Minutes published unapproved for ratification at the meeting on 6 September 2011

MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 9 AUGUST 2011

PRESENT: Cllr M Burt (Chairman)

Cllr Fox (Vice-Chairman)

Cllr S Corben

 Cllr R Corben

Cllr M Wood

Also present: - Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk) Mr R Grrenwood of Benchmark, Mr Hamilton and 4 members of the public.

1. 1. APOLOGIES: Cllr Frampton, Cllr Paine, Cllr A Burch, NDDC

2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 5 JULY 2011 having been circulated to Cllrs and noticeboards were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Wood 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

Cllr Burt as member of the Village Hall Management Committee.

Cllrs Burt & Wood 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 member of Okeford Fitzpaine Allotment Society

Cllr Burt declared a personal interest in item 7.1 as he is a neighbour of Poppy Bank Farm

The Chairman requested that item 7.4 of the agenda be brought forward to this point. It was proposed by Cllr Wood and seconded by Cllr Fox that this request be adopted, this was agreed by Council.

7.4 Draft Proposals for the former Primitive Methodist Chapel, Pound Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine: Mr Richard Greenwood from Benchmark Chartered Town Planners & Development Advisors addressed the Council with regard to the proposed development of the former Primitive Methodist Chapel. He advised that the disused chapel was not a listed building or in a conservation area, although the proposal to restore, repair and extend would be subordinate to the chapel. The proposed planning application would be to restore the chapel and extend by means of a single storey building next to the chapel and then a 2 storey building attached to that. Members of the public raised concerns with regard to tractor/trailer access to their property which is next to the proposed development. The applicant, Mr Hamilton assured them that they would ensure that access to their property would not be impeded. Concerns were also raised regarding sewerage from the site as it is situated directly above the spring. Mr Greenwood advised that the best solution would be sought with the possibility of a storage tank being used for part of the sewerage. Mr Greenwood also advised that an ecological survey had been carried out and no concerns had been raised.

1. District & County Councillors’ Report: None

6. MATTERS ARISING

6.1 Recreation Ground/Pavilion: Cllr Burt reported that he and Cllr R Corben had measured for the roof supports and that these were being made locally. The new doors had arrived but the one for the old garage could not be fitted until the modifications had been completed. A spare pair of double glazed doors were supplied by Cllr Burt, the existing wall would need to be altered to accommodate these. Cllr S Corben advised that he had received quotes of £483 and £470 for new windows, Cllr Burt thought that these could be obtained at a better price and agreed to look into this. Cllr S Corben advised that the old garage had now been cleared of rubbish. He also advised that a cheque was required for £2608.24 for the barrier around the pitch as discussed at previous meetings. A wasp nest near the bottom ditch had been reported, this will be dealt with. The Chairman extended the thanks of the Council to Dave Frampton and Paul McKenna for their help in laying the concrete.

6.2 Bowey Field: Mrs Deary reported that she had received an email from Cllr Paine informing her that the Bowey Field Group had raised approximately £180 at the recent village sporting event. Cllr Fox advised that she had contacted the group and given them the details of 3 different agencies to whom they can apply for grants. She had advised them on how to write the necessary bids. The group are looking to buy the first equipment in the near future.

6.2.1 Skatepark request: N.F.T.R.

6.3 Village Hall Extension and Car Park: Cllr Burt advised that the tree had now been removed. He hoped that work on the retaining wall would be started in the near future depending on the availability of the builder. He was hopeful that the footings would be in before winter.

6.4 Footway – Castle Lane: Mrs Deary informed the Council that she had received a response from Mr Colby, Highways, DCC stating that the Castle Lane footway scheme had been assessed under criteria set out in the previous Local Transport Plan.  New LPT’s were now in force and the scheme would now have to be reassessed, DCC plan to carry out an overall review of the highways programme later this year. Given the requirements of the new LTP and the current budget constraints it is looking unlikely that the Castle Lane scheme will feature in the new programme. It was proposed by Cllr R Corben that this item be discharged from the agenda, this was seconded by Cllr S Corben and agreed by council.

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   1. Community Planning: The next DT11 meeting will take place on 10 August 2011.

   2. Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: None

      1. Traffic Calming Strips at Fiddleford: Mrs Deary reported that a response had been received from Mr Bradley, DCC stating that he had asked that the bar marking were not repainted in the future. With regard to the sunken gulley opposite Meadowsweet, an inspector had visited the site and it was felt to be within acceptable tolerances (the gulley has to be slightly lower to collect the water). The same rules are applied across Dorset, anything outside the tolerances would be seen as over and above the County Councils responsibility and the cost would fall to the Parish Council.  He has promised to pursue the matter of reducing the height of the strips on the Sturminster Side of the road. Mrs Deary was asked to pass this information on to the residents concerned.

   3. Actions Highlighted in the Parish Plan: N.F.T.R.

   4. Blandford PACT and Home Watch: Cllr Wood advised that there had been 3 incidents of lead theft around the village, including one from the recreation ground, the police had been informed and were following this up. He advised that there was a group of travellers moving from Somerset, the police are monitoring their movements and keeping the Homewatch group informed.

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   1. Parish Grit Bins: Cllr Burt advised that the grit bins had not yet been bolted in place but he hoped they would be by the end of August to be ready for DCC to fill them in time for winter.

   2. Traffic using Back Lane (including hedges at corner of Back Land & Pound Lane): Mrs Deary reported that she had emailed Wessex Water again but no response had been received. A member of the public had also tried to contact them to no avail.

   3. Land at top of Back Lane: N.F.T.R.

   4. Land at bottom of Okeford Hill: A planning application had now been received and was discussed at minute 7.1.

6.13 Wooden Building in field adjacent to the Pavilion: This building is subject to an enforcement notice with the owners having 4 months to comply. If we do not here anything by mid September then Mrs Deary should write to NDDC for an update

6.14 Allotments: Mr Loving informed the meeting that an open day was taking place at the allotments on Sunday 14 August starting at 10.00 am.

6.16 Grass cutting around the village: Mrs Deary reported that she had received a response from Mr Nigel Beckett of Dorset County Council stating that the grass had recently been cut. He explained that in previous years a sub contractor was employed to cut the grass areas but from 1 April 2011 operators directly employed by Grounds Services now cut the grass areas. The 'new' staff are cutting strictly to a set of plans that have been historically agreed as DCC responsibility whereas previous years the sub contractor may have cut areas, over and above that of DCC responsibility. Mrs Deary was asked to obtain the set of plans from DCC setting out their responsibility.

7. PLANNING MATTERS:

7.1 Applications: 2/2011/0738/PLNG – The Old Rectory, Belchawell, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum – Erect 1 x two storey extension and 1 x two bay garage/log store – Cllr R Corben proposed no objection to this application, this was seconded by Cllr Fox and agreed by Council. Mrs Deary to inform NDDC.

2/2011/0787/PLNG – Poppy Bank Farm, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0EE – Erect agricultural building and electrical plant store (Retrospective). Cllr Wood advised that he had tried to assess the planning application but had been refused access to the site. Cllr S Corben proposed that the application be objected to of the following points:

• Cannot assess full effect on local residents and protected building because access to the site has been denied.

• Access to and from the site is extremely poor and dangerous

• There is no way of knowing if the electrical store will have a generator as there is no electric supply on site, if a generator is used this will have an impact on local residents

• No business plan

• The steel gates currently in situ are unsightly with razor wire around the top, also unlawful as they obsure the view of the AONB.

This was seconded by Cllr Wood and agreed by Council. Mrs Deary to inform NDDC and request that the application is deferred for a site visit in order that the Parish Council can give an informed opinion.

A member of the pubic asked for the support of the ward Councillors as he felt that proper procedures had not been followed.

2/2011/0877/PLNG – Sleepy Hollow, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RR – Erect single storey front extension – Cllr R Corben proposed no objection to this application, this was seconded by Cllr Fox and agreed by Council. Mrs Deary to inform NDDC.

2/2011/0848/PLNG – Sweetwell, Fiddleford, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2BX – Erect garden room and 1 single storey extension (demolish existing single storey extension) – Following discussion it was proposed that Cllr Wood should visit the site to assess the impact on other properties. If he felt that the impact was minimal then the Council agreed that they had no objection to the application. Cllr Wood to inform Mrs Deary of his findings in order for her to respond to NDDC.

2/2011/0849/PLNG – Sweetwell, Fiddleford, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2BX – Demolish existing store. Erect garden room and 1 x single storey extension, remove existing glass roof and replace with slate. Remove and replace patio door with French doors and install fireplace. Remove septic tank and wall and carry out internal and external alterations in association with this – Following discussion it was proposed that Cllr Wood should visit the site to assess the impact on other properties. If he felt that the impact was minimal then the Council agreed that they had no objection to the application. Cllr Wood to inform Mrs Deary of his findings in order for her to respond to NDDC.

7.2 Decisions: 2/2010/0322/PLNG - Former Faccenda Factory, Higher Street, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0RQ - Demolish buildings and develop the land by the erection of 25 No. residential units, 655 sq mtrs of commercial floor space within 3 No. commercial units with associated parking and access (Outline Application for Access, Layout and Scale) – Outline Planning Permission GRANTED

7.3 Updates: 2/2010/0533/PLNG – Land at Back Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset – Erect 2 x dwellings form 4 x parking spaces, turning area and modify existing access – N.F.T.R. Cllr Burt Proposed discharging this item from the agenda, this was seconded by Cllr R Corben and agreed by Council.

8.  CORRESPONDENCE FOR 9 AUGUST 2011 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 DAPTC Chief Executive Circular 9/11

DAPTC Chief Executive Circular 10/11

The Rural G – Homewatch Newsletter Blandford Rural August 2011

Homewatch Newsletter Blandford South July 2011

Dorset Police Enquiry Office Review (Discussed at meeting)

Letter from Save the Vale Association

Countryside News

Dorset Countryside

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: None

2. FINANCIAL MATTERS:

11.1 Accounts paid since last meeting:

Onward & Upward Scaffolding – Scaffolding for New Garage/Store

£336.00 Chq No 625

Sturminster Newton Building Supplies – Concrete

£471.24 Chq No 626

Samson Industrial Doors – Garage/Store Doors

£1124.40 Chq No 628

11.2 Accounts to be paid:

Goddard Landscapes Ltd – Work at Recreation Ground

£374.40 Chq No 629

St Andrews Church – Grant for grass cutting and cost of magazine

£600 Chq No 630

Mrs Sandra Deary - Salary £289.17 Chq No 631

Mr Mike Burt – Garage/Store Sundries

£233.14 Chq No 632

Mr A Frampton – Lawnmower sundries

£14.64 Chq No 633

Dyfed Steels Southern – Metal barrier for Football pitch

£2608.24 Chq No 634

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

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   1. Receipts: None

   2. Annual Accounts: Mrs Deary reported that the Annual Accounts had now been submitted to the external Auditor.

   3. Banking Resolution: Change of authorized signatory’s to the current bank account. It was resolved that: The authorized signatories in the current Mandate, for the Accounts detailed in section 2 of the form, be changed in accordance with section 5. It was proposed by Cllr Fox and seconded by Cllr R Corben that this resolution be accepted, this was agreed by Council.

1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: None

13. THE NEXT MEETING will be held on Tuesday 6 September 2011 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30 pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 9:40 pm.