7th April 2009

OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL


MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE HELD ON TUESDAY 7th APRIL 2009


Present: - Cllr M Burt (Chairman) Cllr E Horton (Vice Chairman)
Cllr R Corben Cllr S Corben
Cllr M J Paine

In attendance: Cllr Mrs A Burch (NDDC), Mrs R Burrows (Clerk), Cllr Mrs H Cox, PC Edward Watts and 4 members of the public.

1) APOLOGIES Cllr A Frampton (on holiday)

2) THE MINUTES OF 1st APRIL 2008 having been circulated to Cllrs and notice boards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr R Corben that the Chairman sign them, this was agreed.

3) MATTERS ARISING
None.

4) CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

At the beginning of the year Bernard Trowbridge, a long standing member of the Parish Council, made the decision that it was time for him to retire. On behalf of the parish I extend to him our thanks for the work he put in over many years.

After advertising the vacancy Mark Paine was co-opted to the council, he has also taken on the role of footpath liaison officer.

At around the same time our team was joined by a new clerk, Mrs Ruth Burrows who is settling in well and adjusting to the ways of Local Government.

In February this year, the council received the resignation of Cllr Tim Burt, Tim has been a valuable member of the team and he will be missed. He will however continue to provide the council with IT support and give any other help to the parish where he can. This means we have another vacancy to fill. It would be good to recruit another young person to maintain the balance of views on the council and the seat is open to women as well as men. We need to promote and maintain our democracy so I ask you all to consider this very seriously. The more people that become active in the community the less onerous it is for all.

After storm damage to the doors of the Pavilion it was decided to replace them with low threshold doors and to change the ramp arrangement to improve disabled access, this has now been completed. Baby changing facilities have also been provided at the Pavilion. Plans have been submitted and approved to extend the Pavilion and provide a tractor and machinery store.

During the bad winter weather, conditions on Okeford Hill saw the Parish Council again putting its case to the County Council for the reinstatement of the Hill to the priority routes salting list. We will continue to pursue this.

With financial help from Signpost Housing Association, the footway from Ridouts to the Recreation Ground was resurfaced and now makes a safe alternative route to the ground.

Part way through the year, the Parish Council was faced with a demand for allotments; this placed on them a duty to provide if possible. After negotiation with local land owners, an allotment site has been found at Church Field in Back Lane and volunteers are providing labour to erect fencing and prepare the ground.

The closure of the chicken processing factory in 2007 has had a significant impact on the economic life of the area and left us with a site which could become an eyesore. The Parish Council will continue to monitor the situation and the results of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment does provide some encouragement.

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to those who organise the First Friday Lunches; they are making an enormous contribution to the life of the community.

The School has also been involved and this bridges the generation gap and allows those who may not come into direct contact with school life to appreciate what is going on and see firsthand what a huge impact the school has in our community life, something we should treasure and preserve.

Unfortunately, we have lost one of our pubs, The Fiddleford Inn; hopefully the economic downturn will not have the same effect on our other pub or The Shop.

Volunteers within the Parish continue to provide excellent recreational facilities, a thriving Football Club and a superb Village Hall. I extend the thanks of the Parish to all those who make this possible.


5) OPEN SESSION/PUBLIC MATTERS
A member of the public said, as a member of the newly formed Allotment Society, he would like to thank the Parish Council for providing the allotments. Special thanks to David Frampton, Peter Potter and Chris Perrett who helped in getting the area prepared.

The Chairman invited other members of the public to speak but none were put forward and he closed the meeting at 7:40pm.

The Parish Council meeting followed immediately.