20th August 2002
Published unapproved � for ratification at the September 17th meeting.
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY AUGUST 20th 2002
Present:- Cllr M Burt
Cllr B Trowbridge
Cllr Mrs Calcott
Cllr R Corben
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr C Nelson
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr M Bignell (NDDC), and 17 members of the public.
1) Apologies Cllr E Thorne and Cllr A Campbell (DCC)
2) The Minutes of the July 23rd meeting, having been circulated to notice boards and councillors were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that they be signed by the chairman, this was agreed.
3) Points from the public relating to item 4 only None
4) Matters Arising
i) Recreation Ground
*The clerk reported that �Awards for All� had turned down our application for a grant, this meant that with the money in hand and grants from NDDC and Community Projects Fund, the shortfall would be approximately �1600, this could be included in next years precept. The Football Club was not in a position yet to offer a donation but were organising a barbecue and family disco in September profits from which would be for the swings. There was some discussion and it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Calcott and seconded by Cllr Frampton that Wicksteed Leisure is asked to supply and install the swings and safety surface, this was agreed.
*Information on various mowers had been circulated to councillors, a demonstration of a rotary mower had proved successful the price would be approx �3500. Cllr Frampton thought that the rotary mower would be suitable for both Bowey Field and the recreation ground. There was also some information about a second hand tractor and gang mowers complete, this to be followed up. Cllr Corben proposed and Cllr Trowbridge seconded that a decision be deferred until this was investigated, this was agreed.
*Cllrs Frampton and Burt will be repairing the floodlights shortly. The door has already been repaired at a cost of �137.25.
ii) Bowey Field
The chairman thanked Cllrs Frampton and Corben for work to get the grass under control. Cllr Frampton said that it was still a bit rough around the edges. Cllr Mrs Calcott had cut back brambles from the stile and would be doing some more. Cllr Corben said that weeds were still a big problem. We have not been able to find out what weed killer is suitable to use on amenity ground. The chairman reported that the RoSPA inspector who had recently visited said that there may be information on their website. The hump which is earth excavated from the site of the basketball area was initially much used by children on their bikes but is becoming increasingly weedy and unused, it also hampers grass cutting. It was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Corben that the hump be cleared by the cheapest means possible, this was agreed.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
2 odour diaries had been received. The extraction chimney was now in operation unfortunately during its first week there had been a lot farm clearing work in the area causing offensive smells. There were reports that there was little or no smell in the centre of the village but smells had occurred to a lesser degree in the Bowey area, Back Lane and Greenhayes, the chairman said that it
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is important that people who are getting smells from the factory keep a record of date, time, duration and wind direction.
The public inquiry dealing with the application by The Faccenda Group for HGV operators licence at the Shillingstone Lane site will be Wednesday 21st August.
The chairman invited members of the public to put their points. There followed lengthy discussions about the staff cars which currently park at the Shillingstone Lane site and planning permissions that may be needed, it was pointed out that the inspector does not take planning permission into consideration when dealing with HGV applications. The Parish Council policy is to object to the application at Shillingstone Farm. Since the Shillingstone Lane operation has stopped it appears to be quieter in the centre of the village. If in future staff cars are not allowed to park there it could cause a problem in Higher St.
Some years ago the previous owners agreed to use Castle Lane as the route out of the village to ease the traffic problems in Shillingstone Lane and to use Shillingstone Farm to park lorries to alleviate noise problems in the centre of the village.
The chairman said it was the Parish Council�s policy to rid the village of smells from the factory, to this end it had not objected to the chimney. The council has to represent all parishioners. Some people felt it was preferable to relocate the factory but would be glad if the chimney worked, in any event there should be no increase in lorries.
NDDC policy in the district plan is to relocate the factory from Higher St to Shillingstone Lane, this was thought by some to be an unsuitable option
It was reported that carcasses for incineration were only picked up twice weekly. These lorries are also used by the abattoir in Sturminster Newton and often smell bad, it has been reported that it is difficult to clean them adequately. Chairman to follow up.
It was suggested that more meetings with local authorities and all interested parties would be useful.
The chairman reiterated the importance of keeping odour diaries and copying them to the Parish Council, all diaries received are copied to the District Council environmental health department.
iv) Greenhayes/Higher St path Awaiting response from DCC.
v) The Pound
The work is progressing well. The tree surgeon is to be asked again to remove the ash tree as soon as possible. Mr Louth, the stonemason will look for a suitable stone to be engraved with appropriate wording and has agreed to do the work at a reduced cost, as it is a community project. Cllr Mrs Calcott said a decision would need to be made about the front whether it should be fence or wall, the chairman suggested that a small digger be used to try to locate the foundations of the original wall.
vi) Parish Survey NFTR
vii) Future Development NFTR
viii) Golden Jubilee 2002
The clerk reported having received �81 for mugs.
ix) Travellers NFTR
x) Footway � Castle Lane
Cllr Bignell agreed to follow up on the recent planning application involving frontages on Castle Lane.
xi) Chapel Green Item discharged
xii) Extension of 30 mph speed limit NFTR
xiii) �Sleeping� Parish Councils NFTR
xiv) Angers Lane NFTR
xv) GM Crop Trials
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It was reported that some crops had been destroyed because of a bacterial problem. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that the item be discharged, this was agreed.
xvi) Bridleway 13
DCC rights of way are awaiting contractors to carry out the work.
Cllr Nelson apologised and left the meeting at 9-05 pm.
xvii) Overhanging hedges
Some work on the trees by footpath 2 had been done but more was needed, the owner has agreed to do this. The chairman had received complaints about a hedge at Nether Mead and spoken to the owners who have agreed to cut it back. The playground sign in Lower St is covered by trees and was remarked upon by the RoSPA inspector. Cllr Mrs Calcott to see the owners of the two properties to get the trees cut back, the chairman said that if the owners needed any assistance she should let him know.
xviii) Dumped Rubbish Br 50
This has now been removed. Item discharged.
xix) Orchard – Mary Gardens
NDDC are arranging for the work to be carried out, Mark Hemming to be contacted regarding replanting. Cllr Corben said that he has looked at the trees and feels that they don�t need to be cut down. The chairman had received further complaints about apples being thrown by children. Cllr Corben proposed and Cllr Trowbridge seconded that the clerk write to NDDC asking that the trees not be cut down, the vote was � for 3, against 1, abstain 1, the proposition was therefore carried.
xx) Any Other Matters Arising
Ancient Monuments Liaison Officer � Two people had shown an interest in the post, clerk to write to Claire Pinder to find out how much work is involved and whether they could jointly hold the position.
5) Correspondence
� DCC � BH, Dorset & Poole structure plan news, Dorset poverty mapping booklets.
� NORDCAT � newsletter and notice of meeting (already on notice boards).
� Crown & County Courts � booklet �The Criminal Justice System in Dorset� copied to Mr Fleetwood.
� DEFRA � response to planning green paper consultation � copied to councillors.
� Lord Chancellors Advisory Committee � need to recruit more magistrates � posters for notice boards.
� DAPTC � Newsletter � distributed to councillors, circulars 30/02 � 35/02 on planning green paper, Beacon Councils, councillors and clerks training, revised financial regulations, freedom of information act 2002, seminar for chairmen.
6) Representatives Report
FLO � Cllr Mrs Calcott reported that she had cut back brambles from some paths and stiles and if anyone wished to help they could put the cuttings back in the hedge.
Homewatch � Mr Fleetwood reported that there were scam letters being delivered asking for money.
Local Public transport � Mr Gillingham reported on the success of the summer special services and on a new service to start soon which will serve Bournemouth colleges, leaflets will shortly be available.
7) District Councillor�s Report
Cllr Bignell had received complaints about a blue J registration car being driven carelessly around the village, this has been dealt with.
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NDDC is currently discussing the times of it�s council meetings, at present the meetings are in the day only which makes it very difficult for working people to become councillors it is hoped that some meetings will be in the evenings.
8) Points from the Public
Mr Gillingham said that some hedges in Castle Lane were again becoming overgrown and hanging over the road. There was some discussion on this as it had been a problem before and it was decided to write to DCC to ask them to sort it out.
Mrs Bright asked about the fence which had been put up around the land adjacent Myrtle Cottage, the fence consisted of pieces of old corrugated plastic sheeting and was an eyesore. Cllr Corben said that the Parish Council could not make the owner take it down. Cllr Bignell agreed to take the issue up with NDDC as this is a conservation area.
Cllr Bignell apologised and left the meeting at 9-45 pm.
9) Financial Matters
Paid since the last meeting:-
DAPTC � seminar fees x 2 10.00
To be paid:-
Total Butler � tractor fuel 138.60
St Andrews PCC � grant grass cutting in Churchyard 300.00
MC Stainer � repair to pavilion door 137.25
It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that these be paid, this was agreed.
The clerk reported having received �81 in donations for Jubilee mugs.
The audit for Y/E 31-3-02 will take place on November 4th. The new appointed external auditors Burnett Swayne have been acquired by HLB Audit plc. The annual return has to be completed, also a statement of accounts, a statement of assurance approved by the council and a report by an internal auditor. As council members can no longer be used as internal auditors there was some discussion about other suitable candidates. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that Mr George Weeks be asked to do the job and if he declined then the clerk was to seek prices from an accountant, this was agreed. (Mr Weeks has a financial background and was thought to be ideal)
The accounts for year ending 31-3-02 had been circulated to councillors and showed a surplus for the year of �1694.19 and total assets of �5702.65. It was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Corben that the accounts be adopted, this was agreed.
10) Planning Matters
a) applications 2/2002/0759 � Wessex Park Homes, Shillingstone Lane. Change of use from agriculture to display area and screening.
Following lengthy discussion it was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that the council object to this application on the grounds that it was unnecessary to take over a green field area when there was sufficient rough unused ground in the complex to serve the needs of the application, this was agreed.
b) decisions 2/2002/0520 � Willow Brook, demolish barn and erect residential annexe with garage store. GRANTED
2/2002/0607 � Littlebrook Farmhouse, Belchalwell St. Erect garage, tractor/garden machinery store with storage and studio over. GRANTED
11) A.O.B.
The clerk reported that the litter bin in Mary Gardens had been removed and only the base remained. Clerk to write to NDDC.
12) The next meeting will be on September 17th at the Pavilion at 7-30 pm.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 10-10 pm.
