NETHERBURY PARISH COUNCIL DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 23rd JANUARY 2018 at 7.30PM THE READING ROOM, NETHERBURY PRESENT: Cllr. Robert Bowditch; Cllr. Richard King; Cllr. Graham Hawkins; Cllr Bob Huxter; Cllr. Kevin Goodfellow; Cllr. Caroline Pearce; Cllr. Jo Mann; Cllr. Peter Bailey and Cllr. Chris David ATTENDANCE: Jessica Teasdale (Clerk) 1. APOLOGIES AND APPROVAL OF ABSENCE Apologies were received from, District Cllr. Mark Roberts, Cllr. Rebecca Knox, Cllr. Clare Handford and Cllr. Yvonne Dyke. This was approved by the Council. 2. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS Cllr Hawkins, item 8e. Family member. 3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION A member of the public was present at the meeting to express concerns with Councillors about planning application WD/D/17/002806 & WD/D/17/002807, Kate’s Cottage, Chantry Street, Netherbury. Action: The Clerk to submit concerns to planning. 4. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS Parish Council Meeting 28th November 2017 A copy of the minutes from the meeting held on the 28th November was confirmed as a true and accurate record by the Council and signed by Cllr Bowditch. 5. MATTERS ARISING AND ACTIONS UPDATE 23rd May 2017 Item 10b Cllr David provided the Clerk with a copy of the insurance certificate for Melplash Village Hall. 18th July 2017 Item 9 Cllr David reported that Melplash Village Hall was a donation from the village. 28th November 2017 The Clerk had contacted the Netherbury Car Scheme to gauge take up of the service. There had been no increase in demand since the change to the bus service. Item 8 The Clerk responded to the resident and continued to be in communication regarding transport for the village. Item 13 Councillors visited Howard’s Wood, Netherbury (WD/D/17/002527) and were supportive of the application. The Clerk had contacted Highways regarding concerns raised about the safety of drivers turning on to the B3162 from Ash Lane/Pineapple Lane in the direction of Bridport. Action: The Clerk to write to Highways to ask that they consider a Traffic Regulation Order. 6. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR Cllr Knox had given her apologies as the meeting clashed with Beaminster Town Council’s meeting (where they were due to discuss Community Transport Options). Cllr Knox would report back to the Parish. 1 7. REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR Cllr Roberts had given his apologies. He provided a briefing, via the Clerk, regarding the position of moving to two unitary authorities. Action: The Clerk to write to Cllr Roberts requesting he attend the next Parish Council Meeting. 8. CORRESPONDENCE AND NOTICES a) New External Auditor – PKF Littlejohn LLP The Clerk had provided Councillors with information regarding the new external auditor. The new auditor has been appointed for the five year period, commencing with the financial year 2017/18. b) Request from Netherbury PCC for a £200 donation The Clerk had received a request for a contribution from the Council towards the maintenance of the church yard. A donation of £200 was agreed by Cllr King, seconded by Cllr Bailey. All were in favour. c) War Memorial Trust The Parish Council had been contacted by the War Memorial Trust regarding the condition of the War Memorial in Netherbury. Cllr Hawkins had carried out an initial inspection and provided Councillors with an update. A quote would be needed for the work required, before following up with the Conservation Officer. Action: Cllr Hawkins to contact the stone mason in Waytown to ask him to provide a quote for the repair work. d) Update on grant request for NPC website The grant request to receive funding for a Parish website had not been successful. Councillors agreed that a website that was more responsive and comprehensive would be an asset to the Parish. Councillors agreed to look at the information previously provided by the Clerk on website options and to discuss at the next meeting. e) Request for funding towards upkeep of Brandon Plot and War Memorial garden, Netherbury A letter had been received from a resident of the village asking for a contribution towards the cost of plants for the garden at Brandon Plot and around the War Memorial. Councillors proposed a donation of up to £50. All were in favour. 9. UPDATE ON PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY TRANSPORT FOR NETHERBURY The Clerk had spoken to the Chair of Beaminster Town Council regarding a possible volunteer Community Transport Scheme that would provide transport on a Saturday, and serve Netherbury. Further information would be shared with Councillors when available. The Clerk had also spoken to Dorset Community Transport (DCT). For DCT to provide one service a week there would need to be regular demand for it to be viable. Councillors discussed the village volunteer car scheme. Action: The Clerk to invite Mandy Alford to the next meeting to discuss the possibility of expanding the scheme. 10. UPDATE ON THE WORK OF THE LENGTHSMAN Cllr Bailey updated Councillors on the work undertaken by the Lengthsman, which included clearing drains, cutting vegetation around road sign and repairing a village bench in Netherbury. Cllr Bailey reported that the Lengthsman would be repairing the bus shelter and bench in Melplash. Two invoices had been received for the work undertaken. The invoices of £378 and £402 were approved by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Huxter. All were in favour. Action: The Clerk to write to Beaminster School to ask if the woodwork department could replace a section of the noticeboard in Melpash which had been made by the school in 1965. 11. LIGHT POLLUTION The Clerk had discussed concerns about light pollution from a house in Salway Ash with West Dorset District Council (WDDC) and had provided Councillors with options to explore. Further concerns had since been raised with Councillors. Action: The Chair to speak to the owners of the property concerned. 2 12. ACCOUNTS a) Councillors reviewed the finance position for 2017/18 and noted the current balance. b) Following discussions at the previous meeting, the Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer had prepared a revised draft budget for 2018/19. Councillors discussed the proposed budget against last years’ budget and current spends. Cllr Bowditch approved the budget, seconded by Cllr Bailey. All were in favour. c) The Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer proposed a 3% increase on last years’ precept. Cllr Bowditch approved the budget, seconded by Cllr Bailey. All were in favour. d) The Clerk had provided Councillors with information on income, through the Community Infrastructure Levy of £338.40. Councillors noted the criteria by which it would need to be spent. e) The Clerk is booked to attend training on the New External Auditor and New Limited Assurance Regime. Cllr King approved the cost of £15, seconded by Cllr Huxter. All were in favour. f) The Clerk is booked to attend a DAPTC Clerks Course. Cllr King approved the cost of £40, seconded by Cllr Huxter. All were in favour. g) The Clerk’s expenses of £25.79 was approved by Cllr King, seconded by Cllr Huxter. All were in favour. 13. PLANNING APPLICATIONS The following planning applications had been received and reviewed by Councillors: a. WD/D/17/002510, Cranleigh, Crooked Oak Hill, Melplash b. WD/D/17/002527, Howards Wood, Netherbury c. WD/D/17/002550, Meadowback House, Pymore d. WD/D/17/002782, Greenacres, Pymore e. WD/D/17/002794 & WD/D/17/002795, Lower Silkhay Farm, Netherbury f. WD/D/17/002806 & WD/D/17/002807, Kates Cottage, Chantry Street, Netherbury g. WD/D/17/002824, 28 Salway Ash Drive, Salway Ash Comments, where received, had been submitted to WDDC Planning. 14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS A report had been received from the Police Community Support Officer prior to the meeting. Councillors noted the report. The meeting closed at 9.15pm. 3 .