4th May 2004
Published unapproved for ratification at the June 1st meeting.
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY MAY 4TH 2004
Present: – Cllr M Burt (chairman)
Cllr E Horton (vice chairman)
Cllr Mrs A Buckley
Cllr R Corben
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr B Trowbridge
Also present: – Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr M Bignell (NDDC), and 16 members of the public.
1) APOLOGIES Cllr Nelson (via Cllr Buckley) and Cllr Campbell (DCC)
2) THE MINUTES of the April 6th meeting, having been circulated to councillors, notice boards and the website were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded by Cllr Horton that they be signed by the chairman this was agreed.
3) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 5 ONLY
None.
For the benefit of people who had not attended a council meeting before the chairman explained that there were times when he was prepared to allow public input during the meeting although he did not have to do this.
4) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
The chairman pointed out that the clerk was concerned that councillors were still not reporting changes of circumstances as laid down in the �Code of Conduct�, the Monitoring Officer at NDDC is monitoring the situation.
5) MATTERS ARISING
i) Recreation Ground
� The chairman had now fitted a drop bolt to the gates for easier operation. There is still an occasional problem with cars being in the car park when someone comes to lock it. The clerk had circulated a rota of councillors to lock and unlock the gates councillors being responsible to get someone to cover for them when necessary. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Frampton that it be accepted, this was agreed. Cllr Horton said he was not sure if it was necessary to lock and unlock the gates every day but was happy to continue for the time being.
� Cllrs Burt and Corben had met on site to discuss the work on the refurbishment of the old toilets and it was thought that this could be done keeping costs down with volunteer labour.
� Cllr Frampton reported that there is a wet spot near the willow tree to the east of the field, the Football Club would like to do some drainage work to alleviate the problem.
� Cllr Frampton said that he and Cllr Corben would be fixing the guttering on the Pavilion shortly.
ii) Bowey Field
Painting of the play equipment would be carried out by Cllrs Frampton and Burt.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
Mrs Failes handed in an odour diary noting 4 days when odours were smelt.
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Cllr Mrs Buckley asked if the council knew why the Traffic Commissioners decision was changed. As reported at the last meeting Cllr Horton said that he had looked at the changes and could see very little difference. Cllr Trowbridge had also read it and saw little change. The chairman had spoken to Mr Roberts at the Traffic Commissioners office who had said that the commissioner had modified his decision taking into account representations from Faccenda. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Buckley and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the council write to the Traffic Commissioner to ascertain why the council was not consulted about the changes. Cllr Mrs Buckley asked for a copy of the amended decision.
iv) Extension of 30 mph speed limit
Following telephone calls with the clerk a letter had been received from DCC apologising for the delay in processing this job. An order has now been issued for the extension which will take the recreation ground entrance into the speed limit.
The chairman said that information on flashing speed signs was still be sought.
v) Darknoll Lane NTR – clerk to follow up.
vi) New Cross
A letter from DCC says that this will be assessed during the summer months and a priority list will be published at the beginning of 2005. DCC will keep this council informed on its findings.
vi) Community Planning
The S/N action plan had been circulated to councillors and it was found that overall no arguments could be found with it but there is a need for consultation with parishes.
We await a response from the northern area DAPTC about the meeting concerning SturQuest.
A reply from the chief executive NDDC had been received saying that guidance from Government is that strategic partnerships should develop the strategy for community planning.
Cllr Trowbridge said that perhaps the village should be asked for its opinion. Cllr Horton asked if a village plan would be useful. The chairman replied that there was no longer funding for these but if it was embarked on a great many volunteers would be needed to do the work. Cllr Horton said that he would find out more information from NDDC before any decision was made.
vii) Travellers
From DCC – a consultation paper on locations for transit sites and temporary stopping place for gypsies and travellers, this had been circulated to councillors for comments. The proposed sites for Blandford are: – Stourpaine former waste management site, Stourpaine Chipping Store and Conygar Coppice. Points raised were � when the authorised sites are full the Police will not be able to move them from unauthorised ones. How many are to be accommodated. Planning laws should not be relaxed to accommodate sites, in the case of Conygar a visibility splay would need to be provided probably necessitating the removal of mature oak trees. The site is a disused tip and as such is not suitable for human habitation bearing in mind that there is a processing unit recently upgraded dealing with a leaching problem. Cllr Bignell said that other sites on the list were not suitable for various reasons and that the council had tried to find sites on privately owned land but could not. He said that in this case the County Council would be the planning authority and make the decision not the District Council. The consultation asks for feedback on the location of the proposed sites, any suggestions for the planning and design of the sites and suggestions for alternative locations. A reply to be sent outlining the council�s feelings.
ix) Any Other Matters Arising None
6) POSTS AROUND GREEN AREA BELCHALWELL
The chairman reported that the posts had now been installed and thanked Mr Orriss for doing the work. Two letters had been received one signed by several of the residents living near the area, complaining that the posts spoilt the open look of the area and should not have been put in and that there was no consultation beforehand. These had been circulated to councillors some of whom had visited the site before the meeting and concluded that the posts were not environmentally intrusive.
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The decision to install the posts was taken in November 2003 to safeguard the green area from damage by cars parking on it. The chairman has spoken to Mr Mann DCC Highways engineer who had inspected the site and was satisfied with the work but was concerned about activities on other sites in the area. Several parishioners from Belchalwell were in attendance and the chairman invited them to voice their opinions. The main problem appears to be lack of parking space in the area particularly for the owner of Saints Hill adjacent to the green area and a farmer�s access to fields behind. There was also a request for improvement of passing places. Opposite Runslea a lay by had been cleared some years ago but had now fallen into disrepair. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley that a request be put to County Highways to improve the lay-by to make it useable and that the Parish Council assists with funding, that passing places be improved and that consideration be given to the access problem at Saints Hill, this was agreed. A site meeting is to be arranged as soon as possible.
7) CORRESPONDENCE
� NDDC � renewal of Public entertainment licence for the Village Hall.
� S/N Community Learning � request letter of endorsement for project to secure funding.
� Sherborne & S/N Crime Prevention Panel � display available for meetings or fetes.
� DAPTC � circulars 9 & 10 – training dates & employment equality regulations.
� BT � want to remove loss making payphone at Belchalwell. It was agreed to fight to retain this box as had been done some years earlier.
� NDDC � acknowledgement of response to open spaces strategy & supp. planning etc.
� SNTC � a copy of a letter sent to NDDC development control asking if planning permission had been given for work at the Scrapyard.
� DCA � Natalie Murray is the new Rural Housing Enabler.
� Dorset AONB � management plan and action plan for 2004-9.
� DCC � Mobile library routes for 2004-5 for notice boards.
8) REPRESENTATIVE�S REPORTS
Cllr Horton reported that the stiles on footpath 52 are now being looked at by Mr Ackerley from DCC ROW.
9) DISTRICT COUNCILLOR�S REPORT
Cllr Bignell reported that a grant of around �10.000 to the ND Volunteer Action has been questioned.
There was soon to be a managerial reorganisation, Della Jones had retired and been replaced by Mike Oliver. There is pressure for an all group cabinet.
The MP would be at NDDC on Friday week so if there were any questions let him know.
10) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Regarding the posts at Belchalwell Mr Orriss said that according to a land registry map the footprint for Saint�s Hill Belchalwell was different from that on the ground and asked if permission had been sought.
11) FINANCIAL MATTERS
Accounts to pay: –
Post Office Ltd � Gas 139.94
BWBSL � Water 64.64
Allianz Cornhill Insurance plc 778.60
Mrs D Burt � clerk�s salary – 2 months 514.46
Expenses 32.11
Plus invoices: – DAPTC � seminar & training 26.50
Focus DIY � locks & keys 18.42
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Agricentre � drop bolt 14.10
Apex Plumbing � valves 9.65
Maplin Electronics � lamps 17.96 633.20
DAPTC � annual subscription 171.70
It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Horton that these be paid, this was agreed.
The clerk reported having received a donation of .50p for photocopying.
The clerk presented the accounts for the year ending March 31st 2004 these had already been circulated to councillors. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Buckley and seconded by Cllr Corben that they be accepted and signed by the chairman, this was agreed.
12) PLANNING MATTERS
a) applications 2/2004/0384 � (adj. parish comments) Oakford Oysters � demolish existing barn and erect replacement. No Objections.
decisions 2/2004/9018 (CA) � Hillside, Back Lane � demolish cottages & outbuildings. GRANTED – condition 2 states that demolition shall not commence until reserved matters consent has been granted.
2/2004/0234 � Lowbrook Cottage � 2 storey side extension (demolish existing). GRANTED
2/2004/9041 (LB) � Lime Tree Cottage, Lower St � extension to side lobby, remove railings. GRANTED
2/2004/0222 � 9 Netherway Cottages � erect conservatory. GRANTED
b) other none
13) A.O.B.
Cllr Mrs Buckley asked if the clamping sign at the Village Hall car park is necessary as it may be off putting to visitors to the village using the Church.
