24th April 2001
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY 24TH APRIL 2001
Present:- Cllr M Burt
Cllr Mrs A Calcott
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr C Nelson
Cllr E Thorne
In attendance:- Mrs D But (clerk), and three members of the public.
1) Apologies Cllr R Corben, Cllr B Trowbridge, Cllr M Bignell (NDDC), Dr G Tapper (DCC).
2) The minutes of the March 27th minutes, having been circulated were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Calcott and seconded by Cllr Thorne 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
A new floodlight has been ordered and we await delivery.
The chairman has put up new and bigger ?No Dogs? signs.
A parishioner had reported to the chairman that an unknown man had been abusive to him when challenged about letting his dogs loose at the ground. The Police were informed and having established, via his car number, that he came from Alton, Hampshire followed it up and issued a reprimand.
Louise Treacher had contacted the cricket development officer for Dorset and asked him to contact us. Cllr Nelson said that he felt there was probably not sufficient need for cricket facilities here as anyone interested can be accommodated at Shillingstone. He added that a cricket club was soon to be started at the local school.
Cllr Corben said that he had managed to cut the grass despite the wetness of the ground.
The chairman reported that more vandalism had taken place at the pavilion specifically eggs had been thrown at the doors and walls. The Police had been informed about the previous vandalism and will be keeping an eye out.
ii) Bowey Field
The chairman had put up some more prominent ?No Dogs? signs but these have been broken and will need replacing/repairing.
The chairman has managed to cut the grass twice although the ground is still very wet.
iii) The Cross
The clerk has written to English Heritage asking for an update but to date no response has been received.
iv) Webbs Country Foods
A reply from Mr Williams, Head of environmental Health at NDDC indicated that he felt most smells were coming from a poultry house and a nearby farm. He wrote that a delay between the removal of the temporary, hired equipment and the fitting of the new permanent equipment had caused a problem.
It is understood that Mr Williams will meet Mr Hack this week, in the meantime the clerk will copy the ?smells diaries? to Mr Williams.
v) Greenhayes/Higher St path
The ?path open? sign has been erected. NFTR on Tarmac.
vi) Little Lane NFTR
vii) Council Property NFTR
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viii) Council Photograph Awaiting development.
ix) Parish Survey Awaiting delivery.
x) Future Development NFTR
xi) Darknoll Lane ? Banbury Cross end
Mr Mann, District Highways engineer, DCC has written saying that when the weather improves repairs will be made and scalpings will be spread along this section of the lane.
xii) Golden Jubilee 2002
The clerk reported having registered the council?s intent to light the Beacon. The event has officially been called the ?Golden Jubilee Summer Party?. Decisions need to be made about whether gifts or souvenirs need to be purchased so that an amount can be included in the precept 2002/2003.
xiii) Road Hedges ? Castle Ave
Some of the hedges have now been cut back. Signpost H.A. to be followed up.
xiv) Travellers
All but a few of the travellers have now moved to the picnic site car park on Okeford Hill. Damage has been done to the post installed by DCC after the last habitation and it is impossible for bone fide visitors to use the car park. The Police, NDDC and DCC have been informed. There is particular concern because of the nationwide Foot and Mouth disease problem.
xv) Foot and Mouth epidemic
There have still been no cases in Dorset.
xvi) For Sale sign ? New Cross
The sign is still in place, clerk to write to the enforcement officer NDDC. It is thought that the farm the sign refers to is now not for sale.
xvii) Visibility Splay ? Okeford Hill junction NFTR
xviii) County Council Elections
Confirmation that the date for these elections will now be June 7th – postponed due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak. Candidates for Hambledon:- Conservative ? Angus Campbell, Liberal Democrats ? Frank Spencer, Labour ? Dennis Wardleworth.
xix) Any Other Matters Arising None
5) Correspondence
Wessex Water ? New Leakage policy and how to contact ? to be put on notice boards.
NDDC ? Best value performance plan 2001/2002.
NDDC ? 4 options for political structure. The clerk was asked to write and agree option B, a leader of the council and a cabinet.
DCA ? Rural White Paper, 1 day conference, May 22nd 10am-4pm, �12 per delegate, the chairman wished to attend, the council agreed.
DCC – Performance plan 2001/2002.
Local Government Commission for England ? will be carrying out a review of electoral arrangements.
DCC ? Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole structure plan.
Victim Support Dorset ? asking for funding. The clerk reported that there was money available in the section 137 budget. It was proposed by Cllr Frampton and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that �25 be given this was agreed.
6) Representative Reports
Village Hall Management Committee – Cllr Burt reported that the broken down car had now been removed. He also reported that deep ruts had occurred in the car park due to the rainwater washing down from ?Greeny Drove?. He had spoken to DCC about drainage but as yet nothing has been done. The clerk was asked to write to DCC again for an update and in the meantime because of the possible trip hazard it was agreed to ask Mr A Goddard, a local contractor, to do a repair.
Footpath Liaison Officer ? Cllr Mrs Calcott reported having had correspondence from DCC, ROW saying under certain circumstances some paths could be re-opened but she had informed them that there were none that fitted their criteria.
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There was some discussion about whether roads such as Pound Lane and Back Lane should be closed, as they are not footpaths but highways.
7) District Councillors Report None
8) Points from The Public
It was reported that some children had destroyed an amount of frogspawn in the ditch near Chapel Green.
Mrs Failes commented that parking in the village was still a problem.
Via the clerk ? Concern has been expressed about a ditch behind Fairfield Close, in that a large amount of rubbish has built up there and a possible health hazard is being created. The ditch is privately owned and fenced but the fence has been broken and children have gained access.
9) Financial Matters
Accounts paid since the last meeting:-
NFU Mutual for tractor insurance (agreed at March meeting) 96.76
Post Office Counters Ltd ? Gas 137.09
Accounts to pay:-
Post Office Counters Ltd ? Electricity for bus shelter/museum 8.98
Cornhill Insurance (there has been a 25% increase in premiums) 538.94
DAPTC subscription 146.58
Mrs D Burt ? invoices:-
Makro ? Hoover ? 152.74
Makro ? Weed Killer ? 30.54
Newglaze ? Key blanks ? 9.60
Hart & Sons ? Keys cut ? 5.20 198.08
It was proposed by Cllr Nelson and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that these be paid, this was agreed.
The clerk reported that she had received donations of �55 each from The Youth Club and The Football Club to assist with the purchase of the vacuum cleaner.
She had received �111.52 being reclaimed VAT.
The audit for the accounts for year ending 31-3-00 has been arranged for May 14th. Not enough time had been allowed by the Audit Office for the necessary advertising, but they say they will deal with any problems that may arise due to their error.
The first instalment of the precept has now been received, three budgets will start the year with a deficit these are, Insurance – �104, due to the premium increase, Pavilion Maintenance – �428 and Recreation Maintenance – �419, these are not too much of a problem but must be borne in mind when the next precept is set.
10) Planning Matters
a) applications (LB)2/2001/9052 Mr & Mrs Savage, Wisteria Cottage. Convert/reconstruct shed for storage and garaging. No Objections from the P.C.
b) decisions 2/2001/0199 7 Netherway Cottage. Erect first floor extension. Granted by NDDC.
2/2001/0071 Land adj. Pie Powders, Lower St. Erect house and garage. Granted by NDDC. This has a section 106 agreement attached to it, clerk to ascertain where the money will be spent.
(LB)2/2001/9030 Earls Farm, Belchalwell. Granted by NDDC.
c) other Castle Farmhouse ? The new conservation officer, Kevin Morris is now dealing with this.
11) A.O.B.
Via the clerk Dr Tapper reported that Dorset?s bid for money for a mini bus had been successful, more details would be coming later.
12) The Next Meeting will be the AGM on Tuesday May 22nd at 7-30pm. Normal business will follow.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 8-48pm.
