Parish Council Meetings will take place at 7:30 pm on the following dates:
- 9 January
- 6 March
- 1 May
- 3 July
- 3 September
- 4 November
Agendas and minutes will be added as they become available.
Posted 18 June 2024 - 02:38 PM
Parish Council Meetings will take place at 7:30 pm on the following dates:
Agendas and minutes will be added as they become available.
Posted 26 December 2024 - 12:00 AM
BRADFORD PEVERELL PARISH COUNCIL
Meeting to be held in the Village Hall
Thursday 9th January 2025
Starting at 7.30 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Introduction by the Chairman Chairman
2. Introduction of new Clerk – Edwin Macknamara Chairman
3. Apologies for Absence Clerk
4. Open Session Chairman
5. Minutes of the meeting of 5th November 2024 Chairman
6. Matters arising from Nov. minutes, not on this agenda Chairman
7. Election of a Chairman Chairman
8. Documents and Policies Cllr Bishop
9. Representative reports:
Planning Cllr Meaden
Amenity Fields Colin Chapman
Village Maintenance Cllr Howard
Village Hall Cllr Morgan
Muckleford Cllr Bishop
River/Flood Warden Colin Hawkins
10. Correspondence Clerk
11. Grass cutting Chairman
12. Finance Clerk
Payments made since last meeting
Payments to be made
Clerk’s Expenses as per calculations herewith £
Money Received since last meeting
Reconciled Bank Balances as at 30th December 2024
Treasurer’s account £
Business savings account £
(Financial spreadsheets including bank reconciliations have been circulated to councillors)
Update on banking arrangement
13. Budgets
Setting the Budget
Precept for 2024/2025
14. Future Meetings Chairman
To start at 7:30 p.m.
March 6th, May 1st, July 3rd, September 4th, November 6th
15. Any other business Chairman
16. Next meeting
as per item 14 above – March 6th Chairman
Posted 18 February 2025 - 11:29 AM
CHALK STREAM MAGAZINE – JANUARY 2025
Bradford Peverell Parish Council met on the 9th January, 2025 and the following summary is provided for the information of local Residents.
The full Minutes will be posted on the Council’s website prior to the next meeting which will take place in the Village Hall on the 6th March, 2025 commencing at 7.30pm
The maintenance of the Jubilee and Millenium Fields continues with additional cuts to the grass agreed for February, 2025. Improvements to the safety of the two fields was also discussed and costs for these improvements would be obtained for the next meeting. Also the provision of a second goal would be considered. The options for improvements include a protective coat for the goal uprights, topping up the surrounding area with soil or soil and wood chippings. Signing of the two fields with emergency contact details would also be discussed.
The Parish Council also monitor the condition of the roads and report potholes to Dorset Council for repair. Concern remains about the pothole adjacent to the old school and Dorset Council have been asked to discuss repairs with British Telecom and the relocation of their cables to improve road conditions. The Grit Bins have also been inspected to ensure that Dorset Council fill them with Grit.
The Council was pleased to note that improvements to the Village Hall had been undertaken including a new PA System and repairs to the pipework to the heating tank.
Local Residents asked the Council to discuss the trees on the area of land near Frome View. Ownership is unknow but the Land Registry has been consulted to try and establish who the land owners are.
The Council set their Precept requirement for 2025/26 and have asked Dorset Council for £9617 for the financial year. This will lead to a small increase in the Council tax of 0.37% payable to the Parish Council.
The Parish Council has also asked Dorset Council to request repairs to the wall adjacent to the highway in the Village and some improvements have been made.
Finally, the Parish Council welcomed Mr. Edwin Macknamara as Clerk and Finance Officer to the council who can be contacted via email bppparishcouncil@gmail.com
The Council’s telephone number is 07787 082553.
With best wishes on behalf of the Parish Council for a happy New Year.
Posted 28 February 2025 - 09:39 AM
The minutes for the meeting held on 9 January are available below.
BRADFORD PEVERELL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of Bradford Peverell Parish Council
held in the Village Hall on Thursday 9th January, 2025
commencing at 7:30pm
MINUTES
In attendance:
Bradford Peverell Parish Councillors
Gloria Towner – Vice Chair (GT)
Neil Howard (NH)
Paul Meaden (PM)
Terry Bishop (TB)
Brenda Edwards (BE)
Edwin Macknamara – Clerk to the Council
BPPC Representatives
Colin Chapman (CCh)
Apologies for absence:
Jon Desborough
Steve Morgan
David Taylor (Dorset Council)
1. The Vice-Chairman welcomed all those present and wished everyone a happy new year. She also introduced Mr. Edwin Macknamara who had been appointed as Clerk to the Council with effect from the 1st January, 2023
2. PUBLIC SESSION: No matters were raised by Members of the Public.
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 5th NOVEMBER, 2024
The minutes of the meeting held on the 5th September 2024 had been circulated to all members prior to the meeting.
RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting and signed by the Chair.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
Councillor Bishop reported that work ton the Risk Register was almost complete and would be circulated at the next meeting to allow the newly appointed Clerk to be consulted prior to adoption by the Council.
5. ELECTION OF CHAIR: No nominations were forthcoming and this item was deferred until the next meeting.
6. DOCUMENTS AND POLICIES: Councillor Bishop reported that the proposed Standing Orders and Financial Regulations (based on the Models provided by NALC) had been circulated with the agenda. The Internal Auditor and Clerk had also been consulted. It was proposed and seconded that these documents be now adopted by the Council. It was also noted that work continued on finalising additional documents which would be circulated for adoption at the next meeting.
RESOLVED: That the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations circulated with the Agenda and attached hereto as Appendix A Standing Orders and Appendix B Financial Regulations be approved and adopted by the Council with immediate effect.
7. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS:
a: Planning (Cllr. Meaden)
There was nothing further to report however potential further development at Poundbury which may affect Roman Road would continue to be monitored.
The proposed senior living development did not appear to be going ahead at present.
b: Amenity Fields (Mr. C. Chapman)
The amenity fields looked much tidier now that they had been mowed. The Council should, at a future meeting, consider erecting signs at both fields and also consider whether the Millennium Field should be available to hire for appropriate events, The Jubilee Field was already available for hire.
Councillor Bishop suggested that a second goal should be provided at the Jubilee Field and he offered to report to the next meeting on the likely costs.
The meeting discussed options to improve safety at the Jubilee Field and Colin Chapman was present at the meeting to outline the options particularly to the exposed pipe work and brackets. 3 options were put forward including a protective coat for the posts, top up the surrounding soil or top up with soil/chippings. A further report would be submitted for consideration at the next meeting. It was also noted that the brambles and weeds had now been treated but the litter bin was not regularly emptied and could possibly be moved to an area were emptying could be carried out. It was agreed that as the bin was portable it could be moved to the entrance.
The fencing along the road had also been replaced and a good job had been done. Any replacement could be considered later in 2025/6. A sign at the entrance with details of emergency contacts etc. was being investigated.
The wooden equipment had been treated to remove the lichen including the benches.
c: Village Maintenance (Cllr. Howard)
Some potholes had been filled. The pothole near the Old School remained a concern and had again been reported to Dorset Council for action.
Cllr. Neil Howard was checking the grit bins to ensure that they had been filled throughout the Parish.
d: Village Hall (Cllr. Morgan)
A short update had been circulated prior to the meeting setting out the events recently held at the Village Hall. Some improvements to the Hall had been completed which included a new PA System funded by the Hall and Church. Members felt that whose asset the new PA System would be should be clarified. It was also noted that the pipework to the heating tank had been repaired.
e: Muckleford (Cllr. Bishop) Nothing to report.
f: River/Flood Warden (Colin Hawkins) Despite heavy rainfall there were no incidents to report.
8. CORRESPONDENCE: The Clerk had no correspondence to report. Correspondence had been received from Mr. and Mrs. Goodrum concerning the trees near Frome View.
Cllr. Towner reported that she had contacted the Land Registry to attempt to establish ownership of the area of the Frome View trees. A reply was awaited.
9. GRASS CUTTING: Dorset Council had confirmed the costs for addition fortnightly cuts at £150 for each cut. It was moved and seconded that additional cuts be requested and it was:
RESOLVED: That the costs of additional grass cutting at £150 per cut be agreed and additional cuts ordered.
RESOLVED: That one extra cut of the two fields be requested in February, 2025 at a cost £150.
10. FINANCE: The Clerk reported that he was arranging for the Bank Mandate to be changed and for Bank Statements to be sent directly to the new Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer. He would then be able to submit financial reports to future meetings.
In view of the proposal to consider new banking arrangements it was agreed that a report should be made to the next meeting on appropriate alternative banking arrangements.
11. BUDGET/PRECEPT
The report of the meeting with the Internal Auditor held on the 20th November, 2024 together with the proposed Draft Budget 2025/26 had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Clerk reported that Dorset Council required the Precept Request to be submitted to them by the 31st January, 2025 and details of the tax base had also been received.
The proposed Budget recommended that the Precept for 2025/26 be set at £9617 an increase of 1.99%. The Clerk further reported that the tax base had increased which would minimise the increase paid by residents. He would circulate these details in due course. The figures provided by the Internal Auditor also showed that the proposed Precept would balance with the Budget for 2025/26 and the Clerk would provide further information when he had taken further advice from the Internal Auditor.
It was then moved and seconded that the Parish Council set the Precept for 2025/26 at £9617 and that the Clerk/RFO submit the Precept Request to Dorset Council.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk/RFO be authorised to submit the Precept Request to Dorset Council of £9617 for the financial year 2025/26.
12. FUTURE MEETINGS
Dates for future meetings were agreed as follows:
6th March, 2025
1st May, 2025
3rd July, 2025
To be held at Bradford Peverell Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (FOR INFORMATION ONLY)
EMAILS: The Clerk was asked to ensure that all documents circulated to Members in A4 format should be in an acceptable printable format.
Millenium Field: Should additional goal posts be provided it was suggested that the Council consider a formal opening.
Printer: The Clerk was asked to provide costings for the purchase of a new printer capable of printing A3 (single sheets) and the costs of printing ink.
The Chalk Stream Magazine: The Clerk would ask the Editor for the dates when submissions were required and that the Council Minutes be also provided to the Editor.
Glebe House Wall: Dorset Council had contacted the owner regarding the condition of the wall and that the bricks should be re-used. The wall formed part of the Grade 2 Listed Building.
Telephone Box: Jill and Paul Nichols looked after the telephone box.
The Meeting concluded at 8.40pm
Signed as a true Record …………………………………………………………………….
Date 6th March, 2025
Posted 28 February 2025 - 09:40 AM
The agenda for the meeting to be held on 6 March is available below.
BRADFORD PEVERELL PARISH COUNCIL
A Meeting of Peverell Parish Council will be held at
Bradford Peverell Village Hall on Thursday, 6th March, 2025
commencing at 7.30pm
AGENDA
1. Introduction and welcome to the meeting. Chair
2. Apologies for absence. Clerk
3. Election of Chair. Clerk
4. Public Participation Period : The Chairman will invite members of the public to air any concerns or raise matters of public interest relating to the Parish.
5. Minutes of the Meeting held on the 9th January, 2025. Clerk
6. Matters arising from the Minutes not included on the Agenda: Clerk
7. Documents and Policies: Cllr. Bishop will report on the Documents previously circulated with the Agenda.
8. Representatives Reports:
9. Correspondence Received by The Clerk.
10. Bins in the Village – Provision and emptying. Chair
11. Grass Cutting Chair
12. Finance Clerk
Payments made since the last meeting:
13. Village Hall Constitution – Review Clerk
14. Future Meetings: 1st May; 3rd July; 3rd September; 4th November 2025
15. Any Other Business (For Information Only). Chair
Posted 25 March 2025 - 02:53 PM
The minutes of the meeting held on 6 March are available below.
BRADFORD PEVERELL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Meeting of Bradford Peverell Parish Council
held in the Village Hall on Thursday 6th March, 2025
commencing at 7:30pm
MINUTES
In attendance:
Bradford Peverell Parish Councillors:
Gloria Towner – Vice Chair (GT)
Neil Howard (NH)
Paul Meaden (PM)
Terry Bishop (TB)
Brenda Edwards (BE)
Jon Desborough (JD)
Dorset Councillor David Taylor (Dorset Council) (DT)
Edwin Macknamara – Clerk to the Council
BPPC Representatives
Colin Chapman (CCh)
2 Members of the Public
Apologies for absence:
Steve Morgan
[1] The Vice-Chairman welcomed all those present.
[2] PUBLIC SESSION:
School Bus Routes: A Member of the Public outlined his recent experience with the driver of one of the school buses in Bradford Peverell whilst exercising his horses one morning. The driver of the bus refused to stop to allow him and the horses to pass and he felt his behaviour was aggressive and threatening. He also felt that the route the bus was taking was inappropriate and caused damage to the roadside verges as well as added danger to pedestrians and other vehicles within the Parish. Cllr. Taylor (DT) agreed to take up this issue with Dorset Council as the Education Authority responsible for providing school transport.
[3] ELECTION OF CHAIR:
No nominations were forthcoming and Cllr. Towner took the Chair for the meeting.
[4] MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THE 9th January, 2025
The minutes of the meeting held on the 9th January 2025 had been circulated to all members prior to the meeting.
It was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved subject to the following amendments:
Para 7b – "The fencing along the road had also been repaired by the addition of two posts"
Para 7d – "It was also noted that the pipework from the oil storage tank to the boiler needed to be replaced.
RESOLVED: That the minutes,( as amended) be approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting and signed by the Chair.
[5] MATTERS ARISING:
[a] Jubilee and Millenium Fields: The provision of signs for the Amenity Fields was deferred until the next meeting so that further consideration could be given to the wording needed and examples used in other locations obtained.
[b] Quotes – Hedge Cutting Jubilee Field: Deferred until a future meeting for the work to be done once the bird nesting season was ended.
[c] Yew Tree Lane and Frome View Tree/Pothole Old School – The Clerk reported that the matters had been discussed with Dorset Council who had contacted the owners of the areas were tree work was needed. The issues were ongoing and would be followed up by the Clerk. Dorset Council had also contacted BT regarding the pothole and although some repairs had been done they had been requested to re-route their telephone cables. A response was awaited from BT.
[6] DOCUMENTS AND POLICIES:
Councillor Bishop reported that work to the Documents and Policies continued and the following documents had been circulated with the agenda for this meeting:
Assessment of Personal Data; The Business Continuity Plan; Complaints Policy and Procedures; Equality Policy; Expenses Policy; General Data Protection Policy and Vexatious Complaints and Residents Policy. Any outstanding Documents would be circulated to a future meeting.
It was moved and seconded that the Documents and Policies circulated with the Agenda for this meeting be now adopted and that arrangements be put in hand to review all documents with those that remain outstanding at the next meeting. On being put to the vote the motion was unanimously adopted.
RESOLVED: That the Documents and Policies circulated with the agenda for this meeting be now adopted and that arrangements be put in hand to review all documents with those that remain outstanding at the next meeting.
[7] REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS:
[a] Planning (Cllr. Meaden) There was nothing further to report.
[b] Amenity Fields (Mr. C. Chapman) A copy of the Playing Fields Inspection Report was circulated at the meeting and an update provided on the outstanding work to be completed. In particular CCH reported that raising the ground below the 2 bay cradle was in abeyance and he felt that any further work on the levels should wait until after the next inspection report was received. The Bin had been re-sited at the entrance to the Jubilee Field for emptying but had again been relocated within the field by an unknown person. It was noted that the renewal of the Council’s Insurance would be discussed at the next meeting when the question of ongoing reporting could be reviewed. The Clerk would include an item on the agenda. The Gate Posts to the Millenium Field needed to be replaced but it was also agreed that consideration should be given to widening the gate for better access for machinery etc. The meeting recorded their appreciation of the work undertaken by Mr. Chapman on these matters.
[c] Village Maintenance (Cllr Howard) The road surface in Church Lane was uneven and had been reported to Dorset Council. Further contact would be made with the Council on this matter. The Grit bins had been inspected and one required filling which should be done shortly. The Grit Bin at Muckleford also needed filling and Dorset Council would be asked to do this as soon as possible.
[d] Village Hall (Cllr. Morgan) Cllr. Morgan had submitted a report explaining that the Village Hall circulated a flyer in the Parish advertising forthcoming events and met the costs themselves. Cllr. Taylor suggested that the Community Funding Officer at Dorset Council should be approached regarding funding for this type of activity as well as any other eligible activity within the Parish. (Cllr. Bishop declared a non-pecuniary interest in this matter and took no part in the discussion)
[e] Muckleford (Cllr. Bishop) Cllr. Bishop reported that the clearance of the slurry tank was making the road dangerous. Although the farmer used a scrapper to clear the road this was causing the road to break up. This should be report to Dorset Council Highways and Environmental Department who would inspect the area and take any necessary action. Cllr. Bishop declared a non pecuniary interest in this item. Cllr. Taylor asked to be kept informed.
[f] River/Flood Warden (Colin Hawkins) The issue of the Cycle Path along the A37 was raised which was often affected by flooding and weeds. The grid crossing had never been completed and the cycle route was often affected by standing water. An update along the A37 was needed. Cllr. Taylor suggested that Dorset Council be asked to provide an update on this matter as work was being undertaken along the whole route of this particular cycle track. The problems of flooding along Church Lane was also raised and a drain needed to be cleared. Gravel was also flowing down the land from the land above. Contact would be made with Dorset Council Highways.
[8] CORRESPONDENCE:
GRANT REQUEST: The Chalk Stream Drivers Service had requested a Grant from the Council. The Clerk was asked to report to the next meeting on this issue and information regarding previous grants made.
CPRE: The Council’s membership of CPRE had lapsed. It was agreed that the subscription be renewed.
REQUEST FOR INFOMTATION REGARDING FORMER CHAIRS: The Clerk had been asked to provide information regarding former Chairs of the Council by the Twinning Association locally. The Clerk was asked to provide further information regarding this request for th next meeting.
DAPTC REPRESENTATIVE: The Council had been invited to send a representative to the Central Area Committee of DAPTC. No action was proposed at this time.
BINS IN THE VILLAGE: The provision and emptying of Bins in the Village was deferred until the next meeting.
[9] GRASS CUTTING:
Nothing further to report.
[10] FINANCE:
The following payments had been made since the last Meeting:
Microsoft 365 (Refunded to Clerk): £84.99
Barker Fox Associates (Budgeting And advice) £157.08
Payments to be made:
Edwin Macknamara (Clerk’s Salary 1st January to 31st March 2025) £800.96
HMRC (PAYE) £200.20
Edwin Macknamara (Expenses) £10.35
RECEIPTS Since the Last Meeting None
BANK RECONCILIATION (Report Circulated Prior to the Meeting):
Treasurers Account Balance: £15021.31
Business Account Balance £5171.28
Community Account Balance £13945.54 (January 2025)
REVIEW OF BANKING ARRANGEMENTS: Deferred until the next meeting.
INTERNAL AUDIT: The meeting agreed to appoint Ms. Paula Harding, Barker Fox Associates to undertake the Audit of the Council’s Accounts for the financial year ending 31st March,2025. The Audit fee of £125.00
[11] VILLAGE HALL CONSTITUTION REVIEW:
The meeting had been advised that the Village Hall Trustees wished to revise their Constitution and had asked the Parish Council to sign the Document which had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Clerk advised that he had obtained some advice from NALC and other sources which suggested that the approval of the Parish Council as owners of the Village Hall was not required but that the Charity Commission would need to approve any amendments they proposed.
The original Deed of Conveyance of the Village Hall to the Parish Council was dated 29th November, 1972 and also set out the terms upon which the Village Hall should be administered. It maybe that, for the mutual benefit of the Parish Council and the Village Hall Trustees a meeting should be arranged to update the the terms contained within the 1972 Deed. The meeting also briefly discussed the recovery of VAT on expenditure incurred by both parties. The Council’s Auditor would be consulted further on this topic. The meeting shared the view that both parties should approach this issue so that a mutually acceptable agreement could be reached going forward. A representative of the Village Hall Trustees was present at the meeting and both parties would discuss this issue further as matters were updated and clarified.
[12] FUTURE MEETINGS
Dates for future meetings were agreed as follows:
1st May, 2025 The ANNUAL PARISH MEETING would be held prior to the Parish Council meeting on the 1st May, 2023.
3rd July, 2025
To be held at Bradford Peverell Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm
[13] ANY OTHER BUSINESS (FOR INFORMATION ONLY)
The Meeting concluded at 9.16pm