5th October 2004
Published unapproved for ratification at the November 2nd meeting.
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 5TH 2004
Present:- Cllr M Burt (chairman)
Cllr E Horton (vice chairman)
Cllr Mrs A Buckley
Cllr S Corben
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr B Trowbridge
Also present:- Mrs D Burt (clerk) and seven members of the public.
1) APOLOGIES Cllr Bignell (NDDC), Cllr Campbell (DCC) and Cllr R Corben.
2) THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 7TH meeting having been circulated to councillors and notice boards 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.
The chairman welcomed new member Stephen Corben to the council.
3) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 5 ONLY none
4) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Burt declared an interest in a planning issue (item 11a) neighbour of applicant.
5) MATTERS ARISING
i) Casual Vacancy on PC
Stephen Corben was elected on September 23rd, 181 (24.9%) turned out to vote. The clerk had given him all relevant information about the Code of Conduct and asked him to sign a declaration of acceptance of office and the notification of financial and other interests. The clerk then gave him a copy of standing orders and the publication �Good Councillor�s Guide�.
The new council photograph would now need to be arranged.
The chairman thanked everyone for voting and all those who stood as this can only promote a healthy democracy.
ii) Recreation Ground
x) The chairman thanked Cllrs Frampton and Corben for keeping the grass cut and Cllr Frampton and his father for work done on the refurbishment of the toilets, clearing the ditch and trimming the hedge. Cllr Frampton said that the work was on behalf of the Football Club and Cllr Trowbridge said that it was good to have such cooperation.
x) Sport England is celebrating its 10th birthday in November and are asking recipients of grants to do something to help celebrate, Cllr Frampton reported that the Football Club are offering free admission and will be advertising in the local free paper.
x) Wicksteed Leisure has sent a new edition of its guide to the Disability Discrimination Act. It was agreed it would be very difficult to make the play area suitable for all forms of disability, but it was thought that tarmac paths around the pieces of equipment would make it easier to access all the equipment. Councillors were asked to look at the site before the next meeting with a view to getting quotes to lay tarmac paths.
x) The RoSPA report has highlighted some low risk items to be dealt with.
x) The chairman has had to replace the floodlight on the end of the building with a more substantial fitting.
x) Cllr S Corben agreed to be put on the gate rota and as given a list of dates.
x) Cllr Trowbridge asked if enough money was allocated to cut the hedge and clear the mound of earth at the top end of the field this will need to be looked at.
x) Cllr S Corben asked about dogs on the field. Dogs are allowed on the footpath on a lead.
iii) Bowey Field
x) The Disability Discrimination Act � the councillors were asked to look at the site before the next meeting with a view to getting quotes to lay tarmac paths.
x) The RoSPA report highlighted some low risk items to be dealt with.
x) The chairman has repaired/replaced the broken post and rail on the fence.
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x) There are a number of areas that need weeding and cutting back, it was agreed to have a clear up day on November 20th and invite helpers via the parish magazine.
iv) Chicken Processing Factory NTR
v) Extension of 30 mph speed limit
DCC say there were no objections following public advertisement and the work will be carried out as soon as possible. But there may be a delay because of staff problems in the legal department.
vi) New Cross NFTR
vii) Community Planning
The minutes of the last SturQuest meeting have been copied to Cllr Horton. He had been asked whether the council would be happy with the magazine unity.com being delivered in the village it is already available at the shop. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley that there is no objection to the magazine being put through letter boxes but that an input from Okeford would be valuable, this was agreed.
Cllr Burt reported that he had been appointed by the DAPTC to the Community Planning Steering Group. His attendance at a recent meeting had raised further concerns which he would be reporting at the next DAPTC meeting.
viii) Travellers NFTR
ix) Belchalwell Payphone NFTR
x) Post Office
The chairman reported that the new sign had now arrived but not yet been fitted.
xi) Road Markings
These have now been done. Item discharged.
xii) Fiddleford Pond Project NFTR
xiii) A model Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees (consultation)
The document was read and a consensus was reached on the questions asked. (the full consultation code may be viewed at www.odpm.gov.uk click on local government then consultation papers)
xiv) A review of the Regulatory Framework Governing the Political Activities of Local Government Employees (consultation) Deferred to next meeting.
xv) Any Other Matters Arising NONE
6) CORRESPONDENCE
o ND Community Safety Partnership � crime audit survey ( given to councillors)
o NDDC � draft licensing policy for consultation (Sept 6th � Nov 26th).
o NDDC � planning applications & proposed changes to council�s scheme of delegation.
o NDDC � notice of Information and Development day Oct 15th 9-30a m � 4pm to deal with the two items above. Cllr Horton and Burt to attend.
o DCC � notice of vacancy on School Governors, circulated to councillors.
o Dorset Countryside � Look again project poster for notice boards.
o Dorset Police � Eastern community support unit rota for 2004/05.
o DCA � affordable housing in Okeford Fitzpaine. Housing Enabler wishes to attend a meeting. It was agreed to invite her to the next or subsequent meeting. (Clerk�s note � arranged for Nov 2nd)
o Society of Local Council Clerks � Funding & Managing Community projects 1 day conference.
o DCC � Dorset Waste Forum next meeting November 30th at Ferndown. Cllr Burt to attend.
o Chalk & Hawks Project � nest box workshop or talk & slide show � for parish magazine.
o DCC � BH, Poole, Dorset waste Local Plan published � on deposit until Nov 11th.
o DCC � temporary traffic management order A357 Shillingstone.
o DCC � temporary road closure A357 Lydlinch.
o Defra � consultation on clean neighbourhoods closes Sep 24th.
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o Southwest Regional Assembly � Regional Spatial Strategy consultation – comments by Nov 26th � circulated to councillors for next meeting.
o DAPTC � information on Crime & Disorder consultation day Oct 14th , race relations update (circulated to councillors), notice of AGM October 30th.
o Environment Agency � Annual Flood wardens seminar Oct 8th � Cllr Burt to attend.
7) REPRESENTATIVE�S REPORTS
Footpath Liaison Officer � Footpath 66 – Cllr Horton reported that the hedge had now been cut back. Footpath 11 – Awaiting response from Hinton St Mary Estate. Footpath 48 � Cllr Horton has arranged to meet DCC on site regarding safety barriers.
Village Hall Management Committee � Cllr Burt reported that the application for a grant from the Liveability Fund had been rejected. An access audit in line with the Disability Discrimination Act is to be done costing around �300.
DAPTC � Cllr Burt said that there was concern about the benefit of parish plans as what parishes require may not be achievable due to Government constraints.
School Governors � Cllr Mrs Buckley has applied for a LEA seat and although not officially representing the PC could give a report thus keeping a link.
8) DISTRICT COUNCILLOR�S REPORT
Cllr Bignell via the clerk � key issues Licensing legislation and changes to the delegated powers of the Development Control Officers � �the original suggestion was that the automatic referral to the committee of any application where the Parish or Town Council objected was being removed. The chairman, vice chairman and a planning officer could decide to use delegated powers. It was agreed that the local member should and would be consulted and have a veto. This I believe will safeguard the interests of parishes�. There is a recommendation that NDDC tax be raised by up to 168% over the next four years to eliminate its reliance on reserves and capital which was opposed by Cllr Bignell.
9) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mr Gillingham reported on some public transport matters. He also said that he had been to DCC office at Stour Park and reported to them that the hedge near Highbench in Lower Street needed cutting back as it was overhanging the highway and could be dangerous.
Via the chairman � a resident at Bowey had complained about rooks roosting/nesting in trees near her house and asked whether a shoot could be arranged. The chairman had contacted NDDC who had said that they were not protected and there was nothing to prevent them being shot within reason.
10) FINANCIAL MATTERS PLUS 1ST DRAFT OF 2005/2006 PRECEPT
To pay:-
Post Office Limited � Gas 27.74
Southern Electric � museum/bus shelter 8.98 }
Pavilion 50.17 } 59.15
Mrs D Burt � invoices:- gate keys 6.20 }
Bolts Bowey Field fence 4.74 }
Fuel for mower 3.32 }
Light for pavilion 88.83 } 103.09
Mrs D Burt � invoice:- S/N Building Supplies � door and hinges 65.84
It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the above be paid, this was agreed. (cheques signed by Cllr Horton and Trowbridge).
The clerk reported having received a letter of thanks from CAB.
The clerk reported having received a donation of �30 from Faccenda for use of the Pavilion for a meeting with MP.
The clerk presented the 1st draft of the 2005/2006 precept and said she had kept it at �10000 as the previous year. There was some discussion but no changes were offered, it will now go on the notice boards for further comment at the November meeting.
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11) PLANNING MATTERS
a) applications 2/2004/0935 � Mr K Turner, Banbury Cross Cottage. Erect kennel block. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that there be no objection to this application.
2/2004/0962 (outline) � Mr R Lyon, Cheltenham. Erect dwelling, garage and form vehicular access to part of garden of 20 Mary Gardens. Following much discussion it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr S Corben that the PC objects to this application on the grounds that it would be overdevelopment of the site, and cause noise nuisance and loss of privacy to neighbours. This was agreed unanimously.
2/2004/0986 � Mr & Mrs Mott, Primrose Cottage, Belchalwell. Demolish existing garage and porch and erect two story extensions. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that there be no objection to this application but would ask that a condition be applied to remove permitted development rights on the south east extension to prevent the installation of windows at first floor level without planning permission. This was agreed unanimously.
2/2004/0985 Miss Guggenheim, Bournemouth. Station temporary mobile home for equestrian worker at Froghole Farm.
(Cllr Burt declared an interest and left the room. Cllr Horton took the chair. The clerk offered to leave the room as she is a neighbour but the council declined the offer).
Cllr Horton went over the history of the site and the reason for the application. After much discussion it was proposed to object to the application on the grounds that the access is inferior and the problem could be exacerbated by intended future associated events. A vote was taken – 3 for, 1 against, 1 abstention, the proposition was therefore carried.
(Cllr Burt was asked to retake the chair).
b) decisions NONE
c) other 2/2004/0259 land at OS 6961 & 6537 rear of Back Lane – erect 2 agricultural buildings. This application was heard today at NDDC. There had been a site meeting. Cllr Bignell had been unable to attend the meeting and had written a letter endorsing the PC�s view. The chairman had spoken to the Water Board informing them that the proposed buildings would be on a high pressure water main. Cllr Horton reported that permission had been given but that there were conditions, we await the final decision.
12) A.O.B.
Cllr Horton said he wished to attend a seminar run by the CPRE on planning and the structure plan but would pay the fee himself.
Cllr S Corben was concerned that recycling bins were not parish wide.
13) THE NEXT MEETING will be November 2nd at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7-30 p m. There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 10.16 p m.
