22nd July 2003
Published unapproved for ratification at the August 19th meeting.
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY JULY 22ND 2003
Present:- Cllr M Burt
Cllr E Horton
Cllr Mrs A Buckley
Cllr R Corben
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr C Nelson
Cllr B Trowbridge
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr M Bignell (NDDC), Rev P Rahilly and 12 members of the public.
1) Apologies Cllr Campbell(DCC).
2) The minutes of the June 24th meeting having been circulated were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge 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
 Gates � the clerk reported that exact measurements and design are needed before a price can be obtained. Standard 15� yard gates cost about �65. Councillors to arrange a date to meet on site.
 See-saw � the clerk reported the price of a new see-saw similar to the existing would be approximately �4500. The other options were discussed and it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that the RoSPA inspector be asked if a bark safety surface would be acceptable and to take action depending on his response, this was agreed.
ï‚· The chairman reported having replaced another roof tile on the Pavilion.
 Cllr Trowbridge said that the door he had would be too big to replace the broken one at the back of the Pavilion. Discussion took place about building the walls on to fill in the area which would give more storage and incorporate a new door � volunteers would be needed for the building work.
ii) Bowey Field
The chairman reported that Mrs Brown the new owner of Chapel Cottage had reported that the ditch smelled. Cllrs Burt and Frampton had investigated. The ditch is due to be cleared of weed this year but the problem is caused by the lack of water able to flow, the pipe is set too high so when water levels are low the residue becomes stagnant. Previously it had been suggested that a wall be built to stop vegetation from growing into the ditch, the chairman now had some stone to do east of the entrance. Mr Goddard will be asked if he can clear the ditch with his digger and volunteers can then be arranged to assist with the clearing.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
Mr Pitt-Kerby NDDC has confirmed that consultants have been appointed to examine and report on conditions at the Shillingstone Lane site and should be ready within the coming weeks.
Lester Aldridge solicitor has sent a copy of an environmental report which has been submitted to the planning authority, recommending that the views of the consultants for Faccenda and NDDC be sought. When those responses have been received the application will be at the stage when it may be redetermined.
Odour diaries had been received from Mr Senner from May to July, these to be copied to NDDC.
Notification of a public inquiry into the goods vehicle operators licence for Faccenda, Higher St had been received a week before the inquiry. The time for reply was on the day of receipt and in order that the Parish Council was represented the chairman made a telephone call to the traffic commissioner�s office submitting himself as he had been elected to that job on the previous inquiry. At the inquiry he made two statements 1) that the Parish Council had had no time to discuss the matter and 2) that the Parish Council had negotiated with Faccenda a 20 mph speed limit in the village for it�s lorries. Following a question from the public the chairman said that he and the Parish Council had a duty to represent all of the people in the parish including those who work in the factory.
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He said that as he understood it the commissioner had given Faccenda and the complainants 28 days in which to make further submissions. After further discussion it was decided to hold a meeting on Friday 25th giving time for councillors to gather views from parishioners and put together a submission.
Clerk�s note � this meeting was cancelled after clarification was received from the Traffic Commissioner�s office.
iv) The Pound
The wall is now complete, the floor needs to be levelled and a partial post and ash rail fence erected.
v) Golden Jubilee
As the only issues now will be financial it was agreed to discharge this item.
vi) Travellers NFTR
vii) Extension of 30 mph speed limit
DCC say that they are waiting for a response from NDDC.
viii) Fiddleford drainage/bridge
Mr Squires from Fiddleford confirmed that the work on the bridge had not yet been carried out. He also reported on vehicles speeding to and from the mushroom farm, he has complained to the farm management.
ix) Ford at Fifehead Neville
DCC had asked whether oak marker posts should be painted white or left natural, the chairman had referred him to the Fifehead Parish Meeting chairman. Item discharged.
x) Tree � Yeatman�s, Lower St
The tree officer had now responded and is dealing with the issue via the enforcement office, he asked if there were any pictures of the tree remains to help with his investigation.
xi) Fiddleford Notice Board This work is being done.
xii) Track � Fiddleford
Awaiting response from DCC ROW. Mr Squires from Fiddleford reported being told by DCC Highways that the track was the responsibility of DCC.
xiii) Cemetery
The chairman welcomed the Rev Philip Rahilly and outlined the PC�s current position. He said that advice from NDDC suggests that the Church buys a piece of land and the PC and NDDC could assist financially. Rev Rahilly said that there was a growing trend towards cremations, which would ease the burden on the Churchyard, interment of ashes will continue. Also he saw no reason why certain areas couldn�t be reused as had happened in the past. Careful analysis of the ground would need to take place before this could be done. He estimated that there wouldn�t be a problem for approximately 5 � 6 years. He said that in most cases when more land was needed it had been given by local landowners and that may happen here. The land could be anywhere in the parish. He said he would co-operate in any way and thanked the PC for its support. He also thanked the volunteers who had painted the Church railings and Jane Tapping for working so hard on the very successful wildlife area in the Churchyard.
xiv) MCTi
The chairman continues to be concerned about the way in which this is operating, fearing that money would be funnelled into towns with villages losing out. He felt that a representative was needed to go to SturQuest meetings, which were usually at short notice. Cllr Horton volunteered to attend any future meetings.
xv) Land south of � Okeford Hill
Correspondence was read from the enforcement office NDDC who are now dealing with this. An Article 4 Direction and a Section 102 Direction have now been authorised which withdraws permitted development rights and secures the removal of fences dividing the land into paddocks. A retrospective planning application is expected in the near future.
There was some discussion and some dubiety as to whether the Directions had actually been placed. It was agreed that the situation should be monitored. The Chairman received a telephone message from the owner, on returning his call he left a message advising him to deal with NDDC, which is the planning authority. The clerk, on request had given the owner copies of the PC minutes relating to the land.
A copy of a letter of concern to the Planning authority from Mr Haynes had been received.
xvi) Land east of recreation ground NFTR
xvii Council Photograph This could be done at the Friday meeting. Clerk�s note � meeting cancelled
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xviii Any Other Matters Arising
Mrs Charman said that there had been a bomb scare at Faccenda�s factory and asked what the procedures are for such an event. The chairman said that in his experience a building has to be cleared, the emergency services informed and when they arrive they take over the situation.
5) Correspondence
 NDDC � planning guidance notes.
 DAPTC � circular 17 referring to allowances for councillors � comments were requested. It was proposed by Cllr Burt and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that no allowances should be given, this was agreed.
 Sturminster Newton Town Council � asking for support in its request for a 40 mph speed limit and road marking improvements to be initiated at Fiddleford. It was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Corben that a letter of support be written this was agreed.
 Standards Board � revised copy of �How to declare interests� had been circulated to councillors.
 ODPM � ethical framework regulations � copied to councillors.
 NDDC � hedgerow removal consultation � a maximum of 5 meters of hedge to be removed for the installation of a water main, to be reinstated after work has been completed, there were no objections from the council.
 NDDC � best value performance plan 2003/04.
 Dorset Local Access Forum � document for comments by Sep 19th.
 DCC � Dorset Waste Forum � Cllr Horton to attend meeting July 23rd.
 Lord Chancellor�s Advisory Committee � Dorset needs more magistrates.
 Garden Club � have volunteer to �round up� between shrubs at Greenhayes, it was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Horton to ask the Garden Club to proceed, this was agreed.
 NDDC � operations manager has received request for dog waste bin to be placed in Bowey Field. It was agreed that a bin in the field would not be appropriate but one could be placed just outside. Clerk to follow up with NDDC.
 OUFC � due to an increase of youth teams the FC requests the use of Bowey Field to play matches on Sunday mornings from September to April, it would need to mark out a pitch and goal posts would be removed after each match. It was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Horton that the request be granted, a vote was taken � 5 were in favour with 2 abstentions � (Cllrs Corben and Frampton had declared an interest).
 DCC � The make up of School Governing Boards are to be reconstituted between September 2003 and August 2006.
 Blandford & District Transport Forum � minutes passed to Mrs Calcott.
6) Representative Reports
 Youth Club � Mrs Burt reported that the last meeting of the term had taken place on the 21st. Star Circus Workshop had attended and all the children had enjoyed trying the various skills. The children had been very well behaved. The new term starts on September 8th.
 Village Hall � Cllr Nelson resigned from the committee as he was unable to attend the meetings. Cllr Burt reported that work on the car park should be starting soon.
 School Governors � Cllr Mrs Buckley reported having attended a meeting on July 7th where a letter to parents was agreed regarding the building of a new school at Shillingstone. Following up on a previous question she said that unless authorised children should not be in the School grounds out of School hours.
 Footpaths Liaison Officer � Cllr Horton reported having received complaints that the stile at Bowey Field was overgrown and that he has passed this on to DCC ROW.
 Homewatch � Mr Senner reported that things were quiet at the moment.
7) District Councillors Report
Cllr Bignell reported that GM crops were still being discussed and that people wanted more information. He also said that the District Council was looking at capital grants and its budget for the next 5 � 6 years where Village Halls may benefit.
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8) Points from the Public
Mr Gillingham was concerned that a traveller�s encampment was on the sight-lines verge on the Belchalwell road, he had written to the Police about it. Cllr Burt proposed and Cllr Trowbridge seconded that the council writes to DCC and the Police this was agreed.
Cllr Bignell was increasingly concerned about the speed of vehicles coming into the village from the Hollow. As it had been some time since the last speed checks it was agreed to write to the Chief Constable and request further checks.
Mr Gillingham asked about the path that goes through the Churchyard and felt that it should be on the definitive map. FLO�s to check.
9) Financial Matters
Accounts to pay:-
TES � service to boilers and water heater 131.01
Post Office Ltd � gas 52.40
Southern Electric plc � pavilion 97.57}
museum 8.93} 106.50
Wood Garden Machinery Ltd � repairs and maintenance on strimmer 122.16
Mrs D Burt � clerk�s salary for 2 months 514.46}
expenses � 43.58}
Plus invoice Harts � paint for basketball court 29.73} 587.77
It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that these be paid, this was agreed.
The clerk reported that Mr G Weeks had carried out an internal audit. In a letter he had confirmed that items referred to last year had been addressed and that there were no issues to report this year.
The clerk went through the annual return statement of assurance, the council answered yes to all questions. It was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the return be signed by the chairman, this was agreed.
The clerk reported that donations had been received from the Dorset Bowls Assc. of �25 and T.O.P.S. of �10. A letter of thanks had been received from the PCC for the grant.
10) Planning Matters
a) applications 2/2003/0619 � Mr & Mrs Bryant, Tisbury. Hill View, Okeford Common. Demolish single garage, erect double garage with storage above, form vehicular access and turning area. NO OBJECTIONS
2/2003/0669 (outline /comments of adjacent parish) Broad Oak Storage. Land at OS 9822 & 8716 Broad Oak, S/N � develop land by erection of dwelling, create vehicle access. NO COMMENTS
2/2003/0666 � Mr C Vernon. 32 Lower St. Land at Okeford Hill � erect animal feed store. Cllr Burt declared an interest and left the room (he owns land adjacent). Cllr Horton took the chair. There was some discussion about the size of the store 8m x 5m and whether there should be any further development in that area. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Horton that the council objects to this application on the grounds that it would be sporadic development in the countryside and overdevelopment of the site, this was agreed.
Cllr Burt returned to the chair.
b) decisions 2/2003/0016 � Faccenda Group, Higher St � erect extension to plant room. GRANTED with conditions:- that the Woodward report be followed with regards decking and making sure the roof is aligned accurately and that fans and silencers be installed.
2/2003/0192 � The Paddock, Fiddleford � demolish extension, erect single and two story extensions. GRANTED with conditions:- the extensions shall not be occupied other than for purposes ancillary to the residential use of the dwelling.
9) A.O.B.
Cllr Corben asked if there was any way to shorten the meetings. The feeling was that councillors should be more disciplined when speaking, the chairman said that in addition to items 3 and 8 he allowed the public to speak during the meeting which he was not supposed to do. Cllr Mrs Buckley said that it is recommended that a meeting should last no longer than 2 hours.
10) The next meeting will be on August 19th at 7-30 pm and will take place at The Pavilion, Castle Lane.
The chairman thanked everyone present and closed the meeting at 10-20 pm.
