MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGHELD AT THE PAVILION ON 5 JANUARY 2010 

PRESENT:        

Cllr M Burt (Chairman)                              

Cllr T Horton (V.Chairman)                  

Cllr S Corben                  

Cllr R Corben                        

Cllr A Frampton                  

Cllr M J Paine                                            

Also present: - Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk), and 2 members of the public. 

1.         APOLOGIES:   Cllr B Fox, Cllr H Cox (DCC) and Cllr A Burch (NDDC)

2.         THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 1 DECEMBER having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards, were taken as read.  It was proposed by Cllr R Corben and seconded by Cllr Paine that they be signed by the Chairman, this was agreed.

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

4.         DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTCllrs 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 ClubCllrs 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 reported that two toilets had been leaking in the old pavilion.  He had managed to rectify one and has turned off the second until further investigation takes place.  Cllr Frampton reported that the hedge work was now complete and that the ditch was working well.            Cllr Burt had been informed by NDDC that the Building Control department would need to be informed before any work was started on the garage.

5.2              Bowey Field: Cllr Burt informed the Council that the dead trees had been removed by the landscapers, the big trees had been left as when they first inspected the site they did not consider the large trees were included.  Following discussion is was decided to request a quote to remove the big trees as they were in an awkward position.  Cllr Burt will request this quote.Mrs Deary informed the Council that she had written to Andy Culley of DCC with regards to the playground sign and that Mr Culley had responded to say that the matter had been passed on to Mr John Mann who is responsible for maintenance, Mr Mann has responded stating that as the sign is on private property it is not the responsibility of the County Council to trim the hedge therefore the Parish Council should approach the owners to ask them to keep the hedge trimmed to ensure visibility of the sign, if this approach fails then enforcement action can be taken.  Cllrs Frampton and S Corben have agreed to cut back the hedge.Playground Equipment:  Cllr Paine informed the Council that the quote for the playground equipment has not yet been received, he will follow this up.

5.3       Footway – Castle Lane:  No response has yet been received.  Mrs Deary will follow this up.

5.4       New Cross:  Having checked previous correspondence the Parish Council had already responded to the last letter informing DCC that they were not happy with the outcome.  The Council felt that no change would be forthcoming and therefore decided to discharge this item from future agendas.       

5.5       Community Planning: Cllr Burt reminded the Council of the background to the community planning issues.  The Council had not formally joined any of the partnerships although both himself and Councillor Horton had attended an occasional meeting of both Sturquest & DT11.  As  a representative to the DAPTC Cllr Burt had been elected to CPEND the District  partnership steering group, recently there had been changes introduced without discussion at CPEND that had resulted in the CDW's being made redundant, this was an unsatisfactory situation and would almost certainly result in a discussion at the next northern area DAPTC meeting on the 9 Feb as the CDW's were available to town & parish Councils outside of the partnerships, it would appear this facility had been withdrawn without consultation and in a disgraceful manner especially just before Christmas. Cllr Burt felt that at the February meeting the council should discuss its position in order that the  delegates to the DAPTC were in a position to speak on the councils behalf.  This was agreed.

5.6       Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items:  Cllr Burt had inspected the water leak at Belchalwell, the leak had been repaired, he reported that water was running down Church Lane although this could be due to the bad weather.  He will keep an eye on the situation.

5.7       Parish Plan: Following the meeting in December Councillors have read the parish plan.  Adoption of the plan was proposed by Cllr R Corben and seconded by Cllr Frampton.  This was agreed by the Council.

5.8       Blandford PACT and Home Watch:  Cllr Horton informed the Council that talks were taking place regarding placing the alarm leaflet in the village shop, also Mr Mike Wood had placed a notice in the Fippenny news regarding Homewatch.

5.9       Allotments: Agreement with Allotment Group:  Cllr Paine produced the final allotment agreement, this was signed by Mr Loving and Cllr Burt.  Mrs Deary to forward a copy of the signed agreement to Mr Loving.

5.10     Okeford Hill – salting/gritting: No response yet received.

5.11     Okeford Fitzpaine CE VA Primary School:  Mrs Deary to send a cheque for £500 as a donation towards the new door as agreed at the meeting on 1 December 2009.

5.12     Traffic (volume and speed) using Back Lane:  Mrs Deary had emailed Mr S Graeser of NDDC asking if he had been able to attend site yet and if not if he had a timescale for attending, Mr Graeser responded that he had been unable to attend to date and could not specify a timescale for attendance as this depended on his workload and to a certain extent the weather.  The Council were disappointed that no action had yet been taken and asked Mrs Deary to write again to Mr Graeser informing him of this.  She will also inform him that a further large building has been erected without planning permission on land adjacent to the Okeford Hill turning and a mobile home has been placed on the site, as previously reported to Deanna Laban.

5.13     62 Greenhayes:  Cllr Burt has spoken to the Solicitor who intends to write to the owner advising him that the annual access charge needs to be paid

6.         PLANNING MATTERS

6.1.      Applications:             Intent to carry out works to trees within a conservation area: To fell 1 x Norway Maple at The Old Rectory, Greenhayes, Okeford Fitzpaine – No objection.

6.2       Decisions: NONE

7.         CORRESPONDENCE FOR 5 JANUARY 2010 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING    Email regarding High Speed Broadband Provision for Dorset – Cllr Burt will attend this meeting if possible     

Email regarding Parish Partnerships’ training for RCC Staff and Partner Organisations                

Email regarding guidance on setting local speed limits                

DAPTC Circular 17/09                

Home watch newsletters November 2009                

 Letter from NDDC regarding a free tree                

Letter from Victim Support asking for donation

8.         REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS:

Rights of Way/Footpaths:  A member of the public informed the Council that the style at the top of Greenhaye Drove is missing.  Cllr Paine will look into this. The hedge on the footpath behind the school has overgrown, Cllr Paine will speak to the owners of the property with a view to clearing it. 

Football Club: N.F.T.R.

Village Hall:  Cllr Burt informed the Council that a new soak away had been provided for the front of the building, the old soak away at the rear and kitchen end appeared to be blocked, probably by leaves from the cherry tree, to bring a new soak away around to the front of the building or link into the new one just installed would prove extremely difficult as the cherry tree was in the way.  Cllr R Corben proposed writing to NDDC with regard to removing the cherry tree, this was seconded by Cllr S Corben and agreed by Council.  Mrs Deary to write to NDDC.

9.         COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS: NONE

10.       POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC:  A member of the public asked when he would be able to have sight of the Parish Plan.  A copy was handed to him at the meeting.

11.       FINANCIAL MATTERS

11.1     Accounts paid since last meeting: NONE                           

11.2     Accounts to pay:            Village Hall (Homewatch Meeting)            20.00                                                                                                   chq 497            Mrs Deary – Oct salary £361.57      Expenses £5.56                                    £367.13                                                                                               chq 498            Mr M Burt – Village Hall Car Park work (soak away)              £17.89                                                                                                 chq 499            Okeford Fitzpaine Primary School            £500                                                                                                    chq 500            It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded Cllr Frampton that these be paid, this was   agreed by Council.

11.3     Income: A donation of £10 had been received from Three Okefords Preservation Society and a donation of £10 had been received from Mr Steve Taylor.

11.4     Precept 2010-2011 – As there were no changes to the draft precept it was proposed by Cllr Paine and seconded by Cllr Horton that the draft be accepted, this was agreed, Mrs Deary to make the claim to NDDC

12.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS:  The Council had received an offer of a free tree from NDDC, following discussion it was decided that this offer would be declined.  Mrs Deary to inform NDDC of this decision    .

13.       THE NEXT MEETING will be the Tuesday 2 February 2010 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30pm.  The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 9.35 pm.