Marnhull Parish Council Minutes of the Meeting held on 8th January 2007, on the Marnhull Messenger - the community website of Marnhull, Dorset, United Kingdom

Parish Office: 6 New Street, Marnhull, Dorset, DT10 1PY

01258 446268

Minutes of the Meeting held at 7.30pm
on Monday 8th January 2007 at Marnhull Village Hall

PRESENT: Chairman J Pett, Cllr Mrs Bone, Cllr Goldsmith, Cllr Lloyd, Cllr Mrs Locke, Cllr Soul, Cllr Watson, Cllr Pender-Cudlip, Cllr Mrs Plummer, Cllr Mrs Russell and the DCC Cllr Andrew Cattaway.

There were eight members of the public in attendance.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION: Mr McTaggart brought up a point from the last meeting concerning signage to St Mary’s School. As Cllr Plummer had reported at the last meeting the head Mrs Denham had hoped that the signpost could be changed and have the Catholic part removed as she felt that this put a lot of people off the school and they think that you have to be Catholic to attend. Mr McTaggart said that he felt that this was not really Mrs Denham’s decision to make and that she would have to seek permission from the Church. Cllr Watson replied that this was actually something the school itself had asked for and not the Parish Council.
Mr McTaggart also brought up the point of the signpost at the t-junction of Great Down Lane and said that it was not very attractive or very inkeeping with its surroundings. The Chairman passed the comment to Cllr Cattaway who replied that the sign was only temporary as the original sign fell into disrepair and that the new one will be take it’s place soon.
Cllr Mrs Plummer said that she had written to St Mary’s School regarding the lack of signs to the school to ask them where their views. She is currently awaiting a reply.

Mr Miller the Chairman of the Village Hall brought up the issue of the signs to the Village Hall and said that they are inadequate now that they have worn away and the varnish has come off. Cllr Cattaway replied that the signage to the Village Hall actually falls within the community. Mr McTaggart very kindly offered to repair one of the Village Hall signs and he would speak with Mr Miller at a later date.

2007/001 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

2007/002 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Those of the Parish Council Meeting on the 4th of December 2006 and those of a Planning Meeting on the 16th of December were agreed after some minor amendments to be a true record and signed.

2007/003 MATTERS ARISING: Action Items – Each was discussed and either completed or ongoing.
Action Item 30/06 This will now fall under other items at the Recreation Ground as Cllr Soul is going to have a meeting with the Tennis Club regarding the practice wall and it may even mean that the small football pitch is moved.
Mr Paul Crocker had spoken to Cllr Mrs Locke explaining that he has had a number of dead trees on his land around the Village. He has offered these for firewood to the parishioners. Anyone wishing to have any of this wood for there own use only must contact Mr Paul Crocker directly to arrange collection.

2007/004 AGENDA ITEMS:
A visit from the Police Force – Unfortunately due to work commitments they were unable to attend. The Clerk to chase up to try and get them at the next meeting. Action Item 01/07.
The Renewal of the Tennis Club Lease – The Chairman read out the new lease which has only some very minor changes from the last lease. The Clerk to get the old lease for the next meeting so the Councillors can compare the two. The Clerk to also look at our insurance policy to see if we cover the insurance for the surfacing on the court. Action Item 02/07 Clerk to get a copy of the old lease.
Child Protection Document – Cllr Soul spoke regarding this document and why it was important for us to have one. It was decided that he would circulate a final version for other Councillors to agree on at February’s meeting. Cllr Lloyd noted that the Cricket Club and the Tennis Club have their own document already in place.

Graffiti – The issue of the graffiti on the Skatepark was discussed. The general feelings from Councillors were that we could turn a blind eye at the Skatepark but that it is not acceptable in other areas of the village. Cllr Russell said that she did not agree and that if we allowed it there then they may feel they could do it in other areas of the village. She requested that the public be asked for their opinion. Mr McTaggart and Mrs Sturges both felt that we should get it removed straight away so that the youth do not feel that it is something we find acceptable. Mr McTaggart said that he had the correct chemicals for removing it if the Councillors would like to use them. Cllr Mrs Russell volunteered with the help of other Councillors to remove it when it appeared. Cllr Fraser noted that he felt that the amount of litter down the road by the Skatepark was more of a problem. It is road that does have a litter collector unfortunately it seems to reappear again very quickly.
Cost of CCTV Cameras – This was an issue we were going to bring up with the Police Force, so onhold until they attend a meeting.
Guidelines for Grant Applications – Cllr Goldsmith spoke regarding this and that we should have a system to help the groups and societies in the village know how to apply for grants from the Parish Council. All Councillors agreed that this would be a good idea and avoid much confusion. Cllr Goldsmith to circulate his ideas before the next meeting so it can be agreed upon then.
Standing Orders – Councillor Watson felt that this is something that should be addressed and that we should have a set of Standing Orders for Councillors to follow. Again he will draw up some ideas and circulate them before the next meeting.
Padlocks for Notice Boards – The Clerk reported on the increasing problem of the notice boards in Burton Street and the Recreation Ground continually having their locks broken. She had had it suggested by Lagan Locks that padlocks might be the best way forward. All Councillors agreed so she will look into the cost. Action Item 03/07.
Councillors for next year – The Chairman spoke regarding the need for new Councillors to stand for election in May.
Chairman John Pett – Retiring.
Cllr Mrs Locke – Standing in May.
Cllr Fraser – Standing in May.
Cllr Mrs Plummer – Standing in May.
Cllr Goldsmith – Retiring.
Cllr Watson – Not Standing for Election.
Cllr Lloyd – 80% sure he will stand in May.
Cllr Bone – Refrained from answering.
Cllr Mrs Russell – Retiring.
Cllr Pender-Cudlip – Retiring.
Cllr Soul – Will decide in May.

Mr O’Bryne said that he would hopefully find someone to hand the footpaths over to in May.
It was felt that an information evening for prospective new Councillors could be held to give people information on becoming a Councillor.

2007/005 DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL: Cllr Cattaway started off by explaining that the aim is to pass more responsibility down to the Parish Councils if they want it, and so the need to have an active Council is very important.
Cllr Cattaway spoke about several issues including the Governments White Paper and the new Pathfinder Project. In a couple of months Cllr Cattaway should be able to report back and let us know whether DCC have been successful in the Pathfinder Project.
Cllr Watson raised the question as to whether this would involve redundancies? Cllr Cattaway replied that upto fifty posts would be reduced at County level.

2007/006 NORTH DORSET DISTRICT COUNCIL: Councillor Mrs Bone started her report by saying that NDDC has not yet approved the Pathfinder status but are having a debate on the 24th of January.
Cllr Bone then spoke regarding the new project on the edge of Shaftesbury to build 750 new houses. She said they had a three-day meeting to consider the application, but her main concerns were the jobs and schools that would then need to beable to cater for all the new residents.
Cllr Mrs Russell asked Cllr Mrs Bone about the sale of Sturminster Newton Town Council buildings. Cllr Mrs Bone replied that it was their own property and so the sale money would go back into the Town Council. The new buildings have been funded by the Liveability Project.
Cllr Watson then spoke regarding the new house proposal in Shaftesbury and said that he had concerns that the town cannot absorb that increase in pollution. Cllr Mrs Bone said that a Barrister would be representing NDDC at the meetings.

At this point Mr Miller noted that he thought it was important for an article to go in the Marnhull Messenger so that people realise how important it is to have a full active Parish Council.

Cllr Cattaway left the meeting.

2007/008 PLANNING
All were circulated in the file.

2007/009 CORRESPONDENCE:
The correspondence file was circulated to all Councillors.

2007/010 ACCOUNTS:

Accounts to Date

	Total Budget Actual to Date	Actual + Future
Payments	20575	14645	18289
Receipts	21355	22254	23254

The Annual Return was approved by the Council.
Councillors then discussed the budget and some copies circulated. Cllr Goldsmith noted that some of the increase in the precept had been due to the new ideas and facilities needed for the youth of the village. This was an important issue that was raised in the Parish Plan regarding the lack of facilities for the younger end of the village. A few minor changes were made and a precept of £26500 was decided to be the correct figure. This was proposed by Cllr Goldsmith and seconded by Cllr Lloyd.
Cllr Mrs Bone abstained in this vote.

2007/011 RECREATION GROUND: (Skatepark, Playarea): Cllr Soul gave a brief summary on how things were progressing with the playarea and all is going along well.

2007/012 MARNHULL MESSENGER: Cllr Watson reported on the Marnhull Messenger. Subject to confirmation of the application for a repeat donation from the Parish Council budget that they should finalise the content of the Marnhull Directory during January, making updates as necessary of contacts and telephone numbers. They are also adding e-mail addresses where they believe them to be important, like B&B’s, NDDC and DCC with some Government Organisations and the Parish Clerk. The Directory is also being re-organised in order to make it easier to find things with a short index of the headings in alphabetical order.

2007/013 GRASS CUTTING: Nothing to Report.
2007/014 PARISH PLAN: Nothing to Report.
2007/015 HENSTRIDGE AIRFIELD: Cllr Pender-Cudlip had previously circulated a full report to all Councillors a copy of which can be obtained from the Clerk’s office. Cllr Pender-Cudlip went through the main points which were:
The erection of a permanent Airfield Control Building – Cllr Pender-Cudlip said that the applicant had modified his original plan and it was now considered to be acceptable. He recommended no objection to this proposal thus no further action need be taken. All Councillors were in agreement.

The sale, storage and de-pollution of motor vehicles – A letter outlying Marnhull Parish Council’s objections to this proposal was submitted to SSDC. Since then, we received a reply from the applicant himself which he copied to SSDC and NDDC. Cllr Pender-Cudlip then noted that vehicle auctions were no longer included. However in reviewing our original objections it was decided that the best course of action was a letter to SSDC with a copy to NDDC and Losan Ltd (the applicant) stating that the Council considered the other objections remained relevant.

2007/016 FOOTPATHS: Cllr Watson reported that the four footpath maps covering seven walks in and around the Parish are now in distribution through the retail outlets in Marnhull. Including the Post Office, Marnhull Stores, the Public Houses, Bed & Breakfasts and Garages plus the Sturminster Newton Information Office (whose idea it was originally) and the town’s Library. Cllr Watson thanked Mr Des O’Bryne for all his hardwork into the maps and Mr O’Bryne thanked Cllr Watson for all his help.

2007/017 ALLOTMENTS: The plans for the new allotments are still underway. Cllr Watson raised the point of the water supply at the allotments and whether it would be adequate to cope with the new allotments. The clerk to contact Wessex Water for some advice. Action Item 04/07.

2007/018 DAPTC: No Report.

2007/019 TOUGH CHOICES: Cllr Lloyd reported that there is £230,000 committed to Tough Choices and they will go ahead based on that amount although there are still a few Parish’s left to decide.

2007/020 VILLAGE HALL MATTERS: Mr Miller Chairman of the Village Hall committee came to speak about the repairs that are needed to the roof of the Village Hall. Mr Miller explained that these were additional expenses that have arisen and they needed some extra funding from the Parish Council in addition to the £2000 already allocated to them in the budget. Mr Miller explained exactly what needed to be done and the prices that they had been quoted.

It was agreed after lengthy discussion by the Councillors to allow an extra £800 but this is against normal practice and the Parish Council do not usually allow extra funds once the budget has been set. It was thought that the Village Hall committee could do some fundraising of their own to try and build up their reserves for this sort of problem.

2007/020 YOUTH ACTIVITIES: Cllr Mrs Locke reported that they were planning to hold a disco for 11-16 year olds at the Village Hall to raise some money towards the new youth facilities. All Councillors were in support of this idea.

2007/021 SCHOOLS: Cllr Mrs Plummer gave an update on the schools. She Explained that a letter had been sent to St Gregory’s reference their parking problems and one to St Mary’s school concerning their signage problems. On an extra note concerning St Gregory’s parking Cllr Watson reported that the Bus Bay outside the school is now completed.
As to the speed limit at the Church Corner on the B3092, this is progressing and should be done by the end of March, other things permitting.

2007/022 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday 5th February 2007.

2007/023 ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA:
Tennis Club Lease.
Child Protection Document.
Guidelines for Grant Applications.
Standing Orders.

2007/024 PUBLIC DISCUSSION:

The meeting was closed at 10.20pm, one of the longest on record.