Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 4th August
2008 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
| Present: |
Chairman |
Cllr Bryant |
| |
Vice Chairman |
Cllr Plummer
Cllr Neal
Cllr Lawson
Cllr Young
Cllr Snow
Cllr Chant
Cllr Fraser
Cllr Scott-Nelson |
| The Clerk Sally Upshall and the RFO Nicola Phillips. |
In attendance
Cllr Cattaway – Dorset County Councillor.
There were also four members of the public present.
Public Consultation
PC Phil Sugrue attended the meeting to discuss any problems that there
may be within the Village. His badge number is 2146 and he can be contacted
on either 01202 222222 or by email, phil.sugrue@dorset.pnn.police.uk.
PC Sugrue reported on how successful the Marnhull Fest had been and
apart from one small incident there had been no other reported problems.
Mr and
Mrs Young who are on the Fest Committee thanked PC Sugrue for their efforts
in policing the Fest and reported on what a good event it had been.
Cllr Lawson asked PC Sugrue about a type of protection wire that can
be put on roofs of buildings to stop people being able to climb on them.
PC
Sugrue said that it was not something he had heard about but would find
out for Cllr Lawson and report back.
Mrs Sturges asked PC Sugrue if there had been any developments regarding
the vandalism that occurred at the allotments. PC Sugrue reported that
unfortunately there had not been any further developments as there were
no witnesses, but they are patrolling more around the Village and they
will keep their eye on the allotments.
Mr and Mrs Young from the Post Office reported that the Post Office in
the Village will be staying and they wanted to thank the Parish Council
for their support during the campaign.
Mrs Sturges reported that there had been some remedial work done to some
of the trees in the Recreation Ground and she was very concerned as the
work had not been done correctly. Some branches had been cut off and
the debris had been placed in the hedge and this will cause damage to
the hedge.
Councillor Snow said that he would find out who had done the work and
explain the problem. It had already been agreed that the remedial work
is to be
carried out in the autumn and Councillor Snow will get some quotations
to carry out the work.
2008/076 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Bridger.
Cllr Dowden – NDDC Councillor.
2008/077 Declaration of Interest.
Cllr Plummer with regard to the grass cutting in the Cemetery.
2008/078 Minutes
The minutes of the Council meeting on the 7th July 2008 were agreed and
signed that these minutes are a correct and true record.
2008/079 Financial Matters
At this point Cllr Plummer left the room.
The Payment Schedule had been circulated and read out to the public. The
total cost to the Parish Council for July was the sum of £1052.24.
This was agreed, proposed and seconded.
Cllr Plummer returned to the meeting.
The RFO had previously circulated the monthly financial statement and all
Cllrs were in agreement with the figures.
The Chairman noted that he had checked the reconciled account balances
and signed them accordingly.
The Chairman also noted that the Garden Club had won a competition and
would like to donate the prize money towards a picnic bench for the Recreation
Ground.
The Chairman then reported that the accounts had been inspected by a member
of the public and there had been various issues raised. Some of these had
been basic errors, some system problems and others a lack of information.
The Chairman, Cllr Neal, Cllr Plummer and the RFO will meet and discuss
these further and report back at the next meeting.
Cllr Lawson requested that he would like to look at the budget update sheet
and would like some clarification on what some columns are. The RFO to
e-mail Cllr Lawson and Cllr Neal regarding the budget layout.
The resurfacing of the drive was discussed and work had already started.
The issue of the repointing of the wall at the entrance was discussed and
decided that quotations for this would be sought after the drive had been
completed. This was proposed by Cllr Snow and seconded by Cllr Young.
The RFO noted that we needed another signature for the cheques for occasions
when others were away. It was proposed by the Chairman that this would
be undertaken by Cllr Snow, this was seconded by Cllr Young.
2008/080 Planning
Matters
Cllr Scott-Nelson is to join committee B for planning applications.
2008/081 Reports from County and District Councillors
Cllr Cattaway – Cllr Cattaway reported that there had been a planning
application put forward for six wind turbines in Milton-on-Stour. He urged
all Cllrs to write to NDDC with their opinion on this application.
Cllr Neal reported on the progress with the VDS and said that a draft questionnaire
is in progress. The pamphlet for the meeting has been agreed and the clerk
is in the process of getting quotes for the printing. These will be distributed
in different outlets in the Village. It had also been decided that there
will only be one session on the day, rather than the original two.
Cllr Lawson reported that there had been little activity where the Village
Hall is concerned, and there is a committee meeting in October.
Cllr Fraser reported that there had been some complaints regarding the
noise from the motorbikes at Henstridge Airfield. NDDC have taken this
matter very seriously and it may go to court. It any cllrs have any views
on this then please write to NDDC with these. Cllr Fraser would ask NDDC
if they approved of him forwarding information to the editor of the Messenger
for inclusion in the next edition.
Cllr Chant noted that he lived at the end of the Village that seems to
be affected and he feels that the noise doesn’t occur that often
and it is no more than lawn mowers being used. He also noted that it keeps
the young people and their motorbikes off the streets.
Cllr Plummer reported that the teenage shelter seating is now in and it
was very well used at the Fest. It was noted that there is a lot of litter
in the shelter and it needs to be included in the street cleaning rota.
The clerk to contact them concerning this. Action Item 39/08.
Cllr Plummer also reported on the progress with the signs. The cost of
the signs works out at £45.00 each.
The Chairman reported on the situation with the Jungle Hut Pre-School.
He said that an assessment had been done on the buildings and that they
are not in a good state of repair and need replacing. It is a committee
led charity and they are always looking for funding. The Chairman had made
contact with Jane Meeker and was informed that they had a site meeting
with surveyors and are working towards a big lottery grant. From the Parish
Council all they are looking for is support in their efforts, and they
are optimistic about the future.
Cllr Scott-Nelson reported that he felt that if the pre-school moved to
different premises then this may help alleviate the parking problem along
New Street. It was noted by others that most people drop older children
off at school before the pre-school so it would not really make that much
difference. Cllr Lawson noted that the pre-school and the schools are vital
for the future of the village and we should offer as much support as we
can.
Cllr Snow reported on the situation with the shrubs that have been planted
in the Cemetery and that he had passed the names onto the clerk who will
try and contact the relatives. He also reported that he had spoken to the
Cricket Club and they feel that any picnic tables sited needed to be secured.
Cllr Chant reported that there had been a ‘no through road’ sign
missing for a long time at the top of Bat Alley and sometimes people take
the turning and end up in residents driveways. Cllr Chant has also had
a meeting with Mr Hole regarding some footpath diversions on his land,
all of which Cllr Chant agreed with. Cllr Chant proposed that we order
new walk leaflets and a cost to the council of £572.00, this was
seconded by Cllr Neal. The Chairman reported to Cllr Chant that there is
a speed limit sign that has been overgrown by the hedge along New Street.
Cllr Chant will report this to the PMU who are due to come back out in
October.
Cllr Scott-Nelson reported that there is a footpath sign at Walton Elm
that is pointing the wrong way; again this is something that needs to be
reported to the PMU.
Cllr Scott-Nelson reported that there is a hedge bordering Broadhay Cottage
at Pleck that he felt was encroaching on the road. The clerk will write
to the occupants. He also noted that some information on the website was
incorrect. The clerk explained that the information had been sent to the
webmaster, but as he had a backlog he was in the process of catching up.
Cllr Young reported that he had submitted a drawing to DCC on the placement
of the grit bins.
Cllr Neal reported that he felt that for the next few meetings it would
be necessary to add the VDS as a separate heading on the agenda.
The Chairman noted that Mr Crocker had requested a copy of the last few
month’s minutes which the clerk has supplied. They are not prepared
to continue forward with the allotment agreement until they have gone through
the minutes.
2008/082 Action Update
The Chairman gave an update on the Action List. Please see attached list
for information.
2008/083 Clerk’s Report
The clerk read out a letter she had received from Mr Watson concerning
the de-manning of train stations. Other councillors were asked to write
if they felt it was a situation that they wanted to respond to.
The clerk also read out the quotation from Gillingham Town Council regarding
the play area inspections. All councillors were in agreement that this
was a very reasonable quote of £40.00 per quarterly inspection. It
was proposed by the chairman and seconded by Cllr Young.
2008/084 Correspondence
The Chairman read out the letters of correspondence that the Clerk had
received.
2008/085 Chairman’s Urgent Business
The issue of providing public toilets at the Recreation Ground was discussed.
Cllr Plummer reported on an idea that had been put to her. Using the
disabled toilet that is in the village hall already by putting up a stud
wall so the village hall cannot be entered and the outside door being
opened and locked on a daily basis. Cllr Plummer will get some more information
on this idea and Cllr Lawson will contact the Village Hall committee
to gain their views.
The issue of getting a S.I.D put in the village was discussed and councillors
were in favour of this. The placing of the device and costs involved are
still to be investigated. The Chairman noted that there is a camera road
safety van that visits different areas and we can try to be put down on
the list for a visit from them. The clerk to contact the local police to
see if Marnhull can get placed on list. Action Item 40/08.
2008/086 Press Release
There were none.
2008/087 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council Meeting will be on Monday 1st September 2008
in the Village Hall at 7.00pm.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.45pm
Chairman………………………….
Date……………………..
| ACTION LIST: |
| 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 repointed and the notice board lowered |
Clerk. |
| 25/07 |
To order the Village Hall Signs |
On hold until the playarea is completed. |
| 06/08 |
The Clerk to obtain some more quotations for the
work at the allotments. |
Clerk. |
| 11/08 |
The Clerk to contact the Marnhull Messenger to inform
the residents of the village about the grit bins. |
Clerk – completed. |
| 29/08 |
The Clerk to gain some quotes for the new notice boards. |
Clerk. |
| 36/08 |
The Clerk to contact the Blackmore Vale Magazine regarding
placing an article for the Village Design Statement meeting. |
Clerk – Completed. |
| 38/08 |
The Clerk to contact Mrs Denham headteacher of St Mary’s
School to suggest she writes to parents to ask them to be careful when
driving to school, especially through the lanes. |
Clerk. |
| 39/08 |
The Clerk to make contact with the street cleaner to request
that the teenage shelter is included in the rota. |
Clerk. |
| 40/08 |
The Clerk to contact the police to see if Marnhull can
have a visit from the camera van. |
Clerk. |
