11th September 2001
Published unapproved � for ratification at the October 9th meeting.
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2001
Present:- Cllr M Burt
Cllr B Trowbridge
Cllr Mrs A Calcott
Cllr R Corben
Cllr A Frampton
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr I A Campbell (DCC), Mr M Evans (for DCC Traveller liaison officer) and six members of the public.
Before starting the meeting the chairman invited all present to stand in silence for a few moments in respect for the victims of the tragedy in New York earlier in the day.
(Clerk�s note � as more news came in during the following days it became clear that the destruction of the World Trade Centre and part of the Pentagon were terrorist attacks and thousands of lives had been lost)
1) Apologies Cllrs Nelson, Thorne & Bignell.
2) The Minutes of the August 14th meeting, having been circulated to councillors and notice boards, were taken as read. The clerk asked in item 1) the word Bulbarrow be replaced with Hambledon. This being done Cllr Trowbridge proposed and Cllr Mrs Calcott seconded that the amended minutes be signed, this was agreed.
3) Points from the public relating to item 4 only none
The chairman welcomed Mr Evans who was representing the Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officer for DCC and asked the council if it would agree to item 4xiv) being brought forward. Cllr Corben proposed and Cllr Mrs Calcott seconded the request from the chairman, this was agreed.
Mr Evans started by outlining the position so far � A court order had been obtained for repossession of the site, which had been served on the remaining travellers. If this action does not work then physical eviction would be the next step. Their main reason for remaining was the inability to repair their vehicles. It is more difficult to remove travellers from council owned land because as a local authority they have a duty to take account of human rights and needs. There is also the problem that when travellers are evicted from one site they move to another and the whole expensive process has to start again. Generally the law and guidelines are suitable, most abide by agreements made, the liaison system usually works thus saving money nationally. DCC is currently looking at several sites all over Dorset that might prove suitable as transit camps, though with no timescale. They are also looking into ways of protecting the picnic site and others like it.
Cllr Burt said that the tourist industry and other businesses were being affected by their presence on the picnic site and that the Police Authority and Dorset County Council should escalate the problem of travellers to Central Government for action and new legislation. Cllr Trowbridge said that sites like the picnic area should be priorities when it comes to removal of travellers.
A letter from the DETR stated that there are powers to remove if damage to property has been done. The law can be changed to assist, at present the Police have no direct enforcement powers.
Cllr Campbell said that DCC were working with legal constraints with regard to schools, human rights etc. He admitted that enforcement of the law was a problem especially when dealing with travellers� vehicles, but said that all vehicles should be roadworthy and the law should be enforced on that issue. He was asked if he could find out how much DCC spends on travellers each year.
The general feeling from the floor was dismay about the way in which there appeared to be double standards one law for travellers and one for taxpayers.
Mr Evans said he would keep the council updated and left the meeting at 8.45pm, the chairman thanked him for coming.
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4) Matters Arising
i) Recreation ground
The play equipment report had now been received from RoSPA. There were no urgent matters to attend to. The slide has some low risk entrapment and access requirements also a protective surface is recommend or the building up of the mound to 1m from top of sliding surface. The seesaw clearance needs attention and protective surface recommended. The roundabout and swings are currently out of service.
More wood needs to be bought to complete repairs on the roundabout.
One estimate has been received for new swings.
The chairman has now fitted the new floodlight.
ii) Bowey Field
The RoSPA report shows no real problems, minor damage to swing seat which needs to be monitored. The basketball area needs some attention to the edges of the tarmac where ground shrinkage has taken place.
iii) The Cross NFTR
iv) Cemetery NFTR
v) Chicken Processing Factory
More smell diaries had been received. A letter from DTLR western traffic area office is investigating to establish if licence is being breached. There had been reports of lorries having to mount the pavement near the factory in order to access or exit the site.
A copy of a letter from the assistant chief executive NDDC to Robert Walter MP was read.
Via the clerk Cllr Bignell said that the chicken factory motion is scheduled to be debated at the next meeting of NDDC on September 28th anyone wishing to write to the chief executive with their views either way should do so before then.
Cllr Campbell apologised and left the meeting at 9.05pm
vi) Greenhayes/Higher St path NFTR
vii) Little Lane NFTR
viii) Council Property NFTR
ix) Parish Survey
Via the Parish Magazine notice will given for the return of completed questionnaires by Oct 31st.
x) Future Development
Clerk to write to landowners agents for an update.
xi) Darknoll Lane � Banbury Cross end NFTR
xii) Golden Jubilee 2002
Confirmation has been received that HM the Queen will light the central beacon in London as part of the chain.
xiii) Road Hedges � Castle Ave
Signpost Housing Association says that maintenance of road hedges lies with DCC. As there is only one hedge still in need of cutting the clerk was asked to write to that individual to ask for remedial work to be done.
xiv) Travellers
This item was discussed at the beginning of the meeting.
xv) Foot and Mouth Epidemic NFTR
xvi) Fairfield Close � ditch
Signpost Housing Association says that the ditch does not belong to them. The clerk was asked to write to the nearby landowner to confirm his ownership and ask his permission to enter the land, clear the ditch and affect repairs to the fence.
xvii) Notice Boards NFTR
xviii) Greenhayes NFTR
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xix) Footpath 53
The clerk was asked to write to DCC for an update.
xx) Belchalwell � sign
This has not yet been repaired.
xxi) Chapel Green
A letter from Mrs Davis, Chapel Cottage was read.
The council commented that many of the details in the letter were inaccurate, as the council had not yet made a decision on this issue. The chairman then explained at great length to Mr & Mrs Davis who were present, the difficulties which were faced by the council when dealing with council owned property and their legal responsibilities. Cllr Corben reported that following a visit to Mr Davis the edging around the plants had been removed. The council were still dealing with the principle solicitor at DCC and a letter was read to the meeting, this indicated that there was still some confusion about the relevance of highway matters over Chapel Green. When this is clarified the council will consider the matter further. Mr Davis reported that he had spoken to an officer at the Blandford Highways office who had told him that there were highway rights over Chapel Green. The chairman was surprised at this as the Blandford office had previously been unable to help the council over this matter and had referred them to the principle solicitor whose letter had already been read. The council awaits further correspondence from DCC.
xxii) Extension of 30mph limit NFTR
xxiii) Signpost � bottom of Okeford Hill
The signpost has now been repaired.
A letter from DCC confirming that the addition of hazard marker posts to the junction makes the recent sightline improvement easier to see from the village.
xxiv) Any Other Matters Arising None
5) Correspondence
� NDDC � Summary & evaluation of economic development conference in June.
� Caroline Probyn � asking for information on the history of Mary Gardens. Cllr Corben agreed to assist.
� NDDC � Casual vacancies for district councillors in Gillingham Town and Wyke wards � notices on notice boards.
� NDDC � Parish liaison meetings for 2001 will be Oct/Nov. Agenda items include Community Planning, District Council Budgets and District Council reorganisation.
� NDDC � Parish contacts in emergency � clerk to coordinate.
� NORDCAT � progress report, 3 buses on order the first due in November.
� Mr Ridout � reporting some problems with footpaths and stiles, FLO to liaise with DCC ROW.
� DAPTC � newsletter (distributed to councillors), Directors circulars 36 � general principles of conduct for councillors (copied to councillors), 37 � DCC have adopted sports strategy � summary available from office, 38 � Home zones & quiet lanes consultation (copied to councillors) comments next meeting. National Tree Week Nov 21 � Dec 2 poster for NB
6) Representatives Reports
Footpath Liaison Officer – Cllr Mrs Calcott reported that work had started on the bridges over Footpath 44, which would be closed for 2 weeks.
7) District Councillor�s Report
Via the clerk � Cllr Bignell reported that the budget process would soon be starting and the increasing numbers of redundancies would be likely to cause further funds to be transferred from reserves. The latest redundancy is Paul Deakin (waste management).
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8) Points from the public
Mr Davis asked when the ditch behind Chapel Cottage would be cleared out. The chairman replied that the council was looking for someone to do the job as indicated in the minutes of August 14th.
An acrimonious discussion ensued amongst members of the public some of which was aimed at a council member. The chairman ruled that this subject matter was out of order and not proper to the council meeting.
He reminded councillors that they had previously made a decision that two councillors should be present when speaking to Mr Davis – this was noted.
9) Financial Matters
The clerk presented the accounts for the year ending March 31st 2001 (copied to councillors). It was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that they be adopted this was agreed.
As time was pressing the Churchyard maintenance grant discussion was deferred.
Accounts to pay:-
Mrs D Burt � clerk�s salary for 2 months 257.22, expenses 105.43 – chq no 699 362.65
Cllr Mrs Calcott proposed and Cllr Trowbridge seconded that this be paid, all agreed.
A letter of thanks had been received from the PCC treasurer for the 300.00 grant.
The clerk reminded councillors that if they had any specific item they wished to be included in the draft precept for 2002/2003 to let her know by Sep 30th.
10) Planning Matters
a) Applications none
b) Decisions
2/2001/0579 � OS 7912 Angers Lane, Fiddleford. Erect calving/lambing/young stock pens & implement shed. GRANTED
2/2001/0496 � Willow Brook, Okeford Fitzpaine. Demolish single storey extension, erect 2 storey extension form new vehicle access and turning facility. GRANTED
c) Other none
11) A.O.B.
Cllr Corben reported a possible water leak in Shillingstone Lane. The chairman had already spoken to a water board representative who was investigating.
12) The Next Meeting will be Tuesday October 9th at 7-30pm in The Pavilion, Castle Lane.
The chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 10-28pm.
