MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 1 FEBRUARY 2011

PRESENT: Cllr M Burt (Chairman)

 Cllr T Horton (V.Chairman)

Cllr R Corben

Cllr S Corben

Cllr B Fox

Cllr A Frampton

Also present: - Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk), Cllr A Burch and 6 members of the public.

1. APOLOGIES: Cllr Paine

2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 4 JANUARY 2010 having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Frampton that they be signed by the Chairman, this was agreed.

3. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO ITEM 6 ONLY. None

4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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 Club

Cllrs R & S Corben as members of Okeford Fitzpaine Allotment Society

Cllr Horton as member of NDDC Standards Committee.

5. District & County Councillors’ Reports: N.F.T.R

6. MATTERS ARISING

6.1 Recreation Ground/Pavilion:

Cllr Burt reported that the new extension had progressed as far as possible. A decision needed to be make regarding which tiles should be used on the roof. Cllr Burt will make enquiries as to the best way forward in this matter. The garage was broken into on Saturday night, nothing was stolen.

Cllrs Burt and Frampton reported that they had looked at various ride on mowers. John Deere mowers appear to be the better option. Further investigation would need to take place before a decision could be reached.

Cllr Frampton reported that the litter bin near the swings was being used as a dog dropping bin, Cllr Burt suggested a sign be erected to deter this from happening.

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   1. Bowey Field: Cllr Fox advised that she had been speaking to the DCA regarding more funding for the play equipment and was in the process of putting a bid together. There had been no progress to date with local residents volunteering to help. Cllr S Corben suggested that the Playing Fields Association may be able to help with funding, Cllr Burt advised that money was only available for clubs.

Cllr Frampton reported that he had repaired one of the goals and the other would be repaired in the very near future.

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   1. Village Hall Extension and Car Park: Cllr Burt advised that no further work would take place until the weather improved.

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   1. Footway – Castle Lane: Mrs Deary to write to DCC asking for an update on this matter.

   2. Community Planning: Mrs Deary advised that the DT11 Forum were compiling a list of village websites that would be prepared to show occasional brief notices to publicise a local event that might interest local residents. They would like to know if we would we be prepared to allow this to take place on our website. Following a discussion it was decided that this would be allowed subject to the limited space available. Mrs Deary to advise the DT11 Forum.

Cllr Burt advised that he would be attending a community planning meeting on 10 March on the ‘Big Society’.

6.6 Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: Mrs Deary had received an email from Kevin Parsons of the Environment Agency stating that they were aware of Residents concerns relating to the Anaerobic Digester at Lowbrook Farm, Belchalwell asking if the Council would be interested in him attending a future meeting to speak about the site and its regulation. It was decided that we would ask him to attend the next meeting of the Council in March.

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   1. Actions Highlighted in the Parish Plan: Cllr Fox advised that the idea of holding movie nights was still in the planning stage, she had been in contact with Child Okeford Parish Council to see how it would work..

   2. Blandford PACT and Home Watch: Emails had been received to report that numerous thefts had taken place recently in the local area.

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   1. Okeford Hill – salting/gritting: Mrs Deary reported that a letter had been received from Mr J. Munslow, Asset Manager, DCC stating that they do not warn motorists of untreated sections of the road network, they inform the public through various methods of the treated road network. Therefore they will not erect signs at the bottom of Okeford Hill. Following discussion it was agreed that because DCC were adamant that they would not grit Okeford Hill this item should now be discharged from the agenda.

6.9.1 Parish Grit Bins: Cllr Burt advised that the grit bins had now been received, a map of the village showing the proposed situation of the bins should be sent to Mr Munslow for his agreement and to advise him that they would need to be filled. Once the bins were in situ they would be fixed in place and locked during the summer months.

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   1. Traffic using Back Lane (including hedges a corner of Back Land & Pound Lane)

Mrs Deary informed the Council that she had again written to Wessex Water with regard to the overgrown hedges. An email response had been received advising that a scheduled site visit had been delayed and would take place in the near future.

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   1. Land at top of Back Lane: Mrs Deary advised that no further update had been received. Cllr Burch agreed to speak to the enforcement officer at NDDC regarding the enforcement notice and would report back to the next meeting.

   2. Land at bottom of Okeford Hill: Mrs Deary advised that no further update had been received. Cllr Burch agreed to speak to the enforcement officer at NDDC regarding the enforcement notice and would report back to the next meeting.

   3. Village shop: The Council agreed that this item should be discharged from the agenda because the owners of the shop had not been in contact to discuss available support

   4. Wooden Building in field adjacent to the Pavilion: Mrs Deary reported that she had received an email from Mrs Rogerson, Enforcement Officer, NDDC. The owner of the wooden building has been advised that it is not as approved and is currently unauthorised and that the following options should be considered to remedy the matter.

• find a shed from a new supplier which matches what was approved in respect to planning application 2009/0911.

• alter the existing shed, i.e. remove the windows and veranda (such amendments to be approved by the Authority) to make it more in keeping with a structure used in connection with forestry and the surroundings.

• submit a planning application for the structure which has been erected (however with this option I cannot advise whether such an application would be approved or refused)
  Mrs Rogerson will keep the Council updated on any further developments.

7. PLANNING MATTERS:

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   1. Applications: 2/1010/0336/PLNG Amended – Knoll Farm, The Common, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset – Restore & Reinstate redundant gravel pits for agricultural use (cereal production) – Cllr Horton outlined the application and highlighted the revisions to the application as follows:

• The new plans showed a reduced access width with a design that allows HGV traffic to enter and leave the site from the north as requested by the highway engineer.

• A reduction in the finished height of fill which will reduce the amount of fill material required. This would reduce the amount of time required to complete the works and also reduce the number of vehicle movements.

• Screening and noise suppression bunds would be used.

• A naive copse consisting of 20% trees ad 80 scrubs would be planted within the southern corner of the proposed site.

During discussions concerns were raised with regard to the use of this land as a land fill site, with no control over what goes into it. Also the planned 200m concrete road would spoil the look of the area. A proposal was made to object to the application, this was not seconded.

Cllr Frampton proposed no objection to the application this was seconded by Cllr Fox. The Council voted 4 in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention. Mrs Deary to inform DCC of the decision.

2/2011/0016/PLNG – Land at Back Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset –

Erect 2 x dwellings, form 4 x parking spaces, turning areas, widen existing access and provide allotments. – An email had been received prior to the meeting from Mr Moore and Ms Self of Myrtle Cottage objecting to the application. Mr Moore advised that he had collected a petition from 32 local residents objecting to the proposed application. He then addressed the Council to reiterate the points below:

• Loss of Amenity use of gardens by overlooking, noise and disturbance from dwellings

• Loss of Amenity use of gardens by noise and disturbance from allotments and allotment parking

• Conservation Area designation and protecting policies

• AONB designation and protecting policies

• Important Open or Wooded Area designation and protecting policies

• Volume and Speed of Traffic using Back Lane

• Traffic problems Back Lane being made worse by additional traffic generated

• Historic Objections to development of this site including Parish Council

• Local Parish Plan

• Current Local Opposition

• Setting of Listed Buildings and protecting policies

• Proportion and Positioning of Proposed Development

 Cllr Burt advised that the Parish plan does not state that residential development should be disallowed. The Parish Council were not bound by the Parish Plan and that only 40% of residents had responded to the questionnaire that was distributed to all households during the parish plan consultation period. Cllr Burt also pointed out that the PC had never had any principled objection to development of this site and whilst they had opposed certain applications for various reasons they had supported an application in 1995 and had attended the appeal in support.
Mr Moore stated that at the NDDC Development Control meeting which had last discussed this application the decision to grant permission was overturned due to the section 106 agreement being legally unsafe. Mrs Deary was asked to write to the Solicitor of the Council, Mr S Caundle, to clarify this issue.
Another member of the public spoke in objection to the application on the grounds of increased traffic and building in an AONB and IOWA.
The points above were discussed at length. Cllr Fox proposed objection to the application on grounds of increased traffic, this was seconded by Cllr Frampton, Council then voted as follows: 3 against the proposal, 2 for the proposal and 1 abstention. Therefore the proposal was not carried. Cllr S Corben proposed no objection to the application, this was seconded by Cllr R Corben, Council then voted as follows: 3 for the proposal, 2 against the proposal and 1 abstention. Therefore the proposal was carried. Mrs Deary to inform NDDC of the decision.

7.2 Decisions: 2/2010/1228/PLNG – Little Brook, Fiddleford, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2BX – Erect 1 x 3 bay garage/log store incorporating hobby room in roof space (demolish existing outbuildings) – GRANTED

2/2010/1172/PLNG – Okeford Hill, Pound Lane, Shillingstone – Variation of condition no 3 on planning application 2/2009/0817 to allow extended use of the car park- GRANTED

8. CORRESPONDENCE FOR 1 FEBRUARY 2011 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The Rural ‘G’ – Homewatch Newsletter Blandford Rural – January 2011

Homewatch newsletter – Blandford South – December 2010

Dorset Countryside News – January/February 2011-01-09

Update from the Blandford Leisure Centre Action Group

Summary of Library report to be considered by the Community Overview Committee, DCC.

DAPTC – Chief Executive’s Circular 01/11

9. REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS:

Rights of Way/Footpaths: N.F.T.R.

Football Club: N.F.T.R.

Village Hall: N.F.T.R.

1. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC: A member of the public pointed out that apple trees in the Orchard, Pound Lane had been chopped down. Mrs Deary was asked to contact the tree officer at NDDC for advice.

11. FINANCIAL MATTERS

11.1 Annual Risk Assessment: The Council discussed the annual risk assessment. The only risk highlighted on the Annual Audit was that the Fidelity Guarantee was considered inadequate. This had since been increased from £20,000 to £30,000. The Council was satisfied that sufficient internal control of finances was in place. Cllr Burt advised that servicing of the firefighting equipment had recently taken place.

11.2 Annual Internal Audit: Following discussion it was agreed that the same auditor as last year should be used if he is willing.

11.3 60 Greenhayes, Parking & Access. Following discussion it was agreed that the license should continue with the same terms as last year. Mrs Deary to inform the residents.

11.4 Grass cutting tenders: Mrs Deary reported that only 1 tender had been received for £750.00 from Gill of all Trades with regard to grass cutting. This was an increase of £25 from last year. A decision of grass cutting was deferred until the next meeting.

11.5 Accounts paid since last meeting: None

11.6 Accounts to be paid:

 Mrs S Deary – Salary

£361.57 Chq No 580

St Andrews Church

£6.72 Chq No 581

J A Beale – Extension Works

£945.00 Chq No 582

Gordon Wells – Extension Works

£1,430.00 Chq No 583

Cllr M Burt – Materials/Supplies for Extension Works

£345.14 Chq No 584

4 Counties Window Repair – Pavilion Doors & Windows

£200 Chq No 585

Mrs A Calcott - Prison Door Repair – Donation

£400 Chq No 586  

It was proposed by Cllr S Corben and seconded by Cllr Fox that these be paid. This was agreed by Council.

11.7 Income: £120 donation from Okeford Fitzpaine Allotment Group.

1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: A member of the public raised concerns regarding the decision taken by DCC to limit the use of bus passes until after 9.30 am. Mrs Deary was asked to write to the Chief Executive raising these concerns. Mrs Deary informed the Council that a letter had been received from Mrs J Guest, NDDC, asking that the Parish consider making a donation to the Blandford Leisure Centre through the precept. Following discussion it was decided that as a consultation had taken place in 2009, with local residents voting to not support the Leisure Centre, support could not be offered at this time. Mrs Deary to inform Mrs Guest of this decision.

A decision was taken that the meeting scheduled for 3 May 2011 would be moved to 10 May 2011 following the local elections.

13. THE NEXT MEETING will be held on Tuesday 1 March 2011 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30 pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 10.15 pm.