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

01258 446268

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 4th June 2007 at 7.30pm at
Marnhull Village Hall

Present:	Chairman	Cllr Locke
	Vice Chairman	Cllr Plummer
		Cllr Bryant
		Cllr Lloyd
		Cllr Fraser
In attendance:	Cllr Dowden – North Dorset District Councillor

There were two members of the public present. 

Public Consultation
The public had no comments.

2007/120 Apologies for Absence
There were none.

2007/121 Minutes of the 14th May 2007  
Those of the Parish Council Meeting on the 14th of May 2007 were agreed to be amended and for the Clerk to reissue them for signing at the next meeting.

2007/122 Co-Option of new Councillors 
The Chairman asked Mr Lawson to address the Council with a two minute talk indicating why he would like to become a member. 

Mr Lawson told the members of his background and since moving to Marnhull three years ago, he has attended many of the meetings which he has a great deal of interest in.  He also informed the members that he has been a School Governor for the past five years, which included overseeing the merger of two schools into one.  He reported that he is also drives the bus for Marnhull Lunch Club.

After hearing Mr Lawson’s speech the Chairman and Members agreed to co-opt him in to the council.  The Clerk informed Mr Lawson that he would be required to sign a Declaration of Interest form, which will be sent to him.  

2007/123 Matters Arising Action Items –
Each action was discussed and adjusted accordingly.

Action Item 15/07 – Cllr Lloyd reported that he had received a quotation for the repainting of the gates at the entrance of the Village Hall.  The cost being £120.00 per gate and an additional cost of £50.00 for delivery and collection.  This was proposed by Cllr Bryant and seconded by Cllr Fraser.

RESOLVED: That the recreation ground gates are repaired to the cost of £240.00 plus an additional £50.00 for delivery and collection to and from Yeovil.   (2007/123 Budgetary Provision under recreation ground maintenance)

Action item 22/07 – A debate took place over who should supply the fire assembly signs for the Village Hall.  It was reported that at the meeting of the 2nd April it had been discussed that Village Hall Management Committee should pay for the signs.  It was AGREED to write to the Management Committee, forwarding the members views that they felt it is the responsibility of the Village Hall Management Committee to purchase and erect the fire assembly signs.

2007/124 AGENDA ITEMS
TREES ––Following on from the PC meeting of 2nd April when concern was raised over the trees that border the cemetery on the recreation ground and encroaching on the Cricket boundary.  Advice had been obtained, however, Cllr Plummer reported that the Cricket Club had no problems with the trees at present, as they are not affecting their play. There are also no problems reported from the grass cutter.  It was therefore AGREED not to do any management to the Trees and also to send the Cricket Club a letter informing them of the member’s decision.

The Chairman read out a letter from Mr J Shackleton.  The letter reported that Dorset County Council had sent an order to Mr Shackleton to remove two Beech Trees, on Nash Lane, Mr Shackleton’s letter stated that he had been informed by Mr Eldridge (DCC Highways) that the Parish Council had taken part in deciding that the two trees in question belonged to himself.  Mr Shackleton requests that the Council inform him of why and how the decision was made that the trees were his responsibility.

Mrs Sturges reported that whilst NDDC Tree Officer was looking at the Parish Council’s trees, he noticed that the Beech Trees where in a poor state.  The tops of the trees had died and the trees also had two different types of fungi growing on them.  She went on to report that the Parish Council did not have any involvement in deciding who owned the trees.  Both of the trees had preservation orders on them, therefore no parish Council or individual can instruct the felling of the trees.   After debate it was AGREED to try and obtain the report from the Tree Officer (NDDC) and to reply to Mr Shackleton informing him that the Parish Council had no involvement in the decision.

ALLOTMENTS – Draft tenancy agreement to be sent to Mr Crocker

DOG FOULING – The Chairman read out a letter from a concerned resident of Marnhull.  The concern expressed was over the amount of dog faeces on the pavement between Sodom Lane and the cattery.  The letter went on to request a pavement from Stoney Lawn to the main road due to the speed of the traffic passing through this area and the safety of the large amount of children using the route.  Mr Lawson reported that people are putting their dog waste bags down the drain, which is resulting in blockages.  It was AGREED to enter a piece in the Marnhull Messenger asking people not to let their dogs foul the pavements and not to put their dog-waste bags down the drains.

2007/125 DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL: Nothing to report.

2007/126 NORTH DORSET DISTRICT COUNCIL: Nothing to report.

2007/127 CORRESPONDENCE:
The correspondence file was tabled and circulated to all Councillors.  The Clerk expressed her concerns that the information is not getting around to the correct people by just using the correspondence file.  After debate it was AGREED that any correspondence relating to an individual would be copied and forwarded to them.  If the correspondence is for all Councillors, these will also be copied and circulated.

2007/128 ALLOCATION OF PROJECTS The allocation of projects were AGREED as listed below:

HENSTRIDGE AIRFIELD  - Cllr Fraser

 RECREATION AND BURIAL GROUNDS – Cllr Bryant

 FOOTPATHS – Mr Watson (Maps) Mr O’Byrne (General)

 SKATEPARK – Mr Keith Plowman

ALLOTMENTS – Cllr Locke

 LOCAL DELIVERY – Cllr Lloyd

 MARNHULL MESSENGER – Mr Watson

 YOUTH ACTIVITIES – Cllr Lock, Cllr Plummer and Cllr Fraser

 TREES – Mrs E Sturges

 SCHOOLS – Cllr Plummer

2007/129 ACCOUNTS:
Councillors approved the Payment Schedule for a total of £1148.55.

A motion to approve the accounts for 2006-07 for submission to the external auditor (BDO Stoy Hayward).  This was proposed by Cllr Bryant and seconded by Cllr Locke. This was AGREED unanimously.

A second motion to approve the Annual Return for the year ended that 31st March 2007 and jointly and individually to agree the statement of Accounts and the Annual Governance Statement therein.  This was proposed by Cllr Plummer and seconded by Cllr Bryant. This was AGREED unanimously.

2007/130 HENSTRIDGE AIRFIELD – Nothing to report

2007/131 RECREATION AND BURIAL GROUNDS (Skatepark, Playarea):  Cllr Plummer reported that Mr Plummer found a small plastic bag with a picture of a leaf on it in the children’s play area whilst cutting the grass.  Cllr Plummer asked if this should be reported and to whom.  It was AGREED that Mr Plummer should report his discovery to the Police.

The Chairman reported that she had received a compliment on how nice the burial ground looks.  The Chairman reported that the restraining wire around the play area needs repairing. Quotes to be obtained.

2007/132 FOOTPATHS – Nothing to report

2007/133 SKATEPARK – Restraining wire needs repairing. Quotes to be obtained.

2007/134 LOCAL DELIVERY – Cllr Lloyd reported that the Local Delivery is focusing on Leisure Centres and will report more information back at the next meeting.

2007/135 YOUTH ACTIVITIES – The Chairman reported that the sand in the sandpit needs to be replenished.  After debate it was AGREED to purchase three large bags of sand to the cost of £75.00. This was proposed by Cllr Locke and seconded by Cllr Plummer.

RESOLVED: to purchase three bags of sand at the cost of no more that £75.00. (2007/135 budgetary provision maintenance of play area).

The Chairman reported that the Youth Club is looking to raise money for the new teenage seating area.  The Youth Club has also requested a wall for them to kick footballs against.  This will be looked at, at a future meeting.

2007/136 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Monday 2nd July 2007.

2007/137 ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA:
Marnhull being a plastic bag free zone.

Cllr Lloyd requested the Council write to the Chief Executive at Dorset County Council expressing concern over the lack of information that the Parish receives regarding traffic management.  After debate it was AGREED to request from DCC their protocol on supplying information to the Parishes.
This will be reported back at the next meeting.

Village Hall Signs.

Dog Fouling.

2007/138 PUBLIC CONSULTATION: Mrs Sturges brought to the members attention that on the Action List it states that an Oak tree is leaning into Sodom Lane.  She reported that the tree in question is not an Oak tree, but an Ash tree and that the tree is not leaning, it is a branch that is hanging low.

Mrs Sturges spoke to the agenda item regarding dog fouling.  She suggested forwarding on the concerns of the public and the Council to the local MP.

There being no further business the meeting was closed at 10.05pm.

Chairman………………………….  Date……………………..

 

 

ACTION LIST:

Action No	Action	Action by
22/06	The Clerk to get some quotations for carrying out the work at the allotments	Clerk – COMPLETED
26/06	To follow up the idea in 2007 of St Gregory’s pool opening to the public	Cllr Fraser replaced by 21/7
30/06	Repair of the small football pitch.	Cllr Locke
31/06	To obtain some quotations for a few large containers to be purchased.	Cllr Mrs Russell – on hold March 07.
34/06	To find out more information on putting some more signs to St Mary’s School	Cllr Plummer - COMPLETED
43/06	Cllr Mrs Locke to find out from the Tennis Club some more information regarding a practice wall in the Recreation Ground.	Cllr Mrs Locke.
12/07	Cllr Mrs Locke to ask the owners of the field in Burton Street if they could get some advice on cutting the back the tree	Cllr Locke - COMPLETED
13/07	The clerk to approach Ashley Farm regarding the Ash tree leaning into Sodom lane.	Cllr Locke contacting tree officer at NDDC.
14/07	Cllr Lloyd to liase with Mr Miller to obtain/quotation for the council’s insurance from a Marnhull insurance broker	Cllr Lloyd - COMPLETED
15/07	Cllr Lloyd to obtain quotations for the repainting of the gates at the entrance to the Recreation Ground	Cllr Lloyd - COMPLETED
18/07	The Clerk to write to DCC expressing the Parish Council’s support for the new speed limit at Church corner	Clerk - COMPLETED
19/07	The Clerk to place advert in the Blackmore Vale magazine for temporary Clerk	Clerk - COMPLETED
20/07	Quotations to be got for the wall at the entrance to the Recreation Ground to be repointed and the notice board lowered.	Cllr Lloyd
21/07	Cllr Fraser to look further into the idea of the swimming pool being open in the summer.	Cllr Fraser
22/07	A note to go into the Marnhull Messenger to see if anyone in the village would be prepared to make some direction signs for the village hall.	Clerk
23/07	Letters to be written to all the people on the responsibilities list to thank them for their work and to see if they are prepared to continue.	Clerk.
24/07	Quotes to be obtained for restraining wire at the Skatepark	Cllr Locke

Chairman ………………………….