SOUTH PERROTT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 13th Januray 2022 at 7.30pm the Village Hall
Present: Cllr Jonathan Baker, Cllr Gill Denny, Cllr Tom Scott-Malden
In Attendance: Jane Thicknesse, Clerk, and 5 members of the public.
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Item No. |
Action |
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Public discussion of items on agenda a. The River Warden thanked the Parish Council for providing a Christmas Tree for The Pound. |
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2022/001 |
Apologies / Declarations of interest / grant of dispensations Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Balavant Barber (subsequent to the meeting), Alex Bishop (PCSO), Cllr Rebecca Knox (Dorset Councillor) |
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2022/002 |
Approval of Minutes of meeting held on 18th November 2021 The minutes of the last meeting were approved, and were signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Cllr Harris and seconded by Cllr Scott-Malden |
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2022/003 |
Matters arising from Minutes of meeting held on 18th November 2021 a. Pipplepen Solar Farm Project The Clerk reported that she had recently been in contact with Michelle Howley from Elgin Energy who was optimistic that there would be a good degree of progress on the project in January. Updated Design and Access and Planning Statements and a revised layout for the project that reflect the revisions required by Wessex Water and the outcomes of the Geophysical Survey had recently been provided to both South Somerset District and Dorset Councils. Further information on ecology and landscape was due to be provided shortly and it is hoped that once all this information has been received a decision would be made relatively quickly. b. Fingerpost The Chairman reported that the fingerpost had been repaired and replaced. c. Steps and Gate along Baileys Lane The Footpaths Officer reported that she had been in touch with Russell Goff, Senior Ranger (West and Coast), Dorset Council who had agreed that Dorset Council would provide steps at the end of Baileys Lane. It is hoped that they will also install a new gate but this is still to be confirmed along with the timescale for the work. d. Noticeboard in Manor Close Cllr Denny said that although some village residents had been asked about erecting a noticeboard in Manor Close the survey had not been fully completed. The Chairman requested the outstanding residents were questioned to enable a decision to be made at the next meeting. e. Picket Lane Work to repair parts of the road surface in Picket Lane had been due to start on Monday 10th January but appeared to have been delayed. There was evidence that it may commence imminently. f. Bank account The Clerk reported that she had made initial contact with the Co-op Bank with the aim of opening a new bank account. To date progress had been limited but she would persevere and hoped to have more to report at the next meeting. |
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2022/004 |
Reports a. River Warden There have been no incidents of flooding reported in the village since my last report in November 2021. Martyn Gillingham Tel: 891931, Email: mcvgillingham@btinternet.com b. Footpaths Officer At this time of the year the fields become a quagmire especially as most of the local paths traverse farmland. As a result it becomes treacherous underfoot and extra care needs to be taken. c. PCSO Report PCSO Alex Bishop sent his apologies. He reported that whilst not in South Perrott, there was a burglary in the early hours of Sunday 19th December in a house in Chedington. The investigation is still on going. Stolen items include a hand bag containing bank cards and cash, and also a few Christmas presents. d. Councillor Rebecca Knox Cllr Knox sent her apologies and a report. In her report she offered her assistance with any planning matters or other matters arising from the meeting and reminded people to stay safe during this period when the Dorset COVID figures remain concerning. |
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2022/005 |
Planning Matters a. Applications handled since last meeting None b. Decisions notified by DC since last meeting i. WD/D/20/001708 – Coach and Horses Inn (Parrett Hotel) – REJECTED c. New applications to be considered None d. Tree applications since last meeting i. P/TRT/2021/05508 – Shepherds Farmhouse – reduce crown of oak by 1m to rebalance e. Other Planning Matters i. Field along Bailey’s Lane The Clerk reported that she was in regular contact with Reg Willing, Senior Enforcement Officer for West Dorset. He had been informed by the agent acting for the landowner that the caravan and two of the three sheds had been removed. Unfortunately this was not the case at the time but subsequent work has resulted in only the caravan and larger shed (erected in 2021) remaining. |
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2022/006 |
Highways Updates a. Road sweeper Recently seen operating in the village. b. Shrub in Manor Close Trimmed back to expose street light c. Outstanding Matters i. The yellow warning triangle at the junction of Picket Lane and the A356 to be added. |
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2022/007 |
Correspondence Emails have been received/sent reference Emails have been received/sent reference Highways (various), Planning, Precept Hard copies of correspondence: Lloyds Bank Statement, Clerk and Councils Direct. |
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2022/008 |
Finance b. Financial Status Payments made since 18th November 2021
Income since 18th November 2021
New cheques/payments for consideration
Bank balance as at 13th January 2022: £4335.49 b. Village Enhancements, Budget and Precept The Chairman thanked the Councillors for their work collecting suggestions for village enhancements which were wide ranging and are listed at the end of these minutes. Some were thought to be achievable relatively easily but others would need investigation and costing before informed discussions could take place.
The Chairman suggested that one immediate enhancement could be the employment of a ‘lengthsman’ to be responsible for various jobs to keep the village looking tidy. These could include cutting back overgrown vegetation, strimming of public spaces, ensuring pavements are kept clear and checking drains and gullies. The Chairman suggested that the sum of £1000 was included in the 2022/23 Budget which he thought would provide about 50 hours of specific work spread over a 9-10 month period. The work would be advertised locally and interested parties (who had their own equipment, insurance and liability) would be asked to tender. The scheme would be reviewed at the end of the year. |
Chairman/Clerk
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2022/009 |
Matters of report and items for the next meeting a. Chairman The Chairman asked if the Councillors thought a South Perrot Parish Council Facebook page would be useful. It was agreed that there were already sufficient media platforms available for the village but that direct access the South Perrott Support Group Facebook page could be useful for the Clerk. b. Clerk The Clerk informed Councillors that various training courses were available and she would be forwarding details. c. Members Nothing to report |
Chairman Clerk |
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2022/010 |
Dates of Future Meetings Thursday 10th March 2022 at 7.30pm. The meeting closed at 8:40 pm |
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Public Session to raise items for future agendas a. Concern was expressed about parking in The Pound, specifically the number of vehicles which appear to use it as a permanent parking location. The Clerk was asked to investigate whether it might be possible to introduce some form of restrictions. |
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Village Enhancement Suggestions Planters |