Parish Council Draft Minutes May 2026

Draft MINUTES

Annual Parish Council meeting on 18th May 2026 at 7:30 p.m. (Belstone Village Hall)

Councillors present: M Ash (Chair), P Cooper (VC), T Weaver, D Hosegood, J Stevens
Others: One member of the public (present up to agenda point 262705)

Apologies for absence 262701
Councillors Grubb and Booth

Disclosure of Interests 262702
Councillors Ash & Hosegood declared an interest in Finance (G)

Election of Officers and representation of other bodies 262703
The following officers and representatives were proposed, seconded and agreed: –
Chair – Councilor Ash
Vice Chair – Councillor Cooper
Village Hall representative – Councillor Hosegood
Sticklepath & Belstone School Trust representative – Councillor Cooper
Commoner’s representative – Councillors Ash & Cooper

Approval of last Minutes 16/3/26 Link 262704
Approved by the Council and signed by the Chair as a correct record

Public Participation 262705
Please see “Assets” below

Borough & County Reports 262706
None – as a result of the recent thorough reports provided at April’s Parish meeting

Chairman’s announcements 262707 None

Clerk’s announcements & correspondence 262708

Correspondence received from a visitor to the village on the Saturday (9th) of the Ten Tors / Dawn Chorus walk who parked in the Village car park between 05:30 and 10:30 am. We are advised that whilst parked, his car was vandalised with paintwork gouged along the driver’s side door, rear door and rear panel down to bare metal. Whilst it is policy that owners park there at their own risk, it was accepted that this was a concerning position and should be minuted for general awareness.

Planning Matters 262709
A. Applications – none
B. Decisions – Town Living 0041/25 (submitted 14/1/25)

Councillor Ash noted that the Town Living application had again been published in the Oke Times. On subsequent investigation with DNPA, we are advised that the application (unchanged since last reviewed in Feb 2025 other than an updated Viability Assessment) will now go to DM Committee on 5th June for decision.

Highways 262710 – general update to include “SLOW” road markings

Highways have advised that our additional “SLOW” road markings remain in budget for this year. SWWA left signage – following the temporary diversion following flooding on the indirect route, SWWA have been asked to collect their signage. It was noted that we are in possession of a spare Highways pole that can be used for any future signage

Parking 262711 – general update

Reports received of non-residents parking in the residents only section of the car park and also of vehicles blocking the pedestrian / horse gate at the cattle grid by Restlands – positions to be monitored

Finance 262712
A. Approve 25/26 accounts and internal auditors report
B. Approve AGAR for submission
C. Balances (as at 6/5/26) – current £2,117.57 / savings £8,340.09 (paying 0.5% gross)
D. Income – Precept £2,030 / VAT refund £80.83 / Interest £6.74
E. Paid – Belstone Village Hall hire charge £45 / ICO (Data protection) £47 DD / Bank charges £8.50
F. To be paid – DALC fee £115.32 / P Cooper re signage £35.62 / Internal auditor £25 / Insurance £208.71
G. Request from Church for building work

Accounts / AGAR submissions approved and signed. All other positions noted with payments detailed authorised to include an additional invoice received for Zoho workplace mail subscription at £103.68 also authorised. Agreement to transfer £1,000 to reserve. Whilst the Council would like to contribute to Church works, we are not funded to do so.

Village partners (Commoners / Village Hall) – updates if any 262713

We are advised that the rental charge for the Meeting Room is likely to increase during the year

Documentation review 262714
A. Review Bank mandates, arrangements and DD’s
B. Review Code of Conduct
C. Review Risk Register

All documents reviewed, agreed and signed where appropriate

Assets 262715 – Woodward seat / Damaged George V seat

Woodward seat – Councillor Ash confirmed that he had the wood to make suitable repairs which will be undertaken directly. The George V seat was recently destroyed by a fallen limb (belonging to Taikoo) during recent high winds. Taikoo have agreed to blast and repaint the end uprights with a quote to be obtained for wood replacement and taken from there

Any items for next meeting 6th July 2026 262716 Nothing additional

The meeting finished at 08:25 pm. The next meeting will be Mon 6th July at 07:30 pm

Chairman: Michael Ash (01837 840082)

Clerk: Jon Pike (01837 840549) [email protected]