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Draft Minutes for the Parish Council meeting 26.1.26
Corscombe, Halstock and District Parish Council
Draft Minutes for the Parish Council meeting
7.30pm on 26th January 2026
Meeting was held at Corscombe Village Hall.
Councillors present: Richard James (RJ), Garry Arnold (GA), Richard Fry (RF), Mark Caddick (MC), David Hallett (DH), Roger Hallett(RH), Deborah Childs (DC), Henry Lovegrove (HL) and Grant Prior (GP)
4 members of the public
The meeting was chaired by Cllr. James
- To receive and accept apologies and declarations of interest.
Apologies were received from Cllr.John White Hamilton and Cllr.Helen Sherwood. Declaration of Interest from Cllr.Gary Arnold re planning issue Beaminster Down
- To approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 24th of November 2025 (A)
Proposed Cllr. Caddick, seconded Cllr. Arnold. Approved 5/5
- To discuss matters arising from the minutes not covered in this Agenda.
None
Public period for comments on issues on the agenda
No members of the public spoke
Reports from Dorset Council Councillor and Police Liaison
Dorset Councillor Chris Kippax
Dorset Councils budget is due to be agreed by full council in February as anticipated there will be a 4.9% increase as required by government to access the grant funding. There will be a three-year financial planning.
The question of devolved services to lower tier councils is under consideration but there is nothing in this budget to suggest Dorset Council will be devolving any particular functions and services to local councils. This will continue to keep this under review until there is some commonality to suggest which services should be devolved. Therefore, there is nothing that will affect the setting of parish council precepts.
The Council will also be considering the paper on public and community transport and infrastructure plans/investment.
Rural ward councils were asked for ideas to improve the opportunities for higher skilled and waged job to help retain young people in the rural areas.
Police liaison
Of concern to the community in the run up to Christmas, were some thefts and non-dwelling burglaries that occurred around the Halstock area. It appears that this was linked to an organised crime group that were targeting farming machinery/power tools across the region. Avon and Somerset Police were managing this (with information and support being shared from the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team) and have made several recent arrests of associates of this group, which has seen activity stop around this area for now. However, we would still urge vigilance and caution around your security and valuables.
On the 31st of December, there was a theft of eggs from an honesty box in Halstock. There are lines of enquiry with CCTV present, so we are currently investigating.
- 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 1.12.25 Gross £2374.65, Net £2313.52
Statement of expenditure to date and bank reconciliation
Proposed Cllr. Arnold, seconded Cllr. James. Approved 9/9
Schedule of payments
Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, seconded Cllr. Arnold. Approved 9/9
- Savings account funds- update (Verbal)
It was agreed that the Clerk should transfer a further £15,000 to the Unity trust Bank Account.
Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, seconded Cllr. James. Approved 9/9
- Parish Council email address – update (Verbal)
The new email account for the Clerk was noted (clerk@chd-pc.gov.uk). All emails have now been migrated across to the new account, and all councillors are now receiving these emails.
All documents will be sent out in pdf form
- To note/receive a maintenance update for the playground and outdoor gym (Verbal)
There are no issues to report in the playground inspection with the exception of the fence between the field and playground needing repair as part of it has collapsed in one corner. An enquiry will be made into who is responsible for repairs.
Action Cllr. Lovegrove to undertake repairs.
It was noted that with the exceptional amount of rain the playground and entrance to the playground have become quite slippery. This situation will be monitored.
- Highways and Rights of Way updates (verbal)
8.1 Fingerpost (D) and signs update
Village name sign Adams Green is still being processed.
Horse riders beware signs Cllr. Fry met with Highways, Ian Styring, and have agreed on 2 signs and locations into and out of Halstock on the Yeovil Road – Ian Styring to look at costs and whether Dorset Council are able to supply and place signs.
Finger post at Higher Halstock Leigh will be the next fingerpost to be renovated once weather permits.
The finger post at West Chelborough was noted as being in need of repair next after Higher Halstock Leigh.
The name “ Chedington” on Fingerpost on the green triangle in Halstock will be corrected and the sign to the church and village hall replaced.
8.2 Noticeboard – replacement of noticeboard near the Fox Inn Corscombe – update (Verbal)
Delivered and awaiting placement.
8.3 Rights of Way (ROW) representative (Verbal)
The new Rights of Way leader is Maxine Balch. Cllr. Childs will be the PC point of contact for the Parish Council.
There are still two self-closing gates available, and the ROW group will look at possible locations. Currently with Ranger.
It was also noted that a section of Common Lane is deteriorating (worse from Corscombe end up to Catharine’s Seat) and that it should be inspected to see what work needs to be carried out by the Parish Council.
Action: Undertake a Common Lane survey, to be completed once weather improves. It will be necessary to bring in a contractor to undertake work identified. Drainage will also need to be considered. Simon Dalton will be asked if he would be willing to undertake the survey and Cllr. Childs will also be involved at this stage.
Note – All original documents from Friends of Common Lane are now kept by Beaminster Museum should we need to refer to them.
8.4 Potholes
It was noted that a section of Common Lane is deteriorating and that it should be inspected to see what work needs to be carried out by the Parish Council.
Large potholes have been reported to Dorset Council on several occasion over the last month. They are on the right going up to Adams Green at bottom of the road opposite the new houses.
Large potholes have been reported over the last month to Dorset Council on Fudge Hill in Corscombe
Potholes and general deterioration of the road in West Chelborough have also been reported to Dorset Council.
Our Dorset Council Cllr. Kippax will meet with Ian Styring, Highways to discuss these. It will be asked if warning signs can be placed at the sites as the potholes are not easily visible when full of water or in the dark and pose a hazard to traffic, pedestrians and horses.
Action: Clerk to follow up on this issue.
Residents are encouraged to report all potholes and other highways issues directly to Dorset Council. https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/report-a-problem-on-the-road-or-pavement
Details such as exact location, depth and width of holes and images are important. Very easy to report online with DC
8.5 damage to salt bin
Damage to the salt bin at the entrance to Dairy House Farm DT2 0PY West Chelborough was noted back in July 20225. It is believed to be due to verge hedge cutting. There has been difficulty reporting this to Dorset council as it is not near enough to a maintained road.
Action: Clerk to order a replacement salt bin and arrange for a refill. Cllr. Lovegrove will replace the bin. £150 was approved by the Parish Council 9/9
8.6 West Chelborough Road issues (verbal)
This is underway with talks with Ian Styring
8.7 Dog poo bins (verbal)
Still under consideration. Decision to be made at the March meeting.
- To consider and note planning applications and decisions. (E)
Planning application and decisions to date were noted and approved 9/9
The Parish Council considered P/LBC/2026/00095
Manor Farm Access Road to Dairy House Farm West Chelborough DT2 0PY
(1) Replacement of 6 windows.
(2) Re-pointing of approximately 30%-40% of the main house, using lime mortar.
(3) Install wood burner to listed barn with the flue pipe to come out of the roof on the non-visible side.
(4) Repairs to roof on the oldest part of the house (northeast elevation).
(5) Install French drains.
It was agreed 9/9 that the Parish Council would support this planning application with an additional note to ensure water from the French drains are directed away from the road.
- Planning notifications (Verbal)
Planning notifications can be found on the Front page of the Parish Council website chdpc.org and are now being posted on Facebook and WhatsApp.
- Enforcement update (Verbal) TS/RJ
Buttercup cottage residents have been emailed and informed of Highways statement that they would need planning application to open a new access to land from a highway C road. At present this issue will be monitored.
- Planning update
The PC is updating its planning policy to reflect best practice.
Proposal Options
- The Parish Council does not comment on planning applications that fall outside the dates of our Bimonthly full Parish Council meetings
- Delegate decision to planning group that meets when needed in the interim month
- Hold a monthly full Parish Council meeting
- Hold an interim planning focussed full Parish Council meeting when needed.
It was agreed that the Parish council would continue to hold its bimonthly full parish council meeting but would also hold, where necessary a monthly meeting to deal with planning applications that fall outside on the full bimonthly meetings. These meetings would only look at planning applications that the parish council want to respond to. These meetings will be open to public and press and fully minuted.
Action: clerk to update the council’s planning policy to reflect these changes.
An updated planning policy will be agreed at the March Parish council meeting. Proposed Cllr. James, seconded Cllr. Lovegrove. Approved 8/9
9.4 Ongoing issues on Beaminster Down
On-going issue have been raised regarding the field shelter being used as a workshop and burning of waste at Beaminster Down. To be followed up.
- To receive and note training update (Verbal)
The Clerk attended the NALC course – The Art of Communication: Navigating tough decisions on the 26th of November.
Several councillor’s will be attending the Dorset Councils Town and Parish Councils Forum “ Planning and Building Control”.
- Correspondence to be discussed and noted. (Verbal)
- Halstock St Juthware and St Mary’s Church roof
Mary Clegg and the Rev. Daniel Ingles presented their concerns regarding the damage to the church roof and broader plans for the church to install a toilet and small Kitchenette so the building can be used more effectively. They are looking at this stage to know if the Parish Council will support them and would consider a donation towards the cost of repairing the roof. The Parish Council supports the church’s effort and will consider a donation once further quotes and funding options have been considered/presented by the church.
- Bus service Update (Verbal)
The bus service is up and running and a timetable has been posted in both Halstock and Corscombe it will run once a week (Friday) to Yeovil and Sherborn.
- Climate and Ecology emergency action to be noted
Cloths swap at the Fox Inn raised awareness of cloths waste. It will be repeated in the spring.
Beaminster area Eco groups talks – the last one was on heat pumps. Do look at the Heat pump podcasts.
A new Member Community cafe has opened up in Beaminster every Monday between 4-6 pm in the Pavilion and you can get a bag of food from Fair share initiative.
Do watch out for Asian Hornets and report sightings.
- To consider urgent matters to report from members and items for the next meeting.
None
The meeting closed at 9.20pm
Date of next Parish Council meeting will be the 30th of March 2026 Halstock Village Hall.
Clerk to the Council: Tessa Safadi, Tel: 07595598995 Email: clerk@chd-pc.gov.uk
Bank Reconciliation
| Bank Statement received 31.10.25 | 45,335.37 | ||||||||||||||||
| Most recent statement 31.12.25 | 32,938.72 | ||||||||||||||||
| Balance brought forward | 45,335.37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenditure through bank statement Payments out Payments in3.11.2518.000.003.11.25151.200.005.11.250164.005.11.2507.2017.11.2542.000.0030.11.256.000.001.12.2518.000.001.12.253.600.001.12.25180.000.001.12.2590.000.001.12.25663.650.001.12.2515.000.009.12.2555.000.009.12.25154.250.009.12.2510,000.000.0015.12.25469.300.0030.12.253.800.0030.12.25692.050.0031.12.256.000.00 Total12,567.85171.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance carried forward | 32,938.72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Savings account as of 14.1.26
| Date | In | Out |
| 9.12.25 | 10,000.00 | |
| Balance | 10,000.00 |
Outstanding expenses not yet showing in bank account – OUT
| Scribe | 18.00 |
| Total | 211.2 |
Outstanding credits not yet showing in bank account – IN
| Total | 171.2 |
Scheduled payments since 1.12.25
| Gross | Net | Vat | ||
| 1.12.25 | Hall hire first aid courses | 15.00 | 15.00 | 0.00 |
| 1.12.25 | Corscombe Playground grass cutting | 90.00 | 75.00 | 15.00 |
| 1.12.25 | Corscombe Playground grass cutting | 180.00 | 150.00 | 30.00 |
| 31.11.25 | Service charge | 6.00 | 6.00 | 0.00 |
| 1.12.25 | November Salary and expenses | 663.65 | 659.60 | 4.05 |
| 1.12.25 | tax Nov Pay | 3.60 | 3.60 | 0.00 |
| 11.12.25 | Chameleon blasting | 55.00 | 55.00 | 0.00 |
| 11.12.25 | R Whittingham | 154.25 | 130.00 | 24.25 |
| 11.12.25 | Scribe | 18.00 | 15.00 | 3.00 |
| 12.12.25 | Normtech | 469.30 | 469.30 | 0.00 |
| 30.12.25 | December pay and expenses | 692.05 | 683.22 | 8.83 |
| 30.12.25 | Tax Dec Pay | 3.80 | 30.80 | 0.00 |
| 31.12.25 | Service charge | 6.00 | 6.00 | 0.00 |
| 2.1.25 | scribe | 18.00 | 15.00 | 3.00 |
| Total | 2374.65 | 2313.52 | 88.13 |
| Annual Expenditure over £100 (2025-26) | ||||
| 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 | ||
| 19.5.25 | DAPTC annual subscription | 574.00 | ||
| Clerks Salary/expenses May | 810.06 | |||
| 8.6.25 | Defib warehouse defibrillator pads | 177.00 | ||
| 12.6.25 | R Darking internal audit | 305.02 | ||
| 3.7.25 | Clerks Salary/expenses June | 735.69 | ||
| 3.8.25 | Clerks’ salary July | 653.80 | ||
| 11.7.25 | P G Holt Corscombe Playground grass cutting | 225.00 | ||
| 14.7.25 | BDO External Auditors | 210.00 | ||
| 2.9.25 | Normtec | 327.48 | ||
| 2.9.25 | Clerks’ salary / expenses August | 733.54 | ||
| 1.10.25 | Clerks’ salary/expenses Sept includes 300 for web rebuild | 1008.14 | ||
| 4.11.25 | Clerks’ salary/expenses Oct includes 50 for donation | 690.16 | ||
| 4.11.25 | P G Holt Corscombe Playground grass cutting | 150.00 | ||
| 4.11.25 | Cloudy IT | 441.58 | ||
| 4.11.25 | Defib warehouse defibrillator pads | 164.00 | ||
| 4.11.25 | salt bin refill x2 | 126.00 | ||
| 1.12.25 | P G Holt Corscombe Playground grass cutting | 150.00 | ||
| 1.12.25 | Clerks’ salary/expenses Nov | 659.60 | ||
| 12.12.25 | lettering etc Finger posts | 469.30 | ||
| 30.12.25 | Clerks’ salary / expenses Dec | 683.22 | ||
| Total | 11186.41 | |||