunity for Parish Councils to be involved in the appeal process, strengthening of enforcement processes and focus on issues regarding second homes.

 Action:  Clerk to send power points to councillors.

Note the council approved planning application P/VOC/2023/03779  “ The PC supports this application but would like the caravan currently on this site removed”  Approved 9/10 (Cllr. Lovegrove declaration of interest made).

 

9. To receive and note training update (Verbal)

Cllr. James will be attending the Changing chairs DAPTC session  on the 3^{rd of} August

Clerk attended the SLCC Virtual Planning summit (reported see item 8.4)

Clerk to attend the Clerks Conference in September where further details of the 2024 election will be presented.

 10. Correspondence to be discussed and noted. (Verbal)

None.

 11. Audit update TS

Noted – all documents are now with external auditors awaiting approval.

 12. Climate and Ecology emergency action to be noted

• Big Green day being held at Beaminster on the 30th of September^r
• Dorset Hedge Survey – the hedgerow surveys are ongoing and have been expanded to whole farm surveys.
• Dorset COP meeting 9^th December at the Corn Exchange Dorchester.  Any councillors who would like to attend should contact the Clerk.  The PC will sponsor anyone who would like to attend.  Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove and seconded Cllr. Hodesdon. Approved 9/9

 

13. To consider urgent matters to report from members and items for the next meeting.

• Noticeboard at Halstock village Hall is being mended.
• Notice board at Norwood Lane needs repair. Decision to remove it.
• Clerk raised an issue regarding the noticeboard at the Corscombe playground, that at certain times of the year it is too small to accommodate all the paperwork the PC are required to post.  Agreed option – use the larger noticeboard at the Fox Inn and signpost this from the playground noticeboard.
• Clerks’ computer – the Clerk should look at a replacement computer or look at refurbishing the current Clerk computer.  The Clerk has a budget of £1000.  Any final decision regarding purchasing  of a computer will be approved by the Staff working Group.  Approved resolution that the Clerk can spend up to £1000 subject to the final approval of the staff working group.  Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove.  Second Cllr. Prior. Approved 9/9

 14. Date of next Parish Council meeting will be the 26^th of September 2023 at Corscombe Village Hall.

Noted

 The meeting closed at 9 pm

 Appendices available upon request to the Clerk.

Clerk to the Council: Tessa Safadi, Tel: 01935 579783      

Email: CHparishclerk@gmail.com

chdpc.org.uk