Tag: #BGPC

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council Meeting – Monday, 14th November, 7.30pm

Monday’s meeting of Broadwindsor Group Parish Council will be held at Drimpton Village Hall at 7.30pm.

There are 14 elected Councillors who represent the five wards of Blackdown, Broadwindsor, Burstock, Drimpton and Seaborough. Who are your Councillors? Click HERE.

The full agenda may be downloaded HERE.

Item 5 is PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Residents are invited to give their views and ask questions of the Parish Council on issues on this
Agenda else you must wait until item 22.
a. Report from Councillor Christopher, Dorset Council
b. Report from Dorset Police
c. Update on Broadwindsor Parish Council Vacancy, Broadwindsor Ward

Item 6b deals with Chapman Lily Planning Ltd, Proposal for Residential Development of the Site at Hillside, Drimpton Road, Broadwindsor, DT8 3QN.

Item 9 – there are no planning applications this month.

Items 14 & 15 seek management of the MUGA and Broadwindsor Sports Field on the Hursey Road, two places developed and managed previously by the late David Leader.

Item 16 addresses Warm Spaces in the Parish.

Item 17 will discuss the coronation of King Charles III

Item 19 has many issues with our HIGHWAYS
a. Footpaths Officer Update
b. Street Lighting in the Grouped Parish
c. Parking in Broadwindsor Square
d. Dog Fouling
e. Speed Indicator Devices Data
f. War Memorial Project Update
g. Flood Wardens
h. Fingerpost Sign Restoration Programme Update
i. Repositioning of Broadwindsor Litter Bin
j. Hedgehog Awareness Sign

The full agenda may be downloaded HERE.

The press and public are invited to attend. Under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, members of the public may now film, photograph and make audio recordings of the proceedings of the formal Council meeting, though not, under current legislation, of the Public Participation session, as this is not part of the formal agenda of the meeting. Recording activity should be respectful to the conduct of the meeting and behaviour that disrupts the meeting (such as oral commentary) will not be permitted. Any member of the public shall not speak for more than five minutes. A question asked by a member of the public during Public Participation shall not require a response or debate during the meeting though the Chairman may direct that a written response will be provided subsequent to the meeting.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BGPC,#BGPCLT,#FMRTrust,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#PlanningApplication,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#DAPTC,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#CllrSimonChristopher,#DorsetCouncil,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#Hedgehogs,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council Meeting – Monday, 17th October, 7.30pm

Tonight’s meeting of Broadwindsor Group Parish Council will be held at Blackdown Village Hall at 7.30pm.

The full agenda may be downloaded HERE.

Item 5a is Cllr. Simon Christopher‘s report which follows at the end of this agenda information.

Item 5c Broadwindsor Parish Council Vacancy, Broadwindsor Ward.

Item 8 includes to approve payment of £5,000 for Comrades Hall Management Committee (Short-Term Loan) for the village green project at Bernards’ Place.

Item 9 has 2 Planning Applications:

Planning permission for P/HOU/2022/05487, 12 Yarnbarton, Broadwindsor, DT8 3QW was Granted.

Item 14 addresses the management of the MUGA.

Item 16 looks at Communications within the Grouped Parish area.

Item 17.  HIGHWAYS

  • a. Appointment of Footpaths Officer
  • b. Grouped Parish Speed Limits
  • c. War Memorial Project Update
  • d. Management of Hursey Common
  • e. Flood Wardens

The Editor will be readdressing the matter of a Hedgehog sign on the Beaminster road.

The full agenda may be downloaded HERE.

The press and public are invited to attend. Under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, members of the public may now film, photograph and make audio recordings of the proceedings of the formal Council meeting, though not, under current legislation, of the Public Participation session, as this is not part of the formal agenda of the meeting. Recording activity should be respectful to the conduct of the meeting and behaviour that disrupts the meeting (such as oral commentary) will not be permitted. Any member of the public shall not speak for more than five minutes. A question asked by a member of the public during Public Participation shall not require a response or debate during the meeting though the Chairman may direct that a written response will be provided subsequent to the meeting.

Cllr. Simon Christopher’s report (as received)

It appears that this Autumn there is a great deal of change , perhaps it can also be said that there is a great deal of uncertainty……

There is a great deal of interest in Dorset being named as one of 38 local authorities that may see the creation of Investment Zones.

As I see it, Investment Zones would have at least four main interesting aspects :

Firstly, generous business rate treatment for businesses

Secondly, 100 per cent capital allowances for tax purposes for business

Thirdly, generous National Insurance reliefs

Fourthly, what is described as simplified planning arrangements

I will offer some thoughts on each of the above:

Firstly With respect to small businesses, small business rates relief has been enjoyed by micro businesses for many years.

Traditional farms are exempt of course. The proposed new business rate relief would therefore be a benefit skewed towards those with larger business premises.

Secondly, with respect to capital allowances, all but the largest of businesses can already write off capital expenditure on plant and machinery for tax purposes  in the year of acquisition of the asset . Thus except for large businesses there will be no tax advantage of being an Industrial Zone

You wonder if Investment Zones favour large scale premises who pay business rates as mentioned above.

Thirdly the National Insurance benefits clearly have the greatest attraction for larger scale, labour intensive or major added value employers rather than small employers .

Fourthly I now turn to the idea of simpler planning proposals,

This would clearly be of concern for instance were the arrangements for an Industrial Zone to incorporate part of the Dorset AONB and were the AONB to be put in jeopardy.

I can see why you might think Investment Zones, with a light touch attitude to planning, might be more beneficial for disadvantaged perhaps urban areas of Dorset with high levels of deprivation rather than for rural areas .

Cabinet of Dorset Council agreed an update to the Local Development Scheme (LDS) at its meeting on Tuesday (4thOctober).  The revised LDS (as agreed) sets out the anticipated milestones for key stages in the preparation of development plans. The LDS needs to be reviewed from time to time to ensure the milestones are as accurate as possible so that communities are aware of when a development plan that we are preparing is likely to be reaching a key milestone such as a formal consultation stage.

Project and event funding for cost-of-living challenges, arts, museums, heritage, community, physical activity and play activities. 

Dorset Council project funding can help you to make a difference to people living in our communities.

Grants from £1,000 to £5,000 are available to groups who support the council to meet its core priorities.

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

Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Culture, Communities and Customer Services said:

“We’re encouraging community groups to apply for the next round of funding. Last time around, we distributed over £35,500 to local groups including theatre companies, groups that help people with learning disabilities, energy champions and efforts to improve recycling of waste. This time around, we will prioritise groups who have a focus on supporting people through the cost-of-living challenge, but also welcome applications from other groups too.”

For more information criteria, how to apply and support with your application, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/community-and-culture-project-fund. The page will be updated as more details become available.

I was sent a copy of the application to the Dorset Council Capital Leverage Fund by the Broadwindsor Village Green project group . The group aims to enhance this outdoor facility by reconfiguring the green to include new, challenging, and inclusive play equipment and open up space at the lower end for community events, outdoor exercise classes and gym equipment. The stated aim is to enhance the facility and contribute to healthy living .

As this project for capital funding through the Capital Leverage Fund is intended to  take place within the Dorset Council ward I am pleased to represent, my views were sought by the grant making panel. .

I was asked to provide commentary on the suitability and indeed the need for their project.

Clearly, my enthusiastic support of this project was noted and I was informed that following the Grants panel meeting held on Thursday 29 September the panel has approved a substantial grant of £15,000 to the group.

The panel had by their own admission to make some difficult decisions and the volume of applications was very high . However, in conclusion this Broadwindsor application has been looked on very favourably by the panel acting for the Dorset Councils Capital Leverage fund.

I was formally thanked by the Grants Monitoring Officer for my feedback and support for the application. I must confess, this was particularly pleasing at a time when perhaps, politicians are not universally popular …….

 I attended a constructive meeting of the West Dorset Western Transport Action Group.

Clearly there is the possibility of changes to the mini  budget and it would be more appropriate to further discuss the impact of wider economic influences on Dorset Council when the consequences of the Chancellors early return from the United States are known and the impact on prevailing interest rates, liquidity and inflation.

Best regards

Simon

Councillor Simon Christopher

The Dorset Councillor For the Marshwood Vale Ward

077988 33715

 

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BGPC,#BGPCLT,#FMRTrust,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#PlanningApplication,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#DAPTC,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#CllrSimonChristopher,#DorsetCouncil,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#Hedgehogs,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Cllr. Simon Christopher’s Report – September 22

The photograph shows Cllr. Simon Christopher with his wife, Una at the Reading of the Proclamation by the High Sheriff of the Dorset Proclamation on Sunday, 11th September outside Dorchester County Hall.

Cllr. Simon Christopher has submitted the following report for this evening’s Meeting of Broadwindsor’s Group Parish Council at Blackdown village hall:

Dear Helen and Councillors

Una and I shared the deep sadness felt by everyone in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the whole world, at the death of Her Majesty The Queen. 

The Queen was a steadfast champion of the British countryside and rural way of life.   It is also with sincere gratitude that we remember her tireless service to our nation and its rural community.  In an ever-changing world, the Queen was a constant. Her devotion and sense of duty  was an inspiration.

On Friday 22 September 2022 the new Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his financial statement in the House of Commons. I will be pleased to discuss the statement at length but  for now will concentrate on discussion of the new proposed Investment Zones and provide you with  a message from Dorset Council leader Spencer Flower :

‘“Dorset Council has been in conversation with Government officials where we expressed our interest to be a part of the Investment Zone programme which the Chancellor has announced today as part of the mini-Budget.  At this stage we have little detail of the policy other than this is intended to drive investment and economic growth.  This is an opportunity for Dorset and sits well with our economic objectives set out in the Council Plan and Economic Development Strategy.  For this reason, I have informed Government that we would be interested to participate in the programme.  We await further detail and if we are confirmed as an Investment Zone location we expect to be working closely with officials.  I will keep you posted on this matter through my regular updates to you.”

(The report continues with cut and pasted information as provided.)

Cost of living help 

 

The link below will connect you to a site which will sign-post residents to webpages which we hope will help people impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/cost-of-living-help . 

Dorset Council secures funding to improve electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas

 

Dorset has been announced as one of just nine areas in England to receive funding from a new government scheme which aims to improve electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The funding comes from the new Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot scheme, through which we have managed to secure £2.7million to increase the number of EV charge points in the council area

 

The project will serve a broad range of users, primarily targeting residents without access to off-street parking, while also meeting demand for en-route charging to support our tourism trade. 

 

The project aims to place chargepoints in up to 150 locations around the county for the convenience of residents and to encourage the take up of electric vehicles. This will involve the council working with local community landowners to install charging infrastructure in accessible locations which might include car parks, community halls, pubs, café’s and shops, as well as possible on-street locations where suitable. 

This pilot will also include a small number rapid or ultra-rapid (50 kW to 150 kW DC) chargers on or near main roads to support enroute charging. Some chargepoints will be located at popular tourist locations where both residents and visitors can access them.

 

To overcome user concerns over payment methods, all chargepoints will have alternative access with a minimum payment method (a non-proprietary and non-phone payment method, such as contactless) installed.

Need more landlords

 

There are several initiatives which aim to work with landlords to provide much-needed housing to families across the Dorset Council area. The housing service is appealing to willing landlords to partner the council and benefit from the assistance the council can give. Please look at the Dorset website for further information.

Foster with Dorset Council

 

A note from a foster carer “If anyone is thinking about fostering, I’d say don’t hesitate to investigate it, don’t be put off making that initial phone call. Just be open with things that you’re worried about as they probably won’t stop you being a foster carer. Just pick up the phone and make that enquiry. “Every circumstance is different from one person to another, but the process is so thorough that if you have the slightest inkling that this might be what you want to do then give it a go.”

Our fostering service puts the children who need loving, local foster homes at the heart of everything we do. The key focus is on keeping local children close to their schools, friends and birth families. Our foster carers transform the lives of children and young people by opening their hearts and homes to those who need it the most. At present, demand for foster carers in Dorset is high – especially for teenagers and sibling groups.

Find out more about fostering with Dorset Council and register your interest today. Keep up to date with the latest fostering news and subscribe to our monthly enewsletter. If you’d like to find out more in-person, the fostering team hold regular fostering drop-in events across Dorset.

The Dorset Parent Carer Council annual information event is back! Dorset SEND
Free Information Event – 4 October 
This FREE event is for parents and carers of children aged pre-school to 14, who are disabled or have additional needs. The event brings together a wide variety of services and information all in one place. Teams and organisations from across education, health, and social care and the community sector will be attending to provide a fantastic opportunity for families to see what work is currently underway to improve services in the future.

Tuesday 4th October; 10am till 2pm; Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, DT2 8PX 

Free parking, free entry, free refreshments. No booking required. 

Dorset County Farms

 

Dorset Council owns 41 farms (and has owned them for quite some time). These are currently managed in accordance with the County Farm Estate Management Plan of which the principal objectives are to: 

Provide a provide an initial gateway into agriculture for persons to farm on their own account whilst ensuring a financial return to us. Provide us with a direct interest in the land management of the county, promoting the integration of good environmental and farming practices as well as best practice and innovation in estate management and agriculture. Sustain rural communities whilst providing opportunities for greater public access and understanding of agriculture and the countryside

The estate is currently run on a two-tier system, with smaller ‘starter’ units providing a point of entry into the agricultural industry and larger ‘promotion’ units to allow for career progression.  Farms on the estate are predominantly livestock based, with both dairy and stock farms.

The review of the Management Plan was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic but is now in progress.  In addition to the current objectives, we are considering how the estate can create additional economic, social and environmental value to help meet the priorities identified in the Council Plan. In particular, conversations are ongoing internally in relation to the role the Estate can plan in helping to support the Council’s climate and ecological emergency which was declared in 2019. The estate is currently run on a two tiersystem, with smaller ‘starter’ units providing a point of entry into the agricultural industry and larger ‘promotion’ units to allow for career progression.  Farms on the estate are predominantly livestock based, with both dairy and stock farms.

Dorset Council’s Road maintenance method reducecarbon emissions

 

As part of Dorset Council’s ‘green’ approach to highways maintenance, road retexturing is contributing to a reduction in emissions, the council has refreshed 67,000sqm of road surface this year – raising skid resistance to improve the safety of highway. Where appropriate, the sustainable solution used eliminates the need to resurface a road and instead uses one of two techniques to blast the road surface to regain its skid resistance to the same – or better – level of resistance it had when the material was first laid. Depending on the individual site, the road will either have small steel shots fired at the surface to improve the texture or will have water blasted at the surface to remove excess binder.

This road retexturing has helped reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced by over 335,000kg, and saved around 6,700 tonnes of virgin aggregates from being used,It also has financial savings of over £1.2m compared to using conventional resurfacing methods to provide a new textured  surface.

 Dorset Council Commissionong for a Better Life for Older People with Support Needs. In Dorset 2022-2027

You will continue to read about the ageing Dorset Population.

It is recognised that Dorset has a higher over 65 population than anywhere else in the Country and as such it is especially important that Dorset Council provides the opportunity for a great quality of life for older people.

Dorset Council documentation that I have seen, indicates that typically older people refers to those who are no longer of working age,so traditionally 65 plus.

However with increased life expectancy an increasing number of people find themselves either having to work or wanting to work beyond what was traditionally retirement age.

In England there are 295 older people per 1000 working age population 

In Dorset there are 527 older people per 1000 working age population 

Currently there are 31,000 people  over 80 in Dorset

Council Leader Spencer Flower has written earlier this month to the new Prime Minister seeking funding from HMGovernment for Social Care to reflect cost pressures facing Dorset Council as a result of the figures quoted above and inflationary pressures.

Clearly there is a lot going on in agricultural policy terms:

Farmers are concerned about the move from the Basic Payment Scheme  with the Agricultural Transition . In 2022 direct payments will be at least 20 per cent lower than in 2020 . Where 50 % of the 2022 BPS was paid in the Summer the payment being received this December will be dramatically reduced from the usual figure and will impact on cash flow considerations for all farmers, whether County Farm tenants or not .The range of Environment Land Schemes designed to replace BPS are only slowly appearing with the Old Countryside Stewardship scheme filling the gap.

What might be called productivity/efficiency  or generally incentivising schemes are being directed at farmers. DEFRA is keen  to improve the competitiveness and productivity of Farming in England, a key part of this is capital grants for equipment and infrastructure :

40 per cent capital grants under the Farming and Investment Fund ( FIF)

Farming Equipment Technology Fund fixed payment for 120 specified items on line application minimum grant ,maximum grant £25,000

Farming Technoligy Fund larger grants £35,000 to £500,000 covering 3 areas water manage to , productivity and added value .

Finally many are pondering the Slurry Investment Scheme envisaged from this Autumn .  This is understood to be 50 per cent grant minimum £25,000maximum £250,000 for a minimum of 6 months storage .

My final comment is that I understand that a new round of farm advice under the Farm Resiliance scheme will be available from October .

The UK Government has announced a set of measures designed to boost the rural economy in England

This has had a great deal of coverage in the farming National and indeed local press

DEFRA’s Delivering for Rural England report, which includes £110m of funding to boost economic activity in the countryside,

The CLA’s campaign has become increasingly influential over the UK Government’s rural policy-making through 2022, particularly following the launch of a major report into the rural economy earlier this year.

DEFRA’s policy changes were published in the final days of Boris Johnson’s premiership, but are expected to be enacted by the new Prime Minister regardless.

The changes include:

  • Ringfencing of rural productivity funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) worth £110m. Funding will be available for a wide range of activities, including converting buildings for business use, supporting diversification projects and delivering digital infrastructure
  • Streamlining the process to convert disused agricultural buildings into housing in designated areas
  • A commitment to ensure the needs of the rural economy are reflected in the levelling up agenda

As one of my friends and indeed a fellow Chartered Accountant has said:

“UK Government is showing some ambition for the countryside. Improving productivity in the rural economy could add up to £43bn in GVA – so this fund is money well spent”

“We now need to see the true detail. Rural business owners are working hard to succeed, determined to create prosperity across our communities. But we need this report to deliver genuine planning reform, full connectivity and a cross-departmental policy framework from government that reflects the sheer potential of the rural economy.”

“In the midst of an economic crisis, we need a robust and ambitious plan to create economic growth in the countryside. The UK Government has today taken its first steps towards delivering it.”

DEFRA’s report has heavily been influenced by a report published earlier this year by the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Rural Powerhouse, , entitled ‘Levelling Up the rural economy’. The report followed a year-long inquiry that took evidence from a number organisations representing the rural economy. and including those where I am an active member.

During the Summer I received the fillowing communication from Vicky Abbott  Health Programme Advisor | Locality Link for 

West Dorset at Public Health Dorset

“Colleagues in the communications team at PHD are about to embark on a promoting positive mental health for rural locations project in the West Dorset (and North Dorset) locality; Broadwindsor (including Marshwood and other surrounding villages) being the focus area for West Dorset.  They are particularly looking at working with the community settings in Broadwindsor to reach out to the village communities by way of a support network, including identifying when an individual or family may need support.”

This will move forward next month, starting with a free mental health awareness training session, on Monday 3 October 12.45-5pm, at The Comrades Hall, Broadwindsor.  I look forward to working with the Parish Council on this.

Best regards

Simon
Councillor Simon Christopher
Dorset Councillor Marshwood Vale

Hawthorne Cottage
Ryall Road
Whitchurch Canonicorum
Bridport, Dorset
DT6 6RH​

Mob: 07798 833715
Email: cllrsimon.christopher@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#WestDorset,#BGPC,#CllrSimonChristopher,#DorsetCouncil,#MarshwoodVale,#Covid,#PublicHealth,#CouncilTax,#DEFRA,#FIF,#SEND,#CostOfLiving,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

BGPC Meeting Postponed Until Monday, 26th September.

As the UK is in mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, Broadwindsor Group Parish Council have postponed their meeting due this evening, Monday, 12th to Monday 26th September, 7.30pm at Blackdown Hall.

The full Agenda can be downloaded HERE.

Item 4: Councillor Dorothy Rowe‘s resignation. (Item 16a will address the Appointment of a new Footpaths Officer).

Item 5: APPROVAL OF SPECIAL RESOLUTION FOR THE REVERSAL OF PARISH COUNCIL RESOLUTION BGPC2022/07/6/10B (COMPLIANT WITH STANDING ORDER 17).

Item 10: only one Planning Application for councillors to consider this month, P/FUL/2022/04339, at Common Hill to erect an agricultural storage barn and form an access track – details HERE.

Item 11: APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC WORKS LOAN BOARD FINANCE

  • a. Update on Application, Feedback from DAPTC
  • b. Report to Council (Summary of the project, business case and budgets)
  • c. To resolve to seek the approval of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communitiesto apply for a PWLB loan of £50,000 over the borrowing term of 30 years to support the purchase of the freehold of the Old Telephone Exchange building by Broadwindsor and District Community Enterprise Ltd (BADCE).

The full Agenda can be downloaded HERE.

The press and public are invited to attend. Under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, members of the public may now film, photograph and make audio recordings of the proceedings of the formal Council meeting, though not, under current legislation, of the Public Participation session, as this is not part of the formal agenda of the meeting. Recording activity should be respectful to the conduct of the meeting and behaviour that disrupts the meeting (such as oral commentary) will not be permitted. Any member of the public shall not speak for more than five minutes. A question asked by a member of the public during Public Participation shall not require a response or debate during the meeting though the Chairman may direct that a written response will be provided subsequent to the meeting.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BGPC,#BGPCLT,#QueenElizabethII,#Grief,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#PlanningApplication,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#DAPTC,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#BAG,#DorsetCouncil,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Planning At Common Hill, Broadwindsor

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council is consulting on a new planning application to erect an agricultural storage barn and form an access track at Common Hill, Broadwindsor.
More details can be found HERE.
You can comment directly on the Dorset Council website or to the Parish Council – hello@broadwindsorgroup.gov.uk.

#Broadwindsor,#Blackdown,#Burstock,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#Community,#Village,#BGPC,#Dorsetcouncil,#PlanningApplication,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Map On Display In The Square

The illustrated map “The Place We Love” by Broadwindsor’s Megan Edwards is now on display in the village square.

Malcolm Heaver crafted an oak frame for the map and put it up with Andrew Hookings‘ help on Monday.

Led by Margery Hookings on behalf of Windrose Rural Media Trust, the project was funded by Dorset AONB, Dorset Council and Broadwindsor Group Parish Council.

Photographer James Harrison created a 7 minute video about the project –

Broadwindsor primary school also has a copy of the map which they are also planning to put up outside.

Anyone wishing a hard copy of the map or the map with all the field names are asked to please make their request direct to Margery Hookings at margery.hookings@gmail.com.


#Broadwindsor,#Drimpton,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#2022,#WindroseRuralMediaTrust,#BGPC,#DorsetCouncil,#DAONB,#SteppingIntoNature,#ThePlaceILove,#VillageMap,#Poetry,#ChildrensPoems,#Artists,#BroadwindsorWI,#1stBroadwindsorGuides,#DorsetHistoryCentre,#ArtProject,#MeganEdwards,#JamesHarrison,#PeterRoe,#MediaChap,#Film,#YouTube,#CountrysideCode,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Cllr. Simon Christopher’s Report – July 22

Cllr. Simon Christopher has submitted the following report for this evening’s Meeting of Broadwindsor’s Group Parish Council:

Dear Helen and Councillors,

While there has been a certain amount of political disturbance and intrigue in and around the Palace of Westminster political work continues at Dorset Council under our leader Councillor Spencer Flower.

Councillor Flower has in recent times visited the West of the County including Broadwindsor and Thorncombe . I have also welcomed the leader to Charmouth and Lyme Regis. I know Spencer appreciates my direct comments as do our MP and police and Crime Commissioner who I have also  met since the last BGPC meeting at Drimpton .

I believe it is helpful to focus on the Dorset Council Mission Statement under Councillor Flower.and commentary on work to assist Ukrainian Refugees.
The network continues to extend a warm welcome for Ukrainian refugees coming to Dorset. Help & Kindness (a local community interest company) is signposting people to local groups supporting refugees and sharing information.
The council’s role to support Ukrainian refugees ranges from accommodation checks, education provision for children, arranging for payments and job-seeking opportunities. We do not want to get in the way of the great work being done in communities, but contribute through our service delivery, helping to co-ordinate and facilitate activity.

Mission Statement – A two-year plan setting out our priorities for 2022 to 2024

Our Mission Statement isn’t a list of the hundreds of services that the council provides, nor does it detail all the huge progress we have made since the council was created in 2019. Achievement of our initial objectives set out in the LGR prospectus is something to be particularly proud of, because of the huge challenges during the pandemic. This is now our bold and ambitious look forward. It identifies the key priorities we want to focus on during the next two years. It is our commitment to our residents, and our partners.
As advocates for Dorset residents, we must continue to be bold and ambitious to ensure that we achieve the best outcomes for residents. We will continue to lobby Minsters and Dorset Members of Parliament on a regular basis to ensure we can achieve a fairer deal for Dorset from Government.

Our vision for 2022 – 2024

Dorset Local Plan – Take a different approach to Local Plan preparation by being far more strategic, including a two-year extension for having an approved plan. To continue to work with Homes England and the New Communities Team’ to deliver a sustainable garden town within the Dorset area.

Housing for local people– Develop progressive relationships with developing registered providers (such as housing associations) operating in Dorset, working together deliver affordable housing to rent for local people. Build on our investment in council-owned temporary accommodation to substantially reduce the dependence on bed and breakfast for those who are homeless and need our support in the short term.

Adult Social Care – Develop and deliver reform to cope with increased demand at a stable or mitigated cost level.

Children’s Services – Continue radical reforms with the roll out of the £37.5m SEND invest to save programme and commit to the 2020-2023 Children’s Plan and the Strategic Alliance for Children & Young People.

Assets and Property – Drive the disposal and repurposing programme and develop a master plan with services to maximise the potential of the Dorset Centre of Excellence in Shaftesbury.

Working with the Integrated Care System – Getting a better deal for Dorset Council as equal partners by establishing place as the key platform, bringing early intervention to social care. This will ensure the best outcomes for those who need our support and offer the best opportunity for this to come at an affordable cost to the council and the NHS.

Climate and Ecological Strategy – Deliver on our agreed policy and commitments and establish bidding capability to attract Government funding to enable the council to progressively meet its net zero target by 2040.

Community Safety – Working closely with Dorset Police to ensure we achieve the best outcomes when dealing with local crime and anti-social behaviour. Work with the Police and Crime Commissioner to make Dorset the safest county in the country.

County Deal – Working with BCP Council, submit a bid to Government for a County Deal for the whole of the County of Dorset, in collaboration with the Dorset LEP, to enhance and drive economic development and the skills agenda and attract additional Government funding into Dorset.

Digital Innovation – Continue to pioneer new technologies and create the foundations of a longer-term economic development. Work to safeguard and encourage job retention and growth, through direct action and through positive engagement to the private sector.

Turning the mission statement into Council Policy [next steps]

  • Draft refreshed version of Dorset Plan to Place and Resources Overview Committee (7 June) and to People and Health Overview Committee (28 June)
  • Refreshed Dorset Plan to Cabinet for amendment / approval (26 July)
  • Post Cabinet: Scrutiny to review performance or specific priorities

While these timescales are tight, I firmly believe that they are achievable and we can then start to implement our plans for the people of Dorset, truly making it a place to live, work and visit.

“I hope you found this insight helpful and an interesting approach to ensuring we understand and achieve our key priorities during the next two years.”  – Cllr Spencer Flower, Leader of Council

I have met with the Secretary of State at DEFRA Rt hon George Eustace MP.
I will comment further on this at the BGPC meeting.
It is clearly helpful with the Secretary Estate and ministers in the team remain in post despite the disturbances mentioned at the start of the report.
Cabinet members at Dorset Council are working closely with their counterparts at Cornwall’s Council.
Both Cornwall and Dorset have substantial County Farms Estates and we have much to learn from their pilot slurry schemes .
I have set out thoughts on how farmers need extra support in my meeting with him on 8 July 2022.
I am working with Dorset Council and officials in respect of mental health issues.
I actively engage with farming and business organisations and many professionals.
I have met with our Member of Parliament to stress the importance of local businesses and connectivity generally. There is a shared concern re local health care provision.
Further there is every prospect of a change in wider tax and benefit adjustments in the near future.
I have met with  our police and Crime commissioner to discuss his plans for stronger rural policing.
During 2022 we have already seen rapid increase in inflation. Dorset Council is trying to assist residents in financial difficulty. Please see note at the end of this short report.

We are clearly expecting a very busy summer on our roads.
I have met with Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick to discuss road safety and crime concerns. Dorset Police now have additional numbers dedicated to rural policing.
I have chased the lawyer Philip Crowther and ranger Russell Goff for meetings to discuss issues arising re local footpaths.
I have e mailed portfolio holder Councillor Ray Bryan for update re-funding for the Bus Service Improvement Plan.
I will provide update re the withdrawal of area based agricultural subsidies and the move towards environmental based subsidies which will impact farmers whether Dorset Council Farm tenants or otherwise at the parish council meeting. I will also report on other developments for farmers whether financial or environmental, outlined by Secretary of State George Eustace at Devon County Show last Thursday .

Now for details of financial support as a consequence of inflation:

Vulnerable people in the Dorset Council area can apply for new support to help with rising costs. Applications are being taken from pensioners and working age people in receipt of qualifying benefits or in fuel poverty.

Please note, the fund for working age people has now closed. It is still open to pensionable age residents. If you need financial support or advice, please go to the Cost of Living Help webpages to see how else you may be able to get help.

The council has been awarded the funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund to provide short-term financial assistance. The support will be via supermarket vouchers. Vouchers will be issued to residents in the Dorset Council area with savings of less than £10,000 who meet the following criteria:

Either:

  • Pensioner in receipt of Pension Credit;
  • A pensioner or working age resident not in receipt of a means tested benefit who is in fuel poverty**; or
  • Working age and in receipt of a means tested benefit* (this is now closed for working age, please see Cost of Living Help for support and advice).

 *Means tested benefits are Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Rebate, Income-related ESA (Employment and Support Allowance), Income Support, Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.
**Fuel poverty is defined as spending 10% of household income on energy costs

Vouchers will also be provided during the school holidays to families in receipt of free school meals.

Councillor Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help said “The Household Support Fund is there to help those who need it most. There is a simple online application form, and if you have any difficulties completing it, or do not use the internet, our library-based volunteer Digital Champions can assist you.  Your local Citizens Advice office will also be able to help you.  If you are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, there is a range of support available for you, so please act now.”

Apply HERE.

Residents will need their most recent bank statements, proof of benefits (if applicable), energy bill (if applicable) and identification.
The website also explains how to nominate a family member or friend if assistance is needed, or if the applicant does not have an email address.
Alternatively, applicants can get help to complete their form from a volunteer Dorset Digital Champion at their local library. To book an appointment, telephone 01305 221048 (Monday to Friday, 10am to midday).  See Digital Champion venue opening times. 

Local Citizens Advice offices are also offering assistance. Click HERE to see opening times and locations or call customer services at Dorset Council on 01305 221027 for opening times.

Food vouchers during the holidays and free school meals

In line with previous school holidays, families of children who receive free school meals during term time will be provided with food vouchers over the summer holiday. These are funded by the Household Support Fund, and Dorset schools will share information about the vouchers direct with the families who receive free school meals.

If you do not claim free school meals for your child but think you might qualify, please apply by completing the online form. You can also apply for free activities for your child during the summer holidays.

Click HERE to check whether you can get Free School Meals.

Other support

Click HERE to find out what other support, including council tax support, housing benefit and universal credit, is available

Click HERE to see where you can access food at local foodbanks, community fridges and social supermarkets

Clearly there have been some farmers who delayed the purchasing of fertiliser until after 24 February and who sold part of their cereal crop forward before that date and have had cause to regret this.
The current position is changeable with crude oil prices recently in retreat .
This may not provide reassurance to households in the short term with inflation in the UK broadly at 9 per cent  8.6 per cent in America and 8 .7 per cent in Germany.
Indeed inflation is at 12 per cent in Greece and 20 per cent in Estonia , hence the challenge of moving together in the Eurozone.
Indeed it maybe that that the Euro May hit parity with the dollar shortly reflecting concerns .
Charle Moore writer for the Daily Telegraph and indeed a former editor of the Daily Telegraph has spoken to audiences in West Dorset several times over the last couple of decades.  In  his contribution to the above paper over the weekend on inflation he wrote ( and I give you a shortened version )

” As the Country emerged blinking from the Covid convalescent Ward it faced enormous, partly war driven price rises in energy and food ,growing evidence of underlying inflation well beyond the temporary costs of short supply ”

I look forward to meeting you again.
Best regards

Simon
Councillor Simon Christopher
Dorset Councillor Marshwood Vale

Hawthorne Cottage
Ryall Road
Whitchurch Canonicorum
Bridport, Dorset
DT6 6RH​

Mob: 07798 833715

Email: cllrsimon.christopher@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#Village,#Community,#BGPC,#CllrSimonChristopher,#DorsetCouncil,#MarshwoodVale,#Covid,#Buses,#CouncilTax,#ChrisLoderMP,#LocalPlan,#Health,#CostOfLiving,#householdFund,#Covid19,#Farming,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council Meeting – Monday, 11th July, 7.30pm

BGPC’s meeting will be held at Broadwindsor Cricket Pavilion on Monday, 11th July, 7.30pm.  If the forecast doesn’t look good, they will switch to the Comrades Hall but will confirm a couple of days before. All are welcome to join them! The full Agenda can be downloaded HERE.

The Group Parish Council very recently won a single star award from the Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils.
The councillors have achieved 40% participation of training and development events to strengthen and update their Council knowledge.

Item 9. This month’s Planning Applications Received and Circulated for Consultation:

c. Results:

  • P/NMA/2022/03380, 12 Marksmead, Drimpton, DT8 3RZ: Granted
  • P/TRT/2022/02919, Brent Paddock, Axe Lane, Drimpton, DT8 3FN: Consent (Tree Works)
  • P/HOU/2022/02617, Island House, High Street, Broadwindsor, DT8 3QP: Granted
  • P/FUL/2022/01699, Comrades Hall, High Street, Broadwindsor, DT8 3QP: Granted
  • P/HOU/2022/00458, 18 Redlands Lane, Broadwindsor, DT8 3ST: Granted
  • P/HOU/2021/04585, Blackbird Cottage, The Square, Broadwindsor, DT8 3QD: Granted
  • P/LBC/2021/04586, Blackbird Cottage, The Square, Broadwindsor, DT8 3QD: Granted

Item 10. looks at the request for a loan from BADCE with a) Community Consultation Update and b) To Resolve to Approve the Request.

The full Agenda can be downloaded HERE.

The press and public are invited to attend. Under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, members of the public may now film, photograph and make audio recordings of the proceedings of the formal Council meeting, though not, under current legislation, of the Public Participation session, as this is not part of the formal agenda of the meeting. Recording activity should be respectful to the conduct of the meeting and behaviour that disrupts the meeting (such as oral commentary) will not be permitted. Any member of the public shall not speak for more than five minutes. A question asked by a member of the public during Public Participation shall not require a response or debate during the meeting though the Chairman may direct that a written response will be provided subsequent to the meeting.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BGPC,#BGPCLT,#FMRTrust,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#PlanningApplication,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#DAPTC,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#BAG,#DorsetCouncil,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Happy Summer Solstice!

When Sarah Hunt and Dominic Withington first moved to Broadwindsor in 2021 , they were keen to make a little positive mark on the village.


At the side of North Cottage, the small patch adjacent to the allotment entrance was in need of a touch of TLC….

As Parish land but under the Allotment group. Sarah and Dominic cleared the scrub and planted 400 bulbs for the Spring 2023 season and seeded with poppies and of course the abundant oxeye daisy seed…


As you can see, the poppies are coming into glorious bloom now and the oxide daisies on the other side are looking smashing too.

Hopefully all who pass will take some joy from these beautiful plants and look forward to spring bloooms in 2023 before more poppies 🙂

Thank you Sarah & Dominic!
They do indeed look beautful.

Happy Summer Solstice!

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Village,#Community,#Dorset,#WestDorset,#2022,#SummerSolstice,#Flowers,#NorthCottage,#BGPC,#Poppies,#SmellTheFlowers,#ThankYou,#BeKind,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Village Shop Seeks Loan From BGPC To Purchase The Freehold Of Premises

Stewart Urry, Secretary of Broadwindsor and District Community Enterprise (BADCE) informed members this week of the committee’s intention to seek a loan from Broadwindsor Group Parish Council at their meeting on Monday, 13th June.

APPLICATION TO BGPC FOR A LOAN FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE FREEHOLD OF THE SHOP PREMISES

  1. BADCE is registered under the Co – Operative and Community Benefits Societies Act 2014, number 31629R. Annual Returns, available on line, are filed with the Financial Conduct Authority. BADCE carries on business as a convenience store for the benefit of Broadwindsor village and the nearby district. BADCE has 330 members, on a one vote per member basis. The shop is an invaluable resource to the district, as has particularly been shown in the recent pandemic, and is widely supported by its members, volunteer assistants and the general public, and also by the local Council.

  2. BADCE was established in early 2013 after public fundraising of some £30,000. From its inception it has reported an annual financial surplus, modest by reference to turnover, but grocery is a low margin trade, and the shop is not in business to maximise profits. At 31 December 2021, its accounts show total members’ funds of £64,016, represented by some £45,000 in cash and bank deposits, with the balance invested in the shop business.

  3. BADCE occupies its premises at The Old Telephone Exchange (’TOTE’) in Drimpton Road, Broadwindsor under a lease agreement at a current annual rent of £4,000 per year, for a term expiring on 31 December 2022, with no security of tenure after that date. Relations with the landlord are good, but the risk is that circumstances may change, and a lease renewal might not be offered in 2023, or at a later date. In any event the annual rent is likely to rise with inflation. The current location suits the shop very well, and there is presently no other comparable site for the shop in the village. Leased tenure restricts the shop from making any improvements to the building, or on the shop site, and this limits the future development of the shop.

  4. Following negotiations with the landlord a price has been agreed for the freehold at £75,000 plus vendor legal fees. The value of the TOTE building is in the region of £75,000/100,000 based on other transactions in identical buildings round the country; recently such a building was offered for sale in Yetminster, let at just over £4k per year, for £99.5k. The landlord values the building at some £100,000, but is generously willing to sell it to BADCE at the discounted price of £75k. A professional opinion has been taken supporting this purchase price.

  5. The BADCE Committee recommends the purchase of the freehold, as a one off opportunity to provide long term security for the shop, at a very reasonable price for a freehold. In order to fund the purchase, grant opportunities have been sought over the last six months, but without success. The main problem is that most current grant programmes are for new projects, which cannot readily access funding in any conventional way, and BADCE does not meet these criteria. Also, the Committee does not think it an opportune time to raise further funds from the members: there are considerable funds in the bank, partly from the original members’ fund raising, and also the local community has only recently raised money for the local pub.

  6. BADCE is therefore looking at loan finance. The total cost of the freehold, with fees and costs, might be some £80,000. BADCE currently has some £45k of cash, but needs to retain a trading buffer of some £15k, making say £30k available for the purchase, and so is looking for loan finance of some £50k, and has approached BGPC for assistance.

  7. BGPC may be able to access loan finance through the Public Works Loan Board, where currently published repayment terms for a £50k loan show capital and interest repayments on say a 30 year term of a fixed amount of under £3,000 per year, which is less than the current £4,000 annual rent paid by the shop, which is not fixed for the future. So the shop could readily afford this loan repayment cost.

  8. In respect of a loan, BADCE would grant BGPC security over the TOTE freehold property, which has a value materially higher than a £50k loan, so BGPC would have good capital security for its loan. BGPC would also have income security as the shop can readily afford the projected loan repayment costs out of its current trading results. BADCE would also offer to pay any incidental costs to BGPC of the loan assistance.

S W Urry
Secretary – BADCE
May 2022

Only members of BADCE can attend the AGM which will be on Wednesday, 21st June at 6pm in the Comrades Hall.
To become a member – please contact the Secretary: stewart.urry@gmail.com.

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Drimpton,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Dorset,#Village,#BroadwindsorCommunityStores,#BADCE,#AGM,#VillageShop,#Community,#BGPC,#Loan,#Freehold,#BeKind,#BeSaffe,#StaySafe