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Minutes for the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 19th May 2025
CORSCOMBE, HALSTOCK & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes for the Parish Council meeting
held on Monday 19th May 2025
Meeting to be held at Corscombe 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) and John White-Hamilton (JWH)
3 members of the public were present.
The meeting started at 7.45pm and was chaired by the chairman Cllr. James.
- To receive and accept apologies and declarations of Interest
Apologies from Cllr. Fry, Cllr. Arnold and Cllr Caddick
No declarations of interest.
- To approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 31st March 2025 (A)
Proposed Cllr. R Hallett, seconded Cllr. D Hallett Approved 9/9
- To discuss matters arising from the minutes not covered in this Agenda.
None
Public period for comments on issues on the agenda
Reports from Dorset Council Councillor and Police Liaison
Police Liaison – Sessions are going, well note new meeting dates. No main issues although speeding issues have been raised.
Corscombe, Halstock and District Parish Council
Monthly Dorset Police Surgery
| Police Surgery Day/Date | Start Time | Location |
| Tuesday 11th March 2025 | 1030 | Halstock Village Hall |
| Thursday 10th April 2025 | 1030 | Halstock Community Room
(behind village shop) |
| Tuesday 13th May 2025 | 1030 | Halstock Village Hall |
| Thursday 12th June 2025 | 1030 | Halstock Community Room
(behind village shop) |
| Thursday 10th July 2025 | 1030 | |
| Thursday 14th August 2025 | 1030 | |
| Thursday 11th September 2025 | 1030 | |
| Thursday 09th October 2025 | 1030 | |
| Thursday 13th November 2025 | 1030 | |
| Thursday 11th December 2025 | 1030 |
- An opportunity to chat with our local PCSO Alex (private space available if needed);
- Enjoy a chat with a tea, coffee or piece of homemade cake.
PCSO Alex Bishop
- Internal audit update
Agar and Internal report not available for review so will be reviewed and approved at an extraordinary meeting in July.
- To approve BDO as external auditors.
Proposed Cllr. White-Hamilton, seconded Cllr. Lovegrove Approved 9/9
- BDO Conflict of Interest statement
None
- To note the statement of expenditure to date and bank reconciliation (B) and to approve the schedule of payments since the last meeting. (C)
Scheduled payments since 31.3.25 Gross £2145.43, Net £2085.26
Statement of Expenditure – proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, seconded Cllr. R Hallett. Approved 9/9
Scheduled payments – proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, seconded Cllr. R Hallett. Approved 9/9
Note – correction to Year end Statement. Corrected version attached.
Action – Clerk to look at the possibility of savings accounts to earn interest on the Parish Councils money
- To review SCRIBE subscription
Scribe has performed well against the council’s current system of Excell spreadsheet and has allowed for more detailed analysis and reporting of financial matters.
The council will move to the use of Scribe for 2025-2026
Approved 9/9
Note Cllr. Sherwood left the meeting.
- To note/receive a maintenance update for the playground and outdoor gym
Noted
Concern was raised at the last meeting over the agility trail which need a post replaced. On review the Parish council may decide to remove all or part of agility trail. However, at present remedial work has been carried out and it is safe to use. This will be reviewed again at the July Parish Council meeting.
Action: Cllr. R Hallett will speak with Roger Whittingham about the agility trail, and we will wait to see the ROSPA report.
9.1 To note ROSPA playground Maintenance report and remedial work
required.
Still awaiting Report.
- To note key issues raised at the Corscombe and Halstock Parish meetings.
Reports from groups in both Corscombe and Halstock were summarised. The main points coming out of the meetings were
At both the Corscombe and Halstock Parish meetings the issue of communication with residents was raised. How can we better encourage attendance at the Parish meeting and also dissemination of information including of groups and clubs? There was also concern raised over the fact that some groups were finding it hard to attract new members and had subsequently shut. Others were looking for further support and the issue of how to attract younger people into these activities and roles was also raised.
It was acknowledged that while the Chimes, Corscombe Website (Corscombe.org.uk), noticeboards and social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp were being used to disseminate information these did not reach everyone.
At Halstock it was suggested that there should be more use of the Village shop community room with drop-in clinics with Parish Councillors and the Halstock Village Trust.
The Parish Council will create a newsletter to help promote the work of the Parish Council and this could be placed on notice boards, websites and copies in the Village shop.
It was acknowledged that the websites were only as good as the information it received, and groups and clubs were to be encouraged to make more of this facility to promote their activities. In conjunction with the Halstock Village Trust there are plans to rebuild the Halstock village website increasing interaction with residents and in bedding links to other social media sites such as Facebook.
The Parish Council Clerk will look at the Corscombe website this year to try and approve coverage of clubs, groups and events but it was acknowledged that the website was only as good as the information it received, and groups and clubs were to be encouraged to make more of this facility to promote their activities.
It was commented on that there was a lack of information from the Corscombe Village Hall committee. Residents would be encouraged to attend the Village Hall meetings.
- Highways and Rights of Way updates
11.1 Fingerpost and signs update
Cllr. Clarke has spoken with Mr Whittingham regarding on working on Fingerposts. It was felt the skill sets of both parties would be beneficial. It was agreed that the next four posts to be tackled would be
- By Fox Inn Corscombe
- The Green Halstock
- Halstock Leigh
- By the Cabinet makers Halstock
It was estimated that the cost of repairs would be in the region of £5000 to £6000
It was agreed that a budget up to £3000 would be agreed for repair of the Fingerposts outside the Fox Inn Corscombe and the green in Halstock.
Proposed Cllr. James, Seconded Cllr. Childs. Approved 8/8
A quote from Highways from replacing the damaged sign at the bottom of Adams Green Hill of £631.00.
Proposed Cllr. R Hallett, seconded Cllr. Prior. Approved 8/8
Damage of noticeboard by Fox Inn will be investigated. A decision to approve renovation will be made by or at the July Parish council meeting depending on findings.
Dorset Councillor Kippax arrived.
He presented a summary account breaking down how the Dorset Council Tax rise is justified. Copy sent to Clerk see appendix A. Also to note that Children’s services have been rated as outstanding. Dorset Council has made it priority to move towards ending families living in BB accommodation and ensuring there is safe accommodation for homeless people.
- To consider and note planning applications and decisions.
Noted
Good News concerning planning application regarding the phone box at West Chelborough. Planning have given their response to the removal of the payphone and asked that BT ensure that services are kept and reminded that it is a grade II listed building.
12.1 Enforcement update
There was frustration over Enforcements response to our concerns about the ongoing issue of Magpie auctions at Dodge city.
Action: Dorset Cllr. Kippax will follow up on this issue and notes are general concern over enforcement.
- To receive and note training update (Verbal) TS
Cllr. Childs has now completed the Carbon Literacy course. Councillors were encouraged to look out for further training opportunities.
- Correspondence to be discussed and noted. (Verbal) TS
14.1 Wessex Internet update
Christine O’Grady from Wessex Internet spoke briefly about the next stage of rolling out Fast Fibre broadband in Corscombe
Action: Clerk to send contact details for the Corscombe village Fate as they wished to have a stand.
- Climate and Ecology emergency action to be noted
The Next Big Green Day will be the 27th of September in Beaminster community Hall.
Cllr. Childs has signed up to the Community Waste initiative
- Update on Sorting of old Parish council paperwork
Many thanks to Freda Hennessy for her help with sorting out the old parish documents. This is still on going with liaison with the Clerk. The findings will be reviewed at the July Parish Council meeting. We have also now received permission to store files at the Corscombe Village Hall and have a dedicated filling cabinet.
- To consider urgent matters to report from members and items for the next meeting.
A report will be made at the July Parish Council meeting about the options to replace the lost bus service in Corscombe and Halstock.
- Date of next Parish Council meeting will be the 28th of July 2025 Halstock Village Hall.
Noted
The meeting ended at 9.30pm
Clerk to the Council: Tessa Safadi, Tel: 07595598995
Email: CHparishclerk@gmail.com
Appendix A – Summary of Dorset Council Kippax presentation.
“The inequality in Council tax for Dorset residents is a topic which Councillors and MP’s (of all Political parties) have for many years lobbied on. Dorset residents get a raw deal when it comes to how much funding is provided from Central Government (of all Political parties) with repeated calls for fairer funding as part of wider reform for Local Government funding.
When considering why Dorset Councils tax has had to increase year on year there are two key aspects:
- Under funding of rural areas like Dorset, in favour of urban areas, in particular London
- Local demographics resulting in increased demand for statutory services
Under funding
Analysis of the 23/24 budget identified that rural areas receive £111 less per head as part of the settlement analysis, meaning the majority of this shortfall ends up having to come from local tax.
Revenue Support Grant (RSG)
Since forming in 2019 up to the end of 2023/24 Dorset Council received a cumulative Revenue Support grant of £3.1m. For 2025/26 Dorset received £1.7m of this.
Councils in London received significantly more. e.g. Newham £46.3m Southwark £45.8m, Hackney £44.5m, Tower Hamlets £42.7m, Lambeth £40.5m, Westminster £37.9m and so the list goes on.
Previously the Rural Services Delivery Grant, for which Dorset received £3.2m was meant to reflect the pressures or rural service delivery. For 2025/26 this has been abolished so Dorset receives no direct grant to support with the acute rural pressures.
Demographic
The Council budget for 25/26 is net £417m of which £254m (60%) is spent on the Children’s and Adult & Housing directorates, most of which are spent on meeting statutory need to some of our most vulnerable people and households. A third of the population in Dorset are over the age of 65 compared to an England average of 19%. This level of need coupled with almost no general funding (revenue support grant) puts huge pressure on the Councils budget each year and limits options to meet the legal requirement to set a balanced budget to serve our communities.”
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| ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 19th May 2025 AGENDA ITEM 7 Appendix B |
Reconciliation
| Bank Statement received 31.3.25 | 34,307.84 | ||||||||||||||||
| Most recent statement 30.4.25 | 43,668.04 | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance brought forward | 34,307.84 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenditure through bank statement
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance carried forward | 43,668.04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding expenses not yet showing in bank account – OUT
| Scribe | 18.00 |
| P G Holt | 90.00 |
| Deborah Childs Training | 66.44 |
| Clerk Salary/expenses | 651.19 |
| P G Holt | 180.00 |
| Total | 1005.63 |
Outstanding credits not yet showing in bank account – IN
| Total |
| YEAR END STATEMENT FOR CORSCOMBE, HALSTOCK AND DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL 2024/25 | |||||||||
| 1. Receipts and Payments Account 2024/25 | |||||||||
| Original | Revised | ||||||||
| Actual | Budget | Budget | Actual | ||||||
| 2023/2024 | 2024/2025 | 2024/2025 | 2024/2025 | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | |||||||
| Balance b/fwd | 38466 | 39959 | 29528 | 29528 | |||||
| INCOME | |||||||||
| Precept | 19000 | 20000 | 20000 | 20000 | |||||
| VAT refunds | 470 | 1731 | 3299 | 3299 | |||||
| Grants | 1229 | 1500 | 950 | 3009 | |||||
| other | 140 | 50 | 0 | 234 | |||||
| Grants and Donations | 20839 | 23281 | 24249 | 26542 | |||||
| TOTAL | |||||||||
| EXPENDITURE | |||||||||
| Clerk’s Pay /HMRC tax | 6510 | 6693 | 7500 | 6885 | |||||
| Office Expenses | 423 | 631 | 736 | 841 | |||||
| Insurance | 696 | 730 | 705 | 705 | |||||
| Subscriptions | 661 | 693 | 644 | 554 | |||||
| Bank charges | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71 | |||||
| Audit fees | 553 | 581 | 469 | 469 | |||||
| Training/seminars | 211 | 183 | 500 | 498 | |||||
| Hire of village halls | 118 | 185 | 180 | 150 | |||||
| Grants S137 | 741 | 1050 | 260 | 260 | |||||
| Asset maintenance | 3268 | 3150 | 2000 | 4589 | |||||
| Asset purchase | 12994 | 15000 | 2000 | 4053 | |||||
| Non grants s137 (Devolved Services) | 231 | 1575 | 567 | 1092 | |||||
| Elections | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | |||||
| VAT input tax | 3299 | 4187 | 600 | 1545 | |||||
| Other | 72 | 76 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Total | 29777 | 34734 | 16161 | 21,762 | |||||
| Balance c/fwd | 29528 | 28506 | 37616 | 34308 | |||||
| General reserve as turnover % | |||||||||
| (this should be in the range of 25%-100% | 30 | 55 | 81 | 45 | |||||
| Ear marked reserves @ : | 31.3.25 | ||||||||
| Winter roads | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | 1500 | |||||
| Play equipment replacement | 13000 | 2000 | 2000 | 2000 | |||||
| Elections | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 | 2500 | |||||
| Devolved services | 3500 | 3500 | 3500 | 3500 | |||||
| Halstock Playground reserve | 15000 | 15000 | |||||||
| Total | 20500 | 9500 | 24500 | 24500 | |||||
| General funds at 31.3.25 | 9808 | ||||||||
| 2. BANK RECONCILIATION @ 31.3.25 | |||||||||
| Bank reconciliation 24/25 | |||||||||
| PER CASH BOOK | |||||||||
| b/fwd | 29528.00 | ||||||||
| income | 26541.49 | ||||||||
| expenditure | 21761.65 | ||||||||
| c/fwd | 34307.84 | ||||||||
| £ | |||||||||
| Business Instant Access a/c | 34307.84 | ||||||||
| less unpresented cheques | – | ||||||||
| Date | Payee | £ | |||||||
| Total @ 31st March 2025 | 34307.84 | ||||||||
| 3. Year End Reserves @ 31.3.25 | |||||||||
| Winter roads | 1500 | ||||||||
| Play equipment replacement | 2000 | ||||||||
| Elections | 2500 | ||||||||
| Devolved services | 3500 | ||||||||
| Halstock playground reserves | 15000 | ||||||||
| General reserves | 9808 | ||||||||
| Year end reserve TOTAL | 34308 | ||||||||
| 4. ASSETS @31.3.25 | |||||||||
| See Attached | |||||||||
| 5. BORROWING @31.3.25 | |||||||||
| There is no outstanding borrowing. | |||||||||
| 6. Grants @ 31.3.25 | |||||||||
| The Parish Council made the following payments under S137/S133 LGA 1972: | |||||||||
| £ | |||||||||
| Sticklands towards school pool upkeep | 260 | ||||||||
| Total | |||||||||
| Signed: | |||||||||
| Chairman | R James | ||||||||
| Responsible Finance Officer | T Safadi | ||||||||
| ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 19th May 2025 AGENDA ITEM 7 Appendix C |
Scheduled payments since 31.3.25
| Gross | Net | Vat | |||
| 1.4.25 | Scribe | 18.00 | 15.00 | 3.00 | |
| 1.4.25 | Salary/expense March | 600.80 | 598.80 | 2.00 | |
| 7.4.25 | Halstock Church Organ Donation | 500.00 | 500.00 | 0 | |
| 7.4.25 | Halstock Hall Hire | 15.00 | 15.00 | 0 | |
| 30.4.25 | Bank fees | 6.00 | 6.00 | 0 | |
| 1.5.25 | Scribe | 18.00 | 15.00 | 3.00 | |
| 6.5.25 | Playground grass cutting | 90.00 | 75.00 | 15.00 | |
| 6.5.25 | Training course | 66.44 | 66.44 | 0 | |
| 6.5.25 | Salary Expenses April | 651.19 | 644.02 | 7.17 | |
| 13.5.25 | Playground grass cutting | 180.00 | 150.00 | 30.00 | |
| Totals | 2145.43 | 2085.26 | 60.17 | ||
| Annual Expenditure over £100 (2024-2025) | |
Net (exclusive of VAT)
| 1.4.25 | Clerks’ salary Expenses March 25 | 598.80 |
| 7.4.25 | Halstock Church Organ Donation | 500.00 |
| 6.5.25 | Clerks Salary Expenses April 25 | 644.02 |
| 13.5.25 | P G Holt Corscombe Playground grass cutting | 150.00 |
| TOTAL | 1892.82 |
| Signed: | Date |
| Chairman | |
| Responsible Finance Officer |