Minutes for the Parish Council meeting 7.30pm on 27th January 2025

Corscombe, Halstock and District Parish Council

Minutes for the Parish Council meeting 7.30pm on
27^th January 2025 

Meeting held at Corscombe Village Hall.

Councillors present: Richard James (RJ). Henry Lovegrove (HL), Nigel Clarke (NC), Roger Hallett (RH), Grant Prior (GP), Richard Fry (RF). David Hallett (DH), Deborah Childs (DC), John White Hamilton (JWH) and Mark Caddick (MC)

8 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 from Parish Councillors Garry Arnold and Helen Sherwood.  Apologies from Dorset Councillor Chris Kippax

Interest declared in item 8 by councillors R. James and D. Hallett 

2. To approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 25^th November 2024 (A) and the Extraordinary Parish Council meeting held on the 18^{th of} December 2024 (B)

Draft 25^th November 2024 minutes – Correction to list of councillors present at the 25^th November 2024 meeting, correction to councillor’s name and additional statement made by Dorset Councillor Chris Kippax “ He is keen to try and ensure he understand the views to be submitted by the Parish Council because that might be helpful to him in reaching his own opinion about an application“. Proposed Cllr. R. Hallett seconded Cllr. Lovegrove approved 10/10

Draft 18^th December 2024 minutes proposed Cllr. Clarke seconded Cllr. Caddick approved 4/4 

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

None 

Public period for comments on issues on the agenda

• Second homes – concerned that this new ruling will apply to Annexes and holiday lets –  see item 14
• Halstock Church Organ, request for donation towards stage 1 repair of organ, to cover treatment of infestation, service, and cleaning.  This  will allow concerts etc to be held to raise money for stage 2 restoration.  Stage 1 has been estimated at £2000 and £1000 has been raised so far.   Stage 2 is estimated at £33,000, organisations such as the National Lottery, Dorset Community Chest and National Churches Trust will be approached for stage 2. –  see item 8
• Parish Council Documents –  Discussed under item 16 

Reports from Dorset Council Councillor and Police Liaison 

Dorset council councillor Chris Kippax –

The Dorset Plan is now a published final document.

New national planning regulations are in place and a training day for Parish and Town Councillors and others is to be held on 4^th March.

There has been much attention given to the subject of devolution to regional strategic authorities. As this is presented by national Government it is a requirement for  every area to submit plans to be part of this new tier of localised authorities. As may be known Dorset has joined with Wiltshire, Somerset and latterly, BCP Council to submit a joint bid. We meet the criteria of having a population of 1.5-2 million people and are making a bid to be an “early adopter” so part of the first phase. 

Decisions about this are due to be announced at the end of this month.  There will be a mayor and it is anticipated elections for this post will take place in May 2026.

As a strategic authority it is expected that there will be responsibility for a range of issues including  

• Transport and local infrastructure
• Skills and employment support
• Housing and strategic planning
• Economic development and regeneration
• Environment and climate change
• Health, wellbeing and public service reform
• Public safety

Progress updates will follow as well as important information regarding the issue of funding.

Cllr. Kippax will shortly be writing to all Ward Clerks and Chairs inviting them to hold a discussion within upcoming Parish Council meetings about establishing a Community Area Forum. It is proposed hat a series of meetings is held over time with representatives of each Parish Council, and also including interested residents, on a range of agreed topics with officers of Dorset Council present to engage in these discussions. 

Police Liaison – monthly surgeries are now to be held on alternate months on a Tuesdays at Halstock Village Hall. 

4. To note the statement of expenditure to date and bank reconciliation (C) and to approve the schedule of payments since the last meeting. (D)

Statement of Expenditure noted proposed Cllr. Lovegrove seconded Cllr. Prior  approved 10/10

Scheduled payments proposed Cllr. Lovegrove seconded Cllr. Prior  approved 10/10

It was noted and approved 10/10 that the list of scheduled payments only needs to be listed from the last meeting rather than the start of the year. 

5. Highways and Rights of Way (Verbal) 

5.1 Damage to road signs update TS

Action: Cllr. Clarke to speak to Dorset highways again  re replacing the damage village nameplate at the bottom of Adam’s Green Hill. 

5.2 Gritting update TS

A request to grit the Yeovil Road that runs from the A37 to the A356 via Halstock was made but as yet there has been no response.  Grit bins have been refilled. 

5.3 Drains update TS

Cllr. R. Hallett success with drains and gully up Barrow Lane.

Cllr. Childs Norwood Lane  drains have been done but they have made the situation worse.

Cllr. White Hamilton has cleared most of the gullies and drains down White Lane  but is still liaising with Dorset Highways regarding further work required.  All residents are encouraged to report blocked drains and gullies to Dorset Council at  https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/report-a-problem-on-the-road-or-pavement 

5.4 SID update TS

Sid posts has now been ordered and awaiting quote for SID.  Sid will be installed by Dorset Highways Community SID Team  .  Many thanks to Halstock Village Trust for their donation of half the costs. 

6. To consider and note planning applications and decisions. (E) TS

Concern raised over possible build near Hickory Lodge.

Concern raised over advert for Magpie Auctions which is showing for April 2025

Action: Clerk to look into and notify enforcement if necessary 

• Enforcement update (verbal) TS

None 

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

Maintenance update re Corscombe playground was noted – no immediate action required but the Agility Trail will require replacement or fully removed at some point as a further unit has broken off and be removed.

Rubber matting has now been replaced.

No further progress on finding a potential location for a Halstock playground. 

8. Halstock Church Organ (Verbal) RJ 

A valid case for a donation of £500 towards the first stage of the Halstock Church Organ repair was made by a representative of the PCC during the period for public comment. This is half of the £1000 they still need to complete stage 1.  The Halstock Village Trust has been approached regarding a donation to cover the remaining £500.  Councillors were receptive to the idea but required further information on the long-term security of the Church before a decision is made.  This will be reviewed at the March meeting if a report covering a 10-year plan for the Church, covering areas such as long-term maintenance costs for the church can be put together by that date.  Action Church Warden and Treasure to email a condition report to the Parish Council.

Proposed Cllr. Lovegrove, seconded Cllr. Fry 8/10 

9. Wessex Water update TS

Concerns have been raised over the eventual removal of the temporary road access to the Wessex Water site during the upgrade.  The clerk has received assurance from Wessex Water that as per the agreed planning application the temporary road will be removed. Landowners would have to put in their own planning permission should they which to use the land after Wessex Water have left.

10. Wessex Internet update TS

Ongoing concern over road closure signage and footpath issues. 

To note Wessex Internet will be coming to Corscombe. 

11. VE Day 80^th Celebrations 8^th May 2025 (Verbal) HL

It was agreed that the Parish Council should purchase four D Day celebration discs for £20.00.  Proposed Cllr. James and seconded Cllr. R. Hallett Approved 8/10 

12. To consider holding public meetings to develop a Climate Action Plan for the parish council area (F) HL

The proposal was met with disapproval from some councillors and after discussion Cllr. Lovegrove withdrew this request. 

13. Sandbags update (Verbal) HL

A bin for sandbags is now in place at Corscombe Village Hall.  Action: Clerk to order 50 filled sandbags and advertise the location to residents. 

14. Council Tax for second homes (G) HL

Concern was raised that this would affect residents who rent out property as holiday lets.  The Dorset Council guidance showed that  the proposed plans for council tax for second homes does not apply in these situations i.e., annexes and holiday lets.  The Parish Council was asked about whether the council should play any role in supporting Dorset Council identify second homes in the parish.  Information noted and the Parish Council voted against any input to Dorset Council although they support the initiative to address the issue of second homes.   

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

Cllr. Lovegrove has attend the Carbon Literacy training and Cllr. Childs will attend in April.  Cllr. Clarke will attend the DAPTC Future Planning Event on the 4^th  of March.

Action: Clerk to clarify programme for the Future Planning Event. 

16. How to manage Parish Council old records (H) TS

Freda Hennessy who was the Clerk for the Parish Council has offered alongside the current Clerk to go through the old documents held at the Corscombe Village Hall to see which documents need to be kept, in-line with current archive guidelines and Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 as well as off historical interest.  All Minutes, Agendas and appendices are already bound and kept by Dorset History Centre except for the last 5+ years which are currently in use and held by the current Clerk for binding.  Action: The Clerk is to report progress at the March Parish Council meeting.

Proposed Cllr John White Hamilton, seconded Roger Hallett approved 10/10 

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

None 

18. Climate and Ecology action to be noted

Cllr. Child to attend the Carbon Literacy Course. 

Dorset Council  has invited parish councils to contribute to their Climate and Nature Survey, Deadline 28^th February.  It was agreed the questionnaire should be completed by Cllr. Lovegrove and Cllr. Child.

Approved 10/10 

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

Action Cllr. Clarke was asked to provide a list of fingerposts in the parish that need repair or renovation.

Action: Clerk was asked to contact DAPTC and reach out to other councils to collect best practice regarding the repair and renovation of finger posts.  To report at the March Parish Council meeting.

Action Clerk to make sure relevant documentation that needs annual review e.g., Assets register, Risk assessment, licences etc is sent out in plenty of time. 

20. Date of next Parish Council meeting will be the 31st of March 2025 at Halstock Village Hall.

Noted 

21. To note new Clerk contact number Tel: 07595598995

Noted 

Meeting closed at 9.30pm 

Appendices available upon request to the Clerk. 

Clerk to the Council: Tessa Safadi, Tel: 07595598995       

Email: CHparishclerk@gmail.com

chdpc.org.uk