Minutes published unapproved for ratification at the meeting on 6 March 2012
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 7 FEBRUARY 2012
PRESENT: Cllr M Burt (Chairman)
Cllr Fox (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr R Corben
Cllr S Corben
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr M Paine
Cllr M Wood
Also present: – Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk), Cllr A Burch, NDDC and 8 members of the public.
1. APOLOGIES:
2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 3 JANUARY 2012: having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Wood and seconded by Cllr Fox they be signed by the Chairman, this was agreed.
3. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 6 ONLY. None
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs Burt & Frampton as members of the Village Hall Management Committee.
Cllrs Burt & Wood as members of the DAPTC.
Cllr Burt as member of CPEND and LDWG.
Cllrs R & S Corben & Frampton as members of Okeford United Football Club
Cllrs R & S Corben as members of Okeford Fitzpaine Allotment Society
Cllr R Corben declared an interest in item 7.1 as he was related to the applicant of 25 Castle Avenue.
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District & County Councillors’ Report: Cllr Burch advised that she had been liaising with Mr S Graeser, NDDC with regard to the enforcement notices in place for Back Lane and would continue to do so until the matter had been settled. She advised that at letter had been received from Mr Shapps, MP to say that the ‘right to buy’ was still current and that every property bought from the affordable housing stock would be replaced. Cllr Burt expressed concerns that if this did not happen then extreme difficulties would be encountered in the future. She went on to explain that the District Council were in the process of setting its budget for the coming year, she expressed concerns about the uncertain future and asked the Parish Council to consider setting its precept to cover 2/3 years instead of the usual 1 year as this would be helpful to the District Council. Cllr Burt stated that although expenditure remained reasonably static it was difficult to know if any larger projects would arise.
Cllr Burt advised that he had received an email from a local resident regarding damage caused to his vehicle by potholes. He had forwarded the email to Cllr Cox, DCC and had since had a site meeting with an officer from the Highway department who explained that the roads were examined 4 times per year and potholes would need to be 300 mm across and 4cm deep before action would be taken. 5 potholes requiring attention had been identified and had now been sorted, along with number of smaller potholes.
6. MATTERS ARISING
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Recreation Ground/Pavilion: Cllr Burt advised that the electrical works to the extension had now been completed at a cost of £204.00. Work would continue once volunteers had sufficient spare time. Cllr S Corben advised that he had repaired a door after the key had broken in the lock.
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Bowey Field: Mrs Deary reported that she had emailed the supplier of the new play equipment for a start date but no reply had yet been received. Cllr Paine advised that a site visit had taken place on 6 February 2012 and it was agreed that work would begin week commencing 20 February 2012.
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Village Hall Extension and Car Park: Cllr Burt advised that during the recent storm, trees were damaged in the green area and have been made safe. The scrub near the seat which was badly damaged has been cleared. He proposed that the Parish Council pay the cost of building the continuation of the retaining wall and move the seat into the cleared area in front of the wall. Cllr Wood felt uncertain that this work was required due to the sloping bank. All Councillors agreed to look at the situation and discuss further at the next meeting.
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Community Planning: N.F.T.R
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Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: None
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Actions Highlighted in the Parish Plan: Cllr Burt informed the Council that he had received an email from a resident regarding the 20 mph speed limit as raised in the Parish Plan, he had passed the email to Cllr H Cox, DCC. Mrs Deary advised that she had written to DCC in the past requesting a 20 mph speed limit but had been advised that due to budget restraints it was not possible at that time. Mrs Deary to write to DCC again for a further update.
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Home Watch: Cllr Wood advised that the next meeting would take place on 9 February and that the fire officer would be attending.
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Land at top of Back Lane: See minute 5.
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Land at bottom of Okeford Hill: See minute 5.
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The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge: Mrs Deary advised that she had forwarded the completed paperwork, no further correspondence had been received. It was requested that Mrs Deary write again for an update.
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6.12 Okeford Fitzpaine Housing Survey Results: The housing survey report stated that both qualitative and quantitative evidence from survey returns and data from the authority’s housing register would be used to investigate a case for a new affordable housing development in Okeford Fitzpaine. Such provision was by no means certain, even though housing need had been identified.
All households who expressed an urgent affordable housing need had been advised to register their names with neighbouring authorities, in addition to North Dorset District Council’s housing waiting list, in order to be considered for affordable rented accommodation in a reasonable radius of Okeford Fitzpaine. Mrs Deary was asked to write to NDDC to enquire what actions they intended to take to provide the required housing as highlighted in the survey.
7. PLANNING MATTERS:
7.1 Applications: 2/2012/0001/PLNG – 25 Castle Avenue, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RY – Erect a two story extension. Cllr Wood presented the application he explained that the proposed extension reached the boundary of the property, following discussion Cllr Frampton proposed no objection, this was seconded by Cllr S Corben and agreed by Council
2/2012/0029/PLNG – Froghole Farm, The Hollow, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, variation on condition one from planning permission 2/2008/0018 to vary the limited time period ending 29 February 2016. Cllr Wood presented the application. Following discussion Cllr S Corben proposed no objection, this was seconded by Cllr Fox and agreed by Council
Notification of intent to carry out works to trees within a conservation area – 23 Lower Street, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum Dorset, DT11 0RN – Pollard during dormancy removing branches 3-4m in length of 1 x Lime tree. Councillors noted the report, no objections were raised.
Notification of intent to carry out works to trees within a conservation area – 6 Fippenny Hollow, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum Dorset, DT11 0SD – Re-pollard back to previous points, removing all branches of 1 x walnut tree. Councillors noted the report, no objections were raised.
7.2 Decisions: 2/2011/1383/PLNG – Mill Farm, Shillingstone Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RB – Demolish existing conservatory and erect replacement conservatory – GRANTED
2/2011/1333/PLNG – Mill Farm, Shillingstone Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RB – Erect conservatory (demolish existing conservatory) – GRANTED
2/2011/1258/PLNG – Former Primitive Methodist Chapel, Pound Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset – Change of us from B8 storage to 1 dwelling (classC3). Erect detached garage and create 2 x parking spaces – GRANTED
2/2011/1417 – Langstone House, Lower Street, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 0RN – Install acoustic plasterboard and carry out internal alterations in association with this – GRANTED
7.3 Any other planning matters: 2/2011/1265/PLNG – Land at Okeford Hill, Back Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset – Erect 1 x single storey dwelling, 1 x mobile home, stable to house 26 horses and create 5 x parking spaces. Due to further information and changes to the planning application Council agreed to discuss this application again. Cllr Burt advised that the applicant had agreed to provide 2 passing places on Back Lane and to ensure that the gateway to the proposed development was big enough to turn a vehicle round if necessary.
Members of the public spoke in support of the application and raised the following points:
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horse lorries could be driven up back lane with no problems
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most of the work needed would be done on site, therefore reducing vehicle movement
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no objections had been received from the Highways department
Following discussions the Council felt that although the proposed passing places and turning point improved the situation it did not make a lot of difference. Cllr Wood proposed supporting the changes. Cllr R Corben proposed and Cllr Fox seconded that the application be objected to on the same grounds as before, these being poor access to the site using a narrow unmade road with a blind bend which would be churned up by the extra traffic causing water to run down it and increased traffic in Back Lane. The Council voted 5 in favour of this proposal with 1 against.
7.4 Updates: NONE
8. CORRESPONDENCE FOR 7 FEBRUARY 2012 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
The Rural ‘G’ – Homewatch newsletter Blandford Rural Jan 2012
Homewatch Newsletter – Blandford South Dec 2011
DAPTC – Chief Executive’s Extraordinary Circular
Dorset Waste Partnership News
North Dorset Draft Housing Strategy 2012-2015 – Consultation information
Homewatch Newsletter, Blandford South, January 2012
The Rural ‘G’ Blandford Rural February 2012
NDDC Corporate Plan consultation information
9. REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS:
Rights of Way/Footpaths: Cllr Paine reported that horses were being ridden upto the footpath opposite The Pound and this had scared a number of children, he had passed this concern to DCC. He also reported that the bridle fence on the footpath at the top of Greenhayes was broken.
Football Club: Cllr S Corben reported that the football team had reached the semi-final of the Dorset Senior Trophy and would be playing Sturminster Newton.
Cllr Burt informed the Council that he had received comments on how well run the football club was. Cllr S Corben advised that he had also received compliments on the Recreation Ground and its facilities.
Village Hall: N.F.T.R.
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POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC: A member of the public advised that there was a 20 mph speed limit in Child Okeford and asked if we could seek advice from them on how to achieve this. Cllr Burt explained that the police are unable to enforce a 20 mph speed limit, however Mrs Deary was asked to write again to DCC to clarify the situation (See Minute 6.6).
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FINANCIAL MATTERS:
11.1 Accounts paid since last meeting:
Mr Gordon Wells
£980 – Extension Works Chq No 658
11.2 Accounts to be paid:
Mrs Sandra Deary – Salary and Printer Ink
£341.81 Chq No 659
Cllr M Burt – Extension Sundries
£115.07 Chq No 660
Mr P Hall – Extension Supplies
£146.17 Chq No 661
British Gas – Pavilion Gas
£260.32 Chq No 662
Scottish Southern Energy
£204.00 – Connect extension electricity Chq No 663
It was proposed by Cllr R Corben and seconded by Cllr Fox that these be paid. This was agreed by Council.
A donation of £1000 was received from the Football Club, the Council asked Cllr S Corben to pass on their thanks.
11.3 60 Greenhayes, Parking & Access. Following discussion it was agreed that the licenses for parking and access should continue with the same terms as last year. Mrs Deary to inform the residents.
11.4 Annual Risk Assessment: The Council discussed the annual risk assessment. The only concern raised by the internal auditor was PAYE needed to be paid by the clerk. Mrs Deary informed the Council that she had been paying PAYE as required since April this year.
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ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Cllr Burt advised that following the granting of permission for NDDC to use the Beacon for the Queens Jubilee celebrations nothing further had been heard. He had received an email from Mr Bruno Peeks to make sure that the Beacon was registered to be lit, after contacting Mr Kevin Morris, NDDC it was ascertained that the Beacon was not registered but Mr K Morris has now done this. He advised that a promotional event was taking place on Saturday and that all Councillors and local residents were welcome to attend. Following further discussions it was agreed that the Parish Council would organise a street party for the day of the Queens Jubilee, this would be headed by Cllr Fox. Mrs Deary was asked to look into the cost of commemorative mugs for each of the children in the Parish.
Mrs Deary reported that she had ordered the new No Dogs Allowed signs for the recreation ground. She would look again at the cost of a new sign for the Beacon.
A further letter had been received with regard to signage to keep traffic coming down the hill to the left of the Island, following discussion Mrs Deary was asked to write again to the resident concerned advising him that the island was improved in 2001, at that time it was felt that the junction was suitable, if he required any further action he would need to contact the Highways department and DCC.
13. THE NEXT MEETING will be held on Tuesday 6 March 2012 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30 pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 9.30pm.
