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BRIANTSPUDDLE AND AFFPUDDLE to whether their journeys are essential. In other words, we have limited ability to
deal with the large visitor numbers and issues like the lack of social distancing and
NEWS the negative impact on local communities.
Ahead of this announcement there was no communication with local councils
AFFPUDDLE AND TURNERSPUDDLE PARISH about how we might manage this influx, including the need for car parking, public
toilets and most importantly for beaches, the provision of Lifeguards. I understand
COUNCIL that concern was being raised by Ministers last week about the lack of Lifeguards –
surely this is a conversation that should have happened before your
announcement?
The Parish Council meeting on 10th June was once again held remotely in order All our public services are very stretched due to weeks of responding to the
to comply with Government social distancing guidance. Until restrictions around COVID19 outbreak and other major incidents such as the wildfire at Wareham
movement and public gatherings are lifted, the Parish Council will be holding all
Forest. My plea to the government is to review the travel advice currently in place
meetings remotely and only handing urgent business. and instead ask people to “stay local”. I am concerned that we will see a second
Councillors discussed trees at The Hollow which seem to be unstable. Some wave of infection here in Dorset as a result of the high number of visitors to the
appear to be on land which is not currently registered and as such they may be area over recent days. I’m asking the government to act now to save the lives of
the responsibility of Dorset Council. It was agreed that the Clerk will contact Dorset residents. Please help us to help them by issuing a revised guidance telling
Councillor Wharf as well as the Highways Team Leader for the area to discuss the people to stay local for the time being.
problem and to agree a way forward.
We stand ready and waiting to work with the government but in order to do so,
The Committee of Briantspuddle Village Shop and Post office have turned its you need to engage far more closely with the local government sector to deliver
attention to determine how best to continue to protect both volunteers and the results we need for the country at this time.
customers from the risk of contracting coronavirus. The Parish Council received a Yours sincerely
request to use some of the its £1,275 Covid 19 grant from Dorset Council to fund
the purchase of screens for the shop. At its meeting Councillors agreed to use Cllr Spencer Flower
£275.87 of the grant to purchase this equipment.
Leader
Councillors discussed how the site owned by the Parish Council might be used for cc: Richard Drax MP
the benefit of the whole community as lockdown eases. Councillors are aware Michael Tomlinson MP
that a significant number of residents remain at particular risk to the effects of the
virus. As such Councillors see the use of the site as a way of offering parishioners Simon Hoare MP
an opportunity to socialise as safely as possible, in line with government guidance. Chris Loader MP
The Parish Clerk will write to its tenants, The Village Shop, The Village Hall and Sir Christopher Chope MP
Bladen Social Club inviting them to share their ideas for changing or expanding
their current activities in support of parishioners as restrictions start to ease.
Concerns have been raised about the floodplains across the parish (sometimes Test and Trace
referred to as water meadows) being sold. The perceived risk is that multiple new Local authorities in the South West have been allocated over £22million to support
landowners may result in a change of use to this land, which is a protected area the new Test and Trace service, as part of a £300million package for England. The
within the Conservation Area. The Parish Council will monitor developments and if funding will help communities to progress plans to reduce the spread of
necessary, liaise with the planning enforcement team at Dorset Council and the
coronavirus in their area, building on the continued efforts to respond to the
Environment Agency.
pandemic locally.
The bridge on Moor Lane in Briantspuddle requires structural maintenance work
A total of £22,669,395 has been allocated to the 14 county councils/unitary
authorities in the South West of which Dorset received £1,287,650.
Affpuddle and Turnerspuddle website: www.briantspuddle.info

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