MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2021, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs K Langdown, R Sorrell, R Allcock, R Brock, D Knapp, L Luxford
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Amanda Crocker
Also present: 4 members of public and James Allen
Public Participation
An East Street resident expressed concern over the increasing problems with dogs coming into the garden because their owners have let them off the leads whilst walking up the road. Unfortunately, their house is in the 60mph stretch of road so there is very little that can be done regarding signage. It would be up to the homeowner to put up gates or a polite sign.
1. Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
22.074 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2. Apologies
22.075 Apologies had been received from Cllrs Bill Newman and Helen Andrews and Dorset Cllr Emma Parker.
3. Minutes of the Meeting held on 19th October 2021
22.076 A copy of the minutes had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Luxford proposed them to be a true and accurate representation of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Sorrell and agreed unanimously. The Chair signed the minutes in the presence of the meeting.
4. Matters arising from those minutes for report only
22.077 Traffic surveys will be installed in Anderson and on West Street in the near future.
5. To consider the co-option of a Parish Councillor
22.078 It was noted that the Parish Council had been one member short for several years now. Mark Meaden had put his name forward and was invited to introduce himself to the meeting. Cllr Knapp proposed Mark joined the Council. This was seconded by Cllr Luxford and agreed unanimously. Cllr Meaden was invited to join the Parish Council.
6. Dorset Councillors’ Reports
22.078 Cllr Parker was unable to attend the meeting, but her report had been issued with the agenda and is attached as Appendix A to these minutes.
7. Finance
22.079 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
K Langdown – Reimburse postage on SID – BACS066 – 166.19
Rejuvenate – Software support – November 2021 – BACS067 – 13.56
DWP – Waste collection – October 2021 – BACS068 – 13.20
BT – Hub alarm – November 2021 – BACS069 – 37.20
A Crocker – Wages + expenses – BACS070 – 533.15
DC Pension Fund – Pension contributions – November 2021 – BACS071 – 124.33
HMRC – PAYE – BACS072 – .20
Can I Cut It – Grass cutting – BACS073 – 1166.66
Can I Cut It – Play area fence repairs – BACS074 – 1120.45
The total amount requested from the Precept for the month is £3,174.94.
Cllr Brock proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Knapp and agreed unanimously.
22.080 To agree the reconciliation of accounts and position against budget
A copy of both reports had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. No comments were made.
8. To receive reports
22.081 Reports had been received from:
(a) Community Speed Watch – Appendix B.
(b) Community Hub – Appendix C. Cllr Luxford reported that the Mothers’ and Toddlers held a Halloween Party which went very well. They will now be making a booking for a Christmas party. A resident has replaced the pool balls and revamped the pool table. There has been a request for the pool table to be moved to the left-hand side of the building. Some volunteers will be sourced to assist with the move one weekend.
(c) Flood Watch – Appendix D. James Allan reported that the ground water level is starting to go down. He has yet to look at the drains and report any necessary blockages to Highways but will do so in the next few days. The forecast over the next few weeks is dry. There is a possibility of moving the sandbags from Abbots Court farm. Those stored there are in a very poor state. James suggested they should be stored by the Hub – possibly in the old tractor shed – where they can be better maintained. It will be necessary to get a digger in to move the sand. Cllr Jessopp contacted Travis Perkins who said it would cost £200 plus VAT to get 4 ton of sand delivered in 1-ton bags. The farm has said they would move the old sand that is in the barn. The last four signs will be brought round from Orchard Close. Cllr Knapp proposed that the £200 is spent on the purchase of the sand. This was seconded by Cllr Brock and agreed unanimously. Cllr Jessopp will organise this.
(d) Play Area Report – Cllr Allcock reported that the replacement fence around the play area and Hub has now been completed. It was suggested that £800 of the grant money received from Dorset Council for the Hub is transferred to offset the costs. Cllr Allcock is currently applying for a community grant from Dorset Council for a new pathway leading to the Hub. This will make the building accessible for all users as it will be 1.5m wide.
Copies of the reports were included with the agenda and are attached as appendices to these minutes.
9. To consider Planning Applications
22.082 P/HOU/2021/03402 Huish Manor
Form drive and erect garage, double carport and stable block
P/LBC/2021/03403 Huish Manor
Form drive and erect garage, double carport and stable block
Cllr Brock reported that this is developing what was formerly a tennis court and there seemed no reason to object. There is no visual impact to anyone in Huish. Cllr Sorrell proposed the application is support. This was seconded by Cllr Brock and agreed unanimously.
10. Items for action and resolution
22.083 To agree the purchase of new windows for the Hub as set out in the Hub report
Copies of the quotations were included in the Hub report and issued to all member prior to the start of the meeting. The addition of new windows will make the Hub much more user friendly and sort out the damp problem, as well as saving money on the heating bill. Cllr Knapp proposed that Cllr Luxford is given the authority to approach the companies to check the lead times, confirm the quote and the warranty. This was seconded by Cllr Meaden and agreed unanimously. Whilst speaking to the contractors, Cllr Luxford will check the price for a new front door.
ACTION: CLLR LUXFORD
22.084 To consider the quote received for the work to clear the entrance of the Allotment Field
A quote had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. It was thought that the field could be rented out as pony paddocks at about £120 a month. There are three elements to this:
– Clear the entrance lane to the field, cutting back the trees and shrubs. Regardless of what happens to the field, this will need to be done. The quote for this work is £1,125.
– There is the installation of a water pipe to the fields at approximately £6,000.
– The replacement of the boundary fencing and the division of the field to allow for additional paddocks, including two new field gates – this would be in the region of £8,000
Cllr Jessopp suggested the entrance lane is sorted out and the quotes received for the fencing are confirmed. A suggestion has also been received that the area is used as a recreation area for the village, with tree planting as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and a possible dog walking area.
It was noted that the reason the area had been rented at a vastly reduced rate was because the land was to be made available should there be a need for allotments by the village.
Cllr Knapp proposed that we proceed with clearing the access road. Before the next meeting, members are asked to speak to residents to ask what they would like to be seen done with the space. This was seconded by Cllr Meaden and agreed unanimously.
The use of the land will be added to the agenda for the January meeting. The owners of West Acres will be informed that work to the entranceway will be undertaken
11, Parish Councillors’ Reports on matters not covered by Item 7.
22.085 Cllr Knapp asked if the cats’ eyes at white Post could be followed up.
Remembrance Day – a good turnout. Thanks are extended to the volunteers who assisted on the day.
It was pointed out that there are nineteen names on the war memorial but there are only sixteen on the memorial in the church. It is understood that this is because the remaining three were members of one of the Methodist Chapel so probably were not recorded in the church. The Methodist Chapels are now private dwellings. It has been suggested that a plaque is made showing the three missing names with a view to having this put in the Church alongside the existing memorial. Cllr Jessopp will look into this and report back to the next meeting.
ACTION: CLLR JESSOPP
12. To an update on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations
22.086 This will be picked up in the New Year.
13. Correspondence received since the agenda was set
22.087 Nothing received so far.
14. Items for the January agenda
22.088 Members are asked to pass any items for the agenda to the Clerk by the 10th January 2022.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 18th January 2022.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8:35pm.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Appendix A
Dorset Councillor’s Report – November 2021
Funding agreed for SEND Strategy
Dorset Council has agreed £37.5m over the next five years to help deliver its new strategy for children and young people with special needs and disabilities (SEND). The funding will support the new Centre of Excellence, the former St Mary’s school in Shaftesbury, expansion of existing special schools and expansion of facilities in mainstream schools, such as Inclusion Hubs. The aim is to ensure more of Dorset’s SEND children can attend a local school, rather than having to travel great distances, sometimes out of county, to receive the support they need. Independent provision costs about £60,000 per year per pupil whereas provision in one of Dorset’s own schools costs around £22,000.
The SEND Sufficiency Programme will ultimately deliver 100 extra places in Inclusion Hubs in mainstream schools. The new Centre for Excellence will open in 2021/22 with 60 places, rising to 280 places in subsequent years and the expanded Beaucroft Special School will add an additional 75 places by 2022/23.
This is an ambitious plan, but the intention is to provide better support for Dorset’s children and better value for money for taxpayers.
Grant to develop former council office buildings
Dorset Council has been awarded £2.3m following a bid to the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund. The money will be used to enable work on two key sites owned by former District Councils – North Quay in Weymouth and Furzehill in Wimborne. These redundant office sites will be released to create almost 200 new homes, open spaces, community facilities and workspaces, all subject to planning permission. £385K will be set aside for sites in North Dorset. The capital from the sale of these assets will be available to Dorset Council for much needed capital projects.
Meanwhile, South Walks House, the Dorset Council office in Dorchester, is to become an NHS Outpatient Assessment Centre for six months. This initiative will bring a range of outpatient services together under one roof as well as health and wellbeing advice and information services. The SWH centre is part of a Dorset wide Think Big initiative to help reduce waiting times and bring diagnostic services closer to the community and is one of the first of its kind in the country.
Funding to improve insulation
DC has also been awarded £98,000 of Government funding to insulate the most poorly insulated rented homes in Dorset. In the coming months landlords with properties with low EPCs will be invited to apply for grants for improvements such as insulation, solar panels and more efficient boilers.
Green Flag awards
In the Silver Jubilee year of Green Flag Awards Dorset marked its best success with six countryside sites, including The Milldown and Stour Meadows in Blandford, receiving awards. The Green Flag is the international quality mark for well managed parks and open spaces. A tribute to our excellent Ranger service.
Help for self-employed carers
Dorset Council, Community catalysts and HelpAndKindness are working together to support people to set up Micro care businesses – offering advice, training and support promoting their work. Micro providers of care and support are a growing resource in Dorset. They can provide all kinds of help to complement the professional care services offered by larger agencies. Micro providers work within a framework called Doing it Right and are supported to provide high quality service. HelpAndKindness signposts residents and other partners to these independent, self-employed carers who work in the community. More information is available on the Dorset Council website /adult-social-care.
Consultation to shape library services
The Council is holding a consultation, from 25 October to 7 January 2022, into the future of library provision. There are 23 council-run libraries and eight community – managed services. The consultation seeks to look at how the library service can best meet the changing needs of residents. The last review was in 2010 since when there have been significant changes in public behaviour and technology. Following this initial consultation, a draft Strategy will be produced for further consultation in summer 2022. To find the survey go to the DC website and check /lets-talk-libraries. Support is available for those who cannot respond online on the Customer Services line 01305 221000.
Help improve Rights of Way
The Dorset Local Access Forum, an independent statutory body concerned with Public Rights of Way and green spaces, are recruiting for new volunteers. Their work helps improve and keep open public paths and bridleways and they work with a wide range of bodies, including Dorset Council. Anyone interested, especially our own parish council footpath officers, is welcome to contact DLAF directly or through tara.hansford@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.
Budget Pressures
You will have noticed how many of the initiatives reported here rely on grant funding from central government. This is the new funding reality for Local Government, competitive bidding on a project-by-project basis. This has the advantage for government that it directs scarce funding exactly where it is most needed, but it makes planning and budgeting doubly difficult for councils. Dorset Council has a successful record in securing funding, which is just as well given the current and future pressures on the budget. The council is predicting an in-year increase in the gross cost of care services of 7% or £10.3m. This is due to a combination of more people needing care and an increase in the unit cost of care charged by providers of services to the Council. The funding recently promised by government will be welcome, but it is not due until 2023 and there is much uncertainty around it. The Leader of the Council takes every opportunity to lobby Ministers and Dorset MPs on the funding crisis faced across local Government.
Keeping in Touch
As always, there is a mass if useful information on the Dorset Council website. Council meetings, for now still virtual, are live streamed and recorded for the general public to view and agendas and the Cabinet Forward Plan are published in accordance with the regulations.
Appendix B
Community Speedwatch
The Speedwatch team has carried out 5 sessions since the last Parish Council, recording 1348 vehicles with just 14 speeding. We know we make a difference when we’re there as we can see vehicles braking. We had a vehicle overtake another right in front of us doing 52mph but unfortunately didn’t get the numberplate as he was going too fast!!
I wonder if any more thought has been given to contacting our local MP for help to do with Red Post junction. I have been approached by several residents asking if anything can be done and the suggestion has been made of trying to get a 40mph speed limit along that stretch of the road with red road markings warning of a junction.
Cllr Helen Andrews
Appendix C
Community Hub, Winterborne Kingston
I now have all the quotes in for the new windows. Please find my proposal at the end of this report and copies of the quotes available to look at.
Mothers and Toddlers organised a Halloween party and it was a great success, local families with young children enjoyed the afternoon. They are now looking to book for Christmas.
After a discussion with the Mothers’ and Toddlers group, we are looking to move around the middle room of the Hub. Currently we have the pool table on the right-hand side as you go in, with the safe area. They would like to move things around to enable better lighting for when they do their craft activities. So we are on the lookout for a couple of strong people to help us move things on a Saturday/Sunday morning during November if possible.
We are still looking for a replacement fridge, ideally a freebie but we do have a small budget.
There are a few bookings in the diary leading up to Christmas.
Lynn Luxford
Appendix D
Flood Warden’s Report November 2021
Groundwater levels have come up since last month after all the rain we had but we are still 15m down from preparing for any possible localised flooding. Ground water levels are now dropping off and it is unlikely that the Winterborne will start to flow through Winterborne Kingston until groundwater levels go up again. The forecast for the rest of the month is cool and settled with little rain. Further downstream the river may start to come up from the ground at Anderson but only a trickle.
I have contacted Lamorna Taylor from Dorset Council as the new flood warden for Kingston, Muston and Anderson and she has updated their records with my contacts. I have also visited our sand store which is in disrepair at the farm on East Street. The owners are keen for us to move our sand store and I am looking to see if we can put it on our ground by the hub and the shed in the recreation ground.
Rather than try to transport all the split dumpy bags from the farm I discussed with Ross that it may be easier and cheaper to buy five bags and get them delivered at the rec as the farm said they could clean up and dispose of our old store.
I also have the supply of sandbags for us in my shed as well as most of flood signs. I just need to pick up a few more from Graham but they are large so can only do one at a time. They will be stored at my house opposite the village hall on Bere Road. I also need to pick up some high viz jackets still from Graham.
I will cycle round the village this weekend and check all the drains and report any blockages to Highways now we have had a lot of leaves down. Either this month or the start of next month I will go round the five houses which have sump pumps and make sure that they are in working condition.
James Allen