22nd May 2001
264
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY 22ND MAY 2001
Present:- Cllr M Burt
Cllr B Trowbridge
Cllr Mrs A Calcott
Cllr R Corben
Cllr E Thorne
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr M Bignell (NDDC), Mr M Williams (Head of Environmental Health, NDDC), and three members of the public.
1) Apologies Cllr A Frampton and Cllr C Nelson.
The chairman asked that items 4iv, 4xiv and 8 be brought forward so that Mr Williams and Cllr Bignell could leave early. This was agreed.
2) The Minutes of the April 24th meeting, having been circulated were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge 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 iv) Chicken Processing Factory
The chairman welcomed Mr Williams and thanked him for taking the time to attend.
Mr Williams went over the problems caused by the chicken-processing factory, now owned by the Faccenda Group, and the problems they have experienced with the installation of air scrubbing equipment. There was general agreement that the smells and noise created by the factory were unacceptable. Steps taken by the factory to alleviate the smells problem are not working and the fear is that things will deteriorate with the approach of warmer weather. Lorry and skip noise late at night and early in the morning also seems to have increased.
Mr Williams said that smells from the chicken plant in Shillingstone Lane and other farm premises were sometimes confused with the Higher St. factory.
Cllr Bignell felt that as few of the people employed there now are local perhaps it was time for the factory to move to a more suitable site.
The chairman said it was not the aim of the Parish Council to move or close the factory but rather to solve the problems created by it.
Mr Williams offered to write to Faccenda to point out the problems being experienced by the parish and asking for a meeting with their representatives, P.C. Chairman, Cllr Bignell, the factory manager and himself in an effort to expedite matters.
Cllr Trowbridge thanked Mr Williams for his co-operation.
4 xiv) Travellers
Recent information obtained from Mike Evans (DCC), who is dealing with the encampments tells us that the travellers on Okeford Hill and at Conygar tip are to be allowed to stay until at least the end of July. Waste management monitors the Conygar site weekly, the travellers there have provided a padlock and are acting as gatekeepers for DCC.
Mr Williams offered to write expressing the concerns of parishioners regarding the F&M implications and the longevity of the stay.
8) District Councillor?s Report
Cllr Bignell talked about the reorganisation taking place within the District Council. He said that the Heads of Service posts will disappear and the personnel will be replaced by three managers the resulting loss of expertise could be detrimental to the council. There will be a meeting shortly to discuss the political structure of the council.
Cllr Bignell and Mr Williams thanked the council and left at 8-50pm.
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4) Matters Arising
i) Recreation Ground
The new floodlight has now arrived and needs to be fitted.
Cornhill insurance has now reimbursed the structural engineers fee for inspection of the building. Work on repairs has still not started the insurance company has been informed of this.
The gas boiler and equipment is due for annual inspection this will be carried out by TES.
The clerk reported that the seat at the end of the pavilion is in a dangerous state and needs to be repaired or removed. It was decided to remove it as soon as possible to be replaced at a later date.
She was also concerned about the items being stored in the disabled toilet making access difficult. The problem of storage needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
The chairman reported having received further communication from the lottery monitoring team asking for a progress report on the development of cricket and girls football.
Louise Treacher (NDDC), has asked to use the pavilion for two days in July/Aug, this was agreed.
The clerk reported that the cover for the seesaw should be fitted on Wednesday.
The chairman reported that there is a lot of work to be done on the swings area before the annual inspection.
It was reported that an amount of grass cuttings had been dumped in the car park.
ii) Bowey Field
The stencil for the basketball court has now been received and paint has been purchased.
There is some work to do on the play equipment before the annual inspection.
iii) The Cross NFTR
iv) Chicken Processing Factory Dealt with earlier.
v) Greenhayes/Higher St Path NFTR
vi) Little Lane NFTR
vii) Council Property NFTR
viii) Council Photograph
The council chose a photograph, Mr Loving will get it enlarged.
ix) Parish Survey Defer
x) Future Development
A letter from Symonds & Sampson confirms that negotiations with DCC regarding highway issues has been slow but should soon be resolved, then a further meeting with NDDC planning dept. will be needed to progress matters.
Cllr Trowbridge said that whatever the outcome the council ought to attempt to get the 30mph sign moved to the north side of the pavilion entrance, clerk to write to DCC.
xi) Darknoll Lane-Banbury Cross end NFTR
xii) Golden Jubilee 2002
The clerk asked if she should look into prices for gifts/souvenirs etc in readiness for 2002/2003 precept, it was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that this be done, this was agreed.
xiii) Road Hedges ? Castle Ave.
There is still a slight problem, Signpost H.A. to be contacted again.
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xiv) Travellers Dealt with earlier.
xv) Foot and Mouth epidemic
Notices had been received from DCC ROW saying that paths would soon be re-opened, there would be exceptions and if landowners wanted to keep certain paths closed they should contact a telephone number or Email address, this has proved almost impossible to do in the short timescale given as the telephone was not being answered and the Emails were not being replied to. Clerk to write saying the council was not happy about the way this was handled.
xvi) For Sale sign ? New Cross
A letter had been received from NDDC saying that the matter will be looked into at the earliest opportunity.
xvii) Visibility Splay ? Okeford Hill junction NFTR
xviii) Elections
Notices for Parliamentary elections had been received for notice boards.
xix) Fairfield Close – Ditch
NDDC say that they cannot clear it as it is on private land. Cllr Trowbridge said that it belonged to Signpost H.A. Clerk to write to Signpost H.A.
xx) Any Other Matters Arising None
5) Cemetery
The chairman had been approached by Cranbrook Homes Ltd who own the land adjacent to the churchyard to assess the interest of the Parish Council in the development of the land to build a dwelling and give sufficient land to allow an extension to the churchyard for 36 plus graves. A rough plan had been produced and was studied. Cranbrook Homes Ltd would like the support of the council before putting a plan to NDDC. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that the clerk write to Cranbrook Homes Ltd informing them that the Parish Council support the plan in principle, this was agreed.
6) Correspondence
NORDCAT ? Details of inaugural meeting (Apr 26) to deal with Government grant for improvement of public transport ? mini buses for use by local groups/organisations.
DAPTC ? Newsletter, D.C.?s on various courses.
NDDC ? Sustainable economic growth conference June 13th ? chair to attend.
DCC ? LEA request for school governor, closing date June 7th.
Warm Homes Bill ? update.
West Dorset CHC ? newsletter.
7) Representatives Reports
Mr Fleetwood reported that a car had been stolen from Lower St, he said that if anyone sees anything suspicious happening they should call the Police on 999 straight away.
8) District Councillor?s Report Dealt with earlier.
9) Points from the Public
Mr Loving was concerned that the amount of cars parked in the roads made it very difficult for the sweeper lorry to clean them properly.
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10) Financial Matters
Paid since the last meeting:-
DCA ? seminar place 12.00
Victim Support ? donation 25.00
Post Office Counters ? pavilion electricity 60.27
To pay:-
Wessex Water 55.45
Mrs D Burt 2mths salary 217.44, expenses 45.65, plus invoices:-
Brandon Hire ? marker paint 23.48
Hart & Sons ? metal repair, salt tablets 19.45
Bob Hoare Ltd ? shackle for swings 6.44 – 312.46
It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that these approved, this was agreed.
The clerk had received a thank you letter from Victim Support.
�20 cashback had been received for the Hoover vacuum cleaner.
�3.33 had been received from the DVLA being a refund on excise duty for the tractor.
�150.65 had been received which was reimbursement from Cornhill Insurance for the structural engineers report on the pavilion.
The chairman had attended the audit of accounts for year ending March 31st 2000, small points were made 1) S 137 should not be used for the CAB donation, previous auditors and the DAPTC had advised that s 137 was correct – to be followed up. 2) Insufficient internal audits had taken place. 3) The statement of accounts should show previous years figures as well.
11) Planning Matters
a) applications 2/2001/0363 ? Mr & Mrs Savage, Wisteria Cottage. Carry out repairs, refurbish and alter garden shed. No objections from the P.C.
b) decisions 2/2001/9031 ? Castle Farm. Carry out internal and external alterations. GRANTED LB consent.
2/2001/0175 ? Castle Farm. Erect double garage with workshop over. GRANTED.
c) other Castle Farmhouse ? an Email had been received from Mr Morris saying that proposals are being put forward to restore the building and a more suitable cover should be put on to protect the timber framework.
12) A.O.B.
The chairman reported that the notice board at Belchalwell was in need of attention, Cllr Mrs Calcott said the map notice board on The Cross also needed attention. Clerk to ask Mr Wingrove to assess the condition of both and give necessary quotes.
13 The Next Meeting will be June 19th at 7-30pm in the Pavilion.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 10-05pm.
