Annual Parish Assembly April 2025

Highlights of the Assembly, Wednesday 9 April 2025, are below. Draft minutes can be viewed using this link.

Speakers

Steve Oliver from Dorset Wildlife Trust gave an update on the Dorset Beaver Project, followed by a Q&A. Residents were invited to visit the site and those interested should contact the clerk.

Debbie Slate, Gill Leppitt, and Caroline Joyce introduced the Toller Health and Wellbeing initiative and urged residents to attend sessions. Cllr Chris Wardle informed the assembly that the Ammonite Patient Participation Group AGM will be held on 15 May at the Village Hall.

Open Discussion

The telephone box phone has been repaired and Parish Council will request BT to monitor usage over 12 months instead of removing the phone. If removed, the Parish intends to buy the telephone box as a village asset.

Chair Neil Farmer outlined implementing a 20mph scheme. An application would cost around £1,000, with a self-funded scheme exceeding £5,000. Opinions varied, but the consensus was that the current 30mph limit remains suitable.

The deteriorating ‘SLOW’ road marking on Lower Road was raised; the Council has contacted Dorset Council and will continue to follow up.

Chair’s Report

On highways, work on Powerstock Bridge is pending approval, and may begin later this year. Barrowland Lane will receive temporary pothole repairs and be resurfaced at a date unknown. A drier winter and channels cut into floodplain by a new tenant have reduced flooding on Toller Lane.

Environmental efforts included continued discussions about the Trailway to Maiden Newton – real progress could be made in 2025. Sheep attacks are under investigation, and DNA kits have been distributed to livestock owners by the Police.

Grants were given to the Post Office and to the upkeep of the churchyard. Free defibrillator training is planned for later in the year and the Community Emergency Response Plan was updated and published online.

At the Recreation Ground, 10 apple trees were donated by Thatchers’ Community Orchard project. These have been planted and with those from Magna Housing there are over 150 trees on the site.

In planning, several applications were reviewed. Councillors received planning guidance, and it was concluded that a Neighbourhood Plan is not currently beneficial due to high costs and limited development pressure.

Finance Update

The clerk presented estimated figures:

• Income: £9,046.56
• Spend: £8,293.57
• Balance: £752.99
• Total Funds: £13,169.18 (with £12,461.09 in an interest earning account)
• Asset Register: approx. £32,000

Unexpected costs included a higher election fee (£737), clerk’s qualification (£870) and increased hours and mileage and a new laptop (£400). Increased costs for printing and defibrillator supplies, for example, have also had an effect and reduced the amount saved to reserves.

The 2025/26 precept reflects a 27% increase year-on-year. For Band D properties, this means an extra £7.69 annually (about 15p per week).

Next Meeting

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, at 7pm in the Village Hall.