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Minutes published unapproved for ratification at the meeting on 10 May 2011
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 5 APRIL 2011
PRESENT: Cllr M Burt (Chairman)
Cllr T Horton (V.Chairman)
Cllr S Corben
Cllr B Fox
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr M Paine
Also present: - Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk), Cllr A Burch, Mr Kevin Parsons and Colleague from Environment Agency and 13 members of the public.
1. APOLOGIES: Cllr R Corben
2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 1 MARCH 2011 having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded by Cllr Fox 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.
Cllr S Corben & Frampton as member of Okeford United Football Club
Cllr S Corben as member of Okeford Fitzpaine Allotment Society
Cllr Horton as member of NDDC Standards Committee.
5. District & County Councillors’ Report: Cllr Cox, DCC sent the following report:
We have waited 13 long years for a change of Government, we now have one that reflects the political character of Dorset. Not surprisingly we will have to work towards getting Britain on sound economic footing, which means far less public spending. This is a challenge but one that we will achieve as we were well prepared. Dorset County Council was coming to the end of a three-year efficiency drive to save £8.6 million a year on our net budget of £278 million (after accounting for specific government grants and income from fees and charges). We had already made other efficiency savings of around £22.4 million over the past six years.
The budget for this year as a result in 4.4% reduction from Government grant and the cost of inflation pressures means that we have had to make a further £31m in savings. We have done this by taking £10.7m out of front line services and £20.3m from Back office and efficiency savings.
Inevitably this will mean staff reductions /job losses at all levels within DCC. Next year we will need to take out another £10-12m!
Highways have undergone a radical restructure which aims to drive forward efficiencies and improve the service, which was severely tested this year.
The priority roads were kept open with frequent gritting runs but some isolated villages were cut off for several days. Parish councils will I am sure be providing more grit bins but DCC also need to review their use of farmers to assist as a matter of urgency. The pot- holes caused by the weather are horrendous, I hope that you keep reporting them via www.dorsetforyou.com/Highways or by phone 01305 221020 as I do on a regular basis !! The Divisional meeting at the end of March discussed what needs to improve in this very important service.
I took over the Community portfolio last year and am also 'covering' Adult Social care at the moment. You may have seen my name in some press coverage of the savings we are tasked to make within the Library service. I often point out that none of the large villages that I have the honour to represent have libraries ,you have mobile library visits or use other main libraries or get your reading materials elsewhere, what is absolutely certain is that you are not culturally deprived. The 20 libraries we are offering to their communities actually only serve 4-5 % of the population of Dorset and several are within 3miles of each other and in smaller villages than Spetisbury or Milborne St Andrew! In
such tight times I think that our limited resources would be best spent in the towns where most people visit even if only occasionally.
6. MATTERS ARISING
6.1 Recreation Ground/Pavilion: Mrs Deary advised that NDDC are no longer organising the RoSPA inspections therefore she will contact RoSPA direct to set up the annual playground equipment inspection.
Cllr Burt informed the Council that Rochfords will be registering the new mower tomorrow. He advised that he had fitted a new emergency light and a he will investigate a further faulty one.
The roof trusses for the new garage/store had arrived.
Cllr S Corben explained that the football club were trying to register to play in a league above the one they currently play in, to do so they would need to erect a metal barrier and have permission to use the pitch for at least the next three years. Cllr Paine proposed that permission to erect a metal barrier and to allow the football club the use of the pitch for the next three years be given, this was seconded by Cllr Horton and agreed by Council. Mrs Deary to write to Cllr Corben with this decision.
6.2 Bowey Field: Mrs Deary advised that NDDCD are no longer organising the RoSPA inspections, therefore she will contact RoSPA direct to set up the annual playground equipment inspection.
Permission had been sought to hold a ‘Family fun & sports day’ on Bowey field on 23 July 2011. Cllr Horton proposed that permission be granted, this was seconded by Cllr Frampton and agreed by Council
6.3 Village Hall Extension and Car Park: N.F.T.R.
6.4 Footway – Castle Lane: N.F.T.R.
6.5 Community Planning: N.F.T.R.
6.6 Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: Mr Kevin Parsons from the Environment Agency gave the following report with regard to the Anaerobic Digester in Belchalwell:
General Background
Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants are not new, there are many in place at sewage works.
Their potential energy source from burning the methane means can be used to offset grid power. Government Feed in Tariffs (FiT’s) mean the high cost of connecting to National Grid makes schemes viable. Government pressure to reduce waste to landfill also provides feedstock to these plants, as a result, several schemes now being developed.
Lowbrook Farm Background
Lowbrook was early scheme which was developed at time when environmental control of these plants, in this type of application, was in its infancy. Hence, Lowbrook was developed in absence of formal controls. When Environmental Permitting scheme for such plants was agreed, Lowbrook was permitted.
Permits
The Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 control such plants. For this scale of plant, the Permit is a Standard Rules Permit. This means the operator agrees to abide by certain rules and if he does, then the Permit is simple, regulatory controls are minimal and operator benefits from lower annual charges.
This approach has arisen from the Government’s “Better Regulation” agenda, where Regulatory Organisations have to rationalise their control on industry, cut red tape and bureaucracy and make it simpler, less restrictive to operate in the UK
Regulatory approach
The Permits are not too prescriptive. They rely on the Operator obeying the Rules and if he does not, he has to explain what he intends to do to comply.
We then have to give him time to demonstrate that he can comply. Only if it is clear that outcomes cannot be achieved without specific work can we “force” the issue.
Health impact of odours
Digester gas consist mainly of a methane and carbon dioxide mix. In addition, low levels of Hydrogen Sulphide are present, as well as trace volatile organic acids.
The trace gases can be extremely odourous, even in small concentrations. The main odour is Hydrogen Sulphide. In high concentrations, this gas is toxic and explosive. At the concentrations likely to occur within the village, the levels are expected to be below levels that are likely to cause harm, but nevertheless, can still be unpleasant.
Work achieved at Lowbrook
Site is now Permitted (Oct 2010). The operator is clear on what he can put in digester and that odours must be contained/treated. The operator is under Notice to improve Odour control via the auxiliary flare.
Work with Community
Most reporters have been spoken to or visited in person, where possible, we have explained what we can and cannot do.
All reporters of odours within Belchalwell have been given sheets to record odours and their intensity. We would ask that even though reporters have the sheets, they still ring in odours to the Agency.
What next?
Lowbrook has until June to install a flare to provide effective control of odours when the gas engine is not operational. If odours are still apparent, further work will be requested until the matter is resolved. Witness statements will be sought from residents, where necessary and appropriate, to formally record their concerns regarding impact on their lives.
Members of the public raised the following concerns:
Levels of testing were not conclusive, written confirmation that levels would not cause harm to health had been sought but not received.
The smell emitted from the digester contaminated property and lingered for a considerable time following leaks.
Steam used to be visible from the digester but this had now ceased.
The Community had forced regulations to be put in place, this had taken considerable time and effort as nobody wanted to take ownership in the beginning.
Young children have lungs which are more vulnerable to pollutants.
Cllr Burt advised the public that he had attended twice to investigate smells when contacted by a villager, however he thought the problem had been solved when no further complaints were received, he added that the Parish Council could have added weight to the argument had they been aware of it.
Mr Yeatman offered his apologies to his neighbours for the smells they had had to endure. He assured them that the leakages were not a danger to health but agreed that they were very unpleasant. He advised that the smell was caused by gasses leaking between the engine cutting out and him operating the manual flare which burned of the gasses. A new automatic flare which operates when the engine cuts out will be fitted in the near future and this will eliminate the smells.
6.7 Actions Highlighted in the Parish Plan: Cllr Fox advised that Ibberton had objected to Okeford Fitzpaine holding movie nights. She will place an advert in the Fippenny News to try to ascertain interest.
6.8 Blandford PACT and Home Watch: N.F.T.R.
6.9 Parish Grit Bins: Cllr Burt informed the committee that the go ahead had been given to site the grit bins. Cllr Paine had 6 ground stakes which had been donated by Rokill Ltd.
6.10 Traffic using Back Lane (including hedges a corner of Back Land & Pound Lane) N.F.T.R.
6.11 Land at top of Back Lane: Mrs Deary advised that the planning inspectorate decision had been received and a full report would follow shortly.
6.12 Land at bottom of Okeford Hill: Mrs Deary advised that the planning inspectorate decision had been received and a full report would follow shortly.
6.13 Wooden Building in field adjacent to the Pavilion: No further update had been received.
7. PLANNING MATTERS:
7.1 Applications: 2/2011/0245/PLNG – Little Brook, Fiddleford, Sturminster Newton, Dorset,
DT10 2BX – Discharge of Condition Nos: 3 – Siting, 4 – Details of screening, 7 – Access crossing construction, 8 – Access, turning, garaging, parking scheme (outline) from Planning Permission No. 2/2010/1228. Cllr Horton explained the conditions and the changes asked for. He felt that conditions 3 & 4 would not affect the application and therefore there was no objection to removal of these. Condition 7 should be modified to read ‘Maintain current hard surface’ and condition 8 should remain unchanged with a more detailed plan being made available to show that vehicle can leave the site in forward gear. Cllr Fox proposed accepting Cllr Horton’s recommendations, this was seconded by Cllr Frampton and agreed by Council. Mrs Deary to inform NDDC of the decision.
7.2 Decisions: 2/2011/09/PLNG – Sweetwell, Fiddleford, Sturminster Newton, Dorset,
DT10 2BX – Erect 1 x 3 bay garage/log store (Demolish existing garage/store) – GRANTED
7.3 Update of Planning Application 2/2010/0533/PLNG – Land at Back Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset – Erect 2 x dwellings, form 4 x parking spaces, turning area and modify existing access - Mrs Deary reported that the Chairman and herself had attended a meeting with Mrs Hannah Smith and Mr John Hammond, NDDC with regard to the applicant donating the remaining land to the Parish Council for use as allotment or open land. Mrs Smith explained the following:
The scope of such agreements is laid out in the government’s Circular 05/2005. Matters agreed as part of a S106 must be:
relevant to planning
necessary to make the proposed development acceptable in planning terms
directly related to the proposed development
fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the proposed development
reasonable in all other respects.
A council’s approach to securing benefits through the S106 process should be grounded in
evidence-based policy. With reference to the issue of allotments, a proposal for two
dwellings would not fit these requirements and this is why the S106 route cannot be used in this case to secure allotments. If the applicant wants to include allotments as part of their application, (as is the case with the current application) that is fine however the use of a S106 to secure allotments would not be appropriate for the reasons stated above. A letter had since been received from Mrs Smith reiterating the above points. Mrs Smith advised that the applicant had agreed to have a legal agreement drawn up to ensure that the remaining land transfers to the Council upon granting of planning permission. This will now take place in June.
8. CORRESPONDENCE FOR 5 APRIL 2011 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
The Rural ‘G’ – Homewatch Newsletter Blandford Rural – February 2011
Homewatch newsletter – Blandford South – February 2011
DAPTC – Chief Executive’s Circular 05/11
9. REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS:
Rights of Way/Footpaths: Cllr Paine advised that he is attending to 2 issues at present.
Football Club: Cllr S Corben reported that the football team were in the County Final on 19 April against Poole.
Village Hall: N.F.T.R.
10. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None
11. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
11.1 Accounts paid since last meeting:
Stalbridge Timber Supplies – Roof Trusses – Extension
£609.74 Chq No 595
11.2 Accounts to be paid:
Mrs S Deary – Salary
£361.57 Chq No 596
DAPTC – Big Society Event
£45 Chq No 597
Southern Electric – Bus Shelter Electric
£17.04 Chq No 598
Cllr Mike Burt – Office Sundries
£50.24 Chq No 599
It was proposed by Cllr Paine and seconded by Cllr Frampton that these be paid. This was agreed by Council.
11.3 Receipts: None
11.4 PAYE: The Clerks salary payment was discussed following the decision by HMRC that PAYE must be applied. Mrs Deary informed the Council that she was waiting for information from HMRC to see if this could be managed in house. It was agreed that if this proved to be too onerous then an outside company would be used.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Cllr Burch advised the Council that a group of local schoolchildren had approached the District Council requesting a skate park for Okeford Fitzpaine. The Council agreed to give the matter some consideration.
13. THE NEXT MEETING will be held on Tuesday 10 May 2011 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30 pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at
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