Full Council March (Draft) Minutes
Minutes of Brimpsfield Parish Council
Held at 7.30pm on 17th March 2026 at Brimpsfield Village Hall, Brimpsfield, GL4 8LD
Present: J Oakey (Chair), H Saunders, M Mandrigin, R Lock, K Engelke, L Goldstone
Apologies: L Oliveria
Clerk in attendance: No Clerk and J. Oakey assumed the role of Responsible Officer for the meeting
4 members of the public
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The meeting was opened by the chairman and members of the public were welcomed.
There were two points raised by members of the public:
- Concern that a vehicle and horsebox had been parked on the top of the (Caudle Green)
- Appreciation of the instatement of a further dog bin in the Knapp, (Brimpsfield).
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- To RECEIVE apologies for absence
Received from Cllr Oliveria
- To RECEIVE declaration of interests and request for dispensations
None declared
- To RECEIVE AND AGREE Minutes of the previous Parish Council Meeting held on 20th January 2026
It was AGREED to accept and publish the minutes AFTER a qualification/addition to the advice offered in the public session at the meeting had been seen and agreed by all councilors present as a true and correct record. - To receive report from:
- County Councillors – Ermin Ward. No reports received, No Councillors present
- Village hall committee – New entrance door, electrical works undertaken in kitchen/emergency exits etc. Remote control of heating system. Fencing of new play area. Garden work. Vehicular damage to Village Hall wall reported to police
- To agree to appoint Iain Selkirk as external auditor for 2025/26
This was AGREED
- To agree insurance renewal
The was AGREED
- To receive a report following site biodiversity visit at Caudle Green and related matters (woodland progress, hedges, grass cutting, bench, dog waste bin, defibrillator and Grassroots Application) to discuss matters arising and agree actions
Cllr Engelke gave a thorough update on this item – Grant application had been made for whips/trees to be planted but met with objection from residents re maintenance and Deer fencing. Planting was diverted to Brimpsfield with some Maple to be planted in Caudle Green. Grassroots funding had been sought for a picnic bench from County Councillor Mark Harris and agreed, but was rejected by residents. A bench of their choosing will be obtained by residents and application for permission will be made to the Parish Council as to its situation.
Risk assessments relating to trees and ivy removal had been drawn up.
A Dog Bin was to be requested and situated close to the footpath.
A request for a defibrillator had been made and clarification was needed as to any funding (£620) had already been received.
Grassland management – a conversation needs to be had with Tom Overbury re cutting as well as verge and edge management
- To receive update on common land access, tracks and parking issues and agree actions.
Cllr Oakey having sent a letter on behalf of the council to the owner of the stables relating to her tenant’s parking and the restriction on parking on common land, summarised the owner’s reply.
It was AGREED that Cllr. Oakey should reply to the owner requesting greater urgency in resolution of the matter and that it was not to role of the Parish Council to find a solution to the parking needs of the tenant.
- To review progress with the registration of Brimpsfield common
It AGREED to pursue the application for registration of the common with the Land Registry.
- To review progress with dog waste bins in Brimpsfield
The two additional bins have been installed
- To receive a report on discussions relating to traffic problems on local roads due to the A417 upgrade and Highways and agree actions
Following a letter written by Cllr. Lock to Kier and Highways regarding reduction of speed limit and the resultant impact on Satnav advice to motorist in the use of village roads, Kier agreed to attend a Parish Council meeting but withdrew. It was AGREED that Kier should be approached to make a presentation and Q&A to villagers at a future date.
Planning
- To note any new applications in the parish
There were no new planning applications.
- To note determinations in the parish
Change of use of land to residential and erection of a rear extension at the Granary Watercombe Farm, Brimpsfield had been granted.
- To note any appeals
None receivedFinancial & Procedural
- To note bank reconciliation
The bank reconciliation had been circulated and was approved by members. - To approve payments for February/March 2026
The following payments were APPROVED
Background support from J Walkley in February and March
- Clerk Pay Feb 2026 8 hours @ £30 per hour
- Clerk pay Mar 2026 6 hours @ £30 per hour
- Clerk working from home allowance – if claimed
- Related HMRC payment
- To receive budget update
Budget update received.
- To consider draft policies following review
- Disciplinary
- Donations & Grants
- Information Security
- Equality & Diversity
- Health & Safety
- Biodiversity/Land Management
The first three policies had been adopted at the previous meeting. Cllr Oakey would write an explanatory preamble to the Disciplinary policy to be inserted.
The Equality & Diversity and Health & Safety policies were adopted. It was AGREED that all policies should have the lower time limit of three years for review.
It was AGREED that the Biodiversity and land Management policy would take a general statement of intent rather than a more specific declaration. Cllrs Engelke and Saunders would take this forward.
- To review councillor and clerk training needs and records
It was AGREED that these training records should be kept and with the Clerk and that they should be public.
- Any other business (for information only)
There was no other business
Closed Session-Staffing
- To receive report on recruitment of a permanent Clerk and agree actions
Following the informal interview by a number of available councillors of two candidates, it was AGREED to offer the position to Helen Ward and provide her with training and a new laptop
With no further business, the meeting was declared closed at 9.46
