CORSCOMBE, HALSTOCK AND DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 27 July 2015 at 7.30pm at Corscombe Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs. Henry Lovegrove (chairman), Diana Staines, Roger Hallett, Melanie Harper, Stuart Turner, Don England, Bardy Griffiths, Michael Nethaway, Peter Lemmey, Peter MacLean; District Cllr. Peter Barrowcliff; clerk Freda Hennessy.
1. APOLOGIES. Cllrs. Mary Tucker, Jenny Dalton; PCSO Alex Bishop.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. None at this point.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF 26 MAY 2015. The minutes were amended: item 6 the last sentence to have addition – “A Homewatch noticeboard or an area on the existing parishnoticeboard at the shop for Halstock...... “The minutes were then signed as correct.
4. REPORTS. District Councillor Barrowcliff reported that the West Dorset Local Plan had come back from the Inspector and it was hoped it would be finalised later this year. Probably as a result of the delay there has been a rush to get planning applications in before the finalisation.
5. PUBLIC DISCUSSION PERIOD.
No public attended.
6. HALSTOCK GREEN.
Cllr Griffiths presented the report from Rick Smith of Wildwoods. It was agreed that he should be asked to climb the tree, cut out the dead branches and report on the state of the rest. His quote of £120 was agreed. The replacement of the tree would be postponed till at least 2016.
It was agreed that the Parish Council should claim the ownership of the Green. Legal advice would be sought on the best way forward.
7. PLAYGROUND.
Mrs Chase has proposed the area be called ‘Corscombe Chase’. This was approved.
It was agreed that a noticeboard be purchased, inscribed with the name and necessary information. Clerk to investigate costs and styles.
The transfer of the land to the Parish Council is nearing completion. It was approved that the Chairman and Clerk should sign the documents on behalf of the Parish Council.
The rope climbing net is dangerous. It will be removed. Chairman and Cllr Lemmey to look into purchasing rope and weaving a new net. Necessary greasing and replacement of bolts to be completed.
A grant of £125 had been gratefully received from the Corscombe Fundraising Committee (Corscombe Fest) for use at the Playground. Other costs should be covered by earmarked reserves.
8. FINGERPOSTS. Work continues on the Red Post. Wooden arms with lettering are prepared; finial and brackets are awaited to complete.
9. LAND AT ROMAN VILLA.
The corner for public access has a gate from Common Lane. The area will be seeded and fenced. A seat may be sourced from Corscombe Village Hall. An information board will be purchased. English Heritage and the Dorset County Archaeologist to be asked to advise on its content. It was agreed that up to £500 could be spent on the furniture.
Mrs Betty Harris has given £100 from sale of the Roman Villa book towards costs.
The agreement for Mr Searle of Lynx Lighting to mow the rest of the Parish Council area was discussed and agreed by members and is ready for signing.
Cllr Nethaway volunteered to survey the rough edge area which may need some stump clearance.
10. BT KIOSK, CORSCOMBE.
A volunteer working party is convening to strip and paint and repair the kiosk. A £90 grant from Corscombe Fundraising Committee, supplemented by the Parish Council, should cover cost of materials.
11. COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH.
Just enough volunteers have come forward in Corscombe. The scheme could be set up there in September under the guidance of PCSO Alex Bishop. The camera would be bought by the Parish Council. Volunteers will be sought for a team in Halstock. The camera could be shared between the two teams.
12. HOMEWATCH.
The HW organisers were thanked for circulating information and posting it on noticeboards.
Members not wanting the info bulletins should tell their organiser.
13. PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE.
Parish Council information is available on the corscomb.org/halstock.org website. All the details required by transparency law and freedom of information will be put on as soon as possible. Members were reminded that their names, phone numbers and register of interests details are there, plus past minutes, accounts etc.
14. VILLAGE FEEDBACK CARDS.
Cllr Nethaway has resurrected the cards. They will be placed in the Halstock Community Room. A site for Corscombe will be found – possibly the BT box.
It was suggested that there might be a method of commenting via the website. Cllr Harper to investigate.
15. REPORTS FROM MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES. The lists were received.
15.1 WATAG. Meetings had reported deterioration in the hospital car service. Contact was made with POPP for information to come to Parish Council about current community car schemes.
The DCC Public Transport team is being reorganised. There will be a new post – Community Engagement Officer – who, hopefully, will contact parish councils.
15.2 CORSCOMBE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Cllr Harper had been proposed as the new Hawkins Trust trustee. This was approved by Council.
It had been asked that ‘children playing’ signs be purchased and erected in Corscombe High Street. The signs had been bought and will be put up.
15.3 REDUCING ROAD ACCIDENTS.
It was reported that the conference dealt with county-wide, serious incidents only. Perhaps ways of tackling perceived danger spots could be discussed more locally. The narrow part of the C37 at Netherstoke was particularly mentioned. DCC to be asked if possible to have road markings and a ‘road narrows’ sign there.
A feedback form has been produced. Members were encouraged to reply to give local views.
15.4 BAVLAP
The CAB facility at Yarn Barton, Beaminster will be expanded by installation of a morning drop-in skype link to Bridport CAB.
The police station at Beaminster is being sold. Future base for the local police team is not yet decided.
15.5 DAPTC CHAIRMEN’S MEETING. The chairman to report on some important items from this at the next meeting.
16. CORRESPONDENCE. The list was received.
Attention was drawn to the proposed change to the Mobile Library Service. Proposals will be advertised. Members were encouraged to object to the clash between the 204 bus and proposed new mobile library times. A notice would be placed in the Community Room.
17. FINANCE.
17.1 FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The statement was received.
17.2 PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL. The payments were approved as listed.
17.3 CHEQUES SIGNATORIES. Cllrs Nethaway and Staines are now registered signatories replacing ex-cllrs Manning and McPherson.
17.4 REPORT FROM INTERNAL AUDITOR. This was satisfactory: no adverse comments.
17.5 REPORT FROM EXTERNAL AUDITORS. No issues raised.
The internal and external auditors’ reports were received and approved by members who complimented the clerk on achieving clean audit reports.
17.6 APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS
Grants were approved of: £120 to Halstock PCC for churchyard mowing
£300 to Fox Cricket Club for extension of secure shed
18. PLANNING. The list was received.
There had been no progress on stemming the development of a shack at Weston Home Farm.
A retrospective application for the worker’s dwelling at Yew Tree Stables may start to clarify the situation there.
Cllr Lemmey raised the question of solar farms and other renewables on farmland. It was agreed that this would be discussed at the next meeting.
19. OTHER REPORTS
Cllr Lemmey reported that the Halstock Football Club had now obtained use of a field and had levelled and prepared it for a pitch. Goalposts etc would now be purchased.
The meeting was closed at 9.45pm
Signed...... date......
Next meeting Monday 28 September 2015 at 7.30pm at Corscombe Village Hall.