Minutes published unapproved for ratification at the 4 February 2014
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 7 JANUARY 2014
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, Cllr A Burch, NDDC and 4 members of the public.
1 APOLOGIES:
2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 3 DECEMBER 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.
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: Cllr Burch advised that North Dorset District Council had been awarded a prestigious award for its outstanding work with community partnerships. She added that North Dorset was the smallest Council to receive this award.
With regard to the new bus schedule she advised that the results would not be known until April 2014, however all villages would have some form of transport.
7. MATTERS ARISING
7.1 Recreation Ground/Pavilion to include Recycling Centre Items: Cllr Burt advised that 2 ‘push bar to open’ signs were required for the new doors and that he would purchase them. Cllr Frampton informed the Council that he had cleared the gulley from the road into the ditch to alleviate flooding during the recent bad weather.
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Bowey Field: Cllr Burt advised that the pedestrian gate had been removed, it was agreed to wait to see if any incidents occurred before replacing. The last of the dog signs had now been put in place.
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Village Hall Extension and Car Park: Cllr Burt informed the Council that he was awaiting a quote from the electrician. Cllr Fox advised that in order to complete a bid for funding from Comic Relief the bid would need to be completed by the end of the month.
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Community Planning: Following discussions Cllr Burt proposed designating the Parish as the Neighbourhood area, this was seconded by Cllr Fox and agreed by Council. The Clerk was asked to write the letter to NDDC to designate the area.
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Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: Cllr Fox informed Council that the 10 pot holes she had reported had been filled, however the recent bad weather had caused the repairs to fail and more pot holes had appeared.
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Home Watch: Cllr Wood advised that the next meeting would take place on 23 January 2014 starting at 10.30 am at the Pavilion in Okeford Fitzpaine.
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Land at top of Back Lane: N.F.T.R.
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Land at bottom of Okeford Hill: N.F.T.R.
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Okeford Fitzpaine Housing Survey Results: The Clerk advised that she had written to Mr J Hammond regarding carrying out a new Housing Needs Survey. He had responded that the need to carry out a survey in Okeford Fitzpaine had been highlighted at a recent meeting that Jo Rickman, Planning Policy Officer would be in contact to make the arrangements. He also advised that he had spoken to Sarah How, Housing Officer who had advised that the demand in Okeford Fitzpaine was for 1 and 2 bedroom properties.
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Draft Core Strategy: Cllr Burt advised that he had read part of the Strategy and was disappointed to see that the requested changed had not been actioned. He will continue to read the Strategy and respond if necessary.
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Seat on the Cross: Cllr Burt advised that the seat on the Cross had now been fitted. It was agreed to discharge this item from the agenda.
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Proposed changes to the Dorset Local Bus Network: Please see minute 6.
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7.13 Blandford Leisure Centre Funding: The following email had been received from Mrs Joyce Guest:
As part of North Dorset District Council’s Tough Choices Programme (Local Delivery) the phased withdrawal of funding to all the leisure centres was planned unless the local community demonstrated with both financial and voluntary resource that they wanted to keep the centres operating.
The Local Delivery Programme resulted from the Government capping the level of our Council Tax. We always had one of the lowest Council taxes in England. Today we are rated 8th with a tax of £109.78 compared to an average in Dorset of £166.57.
Blandford Leisure Centre was originally due to have its funding removed in April 2010. Due to the work of the Blandford Leisure Centre Action Group, chaired by Cllr Steve Hitchings, funding was secured from Blandford Town Council and a number of the DT11 Parishes.
In addition to this Dorset County Council agreed to contribute £33,333 and North Dorset agreed to meet any short fall.
The cost of the centre was high when run by the District because of the usual public sector overheads but following a procurement exercise in 2010 when SLM “Everyone Active” won the contract, the cost reduced to £130,000 p.a. (RPI annual increase applies). SLM have a charitable arm which means they do not pay business rates and in some areas they are exempt from VAT. The management fee is extremely competitive when compared to other outsourced leisure centres. SLM have a contract for a 10 year period until February 2021.
Contributors to the management fee have included (in the majority of cases still do) Blandford Town Council, Charlton Marshall, Durweston, Blandford St Mary, Tarrant Launceston, Tarrant Monkton, Farnham, Stourpaine and Pimperne Parish Councils. Without these contributions the centre would have undoubtedly closed. Those parishes contributing a larger sum i.e. Blandford Town Council have received a discount membership for their parishioners. Those parishes providing smaller amounts receive some free swimming passes.
The Blandford Leisure Centre Action Group has raised considerable funding together with substantial capital contributions from the Friends of Blandford Hospital, Blandford Town Council and Spectrum Housing Association. All of this money has been invested in providing a new gym, fitness equipment and new fitness studios. It is also important to note that SLM have reinvested the small profit they have made from the centre into the new fitness studio.
Through active marketing SLM have increased usage of the centre with attendance across all activities peaking at 27,000 in August 2013. The new facilities and new fitness classes continue to encourage new members.
Blandford Leisure Centre is an important facility for those residents living in the South of the District. For the centre to survive it is essential that it continues to be supported both by the Community and its Funders.
North Dorset District Council maintains one of the lowest Council taxes in England, Government grant will reduce by 23% (approx. £547k) next year we must therefore continue to look for new funding streams, particularly from those parishes who have not contributed in the past and from those who have contributed but have now stopped.
Councillor Roake, Portfolio Holder for Leisure said “The Leisure Centre is important for the health and wellbeing of local residents. It is an important local facility and the community value the financial contributions made by the Town and Parish Councils to enable it to operate. ”It is vital that this funding is maintained if the leisure centre is to continue to operate for the community.
Cllr Fox advised that outlying villages were more inclined to use the swimming pool at Woolland.
Council discussed this issue during the setting of the precept and it was agreed that due to the transitional grant not being passed down from NDDC it could not provide any funding for the leisure centre.
8. PLANNING MATTERS:
8.1 Applications: 2/2013/1324/PLNG – 4 Church View, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0LW – Form ménage with post and rail fencing. Cllr Wood presented the application and advised that an email had been received from a resident concerned with the possibility of increased traffic in Back Lane and also light pollution. He explained that the ménage was for personal use only and therefore would not incur additional traffic
except during construction which would last for approximately 10 days and that no additional lighting would be installed. A member of the public enquired about drainage for the site, the applicant assured them that drainage was already on site and water drained into the ground not onto adjoining bridleways. Following discussions Cllr Wood proposed no objection to the application, this was seconded by Cllr Paine and agreed by Council.
8.2 Decisions: None
8.3 Any other planning matters: 2/2013/0642/PLNG – Appeal to remove conditions 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the granting of planning permission. The conditions are:
3. The accommodation hereby approved shall be used solely for holiday letting and shall not be used for the purpose of providing permanent residential accommodation. Such accommodation shall not be let to any individual or group of individuals for any period which exceeds 28 consecutive days and there shall be no return by any such party within a further 28 days. A register of occupancy shall be kept and shall be made available to the Local Planning Authority following a written request at 14 days notice. At the end of the third, sixth, and ninth years following approval (i.e. by 31st December 2016, 2019, and 2022) details of the occupancy for that year to comply with this condition shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. Reason: To ensure that the units are not used as permanent residential accommodation in accordance with Settlement Policy I, Tourism Policy A and Implementation Policy D of the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Structure Plan and Policy 3.29 of the North Dorset District Wide Local Plan (First Revision).
4. Before the development commences a scheme detailing the means of foul drainage, to the foul sewer located in the area, shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority. Any such scheme shall necessarily be agreed with Wessex water and shall require approval to be obtained in writing from the Local Planning Authority. The approved scheme shall be implemented before occupation. Reason: To minimise the risk of pollution in accordance Policies 1.8, 1.12 of the North Dorset District Wide Local Plan (First Revision).
5. No part of the development shall be commenced until a scheme to prevent surface water discharge from the development has been submitted to the Local Planning Authority. Any such scheme shall require approval to be obtained in writing from the Local Planning Authority. No part of the development shall be occupied until all works specified in the approved scheme has been completed. Reason: In the interests of highway safety 1.1 and 1.8 of the North Dorset District Wide Local Plan (First Revision).
6. The development hereby permitted shall not be occupied or utilised until plans of the turning and parking of vehicles has been submitted and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Thereafter, these areas shall be maintained, kept free from obstruction and available for the purposes specified. Reason: In the interests of road safety.
Cllr Wood advised that the applicant had raised a good case to have the conditions removed. Condition 1 had been put in place because it was felt that because the property had no outside recreational space it should not be used as a residential property. The applicant felt that flats, maisonettes and other residential properties did not have outside recreational space but were still residential. The other 3 condition asked for things that were already in place. Following discussion Cllr Wood proposed supporting this application, this was seconded by Cllr Paine and agreed by Council.
8.4 Updates: None
9. CORRESPONDENCE FOR 7 JANUARY 2014 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Dorset Countryside News – November/December
Developing Patient & Public Involvement in North Dorset – Regarding GP’s in Dorset
DAPTC – Chief Executive Circular 9/13
Press Release regarding the proposed changes to local bus services.
CPEND Minutes – 20 October 2013
SNT Newsletter – December 2013
Sturminster Newton Neighbourhood Area
SNT Newsletter – Blandford Rural – January 2014
The Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network – Survey
10. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS:
Rights of Way/Footpaths: Cllr Paine advised that a hinged bollard had been erected in the alleyway next to the shop which would cause access problems. He would enquire if the school knew anything about it.
Football Club: N.F.T.R.
Village Hall: N.F.T.R.
Well Being Committee: N.F.T.R.
DAPTC: N.F.T.R.
Tree Officer: The tree officer had advised that he would be putting an item in the Fippenny News regarding his role.
11. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC: A member of the public informed the Council that the signage around the village was looking dirty, she volunteered to clean them.
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 790
HMRC – PAYE
£216.80 Chq No 791
Mr A Frampton – Petrol & Hedge Trimming
£168.74 Chq No 792
British Gas – Pavilion Gas
£176.05 Chq No 793
Southern Electric – Bus Shelter Electric
£16.80 Chq No 794
Southern Electric – Pavilion Electric
£103.69 D/D
It was proposed by Cllr S Corben and seconded by Cllr Fox that these be paid. This was agreed by Council.
12.3 Precept: Cllr Burt had written to Mr Robert Walter, MP regarding the fact that NDDC had not passed the transitional grant to Town and Parish Councils. A response had been received from Robert Walter, MP advising that he had written to Brandon Lewis, MP and had received a response stating that the Government still expected billing authorities to pass down the grants to Parish & Town Councils and if they did not pass on the grant it was for them to justify the decision to Parish & Town Councils. He added that he was awaiting further comments from the Leader of North Dorset District Council, Cllr Deborah Croney.
The Clerk advised that the new tax base per band D property had increased slightly from 361.2 to 365.9. Due to the fact that the transitional grant had not been passed down from NDDC, in order to raise the same amount of precept as last year would incur an additional cost of £4.62 per band D equivalent property.
Following discussions the Council felt that in view of the fact that no response had been received from Cllr D Croney, Leader of NDDC it had no option but to pass the increase on to local residents.
Following discussions amendments were made to the precept. Cllr Paine proposed accepting the changes, this was seconded by Cllr R Corben and agreed by Council. The Clerk will display the agreed precept on the noticeboard and send the claim to NDDC.
13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: None
THE NEXT MEETING: The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 4 February 2014 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30 pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting
at 9.30 pm.
