ANNUAL PArish council meeting Agenda and minutes 18th MAY 2026
- lydlinchparishcouncil
- May 12
- 6 min read
Updated: May 18
ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
You are summoned to attend a meeting of the Parish Council which will be held at the Hooper Hall on Monday 18th May 2026 at 7.00 pm to consider the following items.
signed by the Clerk Tracey Watson
Members of the public wishing to attend are requested to advise the clerk via telephone or e-mail prior to the meeting.
Members are reminded that the Council has a general duty to consider the following matters in the exercise of any of its functions: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, belief or disability), Crime & Disorder, Health and Safety and Human Rights.
AGENDA
1. To elect a Chairman and receive the declaration of office.
2. To elect a Vice-Chairman and receive the declaration of office.
3. Chairmans welcome and address.
4. To receive apologies.
5. To receive declarations of interest & Requests for dispensations (Please notify the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting)
6. To approve the minutes of the meetings - held on 23rd March & 20th April 2026
7. Democratic period (For public comments)
8. Annual meeting business:
a) Review of delegation arrangements to committees, sub-committees, staff and other local authorities;
b) Review of the terms of reference for committees;
c) Appointment of members to existing committees;
d) Appointment of any new committees in accordance with standing order 4;
e) Review and adoption of appropriate standing orders and financial regulations;
f) Review of arrangements (including legal agreements) with other local authorities, not-for-profit bodies and businesses.
g) Review of representation on or work with external bodies and arrangements for reporting back;
h) Review of inventory of land and other assets including buildings and office equipment;
i) Confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insurable risks;
j) Review of the Council’s and/or staff subscriptions to other bodies;
k) Review of the Council’s complaints procedure;
l) Review of the Council’s policies, procedures and practices in respect of its obligations under freedom of information and data protection legislation (see also standing orders 11, 20 and 21);
m) Review of the Council’s policy for dealing with the press/media;
n) Review of the Council’s employment policies and procedures;
o) Review of the Council’s expenditure incurred under s.137 of the Local Government Act 1972 or the general power of competence.
p) Determining the time and place of ordinary meetings of the Council up to and including the next annual meeting of the Council.
9. To resolve if the Parish Councils wishes to certify itself exempt from an Annual Governance & Accountability return or submit its annual return to the external auditor for a limited assurance review for the financial period 25.26.
10. To receive a response from DC Highways regarding their findings concerning speed signage in the Parish and give further instruction.
11. To receive Parish Councillors reports.
12. To receive Dorset Councillors report.
13. Clerks report & Correspondence.
14. Finance.
a) To receive a list of receipts and payments.
15. Planning.
a) Response to DC planning consultations.
b) Report of responses made under delegated terms in conjunction with standing order 15b xv.
b) Recent decisions of DC Planning Office.
c) Appeals and matters of report from previous applications.
d) Planning matters of report.
16. Date of the Next meeting.
DRAFT MINUTES PENDING
meeting papers
Receipts & Payments list
Date | to / from | Detail | payment amount | receipt amount |
|
18/05/26 | T Lance | community highways funding |
| £490.00 |
|
18/05/26 | Lloyds bank | Bank Charges March | £4.75 |
| Local Government Act 1972, s.11 |
18/05/26 | Dorset Council | 1st half precept 25.26 |
| £4,450.00 |
|
18/05/26 | T Watson | Salary April & May | £389.66 |
| Employment Act 2002 Employment Relations Act 2004 Employment Act 2008 |
18/05/26 | HMRC | Tax Salary April & May | £97.40 |
| Employment Act 2002 Employment Relations Act 2004 Employment Act 2008 |
18/05/26 | Stalbridge TC | Office Services April & May | £97.50 |
|
|
18/05/26 | IK Services | dog bin servicing April | £90.87 |
| Litter Act 1983, ss.5, 6 |
18/05/26 | IK Services | dog bin servicing May | £90.87 |
| Litter Act 1983, ss.5, 6 |
18/05/26 | Community First Trading Ltd | Insurance premium 26.27 | £233.04 |
| Local Government Act 1972, s.11 |
18/05/26 | JFDP | Website accessibility work | £97.00 |
| Local Government Act 1972, s.11 |
New NALC model standing orders
Please see the documents tab for policies
Please see the top of the meeting page for the draft list of meeting dates 26.27
__________________________________________________________________________________
Correspondence
Lydlinch Bells Restoration Project
In 1879 William Barnes the great Dorset Poet published his poem “Lydlinch Bells”. The poem extol the beauty of the Dorset countryside and of course the bells. The bells now need restoration or will fall silent. The bells, three of which were cast by Thomas Purdue of Closworth in 1681 were last restored in 1907. In 1914 the church tower underwent work and the bells were boxed in. In order to remove the bells for restoration bell hatches have to be inserted in the tower floors and this has added a significant cost to the Project. With the new VAT imposition on listed places of worship we need a total of £126,000 To date Lydlinch has raised nearly £80,000 and it is hoped that Lydlinch Council will support the fund raising and encourage attendance at fund raising events. It is appreciated that King Stag may feel there is no real connection with this church but until the 1990’s Lydlinch Church was the parish church with King Stag and Stock. A number of King Stag parishioners are buried in the churchyard at Lydlinch and all major services for the parish were held at Lydlinch until King Stag and Stock joined the Spirehill Benefice.
The work on the bell hatches is now underway and will be completed in early June. This will not only enable the bells to be removed for restoration, but will make repairs easier and add a safety feature to the tower should there be the need to remove an injured person.
We have had considerable publicity, the bells are an important part of Dorset’s heritage and the full support of Lydlinch Parish Council would be appreciated.
Sally-Anne Barrett
PCC grant application
Date: 13th May 2026
Grant Application for St Thomas Church Lydlinch
Dear Chairman and members of the Parish Council
I am writing to ask whether the Parish Council would consider granting funds to the maintenance of St Thomas churchyard, in particular, the trees over the public footpath, and grass/graveyard tidying.
As you know the church undertakes various fundraising activities with the active support of the wider community each year but it remains an ongoing challenge to maintain the churchyard for everyone to enjoy when walking the footpath.
We would be very grateful for your ongoing support.
Thank you in anticipation
Sarah Frizzle
Church warden St Thomas Church Lydlinch
Ward Members report
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service Consultation
Proposed closure of 4 fire stations in Dorset namely: Maiden Newton, Cranborne, Charmouth and Hamworthy. Consultation open until 5.00pm 15 May 2026. In addition I am told that Sturminster has seen a reduction of two engines to one. With significant fires in Hazelbury Bryan and Sherborne it’s important that we oppose these closures and ask for the reduction in engines in Sturminster be reversed.
Link to the consultation Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
Dorset Council Ward Boundary Review
Necessary to account for the growth of ward sizes. Wards to be no larger than 3,931 voters plus or minus 10%. This goes to full Council on Thursday 14 May 2026.
The major changes under the review would see Hazelbury Bryan move in to Chalk Valley Ward and Child Okeford move from Hill Forts and Upper Tarrants Ward in to Blackmore Vale Ward.
Dorset Council Committee Changes
Subject ratification at Full Council I would no longer be on the Pensions Committee and People and Health Overview Committee and moving to the Northern Planning Committee and Vice Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee.
Two Dorset Council By-elections
Following the sad deaths of Cllr Dave Bolwell (Bridport) and Cllr Barry Goringe (St Leonards and St Ives).
Post 16 SEND Travel Assistance
Parents urged to send applications by 31 May 2026 for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Service provided by Dorset Council
If you have any feedback on the service you receive from Dorset Council I would really appreciate hearing it.
For example:
Do you think you get value for money from Dorset Council?
How would you rate the service you receive on a scale of 1 to 10?
Are there areas you think the Council could or should improve upon.
Please email me with your feedback to cllrsteve.murcer@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Steve Murcer
Councillor, Blackmore Vale Ward
Mobile – 07468 599211