MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2023, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs H Andrews, M Meaden, B Randall, D Knapp, L Luxford and R Brock
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Alison Clothier
Also present: 5 members of public, Dorset Cllr Emma Parker
Public Participation
A resident enquired about the process of buying a memorial bench for the Allotment Field – this is on the main agenda.
A resident asked about progress for Noah Henville Corner and works to the tree by the bridge – Clerk to chase with Dorset Council.
Action: Clerk to contact Dorset Highways for an update on Noah Henville Corner and the tree.
1 Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
23.347 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2 Apologies
23.348 Cllrs R Allcock, K Langdown and R Sorrell gave their apologies, and these were accepted.
3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th October 2023.
23.349 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
23.350 The Clerk’s Report was circulated in advance of the meeting. It was reported that the meeting between Cllr Sorrell and Dorset Council regarding the Winterborne Zelston signs has been arranged. Photos of the footpath by the Greyhound were requested.
5 Dorset Councillors’ Reports
23.351 The Asda licensing committee had taken place – no members of the public attended. It was noted that the Parish Council had withdrawn their objections following negotiations with the sale of alcohol hours.
6. Finance
23.352 To note the National Pay Award for Clerks giving a £1 an hour increase, back dated to 1st April 2023
This was duly noted
23.353 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
Payments Requested for November 2023
Date / Payee / Description / Chq No / Amount / Invoice Number
18.10.23 / Cheap Printing Dorset / Remembrance Signs / BACS 203 / £86.40 / 1185641
29.10.23 / WK Village Hall / 2024 Room Bookings / BACS 204 / £132.50
01.11.23 / Rejuvenate / Email hosting November 2023 / BACS 205 / £14.83 / 22003
03.11.23 / DWP / Waste collection October 2023 / BACS 206 / £14.50 / 2800371135
04.11.23 / BT / Hub alarm – November 2023 / BACS 207 / £46.54 / GP 00115840
09.11.23 / Sutcliffe Play South West / Delivery charge for slide / BACS 208 / £240.00 / 6995
09.11.23 / Mark Robbins Carpets and Beds / Hub carpet fitting / BACS 209 / £1,672.00 / 69686
14.11.23 / Can I cut it / Grounds maintenance – November 2023, playground repairs / BACS 210 / £1,929.02 /
239
20.11.23 / A Clothier / November 2023 wages, including back pay, and expenses including supplies for Hub / BACS 211 / £765.35
20.11.23 / HMRC / PAYE November 2023 / BACS 212 / £170.00
20.11.23 / DC Pension Fund / November 2023 pension contributions / BACS 213 / £247.28
16.11.23 / Alison Clothier / Reimbursement for Hub supplies including paper towels, paint and cleaning spray / BACS214 / 58.96
16.11.23 / AG Jessopp Ltd / Sand and sandbags / BACS215 / 588.11
16.11.23 / Lynn Luxford / Hub printing – paper and ink cartridge / BACS216 / 22.93
Total requested from Precept £5988.42
Three payments were added to the list of payments on the agenda and are included in the table above. The total amount requested from the Precept for the month of November is £5988.42.
Cllr Meaden proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Luxford and agreed unanimously.
23.354 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.
7. To receive the following reports
23.355 Speed Watch – the group are loosing volunteers and have limited by the weather. Despite this 5 people have been caught speeding on West Street. Cllr Andrews now has a voluntary role with the Police, within the Speedwatch team.
23.356 Hub – there has been a good response to the youth events and a couple of Christmas parties are planned. It was queried whether there was a committee and this was confirmed to be the case. The next project is a path to the Hub which will be brought to the January meeting.
23.357 Flood Watch – the sandstore is complete and the sand has been delivered. The hose for the pump is being stored with the flood warden. The clearing of drains has been requested. The Parish Council has flood signs to put out in the event of a flood. It was noted that the Flood Plan has not been circulated, however all the practical actions to prepare for the flood have been completed.
Action: Clerk to chase flood warden for the Flood Plan.
23.358 Play Area and Recreation Ground – no update
8. Planning Applications
23.359 P/FUL/2023/02516 Building South Of Botany Bay Inne Brook Farm A31 Main Road Winterborne Zelston
Erect 1 No. dwelling (remove mobile home)
The Parish Council SUPPORT this application
23.360 P/HOU/2023/04648 Fairways The Street Winterborne Zelston DT11 9EU
Convert existing ground floor pool room into bedrooms, raise the ridge of the roof and convert loft space to form bedroom, install three dormer windows and rooflights
The Parish Council SUPPORT this application
9 Items for Action and Resolution
23.361 To consider progress on the Neighbourhood Plan and to approve terms of reference.
Requests for quotes for Neighbourhood Plan support were sent to four planning consultants. Three declined to quote and one quote was received from an experienced planning consultant in Dorset. The Steering Group invited this consultant to a Steering Group meeting and the recommendation from the Group is that this consultant is appointed to assist with the Neighbourhood Plan. The Group will need to apply for a Government grant to cover all the expenses for the Neighbourhood Plan. The total to be applied for this year will be £3,349 which includes £2,538 consultant fees. The first stage of process will be a household survey and a draft of this was circulated before the meeting. Cllr Brock proposed that Ms Witherden was appointed, the Neighbourhood Plan grant was applied for, and that the household survey was finalised by the Steering Group and sent out, this was seconded by Cllr Meaden with all in agreement.
23.362 To discuss the Winterborne Kingston bus shelter
It was confirmed that the new bus shelter did not need planning permission. A design will be finalised and brought to the January meeting.
23.363 To consider progress on the 20mph application
The survey deadline is 30th November and there have been over 60 responses so far. It was agreed that the application should be completed in December and sent to Dorset Council.
Action: Clerk to complete 20mph application.
23.364 To discuss the upkeep of Allotment Field
A detailed discussion about the future maintenance of the Allotment Field took place. In the short term the field will be topped and the paths cut. More trees need to be purchased and it was agreed that the Clerk should apply to Dorset Council for a tree grant.
Action: Clerk to apply to Dorset Council for a tree grant
The memorial benches were discussed and these will need to be marked on the plan to ensure they are located in the correct place. Fundraising opportunities were discussed with the possibility for a summer event to raise money for the site. A small committee will meet to look at the plan and to propose locations for memorial trees and benches.
23.365 To confirm the Standing Orders
The Standing Orders were circulated in advance of the meeting. No changes were proposed. Cllr Brock proposed that these were adopted, and this was seconded by Cllr Knapp with all in agreement.
23.366 To approve Memorial Bench Policy
A draft Memorial Bench Policy was circulated in advance of the meeting. The purpose of this is to ensure that memorial benches are of a standard fit for public use. The maintenance of the benches will be met by the Parish Council. Cllr Knapp proposed that the policy was adopted and this was seconded by Cllr Meaden with all in agreement.
10. To discuss progress on the Community Governance Review
23.367 A meeting of Winterborne Zelston residents was held in November and a document has been drafted to outline the process so that everyone is informed. The initial tasks are setting up a bank account and insurance. The Clerk had tried to assist with setting up a bank account however it has been concluded that the separation will have to take place before a bank account can be set up in the name of Winterborne Zelston Parish. Lower Winterborne will therefore hold the funds for Winterborne Zelston and collect the first tranche of the precept. The proposal is that Winterborne Zelston will take their earmarked reserves as well as a proportion (around 17%) of the general reserves. This will be clarified once the tax base figures are released.
11. Parish Councillors’ reports not covered by item 8
23.368 Cllr Andrews – the lamppost poppies will be taken down shortly.
12, Correspondence receive since the agenda was set
23.369 The war memorial clean will take place the week beginning 27th November.
13. Items for the January agenda
• Precept
• Hub proposals
• Neighbourhood Plan
• 20 mph zone
• Upkeep of allotment field
• Bus Shelter
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19.59