2nd August 2005
Published unapproved for ratification at the September 6th meeting.
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILION ON AUGUST 2nd 2005
Present:- Cllr M Burt (chairman)
Cllr E Horton (vice chairman)
Cllr Mrs A Buckley
Cllr R Corben
Cllr S Corben
Cllr B Trowbridge
1) APOLOGIES Cllr A Frampton (working). Cllr Trowbridge also apologised for not attending the last meeting.
2) THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 5TH MEETING having been circulated to councillors and notice boards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr R Corben and seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley that they be signed by the chairman, his was agreed.
3) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 5 ONLY None
4) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Burt declared an interest in item 6b planning decisions.
5) MATTERS ARISING
i) Recreation Ground
The clerk reported having received an email from the Dorset County Football Association regarding the �Goalpost Safety Scheme�. (Copied to Cllrs Frampton and S Corben)
The chairman reported having cleaned out the drains to the north of the pavilion and laying tarmac.
The playground inspector from RoSPA had made his inspection the report has not yet been received. The chairman had accompanied the inspector and reported that there is a problem with a cracked plate on the bed of the roundabout. At a later date he was made aware of a similar roundabout in the area which was about to be condemned as unfit for use and had made representations to the PC concerned that if they decided not to repair it this council would be interested in obtaining it for spare parts. Regarding disability access the inspector said that he felt that there was no need for tarmac paths in the area. However he suggested that if repairs were to be made to the concrete area near the pavilion this area could be built up and a ramp incorporated running to the back of the building making access to the play equipment easier. As this area had been earmarked for a garage there was some discussion about which was more essential. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the ramp project should go ahead, this was agreed.
Cllr S Corben said that the outside of the Pavilion was in need of painting and that the Football Club would do the job at no cost to the PC, the council thanked the FC.
Cllr R Corben asked whether the seesaw would soon be back in service. The clerk would contact Mr Senner for an update.
Cllr S Corben asked whether a temporary ramp could be acquired for the front doors to aid wheelchair access. The chairman said it may be possible to incorporate a concrete one, Cllr Corben said he could make one, both these options to be looked into. Cllr Bignell said that there were regulations about ramps which should be looked at.
ii) Bowey Field
RoSPA inspection � the chairman reported that the inspector agreed that the planned tarmac path would meet the safety requirements. The report is awaited.
The clerk reported that she and the chairman had met with a representative from Signpost Housing Group with regard to the grant applied for, for the path project. The representative said that they had been overwhelmed with applications and a subsequent letter confirmed that a decision would not be made until late August.
The chairman said that the litter problem had improved at Bowey and Cllr Mrs Buckley suggested that a thank you be put in the parish magazine.
The chairman reported having an enquiry about the ownership of the small triangle of land to the north west of the field he had suggested that the person contacts land registry.
The chairman reported that there was a hole in the fence which needed repair.
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Cllr Trowbridge asked if he could have a map of the field so that he could mark on the old drainage system dug by Italian POW�s in the 1940�s.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
The chairman reported that the notes of the quarterly liaison meeting had been circulated and asked that councillors delete residents� names on page 3. The notice board copies had already been replaced and amended copies had been sent to NDDC, Faccenda and the MP with a note asking them to destroy the originals. This action had followed communication from residents which had been copied to councillors. Revealing the names of persons writing letters or emails was discussed and it was agreed that it is difficult to get the balance right. On one hand the council must be seen to be responding to that person and on the other there could be data protection issues. Cllr Horton felt that if people wanted their names withheld then that request should be included in the correspondence. Cllr R Corben said that if someone wanted to complain then they should be prepared to be named. It was agreed that in future the clerk would not generally disclose names in minutes or notes.
Cllr Mrs Buckley had asked about communication between lorries coming in and out of the factory. The chairman had spoken to the factory manager and he had confirmed that this practice is still in operation.
Cllr Trowbridge said he had suggested that a wall would help to stop noise at the south side of the factory. The chairman said that noise levels had reduced following various measures undertaken by Faccenda.
iv) Chicken Houses Shillingstone Lane
Cllr Horton had been given an odour diary, the clerk would copy it to NDDC.
v) New Cross
A reply from DCC had been received saying that they would look into the situation.
vi) Community Planning NFTR
vii) Seat
DCC have replied saying that when the proposed location is known it can be looked at for highway issues. Clerk to send a map to Mr Mann.
viii) Housing Needs Survey
NFTR. Clerk to write to the housing policy manager for an update.
ix) Orchard Close NFTR
x) Parish Boundary Review
NFTR. Clerk to write to NDDC for an update.
xi) Fiddleford Speed Limit
The new 40 mph speed limit is now in operation.
xii) Trafalgar weekend October 21st � 23rd NFTR
xiii) Vacancy for Clerk
The clerk reported having sent out 6 application forms and that none had been returned. She suggested that she stay in the post for a further 6 months and advertise again later in the year. If this was acceptable then she would want an extra 2 hours per week as offered to a new clerk and an increase from �7.42 per hour to the minimum rate of �7.62.
The chairman declared an interest as the clerk was his wife.
After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr R Corben that the clerk be given an extra two hours per week and that the rate be increased to SCP 20 which would give �8.76 per hour to come into effect immediately, this was agreed.
xiv) Subsidence � Castle Lane
DCC has investigated this problem and has marked the road for repairs.
xv) Shillingstone Lane � speed limit
A meeting has been arranged with DCC on August 10th to look at the situation, chairman, vice chairman and clerk to attend.
xvi) Subsidence � Shillingstone Lane
DCC are investigating this problem, clerk to write again if necessary.
xvii) Any Other Matters Arising
The chairman reported having attended the emergency planning day. He felt that an emergency plan should be in place and he suggested that a meeting be called later in the year with a view to forming a committee. Possibly a village plan could be discussed as well.
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6) PLANNING MATTERS
a) applications 2/2005/9107(LB) Lt Col Willoughby, Sherborne. Carry out internal and external alterations Thornhill Farmhouse, Higher Street. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that there be no objection, this was agreed.
2/2005/0760 Mr & Mrs Downton, 7, Castle Lane. Erect conservatory. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Burt that there be no objection, this was agreed.
b) decisions 2/2005/0551, 14 Castle Ave. Erect 2 storey side extension. REFUSED
2/2005/0536, Hartcliff Farm. Erect 2 storey side extension. REFUSED
2/2005/0526, Barkhill Farmhouse. Erect conservatory. GRANTED
c) other The chairman reported that he and the vice chairman had attended various focus group meetings regarding the new Local Development Framework. He felt that as the Rural Spacial Strategy and the Government are directing what can be built and where the whole exercise was a waste of time, the vice chairman concurred.
A resident had questioned whether planning permission was needed for gallops which appear to have been installed on Okeford Hill. Cllr Horton to follow up.
Land at Okeford Hill/Back Lane � clarification had been sought from the enforcement officer at NDDC and it had been confirmed that if the land is being sold off in smaller pieces then it was possible that the buildings may have to be removed as the agricultural need would not then exist, she would investigate. It is thought that the land is already in the ownership of at least four persons. It was agreed that the clerk follow this up with the enforcement officer and Land Registry.
7) CORRESPONDENCE
� DAPTC � circular 10, resolutions for the NALC AGM Sept 23/25 are requested as soon as possible. Also resolutions for the DAPTC AGM which takes place on Nov 5th.
� NDDC � �pre submission public consultation statement of community involvement, planning and compulsory purchase act regulation 26�. Comments by August 31st (copy given to Cllr Horton).
� DCC � Dorset local access forum appeal for volunteer members.
� Dorset AONB ��Reclaiming our Rural Highways� � training day Sept 29th. (passed to Cllr Horton).
8) Representative�s Reports
Football Club � Cllr S Corben reported that youth teams would be visiting Wales shortly.
Footpaths � Cllr S Corben reported that a bridge on footpath 44 is overgrown and offered to clear it, the chairman thanked him.
Village Hall � Cllr Burt reported that preliminary work would start on the extension this week. He had spoken to the Fire Officer and it was hoped that work could be arranged so that there would be minimum disruption to hall bookings.
Cllr Trowbridge said that members of the Bowls Club had offered to clear the area at the back of the hall, Cllr Burt thanked him.
School Liaison Officer � Cllr Mrs Buckley confirmed that a permanent new head teacher had not been appointed and that an acting head teacher would be in post for September.
9) DISTRICT COUNCILLOR�S REPORT
Cllr Bignell reported that the District Council had been capped after a Government warning that it should not go above a 5% increase (the increase was 23%). The cost of reissuing bills will be around �100.000 the council may appeal, he had been against the increase and felt that the responsibility allowance should be used.
There are only a few days for registering under the new licensing laws, he said that there were only about half of the anticipated applicants.
10) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mr Gillingham gave an update on the bus services.
Mr Loving expressed concern about the way in which District Council contractors were cutting the grass areas and damaging posts with strimmers.
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11) FINANCIAL MATTERS
To pay:- TES � annual inspection of boilers 160.50
Mrs D Burt � invoices:-
Harts � paint for roundabout 9.49 }
B&Q � tarmac for rec grnd 13.68 }
B&Q � tarmac for rec grnd 21.66 } 44.83
It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr R Corben that these be paid, this was agreed.
Paid by direct debit � Southern Electric �234.48
The clerk reported having 12 Jubilee mugs left, the chairman suggested that an offer be put in the Parish Magazine that any children either new to the village or born since the Jubilee could be given one on a first come first served basis. The clerk suggested that otherwise they could be given to local organisations for fund raising purposes. It was agreed to put the offer in the magazine.
A donation of �1.50 for a mug was received.
12) A.O.B.
The chairman reported having reported to �Clarence� damage to the railings on High Pavement (ref 159238).
Also reported to �Clarence� blocked drains south of The Pound (ref 160142) these appear to have been cleared.
The clerk reported that the Shillingstone Lane sign at the junction with Back Lane is in need of repair/renewal, clerk to follow up.
13) THE NEXT MEETING will be on September 6th at The Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7-30 pm. There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9.38pm.
