3rd October 2006

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3rd October 2006

Published unapproved for ratification at the November 7th meeting 526
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL OCTOBER 3RD 2006
Present:- Cllr M Burt (chairman)
Cllr E Horton (vice chairman)
Cllr S Corben
Cllr Mrs A Buckley
Also present:- S Parry (clerk) and 8 members of the public.
1) APOLOGIES Cllr M Bignell (working) (NDDC), Cllr H Cox (DCC), Cllr A Frampton (working), Cllr R Corben, Cllr B Trowbridge (sick).
2) MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 5TH MEETING having been circulated to the councillors and notice boards, signed as being an accurate record subject to two minor amendments, item 5 viii road A357, item 6 ii Fiddleford. Proposed by Cllr Mrs Buckley and seconded by Cllr S Corben, all agreed.
3) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 5 ONLY The chairman explained the procedure for participation by members of the public, he would call people who indicated a wish to speak at an appropriate time. General discussions or frequent interruptions from the floor could not be permitted.
4) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST The chairman declared an interest (item 12 financial matters). Letter regarding previous clerkï¿½s gratuity.
5) MATTERS ARISING
i) Recreation Ground The 2006 RoSPA Childrens Playground inspection was carried out during July the chairman outlined the main point of the report which was the damaged roundabout. After discussion it was agreed that if the roundabout could not be repaired onsite that it should be removed by JCB if the roundabout is not repairable offsite it should be disposed off.
The chairman reported that the tractor engine had `blown upï¿½ and was in need of repair.
Cllr S Corben said that a new cooker is required for the pavilion and the chairman said that the parish council should consider this in next years precept. Cllr S Corben to obtain prices.
ii) Bowey Field The 2006 RoSPA Childrens Playground inspection at Bowey indicated that the goal posts foundations are loose and the nets need replacing. Cllr S Corben said that the football club may have spare nets.
The new gate is still awaiting installation.
The hedge and bramble clear up day is still to be arranged, any volunteers willing to assist should contact the clerk.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory The clerk will contact Faccenda to arrange the next quarterly liaison meeting.
iv) New Cross A member of the public reported traffic incidents on the road going south from New Cross. It was pointed out by the chairman that the County Council have agreed to investigate the situation at New Cross in the Autumn round. The Parish Council have agreed to keep pressure on the County Council.
v) Community Planning Under threat due to cash crisis `Tough Choicesï¿½ programme being developed by North Dorset District Council. (see item 7).
vi) Housing Needs NTR.
vii) Belchalwell NTR.
viii) Travellers Discussion indicated the general concern of Parish Councillors about the problems caused by travellers, it was agreed to pursue letters to Dorset County Council, North Dorset District Council and our MP expressing strong objection to the continued use of the unauthorised site at Conygars Coppice and to maintain pressure on these authorities to have the site closed down.
An email received from Cllr H Cox (DCC) informed the Parish Council that notice has been served on the Travellers.
ix) Parish Plan It was explained that the Parish Plan is required as a basis for the acquisition of funds from other public authorities such as North Dorset District Council, Dorset District Council and also the established partnerships.

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An inaugural meeting has been held of the current steering group where Cllr Horton was elected as acting Chairman and Mr Abbott was elected acting secretary.
Ideally we are seeking to obtain a steering committee of up to ten members. If any one is interested in becoming involved please contact the clerk on 01258 861394 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
6) PLANNING MATTERS
i) Applications 2/2006/1041 The Forum School, Shillingstone ï¿½ New residential block for 8 pupils and new temporary classroom/arts facility. After discussion it was agreed that residents of Okeford Fitzpaine would not be significantly affected, it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr S Corben that there be no objection, all agreed.
2/2006/1031 Hunters View, Church Walk, Belchalwell, Okeford Fitzpaine ï¿½ First floor extestion, after discussion it was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr S Corben that there be no objection, all agreed.
ii) Decisions 2/2006/0667 Land adjacent Okeford Lodge, Castle Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine ï¿½ Erect 12 houses and form vehicular and pedestrian access ï¿½ GRANTED.
2/2006/0675 Willow Tree Cottage, Fiddleford, ï¿½ Erect extension above existing single storey extension, raise roof height and install two dormer windows. Erect double garage (demolish existing single garage) ï¿½ GRANTED.
iii) Planning Other NTR.
7) TOUGH CHOICES The District Council has been capped by Central Government and cannot increase council tax by more than 5%. Consequently they are asking Parish and Town Councils to increase their precepts in order to make good the short fall in finance. If the Parish and Town Councils are not willing to make contributions, discretionary services such as leisure centres, car parks and public conveniences will have to be closed. The contribution required for each band D equivalent household in Okeford Fitzpaine would be an additional ï¿½11.48 per annum.
While the Parish Council are very reluctant to bale out North Dorset District Council from a mess of their own making it was felt that parishioners, particularly children would suffer if leisure centres closed, this was a view strongly expressed by Cllr S Corben. Cllr Mrs Buckley stated that by not assisting North Dorset District Council out at this time we would be depriving ourselves. Access to facilities is already difficult, and should car parks be closed parishioners of Okeford Fitzpaine would be further disadvantaged. Cllr Horton felt that had North Dorset District Council raised the council tax when they should have done we would be paying the proposed level in any event.
Concerns were expressed by the chairman as to the legality of what North Dorset District Council are proposing and this would need to be resolved before a final decision is made. It was also felt that if the Parishes were to give money to District Council they would require some say as to where it was spent. It was suggested that any involvement should initially be restricted to one year only.
It was proposed that we support the involvement of the Parish Council in principle for one year subject to enough Parishes taking part to maintain services; parishï¿½s being able to influence the spending proposals and subject to the legality of the action, this was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley. Motion carried with one abstention.
8) CORRESPONDENCE Dated from Saturday 26th August ï¿½ Tuesday 3rd October. Correspondence published to all notice boards and delivered to all Councillors. Should any persons require further information or wish to view any correspondence received by the Parish Council, please contact the Clerk.
Dorset County Council ï¿½ Sturminster Newton mobile library service.
North Dorset District Council ï¿½ Trees and Development Guidelines.
North Dorset District Council ï¿½ Cival Contingencies Act 2004.
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance ï¿½ Donation request, (item 12 Financial Matters).
Sturquest ï¿½ Agenda Monday 9th October.
North Dorset District Council ï¿½ North Dorsetï¿½s People and Places Awards.
National Association of Local Councils ï¿½ Local Council Review.

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9) REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS
VILLAGE HALL ï¿½ The target date for the roof to be in place is 18th November due to market taking place.
FOOTPATHS ï¿½ Cllr Horton reported that a padlock and chain had been placed on footpath 8. The matter had been reported to Dorsets Rights of Way who have it in hand.
Dorset County Council, Rights of Way liaison training day to be held at Dorchester on February 1st Cllr Horton and Anthea Calcott to attend.
10) DISTRICT COUNCILLORï¿½S REPORT An email received by Cllr Bignell (NDDC) stated that he strongly believed that the towns and parishes should assist NDDC with its budget crisis. It may mean putting up the precept, but it is only being asked because NDDC cannot do so by a sufficient sum itself. Residents would have to pay one way or the other. It is unfair that the government is locking NDDC into having artificially low council tax for the district ï¿½ 6th lowest in the country, but it would be even more unfair to make the residents of North Dorset suffer as a result by losing their leisure centres and other services currently provided as discretionary services. Cllr Bignell would urge the Parish to support the request from NDDC as a breathing space to provide to avoid a budget crisis.
11) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC It was reported that the drains on Lower and Higher Street were blocked, a member of the public said this matter had been resolved.
A member of public raised the matter of the trench at Castle Lane the chairman replied that Dorset County Council donï¿½t consider the trench dangerous.
12) FINANCIAL MATTERS
BDO Chartered Accountants ï¿½ Audit for year ended 31st March 2006 ï¿½ request for detailed explanation of staff cost variance. Clerk to return information to BDO by 11th October 2006.
A request from Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance for a donation has been received. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley that a donation of ï¿½50.00 be given in line with last years donation. All agreed.
ACCOUNT TO PAY:-
Southern Electric Pavilion (direct debit) ï¿½ 28.21
Southern Electric Bus Shelter ï¿½ 15.46
S Parry ï¿½ (clerk salary) ï¿½ 1 week holiday ï¿½ 330.29
Total Energy Services ( Pavilion boiler services) ï¿½ 173.25
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Donation ï¿½ 50.00
TOTAL TRANSFER ï¿½ 597.21
It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Mrs Buckley that the above be paid, this was agreed.
ACCOUNT RECEIVED :-
Football Club Donation ï¿½ 15.00
The Three Okefords Preservation Society ï¿½ 10.00
13) ANY OTHER BUSINESS The chairman had received a letter from The Dorset Playing Fields Association and Sports Council suggesting creating a netball court on the recreation ground car park. The chairman pointed out that the netball team had previously been approached about this subject but were currently happy at their present venue. The chairman will make contact with the netball club again to check their present situation.
The chairman had also received a letter from a member of public regarding the grassed area at the village hall. Chairman to respond.
Cllr Mrs Buckley asked about the progress of community reparation work being used within the parish, Cllr Horton will contact Mr Ackerly regarding using this scheme.
The draft scoping report ï¿½ for North Dorset District Council Sustainability Appraisal Report is available to view at www.north-dorset.gov.uk link Living/Planning/Planning Policy/Local Development Framework.
14) THE NEXT MEETING will be November 7th at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30pm.
The chairman thanked everyone and closed the meeting at 9.05pm.