Parish council minutes - 2nd April 2002 - Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, UK

2nd April 2002

Published unapproved ï¿½ for ratification at the April 30t h2002 meeting
308
MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY 2ND APRIL 2002
Present:- Cllr M Burt
Cllr B Trowbridge
Cllr Mrs A Calcott
Cllr R Corben
Cllr A Frampton
Cllr C Nelson
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), Cllr A Campbell (DCC), and 14 members of the public. The chairman welcomed Mrs Aldous, Ibberton parish clerk.
1) Apologies Cllr E Thorne and Cllr M Bignell (NDDC).
2) The minutes of the March 5th meeting, having been circulated were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Corben that they be signed by the chairman, this was agreed.
The minutes of the March 20th meeting, having been circulated were taken as read. It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge 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 had now received an offer of ï¿½1000 grant aid from NDDC for the renewal of swings, as this figure will be insufficient it was decided to ask the manufacturers for tenders for a two seat set.
The work, following the insurance claim, to the pavilion is not yet complete, Cllr Corben to ask Mr Fry when it is likely to be finished.
The tractor is now back together, thanks to volunteers, and Cllr Frampton has used it to cut the grass. There are still some small items of work to complete.
The clerk reported having renewed the vehicle licence for the tractor.
The back door to the pavilion has now been repaired, Cllrs Burt and Frampton have made and fitted a bracket to stop it opening too far.
The new pavilion double doors have a broken window which will need to be replaced there are also two holes in the bottom panel of one door it was agreed to patch these rather than replace it at this time.
ii) Bowey Field
Mr Potter should be cutting the grass and removing it soon.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
One odour diary has been received. The chairman urged more people to monitor and keep these diaries.
A copy of a letter from Faccenda to their lorry drivers asking them to keep to 20 mph in the village was read.
E-mail had been received asking if the council was aware of an application for a vehicle operators licence for the Shillingstone Lane site. The council is not aware of an application. Cllr Nelson had contacted the Bristol office and confirmed that no application had been received.
Cllr Bignell (via the clerk) understands that the planning officer will recommend acceptance of the planning application for the flume extraction stack and he will attend the meeting to summarise both sides of the argument.
iv) Greenhayes / Higher St. path Clerk to follow up.
v) Little Lane Clerk to follow up.

309
vi) The Pound
The earth and rubble has now been removed. Cllr Mrs Calcott reported that Mr Dave Frampton has offered to help and has some stones that could be used to help rebuild the wall and the Countryside Warden has offered the use of tools. The area had been used to dump rubbish and she asked if a notice could be put up to ask people not to do it.
vii) Parish Survey
The chairman said that it had been a disappointing return only 20% of those delivered. Whilst most of the comments were constructive it was obvious that some people did not take an interest in the community as they criticised the lack of things which are in fact already in place such as the website and Youth Club.
The results to be prï¿½cised and delivered to electors, the whole results to be put on the website.
viii) Future Development
At the March 20th meeting a small majority of the public present thought that the council should continue talks with the landownerï¿½s agent to see if an acceptable scheme could be put together. After more discussion it was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Trowbridge that the chairman and vice chairman talk to the landownerï¿½s agents, this was agreed.
ix) Golden Jubilee
A notice of street closure from NDDC for Okeford Fitzpaine from 11 am ï¿½ 4 pm.
Notification of Beacon lighting times has been received, this area will light up at 10 pm.
x) Travellers
A letter from DTLR was read which said that they are revising the guidance to local authorities and the police on managing unauthorised camping, to be published later in the year. Also enclosed was a list of maximum penalties for offences relating to waste.
The chairman reported that e-mail correspondence with the census office and tax office about the number and whereabouts of travellers is ongoing, satisfactory answers are not forthcoming. Travellers are required to fill in census forms every 10 years and officers do a count of caravans twice a year.
Cllr Campbell said that there is a need for sites nationally, Police do not have enough powers to deal adequately with encampments.
xi) Footway ï¿½ Castle Lane Continuing.
xii) Fairfield Close ï¿½ ditch NFTR
xiii) Notice Boards
Cllrs Burt and Frampton have installed the new notice board at Belchalwell, keys have been given to two regular users.
The map board on The Cross has now been re-placed. Item discharged.
xiv) Greenhayes Item discharged.
xv) Footpath 53
Mr Williamson, DCC ROW, has offered to install staggered barriers to dissuade horse riders using the footpath, this was thought to be a good solution at the top with maybe another post at the bottom.
xvi) Chapel Green Follow up with DCC.
xvii) Extension of 30 mph speed limit NFTR
xviii) Footpath 47
The clerk apologised for not yet putting information of notice boards.
xix) The Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) order 2001
The clerk had circulated more information to councillors.
The chairman pointed out to councillors that they would have to very careful where planning issues in particular were concerned and should not have made up their minds about an application prior to the meeting where it would be discussed.

310
There was some discussion about the need for the code and register of interests but it was now compulsory, Cllr Nelson was not happy to comply.
If not formally adopted the model code will automatically apply and members will be bound by it. Once adopted councillors have 2 months to sign up to it or they will cease to be members of the council.
The chairman proposed and Cllr Trowbridge seconded that the council adopt the model code unamended, a vote was taken, the results as follows:- 5 in favour with 1 abstention the proposition was therefore carried.
The clerk gave each councillor a notification of interests form.
xx ï¿½Sleepingï¿½ Parish Councils
Copy of letter of support for Parish Councils sent by NDDC to The Countryside Agency had been received.
An open letter to all parish and town council clerks had been received from Alun Michael MP assuring that the Government was not attempting to abolish parish councils and that they believe in their value and potential to lead and invigorate their communities. He said the information used was based on a questionnaire filled in by parish clerks.
The chairman said he couldnï¿½t believe that so many clerks all over the country got it wrong which is why we need a copy of our completed form. The fact remained that the information on the Countryside Agencies website was known by them to be incorrect and should be not be used. There are at present 2 other councils who want a copy of their completed questionnaires the current estimate for this is ï¿½381. To be pursued.
xxi Angers Lane DCC are dealing.
xxii) Any Other Matters Arising None.
5) Correspondence
ï¿½ DFRA ï¿½ campaign against illegal poisoning of wildlife posters for notice boards
ï¿½ Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust ï¿½ asking for a donation. The chairman proposed and Cllr Trowbridge seconded that ï¿½50 be given from the s137 fund, this was agreed.
ï¿½ Society of Local Council Clerks ï¿½ terms and conditions ï¿½ copied to councillors.
ï¿½ Dorset Police (Eastern Division) ï¿½ 2002 rota for community service vehicles. Okeford not on list ï¿½ pursue.
ï¿½ Sturminster Newton 2000 and beyond ï¿½ next community lunch at Sturminster Hall April 17th.
ï¿½ DCC ï¿½ CLARENCE now has an e-mail address ï¿½ to be put in parish magazine.
ï¿½ DAPTC ï¿½ Executive committee minutes. DCï¿½s 13 ï¿½ 16, includes:- ï¿½Quality Parish Statusï¿½ will be introduced in April 2003. Council tax on 2nd homes consultation results and quality parish & town council consultation results both copied to councillors.
ï¿½ Aventis Crop Science ï¿½ GM crop trials in Ibberton and Turnworth ï¿½ letters to these parish councils sent to this council by mistake ï¿½ forwarded.
6) Representatives Reports
School Governors ï¿½ Cllr Nelson reported that projected numbers in the 60ï¿½s wonï¿½t be sufficient to continue employing 4 full time teachers in September.
Village Hall ï¿½ Cllr Burt reported that the AGM would be on April 25th at the Village Hall.
Homewatch ï¿½ Mr Fleetwood reported that machinery had been stolen from a shed in Back Lane, details on notice board, and to beware of bogus telesales marketing company selling crime prevention book at ï¿½90. He said that whether we were in the Western or Eastern Division Police Area he assured people that the Police would respond to urgent calls quickly.
Local Public Transport ï¿½ Mr Gillingham continues to publish details in the parish magazine.

311
He reported that out of the 41 parishes in the DT11 area only 4 representatives attended the last meeting, he condemned the apathy saying more parishes should get involved. Cllr Campbell said he would pass on that message to the parishes that he deals with. The chairman thanked Mr Gillingham for doing a good job in keeping everyone informed.
7) District Councillors Report
E-mail via the clerk ï¿½ Cllr Bignell reported that Mark Williams has stayed on at NDDC on a temporary basis in the central management team and Mr Kerry Pitt-Kerby will now be looking after environmental health issues.
8) Points from the Public
There was great concern from members of the public about the forthcoming GM crop trials in nearby parishes. There was a fear that cross-pollination would take place and organic status would be lost for some farmers, also garden produce could be contaminated. Mrs Aldous (Ibberton Parish Clerk) reported that a public meeting would be called as soon as a venue and all concerned parties including DEFRA and Aventis could be organised. It was felt that as a global issue there was a need for in depth discussion to hear all sides. The general feeling was that more consultation should be taking place and all adjoining farms and parishes should be kept fully informed by the Government. There was concern about the possible consequences of these trials.
Cllr Nelson left at 9-30
9) Financial Matters
Accounts to be paid:-
Goddard Landscapes ï¿½ repair village hall car park & clear pound 230.30
NFU Mutual ï¿½ tractor insurance 115.48
MC Stainer ï¿½ repairs to pavilion door 71.00
Mrs D Burt ï¿½ invoices:- Autolock ï¿½ keys cut 30.04 )
Posts for Belchalwell notice board 30.00 ) 60.04
Post Office Counters ï¿½ electricity for pavilion 88.14
Post Office Counters ï¿½ electricity for bus shelter 8.98
DAPTC subscription 153.04
Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Trust (s137) 50.00
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Calcott and seconded by Cllr Corben that these be paid, this was agreed.
The clerk reported having received VAT reimbursement of 438.56, donation for photocopying of 2.00, donation from Sturminster Newton School of 100.00 and a donation form OU Football Club of 100.00.
The audit of accounts for year ending 31-3-01 would take place on April 22nd. A letter had been received from the Audit Commission outlining the new audit regulations for the ï¿½lighter touchï¿½ regime for smaller councils. Outside auditors have been appointed and the council will need to have at least two internal audits per year.
10) Planning Matters
a) applications none.
b) decisions
2/2002/0067 ï¿½ Church Farm, Pound Lane ï¿½ construct all weather mï¿½nage. GRANTED
LB 2/2002/9010 and 2/2002/0065 – Castle Farm, 2 storey extension, internal and external alterations and repairs including re-thatching. GRANTED with six pages of conditions.
2/2002/0147 ï¿½ Shillingstone Lane ï¿½ erect building to house effluent treatment plant. GRANTED
c) other none
11) A.O.B.
Cllr Mrs Calcott reported that the bottom of bridleway 13 where it meets the highway in The Hollow had become dangerous. Clerk to inform DCC ROW.
12) The next meeting will be on Tuesday April 30th at 7-30 pm in the Pavilion, Castle Lane. There being no further business the chairman thanked everyone and closed the meeting at 9-55 pm.