MINUTES OF THE LOWER WINTERBORNE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 16th JANUARY 2024, COMMENCING 7PM, AT WINTERBORNE KINGSTON VILLAGE HALL
Present: Cllrs R Allcock, K Langdown, R Sorrell, M Meaden, B Randall, D Knapp, L Luxford and R Brock
Chair: Cllr R Jessopp
Clerk: Mrs Alison Clothier
Also present: 3 members of public, Dorset Cllr Emma Parker
Public Participation
There were no comments from members of the public.
1 Declaration of Interest and requests for dispensations
24.1 No interests were declared, and no dispensations had been requested.
2 Apologies
24.2 Cllr H Andrews gave their apologies, and these were accepted. Apologies were also received from Mr Allan, the Flood Warden.
3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 21st November 2023.
24.3 A copy of the minutes had been issued to all members prior to the start of the meeting. Cllr Meaden proposed them to be a true and accurate representation of the meeting. This was seconded by Cllr Knapp and agreed unanimously. The Chair signed the minutes in the presence of the meeting.
4 Matters arising from those minutes for report only
24.4 The Clerk’s Report was circulated in advance of the meeting. The tree by the bridge has been examined by Highways and they have decided not to remove this.
5 Dorset Councillors’ Reports
24.5 Noah Henville corner is on the capital programme for 2024/25 along with Wares Close. Councillors asked Cllr Parker to check if Sackville Street is also included in the improvements.
6. Finance
24.6 To confirm payment of accounts
The following payments had been requested:
Payments Requested for December 2023
Date / Payee / Description / Chq No / Amount / Invoice Number
27.11.12 / Alison Clothier / Reimbursement for Survey Monkey package / BACS 217 / £300.00
30.11.23 / Rejuvenate / Remote support for emails / BACS 218 / £48.00 / 22182
01.12.23 / Rejuvenate / Email hosting December2023 / BACS 219 / £14.83 / 22297
05.12.23 / DWP / Waste collection November 2023 / BACS 220 / £14.50 / 2800374510
05.12.23 / BT / Hub alarm – December 2023 / BACS 221 / £46.54 / GP 00115840
12.12.23 / Can I cut it / Grounds maintenance – December 2023, cutting of allotment field / BACS 222 / £2,421.02 / 243
21.12.23 / A Clothier / December 2023 wages / BACS 223 / £492.14
21.12.23 / HMRC / PAYE November 2023 / BACS 224 / £117.00
21.12.23 / DC Pension Fund / November 2023 pension contributions / BACS 225 / £170.28
21.12.23 / Alison Clothier / Reimbursement for blinds for Hub / BACS 226 / £84.90
Total requested from Precept £3,709.21
Payments Requested for January 2024
Date Payee Description Chq No Amount Invoice Number
12.12.23 / Dorset Council / Non Domestic Rate Bill for Hub / BACS 227 / £600.00 / 850051444
29.12.23 / Phillipa Hammond / War Memorial clean / BACS 228 / £531.00
30.12.23 / Winterborne Kingston Village Hall / Room booking – Neighbourhood Plan (December) / BACS 229 / £14.00
01.01.24 / Rejuvenate / Email hosting January 2024 / BACS 230 / £14.83 / 22549
05.01.24 / DWP / Waste collection December 2023 / BACS 231 / £14.50 / 2800381617
04.01.24 / BT / Hub alarm – January 2024 / BACS 232 £/ 46.54 / GP 00115840
10.01.24 / Jurassic Coast Pest Control / Pest Control Services for Hub and for moles at the Recreation Ground / BACS 233 / £768.00 / 6228
11.01.24 / TreeSTuff Ltd / Treeworks as required by tree survey / BACS 234 / £5,892.00 / ts0552
10.01.24 / Can I cut it / Grounds maintenance – January 2024 / BACS 235 / £1,190.00 / 250
12.01.24 / JC Hardy Electrical / Electric Testing at Hub / BACS 236 / £180.00 / INV 0190
17.01.24 / A Clothier / January 2023 wages / BACS 237 / £501.14
17.01.24 / HMRC / PAYE January 2023 / BACS 238 / £117.00
17.01.24 / DC Pension Fund / January 2023 pension contributions / BACS 239 / £170.28
16.01.24 / TreeStuff Ltd / Treeworks as required by tree survey / BACS 240 / £2,550.00 / 553
16.01.24 / Winterborne Kingston Village Hall / Room booking – Neighbourhood Plan (January) / BACS 241 / £14.00
16.01.24 / ICL Web Design / Renewal of domain name / BACS 242 / £28.80 / 817
Total requested from Precept £12,632.09
Three payments were added to the list of payments on the agenda for January and are included in the table above. The total amount requested from the Precept for the month of December is £3709.21 and for January is £12,632.09.
Cllr Knapp raised the issue of the BT Hub alarm bill and asked why this is so high. The Hub would like to have broadband so there may be a possibility of including this within the price.
Action: Clerk to investigate BT Hub Alarm payments.
Cllr Knapp proposed the payments are made. This was seconded by Cllr Brock and agreed unanimously.
24.7 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.
24.8 To agree the budget and Precept for the year 2024/25
Following the meeting of the Finance Committee, the proposed precept alongside the budget sheet were circulated in advance of the meeting. Core costs (Clerk’s salary, insurance etc.) are increasing in line with projected national rises, the IT budget has been increased for a new Parish Council laptop and the Winterborne Kingston Play Area budget has been increased to allow for repairs and replacements. It was highlighted that the separation of Winterborne Zelston from the Parish has led to the core costs being split between the two remaining Parishes, and therefore increased the precept for both these areas. This is a one off increase due to the situation that has arisen this year. The Parish Council noted that they were concerned about the increase but needed to keep the Parish Council’s budget secure. The suggested precept amounts are as follows:
• Winterborne Kingston – Target Precept £38,442.67 – 11.13% increase on Band D equivalent.
• Anderston – Target Precept £2385.29 – 23.08% increase on Band D equivalent.
• Winterborne Zelston – Target Precept £5,150.00 – 5.82% decrease on Band D equivalent.
This is a total proposed precept of £45,977.96. Following the CGR in April 2024, Lower Winterborne Parish Council will collect the precept for Winterborne Zelston until such time as they have established a bank account. Cllr Allcock proposed that the budget and precept was agreed. This was seconded by Cllr Sorrell and agreed unanimously.
24.9 To discuss purchase of new Parish Council laptop
The Clerk highlighted that the Parish Council laptop needs to be replaced as it is very dated, becoming unreliable, and there is a risk of losing the information on there.
Action: Cllr Knapp and Clerk to investigate new laptops and bring a proposal to the next meeting.
7. To receive the following reports
24.10 Speed Watch – there was no report
24.11 Hub – an electrical check has shown up a few issues – costings to be discussed at the next meeting.
• Quotes have been sought for the path as the access to the Hub needs to be made more accessible. The Fire Exit also needs work and a ramp. Cllrs suggested that lighting should be installed on the path. There is £13,000 left in the Hub budget.
• A bill has been received for £600 for the Hub for non-domestic rates. This is due to the Hub being categorised as a nursery and the multiplier has been applied to this rate. This needs to be appealed.
Action: Cllr Jessopp to investigate process of appeal.
24.12 Flood Watch – Simon Hart has been appointed as Deputy Flood Warden. The Flood Plan has been published. Water levels are now receding but Winterborne Kingston came close to a flooding event.
24.13 Play Area and Recreation Ground – the playground inspection is due to take place late January/early February. The brambles at the back of the playground need to be cut back – Cllr Langdown to look at these.
8. Planning Applications
24.14 P/TRC/2024/00216 Springvale Bushes Road, Winterborne Zelston
T1 Poplar – Fell
No comments.
9 Items for Action and Resolution
24.15 To consider progress on the Neighbourhood Plan and to approve terms of reference.
The draft household survey was circulated in advance of the meeting. The next Steering Group meeting will finalise the questionnaire. There were no comments from the Parish Council on the household questionnaire.
24.16 To discuss the Winterborne Kingston bus shelter
The design is being drawn up and it was questioned whether the noticeboard could be incorporated into the design. It was agreed that this was a good idea. The structure will be a brick base with timber sides and a tiled roof – the noticeboard will be on the back. Design to be circulated in time for the next meeting.
24.17 To discuss broken notice board at Anderson
The noticeboard at Anderson was blown down in a recent storm. It was suggested that a quote was sought from the company that the installed the noticeboard at Winterborne Kingston – this will be a single window noticeboard with posts.
Action: Clerk to obtain quote for new noticeboard.
24.18 To discuss the upkeep of Allotment Field
There has been an offer of a significant number of trees for the Field – 60 beech trees and 70 maple trees – which will be planted in March/April. The grant form requires the details of the plans for the project – Clerk to send through the details of the form to the design team.
24.19 To discuss venues for future Parish Council meetings
There was a suggestion that the Parish Council could hold some of the meetings at the Community Hub, once the lighting is put in place. The Village Hall is booked for 2024 but this is something that will be looked into for 2025.
Action: Clerk to put meeting venues on the September agenda.
24.20 To agree quote for new highway sign for Winterborne Zelston.
A quote for the sign for Winterborne Zelston was received at a cost of £786. Cllr Sorrell proposed that this was agreed. This was seconded by Cllr Randall and agreed unanimously.
Action: Clerk to order road sign.
11. To outline timetable for election process
24.21 The Clerk outlined that nomination papers need to be hand delivered by appointment by 5th April 2024. Election day is 2nd May and Councillors need to sign declaration of acceptance of office by 10th May.
Action: Clerk to send out link to nomination forms.
12. To discuss progress on the Community Governance Review
24.22 The proposed precept for Winterborne Zelston was agreed and an action list is being worked through.
11. Parish Councillors’ reports not covered by item 8
24.23 Cllr Knapp – one green cat’s eye is missing from White Post Junction
24.24 Cllr Brock – the speed limit sign on West Street coming into the village is obscured. Cllr Langdown to speak to landowner.
12, Correspondence receive since the agenda was set
24.25 Dorset Council have contacted that Parish Council to find a location for an EV Charge Point in Winterborne Kingston. The Village Hall, Greyhound, and Hub car park were suggested as potential locations. Cllr Brock and Clerk to meet with Dorset Council to discuss.
13. Items for the February agenda
• Hub proposals
• Neighbourhood Plan
• Bus Shelter
• Anderson Noticeboard
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19.46