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

01258 446268

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 5th November 2007 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall

Present: Chairman Cllr Bryant Vice Chairman Cllr Plummer Cllr Lloyd Cllr Lawson

In attendance: Cllr Dowden – North Dorset District Councillor
Cllr Cattaway - Dorset County Councillor

There were twenty two members of the public present.

Public Consultation
Mr Powell reported that the issue of replacing the Village Hall is still being discussed and hopefully will have more to report at the next meeting. Mr Powell expressed the importance of arranging a meeting with the Planning Officers at NDDC and Highways Officers at County Council, whether it be a meeting with the Parish Councillors only or a public meeting. He went on and recommended to the Council that they Co-oped volunteers to join a working party to support the council.

Cllr Lloyd reported that DAPTC offer training on Planning for Councillors for a small fee. He went on to suggest that DAPTC may come to the Village and do a training course for the residents as well as the Councillors.

Cllr Bryant noted that NDDC have limited recourses to enable them time to come and give information on the Planning process they follow as there are a lot of Parishes to cover in North Dorset. He went on to reassure Mr Powell and the other members of the Public that the Council are having talks with Mr Hammond and are working towards agreeing a date for a meeting. Cllr Bryant assured the public that they will be kept informed of when the meeting will take place.

Mr Eslick expressed his concern over the lack of communication regarding letters sent to NDDC regarding planning applications. Cllr Bryant asked the Clerk to contact the Planning Department and forward Mr Eslick concerns.
Action-Clerk

Mr Young reported that there has been some vandalism to the headstones in the Cemetery. It was noted that it has been reported to the Police. Cllr Brant asked the Clerk to contact the Police and ask for extra policing in the Cemetery during the day time.
Action-Clerk

Mr Payne spoke to agenda item 11a regarding the European Constitution Referendum. He went on to report that he is still waiting on further information and will report back at the Council meeting in December.

Cllr Bryant gave an update on the situation of the Local Post Office. It was reported that a petition has been organised for Villagers to sign and there will be inserts in the Marnhull Messenger in December and January, highlighting the importance of keeping the Post Office. Cllr Bryant stated that the Village is in danger of loosing the Post Office if they do not get the support needed.

Mrs Young reported that she fells there is a lot of misunderstanding of why the Post Office is under threat of closure. She reported the inserts that will be in the Marnhull Messenger will explain the reasons why. The inserts will also have an address for people to write directly to the Post Office with their comments. There will also be more information of what the Post Offfice offers to the general public in the inserts.

Cllr Bryant asked for any volunteers to take the petition around the Village to encourage support for the Post Office. If anyone would like to come forward please contact the Clerk or the Chairman.

Cllr Cattaway suggested arranging a demonstration to support the Post Office and invite the local MP and the press along.

It was reported that hedgerows in various areas are in need of maintenance. The Clerk will report this to the Highways department at County Council.
Action-Clerk

2007/202 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Fraser.

2007/203 Declaration of Interest.
Cllr Plummer declared a personal interest regarding the Play Area.

2007/204 Minutes of the 1st October 2007 and the Minutes of the Planning meeting held on the 21st September and the 20th October 2007
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 1st of October 2007, 21st September 2007 and the 20th September were tabled and it was agreed that the minutes are a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

Cllr Lloyd noted that in September minutes there are still a few errors. It was agreed to note the errors on these minutes as below:

(2007/179 Financials)
Cllr Lloyd tabled a future cash-flow assessment with particular reference to payments (including VAT) for the Play Area refurbishment. This displayed a satisfactory availability of funds provided payments for the Play Area were made before Dec 2007. If payments were delayed after then, another cash-flow assessment would be necessary. an up to date budget report. It was reported that there are monies available to pay the additional cost for the play equipment, which had been budgeted for and the Vat, which the Council are able to claim back. The Chairman reported that the 2006-07 Budget would be looked at, in detail at Novembers meeting.

(2007/184 Policy Review)
RESOLVED: Marnhull Parish Council’s policy for working parties. For any working party to shall give a full written report at each Parish Council Meeting. The working party is authorised to manage the project up to a point when any financial commitment is needed or committing the Council to any contracts. The working party shall not without specific authority make any financial or other commitment on behalf of the council.(No budgetary provision. policy no 2007/184b)

2007/205 Co-option of new Councillors
The Chairman asked the members of the public if any persons are interested in joining the Council.

There were six members of the public that wished to join the Council. The Chairman asked the persons present to give a short presentation on why they would like to join the Council.

Mr Bridger gave a report on his personal and professional background to the members. He went on to express his interest and support in the local community.

Mr Chant gave a report on his personal and professional background to the members. He expressed that he has concerns with the Village and want to see things done to improve the Village. He went on and volunteered to be responsible for checking the footpaths around Marnhull and reporting on them at the meetings.

Mr McTaggert gave a report on his personal and professional background to the members.
He expressed his interest in Marnhull and how things are achieved.

Mr Young gave a report on his personal and professional background to the members.
He expressed his interest in Marnhull and the wiliness to help.

Mr Snow gave a report on his personal and professional background to the members.
He expressed his interest in what happens in Marnhull, how it happens and seeing things achieved.

Dr Bulford noted that she would like to join the Council, but felt due to her age and poor hearing, it may not be beneficial to the Council. The Chairman stated the Dr Bulford is more that welcome to join the Council.

At this point it was noted that one other member of the public had written to the Council asking to join, but could not be present at this meeting. It was noted that with this person the Council would have one to many numbers. Dr Bulford stated that she was happy to withdraw her application to joint the Council. After discussion with the Chairman, Mr McTaggart felt that Dr Bulford would bring more to the Council then he could and withdrew his application.

Mr Bridger, Mr Chant, Mr Young, Mr Snow and Dr Bulford were asked to join the meeting. The Clerk gave the new members the General Notice of Registrable Interest and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office for them to complete and sign. She also gave them the Parish Council’s standing orders for there information.

2007/206 Financial
(a) The Payment Schedule had been circulated and the total cost read out to the public. The total cost to the Parish Council for October 2007 is for the sum of £1665.00 This was agreed, proposed and seconded.

(b) The date for the Budget meeting was agreed for the 26th November 2007 at the Village Hall at 7.00pm.

At this point the Chairman moved to agenda item seven.

2007/207 Reports from County and District Councillors
Cllr Cattaway reported that the County Council have been checked by the Corporate Performance Audit Commission and are awaiting the report, it is hopeful the they will maintain their four star rating. He went on to report that in the third week of November County Council will announce their new contact system, Dorset Direct. The new system is developed to help the general public obtain information easily from County Council.

Cllr Dowden reported that NDDC had also been checked by the CPA and had gone up two steps from weak to good. He went on to report that from the 1st August 2007, there will be parking charges in Sturminster Newton. Cllr Dowden gave an update on re-cycling and why some area’s get it and other don’t. It was reported that as NDDC now collect their own re-cycling, the small truck that collects the items needs to go back and forth to Nordon as it does not have enough capacity to hold all of the plastic containers. It was suggested that the residents crush the plastic containers, which will hopefully give more room in the truck, saving time and money. The Chairman asked the Clerk to put a note in the Marnhull Messenger requesting residents to crush the containers.
Action -Clerk

At this point the Chairman returned to agenda item 5c

Cllr Plummer gave an update on the Play Area. It was reported that extra works on preparing the land for the equipment to be installed on is going to cost more than original anticipated. This is due to the lack of information given from Playdale on the extent of levelling required at the time. The working party have now held meetings with the people from Playdale which actually designed the Play Area and the company which will be levelling the land. The working party have looked into the additional costs and to save money have cancelled the installation of the new gates and the new seats. This still leaves an additional cost of £1400.00 to find. The options the working party proposed is to cancel a piece of equipment, which they fell would be a great shame to the children, or to ask for any money which the Council would grant them for next year to be paid early or to ask the Council for the £1400.00 out of the reserves held.

After debate it was agreed in principle to support the Play Area in funding the additional cost. Due to Cllr Plummer not being able to vote and there only being three members left able to vote, it was agreed to forward the proposal on to the budget meeting at the end of November.

It was reported that Marnhull Fest are receiving requests for grants and that the Council should apply for a grant to support the Play Area. The Chairman agreed and asked the Clerk to write to Marnull Fest requesting support.
Action-Clerk

2007/208 Planning
The decisions on Planning Applications were tabled and duly noted.

2007/209 Action Update
The Chairman gave an update on the Action List. Please see attached list for information.

2007/210 Clerks Report
The Clerk reported the Mrs Sally Upshall will be returning from her maternity leave on the 3rd December 2007. The Chairman reported that the Council had received a letter from Mrs Upshall informing them of her intentions of returning to work. The Chairman thanked Mrs Phillips for her support over the past six months. Mrs Phillips thanked the members and stated that she had enjoyed her time working for the Parish Council.

Cllr Lloyd suggested that as there has been a few changes in the clerical side, should this be assessed. The Chairman informed the members that he will meet with Mrs Upshall and ensure she is happy with the changes and any issues can be formally dealt with then.

2007/211 Correspondence
Letter regarding Motorcycle noise, Henstridge Airfield had been circulated. The member of the public which wrote the letter was present and was asked to speak. The member of the public reported that this was an ongoing complaint and will keep the Council informed of the response he receives.

2007/212 Chairman’s Urgent Business
The Chairman suggested that due to the work load of the Clerk, the time of the year and to give the Councillors a well earned rest the Parish Council take recess in January 2007. Cllr Plummer proposed that Marnhull Parish Council take recess in January 2007. The Chairman agreed. Cllr Lawson expressed his concern of not having a meeting in January due to the decisions which the council need to make regarding the Local Delivery by the end of January. Cllr Bryant noted that at the budget meeting, the Council will have agreed the budget and precept for 2008/2009 which would be forwarded to NDDC by the end of January. Cllr Lloyd also expressed his concerns of not having a meeting in January and left the meeting. Due to Cllr Lloyd leaving the meeting there were not enough Councillors left to vote on this matter. The proposal will be forwarded to the meeting on the 3rd of December 2007.
The Chairman reported that the hedges around the recreation ground will be cut back.

The Chairman reported that the broken bollard at St Georges Street has been reported to County Council.
2007/213 Press Release Cllr Plummer requested that a note be placed in the Marnhull Messenger asking for Play Ground Rangers. It was agreed that the Clerk and Play Area working party produce an appropriate advert for the next Marnhull Messenger publication.

2007/214 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council Meeting will be on Monday the 3rd December 2007 in the Village Hall at 7.00pm

There will be a Budget Meeting held in the Village Hall at 7pm on the 26th November 2007.

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

Chairman…………………………. Date……………………..

ACTION LIST:
30/06	Repair of the small football pitch.	Mrs Locke On going
43/06	Mrs Locke to find out from the Tennis Club some more information regarding a practice wall in the Recreation Ground.	Mrs Locke. On going
20/07	Quotations to be obtained for the wall at the entrance to the Recreation Ground to be repainted and the notice board lowered.	Cllr Lloyd-passed to Clerk on going
25/07	To order the Village Hall Signs and Play Area	Cllr Lloyd -on hold until Play Area is complete Play going