Draft Minutes Corscombe Annual Parish Meeting

CORSCOMBE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Draft Minutes

Date: Thursday 14 May 2026

Venue: Corscombe Village Hall

Time: 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Chair: Cllr Roger Hallett

Present: 3 members of the public and 2 parish councillors

1. Welcome and Introduction

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Apologies

No apologies were received.

3. Approval of the Minutes of the 2025 Annual Parish Meeting

The minutes of the 2025 Annual Parish Meeting were approved.

Proposed: Henry Lovegrove

Seconded: Roger Hallett

Vote: Approved unanimously (5 in favour).

4. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

5. Annual Report of the Parish Council 2025/26

The Chair presented the Parish Council’s Annual Report.

Community Infrastructure and Local Improvements

• Restoration of historic fingerposts has continued, with thanks to Nigel Clarke and Roger Whittingham for their work at Halstock Triangle, the Fox Inn junction and Grexy Cross.
• A new parish noticeboard has been installed near the Fox Inn in Corscombe.
• A replacement salt bin has been provided for West Chelborough.
• The Parish Council attended the Corscombe Village Fête, providing an opportunity for residents to meet councillors and discuss local issues.
• A donation was made to the church towards the servicing and repair of the organ under the Council’s General Power of Competence.

Transport, Highways and Road Safety

• The Council worked with PlusBus to establish a weekly bus service for residents.
• Highways issues continue to be a major priority, including:
  • Potholes
  • Road signage
  • The timing and volume of roadworks and road closures

• Consultation on speed limits with Dorset Council and residents will continue during 2026/27.
• The Speed Indicator Device in Halstock continues to operate successfully thanks to Tony Hill and local SpeedWatch volunteers.

Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• First Aid training sessions were organised for residents.
• WhatsApp First Aid Community Support Groups were established in both Halstock and Corscombe.
• Councillors promoted awareness of Asian Hornets and supported the Great Big Hedge Survey and other environmental initiatives.
• Parish organisations have begun receiving information regarding Martyn’s Law and its implications for public events.

Communications and Digital Improvements

• A bi-monthly parish newsletter has been introduced.
• The Parish Council now has a dedicated Clerk’s email address: clerk@chd-pc.gov.uk.
• Planning applications are routinely shared via Facebook, WhatsApp and the Parish Council website.
• The Parish Council website has been upgraded to improve accessibility and usability.

Partnership Working

• The Council continues to work closely with the Halstock Village Trust on matters including road safety, potholes and mobile phone signal concerns.
• Regular liaison has continued with Dorset Council officers and other agencies.

Playgrounds and Local Facilities

• Routine maintenance of the Corscombe playground and outdoor gym has continued.
• Efforts to identify a suitable site for a Halstock playground remain ongoing.
• The Wessex Water sewage facility upgrade is nearing completion.

Governance

• The Parish Council successfully completed both internal and external audits.
• Members remembered Diana Stains and acknowledged her contribution to the parish community.

Looking Ahead

Priorities for 2026/27 include:

• Highways improvements
• Speed limit consultations
• Community safety initiatives
• Environmental projects
• Continued efforts to find a playground site in Halstock
• Strengthening communication and engagement with residents

6. First Aid Community Support Update

The First Aid sessions held during 2025 were well attended. The meeting thanked St John Ambulance for delivering two training sessions.

The Clerk will explore opportunities to arrange further training sessions later in 2026.

The WhatsApp-based First Aid Support Group in Corscombe has experienced lower participation than anticipated and some initial difficulties. The Clerk will review the scheme and consider ways to improve its effectiveness.

7. Repair Café

Louise Parker has approached the Parish Council regarding the possible establishment of a Repair Café.

As the proposal is still at an early stage, full details are not yet available. However, the idea was received enthusiastically by those present.

The concept of establishing a “Library of Things” was also suggested and received positively.

8. Reports from Corscombe Organisations

Reports were received from local organisations.

See Appendix 1.

9. Any Other Business

Engagement with District Hamlets

It was suggested that the Parish Council should be more proactive in engaging residents in Benville and Weston.

The Clerk agreed to:

• Display meeting notices on local noticeboards.
• Include Parish Council information in relevant editions of The Chimes.

Corscombe Village Fête 2026

Although there were initially no plans to hold the fête in 2026, the event will now take place around the Fox Inn on 13 June 2026.

Residents wishing to become involved should contact Sharon at the Fox Inn or Liz Southern.

Community Engagement

Concern was expressed regarding the low attendance at the Annual Parish Meeting.

Members discussed the need to:

• Improve community engagement.
• Welcome new residents more effectively.
• Consider producing a welcome or information pack for newcomers.

It was also noted that Facebook and WhatsApp are proving effective communication channels for many residents and should continue to be utilised.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.00pm.

Close of Meeting 9pm

Appendix 1 – Reports from Corscombe Organisations

Corscombe, Halstock and District Parish Council Annual Report 2025/26

Summary

This year has seen steady progress across a wide range of community priorities, practical improvements and partnership work. Much of what has been achieved reflects the commitment of parish councillors, volunteers, and local organisations working together to support our villages.

Community Infrastructure and Local Improvements

We have continued the restoration of our historic fingerposts, with thanks to Nigel Clarke and Roger Whittingham for their work on the Halstock Triangle, the Fox Inn junction and Grexy Cross. A new Parish Noticeboard has been installed near the Fox Inn in Corscombe, and a replacement salt bin has been provided for West Chelborough. The Parish Council also maintained a presence at the Corscombe Village Fête, helping residents meet councillors, raise issues and learn more about the work of the Council. Under our General Power of Competence, the Parish Council also made a donation to the Church to assist with the servicing and repair of the organ.

Transport, Highways and Road Safety

We have worked closely with PlusBus to help establish a weekly bus service, improving access for residents without transport. Highways issues remain a major area of focus. We continue to press Dorset Council on:

• potholes
• road signage
• the volume and timing of roadworks and road closures

Consultation with Dorset Council Highways and parish residents on speed limits will continue into 2026–27. The Speed Indicator Device in Halstock continues to operate successfully thanks to Tony Hill and the SpeedWatch volunteers.

Community Safety, First Aid and Emergency Preparedness

This year we arranged First Aid Training for residents and established WhatsApp First Aid Community Support Groups in both Halstock and Corscombe to improve local resilience. Councillors have also raised awareness of Asian Hornets, supported the Great Big Hedge Survey, and contributed to wider climate and ecology initiatives. We have begun updating parish organisations on Martyn’s Law, the new national security legislation for public events. While our local fetes fall below the threshold, it remains important that organisers are aware of the requirements.

Communication and Digital Improvements

The Clerk has introduced bimonthly Parish Council newsletters, improving the flow of information to residents. We now have a dedicated Parish Council email address for the Clerk: clerk@chd-pc.gov.uk . Planning applications are now routinely shared on Facebook, WhatsApp, and the Parish Council website (chdpc.org.uk), increasing visibility and engagement. The Parish Council website has also undergone an upgrade to improve usability and access to information.

Partnership Working

We continue to strengthen our relationship with the Halstock Village Trust, collaborating on issues including road safety, potholes, and mobile phone signal concerns. We have also maintained regular contact with Dorset Council officers and other agencies on highways, planning and community matters.

Playgrounds, Recreation and Local Facilities

Routine maintenance of the Corscombe playground and outdoor gym has continued. Despite considerable effort, we have not yet identified a suitable location for a Halstock playground, but work on this will continue. The long‑running Wessex Water sewage facility upgrade is now nearing completion.

Governance and Council Business

The Parish Council successfully met both its internal and external audit requirements this year. We were saddened by the loss of Diana Stains, whose contribution to the parish community is warmly remembered.

Looking Ahead

The coming year will see continued work on highways issues, speed limit consultations, community safety, environmental initiatives, and the ongoing search for a viable playground site in Halstock. We will also continue to strengthen communication with residents and ensure the Parish Council remains accessible, responsive and transparent.

Hawkins Trust

The Hawkins Trust continues to perform an important function making grants and loans on a confidential basis to Corscombe residents needing a lifeline at a time of financial distress.  It advertises its availability monthly in the Chimes and is happy to receive further applications.

Henry Lovegrove

Swish Events

Meant to say that we held a Swish event last year (clothes swap – to reduce waste, refresh wardrobes and a provide social gathering).  Another one is planned in June 2026 with the help of The Fox.  

Village Coffee Mornings in Corscombe

A number of coffee mornings have been hosted by various Corscombe residents in their homes/gardens during 2025/26.  These are informal gatherings and

are a good way to catch up with local news and to meet neighbours.  Attendees pay a £1 contribution which goes towards the Village Hall fund and there

is also an optional raffle.  If anyone would like to host one (you provide tea/coffee and biscuits), please contact Liz southern on 07800 901751.

The Friend’s of Corscombe & Halstock Community First Responders

1. The Friends Group full title ‘Friends of Corscombe and Halstock Community First Responders,’ was formally known as The Friends Group. The objectives of the Friends Group, as stated in its constitution are as follows:

The Friends of Corscombe and Halstock Community First Responders is established for charitable purposes only, in particular the Friends of Corscombe and Halstock Community First Responders is established to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community in the Corscombe and Halstock area, specifically the advancement of emergency health care. To provide training sessions to the community so that the people we serve become systematically better equipped to provide elements of Community first-line support whilst waiting for the emergency service to arrive.

2. The Friends Group historically raised funds to meet the expenses incurred in running the First Responders.

3. The First Responder Team no longer exists, so the Friends Group has adopted the following policy:

          i. To use its funds, in partnership with the Corscombe, Halstock, and District Parish Council to provide public access defibrillators for the local community

        ii. Provide awareness training on the use of the defibrillators

       iii. Investigate the provision of basic life support first aid training, so that the community is better equipped to give vital support until an ambulance arrives on the              scene

4. The Parish Council has resolved to:

       i. Collaborate with the Friends Group in support of this initiative

      ii. Take over responsibility for the scheme once the Friends Group funds are exhausted

5. The audited accounts as of 31 December 2025 show the Bonus/Current accounts with a total of £6280.63 with these funds expected to depreciate when demands are made. Given the need to provide heated cabinets for the defibrillators, replacement consumables, and the need to replace the defibrillators and cabinets as they reach the end of their life this annual expense will grow as the various elements reach the end of their life.

7. The three defibrillators at Corscombe TK, Halstock Village Hall and West Chelborough purchased by the Responders have had their electrode pads replaced Nov 2025 (two yearly) at a cost of £164 for all three. The batteries to these machines have a shelf life of between 4/5 years and will incur a cost of £223 each for replacement. 

8. The two defibrillators at Woodfold and Halstock shop were provided by SWASFT Charity with an eight-year support package which ends in 2027 when the defibrillators will need replacing at current costs of £895 each with additional electrode pads (spares) at £68 each.

9. The defibrillator at The Fox was part funded by an application by the Parish Council to London Hearts and the outstanding balance met by the Responders funds. At present no expenses has been incurred in relation to this.

10. All the defibrillators have a Guardian someone responsible for checking same on a regular basis.

11. It is anticipated that the Friends Groups funds will be able to support these defibrillators for some time in the foreseeable future.

Dick Thorn

Bellringers Report  2015 :2016

Its been a relatively routine year for we Bellringers,  continuing our Monday evening practice sessions. We have been very pleased to welcome Steve Templeman to our team, and he is rapidly becoming one of our regular ringers, making our total number now up to ten. A very enjoyable summer social evening was held in The Fox,  We have been ringing at both Corscombe and Halstock churches, and next Saturday, 16^th May, we shall be ringing at Halstock  to help in a wedding celebration. Looking forward, in September it will be Corscombe’s turn to host a wedding and we look forward to ringing for that occasion. I am pleased to report that we have just been joined by two more new recruits, so our training programme is going to be busy for the forthcoming months.        Charles Gaskell,   Tower Captain.

Corscombe Village Hall

Progress is being made rapidly to improve the Hall.  Wifi has been installed, the south wall has been replastered, and the car park will shortly be cleaned up and resurfaced.  Plans are afoot to replace the old wooden sheds in the car park with a new storage facility, and provide an EV charging facility.

The Hall committee runs numerous successful fundraising events but what the Hall needs most is hirers!  It’s cheap to hire, has an excellent heating system and provides all sorts of options to meet accommodation needs.

Bookings secretary:           Rosemary Lovegrove 01935 891415

Beaminster Country Cars (information available on the Dorset Council community transport website)

This is a brilliant service for which there are now 4 volunteer drivers in Corscombe.

What is it?  It’s a voluntary car scheme providing transport for hospitals, doctors, dentists, opticians, chiropodists, prescription collection, visits to relatives or close friends in hospital and any essential journey for which there is no other alternative transport.

No need to register for this service. Please provide at least 48 hours’ notice if possible.

Who it’s for:  Anyone from the surrounding area for whom there is no public transport service available.

Costs:  Contribution of 50p per mile.

Booking contact: Mr Bateman  01308 862039

Corscombe Fundraising Committee

The existing Fete organising committee has disbanded and the Fete at Corscombe Court is being replaced with an event at the Fox Inn on 13^th June this year.  The offer is still open for a new organisation to take over running a traditional Fete inheriting the assets of the retiring committee.

Thanks are due to Sharon at the Fox for her public spiritedness!

Enquiries:  Henry Lovegrove 01935 891415

Knit and Stich

Knit and Stich meet fortnightly and is well attended.  Members can bring along their own projects and benefit from each others expertise, and ideas.  As well as having a chance to catch up on village news.  Cake and Coffee are provided for a £2 donation, with money raised going to a local charity.  Many thanks to Lynne Caddick for all her hard work.

Rights of Way Report for 2025/26

• We are a small group continuing to meet occasionally to discuss experiences on the paths. The group have been in touch with Diana’s old contacts on the green spaces team and hope to continue that relationship.
• There are self-closing gates available, and we need to identify best locations to use these. Some landowners have refused the offer.
• Trees in Common Lane felled by a storm were promptly removed by volunteers (Rachel and Jez Hamlin)
• Following a report that Common Lane was in a poor state councillors Childs and Arnold carried out an inspection. They concluded that though the surface of the lane was damaged in places it is still adequate for general use but agreed that there needed to be some clearing of overgrown brambles. This has now been done by members of the ROW group.
• We continue to report broken bridges and stiles online through Dorset Council’s rights of way department. We are aware that there are outstanding issues and would appreciate any feedback especially from the routes presented in the walks guide.
• A few walk guides remain, and a poster requests that any unwanted guides be returned to Halstock shop.

Deborah Childs