MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2022, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs H Andrews, R Sorrell, K Langdown, R Brock, R Allcock, L Luxford, B Newman
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Amanda Crocker
Also present: 5 members of public
Public Participation
It was noted that the resident of 14 Broad Close would like to put a fence along the edge of his garden, adjacent to Parish Council land. This would involve removing the laurel hedge and reducing the bank alongside the play park and would be a continuation of the fence that runs alongside the property below. A formal communication will be forwarded to the Parish Council.
1 Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
23.076 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2 Apologies
23.077 Apologies had been received from Cllrs Mark Meaden and Dave Knapp (both due to illness), and Dorset Councillor Emma Parker.
3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 19th July 2022
23.078 A copy of the minutes had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Brock proposed them to be a true and accurate representation of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Luxford and agreed unanimously. The Chair signed the minutes in the presence of the meeting.
4 Matters arising from those minutes for report only
23.079 No matters.
5 Dorset Councillors’ Reports
23.080 Cllr Parker was unable to attend the meeting and no report was available.
6. Finance
23.081 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
Rejuvenate – Email hosting August 2022 – BACS041 – 13.56
DWP – Waste collection July 2022 – BACS042 – 13.68
HMRC – PAYE contributions August 2022 – BACS043 – 1.40
DC Pension Fund – Pension contributions August 2022 – BACS044 – 126.50
Can I Cut It – Grounds maintenance August 2022 – BACS045 – 1190.00
Secure Alarms – Annual intruder alarm maintenance – BACS046 – 164.22
A Crocker – August 2022 wages – BACS047 – 456.95
BT – Hub alarm – August 2022 – BACS048 – 41.48
DWP – Waste removal August 2022 – BACS049 – 13.68
DC Pension Fund – Pension contributions September 2022 – BACS050 – 126.50
HMRC – PAYE contributions September 2022 – BACS051 – 1.40
Can I Cut It – Grounds maintenance September 2022 – BACS052 – 1190.00
H Andrews – Batteries for speed camera – BACS053 – 4.49
D Andrews – PAT testing, light repairs – BACS054 – 263.00
L Luxford – Diary, alarm log, receipt book for Hub – BACS055 – 35.71
Water2Business – Cemetery & Hub water 19/2 to 16/8/22 – BACS056 – 311.26
Rejuvenate – Remote support re Outlook – BACS057 – 16.00
Rejuvenate – Domain name renewal – BACS058 – 32.00
BT Hub alarm – September 2022 – BACS059 – 40.67
A Crocker – September 2022 wages – BACS060 – 531.79
Rejuvenate – Email hosting September 2022 – BACS061 – 13.56
S Spiriak – Batteries for defib at Zelston – BACS062 – 192.00
Can I Cut It – Installation of play park posts – BACS063 – 156.00
PKF – External audit report ye 31.03.22 – BACS064 – 240.00
The total amount requested from the Precept for the months of August and September is £5,175.85.
Cllr Luxford proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Brock and agreed unanimously.
23.082 To confirm the reconciliation of accounts and position against budget
A copy of both reports had been issued to members prior to the start of the meeting. No comments were made, or queries raised.
7. To receive the following reports
23.083 Speed Watch – The report was issued with the agenda and is available as Appendix A to these minutes.
23.084 Hub – To consider reinstating the Hub Committee
A full copy of the Hub report is available at Appendix B.
Cllr Luxford reported that several residents have approached her offering to make up a committee to assist with the day to day running of the Hub. Cllr Luxford proposed the Hub Committee is reinstated. This was second by Cllr Allcock and agreed unanimously.
23.085 Flood Watch – A report had been issued with the agenda and is available at Appendix C.
23.086 Play Area and Recreation Ground
(i) To agree the delivery and fixings of a seesaw (gifted) at a cost of £497.92 and installation of £682.00
The seesaw has been given free of charge, all the Parish Council would be paying for is the delivery cost and the installation fee. As the item is given free of charge, it would not be possible to obtain two alternative quotes except to say a new seesaw would cost £1,200. The existing seesaw is now beyond its useful life and will be removed.
(ii) To agree the repairs to the wet pour surface beneath the swings at a cost of £176.00
To buy a bag of rubber and the binder and to have it delivered would be £135. There would then be the labour costs to add.
Cllr Jessopp informed the meeting that the equipment had been offered to the Council and Cllr Allcock had already paid for the delivery cost in order not to lose the equipment.
Cllr Allcock reported that his company is about to refurbish another local play area and there is a piece of equipment that would be reusable. Should the current situation arise again, it was suggested that email could be used so all councillors are made aware of the possibilities and can respond as to whether or not they agree with any potential costs, If the majority are in agreement, the equipment can be purchased, and the cost ratified at the next available meeting.
Cllr Allcock proposed that the seesaw and repair work is undertaken. This was seconded by Cllr Brock and agreed unanimously.
All future purchases will be managed by email in order that no opportunities may be missed.
8. Planning Applications
23.087 To consider planning applications received
P/HOU/2022/05675 Nottings, West Street, Winterborne Kingston – removal of current roof light window; front facing (south) and replacement with flat roof dormer window to match existing dormer
Cllr Jessopp had reviewed the application and recommended it is supported. This was seconded by Cllr Brock and agreed unanimously.
P/FUL/2022/05678 Foxglove Farm, The Street, Winterborne Zelston – erect 1 dwelling with garaging (demolish existing buildings)
The applicant already has planning permission to convert the barn to a residential property. The village felt that they would rather see the proposal than what is currently on the site. Cllr Sorrell proposed the application is supported. This was seconded by Cllr Newman and agreed unanimously.
Ribbonwood Farm New installation of a sewage treatment plant. To consider the extent to which the Parish Council would like to be kept informed
Mr Richard Goss addressed the meeting with regard to installation of a new effluent treatment plant. All the work would take place on private land, but the Management Committee had been told their first port of call should be the Parish Council. However, it was felt that the Parish Council would not need to be involved as this is not a planning application and does not require consultation. The Environment Agency is already involved and all necessary precautions are being observed.
9. Items for action and resolution
23.088 To consider whether or not to produce a Neighbourhood Plan and to determine the boundary
Cllr Brock suggested that the boundary should be the parish boundary, minus the area covered by Zelston. The next step would be to arrange a public meeting and ask Jo Witherden to address the meeting. The Clerk will check her availability for the end of October, beginning of November. Letters will then be sent out and posters put up advertising the meeting.
ACTION: CLERK
23.089 To consider the next steps following the Community Governance Review
Cllrs Sorrell, Newman and Jessopp, together with the Clerk, met with Neil Wedge of DAPTC to consider the way forward now that Dorset Council has confirmed Winterborne Zelston can leave the grouped council in the spring of 2024. Until that date, all decisions will still have to be agreed by the grouped council. There also needs to be work undertaken on the transfer of public funds, transfer of assets and how payments can be made during the interim period. The next stage will be to call a meeting of residents to arrange the setting up of a Village Meeting. Cllrs Sorrell and Newman will organise the meeting. The meeting must include how a Village Meeting will operate, agree the power to precept and determine the make up of any committee.
The meeting will be held as part of the Annual Parish Meeting in April 2023 by which time it is hoped some of the legal requirements will have been determined.
23.090 To confirm the requirements for Remembrance Sunday
This will be taking place on Sunday 13th November. The Clerk will arrange the road closure as in previous years and organise the purchase of three wreaths.
ACTION: CLERK
23.091 To consider a request for a footpath alongside the A31 from Zelston to the new Red Post services
This was raised about 20 years ago but, at the time, could not be justified as there was no evidence of accidents along the stretch of the A31 so was deemed unnecessary. The proposal does have its merits with the new Asda on the site and with the extended opening hours. All the land required is maintained by National Highways.
Cllr Jessopp reminded members that, when the Rights of Way consultation was undertaken within the last year, it was suggested that a cycleway was put along this stretch. No response to the consultation has yet been received but it is understood that the submissions are still under review.
The Clerk will respond accordingly.
ACTION: CLERK
10. Parish Councillors’ reports not covered by item 7
23.092 The dog bins have not been emptied again – this is all the dog bins. The Clerk will put in a complaint to Dorset Council and copy in Cllr Parker.
National Highways – The green eyes at the White Post junction have still not been replaced. The road was closed last week, but, despite being told the Parish Council would be on the statutory consultee list for road closure, we were not informed. The Clerk will follow this up.
ACTION: CLERK
Special thanks are extended to Cllrs Brock and Andrews for the wonderful job they have done on refurbishing the Kingston telephone kiosk.
The hedgehog highways have now been purchased and will be made available in the shop. Information on installation is available from Cllr Langdown.
Allotment field – We have received a grant from the Woodland Trust for 420 trees to be delivered in March 2023 free of charge. Prior to their arrival, a plan of the site will be drawn up and volunteers will be needed to help with the planting. The trees consist of Oak trees, horn beams and maple as well as other native trees. The field will need to be topped in the near future. It is intended that further grants will be applied for to cover the cost of pathways, etc.
Cllr Andrews reported that there may be a bench available as the one outside the village hall might be replaced in the near future.
Bus shelter – Simon Hart has submitted an estimate of between £800 and £1,000 to repaint the shelter and replace one of the panels. Cllr Jessopp will get more information and a report will be submitted to the October meeting. Further quotes will be required.
Noah Henville Corner – nothing to report.
11, Correspondence receive since the agenda was set
23.093 Nothing received.
12. Items for the October agenda
– Neighbourhood Plan
– Review reserves
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20.05
The next meeting will be held on 18th October 2022 at Winterborne Kingston Village Hall, commencing 7pm.
Any items for the agenda should be passed to the Clerk by the 10th October.
Appendix A
Speedwatch
We’ve had 8 sessions since the last Parish Council meeting, recording 2902 vehicles with 26 speeding. I usually have a break during August, but this year decided to carry on and luckily had the volunteers to assist me.
I will be attending a Speedwatch conference at the Police HQ, Winfrith, on October 1st, an all-day event.
Helen Andrews
Appendix B
Hub Report August/September 2022
Mothers and Toddlers have continued to meet throughout the summer period and make use of the space at the hub.
We have a new regular booking for several sessions a week from a local lady who wishes to start Pilates/Yoga classes for all local people. She is also looking at starting a Friday morning session that will include Mums/Dads and young children. This will include activities and play as well as some element of keep fit. These will hopefully be starting the last week of September on a trial basis to see how they go. Looking at making them permanent term time activities in the future.
We have other people interested in using the hub for band practice in the future and this could well become a regular booking
We are always looking at making improvements to the space at the Hub and have decided we have several items that are past there sell by date and take up room we could be using. Colin Pitman has agreed to help us dispose of these soon.
I have been running the hub without a committee for a few years now. The original committee of which I was a member disbanded and this was about the same time as I came on to the Parish Council, so I just took over the bookings and general running. Things are picking up nicely now with bookings and the hub will hopefully be in use several days a week. The time has come to look at putting together a new committee. I could do with the support it would offer for all elements of running the hub as things expand. I already have people interested in joining and helping. I would be looking at setting this up in the next couple of months assuming there are no objections from the PC committee
Lynn Luxford
Appendix C
Flood Watch Report
Very little to report apart from, for the first time in over 20 years we are officially in drought according to the Environment Agency rather than prolonged dry weather. Groundwater levels are very, very, low so it will take a long time to re-charge, and I can see possibly the Winterborne will not start flowing until the spring.
James Allen