HINTON ST MARY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held at Hinton St Mary Village Hall
on Tuesday October 29th 2024 at 7pm

Present:-
Chairman – Steve Johnson (SJ)
Councillors – Jo Curtis (JC) Robbie Bartlett (RB) Celia Wright (CW) Mark Steggles (MS)
Clerk – Vivian Hitchmough (VH)
Members of the public, Mr Collins

2024.38 – Apologies:- County Cllr Carole Jones

2024.39  – Minutes of the meeting of Tuesday August 14th 2024 were agreed as a true record and duly signed with an adjustment to 2024.34 – 13.08.24
replacing “access” with “exiting” from Old School Lane as pointed out by Mr Collins.

2024.40 – Declarations of Interest
None

2024.41 – Matters Arising
Parking around the White Horse
The Chairman reported that he had met with Eric and discussed the issues. There will be signage on both sides of the wall and parking bays will be marked. Signage to the overspill car park will be erected with the pedestrian entrance clearly shown.
Precept decision 2025/26
With an acceptable balance at bank Councillors agreed to keep the precept application as 2024/25 at £2200 and the Clerk will apply shortly.
Speed limit in village
CW advised Councillors there would a need for two traffic surveys, Veals Lane and Stearts Lane using camera or rumble strips and a full traffic survey would cost £275 plus VAT followed by £200 plus VAT. The Chairman had the opinion that educating drivers may be the way forward rather than expensive surveys followed by extensive signage. RB suggested that as the original village opinion survey revealed an interest in a speed limit it would be prudent to extend the survey to involve the village in the final decision and explain how the results may have visual impact on the village due to signage etc. Councillors considered other types of signage such as “caution, horses, children etc”. CW was asked to further this issue by requesting details of what is involved and what impact it would have on the village.

2024.42 – Updates from Officers

Planning
Felling three trees at Hinton House – no objection
Castlemans Farmhouse – alterations, repairs – no objection
Stearts Lane to Ridgeway – install sewage pump system.
RB explained this was to cut down storm water going into the sewerage system . The Chairman reported he has the contact details for this project and Wessex Water are very willing to speak with residents to explain exactly how they intend to proceed with this project.

Roads, drains and potholes
RB reported that several drains were silted up and he will endeavour to clear some of them. The Chairman asked Councillors to report issue on line to Dorset Council and give co-ordinates for their position using What Three Words. The Chairman suggested Councillors get together and walk the village to check on these issues.
Village Liaison/Garden
JC reported that the clean up had been advertised in the Mosaic and on Facebook and RB said he could provide a trailer to clear the rubbish. JC said ideally she would prefer if the rubbish could be disposed of more regularly in order that it did not pile up and become a problem.

Speed Indicator Device
The Chairman reported that it was working well.

Defibrillator
CW reported it is checked and ready for an emergency use.

Telephone Box
No report

2024.43
Finance
A cheque for the clerk’s salary was signed
A cheque for reimbursement to CW for the purchase of a lock was signed.

2024.44 – County Councillors report
None

2024.45 – Questions from members of the public
None

2024.46
Correspondence
No outstanding correspondence

2024.47
Any Other Business
CW confirmed she had placed a piece in the Mosaic requesting that all garden waste is disposed of in Council garden waste bins or residents own compost bins or taken to the authority tip. Garden refuse was being dumped in fields, alleyways and on verges. CW advised the cost of a garden waste bin from Dorset Council was £69.50.
JC reminded Councillors that not only was dumping garden waste illegal but also harmful to the environment as garden plants can be invasive to natural meadows and wild flowers.
CW expressed concern regarding notification from Dorset Council of temporary road closures within Hinton St Mary from an application from Wessex Internet. This could impact various business premises and CW and RB will enquire about the proposal from Tom Faulkner from the traffic team at Dorset Council

2024.48
Date of next meeting Tuesday February 25th 2025

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.40pm