BROADMAYNE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN BROADMAYNE METHODIST HALL
ON 4th NOVEMBER 2024
Present
Cllrs T Byrne, B Eason, K Ellis, A Evans, T Larkin, and R Macer-Wright.
In attendance
Mr T Watton (Clerk) and nine members of the public.
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed those present.
Apologies for absence
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D Lewis, and Dorset Cllr Roland Tarr.
Public participation
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Members of the public drew attention to the following;
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- A resident expressed concerns about the groundworks on the site adjacent to Knighton Lane opposite Old Brickfields. She asked what action was being taken. In response it was reiterated that the matter has been brought to the attention of a number of Dorset Council Departments on several occasions since activity started there in March 2024. It is understood that Officers from the DC Planning Department have very recently visited the site and have some action in hand. It was emphasised that in contrast the Parish Council has no legal power or authority to take any action on this matter. It was suggested that residents also contact Dorset Council direct with their concerns about the site.
- A resident asked about a previous concern he had expressed about the stability of a retaining wall which runs beside the footway on Knighton Lane. The Clerk responded by confirming that this had been reported to DC Engineers who had visited the site during October and had confirmed that there had been no further movement of it since their last inspection in 2022. They are continuing to monitor it regularly.
To receive any declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations
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There were none.
To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7th October 2024
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It was proposed that the minutes of the meeting held on 7th October are approved as a correct record and signed at the meeting. RESOLVED
Planning and Tree Matters
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(a) Decisions and correspondence/updates on previous applications
(i) P/FUL/2024/00178 (amended plans) 6 Main Street Broadmayne DT2 8EB. Replace a detached garage with a new three-bedroom chalet bungalow with 4no off-road parking spaces. As at 4th November DC had still not yet determined this application.
(ii) P/RES/2024/03752 19A Knighton Lane Broadmayne DT2 8PH. Erection of 3 detached bungalows (reserved matters application to determine access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale following the grant of Outline planning permission P/OUT/2023/02031) As at 4th November DC had still not yet determined this application.
(iii) P/HOU/2024/04562 9 Knighton Lane Broadmayne DT2 8EZ. Erect Two storey rear extension. As at 4th November DC had still not yet determined this application.
(iv) P/HOU/2024/05221 2 Crosstree Close Broadmayne DT2 8EN. Side extension to Bungalow with replacement garage and removal of porch. As at 4th November DC had still not yet determined this application.
(v) P/HOU/2024/04679 5 Spring Gardens Broadmayne DT2 8PP. Permission required for existing potting shed. Approved by DC Planning on 30th October.
(b) Consultations Received
(i) P/HOU/2024/05945 2 Conway Drive Broadmayne DT2 8EF. Rear flat roof extension; flat roof replacement to garage & utility; convert existing loft & form rear dormer window. NO OBJECTION
(ii) P/VOC/2024/06128 Chalk Meadow Chalky Road Broadmayne DT2 8PJ. Retain change of use of agricultural land to a mixed-use of agriculture and camping restricted to 58 days in any calendar year together with laying hardstanding and installation of dirty water disposal system and the retention of associated structures to include W/C, shower and wash facilities (with variation to condition 3 of planning permission P/FUL/2022/05619 to allow for campervans less than 6 metres in length to be permitted). NO OBJECTION
(iii) P/HOU/2024/05868 Ten Acres Conygar Broadmayne DT2 8LX. Convert loft into an annex with 4 no. dormer windows & installation of external staircase. DC Planning had advised that an error had been discovered which invalidated the application. The applicant has been asked to re-submit.
(c) Any planning matters received after publication of the agenda.
None discussed.
Reports
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Dorset Council Ward Member’s report: Cllr Tarr was unable to be present, but had forwarded a brief note highlighting Dorset Council’s focus on reviewing its budgets.
Playing fields: Cllr Ellis reported that the next meeting of the BPFA is scheduled for 21st November 2024.
Village hall: Cllr Eason reported on several matters covered at the meeting of the Village Hall Committee on 16th October. These included the project to install solar panels and effect repairs to the roof, and a quotation received for hall floor renovation. Further progress on the lighting and sound system, and the upgrading of the hall electrics, is awaited.
DAPTC: Central area committee: No further meeting has taken place since the last report. It is understood that the next meeting is towards the end of November. The Clerk drew attention to the DAPTC AGM at which DAPTC are proposing a 30% increase in Parish & Town Council subscriptions.
PCSO: The PCSO’s report was circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. This included two incidents in Broadmayne in the month – i.e. 3rd Nov theft of vehicle, 29th Oct destruction of two vehicles by fire.
Broadmayne Community Speedwatch: Cllr Byrne commented that no summary report had yet been received from Dorset Police for Speedwatch data for September. However, he reported that at the recent Speedwatch Conference held at Winfrith in October it was revealed that there are now 84 Speedwatch teams active across the county, with nearly 1300 volunteer members.
Financial Matters
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(a) The Clerk had prepared the October financial statements, and had circulated them to all members ahead of the meeting. This included the bank reconciliation to 31st October, a listing of all receipts and payments for the month of October, and a detailed budget report showing all receipts & payments vs budgets for all budget subheads for the financial year to date. These were received and noted.
It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments:
Payments already made:
Unity Trust Bank (quarterly bank charge) £18.00
Starboard Systems Ltd (Scribe allotments software monthly fee) £21.60
Payments to be made
Starboard Systems Ltd (Scribe allotments system set up fee) £151.20
Starboard Systems Ltd (Scribe accounts package Annual fee) £489.60
DAPTC (one third share of fee for Clerk’s attendance at Clerks’ annual conference) £20.00
Mr S Diamond (grant for Warm Welcome Wednesdays) £225.00
FABS Friends at Broadmayne School (grant for new book bags for reception children) £256.60
Mr T Watton (reimbursement of expenditure on behalf of council) £82.19
Mr T Watton (Salary, Nov 24) £601.00
HMRC Cumbernauld (PAYE – Nov 24) £150.40
Proposed, A Evans Seconded, T Byrne.
(b) To consider the further steps made towards the preparation of the budget and precept requirements for 2025/26.
An updated version of the budget planning spreadsheet tool had been circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. The content of this was noted. The Clerk explained that this included updating actual expenditures for individual cost codes for October and November, and revised the full year forecasts. He had also entered a first-cut set of suggested budget figures per cost code for 2025-26. Members were asked to consider these and to think about any initiatives they might want to propose for 2025/26 as these will need funding requirements to be scoped and included by December.
(c) To consider a grant request for £100 from the Patients’ Support Group Legacy.
Proposed: T Byrne, Seconded: B Eason. RESOLVED.
(d) To consider the quotation of £350 (excl VAT) for the proposed tree pruning work in the Communal Garden in Bakers Paddock. It was noted that the quote is below the de-minimus limit stated in the Council’s Financial Regulations and so no additional quotes / estimates for comparison were required. Proposed; K Ellis, Seconded, T Byrne. RESOLVED
(e) To consider a proposal for work to manage the hedge on the southern boundary of the allotment field. It was noted that two quotes had been obtained, the lower of which at £320 (excl VAT) to trim both the top and the north facing side had been provided by a Broadmayne based contractor who had also trimmed this hedge on the previous occasion. On the basis of price quoted, previous experience, and contractor location it was RESOLVED to accept this quote.
Governance Matters
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(a) Review of the Council policies: Social Media Policy. A number of comments and suggestions were made by members and it was RESOLVED to consider the review of this policy between now and the December meeting of the Council.
(b) To note the national agreement on Council employees pay for 2024/25 and to convene a meeting of the Personnel Committee to consider the Clerk’s annual appraisal and the response to the national pay agreement.
The Clerk explained that he had forwarded the relevant background papers to the Council Chair to request that a meeting of the Staffing Committee be called consider a number of matters related to the Clerk’s salary, and an annual appraisal.
20mph speed limit project
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It was noted that the application for the 20mph limit has not yet been submitted to Dorset Council. CARRIED FORWARD to December meeting.
Review of the Broadmayne Community Emergency Plan – To consider the next steps.
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It was noted that Cllrs A Evans and T Larkin would work on this. Update deferred until the December meeting.
Consultations
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- To consider any collective responses to the draft Dorset Council plan. It was decided to respond to seek a greater focus in the plan on transport infrastructure, increased public transport, active travel, and making greater use of local heritage.
- To consider any collective responses to the national consultation on the possibility of hybrid meetings (i.e. including remote access) and proxy voting. Details of how to access the online consultation and the questions had been circulated to all members ahead of this meeting. It was noted that the consultation closes on 19th December 24.
Some observations were made about the practicalities of holding hybrid meetings including that it would require a hall with Wi-Fi, and significant investment in technology to enable all those physically present (including the public) to be seen and heard by all those taking part remotely (including the public). It was observed that this consultation only seeks to provide the opportunity for Councils to choose whether to hold hybrid meetings when required. The Parish Clerk agreed to circulate a copy the consultation questions to all members to consider. He also explained that members are able to submit individual / personal responses to this consultation as well as contributing to a corporate one on behalf of the Parish Council.
Other matters
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(a) Final review of arrangements for Remembrance Sunday.
The Clerk reported that the requested road closure has been formally confirmed by DC Highways and the “road closed” signage has now been obtained and has been prepared ready for use. Sufficient volunteers have come forward to steward the road closure points, the arrangements for the sound system have been confirmed, a resident has agreed to read out the list of names, and a Council member to lay the Council’s poppy wreath has been identified. Attendance of the local youth groups (Scouts etc) has also been confirmed.
Matters of report
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(a) The Clerk reported on the following matters:
(i) Allotments; The final vacant plot has now been let and there are two names on the waiting list. Making good the damage to the trackway has been agreed with SSE’s subcontractor who was responsible for the damage.
(ii) & (iii) Rights of Way and Highways issues: the Clerk referred members to his updated report listing rights-of-way and highways related matters which have been formally reported by members or himself via the DC online fault reporting systems since the last meeting.
(v) Road works. No road works involving closures within the parish have been notified by DC Highways in the past month.
(b) The Council Chair
there were none.
(c) Reports from Councillors:
Cllr Evans reported on a concern expressed to him by a resident regarding the amount of dog fouling locally.
To note any matters received after the publication of the agenda
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There were none.
Next meeting
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The next meeting will take place on Monday 2nd December 2024 in the Methodist Church Hall, unless otherwise advised.