MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 18th June 2024, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs R Allcock, M Meaden, D Knapp, M Meaden, K Langdown, L Luxford, H Andrews, Cllr S Hart
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Alison Clothier
Also present: 5 members of public
Public Participation
• The street sign on Noah Henville corner is eroded and pealing off. The notice on the footpath between the two bridges is looking scruffy – it was asked if the Parish Council can replace this.
1 Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
24.117 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2 Apologies
24.118 Cllr Emma Parker gave her apologies.
3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 21st May 2024.
24.119 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 Co-Option of New Parish Councillor for Winterborne Kingston
24.120 One application has been received for the vacancy. Cllr Knapp proposed that Mr Hart was voted onto the Parish Council and this was seconded by Cllr Luxford with all in agreement. Cllr Hart joined the Parish Council.
5 Matters arising from those minutes for report only
24.121 The Clerk’s Report was circulated in advance of the meeting. Clerk to go back to Sovereign to say grass cutting at Broad Close was not good enough. In relation to the Barclays Charge Card, Cllr Jessopp and Cllr Allcock to go ahead with the credit check.
6 Dorset Councillors’ Reports
24.122 There was no report
7. Finance
24.123 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
One payment for Barker Fox Associates was added at the meeting and is included in the above table. The total amount requested from the Precept for the month of June is £2,765.61.
Cllr Meaden proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Luxford and agreed unanimously.
24.124 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.
24.125 To receive the Internal Auditor’s Report
The report was circulated in advance of the meeting. It was noted that this was a positive report and that the auditor is able to offer substantial assurance as the areas reviewed were found to be adequately controlled. The recommendations were looked at, most of which have already been actioned. The ear marked reserves will be looked at in more detail at the end of the year.
24.126 To approve the conflict of interest statement with BDO
Councillors were asked whether there was any conflicts of interest to declare with BDO, the external auditor. No interests were declared and the confirmation was signed.
24.127 To approve the Annual Governance Statement for the year ended 31st March 2024
A copy had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Andrews proposed that the Annual Governance Statement is accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Langdown and agreed unanimously. The Statement was then signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
24.128 To approve the Accounting Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024
A copy of the full set of accounts had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Knapp proposed the accounts are accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Meaden and agreed unanimously. The Accounting Statement was then signed by the Chairman.
24.129 To confirm the period for the Exercise of Public Rights
Due to the availability of the website administration the Exercise of Public Rights will commence on
Tuesday 25th June 2024 and end on Monday 5th August.
8. To receive the following reports
24.130 Speed Watch – It was questioned whether the reports needed to be submitted and it was concluded that if there is something to report then this will be useful.
24.131 Hub –
o DBS/Safeguarding – Safeguarding Policy is now in place. It was suggested if there were any events where parents left the children then DBS checks should be carried out. It was agreed that the Cllr Knapp would investigate the cost of enhanced DBS checks.
o Rates Appeal – there has been no update
o Footpath – if the Hub is being considered for meetings then the path will not be suitable. The Parish Council are still waiting for quotes.
o Alarm – the telephone line can now be cancelled.
24.132 Flood Watch – nothing to report. The drains have been cleared recently.
24.133 Play Area and Recreation Ground – fencing is completed. The gate does not shut at present so this is going to be fixed. Clerk to write to residents of Broad Close about garden waste being left on the path to the rear.
9. Planning Applications
24.134 P/VOC/2024/02988 Thorpe Farm Bungalow, Marsh Lane, Winterborne Kingston
Erection of replacement dwelling (demolition of existing dwelling) (with variation of condition 2 of planning permission P/FUL/2023/04079 to amend approved plans)
The Parish Council Support this application
24.135 P/RES/2024/03008 Thorpe Farm Marsh Lane Winterborne Kingston Dorset DT11 9BN
Demolition of existing buildings and the residential development of up to 4no. dwellings, including access (reserved matters application to determine appearance, landscaping, layout & scale following the grant of outline planning permission number P/OUT/2023/00473)
No objection but note that the Parish Council would prefer more smaller, family orientated dwellings on this site. This was proposed by Cllr Jessopp and seconded by Cllr Knapp with all in agreement.
10 Items for Action and Resolution
24.136 To consider progress on the Neighbourhood Plan – household survey
The Steering Group are currently analysing the results of the household survey
24.137 To discuss the Winterborne Kingston bus shelter
Three quotations were received: Quote 1 £4,500, Quote 2 £5230, Quote 3 £5200 – Quote 1 is a brick and cedar shelter with the noticeboard attached. The insurance payment was £4,095 so this more in line Quote 1, who is also a local supplier. The proposal to move forwards with Quote 1 was proposed by Cllr Meaden and seconded by Cllr Andrews with all in agreement.
24.138 To discuss bramble bush upkeep on Parish Council land
This arose after the public participation session in May as the Councillors had not been able to discuss this at that meeting, due to it not being an agenda item. It was suggested that in future the brambles were cut back rather than sprayed. The public will be asked to help do this – a few members of the public can form a working party. If the work is not completed then the spraying will take place. The Parish Council do not spray very often – the ethos is normally to cut back. It was suggested that it would be better to make the public aware of what the Parish Council policy is on spraying.
Action: Clerk to diary an agenda item for February to form a working party.
Action: Cllr Jessopp to publish policy on spraying in Parish Magazine.
11. Parish Councillors’ reports not covered by item 8
24.139 Cllr Andrews – Bridleways – Bagwood Lane is getting very overgrown towards the top. It was queried what the next steps will be on the 20mph zone – Clerk to chase progress on this.
Action: Cllr Jessopp to report to Rights of Way.
Action: Clerk to chase progress on 20mph zone application.
24.140 Cllr Knapp – Noah Henville Corner – at the Sackville Street end the hedge is overgrown.
Action: Clerk to ask resident to cut the hedge back.
24.141 Cllr Meaden – Andersen noticeboard has keys but it was suggested that the company could be asked if they could replace these with a latch.
Action: Clerk to contact Greenbarne regarding latch for noticeboard.
24.142 Cllr Luxford – the Hub area is updated on the Parish Council website.
12. Correspondence receive since the agenda was set
• Dorset Council want to look at EV charge point at the Village Hall – Clerk to liaise with the Hall committee
13. Items for the July agenda
• Footpath
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19.44