BEAMINSTER TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 25th July 2016 in the Skyrm Room at the
Public Hall, Beaminster at 6.45pm
Mrs Sandra Brown from the Dorset & East Devon National Park Team addressed the meeting, to
brief members of the Town Council on the National Park proposal and to seek its support to have
the proposal evaluated as part of local government re-organisation. A copy of the briefing paper is
attached to these minutes.
1536 PRESENT – Cllr C Turner (Chairman), Cllr T Beswarick, Cllr P Body, Cllr R Cheeseman,
Cllr Mrs J Cooke, Cllr A Dawkins, Cllr P Elliott, Cllr S Norris and Cllr Mrs J Page.
1537 IN ATTENDANCE – Mrs Christine Bright (Town Clerk) also Cllr A Alford (WDDC) and one
press representative.
1538 REPORTS FROM AND QUESTIONS FOR:
Dorset Police – In the absence of a police representative at the meeting a written report
had been received, a copy of which is attached.
West Dorset District Council – Cllr Alford updated the meeting on the three main ongoing
issues:



Combined authority – an application had recently been submitted to Central
Government and a process of engagement with civil servants would undoubtedly
follow as and when questions were raised.
Devolution of powers to local authorities – this process had stalled recently but
discussions were about to recommence as this would tie in with a combined
authority.
Local Government Re-organistation – an eight week consultation period had been
planned to commence at the end of August concentrating on four possible options:
1. The status quo
2. One unitary of Bournemouth & Poole and one unitary for the rest of the
County (ie area currently served by DCC)
3. One unitary of Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch and one unitary for
the rest of the County
4. One unitary of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch & East Dorset and
one unitary for the rest of the County
Dorset County Council – In the absence of Cllr Mrs R Knox at the meeting a written report
had been received, a copy of which is attached.
1539 APOLOGIES – Apologies for absence were received from Cllr C Baker (prior engagement),
Cllr M Jupp (on holiday) also West Dorset District Cllr P Barrowcliff (attending Corscombe
Parish Council meeting) and Dorset County Cllr Mrs R Knox (urgent family matter).
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1540 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS
As a member of the AONB, Cllr Mrs Page declared a personal interest in agenda item 11 –
Dorset & East Devon National Park proposal.
1541 REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE ORGANSATIONS
Superfast Broadband – Cllr Turner reported that he had attended a meeting with
members of the Superfast Broadband team for an update of progress and he was pleased
to advise that Contract 1 was nearing completion and Contract 2 had already commenced.
The installation of a new cabinet adjacent to Yarn Barton Community Centre had been
scheduled for 10th August 2016 and it was hoped to go ‘live’ on the 12th however
connection to the cabinet further up Fleet Street would appear to be more problematic and
no date had been set for that.
1542 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 27TH JUNE 2016
The minutes of the Council meeting held on 27 th June 2016, having previously been
circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
1543 PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
Members had previously been circulated with the schedule of payments, cheque
numbers 104450 and 104463 issued, together with direct debit payments between 1st
July and 31st July 2016 totalling £8,438.41; also receipts totalling £2,097.34.
Members RESOLVED to APPROVE the schedule, a copy of which is attached.
In response to a question from Cllr Baker, the Town Clerk advised that no progress had
been made with regard to the possible installation of a water meter at the Public Hall.
Cllr Beswarick questioned the charges in connection with the telephone in the Cowie
Room1
1544 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
(a) Minute No 1501 – Insurance cover for all insured risks
The Town Clerk advised two quotations to undertake a professional valuation of the
Public Hall and ‘Julia’ had been obtained and a third was awaited. In the interim the Town
Clerk considered it to be prudent to increase the insured value of the Public Hall in line
with the initial valuation until a scheduled review of the Council’s insurance requirements
in September 2016. RESOLVED to increase the sum assured in line with the initial
valuation until the Council were in a position to commission a second valuation.
1545 FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
Members had previously been circulated with the minutes of the Finance & General
Purposes Committee meeting held on 6th July 2016. NOTED and APPROVED.
1546 RECREATIONS & AMENITIES COMMITTEE
Members had previously been circulated with the minutes of the Recreation & Amenities
Committee meeting held on 19th July 2016. NOTED.
Min No 040 (b) – Access to cemetery extension area
RESOLVED to accept the recommendation of the Committee, to include piping the ditch if
necessary. There being no other recommendations the minutes were APPROVED.
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On investigation the charges related to the Council Office telephone
and not the Cowie Room as stated.
1
1547 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS COMMITTEE
Members had previously been circulated with the minutes of the Christmas Lights
Committee meeting held on 19th July 2016. NOTED and APPROVED.
1548 LIFE EDUCATION WESSEX
Members considered a request for a grant towards the work of providing health and drug
prevention education to children at St Mary’s Primary School in 2017, which may possibly
be extended to include Mountjoy School. A grant of £200 was APPROVED.
1549 DORSET & EAST DEVON NATIONAL PARK PROPOSAL
Following the presentation by Mr & Mrs Brown members of the Council RESOLVED to
forward to DCC and WDDC their support for the further evaluation of the National Park
proposal.
1550 CONSULTATIONS
No consultation documents received.
1551 CORRESPONDENCE
(a)
DCC – Wessex Water
The Town Clerk advised that DCC had received a request to close the A3066 at the rear of
Redwood Close for 3 hours (7am – 10am) on 7th September and were seeking the Town
Council’s views on whether this would be appropriate.
Members had some difficulty in establishing the exact location of the manhole cover in
question as Redwood Close was a cul de sac off the main A3066. The date was noted to
be during term time and traffic would be at its heaviest during this time therefore members
considered traffic light control later in the day to be the best option however if there was no
urgency a delay until October half term when the A3066 would be closed to traffic due to
works at the Tunnel would be preferable.
(b)
Temporary Traffic Management Order – Various Roads – Buckham Fair
Members were informed of the detail of the proposal to close Beaminster Down Road to
east bound traffic and close North Street to north bound traffic from Beaminster Down
Cross to, the junction with the A3066 to manage the flow of traffic to and from Buckham
Fair on Sunday 21st August. NOTED.
Cllr Cheeseman advised there had been considerable confusion last year due to the lack of
signage and stressed the need for repeat signage along the stretch from the A3066 to
Beaminster Down Cross (Whitcombe Road). The Town Clerk was asked to forward the
request to the County Council and the Fair organisers.2
1552 PROGRESS REPORT
Members had previously been circulated with a copy of the latest progress report, the
content of which was NOTED.
Items raised under this heading including a possible electronic noticeboard in the Square,
installation of solar panels on the Public Hall roof and progress on the request for a zebra
crossing Clay Lane.
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Response received to advise that the organisers would ask the AA to add
confirmatory sign in Whitcombe Road with wording along the lines of
‘Buckham Fair (ahead arrow) follow B3136 to be sited at an appropriate
point as the motorist leaves the town.
2
1553 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
 Electronic notice board in the Square – refer to Market House & Tolls
The Chairman drew attention to the length of time since the last Council photograph had
been taken, AGREED to organise prior to a meeting convenient to all members.
1554 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting was NOTED as Monday 26th September 2016.
1555 MEETING
The meeting which commenced at 6.45pm, closed at 7.50pm.
CHAIRMAN
26 September 2016
th
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