Buckland Newton

Parish Council

This is the website of Buckland Newton

Parish Council.

There is also a Buckland Newton

Community Website, where you will find

general information about the Village, its

community and activities around the

village.  Please visit the Community website

if you are looking for information that is

not specific to the business and activities of

the Buckland Newton Parish Council.  This

website replaces the Parish Council page on

the Buckland Newton Community Website.

Your Parish Councillors are: Nicki Barker (Chair), John

Baker, Jane Collins (co-Vice Chair),  Andy Foot, Roy

Godwin, Mark Needham (co-Vice Chair), Chris Osmond

(Recreation Officer), Sam Sowerby, Lin Townsend.

Your Flood Warden is Doug Morse (tel: 01300 345707) or

e-mail floodwarden@sky.com

Rights of Way Liaison Officer is Stephen White

Parish Clerk: Sarah Mitchell, 01258 817288 or e-mail Your District Councillors are Brian Haynes (Piddle Valley Ward - 6 Orchard Close, Sydling St Nicholas, Dorchester DT2 9PF tel: 01300 341277)  and Pauline Batstone  (Lydden Vale Ward - tel: 01258 472583).

 

Parish Council Meeting Dates

Meetings are held in the Parish Rooms at 7.30 pm every second Tuesday of each

month.  If there are any changes, a note will be posted on the Parish Room door.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 11th December at 7.30 pm, in the Parish

Room.  The Agenda and associated Schedule for the December meeting can be viewed

here.

At Parish Council meetings, we include a 'Democratic Half Hour' to allow members of

the Parish to make representations at the meeting. This will be added to the Agenda,

before the main body of the meeting takes place, allowing Parishioners to leave if they

wish. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, or would prefer to write or

e-mail your concerns or potential resolutions, please can you advise the Chair or Parish

Clerk at least five days before the meeting, if possible.

Proposed Temporary Closure of B3143

It is proposed to temporarily close the B3143 near Bookham Lane in order to install a new Telegraph Pole.  For details and how to respond to this consultation, click here.

Latest news on the Parish Room and playing field improvement

Back in Spring via the Lydden Vale News, we asked for your all your views on the improvements to the Parish Room and recreation facilities that you would most like. This brought lots of responses and a host of excellent ideas…..too many to be practically achievable in one hit. So we have divided them into 2 phases, the first outlined below and the second as a later project on a piece of land in the adjacent field to the west, which would provide an All Weather Sporting Arena/Tennis Court along with exercise equipment etc. So back to the more immediate first phase: This will upgrade and extend the Parish Room into a small sports pavilion with a covered veranda, a decent loo, changing area and sports equipment storage. It will still have a simple kitchen inside and we will overcome the current gloom by installing 6 roof lights to let the light and sun in. The rather lovely existing roof tile design and soft bricks will be mirrored in the extension, along with the buttresses. Also the pretty brick arch on the roadside should reappear in all its glory. Because the B3143 is now getting so busy, the plan is to reverse the entrance so access will be from the playing field side through the veranda. The new running track described below, plus a new stone paved path from the road, will provide a good dry route to the entrance. This first phase will also include a running/jogging/cycling/walking track right the way around the perimeter of the field so, if you are counting….., every time you do a circuit you will be doing just over half a kilometre! The track will be 2 metres wide and there is still no firm decision on the finished surface, but most likely it will be very similar to the professional track in Weymouth. The surface will be flush with the grass, so that it is invisible from the road and can be mown across. Now to the proverbial problem of how to fund it. From quotations received, the cost of this first phase is around £70,000. The Parish Council is in the process of applying for an EU grant, before Brexit cuts off the supply, and we should know whether we are successful by the end of November. If we are lucky, this grant provides us with 80% of the cost, leaving us to find about £14,000. We already have generous offers towards this, including a donation from this year’s Fete, £4,000 from both the United Charities and another £4,000 from Buckland Newton Community Property Trust (Lydden Meadow). With £3,000 from a ringfenced WDDC pot and the remainder from a ringfenced legacy given to the Parish Council, we should be able to meet the match funding required. So now it is fingers crossed! If we are successful, the start date will be March next year.

Parish Council Minutes

Minutes of Buckland Newton Parish Council Meetings are available on-line from

December 2008.  Please use the button opposite to view these Minutes.  For copies of

earlier Minutes, please refer to the Parish Clerk.

What is a Parish Council?

Confusion often arises because of the use of the word 'Parish' which most people would

connect with the Church. "Parish" is an old English word that means a local territory or

catchment area. A parish had two principal functions: firstly to act as a civil unit which

was responsible for the collection of taxes and tithes, the dispensing of justice and the

raising of armies; secondly it was an ecclesiastical institution served by a local church

or chapel, with a priest or similar clergyman tending to the spiritual needs of local

people.  By the late 19th Century, the two functions of civil and ecclesiastical parish

were formally split in law. The civil parish went on to develop into what we call the

parish or town council today (PC). The ecclesiastical parish or Parochial Church

Council (PCC) is now an entirely separate body. A Parish Council is now a statutory

local authority set up under the Local Government Act 1972. It is a corporate body with

a legal existence of its own quite separate from that of its members. Councillors are

elected every four years and a Clerk is employed to organise meetings, carry out the

council's decisions and give advice on any legal issues or new legislation. The Clerk is

the only paid person to administer and serve a council and is often the Responsible

Financial Officer too, but does not vote or make decisions for the council.

Parish and Town Councils in England are the first tier of local government.  They have

extensive powers ranging from the power to deal with 'offensive ditches', to acquire land

and my personal favourite 'to accept gifts'!! The list is too extensive (3 pages) to publish

here, if you wish, you can check out www.nalc.gov.uk for more information.

Community Emergency Plan

The Community Emergency plan can be viewed by clicking the Community

Emergency Plan button opposite.  The Environment Agency has also issued a notice

about new Flood Warning Areas in Dorset.

Healthy Homes Dorset

Do you struggle to keep your home warm or worry how you will afford your energy bills this winter? Contact Healthy Homes Dorset for free, impartial advice about keeping your home warm, using your heating system, understanding your energy bills and making energy saving improvements – if you’re eligible for loft or cavity wall insulation it will be free! We will also register you for power cut support, a handy service to be on if you experience a power cut in your area.  Our advice can be given through home visits as well as over the phone.  Fire safety alarm and appliance checks can also be organised in partnership with Fire and Rescue for eligible residents.  If you, or someone you know, would benefit from speaking to a trained energy advisor, then get in touch. Call 0300 003 7023 email help@healthyhomesdorset.org.uk  Web www.healthyhomesdorset.org.uk Healthy Homes Dorset is a service provided by Dorset County Council, funded by Public Health Dorset and managed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy in partnership with Evolve Home Energy Solutions.

Dorset Police ask "could your enquiry be answered by NED?"

Do you have issues with parking? Noisy neighbours? Concerned with an animal’s

welfare? Not sure who to contact… Then AskNED – the non-emergency directory. 

Dorset Police has launched a new online knowledgebase designed to help the public

find answers to common enquiries and guide them to the right agencies.  Click here for

more details.

Smart Meter Rollout

The Government is rolling out smart meters into all homes and businesses before 2020.

However, research shows that a huge percentage of the population are still not aware

of the options available. All local councils should have the up to date, correct

information on their websites to ensure we are fully prepared as a nation for this switch.

Provided below are links to full guides domestic and non-domestic smart meters

handed to us by the Government.

Non-domestic Users:  https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/236488/N on_Domestic_Leaflet_v_02.pdf  Domestic Users:  https://selectra.co.uk/guides/smart-meters  Dog Mess Please do not throw dog mess in the hedges or river. It should be put in appropriate bins or taken home and put in normal household waste bins.

General Planning Matters

After each Parish Council meeting, there will be an entry in the Lydden Vale News

covering planning applications. Please be aware that due to the nature of the process,

the information will probably be out of date and it may be too late to make

representations by the time it is published.  Planning matters are included in the Parish

Council Minutes, published each month and which can be viewed by clicking on the

Parish Council Minutes button opposite.

You can also keep a check on new applications locally by clicking on the West Dorset

Planning Applications button opposite.  Simply enter "Buckland Newton" in the box

marked "Parish".  You don't need to know a planning number. This will bring up all the

latest applications, and clicking on the "Select" box will not only bring up the plans, but

also gives you the opportunity to send in your comments on any application

immediately on line. If you are concerned about a planning application, or whether you

need to apply for permission, you are very welcome to call the WDDC helpdesk on

01305 252492.

Salt/Grit for icy conditions and Sandbags

Salt/Grit bins are available outside the Village Hall and close to the Church. In case of

flooding, the village now has a supply of sandbags. If you are unlucky enough to require

use of these at some time in the future please contact Doug Morse on 01300 345707 to

find out how to obtain sandbags.  The village Flood Warden is Doug Morse (tel: 01300

345707) or e-mail floodwarden@sky.com

Parish Room

Currently the newly refurbished Parish Room is used by the cricket and football clubs

and also for the Parish Council monthly meeting.  Outside of these times it is available

for use as a small venue for local events/clubs or small social gatherings such as

children’s birthday parties etc.  All the Council would ask would be a donation of £5.00

towards the running costs for a half day booking and that the room is left clean and tidy

afterwards.  If you are interested in booking the Parish Room, please contact the Parish

Clerk for more information.

Junk Mail

This can be a real nuisance. It only adds to the volume of recycling and at the end of

the day our Council Tax to dispose of it. So unless you enjoy browsing through free

mail, it IS easy to cut down on 90% of it by removing your name from direct mail lists.

The best way to do this is: Write with your name and address to Mail Preference

Service, Freepost 29 (LON20771), London W1E OZT (you can pick up a form for this at

the District Council's Office in High West St in Dorchester). Or phone the Mail

Preference Service on 0845 703 4599 or go to their website on www.mcsonline.org.uk 

or e-mail 

Village Allotments

If you are interested in becoming a plot-holder please contact a member of the Parish

Council.

Bus Passes

More information at https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/travel-dorset/bus/national-bus-

pass-concessionary-travel

Piddlehinton Gym

Piddlehinton Gym is located on the Enterprise Park in Piddlehinton. The Gym was

constructed for the American Army back in the 1930s and contains a large indoor space

with 2 full size Badminton courts. Besides a large car park one of the key distinguishing

features is a sprung wooden floor making it excellent for sports. A 99-year lease was

secured back in 2007 by the charity that runs the Gym and it is currently used for

Badminton, Junior Tennis, Archery and Motorcycle training (Saturday in car park) as

well as Drama storage. In the past, a bowling club (long mat bowls) as well as a

Zumba/exercise club have also used the facilities. The Badminton clubs in particular

have space for new members. Contacts and times of the clubs are: Gill Hadley 01300

348081 (Monday from 10.00 am), Alan Wiseman 01258 817512 (Monday from 7.30

pm), Pauline Adams 01300 345459 (Tuesday from 8.00 pm). The radio-control car club

also welcomes new members; contact is Al Mailer 07787 380541.

The charity that runs the club aims to provide the facilities at a reasonable cost, whilst

increasing the diversity of sports; Hiring costs for the hall and facilities are currently £17

for 2 hours regular bookings. Our goal is to improve utilisation, increasing investment to

refurbish and improve the facilities, hence benefiting all users.

For more information phone Paul Hayes, Chairman on 07930337459 Get inspired, get

involved…

Recycling and Refuse Collection and Calendar

To find out which day is your recycling collection day, go to

www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/recycling-and-rubbish-collections and enter your postcode,

select your address, 'return to content', then 'view all data from My Local'.  Then click to

view your next collection day.  Click for Christmas & New Year Recycling and Refuse

Your Bin Collection - what the District Council will and will not collect free of charge in

West Dorset.  The Council are now enforcing their existing Waste Collection Policy to

try and reduce landfill waste still further.  In the past, this policy should have charged for

Garden Waste and Commercial collections but has not always done so.

Ordinary Household Waste and Recycled paper, tin and glass: Uncharged

collection continues.

Garden Waste:  There is now a scheme for our locality: for £45 per year (240-litre

wheelie bin) or £34 per year (120-litre bag) you can have garden waste collected

fortnightly.  Sign up on-line at www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/gardenwaste

The free alternative is to compost it in the garden or take it to the Household Waste

Recycling Centre at Louds Mill in Dorchester for onward  composting. 

Commercial Waste:  That generated by business premises such as pubs, shops or

business units, has to be in a WDCC wheeled bin or prepaid blue "Trade" sack if you

want it collected by the Council.

Domestic properties offering  Bed & Breakfast accommodation:  Uncharged

collection as this is treated as ordinary household waste.

Commercially-run Holiday Cottages:  These should pay to have their waste collected

using either prepaid blue Trade* sacks or a WDCC wheeled bin.  As each situation is

unique, it may help to phone 01305 262117 to discuss which is the most economic

route to collect this waste.

Parking Permits

Those of us lucky enough to have a car to get around often get exasperated when we

haven't enough small change for the fee.  Did you know that there is a Shopper's Permit

which allows 2 hours parking, or three hours if a disabled badge is also displayed,

(limited to one use a day) in several short stay car parks  in West Dorset – Dorchester,

Sherborne, Bridport, Beaminster and Lyme Regis? You need to look on the board at the

entrance  to make sure the permit is allowed,  These permits are available from the

tourist office but you need to take the car's registration document along with you.  You

can also now purchase or renew a permit online at

www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/parking/permit-for-west-dorset-shoppers 

Permits are priced from £16 for one vehicle or £18.50 for two vehicles for each six

month period.  The website has been designed to work on smartphones, tablets and

desktops, enabling you to carry out transactions at a time and place that suits you. The

fully automated service will also send you a reminder when your permit is due to expire.

Reporting issues with footpaths

Stephen White is a Rights of Way Liaison Officer for the Dorset Coast & Countryside

Service covering Buckland Newton. His contact number is 01300 345431 or

07773283764. Stephen’s role is to investigate any issues regarding footpaths or bridle-

paths within the parish of Buckland Newton and to report these directly to Dorset

County Council. However, anyone can report issues directly themselves, online at:

https://mapping.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/rightsofway/reportproblem/ or by telephone on

01305224463.