Tag: #BWGPC

Bernards’ Place Wall Prepared

Parish Councillor David Leader, Chairperson of the Comrades Hall committee led a work party yesterday afternoon and issued the following statement together with the photographs:

“I have just got back from today’s work party at Bernard’s Place. We started working in freezing temperatures but it did warm up to minus 1. Today we were preparing the wall for renovation. This challenging project is being undertaken by Chris Edgerley who is providing all his time free of charge saving the hall committee many hundreds of pounds. We simply can not thank him enough.

Wall at Bernards PlaceToday we cut the overgrown hedge on the top of the wall back, cleared built up soil and removed loads of ivy. The wall is falling down and we have had to cordon the wall off to prevent any accidents. Please do not go inside the cordon. It is clearly marked with cones and tape.

All the essential work was carried out by Chris, Stefan, Amanda, Daren, Margaret, Sally, Bob, John and myself. To these intrepid volunteers I extend a massive thank you, community spirit at its best.

All the work was carried out with rigid social distancing. Hope everyone has a good weekend and stays safe in these difficult times.

With kind regards

David Leader
Chairperson, Comrades Hall”

Scroll#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#Village,#BWGPC,#Community,#BernardsPlace,#SocialDistancing,#Volunteer,#ThankYou,#Community,#ComradesHall,#COVID19,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

 

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council – Online Meeting Monday 11th January 2021

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council are meeting online using the Zoom platform at 7.30pm on Monday 11th January 2021.  All are welcome to attend.

The full agenda is available to download HERE.

The meeting can be accessed HERE.
The Meeting ID: 874 5530 6004
Zoom is Free! – Sign Up and get it HERE.

Once the minutes of the last meeting have been approved, there are no matters arising. Residents are then invited to give their views and ask questions of the Parish Council on issues on this Agenda. This will be followed by:
a. Report from Councillor Christopher, Dorset Council
b. Report from Dorset Police

There is a Parish Council vacancy for the Seaborough ward.

Parish Councillors will deliver their community updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are no new Planning Applications to consider but 2 have been approved:

WD/D/20/001069, Higher Farm, Seaborough, DT8 3QY: Approved
WD/D/20/001070, Higher Farm, Seaborough, DT8 3QY: Approved

There will be reports and updates from Broadwindsor Cricket Club on their fundraising, a Working Group Update on Climate Change Emergency and the Allotment Group.

Items in this month’s Highways section include the formal adoption of named verges in Broadwindsor:

a. Report from the Footpaths Officer
b. Verge Management in the Grouped Parish Area
c. To approve request for formal adoption from Dorset Council of named verges in Broadwindsor
d. Common Water Lane Update
e. Damaged Drimpton Bridge Update

Following a report from the Broadwindsor Group Parish Community Land Trust on Affordable Housing and any items of interest for the next agenda, Residents are invited to give their views and ask questions of the Parish Council on any outstanding issues on this Agenda or raise issues for future consideration.

After the date of the next meeting is established, they will receive the Finance report from the FMR Trust.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#BGPCLT,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#PlanningApplication,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#Zoom,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#FMRTrust,#Tier3,#NationalLockdown,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Dorset Now in Tier 3

Recently announced, Dorset has been moved from Tier 2 (High Alert) to Tier 3 (Very High Alert) from 31st December. Here are the new guidelines:

Tier 3

What you can and cannot do in Tier 3 – Click HERE.

Here is what’s happening in the rest of the South West:

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#SocialDistancing,#Tier3,#DorsetCouncil,#Covid19,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#BeResponsible,#WearYourMask,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

COVID-19

There has been a significant increase in cases of COVID-19 in the last couple of weeks in both BCP Council and Dorset Council areas, as well as a rise in hospital admissions.
If this continues, it is likely our Tier shall change from 2 to the more restrictive Tier 3.  Please stay safe, play your part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and protect your loved ones.
#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#SocialDistancing,#DorsetCouncil,#Covid19,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#BeResponsible,#WearYourMask,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

New Rules for Dogs from 1st Jan 2021

A dog related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) across the Dorset Council area comes into force on 1 January.

Notice of making a Public Spaces Protection Order under Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

TAKE NOTICE that:
1. Dorset Council has carried out the necessary consultation on its proposal to make The Dorset Council Dog Related Public Spaces Protection Order 2020 (the PSPO’) in accordance with section 72 of the above Act.
2. The PSPO has now been made in accordance with section 59 of the Act and it comes into force on the 1st January 2021 and will expire on the 31st December 2023
3. For further information on the content of the Order, penalty levels, maps and exemptions visit HERE.
4. Under the provisions of section 66 of the Act an interested person may apply to the High Court within 6 weeks from the date that the PSPO is made to question its validity on the grounds that:
(a) that the local authority did not have the power to make the order or variation, or to include particular prohibitions or requirements imposed by the order (or by the order as varied);
(b) that a requirement under Chapter 2 of the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 was not complied with in relation to the order.
5. An ‘interested person’ is defined by section 66(2) of the Act as being an individual who lives in the restricted area or who regularly works in or visits that area.
Dated this 27th day of October 2020

For the first few weeks the Council will focus on advice and guidance to dog-owners explaining the new rules.
The order replaces a number of existing dog related PSPOs across the Dorset Council area. The intention is that the new Order will provide clarity and consistency across the area for dog owners and non-owners alike about dog controls on public open spaces such as beaches, sports fields and other public areas.

Cllr Jill Haynes, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services said:
“The order has been made to protect the health of Dorset residents and visitors and is particularly aimed at areas that children and families use.
“It focuses on times and places that attract families, but leaves a variety of open spaces, countryside and beaches where there aren’t any restrictions.
“It is a compromise, and as such, won’t be everyone’s ideal situation but it provides a balance for dog owners and non-owners.”

The order follows a 15-week consultation that received 8,602 responses. 83% of responses were from local residents, with 15% from visitors and 2% other organisations. 64% of responses came from dog owners and 36% from non-dog owners. 6.6% of the respondents  considered they had a disability. The recommendations from the consultation were considered and approved by the Place and Resources Overview Committee in September and Dorset Council Cabinet in October.

Dorset Council’s Responsibilities of a dog owner:

Animal welfare

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 you are responsible for your dog to ensure they get the best out of life. They should be given a suitable environment, a suitable diet, be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, be able to socialise with their own breed and be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease in relation to the size, breed and age. The RSPCA can give you additional guidance.

Ensure your dog carries identification

By law, a dog should wear a tag inscribed with the owner’s name and address. You should also include an up to date mobile phone number. This is so that if your dog goes missing, the finder will be able to contact you. It is compulsory for all dogs to have a microchip fitted with their owner’s details. Owners must ensure their details are up to date with the microchipping company, it is an offence not to do so under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015.

Dogs under eight weeks old are exempt from the microchipping law. Dogs can also be exempt through a certificate issued by a registered vet. If you are buying a puppy, the breeder should have microchipped it and added their details, the breeder should then provide you with the information needed to change the chip to your details.

If your pet has a microchip and goes missing, the scanners held by the:

  • police
  • dog wardens
  • vets
  • RSPCA

help identify your pet’s unique chip number to re-unite you with your dog.
Even if your dog is microchipped, it must wear a tag in a public place to be legal.

Clear up after your dog

Everyone knows of the potential for dog faeces to carry disease as well as unpleasant odour when caught on shoes or wheels of wheelchairs, prams, bikes or scooters. It is an offence not to clear up after dogs and offenders are likely to receive a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN). There are a few exceptions but, in general terms, any open land that the public has access to, whether by payment or not, is covered by this legislation, unless you have the direct permission of the land owner.

Dog waste can be ‘bagged and binned’ in any litter or dog bin, or taken home and deposited in your waste bin. Follow the ‘Doggy Doo’ code.

Keep your dog under control when on and off a lead

The person responsible for the dog should be able to ensure that the dog will return to heel when requested, having good recall, and will respond to simple commands. That person should also be able to hold or restrain the dog should the need arise. Dogs should be under the control of a suitable person at all times.

Prevent your dog from straying

Please ensure that your home and garden are secure against escape. Neutering may also curb your dog’s urge to stray.

Do not leave your dog in a hot car

Even an open window may not be enough to be sure a dog will not over heat. It may be better to leave dogs at home where they have the comfort of shade and available drinking water.  See RSPCA Dog Advice & Welfare for more information on your obligation to your dog.  If you are concerned about a dog left in a car on a hot day please dial 999.

Make sure your dog doesn’t bark excessively

We all recognise that dogs bark, however, excessive dog barking is both stressful to the dog and upsetting to those listening to it. If you believe that you have a problem or have been advised that your dog barks excessively then consider what action you can take to resolve the problem. It may be that your dog is bored or anxious when left alone. A low volume radio left on can help to settle your dog but you may want to think about training your dog or speaking to a dog warden for advice.

Where no challenge is lodged the Order will automatically begin on the 1 January 2021.

The Order includes:

  1. removal and disposal of dog faeces for all public spaces
  2. dogs to be excluded from identified areas, such as enclosed children’s play areas or marked sport pitches, and on certain named beaches between 1 May and 30 September
  3. dogs to be kept on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer
  4. dogs to be kept on lead in identified areas these may be generic or specifically identified, such as council owned allotments or car parks, formal gardens, church yards etc. and extends 5m from the marked sports pitch edge.

Details are supplied in the schedules of the Order along with maps to assist.

Exemptions apply which mainly relate to those with poor dexterity or disability preventing them collecting dog faeces, as well as enabling those with assistance dogs to access dog excluded areas, these are described in the Order.

An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) was supplied for Cabinet and was used to formulate the exemptions within the Order, to assist with enforcement and ensure signage was appropriate for all.

Information signs are provided to show where the areas of restriction are and the nature of the offence associated with it. Clearance of fouling signs are generally found only in areas where there is a level of high deposition and owners are acting irresponsibly by not collecting and disposing appropriately.  If you are going to visit other areas outside of the Dorset Council one, please ensure you check with the Local Authority for that area to see if any restrictions apply. There also remains local land owner restrictions, if you are travelling across private land please ensure that you follow any request about how you control your dog.

Dogs on leads by direction

Some of the current PSPOs have a dogs on leads by direction element.  They would respectfully ask that if you are requested to put your dog on a lead you do so. The reason an authorised officer will request this might be that they wish to speak to you, or your dog may be causing undue distress to people or dogs in the immediate area. Where the Order exists a fine may be issued for failing to do so.

Further advice

The Dog Warden is happy to speak to members of the public on all dog related issues. If you have queries please contact the Dog Warden Service HERE. (You have to submit your email address and Register on their online portal to make contact.)

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#SocialDistancing,#Dogs,#PSPO,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#BeResponsible,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Dorset Remains in Tier 2

The Government has announced that Dorset remains in Tier 2 after they re-examined the tier system.

Several factors are considered when looking at the tier system. Along with headline infection rates, the Government also looks at the infection rate in older people, the impact on the care sector and pressure on local hospitals – all of which continue to be a concern in the area.

The Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils commented: “Although people may feel frustrated and disappointed by this decision…Tier one restrictions would not be enough to continue to bring our rates down, and we would risk having to go back into tougher measures.”

Dorset is the 6th lowest in England, according to the latest rolling seven-day rate of new cases of Covid-19 for every local authority area in England. However, over the last week the rate has increased to 45.4 per 100,000 people compared to 39.6 a week ago.  Recent figures also show four more coronavirus patients have died in Dorset hospitals.  We’re simply not ready to move to Tier 1 yet.

Your G.P. will contact you re: being vaccinated.

Please follow the Government guidelines and stay safe!

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#SameRules,#Covid19,#Coronavirus,#Christmas,#Vaccine,#SouthSomerset,#SomersetWest,#Taunton,#Devon,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

 

Broadwindsor Parish Group Council

The focused faces in the photograph belie the festive feel to Monday night’s Group Parish Council meeting.  Helen, the Town Clerk reported:

“ It was lovely to see everyone looking so festive thanks to those members of the public who joined us. Another busy agenda, we welcomed Lloyd Curtis back to the Council and paid thanks to Susanna Laurie who has recently stepped down as Councillor for Seaborough. Susanna has made such a positive contribution to the Council and has worked hard to represent and support her community.

The next online meeting will take place on 11 January, please do join us!

Wishing all parishioners of the Grouped Parish a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.“

Susanna responded “Thank you for the kind words it was a pleasure to be part of this Parish Council, to meet you all and work in such a positive environment.  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.”

Christmas Garland#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Christmas,#Zoom,#Tier2,#StaySafe

Councillor Simon Christopher’s Report – Dec 2020

Here is our local Councillor Simon Christopher’s interim report submitted to the Parish Council’s meeting this evening.

“I am actually writing exactly seven days before the meeting and as a politician famously said, a week is a long time in politics.

I thought I would set out some thoughts at the last meeting of the year. A difficult year in which we have seen so many people rally around to help vulnerable people.

The council has risen to the task of helping the elderly, the infirm and has acted positively to help with the provision of meals to vulnerable children over holiday times.  There has of course been financial consequences and the council has had to utilise reserves.

Councillors Jill Haynes and Councillor Tony Ferrari as portfolio holders have written to all Town and Parish Council clerks re the Dorset Council area.  The communication is in respect of the Dorset Council Asset review Process, which was presented to Cabinet on 3rd November 2020.
Extracts include ‘There are a number of (property) holdings which we need to consider in order to rationalize the estate and reduce cash’

‘The desire is to

  1. Create economic growth by creating new homes and jobs
  2. Delivering a more integrated customer focused service, through joint provision with partner organisations
  3. Generate efficiencies through capital receipts and running costs’.

Please contact me if you have not seen the aforementioned email or wish to discuss the matter. 

Councillors are currently discussing the budget setting process, primarily:

  • Children’s Directorate
  • Place Directorate- including property’s, highways and Dorset Waste
  • Adults Directorate
  • Corporate Directorate

There is to be a concentrated effort to achieve savings in contract arrangement without a reduction in service.

The Parish Council will be aware of the considerable correspondence involving Highways and the police about continuing damage to the verges etc at Common water Lane.  This is an ongoing matter and many of us are determined  that the above authorities are made aware of the continuing concern of residents.

I will be pleased to receive your thoughts on possible changes to Dorset Council car parking charges. 

You may have noticed that Dorset Council car parks will be free on Saturday’s in December 2020. (In Sherborne I understand this will be on Mondays)

The mailbag of a Dorset Councillor in a rural ward appears to show continued concern about speeding motorists and I pass on these concerns to the relevant highways officers and other agencies.

Thank you to those Parish Councillors who contact me re concerns about footpaths and I have contacted the officer on   your behalf.  I continue to request a pavement be installed from Broadwindsor Village to the cricket ground.

I am in touch with officers to make sure drains in Seaborough are properly cleared,  as a result of residents concerns.

Rachel Baker, senior communications officer Digital and Change Dorset Council has been publicising the Gigabit Voucher Scheme.  An email has come out to John and myself, which has been further circulated and you have comments on this.

On 30th November 2020 the Government has unveiled its Path to Sustainable Farming.

The reason I draw your attention to this is :

  1. The mere fact that even in the heart of your village you are but yards away from a field managed by members of the farming community.
  2. This will impact on the County Farms Estate of some 46 farms and all our local farmers.

The Government states that it plans to deliver a better fairer farming system in England with the objective of changing the way the Government supports farmers.  The roadmap has outlined changes that will come in over a seven year period.

‘The changes will be designed to ensure that by 2028 farmers in England can sustainably produce healthy food profitably without subsidy, whilst taking steps to improve the environment, improve animal health and welfare and reduce carbon emissions.

Next year marks the start of the transition where we will begin to move away from the Basic Payment Scheme(BPS) towards new policies that will be co-designed and tested together with farmers, land managers and experts, to ensure that the new systems work for them.

The ‘Path to Sustainable Farming’ document  sets out more detail on the changes we are going to make, and what they will mean to farmers.

The key changes include:

  • Introducing the Environmental Land Management scheme to incentivise sustainable practices, create habitats for nature recovery and establish new woodland to help tackle climate change.
  • Investing in improving animal health and welfare as part of our sustainable farming approach. This will initially focus on controlling or eradicating endemic diseases amongst cattle, pigs and sheep.
  • Direct payments will be reduced fairly, starting from the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme year, with the money released being used to fund new grants and schemes to boost farmer’s productivity and reward environmental improvements.
  • Launching a Farming Investment Fund, which will support innovation and productivity. This will open for applications next year and will be used to offer grants for equipment, technology and infrastructure for the future.
  • Simplifying and improving existing schemes and their application processes further from January 2021 to reduce the burden on farmers, and we will take a modern approach to regulation, cutting unnecessary red tape for farmers and working together with industry to design a more targeted regulatory system.

In a nutshell, the bulk of future payments will be through the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS), but it will not be fully available to farmers for four years.  Meanwhile, cuts to the old scheme will begin in January 2021.  By the time  the ELM Scheme is fully available, farming businesses face losing 50% of the financial support they previously received.  The reliance on BPS for farming businesses of all sizes is it seems, such that farmers may struggle.

The Dorset Local Plan

Many of you will have noticed that there will be consultations in respect of The Dorset Local Plan.  The timetable will approximate to:

1st December 2020 –  Details published on the Dorset Council website for discussion at Dorset Council Cabinet

8th December 2020 – Discussion at Dorset Council Cabinet

Mid January 2021 – Consultation period opens for a period expected to be for 8 weeks.

In the event the Cabinet agenda was published yesterday evening and I will be pleased to discuss initial thoughts with you at the meeting this evening.

To quote the documentation:

‘ Having an up to date local place is critical in order to shape the future of the Dorset Council area, providing for development to meet the areas needs and manage decisions of planning applications.  Public consultation is a vital part of the process and this consultation will enable a wide range of views to be taken into account in moving the plans forward.  The plan includes potential development sites in order to meet the needs for housing, employment and other uses over the period to 2038’

It is proposed that the public consultation takes place for eight weeks starting in mid January 2021. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic means that face to face consultations are unlikely to be possible but in addition to the document and supporting evidence being available online a range of consultation methods are proposed including  online events, social media and copies available to loan in libraries.

After consultation a final draft plan will be published with an opportunity for further feedback and comments before being submitted for examination. At that stage responses will be considered and assessed by the independent inspector who examines the plan.

The intention is to adopt the plan by April 2023 .

Dorset Council has published the Dorset Highways Winter Service Policy and Operational Plan 2020/21.  This document has been made available to all Parish Council clerks.

I wish you all a safe very enjoyable Christmas and New Year.

Best regards

Councillor Simon Christopher
Dorset Councillor for The Marshwood Vale Ward
https://www.simonchristopher.info/

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#BGPCLT,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#DorsetHighways,#DorsetLocalPlan,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Coronavirus,#Christmas,#Zoom,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Tier2,#StaySafe

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council – Online Meeting Monday 14th December 2020

Broadwindsor Group Parish Council are meeting online using the Zoom platform at 7.30pm on Monday 14th December 2020.  You are also invited to join from 7.00 pm with your festive drink and nibbles!
All are welcome to attend.

The full agenda is available to download HERE.

The meeting can be accessed HERE.
The Meeting ID: 925 993 0185
Zoom is Free! – Sign Up and get it HERE.

In the matters arising, there is a Parish Council Vacancy, for the Seaborough Ward.

Residents are invited to give their views and ask questions of the Parish Council on issues on this Agenda.
a. Report from Councillor Christopher, Dorset Council
b. Report from Dorset Police
c. Co-option to Broadwindsor Group Parish Council, Burstock Ward

An update from Councillors re: Covid-19 and a Union Connectivity Review: Call for Evidence

Once the Finance Report (Balance £39,807.66 as of 30 November 2020) is received and payments approved, there are two Planning Applications to be considered this month:

WD/D/20/002442 – The Old School House, High Street, Broadwindsor, DT8 3QP
WD/D/20/002187 – Ellaway Cottage, Wood Farm, Wood Lane, Kittwhistle, DT8 3LG

With updates from Broadwindsor Cricket Club, the Working Group for Climate Change Emergency and the Allotments, there will also be a website review.

Dog Fouling is included in the items to be addressed in the Highways section:
a. Report from the Footpaths Officer
b. Verge Management in the Grouped Parish Area
c. Maintenance of Signs in the Grouped Parish Area
d. Update on Oak Tree, Crewkerne Road, Drimpton
e. Dog Fouling
f. Common Water Lane Verges Update

The Broadwindsor Group Parish Community Land Trust will deliver a report on Affordable Housing.

The public are then invited to participate, to give their views and ask questions of the Parish Council on any outstanding issues on this Agenda or raise issues for future consideration.

#Broadwindsor,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#BGPCLT,#SocialDistancing,#Community,#DorsetPolice,#Farmers,#PlanningApplication,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#BroadwindsorCC,#ParishCouncil,#Coronavirus,#ClimateChange,#Zoom,#AffordableHousing,#ComradesHall,#VillageHall,#Highways,#FMRTrust,#Tier2,#StaySafe

Dorset In Tier 2 From 2nd December

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced where we are in the Government’s 3 tier system (as shown below), when the National Restrictions end on 2nd December.

At the time of publishing, the Government’s Postcode Checker has crashed and you are asked to try again later.

  • Here in Dorset, we are in Tier 2
  • South Somerset, Somerset West, Taunton and Devon are also in Tier 2 at this time.

Tier 2Tier 3

#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Dorset,#BWGPC,#NewRules,#Covid-19,#Coronavirus,#SouthSomerset,#SomersetWest,#Taunton,#Devon,#BeSafe,#StaySafe