Extraordinary Parish council Agenda and minutes 26th January 2026

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.

To: All Parish Councillors, Dorset Council Councillors, Members of the Public & Press.

Dear Member

Summons dated: 20^th January 2026      

signed by the Chairman C May

Dear Member,

You are summoned to attend a meeting of the Parish Council at the Hooper Hall Lydlinch on

Monday 26th January 2026 at 7.00 pm to consider the following items:

• 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.        Chairmans welcome and address

2.        To receive declarations of interest & Requests for dispensations (Please notify the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting)

3.        To receive apologies.

4.        To approve the accounts for payment.

5.        To receive the quarterly financial report ending 31st December 2025

6.        To consider a donation request from Lydlinch PCC for the bell fund and give further instruction.

7.        To consider the draft 2 year budget in terms of income, expenditure and reserves and give further instruction.

8.        To resolve the level of the precept.

9.        Planning

a.        Respond to Dorset Council planning consultations

P/HOU/2025/07653    Form 2 no. dormer windows to front and rear elevations over garage/utility room. Erect log store on the eastern front boundary. Crossfield House Access Track To Crossfield House Lydlinch DT10 2HU. Applicant Mr P Christopher.

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Draft Minutes of extraordinary Lydlinch Parish Council meeting held on 26th January 2026 at the TheHub @Stalbridge.

Present Councillors: Mr. C May (Chairman), Miss. A Curtis, Mr M Griffith-Jones & Mr J Smyth.

T Watson (Clerk)

In attendance 

S Murcer (Dorset Council member) was present

There were no members of the public in attendance.

1.        Chairmans welcome and address

Thanks to members for attendance of extraordinary meeting.

2.        To receive declarations of interest & Requests for dispensations (Please notify the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting)

None.

3.        To receive apologies.

C Curtis & G Tite due to illness.

4.        To approve the accounts for payment.

		payments	Receipts
Lloyds bank	Bank Charges	£5.25		Local Government Act 1972, s.11
T Watson	In Lieu T Watson defib battery	£282.00		Local Government Act 1972, s.137
ICO	Data protection reg 25.26	£52.00		Local Government Act 1972, s.11
T Watson	Salary December & January	£389.66		Employment Act 2002 Employment Relations Act 2004
Stalbridge TC	Office Services December & January	£97.40		Local Government Act 1972, s.11
HMRC	Tax December & January	£97.40		Employment Act 2002 Employment Relations Act 2004
IK Services	dog bin servicing December	£90.87		Litter Act 1983, ss.5, 6
IK Services	dog bin servicing January	£90.87		Litter Act 1983, ss.5, 6
Hooper Hall	Hall hire 01.01.25-17.11.25	£175.00		Local Government Act 1972, s.11
T Watson	In Lieu stamps	£6.80		Local Government Act 1972, s.11
4C Managed Services	E Mail fix in relation to new web site	£60.00		Local Government Act 1972, s.11
Lloyds bank	Bank Charges	£6.75		Local Government Act 1972, s.11
John Fieldhouse Design & Print	New WIX web site	£963.00		Local Government Act 1972 and the Localism Act 2011

RESOLVED: To Approve the accounts for payment as presented.

5.        To receive the quarterly financial report ending 31st December 2025

The bank balance was noted and the statement verified against the cash book and signed.

RESOLVED: Quarterly financial report ending 31st December 2025

6.        To consider a donation request from Lydlinch PCC for the bell fund and give further instruction.

The Clerk advised that in relation to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act (the 2023 Act) the council can use their discretionary powers to fund such property, including that of other Christian denominations and non-Christian faiths. It applies in the case of:

• Specific powers to fund works - for example, repairs to clocks fixed to church property (section 2 of the Parish Councils Act 1957) and the maintenance of open churchyards (section 214 of the Local Government Act 1972 (the 1972 Act)).

• General powers to fund works where works are not covered by a specific power - section 137 of the 1972 Act and the general power of competence can also be used by councils to fund requests for works not covered by specific powers.

The second being applicable in this case. Based on 24.25 electoral role number the limit for use of s137 is approx. £4,095.90 TBC pending 25.26 electoral role number which has been applied for.

Members were mindful that whilst a large amount had been raised to date there was still and long way to go and they expressed concerns about the funds being returned to the diocese if the target is not reached to complete the project.  They also consider how the Parish Council could keep their support equal across all the places of worship in the Parish. Whilst the building is open for everyone's use they were mindful of the size of the congregation in relation to the use of S137 as a power to expenditure.

RESOLVED: The Parish Council are minded to support the project in principle, when the funds raised are nearer the target amount and the Clerk was instructed to supply the Parish Council Grant application proforma form.

7.        To consider the draft 2 year budget in terms of income, expenditure and reserves and give further instruction.

The Clerk explained that the draft budget included viring a sum of £2,000.00 in allocated reserved and precepting for costs associated with the ongoing speed reduction project in Parish. It was understood that a three position SID costs £5,237.57 plus ongoing costs to move every four weeks. There were varied opinions on the draft precept figure, which represented an increase on a band D equivalent property of £8.45 P/A. It was suggested that a further £1,000.00 be vired in allocated reserves from the footpath bollards to the highways project fund and the budget line for highways works in the 26.27 budget be reduced by the same amount to reduce the precept demand by £1,000.00. 

RESOLVED: The draft 2 year budget in terms of income, expenditure and reserves was considered and changes agreed.

8.             To resolve the level of the precept

RESOLVED: To set the precept 26/27 at £8,900.00, which represents an increase on a band D equivalent property of £4.05 P/A

9.        Planning

a.        Respond to Dorset Council planning consultations

P/HOU/2025/07653   Form 2 no. dormer windows to front and rear elevations over garage/utility room. Erect log store on the eastern front boundary. Crossfield House Access Track To Crossfield House Lydlinch DT10 2HU. Applicant Mr P Christopher.

Having reviewed the application.

RESOLVED: To support the application as it enhances the owners enjoyment of the property and has no detrimental effect to neighbouring residences. 

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 7.42 pm.