BROADMAYNE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN BROADMAYNE METHODIST CHURCH HALL ON 9 JANUARY 2023

Present

Cllrs S Diamond, K Ellis, S Hawkins, P Lamb, C Lawley, R Macer-Wright, and S Toogood.

In attendance

Dr J Davis (Clerk) and six members of the public.

Apologies for absence
23/1

An apology for absence has been received from Dorset Cllr Tarr.

Declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations
23/2

All seven Parish Councillors, having disclosable pecuniary interests, namely owning property within the parish, had previously made written applications to the Clerk, seeking dispensations, under section 31(4) of the Localism Act 2011, to allow them to speak and vote in respect of the setting of the Council’s budget and precept (minute 23/7(b)). The Parish Council resolved to grant these dispensations, valid for each councillor’s term of office (see minutes 19/138, 21/119 and 22/139), otherwise the number of persons prohibited from participating in those discussions would be such as to impede the transaction of the business.

Minutes of meeting held on 5 December 2022
23/3

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.

Planning and Tree Matters
23/4

(a) Consultations P/OUT/2022/05903—19A Knighton Lane: erection of 4 detached bungalows. The Parish Council considered this outline application and, after discussion, resolved not to object to this new application for the site, previous concerns about the height of the proposed dwellings and over-development of the site having been met. However, a comment would be made about inaccuracies in the Planning Statement relating to facilities available in the village.

(b) Revised TPO protocol The Parish Council considered a revised protocol for the processing of applications for works on trees which are the subject of TPOs and, after discussion, resolved to adopt it.

(c) Any planning matters received after publication of the agenda The Parish Council noted a statement from Dorset Council setting out their updated position on nutrient neutrality, following amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill and advice from Natural England. Dorset Council could no longer agree planning consents through the use of pre-commencement conditions and discussions were ongoing with Natural England about how to grant planning permissions whilst meeting statutory requirements surrounding nutrient neutrality in Poole Harbour.

Public Participation
23/5

A member of the public raised concerns about gravel and other debris regularly being deposited on Chalky Road, on the bend by Martel Close and possibly emanating from South Drove. The Clerk would again raise this issue with the Community Highways Officer at Dorset Council.

Reports
23/6

There were no relevant reports from related organisations.

Financial Matters
23/7

(a) The Clerk had prepared the January financial statement, showing the receipts and payments since the last meeting. It was proposed by Cllr Toogood, seconded by Cllr Lamb, and RESOLVED to approve the following payments:

Payments already made

Wessex Grounds Services (3rd quarter) £1,031.56
DAPTC (training for Cllr Hawkins) £ 49.00
Morelock Signs Ltd. (new SID) £3,192.00

Payments to be made

Dorset Council (“stickers” for Remembrance Sunday signage) £ 25.00
Eyelid Productions Ltd (website hosting/support) £ 170.00

(b) Draft budget for 2023-24 The Clerk reported that she had made the amendments discussed at minute 22/134(c). After further discussion, and noting that, given the council tax base rate, the modest increase in the precept would mean a £1.54 (3.09%) increase in the Band D council tax, it was proposed by Cllr Lawley, seconded by Cllr Ellis, and RESOLVED to adopt the draft budget, with the precept set at £28,000.

Application for 20 mph speed limit
23/8

Following investigations of a means of allowing residents to register their views on a 20 mph speed limit on-line, as well as providing a traditional paper form, it was agreed to proceed with the residents’ survey, with a closing date for responses two and a half weeks after circulation.

Other matters of report
23/9

The Clerk reported on the following matters:
(a) New entrance gates progress report Payment for the gates had been made. A date for their installation was awaited from Dorset Council.
(b) SIDs The additional SID, for deployment in Knighton Lane and Chalky Road, had been ordered and delivery and installation were awaited. Unfortunately, the existing SID, deployed on the A352, had been stolen from the western end of the village over the Christmas period. The matter had been reported to the police and the insurance company. The Dorset Council SID team said this was an unheard of event. The insurers had confirmed reimbursement of the cost of a replacement device, less VAT (which the Parish Council could reclaim) and the excess payment of £250.
(c) Review of grass and hedge cutting contract The existing contract details were being reviewed and quotations from contractors, in addition to the existing contract holder, would be sought.

Matter received after the publication of the agenda
23/10

The Clerk had received a message from Chris Loder MP, saying that he was keen to attend as many annual parish meetings in his constituency as possible and asking if he could attend the next annual parish meeting in Broadmayne. After discussion it was agreed to invite him to the meeting on 15 May, and to give consideration to specific issues which he could be asked to address.

Date of next meeting
23/11

The next meeting would take place on Monday 6 February 2023 in the Methodist Church Hall, unless otherwise advised.