BROADMAYNE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN BROADMAYNE METHODIST HALL
ON 5th February 2024
Present
Cllrs S Diamond, S Toogood, P Lamb, C Lawley and R Macer-Wright.
In attendance
Mr T Watton (Clerk), Dorset Cllr Roland Tarr and 6 members of the public.
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed those present.
Apologies for absence
24/12
Cllrs K Ellis and S Hawkins.
Declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations
24/13
There were none.
Minutes of meeting held on 8th January 2024
24/14
The minutes of the meeting held on 8th January 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed at the meeting, subject to the clarification of minute 24/5 (Flooding) that the water had flowed into the gardens of properties at the eastern end of the village.
Planning and Tree Matters
24/15
(a) Decisions and correspondence/updates on previous applications
(i) P/PABA/2023/07248 (Information only – request to the LPA to determine whether a prior approval application is required). Land to south of Chalky Road Broadmayne Grid Ref SY707853. Erect agricultural storage tank. It was confirmed by DC Planning on 5th Jan 2024 that Prior Approval is required.
(ii) P/HOU/2023/06715 Cob Barn 3A Main Street Broadmayne Dorset DT2 8EB. Dismantle existing granary and re-build. Not yet determined.
(b) Consultations received
(i) 8 Jan 2024: P/HOU/2023/07400. 2 Martel Close Broadmayne DT2 8PL. Convert existing garage to office/bedroom with en-suite. Erect front extension to enlarge dining room and erect porch. NO OBJECTION.
(ii) 23 Jan 2024: P/FUL/2024/00178 6 Main Street Broadmayne DT2 8EB. Replace a detached garage with a new three bedroom chalet bungalow with 4no off-road parking spaces. Two points of concern were raised about this proposal. Firstly, the proposed development of a second dwelling on this small site will add to traffic on an already busy narrow road which suffers from very poor visibility at its junction with Main Street. Secondly, it was noted that the submitted plan shows four 4.8m long off-road parking bays provided at the front of the site at a narrow section of Rectory Road very close to the busy and difficult junction. Given that the recommended length of a standard car parking space for private developments is 5m (“Residential Car Parking Provision – Guidance for Dorset” – Appendix C Geometric Guidance, page 37) it is felt that there is risk of some projection onto the highway – causing a heightened safety risk for passing vehicles and pedestrians. It was also suggested that the Council’s response should include a request that, if this proposed development is approved, every effort is made for the builders’ vehicles to be parked on site.
(iii) P/HOU/2024/00180 22 Watergates Lane Broadmayne Dorset DT2 8HA. Replace oil fired boiler with air source heat pump. NO OBJECTION.
(c) Any planning matters received after publication of the agenda. There were none.
Public participation
24/16
Members of the public attending the meeting raised the following matters:
Rights of Way / safety issue: The discovery of a partially uncovered disused well east of South Drove Farm close to Bridleway S9/17. The Clerk will report this to Dr Janet Davis as the Council’s Rights of Way Officer.
Suspected abandoned vehicles Two vehicles parked on the roadside verge opposite Martel Close. The vehicles were formally reported by the resident to Dorset Council, who responded to say that they were unable to take any action. Consequently, the details including photographs were passed to the Clerk who has forwarded the information on to PCSO Alison Donaldson for further advice, and action if appropriate.
Update on 20mph limit request for Broadmayne A progress update on this matter was requested. Cllr Macer-Wright confirmed that the next step is to request the necessary speed surveys. Cllr Macer-Wright to follow this up.
Roadside vegetation growth – Knighton Lane Concern was expressed about an unidentified and possibly invasive rapidly spreading shrub on the verge opposite the junction with Watergates Lane. The ownership of / responsibility for this land is currently unclear. The Clerk is to investigate.
Suggestion for extension of parking restrictions along the southern side of Main Street between the junction with Osmington Drove and the parking bay outside the shop. This suggestion was noted.
Community Speed Watch A query was raised about the permitted locations for the Speed Watch group to operate within the parish, and whether they had to be visible to drivers from a distance. This will be queried with the Broadmayne CSW co-ordinator.
Reports
24/17
Dorset Ward Councillor: Cllr Tarr commented on the local elections which will take place on Thursday 2nd May 2024.
Playing fields: The next meeting of Broadmayne PFA will be held on 23rd February.
Village Hall: Met on 17th January 2024 – nothing to report.
DAPTC: The Central Area DAPTC meeting scheduled for 23rd January 2024 was postponed. A rearranged date is awaited.
PCSO: This report included no incidents in Broadmayne in the past month – although the Clerk has been liaising closely with the PCSO regarding local on-street parking of vehicles for sale or awaiting repairs.
Financial Matters
24/18
(a) The Clerk had prepared the February financial statement, showing the receipts and payments since the last meeting. This had been presented to members in two formats; firstly the familiar excel files which have been in use for a number of years, and secondly as a set of reports from the newly adopted Scribe Accounting Package. Cllr Macer Wright observed that overall expenditure against budget appeared to be low. It was pointed out that a significant portion of the current underspend is within the community grants budgets, although it was noted that a grant request for maintenance of St Martins Churchyard will be considered at the March meeting. The public were advised that requests for grant support submitted by local community groups, clubs and societies are welcomed. This point will be reiterated in the annual report.
It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments:
Payments already made
Wessex Grounds Services Ltd (Quarter 3 grounds Maintenance charge inv WGS11873) £1171.09
Payments to be made
T Watton (reimbursement of expenditure on Stationery and postage Oct 23-Jan24) £31.94
Dorset Council (supply & install battery box security For SID) £90.00
Proposed, C Lawley; Seconded, S Toogood. CARRIED.
Governance matters
24/19
(a) Nomination of a Council member to work with the Clerk to review the Council’s Internal Controls plan / internal audit checklist. The Clerk reported that Cllr Hawkins had kindly offered to undertake this role. This was noted and accepted by the members present.
(b) Review of the Council’s adopted Financial Regulations: consideration of recommendations (appendix 2). A copy of the Financial Regulations, annotated by the Clerk with the suggested changes had been circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. The Clerk explained that the suggested minor amendments, to regulations 6.4 – 6.6, all concerned the move to online banking. Proposed: S Toogood, Seconded: P Lamb CARRIED.
(c) To confirm no changes required to the Council’s adopted Standing Orders (rev Jul 2020), and Code of Conduct (adopted Aug 2021). Proposed: R Macer-Wright, Seconded: P Lamb CARRIED.
Local Council Election 2 May 2024
24/20
Further consideration of actions to promote local public interest in council membership.
The Chairman explained that an article encouraging members of the local community to put themselves forward had been prepared and had been published in the February Compass magazine – and on the community website. Local social media will also be used; and a plan is being developed for a flyer to be delivered to all households in the parish.
The Clerk commented that he will provide copies of the Nomination Pack and details of the nomination process to those members who intend standing. He will also, upon request, provide a copy of the pack to any member of the local community who is considering standing, and will provide support with completion of the Nomination Pack, if needed. The Clerk has also booked an appointment at County Hall on 27th March to hand deliver the completed packs to the DC Elections Team both for existing members and any other residents who may wish to apply.
21-23 June 2024 – WW2 Military vehicles event, Chalky Rd
24/21
The Chairman reported that he had received correspondence advising that the WWII military vehicles event will take place again this year between 21-23 June in the field off Chalky Rd. On this occasion the organisers do not intend including a village fete – although there is scope to do so if local volunteers wish to organise one.
Other matters of report
24/22
(a) The Clerk reported on the following matters:
(i) Allotments; Inspection visit on Monday 5th February. Water meter read. Allotment rent renewal notices went out over the weekend of 3-4 Feb. Thanks were extended to those who have already responded.
(ii) Rights of Way issues reported / under investigation; Dr Janet Davis has reported that the previously reported collapsed fingerpost behind church hall at the junction of FPs S9/1 & S9/2 has now been dealt with properly. She is still checking on the requested attention to the gate.
(iii) Abandoned car at Woodlands; the one remaining abandoned car has still not been moved. The matter is still with Magna Housing, who are trying to get a DC Housing Officer involved.
(iv) scaffolding stored at Littlemead and Woodlands. This was raised with Magna Housing – who have referred it to their Assets Team to ascertain whether the owner has been given permission to store it there. A response from them is still awaited.
(v) dealership cars parked on local roads; The PCSO has passed on some details to the police Traffic Team, and also to DC Trading standards. Both are interested in this matter and so residents are encouraged to gather evidence when incidents occur (registration numbers, dates, times, locations and photos) and pass them to the Clerk.
(b) The Chairman Reported that road signs warning of flooding have now been obtained from DC Highways and are being held by two residents on Main Street ready for swift deployment when required.
(c) Reports from Councillors:
Cllr Lawley remarked on liaison between himself and the Clerk which has resulted in action by JDT contractors to reorganise the SGN/JDT storage and welfare area on Conway Drive in line with what had originally been agreed. It no longer encroaches onto the junction with Bramble Drove.
Next meeting
24/23
The next meeting will take place on Monday 4th March 2024 in the Methodist Church Hall, unless otherwise advised.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8:50pm, thanking everyone for their contributions.