MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 17th October 2023, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs R Allcock, K Langdown, B Randall, D Knapp, L Luxford, R Brock and R Sorrell
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Alison Clothier
Also present: 5 members of public, Dorset Cllr Emma Parker
Public Participation
A resident reported that there is foul smelling water under the bridge at East Street and there are concerns that it is a leakage. Cllr Jessopp to investigate.
The dead Elm trees reported on the A31 were raised and the Clerk will provide the member of the public with an update.
A resident of Winterborne Zelston asked for a sign to be installed in the village saying ‘Local Traffic Only’ to prevent drivers going to wrong way to the A31. This has been an issue raised before but no progress was made.
Action: Clerk to contact Dorset Highways for a quote for the signs.
1 Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
23.322 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2 Apologies
23.323 Cllrs H Andrews and M Meaden gave their apologies, and these were accepted.
3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 19th September 2023.
23.324 A copy of the minutes had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Knapp proposed them to be a true and accurate representation of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Randall and agreed unanimously. The Chair signed the minutes in the presence of the meeting.
4 Matters arising from those minutes for report only
23.325 The Clerk’s Report was circulated in advance of the meeting. It was reported that the cat’s eyes on the A31 White Post junction have been replaced.
5 Dorset Councillors’ Reports
23.326 The Household support fund will open in November. There is a consultation on Polling Stations to be completed.
6. Finance
23.327 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
Payments Requested for October 2023
Date / Payee / Description / Chq No / Amount / Invoice Number
20.09.23 / Alison Clothier / Reimbursement for poppy wreaths and silent soldiers / BACS192 / £429.96
01.10.23 / Rejuvenate / Email hosting October 2023 / BACS193 / £14.83 / 21695
04.10.23 / DWP / Waste collection September 2023 / BACS194 / £14.50 / 28003637513
04.10.23 / BT / Hub alarm – October2023 / BACS195 / £46.54 / GP 00115840
04.10.23 / Sutcliffe Play South West / Replacement Playhouse Panels / BACS196 / £1,350.00 / 6973
10.10.23 / Gallagher / Insurance cover November 2023-November 2024 / BACS197 / £1,613.52 / 2214482
10.10.23 / DAPTC / Clerks Conference / BACS198 / £22.50 / 1512
14.10.23 / Can I cut it / Grounds maintenance – October 2023, supply and build sand store, waste removal, play park house refurb and pressure washing / BACS199 / £4,642.00 / 232
20.10.23 / A Clothier / October 2023 wages and expenses including supplies for Hub / BACS200 / £521.69
20.10.23 / HMRC / PAYE October 2023 / BACS201 / £109.40
20.10.23 / DC Pension Fund / October 2023 pension contributions / BACS202 / £159.28
Total requested from Precept £8,924.22
The total amount requested from the Precept for the month of October is £8,924.22. The money for the soldiers was queried and it was confirmed that half will be paid by a member of the public.
Cllr Sorrell proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Luxford and agreed unanimously.
23.328 To confirm the reconciliation of accounts, income and position against budget
A copy the reports had been issued to members prior to the start of the meeting. No comments were made, or queries raised.
23.329 To approve the insurance quote for 2024
The insurance premium this year is higher than last year (£1613 increased from £1354) but the Parish Council have updated values on the play area, Hub, War Memorial and IT equipment. There is £1,800 in the budget for insurance for this year. Cllr Sorrell proposed that this was accepted and this was seconded by Cllr Knapp and agreed unanimously.
23.330 To arrange a meeting date for the Finance Working Group.
Clerk to email dates potential dates for November.
7. To receive the following reports
23.331 Speed Watch – a report was circulated in advance of the meeting.
23.332 Hub – A sign will installed on the door of the Hub to let people know the name of the building.
23.333 Flood Watch – The EA are holding sessions on Groundwater Flooding in Milborne St Andrew and Puddletown. It was suggested that sand was ordered for the sand store and it was agreed that £700 would be moved from general reserves to cover this.
23.334 Play Area and Recreation Ground – works are in progress and the inspection will take place in November.
8. Planning Applications
23.335 P/FUL/2023/04079 Thorpe Farm Bungalow, Marsh Lane, Winterborne Kingston, DT11 9BN
Erection of replacement dwelling (demolition of existing dwelling)
No Objection
9. Licencing Applications
23.336 Asda Express, Winterborne Zelston
Cllr Parker gave a full explanation of the application which just applies to the Asda building and is for alcohol and late night refreshment. The late night refreshment licence is needed for the coffee machine. The Police have recommended a condition in relation to the sale of alcohol. It was clarified that this would not apply to the café building.
Concerns were raised regarding public nuisance, particularly in the car park behind the cafe. This may be exacerbated by the sale of alcohol for 24 hours on the site. It was proposed that an objection to the application is submitted on this basis – this was put forward by Cllr Sorrell and seconded by Cllr Randall with all in agreement.
9 Items for Action and Resolution
23.337 To consider progress on the Neighbourhood Plan and to approve terms of reference.
A first meeting of the Steering Group has taken place, and this was well attended. The next stage is to submit a grant request and to conduct a community consultation. It was suggested that the minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan meetings were sent to all Parish Councillors. Cllr Brock proposed that the Terms of Reference were adopted and this was seconded by Cllr Allcock with all in agreement.
23.338 To approve a quote for the clean of the War Memorial.
A quote had been received at a cost of £531 for a full clean of the memorial. Cllr Jessopp proposed that the quote was accepted and this was seconded by Cllr Knapp. Clerk to ask if this can be completed before Remembrance Sunday and if not to leave this until after this date.
23.339 To discuss the Winterborne Kingston bus shelter
This was deferred to the November meeting.
23.340 To update on the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday
The road closure has been approved. There was a discussion about signage and it was concluded that additional plastic signs are needed to put up in advance to warn of the road closure. A group of volunteers has been arranged to marshal the service. The silent soldiers have arrived and will be installed.
Action: Clerk to purchase plastic signs to say ‘Road Closed for Remembrance Sunday between 10.50am and 11.10am.’
23.341 To consider progress on the 20mph application
The survey is live and forms have been put in locations around the village and a link has been put on Facebook.
23.342 To consider works to Parish Council trees
Five quotes have been received for the works to Parish Council trees which are as follows:
Quote 1: £13,000; Quote 2: £10,450; Quote 3: £7,670; Quote 4: £8,360 and Quote 5: £5,935. It was noted that Quote 5 may increase by £200-£300 due to some extra work needed but will still be the cheapest quote even with this addition. Cllr Jessopp proposed that Quote 5 was accepted and this was seconded by Cllr Kapp with all in agreement.
23.343 To discuss the upkeep of Allotment Field
Mr Pitman had looked at the field and recommended that it is topped this year at a cost of around £330. Moving forwards, it will cost an estimated £2,330 p.a to be maintained. It was agreed that it will be topped this year and the future costs will be investigated.
23.344 To consider a memorial bench for the Recreation Ground
A request has been received from a member of the public regarding installing a memorial bench in the top corner of the Recreation Ground. The Parish Council was in favour of the principle of the proposal but considered that the quality of the bench would need to be agreed by the Council as it would come under their insurance.
Action: Clerk to look into Memorial Bench policy and bench suggestions.
10. To discuss progress on the Community Governance Review
23.345 A meeting was held attended by Cllr Jessopp, Cllr Meaden, Cllr Sorrell, Cllr Randall, the Clerk and Mr Wedge from the DAPTC. This has clarified the process of split and setting the precept for 2024/25. Cllr Sorrell is looking into a bank account for Winterborne Zelston and the next village meeting will be on 8th November.
11. Parish Councillors’ reports not covered by item 8
12, Correspondence receive since the agenda was set
23.346 It was noted that the Riparian land owner letters have been sent out.
13. Items for the November agenda
- Neighbourhood Plan
- 20 mph zone
- Upkeep of allotment field
- Bus Shelter
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19.59