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Minutes of the Parish Council meeting 25.3.23
Corscombe, Halstock and District Parish Council
Minutes for the Parish Council meeting 7.30pm on
25th March 2024
Meeting to be held at Halstock Village Hall.
Councillors present: Elizabeth Southern (ES), Deborah Childs (DCh), Richard James (RJ). Henry Lovegrove (HL), Debbie Rix (DR), Nigel Clarke (NC), Roger Hallett (RH), John White Hamilton (JWH), Dave Clary (DC) and Grant Prior (GP)
5 members of the public were present.
The meeting started at 7.30pm and was chaired by the chairman Cllr. James.
- To receive and accept apologies and declarations of interest.
Apologies from Cllr. Hallett
No declarations of interest.
- To approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 30th January 2024 (A)
Approved 10/10
- To discuss matters arising from the minutes not covered in this Agenda.
None
Public period for comments on issues on the agenda
Issues relating to concerns over Beaminster Down were presented. The Parish Council agreed to support the issues raised. Action – Clerk to follow up with resident.
Issue related to potholes on Closworth Road – Action Clerk to send details of link to report potholes to Dorset Council.
Presentation by Sticklands school regarding a request for funding towards their communal swimming pool. It was agreed that the Parish Council would consider this formally at the May Parish Council meeting. It was agreed in principle that the Parish Council would like to support the school.
Reports from Dorset Council Councillor and Police Liaison
Police Community Liaison Officer – summary
In the early hours of 1st March, unknown offenders broke the padlock off a secure garage in the Corscombe area and stole a Jet ski. A couple of nights later, there was a further theft from a small holding, near to the East Chelborough junction. If anyone owns a small holding, or land away from their property, CCTV can improve security, or certainly act as an additional crime deterrent.
It is worth bearing in mind what you advertise online. If you are posting any pictures of items for sale, just take a picture of the item on its own, careful not to show other items you may have, or surroundings that can identify your property. It is also a good idea not to post your address, maybe just a contact number.
On the afternoon of the 9th of March, there was a livestock worrying incident in the Corscombe area. The owner of the dog was able to retrieve the dog before any attack could occur, but just the worrying of livestock is an offence. Dogs have to be under control at all times, this means being in a position where you can prevent them running away from you. Therefore, best practice is to put them on a lead in a public place, then when you enter a field, check the WHOLE field is clear before letting them off the lead. Please also never assume that a dog will not act unpredictably. They are animals and even if they have never done anything before, does not mean they won’t.
Our Police Community Liaison Officer (PCSO – Alex) will be at the Halstock coffee morning on Thursday 11th April.
The Parish Council would like to thank Cllr. Penfold for all her support over the years.
- 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 and bank reconciliation -proposed Cllr. Prior, seconded Cllr. Rix approved 10/10
Scheduled payments approved 10/10
Noted – the Council now has signed up to Scribe (accounting software).
- Highways and Rights of Way
Note – damage to Common Lane going up to Wessex Water was reported to Dorset Council reference number 1247508. The area of concern has been marked up.
5.1 Flood level gauge at location Birts Farm, Halstock Leigh – update TS
No response to request from Dorset Council. Action Cllr. Prior to send video of flooding issue to the Clerk. Clerk to follow up with Dorset Council.
5.2 Repair of wall at Old Mill House – update TS
Ongoing – Dorset Council have looked at the wall and will liaise with the NFY. Repair unlikely before the summer.
5.3 Update abandoned cars Halstock – update GP
Both cars have now been removed.
5.4 Damage to bridge on Adams Green Lane – update TS/GP
This has been reported to Dorset Council and police are aware.
An issue with drains in White Lane in West Chelborough and Hackney in Corscombe were noted. Action – Clerk to log the issues with Dorset Council.
- To consider and note planning applications and decisions. (D) TS
No new planning applications logged for this period.
6.1 Enforcement update (verbal) TS
No enforcement updates logged.
Concerns over continued Magpie auctions were passed to enforcement. It was noted that the March auction has been cancelled due to ground conditions. Action – Clerk to follow up with planning regarding enforcements position on the issue of ongoing Magpie auctions which are still listed.
- To note/receive a maintenance update for the playground and outdoor gym (Verbal) TS
Outdoor play project to upgrade the equipment at Corscombe playground was successfully completed in February and a completion certificate has been issued. A bench still needs replacing and a new playground sign will be arranged.
The playground maintenance costs are to increase from £22.50 to £25.00 per hour and reflect a 10% rise in line with inflation and raising costs.
Proposal – the increase in the cost of the playground maintenance should be accepted and that next autumn the contract for grounds maintenance would go back out for tender.
Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove and seconded Cllr. Clarke Approved 10/10
No major issues noted on the monthly Corscombe playground inspection.
Note – ROSPA will be carrying out their yearly check in May.
7.1 Halstock Children’s play Park update JH
Proposal – to ask landowners for agreement to use the proposed land for as a playground.
Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove and seconded Cllr. James. Approved 10/10
- Election update TS
Deadline for delivery of nomination papers is the 5th of April 2024 at 4pm.
Action – the Clerk will attend the DAPTC Election 2024 briefing for Clerks on the 16th of April.
At this time there will be at least 2/3rd of councillors elected. A further Corscombe councillor is still required.
Note – all councillors currently serving will stand down on the 7th May and new councillors will take up their place.
The Parish Council would like to thank Cllrs. Clary, Hodesdon, Southern and Rix for their time and hard work while on the Parish Council.
- Flood Warden Programme for Corscombe – update (Verbal) DR
No response to request for flood Warden volunteers.
Sandbag storage at Corscombe Village Hall has been provisionally approved by Corscombe Village Hall committee. Parish Council to investigate storage and insurance issues. Action Cllr. Rix to progress this issue further.
- To approve repair of Corscombe Notice Board ES
Agreed – Action Cllr. Southern to look at options for repair of noticeboard.
Action – Clerk to check if the noticeboard at Norwood Lane is owned by the Parish Council.
- To receive and note training update (Verbal) TS
Councillors networking event attended by Cllr. James.
Clerk to attend the Clerks conference in September 2024
DAPTC Planning Enforcement and Appeals training session on the 8th of October and 4th of November. Clerk to attend on the 8th of October. Cllr. James and Cllr. Clarke also asked to be registered.
New councillors will be encouraged to attend the DAPTC new councillor training courses.
- Correspondence to be discussed and noted. (Verbal) TS
Fair Funding request . It was agreed that this should be an individual response rather than a Parish Council response. Agreed 10/10
See Sticklands response above and to be discussed further in May.
- Climate and Ecology action to be noted
Dorset Community Energy are offering grants. The area Eco group in Beaminster could apply for a thermal camera.
- To consider urgent matters to report from members and items for the next meeting.
Action – Clerk to issue licenses for Roman Villa and Primrose Corner.
To be ratified at the May Parish Council meeting.
Risk assessment – approved 10/10 for 2024/2025. No changes made except for item 26 change of Covid to pandemic.
- To approve the proposed dates for the Annual Parish Council meeting and Parish Council meeting to be held at Corscombe village hall.
Proposed dates 14th or 21st of May 2024.
The 21st of May was agreed. Approved 10/10
- Resolution to exclude members of public for items 17 due to confidentiality
Approved 10/10
- Clerks annual performance appraisal, confidential
Clerks’ appraisal for 2023/2024 and new targets for 2024/2025 were discussed. Proposal – Clerk to be awarded PayScale increase to 26. Proposed Cllr. Southern and seconded Cllr. Lovegrove. Agreed 10/10
Meeting closed 9.30 pm
Appendices available upon request to the Clerk.
Clerk to the Council: Tessa Safadi, Tel: 01935 579783
Email: CHparishclerk@gmail.com
chdpc.org.uk