Parish council minutes - 28th May 2002 - Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset, UK

28th May 2002

Published unapproved ï¿½ for ratification at the June 25th meeting
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MINUTES OF OKEFORD FITZPAINE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE PAVILION ON TUESDAY 28TH MAY 2002
Present:- Cllr M Burt
Cllr B Trowbridge
Cllr Mrs A Calcott
Cllr R Corben
Cllr E Thorne
In attendance:- Mrs D Burt (clerk), and eight members of the public.
1) Apologies Cllr Frampton, Cllr Nelson, Cllr Campbell (DCC) and Cllr Bignell (NDDC).
2) The minutes of the April 30th meeting, having been circulated to councillors, notice boards and the website, 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 Matters Arising
i) Recreation Ground
The gas boiler and systems have had their annual check a leak was found and repaired.
A letter from NDDC regarding an application for an occasional PEL by the Football Club for their biennial ï¿½Butterboys Bonanzaï¿½ on August 2nd and 3rd, there were no objections.
Copy of letter from chairman O.U.F.C. to N.D.D.C. re above licence saying that the Football Club intended to assist the P.C. in purchasing new gang mowers and if finances allow assist with purchase of new swings, the council were very grateful for this offer.
The clerk reported that three grants had been applied for to assist with the swings, N.D.D.C. Community Projects Fund and Awards for All which is lottery funded, but had received a telephone call today from the Community Projects Fund saying that we may not be able to have grants from both them and N.D.D.C. as they were part funded by N.D.D.C. the clerk pointed out that we had done so in the past with no problem so the person dealing with the application agreed to look into it.
The chairman reported that he would be treating areas around the Pavilion and car park with weed killer also the area around the slide was in need of strimming.
The garage had been broken into also someone had broken into kitchen cupboards in the Pavilion nothing appeared to have been taken from either place, possible entry had been through an open window.
The chairman was concerned about the front door being blown in the wind and possibly damaged again, he thought that a bracket similar to the one fitted on the back door may solve the problem.
The clerk asked if Area Youth Clubs could use the Pavilion and ground for ï¿½Itï¿½s a Knockoutï¿½ on July 3rd there was no objection to this.
ii) Bowey Field
Via the chairman Cllr Frampton reported that new ï¿½no golfï¿½ signs were needed, it was agreed to purchase 3.
The grass had been cut and taken away by farmer Mr P Potter, Cllr Corben went to cut it again with the gang mowers but was unable to gain access to the field because a van was parked in the entrance and the owner could not be contacted, consequently the grass has again become too long for the gang mowers, Mr Potter has offered to cut it again with his field mower. It is sometimes difficult to get weather conditions and volunteers time coordinated. Mr Ambrose offered his help in cutting the grass. The offer was gratefully received. The chairman reported having had a complaint about the length of the grass but had explained the difficulties.
iii) Chicken Processing Factory
The Faccenda Group had applied to change their existing operatorï¿½s licence by adding an operating centre to keep 11 good vehicles and 10 trailers at the Shillingstone Lane site, as the time allowed for responses would run out before the set council meeting the chairman having discussed the matter with
the vice chairman, felt that a letter should be sent to the DTLR pointing out that unless numbers at the Higher St site were reduced approval of this application would mean an increase to 29 vehicles operating from the village causing concern over road safety and environmental issues.
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A reply had been received which indicated that as a Parish Council we had no right to make representation but could ask our local authority NDDC or DCC to represent us. The chairman felt that the DTLR guidance book indicated that as we had complained earlier we did have a right plus we own land in the vicinity which also gives us a right so this will be pursued. Cllr Corben said that in the past the council had agreed the use of the Shillingstone Lane site for overnight parking to lessen the noise nuisance in the centre of the village but an additional 11 lorries would not be acceptable. There was some concern that the advertisement had been put in the Weymouth edition of the Dorset Echo which is not easily obtainable in this area. An email from Cllr Bignell indicated that the parking of lorries at the site had been suspended and an emergency licence applied for, he is also following up on the planning implications with this site. A copy of his letter to the Traffic Commissioners was read, it pointed out that Faccenda was operating illegally from the Shillingstone Lane site.
It was proposed by Cllr Corben and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that NDDC be asked to represent us in this matter, this was agreed. It was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Mrs Calcott that we also ask DCC to represent us, this was agreed.
The factory manager has arranged for the factory to close on Monday so that there will be no lorry movements to interfere with the Street Party.
The clerk had received two smell diaries.
iv) Greenhayes/Higher St path NFTR
v) The Pound
Dave Frampton has started rebuilding the walls, more stone has been purchased but does not have to be paid for just yet. An ash tree on the bank above The Pound was thought to be dangerous and Westree were asked to inspect it and quote for its removal. Mr Pitman from Westree agreed that the tree was unsafe and quoted ï¿½250 to cut it down, log it and remove it, after discussion with the chairman it was agreed that Westree would charge ï¿½120 if we disposed of the wood. Mr Pitman had spoken to the tree officer at NDDC and was told that he couldnï¿½t remove the tree as it was in an area of outstanding natural beauty, but he would allow one of the branches to be removed later in the year. The chairman spoke to Mr Hemmings the tree officer and asked how he could apply to have the tree removed because if it were to cause injury to anyone he needed in writing from NDDC their refusal to let it be removed, Mr Hemmings said he would send an application form.
The chairman had spoken to Janet Rees, Policy manager NDDC about not being able to contact conservation officer Kevin Morris, shortly after on May 7th an email was received from Mr Morris apologising for the delay and saying that he would get his colleague David Gallagher to contact the clerk but this has not happened.
Cllr Mrs Calcott said she and several volunteers had cleared a lot of rubbish and undergrowth and that she had been offered a seat by Mr Kendall to go in The Pound when finished.
The chairman thanked everyone who had been working so hard to bring it back to its former glory.
vi) Parish Survey NFTR
vii Future Development NFTR
viii) Golden Jubilee 2002
Winners of the art competition had been published in the parish magazine and the children presented with prizes and certificates.
Bunting and balloons had been purchased. The food for Sunday will be delivered on Saturday.
The music and dancing licence has been granted for Monday June 3rd on Okeford Hill.
Assistance will be needed to decorate the hall on Saturday, decorate Greenhayes and prepare food on Sunday, transport tables etc to the hill, erect tents and fill the Beacon on Monday.
Mrs Nobbs had made ï¿½123 for Jubilee funds by running a coffee morning/plant sale. Anne Tucker is presently holding the money so that she can use it for her street party on Monday. A letter of thanks to be sent.
BBC music live are encouraging a united sing song of ï¿½All you need is loveï¿½ at 1.03 pm on Monday, passed to Anne Tucker.
PCC secretary Mrs Z Goddard has invited all councillors to a special service at 10 am on Sunday, the chairman had been asked to read at the service. (invitation copied to councillors)

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Several people have expressed an interest in purchasing spare commemorative mugs, the clerk has started a list.
ix) Travellers NFTR
x) Footway ï¿½ Castle Lane
DCC has acknowledged request and passed it to their ï¿½client projects sectionï¿½ at County Hall for investigation.
xi) Chaapel Green NFTR
xii) Extension of 30 mph speed limit NFTR
xiii) Footpath 47
As there has been no information forthcoming that could be used as evidence this item was discharged.
xiv) The Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) order 2001
The clerk reported that all councillors had now signed the new declaration of acceptance of office and the notification of financial and other interests. The Standards Board have been informed and copies of the above have been sent to our monitoring officer at NDDC.
From the Standards Board, booklets about how to register and declare interests etc (distributed to councillors) and an information video.
Via NDDC a copy draft of Standards Board ï¿½confidence in local democracyï¿½.
xv) ï¿½Sleepingï¿½ Parish Councils
A letter from DEFRA had been received outlining the reasons for the Rural Services Survey and criteria to categorise parishes into ï¿½vibrant, active, barely active and sleepingï¿½. It was pointed out that this information was not included in the correspondence which accompanied the questionnaire.
A letter from Alun Michael MP assuring that the vibrancy indicator does not and was not intended to measure the activity level or the effectiveness of parish councils. He acknowledged that there were a number of shortcomings in the data and assured that the Countryside Agency intends to look at the whole issue again. It was pointed that the fact remains that incorrect information about parishes all over the country was still available on the internet and therefore to the world.
xvi) Angers Lane
The road is now closed ï¿½ perhaps for repair.
xvii) GM Crop trials
Some crops have now been planted, it was agreed that this was an important issue and one which the Government should be looking into its policy on.
xviii) Bridleway 13
The chairman met John Williamson on site and he agreed that something could be done to improve safety and access to the road, in the short term some kerbing and removal of part of the bank, in the long term widening of the track.
xix) Vandalism ï¿½ Nether Mead
The community Police Officer has been informed and it has been mentioned in the parish magazine.
xx) Finger post ï¿½ The Cross Clerk to pursue.
xxi) Potholes ï¿½ Okeford Hill junction This work has been done.
xxii) Any Other Matters Arising NONE
5) Correspondence
ï¿½ ND Rangers ï¿½ re Countryside Centre (from April meeting). After much discussion it was decided to ask for more information.
ï¿½ Email ï¿½ Zentar Attar ï¿½ re: 7 Netherway Cotts. ï¿½funny first floor extensionï¿½. Clerk to refer writer to NDDC planning.
ï¿½ Email ï¿½ Zentar Attar ï¿½ ï¿½donï¿½t allow the chimney, shut the factory.
ï¿½ The Okeford Benefice ï¿½ series of courses incl: July 2nd guest David Jenkins and Robert Walter MP on local government, St Gregoryï¿½s Church, Marnhull 7-30 pm.
ï¿½ Blandford Transport Forum ï¿½ notice of meeting.
ï¿½ NDDC ï¿½ Parish contacts in emergency register.
ï¿½ Email ï¿½ development of land fill sites.

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ï¿½ DAPTC ï¿½ newsletter (distributed), SC19 ï¿½ code of conduct, SC20 ï¿½ Standards Board symposium July 2nd ï¿½ update on ethical framework. SC21 ï¿½ ND area rep.
ï¿½ Local Council Review ï¿½ magazine
ï¿½ CHC ï¿½ magazine
ï¿½ Clerks & Councils Direct ï¿½ magazine
ï¿½ NDDC ï¿½ Licensing officer ï¿½ suggesting NDDC logo on all new street signs, any comments. It was decided to ask how much more this would cost.
ï¿½ NDDC ï¿½ recycling ï¿½ is there another suitable area for the recycling banks, a complaint had been received from a resident saying that the lorry collecting from the recycling banks at Greenhayes had driven over the bank of a garden. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Trowbridge and seconded by Cllr Thorne that a letter be written to NDDC saying that Greenhayes is the most suitable site. This was agreed.
ï¿½ Via Mr Gillingham ï¿½ countryside agency grants information.
6) Representatives reports
Local public transport officer ï¿½ Mr Gillingham reported that two extra buses to Weymouth and Swanage would be put on during the summer weeks.
Homewatch co-ordinator ï¿½ Mr Fleetwood reported that he has put notices in the shop and the notice board warning people about sheds being broken into at Shillingstone. Also two young men are in the area preying on the elderly purporting to look for work
7) District Councillors Report
via email ï¿½ adding to what has already been reported in matters arising. NDDC is negotiating to purchase the unit on Brickfields Industrial Estate previously occupied by the Indoor Bowling Club with the intention of leasing the building to the club.
8) Points from the public
Mr Russell asked if anything could be done about events posters put up on telegraph poles etc and not removed after the event.
Mrs Charman asked if the hedges along the Higher St to Greenhayes path could be cut back.
Via the chairman ï¿½ hedges by ï¿½Yeatmansï¿½ and Langstone Farmhouse in Lower St were encroaching onto the footway.
Via Cllr Mrs Calcott ï¿½ the hedge along the footpath around the school is in need of cutting back.
The clerk was asked to write to house owners concerned and put a general message in the parish magazine.
9) Financial Matters
To pay:-
Cornhill Insurance ï¿½624.52
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Calcott and seconded by Cllr Thorne that this be paid, this was agreed.
The clerk reported having received donations of ï¿½15 from JG metals and ï¿½50 from Okeford Auctions.
10) Planning
a) applications none
b) decisions 2/2002/0149 ï¿½ Faccenda Group ï¿½ erect 25m flume extraction stack. Following a report (copied to councillors) from Hillary White, policy manager (rural economy) NDDC granted the application with conditions on:- colour and materials, tree planting scheme at Higher St entrance, 5 years temporary permission and when no longer needed for removal of fumes it shall be removed within 6 months of cessation of use.
c) other 2/2002/0118 ï¿½ Lowbrook Farm ï¿½ erect two dwellings. A site meeting took place on May 21st which the chairman attended, there were several objectors including the CPRE, the meeting looked at other sites and a decision will be made at the planning meeting on June 11th.
11) A.O.B. NONE
12) The next meeting will be Tuesday June 25th at The Pavilion at 7-30 pm.
There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 9-55 pm.