1st December 2009

MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 1 DECEMBER 2009

PRESENT: Cllr M Burt (Chairman)
Cllr T Horton (V.Chairman)
Cllr S Corben
Cllr R Corben
Cllr Mrs B Fox
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr M J Paine


Also present: - Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk), and 3 members of the public.

1. APOLOGIES: Cllr H Cox (DCC) Cllr A Burch (NDDC)
2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 3 NOVEMBER having been circulated to Cllrs and notice boards, were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr S Corben and seconded by Cllr Horton that they be signed by the Chairman, this was agreed.
The Chairman advised that the minutes from the September and October meetings needed to be amended as follows:
September: Change THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 7 JULY to read THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUCIL MEETING 4 AUGUST.
October: Change THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 2 JUNE to read THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUCIL MEETING 1 SEPTEMBER.
The minutes were amended as agreed and signed by the Chairman.
3. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 5 ONLY. None
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs Burt & Frampton as members of the Village Hall Management Committee.
Cllrs Burt & E Horton as members of the DAPTC.
Cllr Burt as member of CPEND and LDWG.
Cllrs R & S Corben & Frampton as members of Okeford United Football Club
Cllrs R & S Corben as members of Okeford Fitzpaine Allotment Society
Cllr E Horton as member of NDDC Standards Committee.
5. MATTERS ARISING
5.1 Recreation Ground/Pavilion: Cllr Burt extended the thanks of the Council to Cllr Frampton and his father for all the hard work they had carried out cleaning ditches.
Cllr Frampton advised the Council that work on the hedges had started.
Mower: Cllr R Corben informed the Council that he was still waiting for a response regarding the demonstration of a new mower.
Youth Club: A cheque for £7,000 had been received from DCC for work to the youth club, one quote for just over £7,000 had been obtained for the work and another quote is being sought. Cllr Burt has advised that the pavilion can be used whilst the work is being carried out.
5.2 Bowey Field: Mrs Deary informed the Council that the following response had been received from Andy Culley at DCC regarding the playground sign:
For warning signs such as School etc there must be a clear and unobstructed sight line to the sign of at least 60 metres, the sign itself should be positioned 45 metres from the hazard. Also on a practical level the extremity of any road sign needs to be 450mm (18 inches) from the edge of the carriageway to ensure that it does not get struck by a passing vehicle. A lot of thought would have gone into exactly where this sign could have been placed when it was initially erected. It would appear that it is on private property as opposed to highway. This is something that is only done as a VERY last resort. Therefore having visited the site he could not see a better place to situate the sign. The Council requested that Mrs Deary write back to Mr Cullen requesting work be carried out on the trees and bushes which obscure the sign to ensure the sign is visible all year round.
Playground Equipment: Cllr Paine informed the Council that a quote for individual items of play equipment had been received, if all items were purchased the cost would be approx £22,000, following discussions the Council opted to get a quote for the complete works as this may prove more economical if the work is carried out as a whole. Cllr Paine is sourcing grants for this work.
5.3 Footway – Castle Lane: Mrs Deary has sent a copy of the original map and letter sent to residents to Mr Brown at DCC. No response has yet been received. Mrs Deary will follow this up.
5.4 New Cross: A member of the public enquired whether control lights could be installed at New Cross. Following discussions it was felt that control lights would be unlikely. The last letter from DCC indicated that this was not a priority as there had been no accidents. Mrs Deary was asked to respond to the letter informing DCC that the Council was not satisfied and would be keeping this under review. Mrs Deary to also ask if there had been any complaints from other organisations, especially bus companies.
5.5 Community Planning: Cllr Burt informed the Council that he had attended a DAPTC event on 19 November on the Power of Wellbeing, in order for a Council to use the power to promote wellbeing all Councillors must be trained and the Clerk must hold the CiLCA qualification.
5.6 Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: Due to wet weather it is unsure if the leak at Belchalwell has been repaired yet. Cllr Burt has had a report of 2 blocked drains in Belchalwell, this has been actioned. The big pothole previously reported in Belchalwell has now been filled.
A resident of Fiddleford has shown appreciation of the new seat stating that it is getting lots of use.
5.7 Parish Plan: Cllr Horton reported to the Council that the final draft Parish Plan was ready and requested that the Council adopt it after which it could be placed on the internet and distributed to residents. Following discussion not all Councillors felt they had seen the document, therefore Cllr Horton distributed the document to all Councillors and it was agreed that if no changes were needed then the Council would adopt the plan at the January meeting.
5.8 Blandford PACT and Home Watch:
Luke Goddard, Community Police Officer gave a report of the incidents and accidents in the last month. He informed the Council that once again it had been a quiet month, making North Dorset one of the safest places in the country to live.
5.9 Allotments: Agreement with Allotment Group:
Cllr Paine tabled a revised agreement. Cllr Horton proposed that this agreement be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Fox and agreed by Council with 2 abstentions.
5.10 Okeford Hill – salting/gritting: Mrs Deary emailed Cllr Cox at DCC enquiring if any further actions could be carried out by the Parish Council to enable this matter to be reconsidered. No response has yet been received
5.11 Okeford Fitzpaine CE VA Primary School: Cllr Burt informed the Council that a request for funding for new door had been received. The total cost of the new door was in the region of £1,400. Following discussion Cllr Horton proposed a donation of £500 be given, this was seconded by Cllr Frampton and agreed by Council.
5.12 Scrambler bikes in the vicinity of Castle Lane: It was agreed that this item be discharged from future agendas as no problems had occurred in recent months.
5.13 Traffic (volume and speed) using Back Lane: Mrs Deary received an email from Mr Graeser of NDDC stating that due to inclement weather and other priorities he had been unable to attend site to assess the situation. Mrs Deary will follow this up if no update is received.
6. PLANNING MATTERS
6.1. Applications:
2/2009/0817/ – Okeford Hill, Pound Lane, Shillingstone – Change of use to form an off road cycling facility. Erect a trail head start wooden platform and wooden/earth cycling features to include continue formation of bike trails within the indicated area. Form new access, erect a pre-fabricated club house and form 30 car spaces (part retrospective). Following the meeting last month further plans were received showing that the uplift track would not use the sticklepath, however the new track for vehicles would run parallel to the bridle way for part of the way and then join the bridleway. Having discussed this application on two previous occasions Cllr Burt and Cllr Horton agreed that NDDC be informed that the Parish Council had no objection to the plans but the following points should be given consideration: (i) The PC feels strongly that the application should be put forward to the Development Control Committee. (ii) Advertising signage has a detrimental impact on the AONB. Non-essential signs need to be removed especially when no ‘events’ are taking place. (iii) The findings of English Heritage regarding the effect on the Scheduled Ancient Monument must be taken fully into account.
Intent to carry out works to trees within a conservation area: To fell 1 x Pine tree and 1 x Cypress tree and to coppice 1 x Viburnum at Highclere, Shillingstone Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine – NO OBJECTION
6.2 Decisions:
2/2009/0672/PLNG – Land at Wessex Way Park Homes, Shillingstone Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine – APPROVAL OF RESERVED MATTERS
7. CORRESPONDENCE FOR 1 DECEMBER 2009 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Email regarding A303Willoughby Hedge to Mere major maintenance scheme (circulated to all Councillors)
Homewatch Newsletter - Blandford South Oct. 2009 (circulated to all Councillors)
Ringmaster email dated 18 November 2009 (circulated to all Councillors)
Ringmaster email dated 19 November 2009 (circulated to all Councillors)
Letter from The blandford (Town and Rural) PACT Panel (circulated at meeting)
Ringmaster email dated 30 November 2009 (circulated at meeting)
8. REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS:
Rights of Way/Footpaths: It was reported that a tree on footpath no. 1 was damaged, Cllr Paine will attend to assess the damage.
Football Club: N.F.T.R.
Village Hall: Cllr Burt reported that work to the car park will commence shortly. Some unavoidable disturbance would occur but this would be kept to a minimum.
9. COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS: NONE
10. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
A member of the public informed the Council that a new train timetable had been placed in the village shop.
11. FINANCIAL MATTERS
11.1 Accounts paid since last meeting: NONE
11.2 Accounts to pay:
DAPTC (Conference Attendance) chq 494
£5.00
Mrs Deary – Oct salary £361.57 Expenses £4.94 chq 495
£366.25
Cllr Mike Burt
£58.42 (Office supplies) chq 496
It was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded Cllr Fox that these be paid, this was agreed by Council.
11.3 Monies Received
£7,000 – Grant received from DCC for the youth club.
£10.00 – Donation from Three Okefords Preservation Society.
11.4 Precept 2010-2011 – Mrs Deary informed the Council that the draft precept had been displayed on the notice boards for 12 days and that no comments have yet been received. A letter had been received from Mr Nick Greenwood at NDDC asking that the best estimate showing the Councils requirements be forwarded to him no later that 22 January 2010. It was decided that the Council would defer approving the draft precept until the January meeting.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Okeford Fitzpaine Management Committee – Village Hall License: The Council noted a report from the Licensing Department of NDDC with regard to a variation to the license for the Village Hall.
Fiddleford Trailway: Mrs Deary reported that she had received a call regarding major works to be carried out on the badger sets on the trailway at Fiddleford.
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13. THE NEXT MEETING will be Tuesday 5th January 2010 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 9.35 pm.