Parish council minutes - 6th July 2004 - Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, UK

6th July 2004

Published unapproved for ratification at the August 3rd meeting.
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY JULY 6TH 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 eight members of the public.
1) APOLOGIES Cllr A Campbell (DCC). Cllr Bignell would be late arriving.
A letter of resignation dated June 10th had been received from Clive Nelson, the clerk had informed the returning officer at NDDC who subsequently sent notices of a casual vacancy. These were posted on notice boards on June 21st giving electors the opportunity, within 14 working days, to request an election. (At least ten electors are needed to give notice that they wish an election to take place). In the event of no election being called for the Parish Council has the power to co-opt.
There was general agreement that an election would be the most democratic way forward.
2) THE MINUTES OF JUNE 1ST 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 5 ONLY None
4) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Cllr Horton declared a personal interest in the planning application by Mr Norton who he knew quite well. The chairman thanked him and said that most of the councillors were in the same position.
5) MATTERS ARISING
i) Recreation Ground
ï¿½ The chairman reported that the refurbishment of the old toilets is continuing, new drains have been installed and two toilets have been fitted. The floor and doors are still to be done.
ï¿½ Mr Senner reported that the see-saw should be ready in the next few days. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley that the see-saw be re-sited at Bowey Field, this was agreed. Cllr Trowbridge thanked Mr Senner for his work. Mr Senner said that the wooden seats may need replacing.
ï¿½ The clerk reported that there was a 3 week computer course being run at the pavilion.
ï¿½ The Football Club has requested permission to hang OUFC signs on the pavilion and gates on match days. Cllr Frampton declared an interest in that he is a member of the club. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that permission be given, this was agreed.
ï¿½ Cllr Mrs Buckley asked whether she was needed to lock and unlock the gates as sometimes when she had come to do it she had found them already locked or unlocked. The chairman said that sometimes when key holders were there they would lock/unlock the gates but she was needed to take her turn.
ï¿½ Cllr Frampton reported that the top gate had now been repaired and a waste bin fitted in the car park.
ii) Bowey Field
ï¿½ The Football Club has requested permission to put another mini pitch on the field, this would mean moving the permanent goal posts put there for everyday play. Cllr Horton was concerned that another pitch might mean an increase in traffic. The chairman said that he would like to look at the site before any decision was made.
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ï¿½ Cllr Frampton reported that a post and rail were broken and in need of repair or replacement.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory NFTR
iv) Extension of 30 mph speed limit NFTR
v) Darknoll Lane NFTR
vi) New Cross NFTR
vii) Community Planning
A reply had been received from DAPTC agreeing with this councilï¿½s concerns about the increasing influence of non-elected bodies. (Copied to Cllr Horton-DAPTC Rep.)
A copy of the minutes of the June meeting of SturQuest had been received from Hugh De Iongh with a note of the next meeting date ï¿½ July 12th saying that a representative could be sent these were passed to Cllr Horton who would try to attend.
viii) Travellers
A reply from Mike Evans had been received assuring the PC that the planning laws would not be circumvented in favour of traveller sites.
On June 28th travellers again moved onto the visibility splay on the road to Belchalwell. The clerk immediately informed Mike Evans (DCC) and the local Police. Both said they would follow this up.
The grass on the visibility splay could not be cut because of the encampment. This is a potential danger to road users and it was proposed by Cllr Burt and seconded by Cllr Horton that a letter be written to the Highway Authority and copied to the Chief Constable, this was agreed. Cllr Trowbridge asked who would pay if an accident occurred it was generally agreed that DCC would be responsible.
ix) Belchalwell Posts
An email had been received from Mrs Sheriff asking when Mr Orriss would be removing the posts, the clerk had replied saying that it was not the responsibility of Mr Orriss but that of the PC and the job would be done as soon as possible.
x) Belchalwell Payphone NFTR
xi) The Pound
Cllr Frampton had organised an ï¿½Official Openingï¿½ for June 27th he apologised for the short notice but said that it was difficult to co-ordinate everyone. Mr Bert Ridout whose grandfather had been the pinder of the Pound performed the unveiling of the stone plaque. An ï¿½Historic Poundï¿½ sign has been installed.
xii) Footpath 66
Some work still needs to be done to the overgrowth, two other property owners would be contacted.
xiii) Dog Fouling
The clerk had mentioned this problem in the Parish Magazine and contacted NDDC about signs and had received some self adhesive ones. Cllr Frampton said that the situation on the footpath had improved.
xiv) Post Office
An email had been received from Mr and Mrs Jackson requesting assistance with the purchase of a new sign which the Post Office says they must have. The cost will be ï¿½312 plus VAT. The clerk said that a payment could come from the s137 budget and that it should not be made until the sign was in place and paid for by Mr & Mrs Jackson. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley that ï¿½100 be given, this was agreed.
xv) Any Other Matters Arising
The notice board for Homewatch notices is now ready for collection from NDDC.
7) CORRESPONDENCE
ï¿½ DCC ï¿½ Community Strategy for Dorset. Taken by Cllr Horton.
ï¿½ Dorset Police ï¿½ eastern community support unit summer rota 2004.
ï¿½ Blandford & District Transport Forum ï¿½ minutes & agenda for next meeting.
ï¿½ National Lottery Helping Hands awards. To be followed up.
ï¿½ NDDC ï¿½ Home repair grants information. On notice boards.
ï¿½ DCC ï¿½ notice of closure of Dunbury first school. Copied to Cllr Mrs Buckley.
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ï¿½ DAPTC – *Court administration changes take place April 05. Courts Board to be set up October 04, representatives of local communities needed for Dorset. *AGM October 30th DCC Council Chambers, any resolutions in by Aug 31st. *Quality Councils booklet. Taken by Cllr Mrs Buckley.
ï¿½ European Parliamentary Elections ï¿½ results. On notice boards.
ï¿½ NDDC ï¿½ re: application to remove tree at 70 Back Lane. Copied to councillors. To be followed up before July 29th.
ï¿½ DCC ï¿½ re: loss of National Express service 333, comments to NDDC community sub-committee by July 16th. There was some discussion and it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Burt that this council supports NDDC in its efforts to secure an alternative service, this was agreed.
ï¿½ NDDC ï¿½ invite to chairman to launch of ï¿½Liveability Fundï¿½ July 22nd.
ï¿½ Local Council Review magazine.
ï¿½ Clerkï¿½s & Councilï¿½s Direct magazine.
ï¿½ Via DAPTC ï¿½ Standards Board newsletter. Copied to councillors.
8) REPRESENTATIVEï¿½S REPORTS
SCHOOL GOVERNORS ï¿½ Cllr Mrs Buckley reported having attended a meeting.
FOOTPATHS LIAISON OFFICER ï¿½ Cllr Horton reported that one of the stiles had been repaired on footpath 52.
HOMEWATCH CO-ORDINATOR ï¿½ Mr Senner reported on the ï¿½message in a bottleï¿½ initiative aimed at anyone who feels vulnerable living at home, whereby medical information is kept in a special bottle in the refrigerator where it can be accessed by emergency services.
LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT ï¿½ Mrs Calcott had been unable to attend the last meeting.
9) DISTRICT COUNCILLORï¿½S REPORT
Cllr Bignell reported that NDDC had come out in the weak category in the performance assessments. He said that the council was once one of the better run councils in the country and it should now be looking at how to improve not tinker with name changes.
Following an investigation by the Standards Board David Adami had been disqualified for 4 years and there may be a by-election.
He said that there had been some criticism about the information posters for MP Robert Walter in that they were too much like electioneering.
10) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mr Gillingham reported that some road markings had been repainted but some had not. Clerk to follow up.
Mr Squires from Fiddleford reported that the seat donated for the Pond Project had still not been fitted. The area was in a mess but couldnï¿½t be cleared at present because there were ducks nesting.
He also reported that a footpath sign had been removed and the stile had been marked ï¿½for the use of fishermen onlyï¿½. Cllr Horton to follow up.
Mr Orriss said he would drop off spare posts from Belchalwell to the chairmanï¿½s house.
11) FINANCIAL MATTERS
Cheques to pay:-
Total Butler ï¿½ tractor fuel 251.48
Mrs D Burt ï¿½ clerkï¿½s salary for 2 months 514.46
Expenses 30.21
Plus invoices:- Makro ï¿½ fire safe for deeds etc. 234.99
Tesco ï¿½ food for Pound opening 13.42
Apex Plumbing ï¿½ drainage fittings 47.00
Apex Plumbing ï¿½ toilet, cistern etc 71.34
Apex Plumbing ï¿½ drainage fittings 34.12
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S/N Building Supplies ï¿½ blocks & cement 124.50
C & O Tractors ï¿½ components for servicing tractor 79.10 1149.14
(engine oil donated by chairman)
Southern Electric – museum 9.19
Pavilion 93.46 102.65
Due to estimated readings the Gas account has a credit of 10.65.
It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Horton that the above payments be made this was agreed. Cheques signed by Cllrs Trowbridge and Horton.
The clerk reported that notices of audit had been placed on notice boards on June 28th. The council records will be available for parishioners from July 12th ï¿½ August 6th.
Donations had been received from the Village Hall committee of ï¿½15, for mugs of ï¿½4.50 and from the Three Okefords Preservation Society of ï¿½20.
12) PLANNING MATTERS
a) applications 2/2004/0587 ï¿½ Mr K Newman, Blandford St Mary. Demolish garage, erect two storey extension, form new hard standing and turning area at 26 Castle Ave. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that there be no objections, this was agreed.
2/2024/9091 ï¿½ Mr & Mrs Hankin, Okeford Cottages, 52 The Cross. Carry out internal and external remedial works. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that the council supports this application, this was agreed.
2/2004/0626 ï¿½ RB Snook Building Ltd. Demolish existing dwellings and outbuildings and erect 4 dwellings and garages, create vehicular access at Hillside, Back Lane. The clerk reported having received a telephone call objecting to the application. She also reported that the decision on the outline planning application for this site had been received and had been granted. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Burt and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the council objects to the application on grounds of highway safety and over development of the site, this was agreed.
2/2004/0659 ï¿½ C Norton ï¿½ Pleydells Farm, Higher St. Erect new house, form turning area. Mr Nortonï¿½s agent put the case for the application and after some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the council objects to the application on grounds that the proposed development is outside of the settlement boundary, the vote was 3 for the proposition with 2 against, the proposition was therefore carried.
2/2004/0688 ï¿½ Faccenda Group Ltd ï¿½ erect 25 metre high fume extraction stack, Higher St. After much discussion it was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Frampton that the council supports the application, the vote was 4 for the proposition with 2 against, the proposition was therefore carried.
b) decisions 2/2003/1167 ï¿½ (Outline) Hillside, Back Lane. Develop land by erection of 4 dwellings, create vehicular accesses. GRANTED
c) other 2/2003/0259 ï¿½ land at Okeford Hill. PC correspondence passed to case officer.
4 Castle Lane ï¿½ NDDC has said that the shed will require planning permission because it is forward of the building line. Cases are being prioritised and they will take this up in the near future.
13) A.O.B.
Cllr Trowbridge asked about the council photograph, the clerk said that she had ordered an enlargement of the photograph with 6 councillors with an inset of the 7th.
Cllr Burt said that an additional notice board may be needed at The Cross to put all the public information notices in.
14) THE NEXT MEETING will be on August 3rd at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7-30pm.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9.52pm.