Minutes published unapproved for ratification at the 5 November 2013
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 1 OCTOBER 2013
PRESENT: Cllr M Burt, Chairman
Cllr R Corben
Cllr S Corben
Cllr B Fox
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr M Paine
Also present: – Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk)
1 APOLOGIES: Cllr M Wood and Cllr A Burch, NDDC
2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 3 SEPTEMBER 2013: having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Fox and seconded by Cllr Paine they be signed by the Chairman, this was agreed.
THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 23 SEPTEMBER 2013: having been circulated at the meeting were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr R Corben and seconded by Cllr Frampton they be signed by the Chairman, this was agreed.
THE MINUTES OF THE AGM HELD ON 7 MAY 2013: having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr R Corben and seconded by Cllr Fox they 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: The Clerk advised that she had contacted the Dorset Air ambulance to advise that the recycling facility was full, this was passed to the operators who would empty it as soon as possible. The Chairman advised that he had also contacted the Dorset Air Ambulance. With regard to the new doors Cllr Burt advised that the contractors would be measuring up in the near future. With regard to the replacement tractor Cllr Burt advised that there was a place in Semley which appeared to do a good range of tractors at reasonable prices. Cllr Fox advised that she would need to speak to the Football Club to ascertain their requirements before putting in a bid. Cllr Burt enquired if the bid could include money for new toilets for use by the public, this would provide separate facilities from the current toilets used by the children in the football teams, also money for refurbishing the current toilets. Cllr Burt agreed to investigate ballpark figures on costs. Cllr R Corben advised that the football club required some new light weight goal posts which would be safer, and he agreed to investigate costs. He added that he had been approached by a member of the public asking if a netball court could be provided, he advised that he would go back to the member of the public for more information.
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Bowey Field: Cllr Fox advised that an ‘Awards for All’ grant of £8,000 had been approved and a quote for new play equipment at Bowey Field had been accepted. She added that the bid also included money for new a safety surface under the slide at the pavilion and new swing seats. Cllr Burt advised that the hedge at Bowey needed cutting, Cllr Corben agreed to look into this.
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Village Hall Extension and Car Park: N.F.T.R.
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Community Planning: Following discussion the Council agreed that a neighbourhood plan was required and should be produced. The Clerk was asked to put an article in the Fippenny News asking for volunteers to sit on a sub-committee along with Cllr Burt, Cllr Fox and Cllr Frampton who had agreed to be on the sub-committee. It was agreed that the sub-committee should report back to full council on a regular basis.
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An email had been received from Sturquest inviting 2 representatives from all Parishes to a meeting to discuss their 5 year action plan. Following discussion it was agreed that no-one would attend from Okeford Fitzpaine.
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Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: The Clerk advised that she had contacted DCC highways regarding a road inspection of the road between the Cross and Garlands and was awaiting a phone call from DCC. Cllr Fox advised that some of the large pot holes had been filled.
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Home Watch: Cllr Burt advised that the Community Speed Watch initiative was still being progressed and that 4 volunteers had come forward to date.
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7.7 Land at top of Back Lane: The Clerk advised that she had received the following email from Mr Mark Hitchcott, Enforcement Officer at NDDC: I have been here two days a week during September on loan from the Borough of Poole and, I officially start in post as the Enforcement Officer for Team North on 8th October 2013.
I have reviewed the case file and discussed it with Rob Firth and Robert Lennis. There has been some changes in circumstances since the matter was last looked at by officers and in order to establish how best we might be able to address resident’s concerns further investigation is necessary.
Within 14 days of starting in post (22nd October) I will endeavour to contact you again with an update of my findings and what we might propose to do regarding the various issues there. I can understand how for residents and members that it seems we are taking a long time to respond to their concerns about this land. It may well be of assistance to my investigation if any concerned residents contact me directly so they can inform me what they have seen occurring on the land, so I can build up a better picture of the actual use which is occurring and its impact. If any members or residents would like to speak to me or for me visit them and discuss the site please do not hesitate to contact me I will be happy to listen, answer any questions or arrange a meeting. The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with Mr Hitchcott to take place at the Village Hall.
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Land at bottom of Okeford Hill: Please see minute 7.7
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Speeding and Parking issues in Back Lane:
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The Clerk advised that she had received an email with regard to a traffic survey being carried out in Back Lane. The cost to the Council would be between £250-£300. This was discussed at a special meeting of the Council held on 23 September 2013 and it was agreed not to go ahead with the survey. Council agreed to discharge this item from the agenda.
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Okeford Fitzpaine Housing Survey Results: The Clerk was asked to write to Mr J Hammond, Development Services Manager at NDDC to find out his thoughts on a way forward with this item following a recent meeting with Cllr Burt and Cllr Fox.
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Electronic Planning Applications: A member of the public had advised that there was a problem with the sizing of plans on the internet. Cllr Burt advised that it was also impossible to measure the scale of drawings. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr J Hammond, Development Services Manager at NDDC to highlight these problems.
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Draft Core Strategy: N.F.T.R.
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Seat on the Cross: The Clerk reported that she had received an email from QBE motor insurance advising that their client denies any involvement in the damage caused to the seat. She advised that she had emailed the details of the accident including the police incident number and had also forwarded photographs showing the damage and tyre tracks, the insurance company had advised that they were carrying out further investigations. The Clerk was asked to contact Mrs S Buckley for information on any witnesses.
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Proposed changes to the Dorset Local Bus Network: The Clerk advised that she had informed DCC of the concerns of the Parish Council.
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8. PLANNING MATTERS:
8.1 Applications: None
8.2 Decisions: 2/2013/0835/PLNG – Brooks Cottage, Belchalwell Street, Belchalwell, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0EG – Install 3 No. replacement windows, expose original fireplace and carry out associated internal and external alterations – GRANTED
8.3 Any other planning matters: 2/2013/0853/PLNG – Land At N 380710 E 110730, Back Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset – Erect 1 No. dwelling and detached double garage. Modify existing vehicular access. The clerk advised that this application would be going before the Development Management Committee at NDDC on 8 October 2013.
Works to protected trees at: The Old Farm House, Dark Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RP – 1 x Willow, Pollard, to retain one stem at approx. 4 – 5m from ground level.
8.4 Updates: None
9. CORRESPONDENCE FOR 1 OCTOBER 2013 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
DAPTC Chief Executives Circular 6/13
SNT Newsletter Blandford Rural
Invitation from DCC – Open afternoons
Local Transport Meeting – 20 September 2013
Dorset Home Choice Draft Allocations Policy Consultation
Road Survey information from DCC
Dorset Countryside News
Code of Conduct Training with Stuart Caundle
DAPTC – Home Safety Falls Prevention Events
Cllr Burt raised concerns regarding the way correspondence was handled. Currently any correspondence received by the clerk is forwarded to all Councillors and the clerk produces a list for the meeting. Cllr Burt felt that the Clerk, as part of her job, should be selecting correspondence which requires further discussion and putting them on the agenda for the next meeting. He felt that important documents such as petition and consultations could be missed in the case of him being absent from home. Cllr R Corben felt that the onus should not be on the Clerk and she should not have the authority to decide what item should be on the agenda. Following discussion is was agreed that all Councillors would assess the correspondence and indicate to the Chairman and Clerk which items should be put on the next agenda for discussion.
10. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS:
Rights of Way/Footpaths: None.
Football Club: None
Village Hall: None
Well Being Committee: None
DAPTC: None
Youth Club: Cllr Fox advised that the Youth Club had closed down. She had been in contact with the people running it and had been advised that they are trying to recruit new members. Cllr Fox will be informed if the Youth Club restarts.
Tree Officer: None
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 771
Southern Electric – Bus Shelter Electric
£16.67 Chq No 772
BDO – Annual Audit
Talk Talk Business – Email
£46.80 Chq No 774
Playdale Playgrounds – Bowey Field Play Equipment
£8725.32 Chq No 776
Southern Electric – Pavilion Electric
£15.63 D/D
It was proposed by Cllr Paine and seconded by Cllr S Fox that these be paid. This was agreed by Council.
A £70 donation was received from Okeford Auctions.
12.3 Annual Accounts: The Clerk presented the annual report to Council. No issues were arising. Cllr Fox proposed approving the annual return this was seconded by Cllr Frampton and was accepted by Council.
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: None
THE NEXT MEETING: The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 5 November 2013 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30 pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 9.10 pm
