The Old Ox Inn – Update from the Parish Council

Application: P/FUL/2022/02998

Further to the much-discussed planning application at the rear of the pub and the village's concerns for the future viability of the pub, the Parish Council would like to update the village on the events and activities that have been happening since the Extraordinary Meeting of the 16th of June which was so well attended.

We are currently, still awaiting a decision from the council planning department on the Montpellier Development’s application submitted to Dorset Council in May. There are, however, other developments we wish to bring to your attention.

The Shillingstone Village Plan (SVP) was submitted to North Dorset District Council in 2016, which the village voted for via a referendum held in February 2017, and shortly thereafter the Shillingstone neighbourhood plan was integrated into the overall development plan for North Dorset. On page 15 of the SVP, the Parish Council indicated that they would reserve the right to nominate the Old Ox as an Asset of Community Value "if their continued use as a community facility were likely to come under threat."

Following the planning application by Montepellier Developments in May, and following expert advice, the Parish Council followed through on this promise and again unanimously voted during the July Parish Council Meeting to nominate the Old Ox and its surrounding land including Landlords Garden and Paddock as an Asset of Community Value (ACV); this was submitted in early August.

Identifying it as an asset to the local community strengthens the local community’s protection of assets that are shown to be ‘social interests’ including cultural, recreational, and sporting interests. When querying the progress of the planning application in early September, we were advised that the decision had been deferred until after the ACV nomination process had been determined at the end of the month; on September 28th we were notified that this nomination had been successful.

What are Assets of Community Value (ACV)

Last week we were advised by Dorset Planning, under the terms of the ACV, of the owner’s intention to dispose of part of the asset, having decided to put the Old Ox up for sale without the landlords’ garden or paddock...

“The property in question comprises the pub, car park and immediate curtilage and garden. The adjoining land which is subject to a legally binding option is excluded from the sale.”

This notification triggers two moratoriums – the first of which, the Interim Moratorium, gives the community six weeks to decide whether they would like to be considered as a bidder for the Asset. The second, known as the Full Moratorium, lasts six months, during which the community can develop a proposal and raise the money required to bid to buy the asset.

Timeline of Key Dates

• 18/05/2022- Planning application submitted for 7 dwellings behind the Ox and Squirrels Leap accessed via a new road to the side of the pub. The plans reduce the pub footprint by removing its private garden and by reducing the pub garden. The pub would no longer be able to hold large social events or even host Tuesday night fish and chips.
• 14/06/2022 - Parish Council calls an extraordinary meeting to review all elements of the planning application. Shillingstone PC unanimously rejects the planning application on the grounds of endangering the viability of the pub, destroying trees (climate), blocking the uninterrupted green views defined in the Neighbourhood plan, and introducing a potentially dangerous access point to the new access road onto Blandford Road with close proximity to the existing entrance to the Old Ox Inn customer Car Park and limited visibility to on-coming traffic.
• 23/06/2022 - Objection lodged - Shillingstone Parish Council submit their objection. Many villagers submitted their own private objections.
• 27/07/2022- The final date for submissions and objections to Dorset Council for the Planning Application
• 15/08/2022- Asset of Community Value (ACV) - concerned about the potential loss of the viability of the pub, Shillingstone Parish Council submit an application, to list The Ox and the adjoining land as an Asset of Community Value.
• 28/09/2022 - Granting of ACV - Dorset Council grant the application to list The Old Ox and adjoining land as an ACV for 5 years.
• 03/10/2022- The Ox owner's intention to dispense the pub - Dorset Council notify Shillingstone Parish Council of the Ox owner’s intentions concerning the pub - it is intended to be sold without the private garden and drey access (thus enabling a road to be built to access the new dwellings) and without the land that adjoins the pub to the rear. The community has 6 weeks to indicate its interest in making a bid to purchase the pub as described.
• 14/11/2022 - Deadline - the community must indicate that it wishes to bid prior to this date. If the community does not submit an intention to bid within this period, the owners are free to dispose of the property on the open market. Due to the ACV status, it must be preserved as a pub.

To date (06/10/2022) there has been no decision announced on the planning application. If you are interested in supporting any bid for the Old Ox please contact Ian Suter.

If you would like more information or have information to share, please do also come to the Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 2nd November at 7 pm in the Shillingstone Church Centre.

Reaching Out - briefing note on a new communications campaign

Background:

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on the economy globally, nationally and in Dorset. Relative to the UK, Dorset has a higher share of employment, output and businesses across the hardest hit sectors such as tourism and leisure.

The high proportion of take up of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the furlough scheme) and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme across Dorset highlights the overall employment exposure of the area.

Almost 50,000 people in the Dorset Council area have been furloughed, of which it is estimated some 75% are aged 25 years or younger. Of these it has been estimated that 40% (15,000) may not be able to return to their former employment due
to redundancies and business closures.

This is also likely to have an impact on mental health and relationships, which will be a theme that runs throughout the campaign and we will signpost to the help available

Campaign objectives:

Dorset Council is launching a joint campaign with Citizens Advice this September

The aim is to raise awareness of the range of support available to people financially affected by COVID-19 so they can seek advice and support before they reach crisis point. Hopefully this will result in fewer people becoming homeless, becoming ill, or hurting others.

The key themes:

The campaign will run initially until the end of March 2021, and will be structured around three themes:

Work and skills- employment rights, careers advice, access to training
Money and home- rent or mortgage advice, managing debt, accessing benefits, finding somewhere to live, foodbanks, other financial help
Health and relationships- health & wellbeing advice including signposting to mental health and domestic abuse support

Who do we want to reach?
For many people in Dorset, this will be the first time they have experienced such financial difficulties. We want to reach anyone who is worried about, or is facing redundancy; especially young people aged 16-
25 (who are most at risk of unemployment or reduced hours); anyone struggling with finances such as paying their rent or mortgage or other bills such as car or household, education or childcare costs.

Key messages:

· A problem shared is a problem halved – help, support and advice is available whatever challenges COVID-19 has thrown at you

· Lots of people are in the same boat - you're not alone and shouldn't be afraid to ask for help or advice, before things get more difficult

· Help is available online atwww.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out

· If you would like to talk call 03444 111 444, calls charged at a local rate
Specialist advisers can help with immediate problems and offer advice for the longer term

· All advice is free, confidential and impartial

How are we getting the message out?

The campaign will run across a number of channels including:
Dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Targeted digital advertising, including pop ups and banners
Social media - organic and paid for
E-newsletters
Media relations
Dorset Council News magazine
Via Dorset Councillors, town and parish councils and partner organisations
Posters at customer contact points e.g. libraries, schools, GP surgeries and pharmacies
Customer facing council employees

We'll be featuring a series of 'experts' from partner organisations such as Citizens Advice and Job Centre Plus, as well as case studies of real people so that others can recognise and identify with situations and circumstances, prompting them to get help sooner rather than later

Our key spokespeople
Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council's Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council's Portfolio Holder for Housing
Daniel Cadisch, Lead representative for Citizens Advice

Other people of expertise related to each topic will also be available

How can you help?

Share this campaign with friends, family and your local community. As a trusted voice, you can get the word out that help and support is available for people at this time. Watch out for our social media posts, news releases, e-newsletters and other activities.

A campaign toolkit is also available on our website atwww.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out

Need more information?

To find out more information, visitwww.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reaching-out, or contact Claire Lodge, Senior Communications Officer by emailing claire.lodge@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Due to Covid-19 regulations Shillingstone Parish Council meetings will now be held by means of Zoom conferencing arrangements until further notice. If you require access to a meeting please contact the Parish Clerk.

Are you self-isolating, over 70 or have underlying health conditions? Your village is here to help. If you need help with shopping or collecting medication please contact Vicky Thomas on 860409 or Clare Downes on 07748616496 or Sarah Weedon on 861142 If you need help with getting online, communicating via Facebook/Skype etc. or dog walking please contact Caroline Salt on 860259. If you want pastoral support please contact Rev'd Lydia on 01258 863774. Please also let Lydia know if you too can offer help. Even if you don't need this service now please keep this leaflet safe should you require it in the future. We're here to help!

Business case information – proposal to seek Public Works Loan to enable the resurfacing of the Hine Town Lane Recreation ground Play area

It is clear that re-mulching the existing ‘cushion-fall’ material with like-for-like is rather futile in terms of providing a long-term solution to the problem of degradation of the existing surface.; the last replacement of cushion-fall has only lasted some 18 months. We could replace the surface with a wood chip material which might be more durable but which will cost some £2,000 more. A contractor has suggested that we might like to consider more durable options such as ‘Tiger mulch’, a mixture of recycled shredded rubber and a specially formulated high- performance polyurethane binder.;’ and has a lifespan of 10-15 years. A number of suppliers provide Tiger Mulch and quotes have been sought from 3 contractors (see below)

The Council could seek Public Works Loan to finance the cost of a complete overhaul – circa £25k over some 10 years. These are loans available to local authorities which are secured on the basis of council tax receipts and which would probably be viable – repayments on a twice-yearly fixed interest basis of say £25k over 10 years would amount to circa £2,700p.a. at 1.90% (interest rates are actually not agreed until the date the loan is granted). The cost of this would be basically covered by the £2500 per year transfer to the Rec reserve account, though we would probably need to allocate an additional £1000 to the reserve account each year to allow for contingencies.

The Chairman & I recently inspected an installation at Colehill, Wimborne. We were greatly impressed by the resilience of this surface with is very well used.

Quotes Received:

Supplier - quotes Ex VAT - Notes

A - £ 24,835.00 - Does not include removal of exisiting loosefill

B - £ 24,758.00 - To include removal & installation

C - £ 20,865.00 - Does not include removal of existing loosefill

David Green

Parish Clerk

7th June 2019