16th September 2003
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OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH 2003
Present:- Cllr M Burt (chairman)
Cllr E Horton (vice chairman)
Cllr Mrs A Buckley
Cllr R Corben
Cllr A Frampton
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr M Bignell (NDDC) and 7 members of the public.
1) Apologies Cllr Trowbridge (unwell), via Cllr Buckley �V Cllr Nelson would be late. Clerk��s note �V Cllr Nelson did not arrive.
2) The Minutes of the August 19th meeting having been circulated to councillors and notice boards were taken as read it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Corben that they be signed by the chairman, this was agreed.
The minutes of the September 2nd extraordinary meeting having been circulated to councillors and notice boards were taken as read. Cllr Mrs Buckley asked that an amendment be made to item 5 paragraph 10. It was agreed to delete part of the first sentence and the whole of the second sentence. The paragraph now reads ��It was resolved that the setting up of meetings between Faccenda and the PC should be welcomed��.
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Buckley and seconded by Cllr Horton that the amended minutes be signed by the chairman, this was agreed.
3) Points from the public relating to item 4 only none
4) Matters Arising
i) Recreation Ground
�h Gates �V these have been ordered delivery is expected in the next week.
�h Seesaw �V the chairman thanked Richard Senner and Peter Frampton who organised the dismantling and removing of the seesaw and breaking up the concrete base. Mr Senner has sent the seesaw away to find out if it can be repaired. The chairman has removed the broken up concrete and filled the remaining hole with soil, Cllr Frampton said that the Football Club has grass seed to repair the area.
�h Cllrs Mrs Buckley said that she and Cllr Nelson would be inspecting the play area with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act at the weekend.
ii) Bowey Field
�h Cllr Mrs Buckley reported that she and her husband had marked out the second half of the basketball area, the chairman thanked them.
�h Cllr Horton said that the football pitch had been marked out and had been used, there appeared to be no problem with parking.
�h The ditch at Chapel Green has now been cleared but there is still a lot of work to do on the banks with overgrowth of weeds and brambles. The chairman said that a low wall is needed all the way along to keep back the weeds as had been done on the east side of the entrance.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
An email from the PA to Joyce Guest, NDDC had been received saying that due to technical issues raised it would be 3 �V 4 weeks before they could formally reconsult on the Faccenda application.
A copy of the final submission to the Traffic Commissioner had been circulated to councillors.
There had been a report of a bad smell in Lower St from the factory. The chairman and the factory manager had investigated, possible causes were the blood lorry which had called earlier or a dirty lorry which the manager undertook to get cleaned. From the floor Mr Godden said that the smell had been there all day and that he had been told that the smell was ingrained into the concrete yard. Cllr Horton said that although difficult people should be encouraged to keep smell diaries and that the proposed meetings with Faccenda should be started as soon as possible. Cllr Mrs Buckley said that these meetings should be formal and minutes or notes should be taken. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Corben that a letter be written to Faccenda to
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ask for the initiation of these meetings, this was agreed. Cllr Corben said that on some mornings there had been smells in Mary Gardens. The chairman said that if possible another time Cllr Corben should either investigate where the smell is coming from or contact him or the vice chairman in order that they could.
iv) The Pound
The floor has now been cleared and levelled, it was agreed to leave the decision on whether or not to put scalpings down until a later date. This will also mean the erection of fence posts will be delayed.
Mrs Calcott would contact Mr Kendal and the chairman would contact Mrs Armstrong about the seats offered. Concrete bases would need to be laid to set them on.
v) Travellers
The clerk reported that Mr Pope (DCC) had called by telephone in mid August and said that there had been three families on the sightline of the road to Belchalwell. One of those had moved on their own, one had moved into housing and the third was a mother and daughter who were expected to go into housing shortly. The vans and vehicles would then have to be removed. It was reported that there were still people living there. Clerk to inform DCC.
It was also reported that following the removal of travellers from the Conygar tip site there are a number of old skips and an abandoned car still there.
vi) Extension of 30 mph speed limit
NFTR �V clerk to write again.
vii) Fiddleford Drainage/bridge
The old railings have now been taken down and some kerbing has been done, however it is now in a dangerous condition as there is now nothing to stop children from falling into the stream.
viii) Fiddleford Notice Board
The new lock has now been fitted. Mr Wingrove has said that he does not want to be paid for the job. The clerk had passed on the councils thanks to him.
The chairman said that the notice boards with the exception of the one at Belchalwell are in need of painting/varnishing, it was agreed that Mr D Corben be asked if he could do this job.
ix) Track �V Fiddleford
DCC, Stour Park have said that the metal posts were not put in by them but they will check and take any necessary action.
x) Cemetery
As there appeared to be no immediate problem it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Corben that this item be discharged.
xi) Land south of village �V Okeford Hill
Cllr Horton had spoken to the enforcement officer NDDC who informed him that the directives had not been imposed but were available. The owner now says that the land is to be split into two and he is awaiting planning applications. Cllr Bignell had also spoken to the enforcement officer and was told that the embankment at the top of the hill was for and animal enclosure. He also said that land of less than 5 hectares was deemed to be for leisure not agricultural purposes. Cllr Corben said that it was possible that two small pieces had already been sold. Cllr Bignell is to ask NDDC to be more robust in dealing with this problem.
xii) Council Photograph
Another date will have to be arranged for the group photograph.
xiii) Dorset Access Forum
As FLO Cllr Horton had read and responded to the document which is looking to improve means of access and transportation. He said that there are many good points in the paper but fears that there will be no money to implement improvements. The consultation process end on September 19th.
xiv) Speeding vehicles �V The Hollow
Awaiting response from DCC.
xv) Any Other Matters Arising none
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6) Correspondence
�h DCC �V Wessex Ridgeway project �V newsletter
�h DCC �V Structure plan news
�h DAPTC �V newsletter �V circulated to councillors
�h Defra �V rural services standard 2003 �V flyer for notice board
�h DCC �V Dorset Records Office information on open day September 27th �V for notice boards
�h DART �V campaign against wind turbines
�h DCC �V refresh driving skills �V copied to councillors
�h NDDC �V town and parish liaison meeting Oct 15th Stour View Centre Sturminster Newton. Cllrs Burt, Horton and Buckley to attend.
�h DAPTC �V training days and draft community strategy �V to be copied to councillors for any comment
�h DCC �V road safety campaign �V poster for notice boards
�h Age Concern �V want information on what senior citizens of the parish want �V to be copied to councillors.
�h NDDC �V Fiddleford Inn PEL for 430 people September 26th �V no comments
�h SturQuest �V information about community lunch at Sturminster Hall
�h DAPTC �V notice of AGM October 18th at County Hall �V passed to Cllr Horton.
5) Representatives Report
Footpaths Liaison Officer �V Cllr Horton reported that some work had been done on Bridleway 13 and it was now passable. Footpath 1 is very overgrown, he has contacted DCC ROW and they have agreed to deal with it.
Local Public Transport Officer �V Mrs Calcott said that she would not be able to get to the next DT11 meeting but reported that the school buses are now ordinary service buses, new timetables are now available. Mr Gillingham said that he was willing to represent the parish at meetings. The chairman thanked him.
Youth Club – Mrs Burt reported that the club had started up on Monday after the summer break. The children were very well behaved and there were no problems.
DAPTC �V Cllr Horton had attended the North Dorset Branch AGM where Liz Goodall, chief executive NDDC, had given a talk. The DAPTC are interested in setting up meetings between NDDC, Parish and Town councils. He also said that another representative was needed on the standards committee.
Village Hall Management Committee �V Cllr Burt reported that they are awaiting the decision of the planning committee. Having talked with the tree officer at NDDC he felt that there may be a problem with removing the cherry tree.
6) District Councillors Report
Cllr Bignell reported that the council tax is due to rise by 64% over the next few years, he said he would be fighting against what he sees as unjustified rises in light of lack of services. He said the Government is withdrawing money from local District and County Councils and moving it to the north of the country. These points should be brought out at the parish liaison meetings.
It was agreed that a letter should be written to the Prime Minister about increased taxation with fewer services.
7) Points from the Public
Mr Russell asked when the Water Board would be finishing repairs to Footpath 53 following the damage caused by a water main break. The chairman said that he had been in contact with them because it was not completed but would speak to them again.
Mr Gillingham said he had a book about the Wessex Ridgeway if anyone would like to look at it.
Mr S Corben asked if a litter bin could be put in the recreation ground car park. The chairman said that we had a bin it was just a question of where to put it, it was thought that opposite the entrance would be a suitable site, the clerk said that we would be responsible for emptying it.
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8) Financial Matters
To pay:-
P A Louth �V stone and carving for The Pound 233.00
Anthony Ward Partnership �V work on VH car park drain plans 1674.38
Mrs D Burt �V clerk��s salary for 2 months 514.46 }
Expenses including photocopier toner 136.63 } 651.09
T G Jeary (agricentre) �V gates for recreation ground 212.57
It was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded by Cllr Horton that these be paid, this was agreed.
The clerk reported that a parishioner had contacted the auditor and as a result she had received a list of questions. All of these had now been answered to the auditor��s satisfaction but she felt that the result would be a high audit cost.
As all these questions could have been answered locally, Cllr Corben was extremely unhappy because many people in the village do work voluntarily to save money for the community not to have it used unnecessarily on the audit.
8) Planning Matters
a) applications (LB) 2/2003/9122 – R B Snook Building Ltd. Hillside, Back Lane �V demolish cottages and outbuildings. A copy of a letter of concern had been received. There was some discussion as to whether these were listed buildings or not. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that there be no objections to this application, this was agreed.
(Outline) 2/2003/0818 �V R B Snook Building Ltd. Hillside, Back Lane �V demolish existing cottages and out buildings and erect 5 new dwellings. There was much discussion about this application and previous applications in this area, which had been refused. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that the council objects to this application on the grounds that it would be over development of the site. That there is no allowance for a public turning area and that the increased traffic generated would create a hazard to road safety. A vote was taken �V for the proposal �V 4 with 1 abstention.
2/2003/0827 �V J Ricketts, Brambles, Back Lane. Erect two storey rear extension. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Corben that there be no objection to this application, this was agreed.
2/2003/0836 �V Mr & Mrs Harvey, Barkhill View, Garlands Lane. Erect single storey extension and garage. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Corben that there be no objection to this application, this was agreed.
2/2003/0837 �V Mr & Mrs Mott, Primrose Cottage, Belchalwell. Erect rear conservatory. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that there be no objections to this application, this was agreed.
b) decisions 2/2003/0582 �V 15 Bowey �V erect extension & raise roof to form additional accommodation over garage. GRANTED
2/2203/0407 �V The Scrapyard, Okeford Common �V erect office bock, canteen and night watchman��s quarters. GRANTED
2/2003/0730 �V 35 Nether Mead �V rear single storey extension and first floor extension over garage. GRANTED
2/2203/0728 �V Bramble Hill, Higher St �V erect single storey and two storey extensions. GRANTED
2/2003/0758 �V Bryanston Cottage, Fiddleford �V create new vehicular access.
Lacks adequate visibility onto highway. REFUSED
c) other none
9) A.O.B.
10) The next meeting will be on October 14th at 7-30 pm at The Pavilion, Castle Lane. This
will include the first draft of the 2004/2005 precept.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9-32 pm.
