January 2026 Parish Council news letter

Corscombe, Halstock & District Parish Council

Parish Council Newsletter – January 2026

Parish Council meeting held on Monday 26 January 2026

🏛️ At the Meeting

The meeting was chaired by Cllr Richard James and attended by councilors and four members of the public.

Apologies were received from Cllr John White Hamilton and Cllr Helen Sherwood.

Minutes from the November 2025 meeting were approved.

🏫 Dorset Council Update – Cllr Chris Kippax

• Dorset Council’s budget will be agreed in February, with a proposed 4.9% increase, required to access government grant funding
• A three-year financial plan is being developed
• There are no current plans to devolve services to parish councils, and nothing that will affect parish precepts at this stage
• Dorset Council is reviewing public and community transport and infrastructure investment
• Rural ward councils were asked for ideas to help create better paid, skilled jobs locally to retain young people in rural areas

🚓 Police Update

In the run-up to Christmas, there were several thefts and non-dwelling burglaries around Halstock. These were linked to an organised crime group targeting farming equipment across the region.

• Avon & Somerset Police, supported by Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, made several arrests
• Activity in the area has stopped for now, but residents are urged to remain vigilant

On 31 December, eggs were stolen from an honesty box in Halstock. This is under investigation and CCTV is being reviewed.

💷 Finance Update

• Payments since 1 December 2025 totaled £2,374.65 (gross)
• Accounts, bank reconciliation and payments were approved
• A further £15,000 will be transferred into the Unity Trust savings account

📧 Parish Council Email

The Clerk’s new email address is now live:

📩 clerk@chd-pc.gov.uk

🛝 Playground & Outdoor Gym

• Playground inspection found no major issues
• The fence between the playground and field has partially collapsed and will be repaired
• Due to heavy rainfall, the playground and entrance have become slippery – this will be monitored

🚧 Highways, Rights of Way & Roads

Signs & Fingerposts

• Adams Green village sign is still being processed
• Two “Horse Riders Beware” signs have been agreed for Yeovil Road (in and out of Halstock) – costs and installation being checked
• Next fingerpost repairs:
  • Higher Halstock Leigh
  • West Chelborough
• Error on Halstock fingerposts “Chedington” will be corrected and Village Hall and Church signs re erected

Noticeboard – Corscombe

• The new noticeboard near the Fox Inn has been delivered and is awaiting installation

Rights of Way

• New ROW lead: Maxine Balch
• Childs will act as Parish Council contact
• Two self-closing gates are available, and locations are being considered
• Common Lane is deteriorating and will be surveyed once the weather improves

Potholes

Serious potholes have been reported:

• Adams Green (near new houses)
• Fudge Hill, Corscombe
• West Chelborough

👉 Residents are encouraged to report potholes directly:

https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/report-a-problem-on-the-road-or-pavement

Salt Bin – West Chelborough

• A damaged salt bin will be replaced and refilled

🏠 Planning Matters

Planning applications and decisions were noted.

Manor Farm, West Chelborough P/LBC/2026/00095

The Parish Council supported a listed building application

Planning Process Update

The Council agreed to:

• Continue bi-monthly full council meetings
• Hold additional planning-focused meetings when needed, if applications fall outside the normal cycle
• These meetings will be public, minuted and transparent

🎓 Training

• Several councilors will attend the Dorset Council Planning & Building Control Forum

⛪ Church Roof – Halstock

Representatives from St Juthware & St Mary’s Church raised concerns about roof damage and future plans to improve facilities.

The Parish Council supports the project in principle and will consider a donation once further quotes and funding details are available.

🚌 Bus Service

The community bus service is now running:

• Once a week (Fridays)
• To Yeovil and Sherborne

🌱 Climate & Community

• A clothes swap at the Fox Inn raised awareness of clothing waste and will be repeated in the Spring
• Beaminster eco talks continue – recent topic: heat pumps
• A new community cafeé runs Mondays 4–6pm at Beaminster Pavilion, with food available via the Fair Share initiative
• Please remain alert for Asian Hornets and report sightings

📅 Next Meeting

Monday 30 March 2026

7.30pm Halstock Village Hall