BRADFORD ABBAS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 1st April 2025 in Bradford Abbas Village Hall AT 7.00pm.
Present: Cllr. Robin Legg (Chairman), Cllr Jenny Thomas, Cllr Peter Clark, Cllr Diane Coffin, Cllr Furby, Cllr Sally Jenkins, The Parish Clerk and 4 members of the public
Apologies for Absence: Cllr Jo Barber.
Declarations of Interest: None were given.
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Tuesday 2nd April 2024: These had been published on the web site and had been recirculated to Councillors. Cllr Coffin proposed and Cllr Thomas seconded that they be approved - agreed.
Chairman’s Report: Several major topics had been discussed during the year-
- Blackberry Solar Farm – There had been no application received to date, but there had been several consultation and public meetings about the application. A funding document for parishes had been requested but to date had not been received. Dorset Council has requested an Environmental Impact Assessment, but as yet there is no scoping document and a response by Dorset Council well take 2-3 months.
- East Farm Footpath – A map modification order was issued on 10th December 2024, Cllr Coffin had attended the inquiry. As yet the footpath has not been opened. Dorset Council have visited the site and once the objection period has ended they will be asked to remove signage, remove the padlock and make access possible. Hedges cannot be trimmed until after the bird nesting season.
- Gollops Ground – the report is in the process of being written by Dorset Council officers ready to be submitted in the near future.
- A 30 – At a meeting for Parish Councils in February, officers identified the crossroads at Underground Road, A 30 and Nether Compton as the most dangerous in the County. Dorset Council officers were looking at 3 possible solutions, 1) Closing the crossing point. 2) Having a turn left only. 3) Reducing the speed still further to 50mph and having speed cameras. A fourth solution had been mooted, narrow the road to 1 ½ carriageways, make ½ a cycleway/footpath.
- Planning Application for a car storage area at the above junction. This was in the planning system and would probably go to Committee. The Parish Council had filed an objection.
Reports from Councillors:
- Neighbourhood Plan: Cllr Thomas gave the report. An enormous amount of work has been undertaken this year, with monthly and sometimes twice weekly meetings with the working Groups who are volunteers. Funding was again applied for and awarded by the Government, it is then managed by the Parish Council. We applied for a design code to be produced by Locality (a Government funded Department). Experts spent 2 days in the Parishes and their code will be included in the Neighbourhood Plan. Working with our specialist advisor we are at appoint where the draft plan can be presented to the Parish Council for consideration and then it will go to public consultation. The plan then returns to the Parish Council prior to going to Dorset Council and the external Government advisor. The plan contains chapters on Our Environment, Our Community, climate change, housing and planning, business, services and economy and traffic, road safety and transport. It has been very time consuming and hard work. The Chair would like to pay tribute to the working group for their commitment and tenacity and being a supportive and dedicated group.
- Telephone Box Group – Another successful year with a constant supply of new fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, which are particularly popular, all supplied by resident, friends and families. The library telephone box is used morning and night. The flower troughs around the area add colour through the seasons. The 80th anniversary of D-Day was celebrated with a display of flags and Rupert our parachute dummy was a challenge to suspend over the telephone box. Remembrance day was recognised with a large display of poppies, helmet, boots and a large cross. It was visited by many and parents with their children after school. Christmas was celebrated with a large brightly lit Christmas tree and our thatched cottage crib. A big thank you to the volunteers who work hard to make all this possible, in particular Steve Longdon and Squish Harris. Looking to the future, next weekend sees the 2nd Art exhibition at Old Mill House courtesy of Valda Baker. Proceeds from the event will go to the Church Heating Fund. The 80th anniversary of VE day will also recognised with a special display.
- Village Hall – Report by Cllr Jenkins – The Education Authority has indicated that a fence is required behind the Hall to protect the children. The Hall Trustees are working with the Headteacher of the school and other organisations regarding its provision.
- Fingerposts - Report by Cllr Coffin – Two new ‘fingers’ have been provided for two separate sign posts. The numbers and letters have been screwed in place. Thanks to the help of the Finger Post Society.
- Rights of Way – Report by Cllr Furby – Monthly reports are prepared for the Parish and Dorset Councils. In general they are in good repair. Mill Farm footpath is in need of repair and quotes are being awaited by Dorset Council. Litter is picked and seems to be on the increase as are the number of ‘dog poo’ bags being left around. A plea to walkers to be responsible and take your waste home or bin it in the correct place.
- Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils – Report by Cllr Furby. – Recent area committee meeting was not very useful and centred around Larger Parishes and Town Councils. Training offered by DAPTC has been used by several Councillors.
Clerk’s Report – This has been busy year with Government, Local, Parish and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. We held Parish elections indicating a healthy interest in the local community by residents. A thank you to all the Councillors who have been working well together and to the Chairman who has had a particularly busy year. As we enter the new financial year I am pleased to say that we have balanced our books and are within budget for the year 2024-2025.
Questions and/or comments from members of the Public – Concern was raised over the extent of rubbish in the area, in particular at the Hollow and in neighbouring roads. A community litter pick was discussed to be carried forward.
A question was raised regarding land ownership at the end of Churchwell Street by the footpath into the Recreation Ground – Cllr Legg to investigate.
Dorset Council ‘No Dogs’ signs have been removed from the gates to the Recreation Ground.
Concern was raised about the green waste collection service as the lorries cannot turn at the end of Churchwell Street and bins are being missed. Normal waste is removed by smaller vehicles than the green waste ones.
The meeting was declared closed at 8.25pm