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

MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD AT THE PAVILION ON 1 NOVEMBER 2011

PRESENT: Cllr M Burt (Chairman)

Cllr Fox (Vice-Chairman)

 Cllr R Corben

Cllr S Corben

Cllr A Frampton

Cllr M Paine

Also present: - Mrs Sandra Deary (Clerk) and 1 member of the public.

1. APOLOGIES: Cllr M Wood

2. THE MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 4 OCTOBER 2011: Cllr S Corben advised that he had apologised for the last meeting but it was shown that he had attended, the Chairman amended the minutes. It was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded by Cllr Fox that they be signed by the Chairman, taking into account the above amendment. 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

Cllr Burt as member 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 prejudicial interest in minute 6.3 as a member of the Village Hall Management Committee

1. District & County Councillors’ Report: None

6. MATTERS ARISING

6.1 Recreation Ground/Pavilion: Cllr Burt reported that he had received a call from a local resident to say that he had tripped because of a hole in the surface near to the recycling centre, when Cllr Burt attended he had found a hole and also a loose piece of paving slab, he advised that he filled the hole and removed the loose piece of slab. He went on to advice the Council that due to a recent accident he had been unable to complete some outstanding works on the extension and asked for volunteers to carry out works to complete the outside of the extension. The works outstanding included completion of the tiling on the east side of the roof, installation of the barge boards, works on the fascia boards at the front a back and remedial work on the east side near the fascia boards, to install and reline new fascia boards. He also advised that the store cupboard in the Pavilion needed to be completed. Cllr Frampton and S Corben agreed to do some of the work on Friday and Saturday this week. Cllr Burt agreed to help on Friday. Cllr Burt thanked Cllr Frampton and his father for all the hard work they had recently put in to the extension works.

 Cllr R Corben advised that there was a problem with dogs fouling at the recreation ground, Cllr Burt suggested purchasing bigger signs saying ‘Dogs not permitted in this Area. Please use the Public Footpath’. Mrs Deary was asked to contact Multisigns of Ringwood to obtain a quotation.

 Cllr S Corben advised that there was a big match taking place on Saturday and that the Chief Executive of Dorset Football Association was attending to officially open the new barriers.

1.  
   1.  

      1. Bowey Field: Cllr Burt reported that the broken fence as reported at the last meeting had not yet been repaired but that he hoped to repair it in the next couple of days. A member of the public had offered the use of a digger to clear the ditch, disposal of the rubbish would be a problem. It was decided that the ideal would be to pipe the ditch and build a wall along the back edge but this would be too expensive. Mrs Deary advised that she had now received the final quote for the new play equipment at Bowey and the works to the safety surfaces for the existing equipment. The total costs would be £12,315.21. Cllr Fox proposed that the quote be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Frampton and agreed by Council. Mrs Deary to confirm acceptance of the quote.

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

1.  

   1. Village Hall Extension and Car Park: Cllr Burt advised that that preliminary work had started on the extension works, however the cost of removing the bank, building the wall and removing the tree had exceeded the anticipated cost of £5000. The cost was now £6689.00. The treasurer had asked Cllr Burt if he would speak to the Parish Council with regard to the possibility of a grant toward the costs. The Council requested that the Clerk should check what money was available and it was agreed that is item would be discussed further at the next meeting.

   2. Community Planning: Cllr Fox informed the Council that she had attended the DT11 event regarding the 3 coughs in Blandford. It was hoped that the venue would accommodate 3 offices, computers for use by the public, CAB and a credit union. It is expected to cost £60,000 to convert the building.

 Cllr Burt advised that he would be attending a meeting in Dorchester on 10 November with regard to Broadband access. A letter had been received asking Parish Councils to consider donating towards the cost of faster broadband. Following discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council had no wish to add to its precept in order to donate to this.

1.  

   1. Belchalwell & Fiddleford Items: Cllr Burt advised that he had visited Lowbrook farm and he had been advised that the automatic flare had been installed and was working well. No further complaints had been received from local residents.

   2. Actions Highlighted in the Parish Plan: Cllr Fox provided a list of actions for each Councillor. It was agreed that this would be discussed at the next meeting.

   3. Blandford PACT and Home Watch: It was advised a date for the next homewatch meeting had not yet been decided. It was hoped that the next meeting would include a presentation from the fire brigade.

   4. Parish Grit Bins: Mrs Deary had advised that she had advised DCC of the locations of the new grit bins. Cllr Burt advised that a bulk bag had been delivered today. Mrs Deary to check with DCC as to when the new grit bins will be filled.

   5. Traffic using Back Lane (including hedges at corner of Back Land & Pound Lane): Because the extra traffic had been caused by unauthorised activity on land at the top of Back Lane which was being dealt with Council agreed to discharge this item from the agenda.

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

   7. Land at bottom of Okeford Hill: N.F.T.R.

   8. Wooden Building in field adjacent to the Pavilion: Cllr S Corben reported that the work requested in the enforcement notice had been carried out. It was agreed by Council that this item be discharged from the agenda.

   9. Grass cutting around the village: Mrs Deary had again written to signpost to ascertain their responsibilities with regard to grass cutting. No response had yet been received.

   10. Ridouts – Proposed Mutual House Exchange: Mrs Deary advised that she had received a response from Mr Robert Walter, MP. Whilst he appreciates the Parish Council’s concern he feels that if the local connection rule was added this could result in no suitable exchanges taking place resulting in an empty property. He adds that the Coalition Government plans to make it much easier for social tenants to move when their circumstances change. The new ‘Freedom Pass’ is a National Home Swap Scheme that will offer tenants the option to swap social homes across the country. As part of the plan tenants will be able to swap homes across local authority boundaries without jeopardising their tenancy, as tenancies can be put at risk under the existing arrangement.

   11. The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge: The Council agreed that because no objections had been received the proposal to put the sports field forward for nomination should go ahead. Mrs Deary to carry this forward.

6.16 Okeford Fitzpaine Housing Survey Results: The Council discussed the results of the Housing Survey carried out in March. The survey showed the village currently has 5 long term empty properties, 6 second homes and 8 properties that are empty and also exempt from council tax. Mrs Deary was asked to clarify with NDDC what properties were empty.

7. PLANNING MATTERS:

7.1 Applications: NONE

7.2 Decisions: NONE

7.3 Any other planning matters: Mrs Deary informed the Council that a letter had been received from Mr S Caundle, Solicitor, NDDC with regard to future planning applications. He advised that in the near future all planning application would be viewed on line, a notification email would be sent to advise when an application had been made in our area. He advised that hard copies of plans would be provided until at least March 2012, this would give time for the Council to precept for any additional equipment it needs. For areas of slow broadband connection plans could be sent out on disc or data sticks. Following discussion the Council agreed that it would need to look at buying a projector and screen to be able to view online planning applications.

7.4 Updates: NONE

8. CORRESPONDENCE FOR 1 NOVEMBER 2011 PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

DAPTC – Chief Executive’s Circular 13/11

DAPTC – Extraordinary Chief Executive’s Circular 13/11

DT11 Forum – Latest Funding Bulletin

The Rural ‘G’ – Homewatch newsletter Blandford Rural Oct 2011

Homewatch Newsletter – Blandford South Sept 2011

DCC Salting Route Map

DT11 Forum – Latest Funding Bulletin

Okeford Fitzpaine Housing Needs Survey – Results

9. REPRESENTATIVES’ REPORTS:

Rights of Way/Footpaths: With regard to a decision taken on footpath 41 Mrs Deary had written to the Planning Inspectorate asking how a decision could be made when the Inspector stated in a number of places that he did not have the relevant reports. A response had been received from Mr M Billing stating that he had carefully considered the concerns of the Council in light of the order decision, and that while the inspector does comment that certain documents were not before him he does go on to provide, in most cases, further reasoning on each document. It is the responsibility of each party to provide the evidence which they consider necessary to support their case. The inspector must make their decision based on whatever evidence they do have before them. Having reviewed the decision it seems reasonable that the Inspector had made his own decision, on the balance of probabilities, as he is required to do and for the reasons given. Mrs Deary to look at previous correspondence regarding this footpath and report back to the next meeting.

Football Club: N.F.T.R.

Village Hall: N.F.T.R.

1. POINTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Cllr Burt advised that he had received a call from a member of the public to say their daughter had slipped on moss on the pavement. Cllr Burt advised them to call Dorset County Council who were responsible for highways. Cllr Burt also advised DCC of the problem and was given a reference number in case further correspondence was required.

2. FINANCIAL MATTERS:

11.1 Accounts paid since last meeting: NONE

11.2 Accounts to be paid:

Mrs Sandra Deary – Salary & Office sundries

£294.17 Chq No 647

British Gas – Pavilion Gas

£121.21 Chq No 648

Goddard Landscapes – Extension Works

£336.00 Chq No 649

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

Cllr S Corben advised that he had received 2 x £10 donations from the Three Okefords Preservation Society and a £50 donation from the Allotment Group. Mrs Deary to bank these donations.

1.  

   1. Precept 2012/2013: The 2012/2013 precept was discussed and amendments made. Mrs Deary to place the draft precept on the noticeboards. The final discussion will take place at the next meeting.

1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Cllr Burt advised that when the garage extension/store is complete the tractor will be housed there. As fuelling would be a problem he asked Councillors to think about installing a fuel tank inside the garage. A 1300 litre fuel tank would cost in excess of £1000, a 2468 litre fuel tank would cost in excess of £1300.

13. THE NEXT MEETING will be held on Tuesday 6 December 2011 at the Pavilion, Castle Lane at 7.30 pm. The Chairman thanked all present and closed the meeting at 9.45 pm.