BROADMAYNE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE METHODIST CHURCH HALL
ON 13th APRIL 2026
Present
Cllrs R Macer-Wright, T Byrne, B Eason, K Ellis, A Evans, T Larkin and D Lewis.
Also in attendance
Mr T Watton (Parish Clerk) and one member of the public.
The Council Chair, Cllr R Macer-Wright, opened the meeting and welcomed those present.
Apologies for absence
26/001
There were none.
Public participation
26/002
A resident asked whether there was any update on the proposed safe cycle route to / from Dorchester. In response the Council Chair explained that DC Ward member Roland Tarr was promoting this as part of the Dorset Council Local Transport Plan, but it is unclear yet whether it has been included.
The same resident also expressed some concerns about the village shop as it often seems to be short of stock and therefore may be losing out on local trade. The Chairman indicated that this situation is something to be monitored.
The resident also commented that he had noticed water apparently running out of the bank on the western side of Knighton Lane near the junction with Watergates Lane.
To receive any declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations
26/003
There were none.
To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd March 2026
26/004
It was proposed that the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd March are approved as a correct record and signed at the meeting. RESOLVED
Planning and Tree Matters
26/005(a)
Decisions and correspondence/updates on previous applications
(i) P/ADV/2026/00867 Land Adjacent Broadmead Broadmayne. Advertising board with two artworks for pre-marketing and marketing stages. The DC Planning Portal shows that this application was approved by DC on 8th April 2026.
26/005(b)
Consultations Received:
P/HOU/2026/01279 49 Main Street Broadmayne DT2 8ES. Roof Extension and Alterations. The Council agreed that they had no comments to make.
26/005(c)
Any planning matters received after publication of the agenda.
There were none.
Reports
26/006
Dorset Council Ward Member: Dorset Cllr Tarr was not present and had not forwarded a report.
Playing Field Association: Cllr Ellis reported that the repairs to the multiplay unit in the Children’s play area were now complete. Work is in hand to inspect and refurbish the hot water system in the changing rooms.
Village Hall: Cllr Eason drew attention to the Village Hall AGM which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 15th April.
DAPTC: Central area committee: No meetings have taken place since the previous report.
Broadmayne Community Speedwatch: Cllr Byrne reported on Speedwatch sessions held in February and March:
February: 3 Speedwatch sessions held; 344 vehicle journeys observed; 18 vehicles seen speeding; top speed recorded 42 mph.
March: 5 Speedwatch sessions held (one with police presence); 1557 vehicle journeys observed; 52 vehicles seen speeding; top speed recorded 44mph.
PCSO: The monthly report (for March) from the Police Community Support Officer had been circulated to all Council members ahead of this meeting. There were two incidents concerning Broadmayne: (i) the unauthorised removal of a post from a grass verge which had been installed to prevent parking; (ii) Unauthorised grazing of a horse in a local field.
Financial Matters
26/007(a)
The Clerk had prepared the March (year-end) financial statements, which he had circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. This included the bank reconciliation to 31st March 2026, a listing of all receipts and payments for the month of March, and a detailed budget report showing all receipts & payments vs budgets for all budget subheads for the financial year 2025-26 as a whole. A copy of these statements is associated at Appendix 1 to these minutes.
26/007(b)
To consider a grant application submitted on behalf of Broadmayne Scouts for a contribution towards the cost of taking a group of scouts on a trip to an international Jamboree in Sweden during 2026.
It was unanimously AGREED to award £1000.00 for this. Proposed: T Larkin, Seconded: T Byrne
26/007(c)
Consideration of approval of a 50% deposit ahead of commencement of cleaning & refurbishment work to War memorial by Grassby & Sons.
It was unanimously AGREED to approve this payment. Proposed: D Lewis, Seconded: A Evans
26/007(d)
It was RESOLVED to APPROVE the following payments:
Payments to be made
T Watton (Salary, April 2026)
£648.16
HMRC (PAYE & ENI April 2026)
£220.97
WWCS Env Svcs Ltd (grounds maintenance – slitting & quadraplay inv 68307)
£210.00
WWCS Env Svcs Ltd (grounds maintenance – gras cutting inv 68297)
£414.40
Dorset Council (Litter bin clearance – annual fee)
£333.84
Water2Business (Water supply to allotments 20 Aug 25 – 3 Mar 26)
£66.92
Viking Office UK Ltd (Stationery – printer paper (5 rm) and glue sticks)
£41.92
Grassby & Sons Ltd (50% deposit for refurbishments work on war memorial)
£452.30
Unity Trust Bank Plc (monthly current account bank charge, March)
£7.00
Broadmayne Scout Group (grant award)
£1000.00
Proposed, A Evans; Seconded, D Lewis
Governance Matters
26/008(a)
To consider and approve Data Audit
After some discussion the Council members noted the content of this document and RESOLVED to accept and approve it.
Proposed: K Ellis, Seconded: T Byrne. A copy is associated at Appendix 2 to these minutes
26/008(b)
To consider and declare any conflicts of interests with the appointed External Auditors, BDO LLP.
All Council members declared that they had no conflicts of interest with BDO LLP.
26/008(c)
To consider and approve a review an update of the Broadmayne Parish Council Publication scheme.
After discussion the Council members noted this updated document and RESOLVED to accept and approve it.
Proposed K Ellis, Seconded: A Evans. A copy is associated at Appendix 3 to these minutes. (Click here to open the file on another tab)
Consider options for replacement of Defibrillator
26/009
The Parish Clerk reported on the investigations he had carried out to obtain four comparative quotes from different suppliers for a like-for-like replacement for the existing faulty unit; a Cardiac Science Powerheart G5. He explained that the advantage of opting for replacement with an identical model is the avoidance of additional costs of replacing the cabinet, and the related possibility of incurring the cost of additional electrical installation work.
After some discussion it was RESOLVED to select the British Heart Foundation offer for supply of the unit at £1025 excluding VAT, subject to confirmation of the warranty period.
Update on arrangements for Annual Parish Meeting
26/010
The Clerk reported that the financials page of the Annual Report is now complete, and he had assembled a list of topics to cover in the ‘Chairman’s comments’ section of the report. He confirmed that the Village Hall has been booked for the event, and Cllr Eason has arranged for Dorset Council Leader Nick Ireland to attend as guest speaker. Cllr Eason confirmed that he will speak to the WI this week regarding a similar arrangement for catering to that which they provided last year. The Clerk also reported that he had spoken to the usual printers to confirm that they would be able to produce the report in good time. The Clerk will contact the usual list of community volunteers about hand-delivery of the reports. The Clerk and Cllr Eason will also be contacting local community organisations to see if they would like to have a table in the hall on the day.
Other matters of report
26/011(a)
The Clerk reported on the following matters:
(i) Allotments: Two new tenants have taken up the vacant plots in the past month. There are now no vacant plots and, one person on the waiting list actively waiting for a plot.
(ii) Condition of footpaths: Still no further news yet on the missing bridge on the right of way between Washponds and West Knighton.
(iii) Highways faults reported: No new issues reported to the Clerk during the month.
(iv) Road works: Just one planned closure was communicated to the Parish Council during the month – an overnight closure of the B3390 at
Moreton level crossing on 25th – 26th April. Broadmayne is part of the diversion route.
26/011(b)
Council members remarked on the inspection recently carried out by Dorset Council Engineers on the retaining wall alongside the easter side of Knighton Lane, and also about the “Temporary Road Surface” sign on Chalky Road.
Cllr Larkin reported on the speedy response received to a report he made on the DC Highways faults reporting portal about the Bramble Drove name sign. Action was taken by DC to rectify the problem within 3 days.
Cllr Byrne commented on a concern expressed to him by a resident who had attempted to use footpath S9/5 across the field off the northern side of Watergates Lane but she had encountered five horses grazing there, one of which was galloping around. The resident had to leave the footpath to avoid the risk of injury. This matter will be reported to the Dorset Council Rights of Way Team. Some concerns were also expressed that one of the horses was evidently unwell.
To note any matters received after the publication of the agenda
26/012
The Council Chair drew attention to a “Consultation on Electoral Review of Dorset Council” which was communicated to the Parish Council in a newsletter from the Dorset Association of Parish & Town Councils on 7th April. He noted that the DC electoral ward of which Broadmayne is part covers a very wide geographic area – between Tincleton and Winterborne Abbas, whereas the main transport and communication corridors are radial to Dorchester rather than circumferentially around and along the Winterbourne catchment. He pointed out that the community in Broadmayne has little in common with anywhere west of the Ridgeway or the A354. He also noted that the recent Dorset Plan consultation used settlement boundaries rather than parishes as its basis. He wondered whether Broadmayne might be better served by a DC Ward made up of Winterbourne Came, W Stafford, Whitcombe, Broadmayne, W Knighton, Crossways, Warmwell and Owermoigne – which are positioned around the A352 and rail corridors to Dorchester.
Noting that the consultation closes on 1st June, it was RESOLVED to consider this matter in more depth at the May Parish Council meeting, and that Parish Council members be encouraged to watch and listen to a recording of a webinar on this matter which had been made available by the DAPTC in their newsletter of 7th April 2026.
Next meeting
26/013
The next meeting will take place on Monday 11th May 2026 in the Methodist Church Hall, unless otherwise advised.
There being no other business, the Chair closed the meeting at 21:12, thanking everyone for their attendance.
Appendix 1 – Bank reconciliation and accounts update to 25th February 2026. (available from the clerk)
Appendix 2 – Data Audit (available from the clerk)
Appendix 3 – Council Publication scheme (click here to open the file on another tab)