MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 2 March 2010 

PRESENT:           

Cllr M Burt (Chairman)                              

Cllr T Horton (V.Chairman)                  

Cllr S Corben                  

Cllr R Corben                  

Cllr B Fox                  

Cllr M J Paine                  

Cllr A Burch (NDDC)                          

Also present: - Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk) and 5 members of the public. 

1.         APOLOGIES:  Cllr A Frampton, Cllr A Burch (NDDC) and Cllr H Cox (DCC) 2.         THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 2 FEBRUARY having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards, were taken as read.  It was proposed by Cllr  Fox and seconded by Cllr R Corben 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 Burt declared a personal interest in planning application number 2/2010/0082/PLNG as his property is nearest to the proposed wind turbine.Cllr Horton declared a personal and prejudicial interest in planning application number 2/2010/0082/PLNG as he could see the proposed wind turbine from his property.Cllrs Burt & Frampton as members of the Village Hall Management Committee.Cllrs Burt &  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  Horton as member of NDDC Standards Committee.

5.         MATTERS ARISING

5.1       Recreation Ground/Pavilion:  Cllr Burt informed members that the building work on the youth club end of the pavilion was now all but complete.  He asked for volunteers to attend on Saturday to place the pool table in the correct position.  The youth club had requested a new vacuum cleaner to replace the old one which is no longer working.  Cllr Horton proposed the purchase of a new vacuum, this was seconded by Cllr Paine and agreed by Council.

5.2              Bowey Field including triangle of land adjacent to Chapel Cottage:  Cllr Burt pointed out that the issue regarding the triangle of land adjacent to Chapel Cottage had been resolved and should therefore be discharged from future agendas.  Cllr Paine informed Council that he had applied for a number of grants for new play equipment but had heard nothing to date, he will follow up on this if no response is received soon.

5.3       Footway – Castle Lane:  Mrs Deary informed the Council that nothing had been heard from Mr T Spivey, DCC, the Council requested the Mrs Deary write to Cllr Hilary Cox, DCC regarding this matter.

5.4       Community Planning: Cllr Burt informed the Council that although both he and Cllr Horton had attended the recent DAPTC meeting they felt that they were not yet in a position to make a decision on whether they should join the various partnerships, they felt that no concrete idea of a way forward had been achieved and therefore they would not attend any partnerships meetings at this time.  However, the partnerships could still be approached for funding to improve the pavilion as the monies were from the County Council via the Dorset Strategic Partnership, for all groups in North Dorset.

5.5       Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items:  Mrs Deary had received an email from Mrs Mandy Joyce regarding a problem with odour emissions from the biodigester unit at Lowbrook Farm, Belchalwell.  Having emailed Mr. Pitt-Kerby, Environmental Health Officer at North Dorset District Council, she was advised to contact the Environment Agency.  The Environment Agency asked for sight of the original email received regarding the complaint.  Mrs Deary asked Mrs Joyce to forward this to them.            Cllr Burt informed the Council that he had attended site and spoken to Mr. Yetman, the owner who had admitted that there were still problems on site but he was doing his best to cure them.  A flare had been fitted to burn off any excess gasses, although this had to be operated manually at present it is hoped that an automated one will be fitted in the near future.            Cllr Burt informed Council that a piece of land promised to the Church at Church Walk had now been placed for sale by the previous owner.  The current owners wish to have a tree preservation order placed on the 2 trees on site to ensure that buildings cannot be erected. The Council agreed that they would support the application.Mrs Deary was asked to write to the Planning Department informing them that this piece of land was for sale.

5.6       Parish Plan: N.F.T.R.

5.7       Blandford PACT and Home Watch:  Cllr Paine confirmed that the ‘No Excuse’ signs had now been placed around the village.

5.8       Okeford Hill – salting/gritting:  The Council requested that Mrs Deary write to DCC to find out if this had been given a higher priority following the recent review.

5.9       Traffic (volume and speed) using Back Lane:  Mrs Deary informed the Council the she had written to Mr. S Graeser at North Dorset District Council on 12 February 2010 asking for clarification on the timescale for enforcement action, no response had yet been received.  Mrs Deary agreed to forward correspondence dating back to 2005 to Mr Graeser with regard to this item.

5.10     62 Greenhayes:  The owners of 62 Greenhayes had requested that they make a one off payment of £375 to allow them a permanent right to cross the land.  The Solicitor had advised that to this would require a valuation to be carried out by the District Valuer which would prove to be costly.  Following discussion Cllr R Corben propsed that the request be turned down, this was seconded by Cllr Horton and agreed by Council.  Cllr Burt will instruct the solicitor to liaise with the owners regarding the annual charge.

5.11     Any Other Matters Arising:  NONE

6.         PLANNING MATTERS

6.1.      2/2010/0079/PLNG – Conygar, Shillingstone Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset – Create new vehicular access and turning area, erect fencing and gates. – No Objection            2/2010/0082/PLNG – Rosehill Farmhouse, High Street, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset – Erect 1 x 30 KWh microgenerator wind turbine. Cllr Horton gave a brief outline of the application and then left the meeting.  Cllr Burt informed the Council that 4 letters of objection had been received from the public raising the following points·         Visual Impact·         Noise pollution·         Impact on the AONB·         Properties in the vicinity will lose value·         Interference to television reception2 members of the public spoke in objection to the application, both reiterated the points above.Following discussion Cllr Paine proposed that the Council object to the application on the grounds of the Visual Impact on the AONB.  Mrs Deary to inform NDDC of this objection.

6.2       Decisions: NONE

6.3       Draft Housing Strategy – Council discussed the response of Child Okeford Parish Council to the North Dorset District Council Housing Strategy.  Cllr Burt agreed to write to North Dorset District Council endorsing the comments of Child Okeford and adding that Okeford Fitzpaine Parish Council felt that a there was a need for better standards for dwelling sizes in new properties.Mrs Deary was also asked to write to Mr Wright, Housing Officer at Signpost Housing thanking him for the recent meeting.  Mr Wright had undertaken to provide the Council with the official standards for new properties and also a progress report on signpost houses in Okeford Fitzpaine, these have not yet been received. Mrs Deary to request an update.Cllr Burt suggested carrying out a survey of signpost houses in Okeford Fitzpaine to establish how many are overcrowded and how many are still waiting for repairs to be carried out.   Cllr Burt and Mrs Deary to prepare a draft survey.   

7.         CORRESPONDENCE FOR 2 MARCH 2010 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING                   DAPTC Circular 03/10 – (circulated to all Councillors)           

The Rural ‘G’ Newsletter February 2010 - (circulated to all Councillors)            Homewatch Newsletter – Blandford South Jan 2010 - (circulated to all Councillors)           

Leaflet for free Insulation Grants – (placed on noticeboards)           

DAPTC Newsletter – Autumn/Winter 2009/10 - (circulated to all Councillors)Recruitment of Independent Custody Visitors for Dorset Leaflet – (placed on Okeford Fitzpaine noticeboard)

NSPCC Helpline Leaflet - (placed on Okeford Fitzpaine noticeboard)

8.         REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS:

Rights of Way/Footpaths:  Cllr Paine reported that the broken stile had not yet been repaired, he will follow this up.

Football Club: N.F.T.R.

Village Hall:   Cllr Burt reported the following events to take place.·         Race Night – 13^th March·         Photograph Afternoon – 24^th April·         Football Club Reunion (110 years) – 14^th May.The Village Hall Management Committee enquired if there would be any possibility of a donation from the Parish Council in order to keep the above mentioned photo’s in the village.  The Council agreed in principle that this could be a possibility, using money from section 137.

9.                  COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS: Cllr Audrey Burch, NDDC submitted a written report as follows:·         The situation on Back Lane – an enforcement file was made up at the end of October and info is being collected on the issue.  I would ask to be copied in on any further correspondence with Mr. Graeser, the enforcement officer.·         A query on partnership working was brought up by the Chairman last month.  On this topic I would say that for small partnerships within our district we have service level agreements with our partners that make it clear who is responsible for what and reporting mechanisms but I’m sure Mr. Burt is well aware of this.·         Village School – on Thursday the school will be holding its World Book Day, when the pupils are allowed to come to school in pygamas!  All will be welcome to visit on that day, pygamas are not a requirement.·         Hot School Meals – will start on Monday 15^th March

10.              POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC:  NONE

11.       FINANCIAL MATTERS

11.1     1) 60 Greenhayes – parking and access.  Mrs Deary informed the Council that the owners of  60 Greenhayes had returned the signed licenses with a cheque for £20.  Mrs Deary had returned a copy of the licenses to the owner for his records.

11.2     Accounts paid since last meeting:           

Goddard Landscapes (underpayment of invoice)

£50.00                                                                                                                  Chq   508           

Fireline Ltd – Fire Safety Inspection            £53.96                                                                                                                  Chq   509

Southern Electric – Bus Shelter £16.80                                                                                                                   Chq 510        

11.3     Accounts to pay:                                                                              

Mrs Deary – January salary £361.57                                                                                      £361.57                                                                                                                 Chq 511

Symonds & Sampson – Allotments & Building Rent (Fidei Holdings)            £150                                                                                                                      Chq  513 Symonds & Sampson – Allotments & Building Rent (Hinton St. Mary Estates)                    £50.00                                                                                                                   Chq  514

It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded Cllr Fox that these be paid, this was agreed by Council.

11.4     Income: £20.00 – From Mr. Casebourne with regard to the licenses for parking and access to 60 Greenhayes.

11.5     Grass Cutting Tenders:  Mrs Deary reported that only 1 tender had been received for £725.00 from Gill of all Trades with regard to grass cutting.   Cllr S Corben proposed that the tender be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Horton and agreed by Council.  Mrs Deary to inform Gill of all Trades.

12        ANY OTHER BUSINESS:  Mr Loving of the allotment group explained that there was a major problem with rabbits on the allotments and asked Council to clarify culling rights.  Mrs Deary was asked to liaise with Symonds & Sampson to establish if they have any objection to the culling of rabbits on the allotments.Cllr Burt informed the Council that he had responded to a request to write to the MP Bob Walter asking him to sign the Early Day Motion 143 petition and had received a response from Mr Walter confirming that he had already signed this petition.A member of the public enquired whether double yellow lines could be used outside the pub and opposite as people were parking within 25m of the junction therefore causing an obstruction.  When the Council last enquired about this it had not been look on favourably and was therefore dismissed as an option.       .

13.       THE NEXT MEETING will be the Tuesday 6 April 2010 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane following the Annual Parish meeting which starts at 7.30 pm.  The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 9.20 pm.