1st April 2003
Published unapproved for ratification at the April 29th meeting.
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY APRIL 1ST 2003
Present:- Cllr M Burt
Cllr B Trowbridge
Cllr Mrs A Calcott
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr E Thorne
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr M Bignell (NDDC), Cllr A Campbell (DCC) and seven members of the public.
1) Apologies Cllr R Corben (working).
2) The minutes of the March 4th meeting, having been circulated to councillors and notice boards were taken as read and it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Calcott and seconded by Cllr Thorne that they be signed the chairman this was agreed.
3) Points from the public relating to item 4 only None
4) Matters Arising
i) Recreation Ground
x) The chairman reported having now repaired floodlights 1 & 2 with new lamps and guards made with donated metal mesh, number 4 still needs a guard and 3 needs a lamp, glass and a guard.
x) He also reported that on Saturday March 22nd the roundabout had been set alight along with some old seats. Luckily his son Tim was passing and was able to put the fire out with his car extinguisher (clerks note- the council agreed to replace this) and so not too much damage was done, he informed the Police and later erected a safety fence around it. However the roundabout has been taken out of service because of the danger of residue, the roundabout will need to be cleaned thoroughly and coated with special paint, we still have one tin left which had been donated. The roller was also found on the roundabout, this was obviously not done by children. Cllr Frampton said it was not in use and would get it taken away.
x) Cllr Frampton reported that the Football Club had agreed to sign the agreement regarding the alcohol licence, it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Calcott and seconded by Cllr Thorne that the agreement be made, this was agreed. Clerk to draw up a new one with the same wording as in the draft for the next meeting.
Cllr Frampton reported that the new mowers worked very well but it did take a little longer to cut the recreation ground � about 2 hours.
ii) Bowey Field
Cllr Frampton reported that he had cut the grass it also took about 2 hours. He said that there was a lot of dog mess on the field.
The ditch that carries water through the village had become blocked near the centre. The main cause of this was tree roots but also an amount of debris had been found which had entered at the Chapel Green end. DCC had refused in previous years to fix a grill on the opening to stop this happening, it was agreed to ask them again if this could be done and whether it would be necessary to remove the tree to prevent further blockages.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
There had been several complaints received from the centre of the village and Higher St about smells from the chicken houses in Shillingstone Lane. There was a long discussion about the possible causes of this and it was thought by Cllr Campbell that other chicken houses in the county didn�t appear to have this problem, it was agreed to write to NDDC environmental health informing them of the situation.
Cllr Bignell had put a question at the March District Council meeting asking what steps were being taken to re-submit the planning application for the current stack and the installation of the recommended ion oxidation system.
The chairman had also asked NDDC chief executive to investigate the delay in processing this issue and had received a copy of the reply given to Cllr Bignell.
Mr Pitt-Kerby, environmental health replied �The Council is satisfied that the treatment system has abated the odour to such and extent that it no longer gives rise to a statutory nuisance, although some odours may still be detected in the vicinity from time to time�.
Mr Fagan, development control, replied �The planning application, which was quashed on judicial review, will be re-determined in the near future�. Independent consultants were engaged to reassess all
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technical reports on odour mitigation�. Re-consultation will shortly commence with all interested parties including Offchick and their legal advisors�. The proposal will also be the subject of a thorough screening procedure under the Environmental Impact Regulations. This will take some time since there will inevitably be comment from Offchick and their legal advisors which may require a further technical input from the Council�s independent consultants.�
There was further discussion Cllr Calcott said that the chimney was working and should be left as it is. Cllr Trowbridge said that if new equipment would reduce the smells even further then it should be installed. The chairman said that the ion oxidisation equipment should reduce odours by 90% and would have been fitted had it not been for the legal action. The council should continue to press for it to be fitted but the chairman did not feel that the chimney height should be reduced as at present all reports indicated that it should be left at the existing height.
iv) The Pound
The engraved stone is now ready.
v) Golden Jubilee
A further �6 had been received as donation for mugs.
vi) Travellers
Mr Evans (DCC) had said that he hoped a moving date of Easter would be obtained for the site at Conygar tip.
Cllr Campbell said that there would be a number of travellers on the move soon because of evictions.
vii) Footway � Castle Lane
Work on drains is at present being carried out in that area it was thought a good opportunity to clear a way for a footway, DCC to be approached.
viii) Extension of 30 mph speed limit NFTR
ix) Angers Lane
The lane is closed to traffic at present.
x) Orchard � Mary Gardens
Clerk to write to NDDC to ascertain when work will be completed.
xi) Bus stops � New Cross & The Cross O/F
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Calcott and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that a letter be written to DCC to ask whether the bus drivers feel there is a danger so that the matter can be progressed, this was agreed.
xii) Fiddleford Drainage
DCC have responded saying that a site meeting would be of no benefit as the remedial work has only been in place a short while. Mr Squires from Fiddleford said there are still a number of potholes which need attention.
.xiii) Ford at Fifehead Neville
Mr Roots, chairman of the parish meeting at Fifehead has replied saying he was in agreement with what DCC had proposed and that he was not sure anything further could be done. It was agreed to go back to DCC to try to arrange a site meeting to look at the problem.
xiv) Footpath 66 NFTR
xv) Any Other Matters Arising NONE
5) Correspondence
 ODPM � reply re increase in taxes.
 NDDC � notices and papers for elections already on notice boards.
 Dorset Police Eastern Div � rota for community service vehicle.
 NDDC � copy of magistrates courts committee report on public consultation.
 DCC � new mobile library routes 2003/2004, to be put on notice boards.
 SturQuest � S/N community magazine, community consultation event April 11th (the chairman has agreed to attend) and notice of community lunch at Sturminster Hall on May 21st. There was a long discussion about the ethics of this and other organisations like it, there was a fear that democracy would be undermined with so many unelected bodies holding purse strings.
 Defra � Quality Town & Parish Council initiative.
 DCC � Genetically modified crops update.
 Police Homewatch � reporting items stolen from gardens at Shillingstone and damage to cars at Durweston and Child Okeford.
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6) Representatives Reports
FLO � Cllr Mrs Calcott reported that DCC ROW would arrange for the electric fence on FP 8 to be covered so that the path could be accessed.
Village Hall � Cllr Burt reported the committee was still waiting for contact from DCA. Building regulations will have to be reapplied for and new legislation may have made them more strict.
Local Public Transport � Mr Gillingham said that although he had resigned the DT11 area committee wished him to carry on independently of the PC. The chairman asked him if the council should find another local transport representative Mr Gillingham said yes.
7) District Councillor�s Report
From ODPM � soundings have been taken as to a referendum regarding regional assemblies.
The planning department is under a lot pressure and have a lots of outstanding issues.
New refuse lorries are being purchased.
A debate on GM crops is coming up.
8) Points from the public
Via the clerk � Mr Percival reported that the cherry tree at Yeatmans, Lower St had been cut down by the owner, as this is in the conservation area an application should have been made. Awaiting response from the tree officer NDDC.
9) Financial Matters
Account to pay:-
Southern Electric � pavilion 58.70, bus shelter/museum 8.93 67.63
Mrs D Burt � JSC invoice � lamps for recreation ground 58.63
NFU Mutual � tractor insurance 127.60
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Calcott and seconded by Cllr Thorne that these be paid, this was agreed.
The clerk reported having received the final cheque from Barclays bank for 697.34 being the closing balance.
VAT reimbursement to end of financial year �96.50 and a donation for mugs of �6 had been received.
A letter from Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance requesting funds had been received it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Calcott and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that �50 be given, this was agreed. This would be paid under s.37.
10) Planning Matters
a) applications 2/2003/0208 � Mrs L Udell, 10 Mary Gardens � 2 storey extension to provide family room and bedroom. No objections.
Outline pp 2/2003/0248 � Mr & Mrs Armstrong, Drove Cottage � land at former Forge Garage � demolish existing building and redevelop with 4 houses. After some discussion to establish that the proposed buildings were within the existing site there were no objections. However a note be sent to NDDC referring to the sewage arrangements, there is no mains sewer in that area and the brook must be protected.
b) decisions 2/2003/0012 � Conygar House, Shillingstone Lane � erect building to enclose swimming pool. GRANTED.
2/2002/0118 � Lowbrook Farm, Belchalwell � develop land by erection of two agricultural workers dwellings. This was REFUSED on the grounds that there was no essential agricultural need.
2/2001/0504 � land at 9 Castle Ave � develop land by erection of a dwelling. GRANTED with various conditions.
2/2002/0699 � land at 9 Castle Ave � approval of reserved matters with conditions which include the provision for a 1.5m margin for use as footway.
2/2002/1139 � Knoll Farm, The Common � demolish agricultural buildings erect ground and first floor extensions, stables, office, studio and manege. GRANTED
11) A.O.B.
The clerk asked if a new lock could be fitted to the Fiddleford notice board as there was only one key, this was agreed.
Cllr Mrs Calcott reported that some damage had occurred to the wall of High Pavement, clerk to write to DCC.
12) The Next Meeting will be on April 29th at 7-30 pm in The Pavilion.
There being no further business the chairman thanked those present and closed the meeting at 9-50 pm.
