🏡 Corscombe, Halstock & District Parish  Newsletter

June 2026

Hello everyone! The Parish Council held its Parish Council Annual meeting and Parish Council Meeting in May, followed by an Extraordinary Meeting in June to complete the annual audit process. Here’s a summary of the main decisions and updates.  Please see minutes for full details, these are to be found on the Parish Council website chdpc.org.uk

👋 Welcome to New Councillors

We were delighted to welcome two new co-opted councillors to the Parish Council:

• Paul Worthen has joined to represent West Chelborough.
• Freda Hennessey has joined to represent Corscombe.

We look forward to working with them both.

🗳️ Annual Parish Council Meeting Decisions

At the Annual Meeting, councillors agreed the following:

• Richard James was re-elected as Chairman.
• Roger Hallett was re-elected as Vice Chairman.
• The third and fourth members of the Staff Working Group were agreed as Henry Lovegrove and Nigel Clarke.
• Representatives for 2026/27 were appointed across the Council’s working groups and local liaison roles.
• The Council re-adopted the General Power of Competence.
• Key policies and documents were reviewed and approved, including Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, IT and Cyber Security, Data Protection and Privacy, publication arrangements, the Asset Register and Risk Assessment, delegation arrangements, employment policies and other council documents.
• The insurance contract for 2026/27 was approved, along with subscriptions to DAPTC, ICO and SLCC.
• The Council also noted the 2026/27 meeting dates and venues.

💰 Finance

The Council approved the year-end 2025-2026 financial statements, current expenditure and payment schedule for May 2026.

Following a review, it was also agreed not to renew the Council’s Scribe accounting software subscription.

The Council also noted the use of the General Power of Competence during 2025/26, including a £500 contribution to Halstock Church towards the organ renovation and a £50 donation to the Diana Stains memorial charity.

The Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) and Internal Audit Report were delayed while the Internal Auditor completed their work. These were considered at a subsequent Extraordinary Meeting in June.

📋 Planning & Training

There were no planning enforcement updates. 

Training information will be circulated to the newly appointed councillors.

🚸 Playground & Outdoor Gym

The annual ROSPA playground inspection was noted. A minor maintenance issue with the latch on the outdoor gym gate will be repaired.

🚗 Highways

Progress continues on restoring the village fingerposts, with the replacement roundels now being cast.

Councillors also expressed frustration at the lack of progress on horse rider warning signs and agreed to make a formal complaint to Dorset Council regarding delays.

Following comments received at the Halstock Annual Village Meeting, the Council will ask Dorset Council to consider extending the existing 40mph approach into Halstock rather than introducing a 20mph speed limit. Requests have also been made for vegetation to be cut back and a painted “SLOW” road marking added at the Toller Whelme junction to improve visibility.

🌱 Climate & Community

Members noted Dorset Council’s continuing work on community energy projects, including discussions with landowners about potential renewable energy opportunities

💷 Annual Accounts & Audit

The June Extraordinary Meeting focused on completing the Council’s annual governance and financial responsibilities.

Councillors approved:

• ✅ The Internal Auditor’s recommendations.
• ✅ The 2025/26 Annual Governance Statement.
• ✅ The 2025/26 Accounting Statements.

A small amendment was also agreed to the Community Land Assets Statement, and councillors thanked the Clerk for her work in successfully completing the audit

✅ Annual Audit Successfully Completed

The Parish Council has now completed its 2025/26 Internal Audit, which was carried out in line with national guidance and the CIPFA Code of Internal Audit Practice.

The auditor found that the Council’s financial controls are operating effectively, providing reassurance that public money is being managed appropriately.

Two observations were made:

• Publication of the 2024/25 AGAR: The Accounting Statements were published after the start of the statutory public inspection period, rather than beforehand. Although the documents were published, the timing did not fully meet the required procedure. No to test N
• Digital & Data Compliance: The Council now meets all current digital and data governance requirements. However, the auditor noted that two improvements—including the introduction of council email addresses using the Council’s own domain—were implemented during 2025/26 rather than before the start of the financial year. No to test O

Councillors reviewed the audit findings at the June Extraordinary Meeting and approved the actions taken. The recommendations have now been addressed, and the Council remains committed to maintaining high standards of governance, transparency and financial management.

📋 Annual Chairman’s Report Highlights

The Chairman’s Annual Report for 2025/26 reflected a busy year of practical improvements and partnership working. Highlights included:

• Restoration work on historic fingerposts at the Halstock Triangle and the Fox Inn junction.
• A new Parish Noticeboard near the Fox Inn in Corscombe and a replacement salt bin for West Chelborough.
• Continued support for the Corscombe Village Fête and other community events.
• Progress on transport, including work with PlusBus to help establish a weekly bus service.
• Ongoing pressure on Dorset Council over potholes, signage, roadworks and road closures.
• Continued use of the Speed Indicator Device in Halstock, supported by Tony Hill and the SpeedWatch volunteers.
• First Aid training for residents and the creation of WhatsApp First Aid Community Support Groups in Halstock and Corscombe.
• Regular parish newsletters, improved online communication and an upgraded Parish Council website.
• Continued partnership working with the Halstock Village Trust, Dorset Council officers and other local organisations.
• Routine maintenance of the Corscombe playground and outdoor gym, with work continuing to identify a suitable site for a Halstock playground.

🏘️ From the Parish Meetings

The Clerk also summarised the reports from the Corscombe and Halstock Annual Parish Meetings. A few of the many community highlights included reports from:

• Corscombe: the Hawkins Trust, Swish events, village coffee mornings, the Friends of Corscombe & Halstock Community First Responders, bellringers, Corscombe Village Hall, Beaminster Country Cars, the fundraising committee and Knit & Stitch.
• Halstock: St Juthware and St Mary Church, Halstock Community Hall, the Royal British Legion, the village shop, Community Speed Watch, Halstock Village Cinema, the Village Fête, Halstock Village Trust, Community Arts and the Rights of Way Group.

📅 Next Meeting

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 27th July 2026 at Halstock Village Hall.

As always, members of the press and public are welcome to attend.