Okeford Fitzpaine Parish
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1st April 2008

1st April 2008

MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILION ON APRIL1ST 2008

PRESENT: Cllr M Burt (Chairman)
Cllr E Horton (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr T Burt
Cllr B Trowbridge
Cllr R Corben
Cllr A Frampton

Also present:- Mrs D Burt (out-going Clerk), Mrs R Burrows (new Clerk), Cllr Mrs A Burch (NDDC), Cllr Mrs H Cox and two members of the public.

1. APOLOGIES Cllr S Corben who was sick.

2. THE MINUTES OF MARCH 4TH having been circulated to Cllrs and notice boards, were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr T Burt and seconded by Cllr Horton 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
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 (item 5. ) on housing list
Cllrs M & T Burt (item 6.1 Planning Applications) as neighbours of applicant E. West.

5. MATTERS ARISING
5.1 Recreation Ground/Pavilion
5.1.1 Chairman reported that one of the tractor tyres had punctured and he had arranged repair.
5.1.2 Chairman said that the front doors of the Pavilion had been damaged although how this had occurred was unknown but it was assumed that they had been blown off their hinges during the recent strong gales. He had obtained one quote from Glaze for Trade of £814 for a new set of low threashold doors (not including fitting). It was agreed that another quote should be obtained from New Glaze to supply and fit. Cllr Frampton queried whether a claim could be made on our insurance – the Chairman will look into this and see if it is viable taking into account excess and possible increase of premiums. It was however agreed that the Chairman and Vice Chairman should make a decision during the next week to get the doors replaced and not wait until the May meeting.
5.1.3 Chairman has again reminded the architect (Barry Lewis) that the plans for the extension to the Pavilion are awaited.
5.1.4 Land located south-east of recreation ground owned by Mr Tony Muir. Chairman reported on a telephone conversation with the Parish Solicitor. Further discussion took place on how best to proceed regarding this issue and previous correspondence with Mr Muir was retreaved from the files. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the Clerk photocopy relevant documents including a copy of the last letter the Parish sent to Mr Muir (25 August 2006) and forward these to our Solicitor with a request that he write formally to Mr Muir. All present were in favour and agreed to this course of action.
5.1.5 Chairman reported that a tree purchased by the family of the late Bert Ridout had been planted near the seat at the south west end of the recreation field in his memory.
5.1.6 Dumping of other (not recycling) waste. An email reply on 14.3.08 from NDDC (I Manley) was read to the meeting saying that notices are going to be prepared for recycling sites experiencing the greatest problems and now that we have informed them of our problem, Okeford Fitzpaine will be considered for one of these.
5.2 Bowey Field
5.2.1. Cllr Horton requested that a closure mechanism should be attached to the Lower Street gate as it is often left open.
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5.2.2 The additional gate for the north-west end of the path could be the same as the existing gate at Lower Street which cost approx £100. It was proposed by Cllr Horton, seconded by Cllr Trowbridge and agreed by all that the Chairman should purchase the new gate and two spring closure mechanisms for both gates.
5.2.3 Chairman had spoken to children re the siting of the see-saw and next to the swing bay would be the most appropriate place. Some research into the health and safety issues needs to be done and the Chairman is going to look into these and report back.

5.3 Chicken Processing Factory site – N.F.T.R

5.4 New Cross: Clerk read e-mail reply from DCC (D Diaz) dated 25 March which indicates that widening south of New Cross has been assessed through DCC and is included in the list of schemes for construction during the period 2008-2012. It will be undertaken as soon as the land has been secured.

5.5 Footway – Castle Lane: DCC now has a new Project Manager to help on Local Transport Plan so it is envisaged that we can have a reply on the footway before the next meeting.

5.6 Transport Study: N.F.T.R.

5.7 Community Planning: N.F.T.R.

5.8 Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: Clerk reported that DCC (M Hansford) had replied on 17 March that a works order to repair the damaged fingerpost had been raised last September. He will chase to get the repair done as soon as possible. Cllr Mrs Cox agreed to follow up on our behalf.

5.9 Parish Plan: Cllr Horton gave details of some preliminary results. 139 households had returned the questionnaires, representing 344 people (281 adults, 63 young people). On Road Safety he said that it was clear people in the Parish are concerned about the speed of traffic in the village with 54% in favour for measures directly aimed at slowing down vehicles. Street lighting: it was interesting to note that three times as many people requested no more streetlights as wanted lighting increased. On this subject, Cllr Mrs Cox reminded the Council that as and when street lighting is replaced, more lamp posts will be needed to achieve the same level of light due to a change in the type of light fittings. On the Faccenda factory site, over 60% of the votes cast were directed at retaining at least some form of employment use on the site while giving it over completely to housing received only 21% of the votes. “Other” categories attracted very small numbers. It was suggested that perhaps the Parish Plan take a table at the Fippeny Fair in June when perhaps the Consultation document might be ready.

5.10 Bus Shelter/Museum
Chairman will contact Mr D Corben regarding painting. He also reported that the air raid siren has been taken from the museum. Cllr Frampton said he had heard it sounding in the early hours of the morning over the weekend. It was hoped that it was still in the village and perhaps to appeal to the better nature of whoever had taken it, a notice would be placed on the village board requesting that it be returned to the Museum asap. Mrs Burt volunteered to prepare and place the notice.
5.11 Travellers
Clerk read letter she had received from DCC (M Evans) dated 14 March which indicated that Children’s Services were involved with a “runaway” on the Conygar site and that the Gypsy Liaison Officer had been trying to assist two of the travellers into housing and another of the campers had had to be hospitalised suffering with pneumonia earlier in the year. However, Cllr Mrs Cox reported that eviction notice would be served this month.
With regard to the under-aged drivers thought to come from the encampment, the Asst Chief Constable Dorset Police had merely acknowledged our letter and said a colleague covering the Eastern area would get back to us. Chairman said from last Monday (21 March) he had heard that Dorset would no long be regarded as having north, south, east or west boarders and would be treated as one with regard to police matters. Clerk to write again to Dorset police pointing this out.
A Parish resident had reported that she believed her goat had been killed by one of the travellers’ dogs which had been seen worrying the cows in a nearby field.
5.12 Mary Gardens sign: the sign has still not been replaced.

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5.13 Ridouts Development: An estimate of £1,456.00 has been obtained as the cost of re surfacing a path to the recreation ground. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that this estimate be accepted and all agreed for the path to go ahead. However, the Clerk would now write to Signpost Housing Assoc and ask for a contribution. Footpath diversion orders were discussed and Cllr Horton said he would seek clarification from DCC (D.Ackerley) and contact Signpost re closure mechanisms for the gates.

5.14 NDDC – Housing Allocation Policy: R Corben having declared an interest as he is on the housing list, wanted the Council to be aware that although Mrs Rees of NDDC had informed them at the last meeting that everyone on the housing list had been sent a form, he had not received one. Having made enquiries about this he was informed that his application was in the archives. He was concerned that this could have happened to other Parishoner’s .
It was proposed by Cllr T Burt and seconded by Cllr E Horton that the Clerk write to Ms Janet Rees asking if the houses vacated by the transferees in the Ridouts have been reallocated .

5.15 War Memorial: All cleaned.

5.16 Post of Clerk: A contract has been printed up and is ready for discussion with the Chairman. The Clerk will attend a seminar being held by DAPTC in Dorchester on April 9th.

5.17 Road Gritting: Clerk reported that a reply had been received from DCC (J Munslow Asset Manager) informing us that the C32 is not included in priority 1 or 2 salting routes. This means that the road is not regularly salted as part of DCC’s planned winter maintenance. It is included in the priority 3 network and as such would only be salted when persistent wide spread ice or significant snow fall is experienced and then only when resources allowed. Cllr Mrs Cox will take up this matter direct with DCC.

5.18 Missing 30mph sign at Castle Lane: Clerk read letter received from DCC (M Hansford) dated 8 March indicating that in-house contractors will replace the sign although no indication of how long this will take.

5.19 Any Other Matters Arising: None

6. PLANNING MATTERS
6.1 Applications:
2/2008/0243 E. West, Westoke Farm. Extend existing barn. Cllr Horton said this was a resubmission of an application originally put forward in April 2007 with the dairy building removed as this was believed to be the reason NDDC had refused although this Council had offered no objection. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr R Corben that there be no objection, this was agreed with 1 abstention.

6.2 Decisions:
2/2008/0035 – Mr & Mrs Ellis, 21 Mether Mead. Erect two storey extension. GRANTED

6.3 Other:
6.3.1 Town & Country Planning Act 1990, Section 211 : Notification of intent to carry out works to trees within a conservation area. Cllr Horton said that an application for consent to fell three blackhorn trees in a conservation area own by Mr Nezami of Rosehill Farm had been received.. They are apparently heavily leaning trees with failed limbs and substantial dieback. No action was required by the PC unless there was any objection and he did not see there would be any detrimental impact on the environment.
6.3.2 NDCC – Planning Allocation Requirements - Consultation Draft had been received from NDDC. Cllr Horton reported that he had yet to read through the documents in detail but it appeared there would be new forms and checklists designed to assist prepartion of planning applications.

7. LOCAL DELIVERY OF SERVICES
7.1 SID’s Clerk reported on two telephone conversations with SNTC re the SID (speed indicator device) scheme. A very approximate cost of £500 had been quoted on the grounds the device would be rotated between participating Parishes. After much discussion it was decided that the Chairman would find out what other SID’s there are on the market before committing to the Sturminster Newton scheme.

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8. CORRESPONDENCE
8.1 SturQuest - Sturminster Newton Community Lunch – Wednesday 21 May
8.2. Homewatch notices for Notice boards
8.3 DCA (Dorset Community Action) re entering Dorset Pride of Place Award 2008.
8.4 Weldmar Hospicecare Trust brochure and notice for Notice board.
8.5 Dorset Local Access Forum annual report 2006/2007.
8.6 D Murphy, Complete Weed Control – offering weed spraying services in 2008.
8.7 DT11 Forum – funding of small projects through Dorset Strategic Partnership.
8.8 Dog Control Solutions offering enforcement services for dog fouling, off leads etc.
8.9 Local Council Review magazine
8.10 DAPTC – Dorset Chairmen nominations for Royal Garden Party in July – Clerk has put forward Cllr and Mrs M Burt.
8.11 DAPTC – Chief Executive’s circular 02/08 to be distributed to all councillors.
8.12 Town & Parish Standard – March newsletter – to be distributed to all councillors.
8.13 Clerks & Councils Direct magazine – March issue
8.14 Brochure from The Local Channel offering website services
8.15 Vision ICT Ltd – website design service for town and parish councils

9. REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS
9.1 Footpaths Liaison Officer –Cllr Horton reported that the non-existent fingerpost for bridleway 3 at the top of Okeford Hill is well down on the list of priorities of the Rights of Way group at DCC and is unlikely to be attended to in the foreseeable future.

10. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORT
Cllr Mrs Cox had sent her Annual Report to the Clerk and this would be read at the AGM next month. She had also passed on information re a Gypies and Travellers Seminar being held locally; the Chairman expressed an interest in attending one.

11. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC
A comment from a member of the public was made in connection with DCC purchasing buses which could hurt local bus operators. Cllr Mrs Cox said that she thought this was a misunderstanding as DCC is supporting Nordcat but she would seek clarification.

12. FINANCIAL MATTERS
12.1 Accounts to pay:
Mrs D Burt – clerk’s salary March £379.60 cheque no. 365
Mrs R Burrows – clerk’s salary March £348.44, expenses £9.98. cheque no. 367
NFU Mutual – tractor insurance renewal £120.01 cheque no. 366
Dorset County Training Partnership – Clerk’s Seminar £30.00 cheque no. 368
Southern Electric – Museum quarterly account £16.18 cheque no. 369
Southern Electric – Pavilion quarterly account direct debit £29.48
All items proposed Cllr E Horton and seconded by Cllr A Frampton that these be paid, this was agreed.

12.2 Donation to Life Education Dorset £25.00 cheque no. 370
12.3 £10 received from Marie Bright for access to garage at Greenhayes.
12.4 £323.82 VAT reimbursement.
12.5 Letter from Audit Commission confirming appointment of BDO as auditor for 2007/08 – 2011/12.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
13.1 School Admissions: Concern had been expressed about the policy of various other primary schools in relation to their entrance numbers and the effect it would have on Okeford Fitzpaine CE VA Primary School. Cllr Mrs Cox said it was a subject on the County Council’s Cabinet meeting and she would endeavour to put forward the PC’s point of view.

14. THE NEXT MEETING will be the Annual General Meeting on May 6th at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30pm followed by normal business. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 10.10pm.