6th November 2007

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6th November 2007

Published unapproved for ratification at the December 4th meeting
573
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILON ON NOVEMBER 6th 2007
Present:- Cllr M Burt (chairman)
Cllr E Horton (vice-chairman)
Cllr T Burt
Cllr R Corben
Cllr S Corben
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr B Trowbridge
Also present:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr Mrs A Burch (NDDC) and four members of the public.

1) APOLOGIES Cllr Mrs H Cox (DCC).

2) THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2nd having been circulated to Cllrs and notice boards, were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr T Burt that they be signed by the chairman, this was agreed.

3) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 5 ONLY None

4) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs A Frampton, R Corben and S Corben as members of Okeford United Football Club.
Cllrs A Frampton and M Burt as members of the Village Hall Management Committee.
Cllrs M Burt and E Horton as members of the DAPTC.
Cllr M Burt as member of NDCPSG and LDWG.
Cllr E Horton as member of NDDC Standards Committee.
Cllr R Corben item 5xi) on housing list

5) MATTERS ARISING
i) Recreation Ground
o A load of topsoil has now been spread where the roundabout was removed. The chairman thanked Mr Dave Frampton for raking this over and also for cutting the hedge and work on the ditch.
o The new litter bin has now been installed near to the recycling banks.
o Cllrs M Burt and S & R Corben had met on site to discuss the erection of a tractor shed at the southern end of the pavilion. Cllr S Corben had drawn a sketch of a possible plan for discussion and distributed copies to all present. The plan included office/storage space for the clerk and a further extension to the north eastern side to increase space for functions. After some discussion and slight amendments it was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Horton that we go forward with the plan. The chairman to approach the planning officer at NDDC for advice on the best way to proceed with an application.
o Cllr Frampton reported that someone had attempted to break into the boiler room, security to be looked into.
o Cllr Frampton, on behalf of the Football Club (FC), asked if they could get the light switch moved to the other side of the door in the Gents toilet, this was agreed. He also asked if the FC could put an additional bar/handle on the inside of the disabled toilet door, this was also agreed.
ii) Bowey Field
o The clerk reported having had a call from someone visiting Bowey whose children had got paint on them from playing on the climbing frame. Apparently it had just been painted and the wet paint signs had been removed. The council extended its thanks to the volunteers who rubbed down and painted the equipment.

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o Cllr Frampton reported that the FC would remove the goal posts for painting and make repairs to the goalmouth.
o Chapel Green ï¿½ the work near to Chapel Cottage has now been completed, the chairman suggested that treated wood be used to edge the grass near to the cottage instead of edging stones, this was agreed.
o The family of Mr Bert Ridout are still looking for a place to plant a tree in his memory, originally they wanted to plant one on Bowey Field but after some discussion it was thought that they be asked if by the hedge near to the seat at the Recreation Ground would be suitable.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory NFTR
iv) New Cross
A meeting has been arranged with a representative from Dorset County Council on November 13th.
v) Community Planning NFTR
vi) Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items
The fingerpost at the Garlands Farm junction has not yet been replaced. Clerk to follow up.
vii) Parish Plan
Cllr Horton reported that 140 questionnaires had been returned out of 380 sent out. The draw for the ï¿½100 prize was made by Cllr Mrs Burch, the winning number is 380, this will be advertised in the parish magazine, the shop, the pub and notice boards and the winner is asked to contact the clerk. Assuming the prize is claimed in time the cheque will be signed at the December PC meeting. Analysis of the questionnaires will start as soon as possible.
viii) Bus Shelter/Museum
Awaiting response from the Army regarding decoration - chairman to follow up.
The chairman reported that he now had the glass to replace the broken window. He had also put in a new light switch and replaced the fluorescent tube.
ix) Travellers
The Planning Inspectorate has acknowledged receipt of the councilï¿½s response to the consultation. An examination in public to test the soundness of the proposed policy will start in March 2008.
x) Mary Gardens sign NFTR
xi) Ridouts development
o The official opening which is being organised by the Housing Association will take place on December 5th at lunchtime. As many councillors as can are invited to attend. The clerk had contacted the daughter of the farmers who last worked the land on which Ridouts stands and she is willing to cut the ribbon.
o Cllr Horton reported that surface water from the development road and roofs does run into the ditch. Work has been carried out on the ditch to install sluice gates. The ditch is clear and functioning.
o Cllr Horton said that he had spoken to one of the new owners of Castle Cottage about the possible use of part of their land as a footpath to the recreation ground, a decision will be made when she has consulted with here husband.
Cllr R Corben declared an interest and left the room.
o Allocation of the houses is causing concern as the District Council (DC) does not appear to be working to the agreement which was thought to have been made by the Housing Policy manager (NDDC) and a representative from the Housing Association both of whom had talked to the PC very early on in the planning stage. It is difficult to know without all the information held by the DC and which they cannot give us. Several families are not happy with the allocations. Cllr Mrs Burch had acquired a copy of the section 106 agreement under which the DC say they are working to, this she passed to the chairman. Copies to be given to Cllrs Horton and T Burt. After much discussion it was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Horton that the District Council be asked for clarification on how the site is being used and the houses allocated. A vote was taken and with 6 in favour and 1 abstention the proposition was carried.
Cllr R Corben returned.

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xii) War Memorial
The clerk reported that she had now received the War Memorials handbook which had a lot of information and names of organisations that might help. She had not contacted the stonemason yet.
xiii) Any Other Matters Arising None

6) PLANNING MATTERS
a) applications 2/2007/1123 ï¿½ Mr Hurrion, Hillview Farmhouse. Install solar panel to rear iron roof. It was proposed by Cllr T Burt and seconded by Cllr Frampton that there be no objection, this was agreed.
2/2007/1143 ï¿½ Mr & Mrs Davis, 7 Netherway Cottages. Erect single storey extension to form annexe and raise roof line on existing single storey extension (demolish existing garage). It was felt that the extension itself would not be out of character with surrounding houses but it would mean that parking space would be lost for two of the currently three vehicles using the parking area. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr S Corben that the council objects to the application quoting condition 2 of a previous application no: 2/2001/0790 which was concerned with highway safety, this was agreed unanimously.
b) decisions 2/2007/0849 ï¿½ Conygar, Shillingstone Lane. Erect two single storey extensions, double garage/workshop/store, form new pedestrian & vehicular access, erect 2 x 3m high walls (demolish existing extension, conservatory, greenhouse and shed). GRANTED
2/2006/1221 - Gorse Farm, Crate Hill. Erect agricultural dwelling. GRANTED with agricultural tie.
2/2007/0957 ï¿½ 9 Mary Gardens. Erect single storey rear extension. GRANTED
c) other none

7) TOUGH CHOICES/LOCAL DELIVERY
The chairman reported that he would be attending a meeting tomorrow.
The minutes of the September 12th meeting with SNTC had been received ï¿½ copy to Cllr Horton.

8) CORRESPONDENCE
o DAPTC ï¿½ circular 12/07 including information on racial/religious hatred act ï¿½ copies to Cllrs. LCR magazine, notice re Bluetongue disease.
o Community.com magazine.
o DCC ï¿½ Bluetongue update ï¿½ copied to notice boards and parish magazine.
o SturQuest ï¿½ info on community lunch & representatives meeting November 20th.
o CAB ï¿½ notice of meeting November 13th.
o Dorset POPP ï¿½ asking for info on editor of parish magazine.
o DCC ï¿½ Post Office consultation ï¿½ this area will start consultation period in June 2008.
o Police/Homewatch ï¿½ bulletins x 2 ï¿½ on notice board.
o DCC ï¿½ notice of temporary road closure ï¿½ on notice boards.

9) REPRESENTATIVEï¿½S REPORTS
Village Hall Management Committee ï¿½ Cllr M Burt reported that the handrails should be completed by Christmas and there are only a few minor jobs to finish the extension. He also reported that there had appeared to be a water leak in the car park, Wessex Water had investigated and found that there was none.
Local Public Transport ï¿½ Mrs Calcott reported on an incident in Sturminster Newton concerning a large hole in the road which appears to be for work on the water main. The safety precautions did not appear to be in place and a bus stopped short of going in the hole. It was agreed to write to the Town Clerk and DCC to express concern.

576
ROW Liaison Officer ï¿½ The clerk read the response to a letter written by Cllr Horton to DCC regarding the state of footpaths in the area. It stated that their practical teams had to be fairly allocated around the whole of the county but would pass our concerns to senior officers.
10) DISTRICT COUNCILLORï¿½S REPORT
Cllr Mrs Burch followed up on the Post Office (PO) consultation saying that we should encourage usage of local PCï¿½s and said that council tax could be paid via the PO.
There will be trial recycling units in major towns such as Blandford for Tetra Pac cartons which will be free for a 2 year period.
Following the Audit Commission report NDDC is looking to improve efficiency they had gone from being a ï¿½weakï¿½ authority to a ï¿½goodï¿½ so she felt that things were improving. Some jobs have gone and some employees have accepted pay cuts to achieve the ï¿½goodï¿½ status.
11) POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC
A member of the public was concerned about Dorset County Council cuts in leisure facilities yet were increasing spending on the purchase of buses.
12) FINANCIAL MATTERS including 2nd draft 2008/2009 precept
o Accounts paid since the last meeting:-
Southern Electric DD 10.06
BWBSL chq no 345 109.32
o Account to pay:-
Blandford Tyre & Battery Service (supply & fit new tractor tyre) chq no 346 323.12
NDDC ï¿½ RoSPA playground inspections 347 105.99
BDO Stoy Hayward LLP ï¿½ Audit 348 158.63
TES Ltd ï¿½ gas boiler service 349 182.98
NDDC ï¿½ Local Delivery Project 351 2185.21
Mrs D Burt ï¿½ salary for October 379.60 expenses 112.84 350 492.44
It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr T Burt that the above are approved and paid, this was agreed.
o The clerk had bank forms for the current and new signatories to fill in, this to be done outside of the council meeting.
o The clerk presented the conclusion of audit notice which is to be displayed for 14 days. The only ï¿½issue arisingï¿½ is that the auditors feel that the fidelity guarantee should be increased, this will be taken up with the insurance company.
o The second draft of the 08/09 precept was presented with the additions agreed last month and now stands at 16730.00 it will be posted on notice boards for consultation. A letter from NDDC states that the date for PC precepts to be received by them has been moved back to January 25th so there are two more meetings to make any further changes. An amount for Local Delivery of services has not been added, more information is needed before the PC decides. It was agreed to write to Blandford and Sturminster Newton Town Councils to ask whether they are likely to be asking the surrounding parishes for funding assistance if they take on delivery of some services.
o The clerk had reclaimed 179.11 VAT.
o A donation of ï¿½10 had been received.
13) ANY OTHER BUSINESS
o The clerk asked if she could advertise the clerkï¿½s job locally, the post to start on March 1st 2008 with the current clerk working with the new clerk until he/she is settled in. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr T Burt that the post is advertised, this was agreed.
o Cllr S Corben reported that the ï¿½to Greenhayesï¿½ sign on the Church wall appeared to be damaged. To be followed up.
14) THE NEXT MEETING will be on December 4th, the chairman invited everyone to join him and the clerk for a pre Christmas drink after that meeting.
There being no further business the chairman thanked everyone present and closed the meeting at 10:05pm.