BROADMAYNE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE METHODIST CHURCH HALL
ON 7th July 2025
Present
Cllrs T Byrne, B Eason, K Ellis, A Evans, D Lewis and R Macer-Wright.
Also in attendance
Mr T Watton (Clerk). and 4 members of the public
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed those present.
Apologies for absence
25/48
Cllr T Larkin sent his apologies
Public participation
25/49
Members of the public commented as follows:
-
- A resident remarked that he had hoped to ask Cllr Tarr, DC Ward Member for Broadmayne, about the Dorset Council idea to introduce a booking system for the Household Recycling Centres (HRCs). It was noted that in response to considerable public response, this decision had been reversed for several of the HRCs across the county, but that it would still go ahead for Dorchester HRC. The Council Chair suggested contacting Cllr Tarr direct with this question.
- Concerns were expressed about the poor condition of the surface of Osmington Drove just past the Village Hall and up to High Trees. This will be reported to DC Highways using the online reporting system.
- In response to a question, the Council Chair confirmed that the necessary traffic survey in support of the application to DC for consideration of a 20mph speed limit had been successfully completed some time ago. The application is now one of many received from across the county which are now being considered in turn by DC.
- A concern was expressed about the general lack of cutting of highway verges by Dorset Council’s contractors, and also their lack of action to clear hedge growth from around obscured road signs. Residents were encouraged to report any locations causing particular concern / safety risk direct to DC Highways using the online fault reporting system at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/report-a-problem-on-the-road-or-pavement (the preferred method); or exceptionally by phoning Dorset Council Customer Services on 01305 221000.
- A resident asked whether there had been any further news about the development of the land adjacent to Broadmead. In reply, it was confirmed that there is nothing further to report on the outline-approved development. Neither has there yet been any feedback received on the archeological investigations carried out on the land in question earlier this year.
- Finally, the members of the public present commented on the success of the village fete on Sunday 6th The Parish Council members joined them in expressing great appreciation to the organisers for their tremendous efforts.
To receive any declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations
25/50
There were none.
To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd June 2025
25/51
It was proposed that the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd June are approved as a correct record and signed at the meeting. RESOLVED
Planning and Tree Matters
25/52(a)
Decisions and correspondence/updates on previous applications
(i) P/RES/2025/02270 Land Adjacent Broadmead Broadmayne. Erection of 80 dwellings together with open space, and enhanced drainage features (reserved matters application to determine layout, scale, appearance and landscaping matters following the grant of outline planning permission P/OUT/2021/05309). The DC Planning Portal shows that DC Planning have not yet determined this application.
(ii)
25/52(b)
Consultations Received:
(i) P/HOU/2025/03102 47 Chalky Road Broadmayne DT2 8PJ. Extension to an ancillary building. After consideration the Council members had NO OBJECTION and no comment to make on this application.
25/52(c)
Any planning matters received after publication of the agenda.
There were none.
Reports
25/53
Dorset Council Ward Member:
no report.
Playing fields:
Cllr Ellis remarked that the Safety Inspection Report on the Playground and Fitness Trail had identified areas of decay to some timber section of the Junior Multiplay. The BPFA will seek quotes for the works required around an assessment on what can be repaired and what must be replaced. The next BPFA meeting is on 07 August.
Village hall:
Cllr Eason reported that at its meeting on 15th July the Village Hall Committee are expected to consider giving the go-ahead for the planned roof maintenance work and installation of solar panels – for which they have obtained a number of competitive quotes. It is understood that this work may start sometime in late August / early September 2025 and that the total cost will be around £53K. It is understood that the Village Hall Committee anticipate around £26K of the cost to be met by funds held by the Parish Council in a dedicated bank account as a ‘reserve’ intended for the purposes of a further project on the Village Hall. The Village Hall have also applied for a grant for this project from a small capital fund held by Dorset Council.
DAPTC: Central area committee:
Cllrs Ellis and Evans attended the online meeting of the DAPTC Central Area Committee. They reported that the meeting included a briefing on the Fresh Start Report published in March 2025 on developing the role of the 25-30 Town and Large Parish Councils and their relationship with Dorset Council. The Smaller Parish Councils Survey is due out soon. The deadline for feedback will be October. At the DAPTC Area Committee meeting there had been some discussion on advantages of small Parish Councils being grouped together. The “Draft Statement of Reasonable Expectations”, setting out the key principles for collaboration between Parish and Town Councils and Dorset Council was also presented for comment at the committee meeting, and for onward circulation.
PCSO:
The PCSO’s report had been circuited to all members ahead of the meeting. There were no reported crimes on it in the Broadmayne Parish area.
Broadmayne Community Speedwatch:
Cllr Byrne reported on the five Community Speedwatch sessions which had been held during the last month, including one at a new location – Lytchetts Park. During these sessions a total of 1783 vehicles were seen, of which 45 were observed to be exceeding the speed limit. The top speed seen was 47mph.
Financial Matters
25/54(a)
The Clerk had prepared the June financial statements which he had circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. This included the bank reconciliation to 30th June, a listing of all receipts and payments for the month of June, and a detailed budget report showing all receipts & payments vs budgets for all budget subheads for the year to date. These were received and noted. A copy is associated at Appendix 1 to these minutes.
25/54(b)
It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments:
Payments already made
Unity Trust Bank (bank fees)
£6.00
Payments to be made
Friends at Broadmayne First school (grant – book bags & PE bags)
£263.16
PCC Broadmayne (Hire of St Martins Hall for meeting)
£ 18.00
Broadmayne & W Knighton WI (catering at Annual Parish Meeting)
£100.00
Starboard Systems Ltd (Scribe Allotments system 1/7/25-31/12/25)
£129.60
WWCS Environmental Services Ltd (Grounds maintenance June)
£414.40
WWCS Environmental Services Ltd (overseed & quadriplay works
and selective weedkill to pitch)
£1243.20
Broadmayne Village Hall (hire of hall for Annual Parish Meeting)
£ 36.00
T Watton (Salary July 2025)
£648.16
HMRC Cumbernauld (PAYE & Employer’s NI, July 2025)
£220.97
Proposed, B Eason; Seconded, D Lewis
25/54(c)
Consideration of grant application from STARS Dorset charity for £100.00 towards cost of providing service to local residents. This grant request was unanimously APPROVED.
Governance Matters
25/55
To conduct a review of the Council’s Standing Orders. Copies of the currently adopted set of Standing Orders (adopted 2020, with minor update Feb 2024) and the latest Model Standing Orders published by NALC (March 2025) had been circulated to all members in advance of the meeting. The Clerk pointed out that the version currently in use by BPC is significantly different from the NALC “model” – particularly in that the adopted BPC version is organised into a sequence of ‘Orders’ which is quite different from the standard model, and with the content of some of the ‘Orders’ orders split and then recombined in different ways. This has caused some unexpected challenges when trying to compare and keep the Standing Orders up to date. It was agreed that the Clerk and Cllr Evans will work together to review the documents and submit a proposal to the Council at a subsequent meeting. In the meantime, and as a starting point, it was unanimously AGREED by the Council that it would revert to the standardised layout / sequence of Standing Orders as set out in the NALC model version.
Proposed bench at Washponds – To discuss and agree the details of installation of the bench.
25/56
It was noted that the bench has been delivered in flat pack form and is being stored locally. After some discussion it was AGREED that the Clerk would approach a range of local contractors to see if any of them would be willing and available to undertake the relatively small task of assembling and installing the bench at the agreed location; and that if the quoted / estimated charge is below the de-minimus figure within the Councils Financial Regulations, to arrange for this to go ahead without further reference back to the Council.
Matters of report
25/57(a)
The Clerk reported on the following matters:
(i) Allotments: There have been no further additions to the waiting list this month and there are no vacant plots. The top of the southern boundary hedge is scheduled to be trimmed on 21st July by AG Trees, who have liaised with SSE for the power to be turned off the overhead cables to enable this to happen safely. In support of this, contact had been made with the holder of the adjacent allotment to arrange for clearance of material blocking the walkway access to the hedge. This material has accumulated over several years. The clearance work is already underway and good progress has been made towards getting it cleared in time. To facilitate disposal of the resultant pile of rubbish the Council APPROVED the hire of a skip – with, exceptionally, the cost of the hire shared between the Council and the plot holder.
(ii) Condition of footpaths / bridleways. The Clerk remarked that Dr Janet Davis, the Council’s Rights of Way Officer, had reported to Dorset Council ROW team the following two problems:
(a) a “finger” missing from the direction at the junction of bridleways S9/14 and S9/11 (at Half Moon coppice);
(b) Bridleway S9/10 (southern end of Osmington Drove) runs through a crop of oilseed rape but insufficient width has been left. The crop is falling on the path and anyone using it in wet weather would be soaked.
(iii) Highways issues: the Clerk reported on his disappointment that the two missing road name signs (Watergates Lane and Beech Close) had still not yet been replaced despite the matter now being in the hands of the DC Corporate Director for Highways.
(iv) Road works. Nothing further to report. Members were reminded that the annual Ironman event will be taking place in a few weeks’ time, and so to watch out for notices of the usual road closures.
25/57(b)
Reports from Councillors:
Cllr Byrne remarked that the ‘Main Street’ road name sign at the eastern end of the village, which had been reported to DC Highways regarding its collapse due to rusted-out support posts, had been removed but has not been replaced. The Clerk will now raise a complaint about this as a further missing road name sign.
Cllrs Ellis and Byrne reported on complaints received from residents about a public service vehicle coach which is sometimes parked on Chalky Rd near to the junctions with Woodlands and Rectory Rd. This is evidently in disregard of the normal Operators’ Licence requirement that such vehicles should always be “returned to base” when not in service. Enquiries will be made to try to identify the company responsible, and an approach made to them about the matter.
To note any matters received after the publication of the agenda
25/58
There was none
Next meeting
25/59
The next meeting will take place on Monday 4th August 2025 in the Methodist Church Hall, unless otherwise advised.
There being no other business, the Chair closed the meeting at 20:55, thanking everyone for their attendance.
Appendix 1 – available from the clerk