Local Issues

Fire

The Parish includes many historic and thatched buildings and is surrounded by forest, heath and farmland. As well as residents taking care to reduce the opportunity for starting a fire and it spreading, huge reliance is placed on landowners to provide protection against wildfire. Never has this been more important than now. The following links provide authoritative help in this respect:

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service general advice on wildfires

Dorset fire and Rescue Service Wildfire advice for people living in a rural area

Flood

The Parish contains the greater part of the lower River Piddle which now floods regularly in the winter months. This is due not only to the weight of water coming from upstream but also to water run off from the Piddle valley sides. To help deal with this issue, good advice is given through the Dorset Council website link below:

Dorset Council advice on how to prepare for flooding and sign up for alerts

Wessex Water general guidance on residential matters

Wessex Water help and advice

Wessex sewer flooding advice

How to Report other Problems

There are a range of issues that you may want to report. The table below is not extensive, but is intended to assist you in reporting to the proper authority. If you have an issue that is not included below and are unsure who to contact, try using an Internet search engine to find the answer or use the contact page and we will try to help.

Please always call 999 to report emergencies such as when a crime is in progress, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, when there is danger to life or when violence is being used or threatened.

Please be aware that the Parish Council has limited powers and is not usually able to make decisions outside of monthly meetings. When the Parish Council can act, sometimes action can take several months due to the need to seek quotes and consider these at a later meeting. Dorset Council are able to respond more quickly, and reporting the issues below directly to the proper authority is the fastest way to get results. You can often get email updates as the report is dealt with. If you are unable to use online reporting tools, then there may be contact details on the webpages as well. If you are unable to report the problem yourself you can contact the Parish Council Clerk for help by emailing clerk@briantspuddle.info.

Or contact Dorset Council via their website

Issue to report – Police Matters

Vandalism and crimes that are not urgent. Although you may not see any immediate result, it is important to always report criminal activity to the police as it helps them to allocate resources in the future and notice patterns which could help them to prevent further crimes.

Report to the Police

Report a non-urgent issue online

Issue to Report – Problems on Roads

Pavements and roadside verges, including but not limited to; trees or dead animals on the road/verge, pot holes, flooding, debris and litter.

Report to Dorset Council

Report a problem on the road or the pavement

Issue to Report – Emergency Problems on Roads

Pavements, roadside verges and rights of way. An emergency on the highway is defined as something that will cause, or has already caused, damage to a person or property.

Report to Dorset Council

Please call 01305 221020 (only in an emergency).

Issue to Report – Fly Tipping

Please see also www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/scrap which advises people how to follow the rules about disposal of waste. As well as checking out the credentials of people who offer to get rid if bulk waste, it advises that if you see a fly tip make a note of where it is, take a photo if you can, but don’t touch it or confront fly tippers in the act.

Report fly tipping to Dorset Council using their online form

or call on 01305 221040