CORSCOMBE, HALSTOCK AND DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 31 March 2104 at 7.30pm at Halstock Community
Hall.
Present: Cllrs. Martin Manning (chair), Henry Lovegrove, Jason Price, Jo Vassie, Jenny Dalton, Finlay
McPherson, Sam Holloway, Peter Lemmey; District Councillor Tony Frost, PCSO Alex Bishop; clerk Freda
Hennessy and one member of the public.
1. APOLOGIES: Cllrs Mary Tucker, Jennifer Smith, Stuart Turner.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Cllr Lemmey for planning item WD/D/14/000696.
3. MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 27 JANUARY 2014. The minutes were approved as correct
and signed.
4. REPORTS.
Cllr Frost said that the District Council has a new Chief Executive Officer.
PCSO Bishop reported on the efforts to cut car crime at beauty spots. There has been a rise in shed and
motor vehicle thefts especially near the coast. Advice on any security matters can be accessed via
phoneline 101. A decision has not been made on the future of the Beaminster police office. If it is closed
the Community Police Team would be based entirely at Bridport.
5. PUBLIC DISCUSSION PERIOD. No matters were raised.
6. MATTERS ARISING FROM MEETING OF 27 JANUARY 2014.
6.1 HIGHWAYS ROADWATCH. The ‘give way’ markings at Boundary Farm have been amended.
6.2 NOTICE BOARDS. It was resolved that an order should be placed with Adrian Rees of Halstock for two
boards of the given specification at the quoted price of £1410 for the two. One will
be placed at Halstock Shop, the other at the sheepwash at the Fox if the design is
approved by the management.
6.3 LAND AT ROMAN VILLA. The golf driving range has closed. Mr Nick Searle, the owner of the part not
owned by the Council is hoping to use the premises and land productively. The Council will consult with Mr
Searle on this. The rubbish still needs removal – Cllr Lemmey to be asked if he can do this. There is still
much scrub and nettles etc to clear before the area can be restored to grass for mowing. Solutions to be
sought. The hedge has been coppiced.
6.4 HALSTOCK BUS SHELTER. Opening the front to be considered. Chairman to do this.
7. REPORTS FROM MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES.
The summary reports were received. matters arising:
7.1 BAVLAP. The local area partnerships continue for the moment but the District Council which supports
and partly funds them is undergoing a review of the Community Services section (among others) which
mans this work. There may be changes. Meanwhile BAVLAP is producing its new Action Plan with
consultations in the area till June.
The possible closure of the Beaminster police office was discussed.
It was resolved that the parish council should write to the Police and Crime
Commissioner to ask that a base be maintained at Beaminster to help policing and
community liaison in the northern part of the Communiyt Team’s patch.
7.2 DAPTC WESTERN AREA. The future of the Local Plan is uncertain. it is unlikely to be approved this year.
Speedwatch, run by volunteers, has started in Beaminster. It may be rolled out to villages.
7.3 DAPTC ANNUAL CONFERENCE. A speaker from the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), which is
tasked with supporting and encouraging business and enterprise in the county, was asked that the LEP
should communicate with local councils and consult with them in future about local needs.
7.4 DAPTC FINANCE SEMINAR. This had given helpful advice and updates on many aspects of local council
finance. Guidance on assets registers and risk assessment had indicated that the parish Council’s
documents were acceptable. The update risk Assessment and Assets Register had been circulated to
members.
It was resolved that the Risk Assessment and Assets Register for 2013-4 be approved
as presented.
8. CORRESPONDENCE. The list was presented and reviewed. matters arising:
8.1 NEW WARD BOUNDARY. The proposal for Corscombe, Halstock and the Chelboroughs to be included in
the Beaminster ward was strongly supported. A response will be sent from the Parish Council to the
Boundary Commission.
8.2 WDDC and WPBC JOINT STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. The document was considered
weak, with no reference to status of parish plans and local opinions. parish council response will be made.
8.3 DORSET SPRING CLEAN. Councillors were asked if they could arrange volunteers for their ‘lengths’.
Collected rubbish may be left out for normal collection.
8.4 MATERIAL PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS. The District Planners have issued a new document. This will
be emailed to councillors.
9. FINANCE.
9.1 FINANCIAL STATEMENT. Received and approved.
9.2 PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL. All agreed.
9.3 NEW LEGISLATION – ONLINE BANKING. It will be possible for the council to have an online account if it
contains safeguards to replace the two-signature system now in place. Any change will need to be
discussed in full by members.
9.4 NEW LEGISLATION – EXTERNAL AUDIT. It had been expected that local councils with small turnover
would be able to appoint their own auditors. There are problems, so for now we use the external auditors
appointed for us.
10. PLANNING. The list was received.
10.1 LAND SOUTH OF ACCESS TO WOOD FARM, EAST CHELBOROUGH. It was agreed that the land area
seemed insufficient for the proposed project, especially as there was no provision for residence on site.
Refusal recommended.
10.2 RAMPISHAM DOWN. Exact area of SSSI to be checked.
10.3 WALL AT OLD BAKERY, HALSTOCK. The boundary status to be checked.
11. OTHER REPORTS.
Clerk’s review of salary and performance to be discussed at next meeting.
The meeting was closed at 9pm.
Signed..............................................................................
date.......................................
Next meeting Tuesday 27 May 7.30pm at Corscombe Village Hall – Annual Meeting and May Meeting.