HINTON ST MARY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held at Hinton St Mary Village Hall
on Tuesday May 27th 2025 at 7.20pm

Present:-
Chairman Celia Wright (CW)
Councillors Jo Curtis (JC) Robbie Bartlett (RB)
Clerk Vivian Hitchmough (VH)
County Cllr Carole Jones

2025.20 Apologies:- Mark Steggles (MS)

2025.21 Minutes of the meeting of Tuesday February 25th 2025 were agreed as a true record and duly signed.

2025.22 Declarations of interest – none

2025.23 Matters Arising
Bus Shelter
The Chairman had been in conversation with the Public Transport and Infrastructure Officer Dorset Council regarding the appearance of a bus stop in the lay-by next to the post box. Google Maps show the bus stop in the lay-by as does the current Napsan register and the actual bus shelter is not a legal bus stop. A bus timetable will be erected in the lay-by and he asked residents to “give it a try and see how it goes”.
The Chairman will add notice to the Mosaic.
Wessex Water Project
RB was pleased to announce that the project is going well with a slight two day delay at the present time. There has been a need to redesign manholes and the road will open in a couple of weeks and then close again in mid July. The Chairman said the workforce were helpful and accommodating . Disruption is mainly due to the increase of heavy traffic which is inevitable to proceed with the project.
Parking
In SJ’s report it was confirmed that the estate are implementing further measures to deal with the parking issues around the public house. RB said the signage was not very visible and JC questioned when the mirror discussed previously would be erected.
Shrubs Overhanging Road
The Chairman reminded residents of the dangers to traffic from overhanging shrubs and trees in the narrow lanes, particularly with the increase in site traffic between Veals Lane and Stearts Lane.

2025.24 Updates from Officers
Planning JC reported tree applications from the Estate and 10 Veals Lane who were submitting a previous application.
Roads, drains and potholes Councillors reported several areas needing road maintenance due to subsidence and water runoff. RB would check some of the areas and the Chairman will report to Dorset Council. Cllr Carole Jones will follow
CW had contacted Ford Fuels who admitted responsibility for the pavement damage and assured her that they have arranged for the repairs to be carried out.
Speed Indicator Device SJ has handed the responsibility to MS and RB said he would help when it is time to move the equipment to the other side of the village
Telephone Box Working well
Village Garden JC reported the water had been refilled and planting had started. Karen has been mowing and this was a welcome addition.
Defibrillator CW reported the equipment was ready and good.

2025.25 Finance
The necessary cheques and administration had been dealt with at the Annual Meeting of the Council. 2025.17

2025.26 County Councillor’s report
Cllr Carole Jones is hopeful that she may be able to work with a transport company to help older people in the area in the aftermath of the closure of Nordcat.
Dorset Council are working with the NHS on preventing people going into hospital and returning without support at home. This is integrated communal care with an expectation that the community will come together to help.
She reported a desperate need to keep young people in our area by providing the necessary investment in their training especially in the trades. With no job opportunities and unaffordable housing we shall lose our young people . She suggested a technical college in North Dorset to train and support the skills and training needed, but at the present time funding is being placed in Portland and Weymouth and very little finance comes into the North of Dorset. CW assured her that the Parish Council would wholeheartedly support this venture.
Cllr Jones advised that Aldi or Lidl are still interested in coming to Sturminster Newton.

2025.27 Any Other Business
The new Chairman (CW) thanked Steve Johnson for all the work he has carried out as Chairman over the past few years and everyone was sorry to see him leave. Cllr Jones agreed he was a loss to the Parish Council and had done a sterling job.

2025.28 Date of next meeting
Tuesday August 19th 2025.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.20