MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 21st MARCH 2023, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs D Knapp, H Andrews, L Luxford, R Brock, M Meaden, K Langdown
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Alison Clothier
Also present: 5 members of public, Dorset Cllr Emma Parker#
Public Participation
No comments were made.
1 Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
23.172 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2 Apologies
23.173 Apologies had been received from Cllr R Allcock and R Sorrell. The Chair informed the Parish Council that Cllr B Newman had resigned. It was resolved to send a letter of thanks to Cllr Newman for his time on the Parish Council with all in agreement.
Action 1: Clerk to write a letter of thanks to Cllr Newman
3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 21st February 2023.
23.174 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 Andrews and agreed unanimously. The Chair signed the minutes in the presence of the meeting.
4 Matters arising from those minutes for report only
23.175 The Clerk’s Report was circulated in advance of the meeting. Emails had been received from Dorset Council to state that the drains at West Street were cleared and the road closure at Church Street was approved.
5 Dorset Councillors’ Reports
23.176 A copy of the report was circulated before the meeting. Cllr Parker to obtain an update on the repairs to Noah Henville Corner.
6. Finance
23.177 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
Date / Payee / Description / Chq No / Amount
01.03.23 / Rejuvenate / Email hosting March 2023 / BACS115 / £13.56
05.03.23 / BT / Hub alarm – March 2023 / BACS117 / £40.67
06.02.23 / DWP / Waste collection February 2023 / BACS118 / £13.68
14.03.23 / Can I cut it / Topping allotment field tree prep / BACS119 / £330.00
14.03.23 / Can I cut it / Grounds maintenance – March 2023 / BACS120 / £1,190.00
22.02.23 / A Clothier / March 2023 wages / BACS121 / £462.74
22.02.23 / HMRC / PAYE March 2023 / BACS122 / £107.40
22.02.23 / DC Pension Fund / March 2023 pension contributions / BACS123 / £156.31
The total amount requested from the Precept for the month of March is £2314.36
Cllr Meaden proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Brock and agreed unanimously.
23.178 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.
23.179 To review the Cemetery Burial Fees
It was noted that the cemetery fees normally increase with inflation, which is currently around 10%. It was felt that this was a large increase and something in between last year’s increase of 5.5% and the current rate of inflation would be more suitable. Cllr Brock proposed an increase of 7.5% and this was seconded by Cllr Luxford and approved with all in agreement.
23.180 To agree the Clerk’s annual salary increment increase.
The Clerk’s contract states that an increment rise should be considered on an annual basis starting in April 2023. The increase is from SCP 18 to SCP 19 on the 2022/23 NALC National Salary Award. Cllr Meaden proposed this was approved and this was seconded by Cllr Knapp with all in agreement.
7. To receive the following reports
23.181 Speed Watch – Cllr Andrews’ report had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Andrews had attended a conference in Sturminster Newton and was clarifying information about the speed limit of tractors.
23.182 Hub – Cllr Luxford’s report had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. There were no questions.
23.183 Flood Watch – No report. It was clarified that there is a village pump but this wasn’t used in the recent flooding as the hose was not long enough. Quotes to be sought for a longer hose.
Action 2: Cllr Meaden to send the Clerk price details for a hose.
23.184 Play Area and Recreation Ground – No report
8. Planning Applications
23.185 To consider planning applications received
P/PAEL/2023/01591 Land at Rectory Farm Rectory Farm Winterbourne Zelston
Install a 24m lattice mast supporting 3 No. antennas and 2 No. dishes, together with 2 No. ground based cabinets and ancillary development within a compound formed by a stockproof fence.
This application had been discussed as a pre-application in February. There were no objections.
9. Items for action and resolution
23.185 To consider the next step for the Neighbourhood Plan
Cllr Brock’s report was circulated in advance of the meeting. The Neighbourhood Plan meeting took place on Thursday, 9th March at 7pm with Dorset Council in attendance. It was a well attended meeting and the community were very interested in pursuing a Neighbourhood Plan. The next step is to apply to Dorset Council to designate the Neighbourhood Plan area. This would be for the Parishes of Winterborne Kingston and Anderson. Cllr Brock proposed that the application be made to Dorset Council and this was seconded by Cllr Knapp with all in agreement.
Action 3: Cllr Brock to apply for Neighbourhood Plan area designation.
23.186 To consider progress on the Winterborne Kingston bus shelter
Two quotes have been received for the replacement of the bus shelter ranging from £4895-£5295. The insurance company are considering the quotes and will contact the Parish Council shortly with a settlement figure.
23.187 To consider progress on an application for a 20mph zone in Winterborne Kingston
The form for the 20mph application was discussed, in particular the need for the traffic surveys and the community consultation. The traffic surveys cost £250+VAT for the first site and it was queried how big the area could be that the survey would cover. The Community Speed Watch data would cover West Street.
Action 4: Clerk to clarify the area covered by the traffic surveys.
23.188 To receive an update on Allotment Field Tree Planting.
The trees have been delivered and will be planted on the 1st April.
23.189 To consider quotes for a sand store
This is ongoing and will be updated at the next Parish Council meeting.
23.190 To consider the purchase of a new door for Kingston Kiosk.
The door to the phone box has broken and the cost of a new door is £968 + VAT + delivery. The door can be fixed with a new hard wood surround which would cost £280+VAT and £14 for a restraining strap. Cllr Knapp proposed that the hard wood door surround be purchased and this was seconded by Cllr Luxford with all in agreement.
10. To consider items for the village meetings
23.191 The agenda for the Winterborne Zelston village meeting on the 11th April has been drafted, focussing on the way forwards after the separation from the Parish Council. The Winterborne Kingson Village Meeting on the 18th April will focus on the Neighbourhood Plan, tree planting, floods, road repairs and the Coronation.
11 To receive an update on the events to mark the Coronation of King Charles III
23.192 Winterborne Zelston are holding a tea party on Sunday 7th May. In Winterborne Kingston there is party at the Recreation Ground on Saturday 6th May and a street party in Church Street on Sunday 7th May. The WI are looking into an event for Monday 8th May. It has been suggested that the Parish Council purchase two card machines at a cost of £70 to help with this and future events. If it can only be linked to a single bank account then this would be linked to the Parish Council account. The purchase was proposed by Cllr Andrews and seconded by Cllr Meaden with all in agreement.
12. Parish Councillors’ reports not covered by item 7
23.193 Cllr Knapp noted that there are still no green cats eyes at White Post junction. The footpath opposite the Greyhound has not been repaired
Action 5: Clerk to chase National Highways and Simon Hoare MP on action for White Post junction
Action 6: Clerk to chase Rights of Way regarding footpath repair.
23.194 Cllr Langdown noted that the hedge at Haytor is overhanging the road.
Action 7: Clerk to report overhanging hedge to Highways.
23.195 Cllr Andrews had been asked about installing a path to the Hub. It might be possible to look at a grant from Tesco’s for this.
13, Correspondence receive since the agenda was set
23.196 The Clerk had attended a Dorset Council webinar on Electric Vehicle Charging Points. Dorset Council are looking to install a charge point in each village and are looking for nominations for suitable locations. It was considered that this should be referred to the Village Hall Committee.
Action 8: Clerk to speak to Village Hall Committee regarding an Electric Vehicle Charge Point.
14. Items for the April agenda
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19.44