19 people attended the drop-in session on Saturday 7th March 2026 in the Village Hall. All responses received have been sent to the consultant for review. Any amendments necessary will be made and the Review document returned to the Parish Council for confirmation before being passed to Dorset Council for the statutory regulation 15 review. In the meantime, the habitat risk assessment will be carried out by Dorset Council and the results fed into the final review document. This could take up to three months to complete.

We would like to thank everyone for not using the EV charging bays for parking. We do appreciate parking is limited, so keeping the charging bays clear is appreciated. However, over the last few months, it has become increasingly obvious that there a number of vehicles parked in the car park that have no tax or MOT. Please be warned that vehicles are checked and any that do not have tax or MOTs will be reported and, after due notice, will be removed. Any fees incurred will be the responsibility of the vehicle’s owner.

We were very pleased to receive a further £125 from the sale of calendars through NISA. This brings the total available to be paid to charity to £325. We are very grateful to Jagtar and the team at NISA for their continuing support with the calendar sales. We are also starting to collect photographic contributions for the 2027 calendar. So remember to take your cameras with you when you are out and about in the parish.

Wessex Water have confirmed that the lorries attending Court Farm are emptying the pumping station. As at 24th February, the sewers were at hydraulic capacity, being full of ground water and sewage. Daily level checks are being carried out and the lorries will continue to attend the site until the pumping station is able to catch up. In the meantime, the works to reline the sewer that began at the top of Rye Hill on the 5th January had to be postponed half way through due to the weather. This work will recommence on the 27th April for three weeks, operating a rolling system of 2-way and multi-way traffic lights rather than a road closure. This work will extend to Southbrook, after which, another work order will be submitted to extend the lining although the dates and locations for this are not yet available. A letter drop to all households that may be affected by the work will take place two weeks prior to the work commencing, explaining what is happening. In the meantime, a formal complaint has been lodged with Wessex Water and a series of questions raised. Both local Ward Councillors and Vikki Slade MP have been appraised of the situation.

We are very fortunate, once again, to have been awarded a grant of £2,350 for our Communibus. This is to be used to assist with the running costs of the vehicle and will go towards servicing, repairs, and insurance for the coming year. Our thanks are extended to the team at Dorset Community Transport.

The Parish Council is looking into the purchase of a commemorative bench for the late Tony Bates. Having discussed this with his brother, we will look to locate a bench on Souls Moor. Designs for the bench and the exact location will be brought to the April meeting for consideration.

We have now received £760 in donations towards the new play park. Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed so far, it is gratefully appreciated. We continue to seek funding but will also be sending letters out to any business that supplies anything to the parish and to organisations with a presence in the parish – including Brian May. Cllr Kevin Hazell is also working with the school children who are going to replan the play area to include items they would like to have on the site and noting where seating for parents should be located.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 9th April 2026 commencing 7pm at the Village Hall.. If you wish to have an item added to the agenda for discussion, please contact the Clerk or a member of the Parish Council. A full copy of the minutes is available on the Parish Council website.