Parish Council Draft Minutes November 2025

Draft MINUTES

Parish Council meeting on 10th November 2025 at 7:30 p.m. (Belstone Village Hall)

Councillors present: M Ash (Chair), P Cooper (VC), T Weaver D Hosegood, C Grubb, A Booth
Also present – Sue Davies (DCC) Gay Hill (DNPA liaison) and one member of the public

Apologies for absence 252655
Councillor Stevens

Disclosure of Interests 252656
Councillors Ash & Hosegood declared an interest under “Finance – request for donation from the Church” and as a result took no part in the decision

Approval of last Minutes 8/9/2025 252657
Approved by the Council and signed by the Chair as a correct record

Public Participation 252658
None

Borough & County Reports 252659 WDBC / Beacon minutes / DCC (updated) / Cluster group
All noted with Councillor Davies providing more detailed background re the proposed Local Gov reorganisation – with thanks

Chairman’s announcements 252660
None

Correspondence & Clerk’s announcements 252661
DNPA Ranger has located a “Please do not feed the ponies” sign and will be dropping it off shortly

Planning Matters 252662

A. Applications
Pear Tree Cottage (change of stables use from domestic to business) 0335/25

On majority vote, the Council objected to this application over concerns with the potential increase in the volume of traffic for this narrow and often difficult road. This decision is in line with other applications along this lane where traffic volumes would also have been adversely impacted.

B. Decisions –
Skaigh Stables 0249/25 Granted
Town Living 0041/25 Awaited
Eastlake 0058/25 Awaited

All noted – as an aside, an additional application was received outside of the period required to advertise ahead of this meeting being “Works to Trees protected by TPO at Lower Hobey” 25/0099. It was agreed that a separate meeting would not be held for this application and as such no comment would be made

Introduction – Gay Hill (Link / liaison officer to DNPA) 252663
Gay was invited to join and advise on the ongoing Highways and Parking challenges for the village as discussed below

Highways 252664
A. Updates re HGVs / cones / SLOW markings / other
HGVs – following a further HGV recently getting stuck in the village and causing damage (and having taken prior advice from Highways who have no budget), decision has been taken to purchase Highways signage to be situated at Tongue End – likely cost c.£120. The camp signage to direct HGV’s in the correct direction off the east bound A30 slip-way remains on order by Highways

Cones – now that the busy visitor season is over, the Council’s cones are to be returned whilst acknowledging that long term parking solutions remain an ongoing challenge. Residents are encouraged to place “no parking” signs on their gates and garages as appropriate to help ease the position.

SLOW road markings – whilst now included in Highway’s 26/27 budget, they (Highways) are to be reminded where the original markings were in the village.
Other – the Council are appreciative of Highway’s speedy response in clearing the loose debris at the Tongue End junction

Parking 252665 – general update to include resident’s signage
Signage for the right-hand section of the car park “Private Parking for Belstone Residents only” has been agreed and will be put on order at relatively small cost

Village partners (Commoners / Village Hall) – updates 252666
In response to a recent flurry of queries regarding village cattle, we are advised that most cattle will be off the moor by the end of November

Finance 252667
A. Half year finance review
B. Draft 26/27 budget
C. Balances (as at 29/10/25) – current £2,273.33 / savings £6,667.77 (paying 0.6% gross)
D. Income – Precept £1,990.50 / Interest £6.98
E. Paid – Bank charges £8.50
F. To be paid – Councillor Booth £159.00 (work on stocks)
G. Request for donation to Church

Half year review and other financial affairs noted with agreement to transfer a suitable sum to our reserve account. The draft precept 26/27 at £4,060 (£80 only increase on prior year) was agreed in principle.

Agreement to pay Councillor Booth for his work on the stocks whilst acknowledging that in future, should any Councillor look to charge for their services, this should be pre-advised to ensure best value can be obtained and quotations sought in line with normal procedure

Church donation – the Council are happy to consider this request for the printing of leaflets for local walks once costings are advised and more detail can be provided as to what is actually involved and who else will be contributing

Documentation review 252668 – none

Assets 252669 – Seats update
The Woodward seat on the Green will be repaired directly

Any additional items for next Agenda 252670
None for now

The meeting finished at 08:35 pm. Our next meeting will be Monday 12th January at 07:30 pm.