Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 6th August 2007 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall

Present: Chairman Cllr Locke, Cllr Bryant, Cllr Lloyd, Cllr Lawson, Cllr Fraser, Cllr Plummer

In attendance: Cllr Dowden – North Dorset District Councillor

There were five members of the public present.

Public Consultation
Mrs Russell updated the Council on the Village tidying scheme. Mrs Russell handed the file to the Clerk, which contained the names of the residents, who have adopted individual areas to maintain. It also contained the names and addresses of the Litter Wardens. She went on to report that she had applied for funding to purchase four flower containers for the entrance to Crown Estate, Phillips Road and Sodom Lane. It was reported that Mrs Russell had not received a reply from Sturminster Town Council and Hall and Woodhouse do not make their awards until September. Mrs Russell stated that if the grant comes in from Hall and Woodhouse, she is happy to purchase the four wooden barrels and arrange planting for 2008.

Mrs Sturges expressed her concerns over the graffiti in the Skate Park. She felt it looked ugly and menacing. She went on to offer to clean the graffiti off the Skate Park with the permission of the Council, and asked what else can the Council do. Cllr Lloyd suggested that the Council take Mrs Sturges’s kind offer up. The members AGREED and thanked Mrs Sturges. Cllr Locke reported that there is also graffiti on the footpath from Cooks Garage to the Doctors’ Surgery. It was thought that the area in question belongs to Wessex Water. It was AGREED for the Clerk to contact them, asking for the graffiti to be removed. After debate the Council AGREED to review the Council’s policy on graffiti at the next meeting.

Capt Payne reported that he is interested in joining the Council. The Chairman requested that Co-option of new members go on the agenda for September.

Mr Watson requested that the duties of each Councillor be published in the Marnhull Messenger for the residents information. He went on to report on the poor condition of the Footpaths in Marnhull. Mrs Sturges reported that footpaths could be adopted by residents through Dorset County Council. The Clerk reported that County Council is reviewing the footpaths, and for the residents of Marnhull to report footpaths which are in a poor state to the Clerk who will report these to Dorset County Council. Mr Watson reported that he had spoken to Steve Howard, Dorset County Council regarding heavy traffic going through the Village. He had suggested to Steve Howard a weight restriction through the Village. It was AGREED for the Clerk to follow up Mr Lawson’s request and report back at the next meeting. Mr Watson also asked if the Council had received an update on the speed restriction. The Clerk reported that she had not received a response from Dorset County Council, and she will follow this up.

2007/162 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Cattaway North Dorset District Councillor.

2007/163 Declaration of Interest
There were none.

2007/164 Minutes of the 9th July 2007
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 9th July 2007 were agreed to be a correct and true record and signed.

2007/165 Financials
The Payment Schedule had been circulated. It was agreed, proposed and seconded.

It was agreed that the reconciliation of account was to be done on a quarterly basis.

The Clerk reported that the Budget update would be given in September’s meeting.

The Chairman reported on the one quote that had been received to repair the driveway to the Village Hall. It was AGREED to wait until further quotes had been obtained to make a decision.

The Chairman reported that she had received only one quote to repair the small football pitch. It was AGREED to wait until further quotes had been obtained to make a decision.

At this point Cllr Fraser gave his apologies and left the meeting
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2007/166 Planning
The decisions on Planning Applications from NDDC had been circulated and were duly noted.

2007/167 Reports from County and District Councillors
Cllr Dowden – Dorset County Councillor, reminded the Councillors that there is a training course on the Code of Conduct at Sturminster Newton on the 21st August 2007. Cllr Bryant requested information on this course, which the Clerk agreed to obtain for him.

Cllr Dowden noted that on the Minutes of the 9th July 2007 it refereed to contacting the Tree Officer at Dorset County Council, when it should have been North Dorset County Council.

Cllr Lloyd reported on behalf of Cllr Cattaway – Dorset County Councillor, that the bid for the pathfinder had been excepted. He went on to report that Wiltshire had received unitary with no consultation and that Somerset had not been granted unitary status due to objections.

2007/168 Action Update
The Chairman gave an update on the Action List. Please see attached list for information.

2007/169 Update on Local Delivery
Cllr Lloyd asked the Chairman to open the meeting to the Public.

At this point standing orders were withdrawn.

Cllr Lloyd gave a brief but detailed report on the Local Delivery. There will be a public meeting to brief the residents of Marnhull in more detail. The date has yet to be arranged but will be advertised in the Marnhull Messenger and around the Village once the date has been agreed. However there is a Road Show arranged for the 17th August, all day at the Village Hall, at which all residents are welcome.

Cllr Lawson requested for a time table to be produced, including all Road Show’s and meetings regarding the Local Delivery as well as the standard time table for when decisions have to be made and reported back to NDDC. The Clerk AGREED to produce a timetable and circulate to all members.

Action-Clerk

Cllr Bryant suggested that the Council contact the other Town Councils to request a briefing from them. It was AGREED for the Clerk to contact Staulbridge Town Council and Sturminster Newton Town Council requesting a briefing on the areas in which they require support.

Action - Clerk

At this point standing orders were re-instated.

2007/170 Correspondence
The Clerk read out a letter from Pilgrimage 2008, requesting the use of the Recreation Ground on the Monday 2nd June 2008 for the Emmaus Circus. After debate it was recommended that a small fee should be charged, this went to vote. One in favour and four against to charge Pilgrimage 2008 for the use of the Recreation Ground. It was AGREED to contact Pilgrimage to inform them they can use the Recreation Ground free of charge, but they will be responsible to make good any damage to the recereation field.

The Clerk informed the Council that NDDC had not received any claim from any electors in the parish for an election to fill the five vacancies, therefore the Parish Council may fill the vacancies by Co-option.

The Clerk reported that she had received a response to a letter send to Dorset County Council, regarding their policy on giving out information on traffic management. It was reported that any programmed major works are sent to the Parish Council and the residents in the vicinity of the works, this is done by letter around two week before commencement. The only time that the Parish may not be informed if of the private works of the residence of Marnhull.

Cllr Lloyd requested that another letter be sent to the licensing department at Dorset County Council, requesting their protocol on informing the Parish of any private works carried out in the Village.

The Clerk reported on a letter received from NDDC, requesting the information for the local tree warden.

At this point standing orders were withdrawn.

The Chairman asked Mrs Sturges if she was happy to continue being the Parish Council’s Tree Warden. Mrs Sturges AGREED to continue being the Parish Council’s Tree Warden.

At this point standing orders were re-instated.
The Clerk informed the Members that DAPTC are running a Chairmans Seminar and a Clerks Seminar. This was duly noted.

The Clerk reported on a letter send from Shaftesbury Town Council, inviting a member to a meeting on the 14th August 2007 at 7.00pm to discuss the Local Delivery and the level of support and agree a way forward. Cllr Lloyd volunteered to attend the meeting. The Clerk reported that she is unable to attend.

The Clerk reported on a letter send from DAPTC regarding Connecting Dorset. It was reported that the Parish Council could apply to join the Connecting Dorset Network. After debate it was AGREED to apply to join the Connection Dorset Network at no cost to the Parish Council.

Action-Clerk

2007/172 Chairman’s Urgent Business
The Chairman reported that she had received some concerns over the signing of the contract to obtain the BLF money, which had been given to the Parish Council, through NDDC for new play equipment. Cllr Lloyd expressed his concerns and began to read out his questions. After a long and in-depth debate Cllr Bryant gave a motion to except the finding of the Working Group and that if any problems arise, these will be dealt with at the appropriate time. Cllr Lloyd gave a motion not to except the first motion. As there were not enough members at the time to vote on the motion, they were not taken forward and it was AGREED that the policy of Working Parties will be reviewed at the meeting in September. Cllr Lloyd stated that as he is the Responsible Financial Officer he felt he should have some response to his concerns. It was reported that Mr Wilbert Smith at North Dorset District Council had all the paper work, including three quotes for the play area. It was further reported that the contract for the acceptance of the Big Lottery Money needed to be signed and sent back to Wilbert Smith within days or the Parish would not receive the money. The Clerk agreed for Cllr Lloyd to contact Hilary Ritchie and Joanne Foster-Bizain, as these are the people at NDDC who have taken over from Wilbert Smith (who will be leaving NDDC) to resolve his concerns.

Action-Clerk

2007/173 Press Release
To express the Council’s thanks to the Fest 2000 and the Marnhull Show Committees through the Marnhull Messenger.

To inform the residents of the public meeting regarding the Local Delivery through the Marnhull Messenger.

To give a small but detailed report about the Local Delivery through the Marnhull Messenger.

2007/174 Date of next meeting
Monday the 3rd September in the Village Hall at 7.00pm

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.50pm

Chairman…………………………. Date……………………..

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