Minutes of the meeting of LYTCHETT MATRAVERS PARISH COUNCIL
Meeting of Full Council, Weds 19th October 2022 at 7.00 p.m. in the Blanchard Room, Village Hall.
PRESENT were A Huggins (Council Vice-Chair), M Attridge, R Aspray, K Korenevsky, B Lister, K Morgan, P Webb and Mr T Watton (Parish Clerk).
Also present: Dorset Cllr Alex Brenton and one member of the public were also present.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION SESSION (Standing orders suspended)
A resident expressed concerns about the relatively poor mobile phone coverage across the village and sought an update from the Parish Council on this. Cllr Huggins responded by explaining that he had started looking into this on the community’s behalf 4-5 years ago. This included speaking to representatives of each of the four mobile phone providers, as well as specialists at Dorset Council. He detailed the locations of the current masts and explained that the view of the providers is that, from their commercial point of view, because there is some network coverage in the village by each of the providers, the village is not considered a priority for enhanced investment. However, Cllr Huggins offered to contact the network providers again to see if there has been any change in their position on this.
Dorset Cllr Brenton commented that a planning proposal for extra equipment to be installed on the mast at Charborough Tower was agreed by the Local Planning Authority (Dorset Council) in September. It is not yet clear what impact, if any, this may have on mobile phone signal in Lytchett Matravers.
Cllr Webb drew attention to a Government initiative for mobile signal in rural areas based on mast sharing between the network providers. It is also not yet clear how relevant this may be.
DORSET COUNCILLORS’ REPORT
Dorset Cllr Alex Brenton produced a report which had been made available to members ahead of the meeting. Members noted its content, and a copy is associated at Appendix 1 to these minutes.
Regarding the reported £29m gap in the DC budget, Cllr Attridge wondered what percentage this was of the total DC budget.
1. To receive and consider apologies for absence.
Cllrs V Abbott, B Barker, A Bush and H Khanna. Dorset Cllrs B Pipe and A Star also conveyed their apologies.
2. To receive any declarations of interest, and consider any requests for Special Dispensations under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011.
None.
3. To receive and resolve to approve minutes of Council meeting held on 128th September 2022.
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes as a true record of the meeting. They were duly signed by the meeting Chair.
4. To receive and consider reports of past subject matters on the minutes of the Full Council meetings (for purposes of report only).
It was RESOLVED to receive and note the contents of the following report, which had been prepared and circulated in advance of the meeting by the Parish Clerk. Italics below indicate additional comments made during the meeting.
- Minute 21, 22nd September 2021 – signage for BMX / cycle dirt track. It was agreed that the signage would be erected by the Guerrilla Gardeners. This has been delivered to the Parish Council office. It was clarified that this notice requires two posts to be installed.
- Minute 7.3, Full Council 27th April 2022 – replacement of the elderly rectangular bin adjacent to the upper car park located approx. halfway between the Sports Pavilion and the Village Hall. This has now been received. It was agreed that the Guerrilla Gardeners will install it.
- DC Ward members’ report, Full Council, 22nd June 2022 – outstanding invitation to Purbeck CAB representative to attend a Council meeting. This meeting took place on 28th September 2022. Discharged
On a separate but related matter the Parish Clerk agreed to chase the CAB for the publicity material Katrina Ford had promised that they would provide.
- Minute 11, Full Council, 22nd June 2022 – export tariff with Octopus Energy. On 25th June 2022 the Parish Clerk pursued the previously registered request with Octopus Energy to join their “Panel Power” scheme to export excess solar energy. They responded to ask for the DNO and MCS certificates. These were forwarded to Octopus on 1st July. After three further “no progress” updates from Octopus, Rob Carswell arranged for H2ECO to visit the site and attend to a problem which had evidently been causing a delay in this process. On 15th Sept Octopus Energy advised that the export MPAN had now been generated and they were then waiting for this to come on supply. Octopus Energy indicated that they would check on the status of the export MPAN again in week commencing 19th Sept. However as of 18th October no further update had yet been received.
- Minute 17, Full Council 10th Aug 2022 – dog exercise area. Actions:
(a) Arrange for a tree surgeon to remove any low hanging branches to ensure a minimum 3.5 metre height clearance above the line of the planned fence, so that the fencing contractor is able to manoeuvre the necessary machinery to install the fence. This work has now been completed. Discharged
On a separate matter, but linked to the above, Cllr Morganasked about the progress towards removal of the bramble roots and re-seeding with grass. The Parish Clerk advised that immediately after this was raised he had spoken to Mr Warr, who had agreed to undertake this task. The Clerk advised members that he would remind Mr Warr that this work needs to be done ASAP so that the seed has a chance to germinate before the winter.
Cllr Morgan also reiterated his earlier expressed concerns about the safety of the large Ash tree at the south western boundary of the Recreation Ground.
- Minute 29, 28th Sept 2022 – drinking water. At the meeting on 28th September 2022, Cllr Abbott indicated that she would be willing to visit local businesses to ascertain their willingness to offer free refills for drinking water bottles.
5. Chair’s announcements (for the purposes of report only).
There were none.
6. To receive and note the content of the minutes of the Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting on 12th October 2022 (for purposes of report only)
It was RESOLVED to receive and note the contents of these draft minutes.
7. To consider the following recommendations from the Finance & General Purposes Committee:
(i) Recommendation to re-appoint Rosie Darkin-Miller as the Council’s Internal Auditor for YE 31 Mar 2023.
RESOLVED to APPROVE.
(ii) Recommendation to remain opted in to the Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments (SAAA) process for the next 5 year period of appointment of External Auditor for Parish & Town Councils
RESOLVED to APPROVE.
8. To consider planning application P/HOU/2022/06230 2 Lions Court Wimborne Road Lytchett Matravers Poole BH16 6HQ. Proposed single storey extension to rear of existing dwelling with some internal alterations to form an annex accessible via the main property.
NO OBJECTION.
9. To receive a report from the Climate Change Emergency Working Group (for purposes of report only).
No report.
10. To receive a report from the Huntick Road Cycleway Working Group (for purposes of report only)
No report.
11. To receive a report from the Village Environment Working Group (for purposes of report only)
A summary report had been made available to all members ahead of this meeting and the contents were noted. A copy is associated at Appendix 2 to these minutes. Cllr Morgan drew particular attention to the question of whether to extend the “School Walk” surfaced path across the field at the rear of the school. Cllr Attridge agreed to raise the matter with the school to clarify whether, if this was done, the school would be prepared and able to staff the gate.
12. Receive a report from the Neighbourhood Plan 2 Working Group (for purposes of report only).
No report.
13. To resolve to approve the following payments already made:
| To Whom | For What | Net | VAT | Total |
| British Telecom | Office phone and broadband – Sept 2022 | 50.66 | 10.13 | 60.79 |
| Fletchamoore (Poole) Ltd | Groundworks for exercise equipment | 8468.00 | 1693.00 | 10161.60 |
| J L Corbin Fencing Contractors | Supply and install 200m 1.2m high stockproof mesh and gates at recreation ground, plus relocate 2 x composite barriers and 2 x retractable posts | 4575.00 | 915.00 | 5490.00 |
It was RESOLVED to approve the above payments already made.
14. To resolve to approve the following payments due:
| To Whom | For What | Net | VAT | Total |
| T Watton | Clerk’s salary – Oct | 1057.35 | 0.00 | 1057.35 |
| HMRC | PAYE & ENI – Oct | 361.26 | 0.00 | 361.26 |
| Dorset County Pension Fund | LGPS pension contrib Oct 2022 | 390.01 | 0.00 | 390.01 |
| T Homer | Handyman duties, Sept 2022 | 257.50 | 0.00 | 257.50 |
| Aerial Tree Services Ltd | Dismantle diseased Ash trees and reduce Oak trees at Recreation Ground. Removal of all waste. | 3000.00 | 0.00 | 3000.00 |
| Caloo Ltd | Supply and installation of adult exercise equipment at Recreation Ground | 10347.00 | 2069.40 | 12416.40 |
| Zurich Insurance PLC | Additional insurance premium for (i) Dog exercise area (ii) exercise equipment | 95.42 | 0.00 | 95.42 |
| SSE | Car park lighting quarter 2, 22/23 | 15.89 | 0.78 | 16.67 |
| A Clothier | Cover for Clerk’s holiday absence | 146.70 | 0.00 | 146.70 |
| A Bush | Reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of Council | 57.00 | 0.00 | 57.00 |
| A Huggins | Reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of Council | 89.16 | 1.46 | 90.62 |
| T Watton | Reimbursement of mileage expenses incurred on behalf of Council | 21.60 | 0.00 | 21.60 |
| Royal British Legion Trading Ltd | Poppy wreath for remembrance day | 16.67 | 3.33 | 20.00 |
It was RESOLVED to approve all of the above payments.
15. To note any training undertaken by members or the Clerk in the past month (for purposes of report only).
There was none.
16. To note any decisions and / or action taken by Parish Clerk under “Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014”, Part 3, Paragraphs 6-10, Record of Decisions and Access to Documents (for purposes of report only).
None.
17. To note correspondence received (for purposes of report only).
There was none in addition to the matters already covered in the above items.
The meeting closed at 19:53 Annotated by/on ……………………………..Signed by……………………
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1
Report by Dorset Cllr Alex Brenton
Nutrient neutrality and Planning issues The session on nutrient neutrality and planning issues run by Dorset Council on Monday 19th October was interesting and a copy of the recording should become available for Parish & Town Clerks, worth listening to. I had not known the difference between Septic Tanks and STPs.
Digital Future Day at Kingston Maurward I attended the Digital Future Day at Kingston Maurward focussing on changes to agriculture and aquaculture. Some interesting ideas about cultivating mussels and seaweed for food and energy. Not sure if Poole Harbour has been considered for new techniques yet. The shell fish and seaweed should grow faster with all the P&N in the water. The problem is with Human sewage contamination.
Dorset Library consultation on the Draft Strategy
Have all the Councillors responded to the Dorset Library consultation on the Draft Strategy? – Open until 1 December. I was concerned that the strategy regards Upton as only a basic library when it has so much potential. I said as much in my response.
Investment Zones. Dorset Council’s interest in Investment zones has caused some controversy. The zones are supposed to be free of many planning regulations and should speed up developments. The wildlife charities like RSPB and National Trust are concerned it puts wildlife areas at risk[1] but further clarification from Cabinet member says it is only for 3 small zones around Weymouth and Portland and Wool so should not mean wholescale destruction of green areas.
Community and Culture Project Fund Round 4 of the Community and Culture Project Fund will open at 9am on Friday 4 November 2022.
In addition to supporting the themes in round 3, the next round will prioritise grants to applicants that address and support the cost-of-living challenge for vulnerable communities and those most in need in the Dorset council area. The types of cost-of-living projects that can be considered will focus on:
o community warm spaces especially in rural areas
o community food projects including lunch clubs and dinner clubs
o foodbanks
o low level Mental Health projects
Dorset Council Budget 2023-24 Dorset Council is facing a £29 million gap in its budget for the next financial year.The council says setting the budget for 2023-24 will be a ‘challenging’ process as it prepares to consider a report at Cabinet on October 4.
It claims the three main variables affecting finances are inflation – with ‘costs increasing at an unprecedented rate, affecting many services the council provides.’ For example, it says, rising fuel costs are impacting on transport services, while capital costs for road works and new buildings are affected by infrastructure price rises – employee pay awards – the nationally agreed pay offer for next year alone is anticipated to cost the council an extra £6 million – and growing demand for adult social care due to the ageing population and new Government reforms coming in over the next year. will cost significant sums to implement.
Cllr Gary Suttle, portfolio holder for finance, commercial and capital strategy, said: “Once again, we face a challenging budget situation, as do nearly all councils across the country. Dorset Council continues to be under-funded by Government, but this is now exacerbated by inflation. As councillors, we must work hard over the coming months to set a balanced budget. This may require some difficult decisions.”
Energy Bills Support Scheme The Energy Bills Support Scheme provides a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023. The discount is automatic. If you get a message asking for your bank details, this could be a scam. You can report messages you think are suspicious. All households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales are eligible for the discount.
APPENDIX 2
Village Environment Working Group – Summary Report. October 2022
Working Group Objective:
To identify areas of concern/opportunity within the physical environment of the Village and propose responses. Due to other pressures a Progress Mtg has not convened since the Nov PC mtg.
Working Group Participants:
Ken Morgan, Alf Bush, Andrew Huggins, Karen Korenevsky, Vicky Abbot, Hannah Khanna
Details:
1. Boules/Petanque Pitches – Layout/positions agreed.
2. Community Garden adj fence at top of Pond Walk. Has this initiative died?
3. Higher Cross Bus plinth– Design + budget for Planter and Bench approved.
4. Hannams Close entrance enhancement. Bench in position. Discuss with management company.
5. Wareham Rd/School traffic/parking – DC/WSP proposals discussions ongoing. – New Car Pk?
6. Pond –J.K now eliminated.
7. Finger post Renovations – Blaneys Corner done. Vol Training + sponsorship. Progress on Upper X with discounted parts available.
8. Library Green Path – Licence agreed. Contractor awaiting components. Start programmed 6th Nov.
9. High St Crossing – Awaiting DC Highways.
10. Tesco frontage – Acceptable design agreed with DC. Suggest joint Tesco/DC/PC funding. Possible bollard/boulder compromise?
11. Sports/Scout Bldgs ‘backside’ to High St. Short term Ideas + longer term opportunities.
12. School Walk – Extend path across school field?
13. 20mph and/or other traffic problems.
Dependencies:
· Dorset Council Highways + Planning/Local Plan. Flow of CIL monies.
Status/Next Steps:
· Dog area boundary + tree planting.
· Higher Cross Bus Stop Plinth – Collect materials + build (volunteer labour).
· Boules/Petanque Pitches – Develop design and invite tenders.
· Pond – Develop design and seek tenders.
· ‘Hannams Gate’ – develop design ideas.
· Work up designs for Sports Area + Rec landscaping/tree planting.
· Push harder for Tesco/Highways to fund/activate shop frontage remodelling.
· Investigate Grants/Funding/Sponsorship/Lottery/ Local Trusts + Loans/Mortgage possibilities.
· Re-energise highways re High St and School crossings