Parish council minutes - 2nd March 2004 - Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, UK

2nd March 2004

Published unapproved for ratification at the April 6th meeting.
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY MARCH 2ND 2004

Present:- Cllr M Burt (chairman)
Cllr E Horton (vice-chairman)
Cllr Mrs A Buckley
Cllr R Corben
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr C Nelson
Cllr B Trowbridge
Also present:- Mrs D Burt (clerk) and five members of the public.

1) APOLOGIES Cllr A Campbell (DCC) ï¿½ attending another meeting.

2) THE MINUTES of February 3rd, having been circulated 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
The clerk explained that the DAPTC has recommended that this be a permanent agenda item but that it does not prevent councillors declaring an interest at any time during the meeting.
She also reminded councillors that their register of interests should be updated within one month of any change of circumstances.

5) MATTERS ARISING
i. Recreation Ground (1) Cllrs Frampton and Burt had now installed the gates and padlocks had been purchased. A trial rota for locking and unlocking the gates was arranged and the clerk will organise a sign warning that the gates may be locked overnight. (2) Cllr Trowbridge said that the top hedge will need laying next winter. (3) Cllr Frampton reported that the Football Club had renewed its alcohol licence for part of the Pavilion. Cllrs Frampton and Corben declared an interest as members of OUFC. – The clerk asked if it was the councilï¿½s wish to continue the arrangement between it and the Football Club, it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that it should continue this was agreed.
ii. Bowey Field NTR
iii. Chicken Processing Factory (1) Cllr Horton reported that he had heard that there would be about 150 redundancies at the factory this number may include some lorry drivers. The factory had until the end of March to comply with the traffic commissioners ruling this should be monitored and reviewed at the next meeting. (2) It was reported that the factory now had a new operating centre at Blandford. (3) The chairman said that the reduced numbers in staff would not mean a reduction in production but that there would be some operational changes.
iv. The Pound Cllrs Frampton and Burt had now fitted the seat, the posts for the front had been purchased but Cllr Burt felt that the front should be made up before they were installed an amount of scalpings would be needed. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and
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seconded by Cllr Frampton that scalpings be purchased for the job, this was agreed. The chairman thanked Mrs Calcott and her volunteers for continuing to keep the area clear. She said that she had recently planted snowdrops, primroses and a spindle berry tree.
v. Travellers A copy of DCCï¿½s response which was very brief, to the draft operational guidance had now been received.
vi. Extension of 30 mph speed limit NFTR
vii. Speeding Vehicles (1) Confirmation had been received from DCC that the yellow bar markings for The Hollow would be completed within a month. (2) The Police have replied regarding the problem in Castle Lane saying that as resources are limited and casualties resulting from collisions are not high it was not a high priority area for enforcement but patrolling officers will be made aware of the councilï¿½s concerns.
viii. Policing (1) The chairman, vice-chairman and clerk had accepted an invitation to visit Force HQ at Winfrith and found it very interesting. It was mentioned that Okeford may be changed to the Eastern Division in line with District Council boundaries. (2) Inspector N Budden from the Western Division has agreed to come to the May 4th council meeting to talk and answer questions about Policing.
ix. Darknoll Lane NFTR
x. High Pavement The fence has now been repaired.
xi. Periodic Electoral Review ï¿½ DCC The clerk had circulated all information to councillors. After a short discussion it was decided not to comment.
xii. Posts ï¿½ Castle Lane The chairman had spoken to DCC engineer who had inspected the posts. The engineer had said that as far as he could see the posts had not taken any of the highway and that the boundary was correct, he also said that DCC could not dictate to property owners what sort of fence was erected as long as it conformed with planning regulations. A letter confirming these details would be sent by DCC, at that time the clerk would reply to Mr Lambert.
xiii. Telephone Kiosk NFTR
xiv. Any Other Matters Arising None

6) CORRESPONDENCE
o RSPB ï¿½ media release ï¿½ on notice boards
o DCC ï¿½ Structure Plan News
o Learning Action ï¿½ information leaflets ï¿½ on notice boards and display
o Dorset Arts Week ï¿½ information ï¿½ on notice boards and display
o DAPTC ï¿½ newsletter ï¿½ circulated to councillors. Vital Village update from Countryside Agency.
o DCC ï¿½ notification of Waste Forum meeting April 22nd ï¿½ chairman to attend
o Jasmine Milne, Common Farm ï¿½ looking for funding.
o Marie Curie Cancer Care ï¿½ looking for funding
o NDDC ï¿½ draft tourism strategy 2004-07, comments by April 9th.
o International Tree Foundation (ITF) ï¿½ regarding land owned by Mr Muir adjacent the recreation ground saying that the foundation would be taking ownership of the land. The chairman spoke to Mr Wheatcroft of ITF who said that he was not sure if they would be taking ownership, he was also not aware of the existing access to the land or the covenants relating to it. He said he would talk to Mr Muir again.
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o DCC ï¿½ carsharedorset scheme information and leaflets ï¿½ on notice boards and display
o NDDC ï¿½ draft strategy for open space in North Dorset and draft supplementary planning and guidance. Comments needed by April 12th ï¿½ chair to respond, Cllr Horton also to read.
o NDDC ï¿½ Green baby day March 13th information ï¿½ on notice boards
o DCC ï¿½ Parish Maintenance Units ï¿½ worksheets for attention in August or February. Clerk will continue to contact DCC direct for urgent matters.
o DCC ï¿½ Withdrawal of bus subsidies and other service changes ï¿½ copy to Mrs Calcott.
o ODPM ï¿½ Consultation papers on local investigation of allegations of misconduct comments needed by May 18th – Copied to councillors
o NDDC ï¿½ invitation for PC representative to attend Civic Service at Milton Abbey March 31st.

Cllr Nelson left the meeting at 8-56 pm.

7) REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS
DAPTC ï¿½ Cllr Horton reported on a meeting he attended where he asked when the meeting between the DAPTC and NDDC regarding partnerships was taking place, this has still not been arranged. It was proposed by Cllr Burt and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the council write to the DAPTC and NDDC to follow this up.
FLO ï¿½ Cllr Horton reported that stiles on footpath 52 were in need of attention, he would follow this up with DCC ROW. He had also looked at footpaths at the top of Okeford Hill following concerns from Mrs Calcott, he said that they all appeared to be in order. Mrs Calcott said that there appeared to be no footpath to the picnic site. The chairman said that the only access to the picnic site was across farmland by arrangement with the farmer, this had lapsed some years ago.
HOMEWATCH – Cllr Horton said that he had been taking messages for Mr Senner whilst he was away and had been putting them on the notice board. He reported that there may be grants available for Homewatch notice boards and he would approach DAPTC where the information came from for more details.

8) DISTRICT COUNCILLORï¿½S REPORT None

9) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mr Gillingham raised concerns about the narrowness of the road to New Cross. He felt that it was dangerous and that something should be done to alleviate the problem. The chairman said that it had been a problem for many years and that DCC had programmed work to be done there but that this had not been done. It was agreed to write to DCC again.

10) FINANCIAL MATTERS
To pay:- Mrs D Burt ï¿½ clerkï¿½s salary (2 months) 514.46
Expenses 94.81
Plus invoices:- Scats Batchelor – posts for The Pound and slam posts for rec: gates 121.50
Hart & Sons ï¿½ fittings for seat at The Pound 10.47
Scats Batchelor ï¿½ posts for Belchalwell 45.80
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Hart & Sons ï¿½ padlocks for rec: gates 14.84 ï¿½801.88
It was proposed by Cllr Frampton & seconded by Cllr Horton that this is paid, this was agreed.
The clerk reported having received a cheque for ï¿½10 from Mr & Mrs Bright 62 Greenhayes in respect of access to their garage.
Also received a cheque from Mr Casebourne for ï¿½20, ie ï¿½10 in respect of a licence to park two cars on Greenhayes and ï¿½10 for occasional access to his barn for a kit car. Mr Casebourne indicated that he had now sold the kit car. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Buckley and seconded by Cllr Horton that a letter be written to Mr Casebourne to ascertain whether he was going to replace the kit car, this was agreed.
A letter of thanks had been received from the CAB for the council donation.
An updated assets list was circulated to councillors to take away for their comments.

11) PLANNING MATTERS
a) applications 2/2004/0092 & 2/2004/9011(LB) ï¿½ G Ruckert & M Wellbeloved, Sturminster Marshall. The Mill, Little Lane ï¿½ erect garage extension. There was some concern about access to the proposed garages, after some discussion it was agreed to offer no objection but to make comment about the access onto Little Lane.
2/2004/0127 ï¿½ K Snook, Garlands Farm. Construct manege. No objections.
2/2204/9018(conservation area) ï¿½ RB Snook. Hillside, Back Lane. Demolish 3dwellings and outbuildings. No objections.
b) decisions 2/2003/1148 ï¿½ Land at Hartcliff Farm ï¿½ use of land to store equipment and materials associated with landscape contractors business. GRANTED until 31/01/09
2/2004/0002 ï¿½ 14 Castle Ave ï¿½ 1st floor side extension, pitched roof over porch. GRANTED.
c) other 2/2003/1167 ï¿½ Hillside, Back Lane erect 4 dwellings. Because of PC objection to this application an invitation had been received to attend the meeting of the planning committee on March 2nd at 10 am. Cllr Horton attended and voiced the councilï¿½s concern about the number of dwellings proposed and the lack of adequate public turning space. The representative for DCC suggested that the bridleway could be utilised for turning. NDDC had previously refused an application for 5 dwellings on grounds of too much traffic likely to be generated. The current application for 4 dwellings only reduces the development by 2 bedrooms. The planning committee were 8 in favour with 1 abstention. Cllr Horton would enquire whether this decision could be called in. It was agreed to write to NDDC voicing the councilï¿½s concern about the change of policy regarding highway matters in that area.
2/2003/0974 and 2/2003/1087 ï¿½ land at Okeford Hill. A reply had been received from the enforcement office NDDC saying that negotiations were now going on with the land owners to put a lesser application in so no enforcement would take place at present unless the situation deteriorates. It was agreed to write back reiterating the councilï¿½s concern for the future of the land which is in an AONB and would affect the conservation area.

12) A.O.B.
Cllr Trowbridge circulated copies of a questionnaire from a local GCSE student who wanted information for her studies.

13) THE NEXT MEETING will be the Annual Parish Meeting on April 6th at the Pavilion at 7-30 pm followed by normal business. There being no further business the chairman thanked everyone present and closed the meeting at 9-56 pm.