MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 15th MARCH 2022, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs K Langdown, R Sorrell, R Brock, R Allcock, M Meaden, H Andrews, L Luxford
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Amanda Crocker
Also present: 3 members of public and James Allen
Public Participation
Winterborne Kingston bus shelter – The bus shelter is in quite a bad state. If there is going to be a new notice board alongside it, it is going to look even worse. The notice board on the bus shelter is no longer used so could be removed. This will be put on the April agenda.
1. Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
22.121 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2. Apologies
22.122 Apologies had been received from Cllr David Knapp and Dorset Cllr Emma Parker (prior meeting).
3. Minutes of the Meeting held on 15th February 2022
22.123 A copy of the minutes had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Sorrell proposed them to be a true and accurate representation of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Brock and agreed unanimously. The Chair signed the minutes in the presence of the meeting.
4. Matters arising from those minutes for report only
22.124 A letter has been sent regarding the green cats’ eyes at the White Post Junction.
5. Dorset Councillors’ Reports
22.125 Cllr Parker was unable to attend the meeting. Her report had been issued with the agenda.
7. Finance
22.126 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
Rejuvenate – Software support – March – BACS101 – 13.56
DC Pension – Pension contributions – March – BACS102 – 148.23
BT – Hub alarm – March – BACS103 – 37.49
DWP – Waste collection – February – BACS104 – 13.20
Water2Business – Cemetery & hub 11.08.21 to 18.02.22 – BACS105 – 313.67
Can I Cut It – Grounds maintenance – BACS106 – 1166.66
A Crocker – Wages – BACS107 – 644.83
HMRC – PAYE – BACS108 – 16.04
The total amount requested from the Precept for the March 2022 is £2,354.04.
It was noted that, as the windows had now been installed at the Hub, the Newglaze payment that had previously been withheld, will now be released.
Cllr Meaden proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Langdown and agreed unanimously.
22.127 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. Cllr Brock raised several queries regarding budget overspends:
Water – budget of £250, actual spend of £748.35 – there had been a water leak in the Hub last summer. In addition, it had been necessary to water the trees on the recreation ground. The water will be monitored monthly to keep a track of usage.
Computer – budget of £100, actual spend of £268.28 – this covers the cost of the new email hosting provider, renewal of the domain name, web hosting and the annual McAfee fee.
Grounds maintenance – no budget, spend of £3,120.37 – this refers to the monthly grass cutting of the recreation ground which was previously unbudgeted plus the cost of the repairs for the fence.
The Hub – budget of £2,000, spend of £7,073.53 – this is largely made up from the purchase of the new windows and is covered by thegrant of £10,000 held in reserves.
22.128 To review the Cemetery fees
It was agreed at the March 2021 meeting that an inflationary increase would be made to the fees each year. The current inflation rate is 5.5% which would mean the cost of a standard burial would increase from £288.75 to £305.
Cllr Meaden proposed that the increased is set at 5.5%. This was seconded by Cllr Allcock and agreed unanimously. The Clerk will adjust the Cemetery Charges accordingly.
22.129 To agree the Clerk’s salary increase as set out by the National Salary Award 2021/22
The National Award had agreed an increase of 1.75%, backdated to 1st April 2021. This would result in the Clerk’s salary increasing by £94.80 per annum and is more than covered by the budget.
Cllr Sorrell proposed that the increase is accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Luxford and agreed unanimously.
ACTION: CLERK
7. To receive reports
22.130 Reports had been received from:
(a) Community Speed Watch – A report had been attached to the agenda. Cllr Andrews reported that the team was present on the 14th March and there appeared to be more speeding vehicles than usual.
(b) Community Hub – The windows have now been fitted. There has been a pest issue, but the contractors are now on top of this.
(c) Flood Watch – James Allen reported that the water levels are average or even lower than average for the time of year.
(d) Play Area Report – Cllr Allcock reported that there is a problem with the grounds maintenance due to the increasing cost of fuel and, from 1st April, red diesel is no longer allowed to be used in the mower. It is estimated that the increase in costs is going to be in the region of £40 a month. The equipment that we had hoped to get to replace the existing play equipment would have proved to be too costly to instal. However, Cllr Allcock is on the lookout for replacement equipment. Cllr Allcock proposed the maintenance of the recreation ground is increased by £40 a month from 1st April. This was seconded by Cllr Langdown and unanimously agreed on the understanding that fuel costs will be monitored – should the price of diesel go down, the cost will also be reduced.
8. To consider Planning Applications
22.131 P/FUL/2021/05761 Westacres, West Street, WK
Change of use of land to equestrian. Remove existing field shelter and replace with a single block of stables, manure clamp. Create new access.
Cllr Brock felt that the proposal would have less impact than what is there at present and he recommended no objection.
P/HOU/2022/01490 Nottings, West Street, WK
Erect timber framed garage. Convert existing garage into annex.
The footprint of the proposal appears to be the same size as the present building. There is a new garage being proposed in the front garden, but it is located behind a hedge so will be unobtrusive. Cllr Brock proposed no objection subject to the annex never being used as a separate unit of accommodation. This was seconded by Cllr Andrews and agreed unanimously.
9. Items for action and resolution
22.132 To consider replacing the Winterborne Kingston notice board
Five quotes had been received and issued to members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Andrews proposed AJG Joinery is used. He is considerably cheaper than all the others, he is a local business and comes highly recommended. This was seconded by Cllr Langdown and agreed unanimously. Cllr Andrews will contact AJG Joinery accordingly.
ACTION: CLLR ANDREWS
22.133 To discuss the future of the Allotment Field
This will be held over to the village meeting.
10, To consider items for the Village Meetings
22.134 Winterborne Zelston’s meeting will be held on Tuesday 12th April and Winterborne Kingston’s is on Tuesday 19th April.
Zelston’s meeting – Laurels, report from the church and village hall, community governance review.
Kingston meeting – Allotment field, Jubilee celebrations.
11. To receive an update on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations
22.135 Zelston – A meeting was to be held on the 1st March and it was decided to have the street party on the Sunday in the afternoon between 2pm and 4pm. Road closure from Botany Bay junction to A31 on the western side.
Kingston – There was a meeting on the 17th February. The WI will be holding tea party on Thursday 2nd June from 2.30pm to 5pm at the village hall. There will be a celebration at the recreation ground with a bar and band on Friday 3rd from 5pm onwards and a street party on Sunday 5th – road closure from 10am until 6pm. Volunteers to help at the functions would be greatly appreciated and sponsors to cover the cost of the events.
The Clerk will arrange the road closures for both villages.
ACTION: CLERK
12. Parish Councillors’ Reports on matters not covered in Item 7
22.136 Cllr Langdown – owners of Haytor Farm need to cut their hedges. He will contact them in the first instance.
Cllr Andrews – village gates are looking very mucky and need cleaning. Cllr Allcock offered to contact the company and find out what they recommend. Colin Pitman said he will be pressure washing them before the end of the month.
13. Correspondence received since the agenda was set
22.137 Nothing to add.
14. Items for the April agenda
22.138 – Winterborne Kingston Bus shelter refurbishment
Members are asked to pass any items for the agenda to the Clerk by the 8th April 2022.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 19th April 2022 at Winterborne Kingston Village Hall, immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19.39pm.