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| 4th March 2008 |
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4th March 2008 MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGHELD AT THE PAVILION ON MARCH 4TH 2008 PRESENT: Cllr M Burt (Chairman) Cllr E Horton (Vice-Chairman) Cllr T Burt Cllr B Trowbridge Cllr R Corben Cllr S Corben Also present:- Mrs D Burt (Clerk), Mrs R Burrows (new Clerk), Ms J Rees (NDDC), Ms Joyce Guest (NDDC), Ms Ruth Khatami (NDDC), Cllr Mrs A Burch (NDDC) and three members of the public. The Chairman welcomed the three representatives from the North Dorset District Council who had joined the meeting to clarify the Housing Allocations Policy and also Ruth Burrows the newly appointed Parish Clerk who will be working along side Diane Burt during the month of March. He said that item 5.14 on the agenda – NDDC – Housing Allocation Policy – would be taken as the first item of business to allow the three representatives from NDDC to be able to leave the meeting, although they were quite at liberty to stay for the whole of the meeting should they so wished. 1. APOLOGIES Cllr A Frampton (involved in car accident earlier today) 2. THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 5TH having been circulated to Cllrs and notice boards, were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge 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 R Corben and S Corben as members of Okeford United Football club. Cllr M Burt as a member of the Village Hall Management Committee. Cllrs M Burt and E Horton as members of the DAPTC. Cllrs M Burt as member of CPEND and LDWG. Cllr E Horton as member of NDDC Standards Committee Cllr R Corben on housing list 5.14 NDDC – Housing Allocation Policy Janet Rees thanked the Council for inviting her back to the Parish and confirmed that – as per her letter to the Clerk dated 8 February – legal advice had been sought to a change of policy in relation to exception site scheme allocations. She was pleased to confirm that this change of policy would allow for priority to be given to people currently living or working in the village even if “under-occupation†results. Ms Rees said that the NDCC staff responsible for the allocations now understood the policy and that lessons had been learned from all of the dialogue that had taken place with this Parish and its council. She did stress that anyone in need of accommodation must ensure that they put their names on the Housing Register. Until a new policy is prepared, she suggested that her letter referred to above should act as an interim policy. Joyce Guest outlined to the meeting the problems being experienced due to the current system of record keeping. She said that this meant it was very difficult to search the data base but NDCC is in discussion with the Borough of Poole who have a much more up to date system and it has been agreed that North Dorset’s data will be transferred over to that system. Ruth Khatami explained her role in NDCC, which was to implement a points system for allocations and to ensure that local rural exception site housing is allocated to local people. Results will be published each week. By 2010 all local authorities to have Choice based letting. 590 5. MATTERS ARISING 5.1 Recreation Ground 5.1.1 The clerk put forward the alcohol licence agreement with Okeford United Football Club for annual renewal. Cllrs R & S Corben declared an interest as members of OUFC. Proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge, this was agreed. 5.1.2 The clerk reported that the new DVLA licence had been obtained for the Parish tractor. 5.1.3 Chairman has reminded architect re plans for extension to Pavilion and these are still awaited. 5.1.4 Land located south-east of recreation ground owned by Mr Tony Muir. Parish solicitor to be contacted and asked to send Mr Muir a letter reminding him that he does not have a right of way across the recreation ground to his land. 5.1.5 The scooter club will not now be coming to the beer festival so will not need the use of the Pavilion. 5.1.6 OUFC have requested permission to hold its biennial event The Butterboys Bonanza on August 1st, 2nd and 3rd. It was proposed by Cllr T Burt and seconded by Cllr Horton that there be no objections, this was agreed. Cllrs R & S Corben abstained from the vote as members of OUFC. 5.1.7 Plastics recycling bank – the clerk reported on the response from Ian Manley of NDDC who informs us that all plastic banks in Dorset are currently going through a refurbishment programme so they are unable to extend the banks at the moment. Our request has been noted and it might be possible in the future. 5.1.8 One of the ladies toilets does not flush properly and needs to be looked at. 5.1.9 Dumping of other (not recycling) waste was briefly discussed and it was agreed that the clerk should write to NDDC asking if a “no rubbish†notice could be erected by the bins in an attempt to deter people from doing this. 5.1.10 A broken light switch in one of the toilets in the old part has been replaced with a pull switch. 5.2 Bowey Field 5.2.1 The clerk reported that the Lower Street gate has been replaced. 5.2.2 Another gate may need to be installed at the north-west end of the path to prevent toddlers running into the road – Cllrs to investigate and report at next meeting. 5.2.3 A separate on-site meeting to be arranged to decide where the Seesaw should be placed. 5.3 Chicken Processing Factory site The site is now on the market for sale 5.4 New Cross NFTR – clerk to follow up. 5.5 Footway – Castle Lane NFTR – clerk to follow up. 5.6 Transport Study NFTR . 5.7 Community Planning The Chairman reported he had attended a meeting of CPEND where it had been discussed that of the £25,000 allocated for projects £10,000 should be spent on setting up a website. He had asked that the figure be reduced to £8,000 leaving the remaining £17,000 for other projects and this had been agreed. 5.8 Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items Clerk to follow up on missing fingerpost at junction near to Garlands Farm 591 5.9 Parish Plan Cllr Holton said that it was not proceeding as quickly as hoped but was anticipating having the analysis work completed by the next meeting. Regarding the unclaimed prize, PC is happy with the new notice that indicates the money will be donated to local charities if not claimed by a certain date. 5.10 Bus Shelter/Museum Chairman will contact Mr D Corben regarding painting. Cllr Trowbridge reported that he had washed down the doors and windows. 5.11 Travellers There have been reports of under-aged drivers from the traveller encampment at Conygar Copse driving a vehicle around the village and in the Pavilion car park. Travellers have also been seen driving a 4x4 around Conygar and surrounding land causing damage to gates and fields. It was suggested that the clerk write a letter to Mike Evans, DCC and also to the Police. Cllr Mrs Burch asked that she be copied in on the letter. Cllr S Corben will ‘phone the police contact he has. 5.12 Mary Gardens sign The clerk reported that the sign had been handed into Sturminster Newton Town Council and they have informed NDDC. In another communication from NDDC, the clerk had been informed that a replacement sign incorporating Fairfield Close and Nether Mead has been ordered and would be erected in due course. 5.13 Ridouts Development A positive response has been received from Symonds & Sampson on behalf of the land owner re surfacing the footpath to the recreation ground. The clerk was requested to write to Signpost Housing Association to ask if they would be prepared to contribute to the cost (subsequent to the meeting it was decided that an estimate of cost would be useful before the letter is sent – the Chairman to action). Road Hedge – the clerk reported a reply had been received from Martin Pinkney of Spectrum Housing Association confirming that new hedging to the south of the new road has already been planted and some gaps have also been infilled. Their grounds maintenance staff will assess the appropriate action for the whole of the hedge in their ownership and this might include laying at some time in the future. 5.14 NDDC – Housing Allocation Policy (item brought forward) 5.15 War Memorial : Cleaning has been done. 5.16 Post of Clerk A contract needs to be prepared for Ruth Burrows the new clerk. Mrs Burt confirmed that NDDC, DCC and DAPTC have been informed of the change. 5.17 Road Gritting The clerk said a response to her letter of 8 February is awaited from DCC. In the meantime, a telephone call had been received from a lady at Turnworth complaining about ice on Okeford Hill - she had called DCC who had referred her to the Parish Council! 5.18 Any Other Matters Arising: None 6. PLANNING MATTERS 6.1 Applications: 2/2008/0131 – K Snook, Garlands Farm. Form new access track (block existing access). It was proposed by Cllr Holton and seconded by Cllr T Burt that there be no objections, a vote was taken with 5 in favour and 1 against and the proposition was therefore carried. 2/2008/0168 – Mrs Le Riche, 7 Bowey. Erect rear conservatory. It was proposed by Cllr T Burt and seconded by Cllr R Corben that there be no objection, this was agreed. 6.2 Decisions: 2/2007/1313 – Drove Cottage. Erect 1 new dwelling, demolish existing dwelling and stables. GRANTED 592 2/2008/0018 – Froghole Farm. Station mobile home for equestrian worker for period ending February 29th 2012. GRANTED 6.3 Other: - none 7. LOCAL DELIVERY OF SERVICES 7.1 Clerk said letter had been received from Sturminster Newton Town Council (SNTC) re SID’s (speed indicator device) asking if we could confirm asap our chosen location if we wish to participate in the scheme. Clerk requested to write to SNTC to find out approximate cost. 7.2 Letter received from Blandford Forum Town Council (BFTC) re toilets. A contribution of £510.41 is required to fund the continuance of the Marsh and Ham facilities which it was felt could be used by residents of this Parish. It was proposed by Cllr T Burt and seconded by Cllr E Holton that there by no objection, a vote was taken with 4 in favour and 2 against and the motion was therefore carried. New clerk to note that the payment will be made in two stages. 8. CORRESPONDENCE 8.1 NorDop (North Dorset Older People’s Forum) – poster for Notice boards. 8.2. Homewatch notice for Notice boards 8.3 DCC – notices re blue tongue and avian influenza – on Notice boards and magazine. 8.4 Okeford-Fitzpaine School – 3 newsletters (Cllr Mrs Burch requested copies) 8.5 NDDC Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. SNTC Town design statement consultation draft (February 22nd – April 4th) 8.6 Dorset Police – survey re Homewatch messaging. Cllr Holton to return by Wed. March 19th. 8.7 Wessex Water – mains improvement work in Shillingstone Lane. Work was due to start February 25th with temporary traffic lights in place. 8.8 NDDC – consultation on producing an annual report. Chairman to respond by March 7th. 8.9 Local Council Review magazine 8.10 SturQuest – representatives group meeting on April 8th (copied to Cllr E Holton) 8.11 DCC – poster re local involvement networks for Notice board. 9. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS 9.1 Footpaths Liaison Officer – re the missing fingerpost for a bridleway near to the Beacon. Cllr Holton said it was unclear exactly where this should be placed. He will contact David Ackerley (DCC) to establish this and whether one is needed. 9.2 Football Club: Cllr S Corben reported that the Under 15 team had reached the County Cup Final. 10. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT Cllr Mrs Burch was pleased to inform the meeting that Tetrapak (beverage cartons) are now being included in some North Dorset recycling centers for a trial period. 11. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC A member of the public reported that the 330 bus service will be extended to Clarks Village at Street on Friday 28 March. This is the first of 9 such extensions planned during 2008. 593 A member of the public reported that the 30mph sign was missing from Castle Lane adjacent the footpath to Castle Ave. 12. FINANCIAL MATTERS 12.1 Paid since last meeting: Dorset County Training Partnership Planning Seminar– planning seminar fee - cheque no. 362 £10.00 12.2 To pay: Mrs D Burt – clerk’s salary Feb £379.60 expenses £80.79 plus B&Q receipt of £4.98 for light switch toilet Pavilion – total £465.37 cheque no. 363. Goddard Landscapes Ltd – fit gate at Bowey £223.25 cheque no. 364 Both items proposed Cllr S Corben and seconded by Cllr E Holton that these be paid, this was agreed. 12.3 Grass Cutting – Gill of All Trades will do 20 cuts for £670.00 to be reviewed at the end of the year. 12.4 £20 received from Mr Casebourne for access and parking at Greenhayes. 12.5 £20 donation received from The Three Okefords Preservation Society. 13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS None 14. THE NEXT MEETING will be the Annual Parish Meeting on April 1st at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30pm followed by normal business. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 10.04 pm. |