4th February 2003
Published unapproved � for ratification at the March 4th meeting
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4TH 2003
Present:- Cllr M Burt
Cllr B Trowbridge
Cllr R Corben
Cllr E Thorne
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), and six members of the public.
1) Apologies Cllr A Campbell (DCC) � another meeting to attend, Cllr Frampton � working, Cllr Mrs Calcott � sick, Cllr Nelson � mixed up dates.
2) The minutes of the January 7th meeting, having been circulated to councillors and notice boards, were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Thorne and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that they be signed by the chairman.
3) Points from the public relating to item 4 only NONE
4) Matters Arising
i) Recreation Ground
Alcohol licence � Cllr Corben declared an interest. A letter from Mr Horton was read, as the licence had been awarded he wished the Parish Council to ensure that a limit to opening times was included in the agreement with the Football Club. It was thought that opening times would be limited to after matches and special occasions. Cllr Corben said that the issue had not been fully discussed since the judicial hearing but there was a Football Club meeting shortly. The chairman asked Cllr Corben to ask his committee what it feels it needs then come back to the PC so that a proper discussion can take place.
The chairman asked that a sub committee meeting be held to progress parking of tractor and other matters,
ii) Bowey Field NONE
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
x) Odour diaries from Fippenny Hollow for October and November reported no odours.
x) Cllr Corben asked for a reminder of the situation regarding the chimney. The chairman said that at present the planning permission has been quashed and a new application will have to be made, in the meantime the chimney is to stay in place. He was not sure exactly what the next step would be.
x) A letter from NDDC had been received regarding application number 2/2002/0800- certificate of lawfulness to use land for parking/operating of lorries and staff car parking. This is a follow up from a letter replied to in October 2002 and asked for comment on the level of cars and lorries in the last ten year period. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Thorne that a reply be sent saying that the PC had no comment to make this was agreed.
x) A member of the public asked what the situation with the chicken houses at Shillingstone Lane was. The chairman said that the houses had been closed for a period and cleaned out but as far as he was aware they were now being restocked.
iv) The Pound
Westree had now removed the damaged tree branch
v) Golden Jubilee 2002 NFTR
vi) Travellers
Residents had reported to the chairman that the gates to Conygar tip had been left open on several occasions and there were fears that more travellers would move in. This was reported to Mr Evans by email and he had replied that he would get his colleague to speak with them about it when she next visits. He also said that he hoped a leaving date of around Easter would be achieved.
vii) Footway � Castle Lane NTFR
viii) Extension to 30 mph speed limit
A letter had been received from DCC proposing the extension that the PC had asked for so that the recreation ground entrance is covered.
ix) Angers Lane NFTR
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x) Overhanging hedges NFTR
xi) Orchard � Mary Gardens NFTR
xii) Bus Stops � New Cross and The Cross O/F
Awaiting response from DCC.
xiii) New Permissive footpath
As the new footpath doesn�t lead anywhere, the chairman had spoken to Mr Drake who had dealt with DEFRA. He had also spoken to Mr Alner who owns the adjoining land and given him a copy of the map. We await comment from Mr Alner.
xiv) Fiddleford drainage � Calf Close Lane
A letter had been received from DCC regarding the damage to Fiddleford Mill Bridge. The chairman asked Mr Squire from Fiddleford for his views, he said that he had reported the matter to DCC who had done some remedial work but this was not good enough and not safe. It was decided to ask DCC to meet on site to discuss the several issues involved.
xv) Ford at Fifehead Neville NFTR
xvi) Shillingstone Lane
DCC had acknowledged the PC letter and said that Mr Staddon would take any necessary action.
xvii) Any other matters arising NONE
5) Correspondence
 Information Commissioner � acceptance of Freedom of information act model scheme.
 West Dorset CHC � newsletter.
 DAPTC � new chief executive Mr Peet in place. Executive committee minutes.
 NDDC � notice of parish and district council elections � May 1st 2003.
 NDDC � O/F Village Hall application for renewal of PEL � no objections.
 Standards Board � holding roadshow in Taunton Feb 18th.
 Dorset Village of the year award 2003 entry forms.
 DCC � leaflets on new restrictions & recycling initiatives at household waste recycling centres.
 DCC � rise of Council tax 2003/04 � asking for support by writing to Nick Raynsford MP asking for a fair deal for Dorset. (copied to councillors)
 Richard Horton, self employed gardener � is looking for a piece of land to rent approx 50� X 50� to make compost. The land at Back Lane was suggested, clerk to give him the owner�s name and address also another possible contact.
 Environmental Agency � newsletter and notice for display.
 DCC � working for wildlife in Dorset � booklet.
6) Representatives Reports
Village Hall Management Committee � Cllr Burt reported that as a new hall at Castle Lane was not going to happen the committee has to look at continuing with the proposed extension to the existing hall. As lottery funding for halls has ceased the committee will go back to the architect to see if he can offer some cheaper options.
Homewatch � The chairman wished to extend the council�s condolences to Mr Eric Fleetwood�s family. At present some Police notices are coming to the clerk who will put them on the notice board, but we are in need of a new co-ordinator.
7) District Councillor�s Report NONE
8) Points from the public
Via the chairman � it was reported that a large amount of rubbish had been dumped in the lay-bys near the Conygar Tip. NDDC has been informed.
9) Financial Matters
Accounts to pay:-
MPE Southern Ltd � annual fire appliance check for Village Hall and Pavilion 96.61
BWBSL � water 93.51
Westree � tree surgeons 47.00
Post Office Limited � gas 123.90
EC Electricals – electric and alarm checks for Pavilion 263.20
It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Thorne that these be paid, this was agreed
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The clerk reported having received a donation from the Village Hall of �50.00.
The letter closing the Barclays Bank account had now been sent and a cheque for �2600.00 had been paid into the new NatWest account, there is still some money to come from the Barclays account.
The clerk asked if it was the wish of the council to renew the licences for access and parking on Greenhayes, it was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Thorne that the clerk sends out reminders.
There had been one tender for grass cutting for the 2003 season it was proposed by Cllr Thorne and seconded by Cllr Corben that the quote for �345 be accepted, this was agreed.
The clerk informed the council that her son who installed and maintains the council�s website for nothing was about to change his hosting company, this would mean that the council would have to decide whether or not it wished to continue to have a website. One option would be to go with a company such as Freeserve, which would mean finding someone else with a computer willing to update the notice board etc as the clerk�s computer is linked with her son�s. This option means that a new website would have to be designed, which could cost hundreds of pounds and web functions would be limited. The email address, domain name and maintenance would have to be paid for, all these have so far been paid for by her son, apart from the first two years for the domain name. Another option would be to stay with her son now trading as Muddyweb Ltd who would rework the existing website, supply the email address, domain name and maintain the site for �120 per year. There was some discussion and the chairman asked for any comments. Mr Godden said he had had a problem with a link from the DAPTC. The general feeling was that it was an asset and needed to be kept. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the council asks Muddyweb Ltd (Tim Burt) to supply the council with a website.
10) Planning Matters
a) applications 2/2003/0012 � Mr & Mrs Challis, Conygar House � erect building to enclose swimming pool. NO OBJECTIONS
2/2003/0016 � Faccenda Group, Higher St. � erect plant room extension.
One letter of objection had been received from Mr Godden of Lower St, he was concerned there may be additional noise pollution. He also gave a copy of a letter he had written to Development Control objecting to the application. There was some discussion which Mr Godden and other members of the public were invited to join. On receiving the letter from Mr Godden the chairman had visited the site, the vacuum pumps had already been installed and at the time of his visit were in use, he reported that at that time they were reasonably quiet. The application was for a building to house this equipment, the machinery itself does not require planning permission. Mr Godden said he hadn�t realised that the equipment was in use but was concerned that once the building was put up the equipment inside should not be changed or upgraded to something that was likely to cause more noise. He suggested that the PC ask that the provisions of PPG24 relating to noise be complied with. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Thorne that the parish council does not object to the application but asks for a condition to ensure no extra noise is generated, this was agreed.
b) decisions 2/2002/0904 � Gorse Farmhouse, Fifehead St Quintin � erect garage with lower floor garden room. GRANTED
c) other NONE
11) A.O.B.
The Blackmore Vale Lions had offered to donate and install a metal seat which had become surplus to their requirements. The council was very grateful for the offer. There were some suggestions as to a site and it was agreed to place it at the western corner of Greenhayes by the path.
12) The next meeting would be Tuesday March 4th this will be the Annual Parish Meeting followed by normal business. As the Parish Council elections fall on May 1st the new council will have to hold its first meeting before the date already arranged for May. It was therefore decided to hold the first meeting on May 13th and include the AGM. It was also decided to accept the Police watch co-ordinators offer to come to talk about Homewatch.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9-06 pm.
