MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 24th JANUARY 2023, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs D Knapp, H Andrews, L Luxford, M Meaden, Richard Brock, R Allcock, R Sorrell
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Alison Clothier
Also present: 5 members of public
Public Participation
- The King’s Coronation was raised and it was asked whether the public meeting had taken place. This is to be arranged.
- Progress on the damage to the bus shelter was raised – this is to be discussed under the main agenda.
- Members of the public raised the issues with the recent flooding of the village – this will be discussed in full at the February meeting.
1 Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
23.132 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2 Apologies
23.133 Apologies had been received from Cllrs B Newman and Keith Langdown. Dorset Cllr Emma Parker also sent apologies.
3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 15th November 2022
23.134 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 Meaden and agreed unanimously. The Chair signed the minutes in the presence of the meeting
4 Matters arising from those minutes for report only
23.135 Noah Henville Corner – a meeting will be held with the Community Highways Officer to cover this and other highways issues in the village in the week beginning 6th February.
20mph Zone – this will be discussed at a subsequent meeting. Clerk to attend Dorset Council webinar on this topic on 7th February.
5 Dorset Councillors’ Reports
23.136 A copy of the report was circulated before the meeting. There were no comments.
6. Finance
23.137 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
Date / Payee / Description / Chq No / Amount
27.11.22 / W Northey / Grass cutting in Zelston / BACS087 / £1,028.71
01.12.22 / Rejuvenate / Email hosting December 2022 / BACS088 / £13.56
06.12.22 / DWP / Waste collection November 2022 / BACS090 / £13.68
11.12.22 / Can I cut it / Grounds maintenance – December 2022 / BACS091 / £1,190.00
20.12.22 / A Crocker / December 2022 wages / BACS092 / £499.11
20.12.23 / HMRC / PAYE December 2022 / BACS093 / £9.00
20.12.22 / DC Pension Fund / December 2022 pension contributions / BACS094 / £137.50
20.12.22 / A Clothier / December 2022 wages / BACS095 / £453.74
20.12.22 / HMRC / PAYE December 2022 / BACS096 / £107.40
20.12.22 / DC Pension Fund / December 2022 pension contributions / BACS097 / £156.31
Total requested from precept 3609.01
Rejuvenate – Domain renewal – 1 year – BACS098 – £72.00
Rejuvenate – Email hosting January 2023 – BACS099 – £13.56
BT – Hub alarm – January 2023 – BACS100 – £33.53
DWP – Waste collection December 2022 – BACS101 – £13.68
DAPTC – Clerks Conference – BACS102 – £11.25
Can I cut it – Grounds maintenance – January 2023 – BACS103 – £1,190.00
A Crocker – January 2023 wages – BACS104 – £520.11
HMRC – PAYE January 2023 – BACS105 – £9.00
DC Pension Fund – January 2023 pension contributions – BACS106 – £137.50
A Clothier – January 2023 wages – BACS107 – £453.74
HMRC – PAYE January 2023 – BACS108 – £107.40
DC Pension Fund – January 2023 pension contributions – BACS109 – £156.31
A Crocker – Reimbursement for Microsoft Office renewal – BACS110 – £59.99
WK Village Hall – 2023 Room Bookings – BACS111 – £105.55
Mr Neil Legg – Sand and Sandbags – BACS112 – £266.30
Mr Ross Jessopp – Sand Bulk Bag – BACS113 – £198.83
Mrs Helen Andrews – Repair of village hall noticeboard – BACS114 – £13.15
The total amount requested from the Precept for the month of January is £3361.90
Cllrs questioned the payment of the previous Clerk’s wages, and it was explained that this was due to this being paid in arrears. The Microsoft Office subscription is for the Parish Council computer. The emergency purchase of the sand and sand bags due to the flooding were ratified.
Cllr Sorrell proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Meadon and agreed unanimously.
23.138 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.
23.139 To agree the budget and precept for the year 2023/24
The budget and precept spreadsheets were issued to members prior to the meeting. Councillors questioned the rise in precept given that money was held in reserves. The finance committee felt it was appropriate to raise the precept due to increases in the Clerk’s salary and the insurance costs as well as the rise in general costs due to inflation. The total amount requested is £41,222 which represents a 4.41% increase overall in the precept. Cllr Allcock proposed that the budget and precept was agreed. This was seconded by Cllr Luxford and agreed with two abstentions.
7. To receive the following reports
23.140 Speed Watch – Cllr Andrews’ report had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting.
23.141 Hub – Cllr Luxford’s report had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting.
23.142 Flood Watch – The Parish Council noted how well the community had come together to help each other during the recent floods. A more in depth discussion will be held in the February meeting to look at what could be improved upon in terms of the response. The Parish Council will need to replenish the supply of sand and sandbags. The Groundwater level has now dropped and the water is not flowing through West Street. It was suggested that moving forwards a flood risk group is needed. Some residents are purchasing a pump and will investigate EA grants for this. The flooding has left a lot of debris on the road and this will need to be swept up.
Action 1: Clerk to contact Dorset Council to arrange road cleaning.
Four houses were flooded in total. There were flood alerts in place and the flood warden did visit houses to make sure that they were aware. It was felt that flood alerts needed to be communicated better.
23.143 Play Area and Recreation Ground –
there has been a huge increase in dog fouling and options were discussed to deal with this including banning dogs from the Recreation Ground.
Action 2: Clerk to explore a dog ban on the Recreation Ground
23.144 Bus Shelter –
the bus shelter has been damaged by a Damory bus. The bus company insurance is asking for an estimate or for the Parish Council insurance to be involved.
Action 3: Clerk to contact AJG to investigate the appropriate course of action.
8. Planning Applications
23.145 To consider planning applications received
P/FUL/2022/07326 4 Pitcher Close
Erect 1 No. dwelling and create new vehicular access
An objection from a member of the public on this application had been received in relation to flooding issues. The Parish Council had considered this application prior to the meeting due to the consultation period expiring and had agreed they were in support of this application
9. Items for action and resolution
23.146 To consider the next step for the Neighbourhood Plan
A report was circulated on the options for the Neighbourhood Plan. It was concluded that the Parish Council did want to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan with other members of the community and that the boundary of this plan would be amended to exclude Winterborne Zelston. A public meeting will be arranged for the end of February/beginning of March and Dorset Council and Joanne Witherden will be invited to speak.
Action 3: Clerk to contact Dorset Council and Ms Witherden for appropriate dates.
23.147 To consider the request to cut back trees at the rear of Broad Close
A request had been submitted to cut back overhanging branches to a property from a tree belonging to the Parish Council. It was agreed that the resident would be allowed to cut back any overhangingbranches but would need the Chair to visit the property in advance to agree the works.
Action 4: Clerk to contact resident to arrange visit.
10. Parish Councillors’ reports not covered by item 7
23.148 Cllr Andrews – the village hall noticeboard had broken but has now been fixed. The footpath opposite the Greyhound has issues with the surfacing that need repair.
Action 5: Clerk to contact Rights of Way team to report this.
Cllr Andrews queried when the allotment trees were being planted – this will be discussed at the February meeting and will be planted in March. There is a hedge on West Street which is overgrown and obscuring the 30mph sign.
Action 6: Clerk to report overgrown hedge to Highways. Chair to provide a location plan.
11. To consider possible events for the Coronation of King Charles III on 6th May 2023
23.149 In Winterborne Kingston the preparations are underway – any road closures need to be submitted in April. A public meeting will be arranged. The event in Winterborne Zelston has not been organised yet.
12, Correspondence receive since the agenda was set
23.150 The change of external auditors to BDO was noted.
Correspondence had been received from SSE to ask if they could come and talk to the Parish about arrangements for vulnerable people in the event of a power cut.
13. Items for the February agenda
– Flooding
– Allotment Field Trees
– Neighbourhood Plan
– Bus Shelter
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20.07.