BROADMAYNE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN BROADMAYNE METHODIST HALL
ON 7th OCTOBER 2024
Present
Cllrs T Byrne, B Eason, K Ellis, T Larkin, D Lewis and R Macer-Wright.
In attendance
Mr T Watton (Clerk) and eight members of the public.
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed those present.
Apologies for absence
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Cllr A Evans, 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 of Bramble Drove referred to previously reported dissatisfaction with the condition of the surface of the drove – which washes out onto the highway from time to time and also blocks nearby drains. In response it was pointed out that the status of the Drove is “unadopted” and therefore maintained by DC only to bridleway standard. The Council Chair reminded those present that a paper explaining the background to this matter and the options open to the residents of Bramble Drove has previously been provided and is still available. A copy can be obtained from the Parish Clerk. The importance of regularly reporting the blocked drains using the DC Highways online reporting system was emphasised. https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/report-a-problem-on-the-road-or-pavement
- A resident remarked on a wall in Knighton Lane which has previously given cause for safety concerns regarding its stability. One joint appears to have moved again.
- It is understood that the recent groundworks on the site adjacent to Knighton Lane opposite Old Brickfields have exposed and damaged an old / disused water tank, which is full. Concerns were expressed about it failing and the water spilling onto Knighton Lane.
To receive any declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations
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Cllr Larkin, having disclosable pecuniary interests, namely owning property within the parish directly adjoining the sites subject to the planning applications on land adjacent to Broadmead, had made written representation to the Clerk, seeking dispensation under section 31(40 of the Localism Act 2011, to allow him to speak, but not vote, during discussions of those planning applications (see minute 24/74). It was RESOLVED to grant this dispensation, on the grounds that it is in the interests of persons living in the area to allow him to do so, to apply to any meeting of Broadmayne Parish Council at which those particular planning applications are discussed until April 2026.
To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd September 2024
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It was proposed that the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd September 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 6 Main Street Broadmayne DT2 8EB. Replace a detached garage with a new three-bedroom chalet bungalow with 4no off-road parking spaces. DC has still not yet determined this application.
(ii) P/HOU/2024/03264 46 Main Street Broadmayne DT2 8ES. Erection of office/store and workshop. Permission for this application was granted by DC on 5th September 2024
(iii) 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). DC has still not yet determined this application.
(iv) P/VOC/2024/04287 1 Bramble Drove Broadmayne Dorset DT2 8ED. Single storey ground floor extension for larger kitchen/dining room and annexe (with variation of conditions 2 and 3 of planning permission P/HOU/2024/00373 to change cladding to render and change windows/doors to kitchen/dining room. Permission for this VOC application was granted by DC on 24th September 2024
(v) P/OUT/2021/05309 Land Adjacent Broadmead Broadmayne. Development of up to 80 residential dwellings, together with open space, allotments and enhanced drainage features (outline application to determine access only). Section 106 agreement now signed.
(b) Consultations Received
(i) P/HOU/2024/04562 9 Knighton Lane Broadmayne DT2 8EZ. Erect Two storey rear extension. NO OBJECTION
(ii) 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 (amended plans). NO OBJECTION. However, concern was expressed that the currently published description of the proposal is now incorrect. Clerk to take this matter up with DC Planning.
(iii) P/HOU/2024/05221 2 Crosstree Close Broadmayne DT2 8EN. Side extension to Bungalow with replacement garage and removal of porch. NO OBJECTION.
(iv) P/HOU/2024/04679 5 Spring Gardens Broadmayne DT2 8PP. Permission required for existing potting shed. NO OBJECTION.
(c) Any planning matters received after publication of the agenda.
There were none.
Reports
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Playing fields: Cllr Ellis reported that the closers to the two gates to the children’s playing area have now been fixed. The next meeting of the BPFA is on 21st November.
Village hall: Cllr Eason reported that the next meeting of the Village Hall Committee is scheduled for 16th October.
DAPTC: Central area committee: No further meeting has taken place since the last report.
PCSO: The PCSO’s report was circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. This included four reported incidents in Broadmayne – three separate instances of cars parked on a public road with no MOT and one case of a car having its rear window broken.
Broadmayne Community Speedwatch: Cllr Byrne had provided a report of the CSW activity for August which was circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. He drew particular attention to the following details from it; four sessions were held during the month resulting in the monitoring of 2,349 passing vehicles, of which 73 were recorded speeding at 35mph or more. As a result warning letters have been sent by Dorset Police to the registered keepers of 64 vehicles.
Financial Matters
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(a) The Clerk had prepared the September financial statements, and had circulated them to all members ahead of the meeting. This included the bank reconciliation to 30th September, a listing of all receipts and payments for the month of September, 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 to be made
Wessex Grounds Services (grounds maintenance
Quarter 2, 2024/25) £1171.09
Water2Business (Allotment water supply
21/02/24 – 03/09/24) £243.65
DAPTC (Induction course fee for new Cllr) £40.00
Mr T Watton (Salary, Oct 24) £601.20
HMRC Cumbernauld (PAYE – Oct 24) £150.20
Proposed, D Lewis; Seconded, B Eason RESOLVED.
(b) To consider the initial steps made towards the preparation of the budget and precept requirements for 2025/26. Circulated to all members on 1st Oct. The Parish Clerk had circulated the budget planning spreadsheet to all members ahead of the meeting. He explained process of preparing this which involved entering the details, for each budget line, the agreed budget figures for the current year, and then actual expenditure between April and September, and then forecast expenditures for each month for the rest of year. This provides a total forecast expenditure for each budget line for 2024/25 year end. This can then be used together with additional knowledge about the effects of inflation, supplier / contractor pricing changes, and any other seasonal variations etc, as a basis for suggested figures for each expenditure line to develop a detailed budget proposal for 2025/26. This spreadsheet will be revisited again in November and December, updating actual expenditures and the forecasts for each budget line. Noted by the Council members.
(c) To consider a grant request for financial support for Warm Welcome Wednesdays, for winter 2024/25. This grant request was circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. It was unanimously RESOLVED to APPROVE this request.
Governance Matters
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(a) To further consider the adoption of the latest (May 2024) version of the model Financial Regulations for Parish & Town Councils. This matter was initially considered at the September meeting. Members raised no further comments or questions and so it was RESOLVED to adopt the revised Financial Regulations as presented.
(b) To receive and consider recommendations for updates to the Allotments Policy. It was noted that Cllr Eason had involved all members in the work towards the proposed updated policy, and that the final copy had been circulated to all members ahead of this meeting. It was RESOLVED to adopt the policy as presented.
(c) Review of the Council policies: The Council’s Equality and Diversity Policy was circulated to all members ahead of this meeting. It was noted that there had been no significant changes to relevant UK legislation since the last review in 2021 and therefore it was RESOLVED to accept the policy unamended for a further 2 year period – i.e. for further review in 2026.
(d) To consider a proposal to add the Scribe Accounts allotments management system to the current accounting package. The details of this software add on to the Councils accounting package had been circulated to all members ahead of this meeting. It was RESOLVED to add the “Professional” version of the Scribe allotments management system to the software suite at a cost of £216pa plus a one-off setup charge of £126.00.
20mph speed limit project
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Cllr Macer-Wright reminded members that at the September meeting it had been agreed complete the application and submit it to DC for consideration. To that end, members were asked to provide any further comments they may have, by email, to Cllr Macer-Wright by mid-October at the latest.
Review of the Broadmayne Community Emergency Plan – To consider the next steps.
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It was noted that Cllrs Evans and Larkin would work on this. Update deferred until the November meeting.
Consultations
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None
Other matters
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a) To consider a paper requesting for Council support for community maintenance of the plot of land on a corner of Bakers Paddock known as ‘Bakers Paddock Community Garden’. A proposal on this had been circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. It had been established that DC Highways do not own or manage the land in question. In recognition of its benefit to the community as a whole, it was AGREED to meet the cost of pruning both the Sycamore and Bay tree. It was also agreed in principle to provide financial support for future work to maintain the garden.
(b) To further consider the suggestion of installation of seating at / near Washpond Bridges. It was reported that DC Ranger Dave Ackerley is unaware of who owns the land on which the proposed seat might be installed. A check of Land Registry records also left this unclear, and so it was recognised that further research by the Parish Clerk will be necessary before the proposal can go ahead.
(c) To further consider the publication of notices with QR codes to direct residents to the correct DC webpages to report Highways and rights of way faults. Cllr Macer-Wright explained that the Council is looking for ways to make it easier for members of the public to report faults on roads & pavements and rights of way to the relevant departments at Dorset Council using their online reporting systems. An idea which has been put forward is to publish QR codes on public notices which link directly to the relevant DC webpages. As well as their publication on parish noticeboards and the website a suggestion for inclusion on the small rights of way direction signs is being considered. Consequently Mr Ackerley, DC Senior Ranger, has been approached for his view on the feasibility of this.
(d) To consider the Parish Council’s views on the following motion (in italics) which has been put forward for the DAPTC AGM on 23rd November 2024; and also the three further dependent motions as set out in a paper prepared by DAPTC and circulated to Parish Council members on Monday 23rd September 2024.
“To consider and if thought appropriate, approve DAPTC transitioning to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) and authorising the Executive Committee to register such CLG before April 2025, with a view to the assets and operations of DAPTC being transferred to the CLG with effect from 1 April 2025 or such later date as the Executive Committee may determine.” RESOLVED to APPROVE
(e) To note actions taken towards the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday, 10 Nov 2024. DC Highways have informally confirmed approval of the application for the road closures. The Poppy Wreath has been obtained. The replacement of the damaged road sign has been discussed with the DC Sign Shop, and the signage over-stickers have been ordered. Arrangements have been confirmed for the sound system, the team to put the road signs out and to read out the list of names.
(f) The Clerk reported on two items of correspondence received;
(i) notification that PCSO Alison Donnison of the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be available at Corner House Stores, Broadmayne at 3pm on Wednesday 13th November;
(ii) an invitation for Council members to attend the Dorset National Landscape Annual Forum at 3:00-4:30pm or 6:00-7:30 pm on Wednesday 6th November in Dorchester.
Matters of report
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(a) The Clerk reported on the following matters:
(i) Allotments; Currently there are two people on the waiting list and two vacant plots available and in the process of being offered to them. One further plot is expected to become available in December. In the light of this it is considered necessary to run a public awareness campaign to encourage new prospective tenants to come forward. Engineers on behalf of SSE Networks will be on site on 14th October to replace the supply transformer located just inside the southern boundary of the allotment field.
(ii) & (iii) Rights of Way and Highways issues: the Clerk referred members to the latest edition of the detailed report he introduced in August giving the status update on all 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:
There were none.
To note any matters received after the publication of the agenda
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A request for the Council’s support in providing a further £100 to purchase some additional bulbs at a cost to complete the previously approved recent roadside planting project had been received. This was agreed.
Next meeting
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The next meeting will take place on Monday 4th November 2024 in the Methodist Church Hall, unless otherwise advised.