Draft Minutes for the Parish Council meeting 31st March 2025

Corscombe, Halstock and District Parish Council

Draft Minutes for the Parish Council meeting 7.30pm on
31^st March 2025

Meeting held at Halstock Village Hall.

Councillors present: Richard James (RJ). Henry Lovegrove (HL), Nigel Clarke (NC), Roger Hallett (RH), Grant Prior (GP), David Hallett (DH), Deborah Childs (DC), Helen Sherwood (HS), Garry Arnold (GA) and Mark Caddick (MC)

2 members of the public were present.

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

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

Apologies received from Cllr. John White Hamilton, Richard Fry

Declarations of Interest from Cllr. D Hallett and Cllr. James regarding item 13, Cllr. Lovegrove regarding item 7  and from Cllr. Arnold regarding planning issues related to Beaminster Down. 

2. To approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 27th January 2025 (A)

Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, Seconded Cllr. R. Hallett.  Approved 10/10 

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

None 

Public period for comments on issues on the agenda

None 

Reports from Dorset Council Councillor and Police Liaison 

Report from Dorset councillor Chris Kippax

Dorset Council did bid for devolution funding, but this was unsuccessful.  They are waiting for an explanatory letter. 2027 will be the next opportunity to apply for devolution funding.

The question was asked why Dorset Council wanted to bid for Devolution.  Unfortunately, it is still unclear which powers and extra level of funding would be available.

Budget – Council tax.  In order to get full Government grants  Dorset Council had to set it at  4.9%, although councils could apply for more on request to Government.  About 82% of funding comes from the council tax raised.  About 70% +  of Dorset Council’s budget goes on adult and child welfare.

A question was raised concerning Council tax on second homes and the impact this would have on the budget.  It is coming into place, but it will take some time for any benefits to be seen in the budget. 

Police report

In the early hours of Wednesday 26^th March, a trailer was stolen from a farm on the outskirts of Halstock.  There are no witnesses or CCTV to assist with further enquiries at this time.  Please be vigilant.  Review your security and if you would like any further security advice, please contact me.

For info, my colleague, Pete Smith will be attending the coffee morning on Thursday 10^th, in the Community Room, as I will be otherwise engaged.

 

 

 

 

 

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)

Expenditure and Bank reconciliation Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, Seconded Cllr. R. Hallett.  Approved 10/10 subject to addition of missing information on expenditure details (payments made to)  being added.

Scheduled payments Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, Seconded Cllr. R. Hallett.  Approved 10/10 

5. Review and approve Assets register for 2025 (D)

 Proposed Cllr. Clarke, Seconded Cllr. Lovegrove.  Approved 10/10 

6. Review and approve Risk assessment for 2025 (E)

  Proposed Cllr. R Hallett, Seconded Cllr. Caddick.  Approved 10/10 

7. Review and approve licences for Primrose Corner and Roman Villa (F)

  Both licences were approved. Proposed Cllr. Arnold, Seconded Cllr. Clarke.  Approved 9/10        Primrose Corner (Cllr. Lovegrove abstaining) and 10/10 for the Roman Villa licence. 

8. To appoint maintenance contract for Corscombe playground (G)

The Parish Council reviewed three tenders for grass cutting of the Corscombe Playground.  The cheapest tender, Mr. Holt,  was awarded a three-year contract.

Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, seconded Cllr. James.  Approved 10/10 

9. Insurance update (Verbal) TS

The Parish Councils insurance is due for renewal on the 1^st of June.  As we are now at the end of the five-year contract with Gallagher the Parish Council insurance will be put out to tender.  Three companies have been approached to tender (Gallagher, Clear Council and Zurich) and these will be considered at the May Parish Council meeting. 

10. Highways and Rights of Way (Verbal) 

10.1 Damage to road signs update TS

Cllr. Clarke has been liaising with Dorset Highways who will quote for the repair of sign at the bottom of Adams Green Hill.

Fingerposts are an ongoing issue.  Clerk to pass on details of anyone willing to support Cllr. Clarke in repairing fingerposts. Clerk did canvass other Parish Councils but has so far had no success their fingerpost repairs being done in  house.

It was noted that the Benville to Evershot fingerpost finger is missing, and Fingerpost at Higher Halstock Leigh is also in need of refurbishment, 

10.2 Potholes update TS

This will be an ongoing issue.  Problems reported to date have been addressed.  Residents are urged to report issues to Dorset Council Highways. 

10.3 Drains update TS

This will be an ongoing issue.  Problems reported to date have been addressed.  Residents are urged to report issues to Dorset Council Highways. 

10.4 Speed Indicator Device (SID) update TS

Action: Clark to chase.  Dorset highways have now sited poles for SID.

 

Action: Clerk to chase if new salt bins have been filled. 

11. To consider and note planning applications and decisions. (H) TS

Application number P/VOC/2025/01300 was discussed and split the Parish Councils opinion.  As such it was agreed that the Parish Council will only Comment on this application.Clerk to put forward suitable comment for approval by the Parish Council asking the planning officer to ensure that the process to remove an AOC has been followed and that the property has been on the market at an appropriate red book price.

Approved10/10 

• Enforcement update (verbal) TS

Beaminster Down – Notice of appeal. The Parish Council will look at making a written representation to the planning inspectorate supporting Dorset Councils original decision to refuse this application.

Approved 10/10

Magpie auctions issue is still ongoing. 

Action: Clerk to respond to resident’s email and follow through concerns with enforcement. 

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

Noted.

ROSPA will be caring out their annual safety review in May. 

The monthly inspection highlighted that some posts on the agility trail will need to be replaced.  Action Clerk to discuss this with Roger Whittingham to look at addressing all issues raised on the inspection report.  Cllr. Arnold also offered help with replacing timbers.

Approved 10/10 

13. Halstock Church Organ update (I) RJ

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) having provided an assurance over the long-term future of the Halstock Church. It was agreed that a donation of £500 would be approved for phase one of the work on the organ.   This will allow the church to carry out the first stage of work and allow the organ to be used in further fundraising.

Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, seconded Cllr. Arnold  approved 6/10 (Cllr. James and cllr. D Hallett abstaining) 

14. To receive and note training update (Verbal) TS

Cllr. Childs to attend the second part of the Carbon Literacy Course.

15. How to manage Parish Council old records update (M) TS

Action: Clerk to liaise with Freda Hennessy regarding disposal/storage of old parish council documents. 

Action:  Clerk to ask Corscombe Village Hall if the Parish council can  have dedicated storage allocated at the village hall.

Proposed Cllr. James, seconded Cllr. Lovegrove Approved 9/9

(Note Cllr. Clarke left the meeting at this point) 

16. Correspondence to be discussed and noted. (Verbal) TS 

16.1 Withdrawal of the Friday Bus service to Corscombe (J)Noted

The Parish Council recognises that for some residents in Corscombe and Halstock this weekly service was useful for socialising, shopping, collecting medication etc.

Cllr. Lovegrove to look at other possible options to replace bus service.

16.2  Superfast Broadband coming to Corscombe (Verbal) HL/TS

Noted

A date in June (date to be announced) has been proposed for Wessex Internet to talk to Corscombe residents. 

16.3 Village Survey (K)

Action: Clerk to discuss this with Freda Hennessy, draft survey for July Parish Council meeting

Approved 9/9 

17. Climate and Ecology action to be noted

Dorset Council  invited parish councils to contribute to their Climate and Nature Survey, Dorset Council return has been completed by Cllr. Lovegrove and Cllr. Childs on behalf of the Parish Council. 

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

19. Date of next Parish Council meeting and Parish Council Annual meeting will be the 19th of May 2025 at 7 pm Corscombe Village Hall. Corscombe and Halstock Parish meetings will be arranged in the week of the 12^th of May.  

20. Resolution to exclude members of public and press for items 21 due to confidentiality

Proposed Cllr. Arnold   Seconded   Cllr James approved 9/9 

21. Clerks’ annual performance appraisal, confidential (L)

The Parish Council thanked the Clerk for her work over the last year. 

1. Recommendation – To allow the Clerk to progress from

level 26 to level 27

2. Recommendation – Approve Clerks Personal development plan for 2025/2026

Both Recommendations were proposed by Cllr. Lovegrove, seconded Cllr. James  and approved 9/9 

The meeting closed at 9.50 pm 

Appendices available upon request to the Clerk. 

Clerk to the Council: Tessa Safadi, Tel: 07595598995       

Email: CHparishclerk@gmail.com

chdpc.org.uk