Minutes published unapproved for ratification at the 1 December 2013
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 5 NOVEMBER 2013
PRESENT: Cllr M Burt, Chairman
Cllr R Corben
Cllr S Corben
Cllr B Fox
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr M Paine
Cllr M Wood
Also present: – Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk) Mr A Saberton, Tree Officer and 1 member of public.
1 APOLOGIES:
2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 1 OCTOBER 2013: having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Paine and seconded by Cllr R Corbenthey be signed by the Chairman, this was agreed.
3. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 7 ONLY. None
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Members were reminded of the need to declare an interest if it was not already disclosed on their declaration of disclosable pecuniary interest form held by the Clerk.
5. GRANTING OF DISPENSATIONS:
6. District & County Councillors’ Report: None
7. MATTERS ARISING
7.1 Recreation Ground/Pavilion to include Recycling Centre Items: Cllr Burt advised that he had replaced the emergency light which had failed during the recent storm and that he had purchased a spare. He had also put a blanking plate on the switch box. He advised that the new doors for the pavilion had been ordered. Cllr S Corben advised the Council that the air ambulance recycling bank was full again, Cllr Burt informed the Council that he had reported this. Cllr Burt had now installed the screen and IT boxes and had ordered speakers for the new system. Cllr S Corben thanked the Chairman for all the work he had carried out. Cllr Fox advised that in order to bid for funding for the new toilets and refurbishment of the old toilets an estimate of volunteer hours would be required and a cost for the materials. Cllr Burt advised that the cost for new cubicles would be in the region of £1000 per cubicle with 2 cubicle being required. A figure of approximately £1000 would be needed for the rest of the work. It was considered that it would take 2 men a week to complete the works. The old toilets would need tidying up and would cost in the region of £300 – £500 and take 2 days to complete.
Cllr Burt advised that a few safety surface tiles were needed for the entrance to the pitch.
Cllr Frampton advised that the mower needed servicing and that he would ensure this was carried out.
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Bowey Field: The Clerk advised that the Grant of £8000 from Awards for All for the new play equipment had been received and also £7000 from the Bowey Field Group. She added that she had sent of the first payment for the new equipment and the final payment would be sent tomorrow once the cheque had been signed. The play equipment had now been installed and was being used by the local children. Mr Saberton, tree officer, felt that the equipment now in Bowey field impressively covered a large range of ages. Cllr Burt advised that some parents had said they would like to see baby swings but this would be for a future project.
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Village Hall Extension and Car Park: Cllr Burt advised that plans had now been received and that he would liaise with Building Control at NDDC to ensure they were correct. He would liaise with Cllr Fox with regard to putting in a funding bid.
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Community Planning: The Clerk advised that she had put an advert in the Fippenny News asking for volunteers to sit on a sub-committee to produce a neighbourhood plan. Mr H Moore of Myrtle Cottage had contacted the Clerk to volunteer to sit on the sub-committee. Cllr Fox advised that Mr & Mrs Faraday had previously shown an interest and agreed to contact them to see if they were still interested. The first meeting of the sum-committee would be arranged in the near future.
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Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: The Clerk advised that she received a call from DCC advising that some work had been carried out to improve the road between the cross and Garlands Lane. Further work had been put on the list for future works. Cllr Fox advised that damage to the road had been caused by heavy machinery used by the water board.
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Home Watch: The Clerk advised that she had put an article in the Fippenny News asking for volunteers to take part in the Community Speed Watch initiative. Cllr Wood advised that he now had 6 volunteers and would be applying to use the equipment held at Blandford Police station. The next Home Watch meeting would take place on 21 November 2013.
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Land at top of Back Lane: Cllr Burt advised that he and Cllr Fox had attended a meeting with Mr J Hammond, Development Services Manager at NDDC and Mr M Hitchcott, Enforcement Officer at NDDC. Cllr Burt advised that Mr Hitchcott was unaware of the enforcement notice served on land at the Bottom of Okeford Hill. Further investigations were being carried out.
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Land at bottom of Okeford Hill: Please see minute 7.7
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Okeford Fitzpaine Housing Survey Results: The Clerk advised that she had written to Mr J Hammond, Development Services Manager, NDDC to ask for his thoughts on the Okeford Fitzpaine Housing Survey Results following a recent meeting with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The following email had been received in response:
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I have spoken to our rural housing enabling officer, Jo Rickman about the likely level of need & the Housing Needs Survey previously undertaken.
Since the last HNS was undertaken the arrangements for rents charged by RP’s has as you will know changed, with Associations being required to increasing seek a rent based upon 80% of the open market equivalent. This will particularly impact upon re-lets and new build housing. Additionally, the more recent changes to rent based upon level of occupancy, particularly under-occupancy will alter the types of accommodation in demand. As a result of these changes the previous HNS (which is only ever a snapshot of interest captured at any one time) will probably provide little useful information in assessing current need / aspiration to live in Okeford Fitzpaine.
Based upon the current housing need data we hold it would appear that need generated by people currently living within Okeford Fitzpaine would amount to 3 x 1 bedroom properties & 2 x 2 bedroom properties, need from surrounding villages where residents are also happy to consider Okeford Fitzpaine would give rise to 2 x 1 bedroom properties & 1 x 2 bedroom property.
To clarify the level of demand more clearly we would need to look at a re-run of the HNS to ascertain whether the people already on our waiting lists represent the totality of need or whether the act of undertaking a specific HNS would generate as yet unknown interest.
In relation to possible sites clearly we would need some indication of owner intentions before proceeding very far with particular site assessments. In general terms the current Local Plan makes provision for exceptions affordable housing sites to be brought forward where there is evidence of current need and a developer (usually Housing Association) capable of delivering long term security that the properties will remain as affordable housing. The draft New Plan which is moving towards pre-submission consultation also makes provision for exceptions sites to be brought forward on sites adjacent to existing smaller settlements as a specifically acceptable for of development even where the existing settlement may lose its settlement boundary.
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Electronic Planning Applications: The Clerk advised that she had written to Mr J Hammond, Development Services Manager, NDDC to report a problem with the sizing of plans on the internet and to advise that it was impossible to measure the scale of drawings. Mr Hammond had responded that they were aware of the problem and were looking at ways to rectify the problem.
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Draft Core Strategy: Cllr Burt advised that the Draft Core Strategy would be out for consultation shortly and that any comments would be forwarded to the inspector appointed by the Secretary of State to ensure the plan is sound for consideration.
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Seat on the Cross: The Clerk reported that a cheque for £447.60 from QBE, the Insurance company dealing with the incident concerning the demolition of the seat on the cross. This covers the cost of a new seat and plaque.
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Proposed changes to the Dorset Local Bus Network: N.F.T.R
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8. PLANNING MATTERS:
8.1 Applications: 2/2013/1141/PLNG – Land At Poppy Bank Farm, Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset DT11 0EF – Erect agricultural plant room, store and office. Following discussions concerns were raised with regard to the size of the building, it was felt that it was too large for the purpose and questions were raised whether the applicant had 8 hectares of land, as stated in the application, to warrant a plant building of this size. Concerns were also raised regarding the access and exit being positioned on a blind bend. The site is also within the AONB. Cllr Burt proposed objecting to this application on the above grounds, this was seconded by Cllr R Corben and agreed by Council.
8.2 Decisions: None
8.3 Any other planning matters:
NOTIFICATION OF INTENT TO CARRY OUT WORKS TO TREE(S) WITHIN A
CONSERVATION AREA: Maple Cottage, Shillingstone Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine
Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RB – To fell 1 x Ash – The tree officer raised concerns regarding the proximity of the school, the applicant had stated the work would be done during school holidays, he enquired if the work would be carried out in their garden not the school. The Clerk advised that she had forwarded these concerns to the Mrs S Saunders, the Tree Officer at NDDC who had responded that both herself and the Mr Harris had examined the tree she advised that although the tree showed an historical lean at its base the main stem is straight. There was no evidence of root-plate movement and the tree’s canopy was full and healthy. They would therefore not support the removal of this tree and had advised the owner accordingly, they would however support a reduction of the tree canopy of up to 25% and the removal of deadwood (the removal of deadwood is exempt from notification). The applicant was in the process of speaking to his tree surgeon in order that that the notification could be modified in favour of lesser works, if however this did not occur they would have no option but to apply a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). A further email had been received to advise that the Tree Surgeon had agreed to lesser works of a 25% crown reduction. Noted
Bramble Hill, Higher Street, Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, DT11 0RQ – To Fell 1 Goat
Willow. Noted
Capri, 12 Fippenny Hollow, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset,
DT11 0SD – To fell 1 x Ash. Noted
8.4 Updates: None
9. CORRESPONDENCE FOR 5 NOVEMBER 2013 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
DAPTC Chief Executives Circular 7/13
Dorset PCC to recruit Older People’s Advocate
DT11 Agenda for 8 October 2013
DAPTC AGM 2013 Resolutions for Consideration by member councils. Cllr Burt advised that these items had been discussed at the DAPTC AGM.
Local Flood Risk Management Consultation. Members noted this consultation.
SNT Newsletter – Blandford Rural
DT11 and CPend Minutes
Draft EU Structural & Investment Funding Strategy
Culture and Community e-news
Public Health Dorset Update bulletin – October 2013
Electoral Review of North Dorset – Draft Recommendations. Council discussed the draft recommendations. No response was required as there were no alterations to the Okeford Fitzpaine boundary.
10. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS:
Rights of Way/Footpaths: Cllr Paine reported that he has been informed that there was a fallen tree on the footpath in Back Lane, however following investigations the fallen tree was in church lane below the stables, this was being dealt with. A member of the public informed Council that the barrier at Green Hay Drove was still not fixed, Cllr Paine advised that this had been reported twice.
Football Club: N.F.T.R.
Village Hall: See minute 7.3.
Well Being Committee: Cllr Wood advised that the next meeting would take place on 25 November 2013 when the Committee would be looking into the idea of entering the Best Kept Village competition next year.
DAPTC: Cllr Burt advised that he had attended the AGM and felt that numbers were dwindling. He felt that the Northern Area meetings were not well run and that the Parishes attending were just being talked at and not listened too.
Tree Officer: The tree officer advised that he would be putting an article in the Fippenny News explaining his role. He enquired about possible places to plant donated oak trees, he was informed that the person who had offered to donate oak trees had been advised to contact the owners of High Bench.
11. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None
12. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
12.1 Accounts paid since last meeting: None
12.2 Accounts to be paid:
Mrs S Deary – Salary
£289.37 Chq No 777
Okeford Fitzpaine Village Hall – Hire of Hall
£20.00 Chq No 778
British Gas – Pavilion Gas
£108.47 Chq No 779
Glasdon U.K. Limited
£972.73 Chq No 780
Playdale Playgrounds Ltd – Bowey Play Equipment
£8725.32 Chq No 781
St Andrews Church -Grass Cutting and Magazine Donation
£600 Chq No 782
Wessex Water – Pavilion Water and Sewerage
£177.87 Chq No 783
Mr M Burt – Pavilion Sundries
£89.41 Chq No 784
Sun Trade Windows – Pavilion Doors
£1137.83 Chq No 785
It was proposed by Cllr S Corben and seconded by Cllr Fox that these be paid. This was agreed by Council.
12.3 Precept: The Clerk distributed the 1st draft precept. NDDC had not yet taken the decision as to whether the transitional grant would be passed to Parish Councils so no further discussion could take place. The Clerk was asked to write to the Chief Executive at NDDC to advise that the Parish Council were not happy that no agreement had been reached on how the Council Tax rebate scheme would work and urging her to set up an urgent meeting with Parish Councils to clarify the implications if the transitional grant was not passed on to Parish Councils to enable them to go forward with precept setting.
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: None
THE NEXT MEETING: The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 3 December 2013 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30 pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting
