9th December 2003
Published unapproved for ratification at the January6th meeting.
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OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY DECEMBER 9TH 2003
Present:- Cllr M Burt (chairman)
Cllr E Horton (vice chairman)
Cllr Mrs A Buckley
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr B Trowbridge
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr M Bignell (NDDC) and two members of the public.
1) Apologies Cllr Corben (out of the country), Cllr Campbell (DCC).
2) The minutes of the November 11th meeting having been circulated to councillors and notice boards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Horton that they 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
 Cllr Frampton reported that the Football Club would pay for the hedge cutting.
 Cllr Mrs Buckley reported that the children at the School would like the see-saw at Bowey Field. A final decision would be made when repairs are completed.
 Fluorescent tubes and switches have been purchased for the Pavilion also new batteries for the emergency lights.
 Cllr Frampton reported that the glass on the floodlight on the end of the building had been smashed. The chairman said that there was a spare glass.
ii) Bowey Field
 Cllr Frampton reported that three nails had been put in the cherry tree at Chapel Green and that he had removed them.
 Cllr Horton reported that parking was becoming a problem when the field was used for football matches. Cllr Frampton said he would mention this to the Football Club.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
A reply had been received from Mr Pitt-Kerby (NDDC) regarding the Shillingstone Lane farm. Conclusions of the consultant�s report said that the standards of site and bird management were considered high and in order to establish the likely causes of odour from the site affected parties and staff should maintain detailed diaries of odour incidents and operations.
iv) The Pound
The council thanked Mrs Calcott for continuing to work on keeping the Pound tidy by cutting brambles etc back.
Cllr Frampton said that he had spoken to Mr Kemble about the council�s concerns about the seat, Mr Kemble understood and said that it could be sold at auction for Village Hall funds.
v) Travellers
The encampments have now gone from the Belchalwell road and from Conygar Copse. DCC contractors have been working at the Conygar tip site for some time now and it was agreed to write and ask what this work was for.
vi) Extension 30 mph speed limit
Mr Mackle (DCC) has said that contractors should be doing the work shortly after Christmas.
vii) Speeding Vehicles � The Hollow
Mr Mackle (DDC) confirmed that work on road signing would be done, possibly in the New Year.
viii) Land to east of recreation ground
A letter had been received from the Tree Foundation who had been contacted by Mr Muir the owner of the land, urging the council to accept the offer.
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It was stated in the letter from the Countryside Ranger that the recreation ground was a public open space and therefore required no right of access across it to Mr Muir�s field, this is incorrect the recreation ground is owned by the Parish Council.
Cllr Trowbridge said that Mr Muir already has access to the land and he saw no reason why another should be created.
One of the conditions of sale of the land states that the land should not be used other than for the grazing of animals or the growing of crops.
Cllr Horton reported that the Highways act states that permissive path status has to be renewed every 6 years otherwise it will become a right of way.
There was further discussion and it was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Horton that the council declines Mr Muir�s offer, the vote was unanimous for the proposition.
ix) Any Other Matters Arising None
5) Correspondence
 The attempted armed robbery of The Post Office on November 16th and the problem with 999calls not being answered by the Police prompted the chairman to write to the Chief Constable as a matter of urgency. The reply from the Police stated that they were unable to identify exactly what went wrong but possible reasons were: – 1) Staff were too busy on other 999 calls. 2) BT did not transfer the call correctly. 3) Technical problems. All correspondence has been copied to Robert Walter MP who intends to table a Parliamentary Question to the Home Secretary on misdirected 999 calls in Dorset. It was proposed by Cllr Burt and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that this matter be followed up with a letter to the Chief Constable this was agreed unanimously.
 Audit Commission � A comprehensive Performance Assessment is being carried out on NDDC � a questionnaire (copied to councillors) to be returned by the end of January. Comments to the clerk by the next meeting.
 DCC � copy of the scheme for the A357 Fiddleford � work has already been done.
 Air Cadets � recruitment drive information � Parish Magazine and notice boards.
 Voice magazine � learning skills.
 PCC � Reporting that there were 25 spaces left in the Churchyard.
6) Representatives Reports
Village Hall � Cllr Burt reported the committee were working to find funds for the extension.
School Governor � Cllr Mrs Buckley said she had attended the annual Governors report to parents and that she would be attending a further meeting later in the week.
DAPTC � Cllr Burt reported that more Parish and Town councils were unhappy with the �partnerships� situation, a presentation evening at Shaftesbury had been arranged for tonight so he was unable to attend. It had been proposed that a meeting be organised with NDDC for discussion.
– Cllr Horton had attended a complaints hearing on behalf of the DAPTC.
Poor Lands Charity Committee � Cllr Frampton reported that the committee had held its annual meeting and had agreed on 17 recipients of �10 each which was two more than last year. They had agreed that the rent for the land should be increased from January of 2005. The last tenancy agreement was in 1927 and since then only oral agreements had been made, there was a need to seek legal advice. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Burt that the committee use the services of the council�s solicitor this was agreed. Cllr Trowbridge had declared an interest in that he also served on the committee.
Footpath Liaison Officer � Cllr Horton reported that he had attended a training meeting which he had found very useful.
Local Public Transport � Mrs Calcott reported that there had been a mistake in the bus times published in the parish magazine but that correct timetables were on the notice board.
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7) District Councillors Report
Cllr Bignell apologised for arriving late but he had attended the Community Partnerships presentation at Shaftesbury. Partnerships at Sturminster and Gillingham are working well but Blandford�s has folded up. There is a growing feeling that a lot of money is being wasted.
The District Council has been discussing budgets and tax increases, he feels that expenditure is out of control and some departments are very under funded and understaffed.
He was concerned about the erection of the large contractor�s sign at Conygar Copse tip and has agreed to approach the enforcement officer to find out if planning permission is required.
8) Points from the Public none
9) Financial Matters
To pay:-
1) Mrs D Burt for invoices:-
Bunzl � toilet rolls 28.72
B & Q � fluorescent tubes 9.96
B & Q � light switches 19.92
Radio Spares � batteries 142.21 200.81
2) London Scottish Invoice Finance Ltd (MPE Southern � fire appliance maintenance) 116.22
It was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded by Cllr Horton that these be paid this was agreed.
The clerk reported having received notification of the Band D equivalent properties from NDDC this will mean that for every �368.60 of the precept �1 will be added to the council tax, this will amount to �27.13 a slight increase on the previous year.
10) Planning
a) applications 2/2003/1087 � Mr P Goddard, 21 Coles Close, S/N. Land at OS 6537 rear of Back Lane � erect 3 agricultural buildings for housing livestock and for storage of machinery and animal feed (details had been circulated to councillors). There was some discussion and concern about this application. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the council objects to this application on grounds of the AONB and over development this was unanimously agreed.
Cllr Burt declared an interest in the next application and left the room.
Cllr Horton took the chair.
2/2003/1148 � Mr A Goddard, Goddard Landscapes. Land at Hartcliff Farm � use land for storage of equipment and materials associated with landscape contractors business. Cllr Horton had looked at the site and concluded that the application would make little difference. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the council does not object to this application, this was agreed unanimously.
Cllr Burt took the chair.
b) decisions LB2/2003/9138 � Okeford Cottage, 52 The Cross � demolish and rebuild wall, replace windows and carry out internal alterations. This application was REFUSED on the ground that it would be an unacceptable loss of historic fabric from a listed building.
2/2003/1038 � 33 Nether Mead � erect garage and store. GRANTED
c) other Notification from NDDC of intent to carry out works to trees at Nutmeg Cottage (formerly Taverners) i.e. reduce and reshape by 30% 3 sycamore trees.
11) A.O.B.
Cllr Frampton reported on the Flood Wardens seminar put on by the Environment Agency. He said that it had been very informative and dealt with groundwater flooding. The Agency has a duty to inform house owners when flooding might occur and want to know what houses might be susceptible.
12) The Next Meeting will be January 6th 2004.
The chairman closed the meeting at 9-05 pm and invited all present to join him for pre-Christmas refreshments.
