ASHMORE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held at Ashmore Village Hall
on Thursday January 30th 2025 at 7pm
Present:-
Chairman – Richard Coplan (RC)
Councillors – Philippa Kelway-Bamber (PKB), Angie Newnham (AN), John Ball (JB),
Colin Elford (CE), James Grazebrook (JG) and Vivian Hitchmough (Clerk)
There were 4 members of the public
2025.03 Apologies:- Gilly Forge (GF) Dorset Councillor Jane Somper
2025.04 Minutes of the meeting of Thursday September 12th 2024 were agreed as a true record and duly signed.
Minutes of the meeting of Thusday January 9th 2025 were agreed as a true record and duly signed.
2025.05 Declarations of interest. The Chairman reminded Councillors they should declare an interest whether personal, via a trust or a company in any item on the agenda and take no part in any discussion or decision regarding that interest.
2025.06 Matters arising.
Drains :- The Chairman updated Councillors on the situation regarding blocked drains throughout the village due to run off from the fields causing a silt build-up. He said that whilst the council had endeavoured to clear many of the drains there is a need to have a more sustainable answer to soak aways that cannot cope with excess rainfall running off the fields. The Chairman advised he will contact Dorset Council in this regard.
2025.07 Updates from officers
Planning AN reported on a meeting at Fontmell in response to the Government’s plan for more housing in the area. Some villages are preparing Neighbourhood Plans in order to curb an excess of housing. There is a need to be a sustainable village containing a school, a bus service and/or other facilities to be considered and Ashmore does not fall into this category. However, AN felt a need for more research on this matter in order to protect the village. JG suggested there would not be a need to prepare a document of this scale for Ashmore, but agreed there is a need to safeguard the future of the village.
DAPTC Nothing to report
Trees In her absence RC read the report from GF
Permission granted
Pruning a laurel at Conifers, Noade Street
Pruning trees at the Old Parsonage and Acorn Cottage
Awaiting permission:-
Pruning Sweet Chestnut in Budden’s Row
Trees at the Barn in Green Lane
Removal of a Cherry Tree at Mullins Cottage
Footpaths CE reported that he had met with the Rights of Way
Officer and has secured a map of the local footpaths. He said a stile in need of repair had been fixed.
Pond JB reported that all was well with the pond and with the recent rains it was well filled.
Playground JB reported that all was well and Paul Whetham continues to monitor it.
Airfield RC reported that whilst some surrounding villages were comfortable with the Airshow some were anxious about the flights of the Spitfire. RC said that incorrect flight paths should be taken up with the CIA
Telephone Box
RC reported the ceiling light bulbs do not seem to last long and he will look into a LCD fitment.
Defibrillator RC reported all is well with the equipment. A member of the public who had need to take the equipment down found it difficult to turn and RC said he will try to slacken it.
2025. 08
Speed Survey
The Chairman advised on the progress of the speed survey proposal for Ashmore. One way of securing 20mph throughout the village is to have a Community Speed Watch (CSW) team established which is an ongoing commitment but previously understood as the only route to obtaining a 20mph speed limit. As no one has come forward to establish a CSW team, RC approached Dorset Council about other options. Another route to a potential 20mph limit is to conduct a speed survey specifically for this purpose.
RC suggested a speed survey using strips between possibly the Church and Selidor to capture speed and traffic count. If the average speed is under 24mph the 20mph can be agreed but it is more difficult if the average speed is over 24mph. The cost of the survey would be a maximum of £500 and the Chairman asked Councillors for their vote on the spend. JG and JB both agreed that the position of the strips could alter the outcome of the survey but the spend was agreed by all Councillors.
The Chairman advised that a Survey Monkey round the village to obtain a deeper opinion would be a good
follow-on step as recommended by Dorset Council.
2025.09 Finance
The Chairman reported that Dorset Council had agreed to the application for Precept of £4000 as at last year.
He also asked Councillors if they wished to keep the three domain names for the Mast Working Group at £75.
RC proposed and JG seconded.
2025.10 Mast Working Group
JG advised that an objection from the Parish Council needs to be prepared and written and to have it ready to “polish” If an application is lodged. The contentious application may be in Wiltshire but just 2metres across the border so an application may be missed unless we are made aware. The Bowerchalke refusal reason:- The siting and design of the proposed mast and associated equipment by reason of their siting and colour in a prominent location within Cranborne Chase AONB would represent a stark and alien form of development in this tranquil and rural landscape which would not conserve or enhance the landscape and scenic beauty of the area, contrary to the requirements of the NPPF, policy CP51 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy and Saved Policy PS7 of the Salisbury Local Plan.
2025.11 Dorset Councillor’s report
Cllr Jane Somper report was read by the Chairman in her absence.
Dorset Council budget has been set at £416m for 2025/6.
Dorset is looking to work with Somerset and Wiltshire to form a “Heart of Wessex Mayoral Strategic Authority” which means an elected Mayor and office.
Highway problems including drains, flooding, abandoned vehicles, fly tipping etc can be reported with photographs if applicable to Report a problem on a road or pavement- Dorset Council
2025.12 Any Other Business
A member of the public reported a dog walker who regularly arrives with several animals in a van and she thought it would be difficult for this person to be sure to pick up the dog waste from each. Also, there is a need to take the waste home as there is no collection in Ashmore. The bin provided is for litter not dog waste.
JB advised the issues regarding overgrown hedges which should not overhang the road. Councillors agreed there is a need to ascertain the legal requirement for the thickness and height of hedges where they are a danger to pedestrians and road users. More investigation into this issue is required.
2025.13 Items for next agenda
Progress on the speeding survey
Hedges
2025.18 Questions from the public
None at this time, but several enquiries had been dealt with during the meeting.
2025.19 Date of next meeting
Thursday May 15th 2025
7pm Annual General Meeting
followed by the Annual Parish Meeting
followed by the Council Meeting
PKB and JB gave apologies for the May meeting.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.15pm