Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 1st December
2008 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
| Present: |
Chairman |
Cllr Bryant |
| |
|
Cllr Neal
Cllr Lawson
Cllr Young
Cllr Snow
Cllr Chant
Cllr Scott-Nelson |
| The Clerk Sally Upshall |
Public Consultation
Mr and Mrs Cudlip attended the meeting regarding the issue of street lighting
in Hardy Close. As in other areas in Marnhull the lights have been replaced
by extra and brighter lamps. Mr & Mrs Cudlip have already taken this
matter up with SEC and are proceeding with their complaint. After discussion
the Chairman decided that the best way forward with this issue was to
arrange a public meeting with Mr Munford who is leading the project at
SEC,this would be held at the Village Hall. All members of the public
who wish to attend and voice their views would be welcome. The Chairman
to contact Mr Munford to find out his availability and the clerk to liaise
with him regarding the Village Hall availability.
Mr & Mrs Pentland attended the meeting regarding the verge outside
the Post Office which borders their property. Mr Pentland asked the Council
as to whether he was able to place some safety bollards along the bank.
The Chairman said that this was their property so they were entitled to
put up what they wanted. After discussion it was proposed by the Chairman
that a site visit by DCC along with Mr & Mrs Pentland and the owners
of the next property along would be the best way forward. This was seconded
by Cllr Chant the clerk to arrange the meeting. Action Item 47/08.
Cllr Cattaway said that he would contact John Mann DCC and get him to contact
the clerk regarding the issue with the verge.
Mr Powell reported that he had again spoken to Mr Brock from DCC and he
had contacted the land owners who had not yet cut their hedges. Mr Powell
again noted that he was very disappointed with the Parish Council and felt
that it was not his responsibility to contact DCC regarding the poor visibility.
Cllr Chant noted that he had walked Hains Lane and Love Lane and he could
not see a problem with the hedges and visibility. The Chairman reported
that problems need to be reported to the clerk with exact locations so
that the matters can be dealt with accordingly.
2008/124 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Bridger, Cllr Plummer and Cllr Fraser.
2008/125 Declaration of Interest.
Cllr Scott-Nelson- St Mary’s School.
2008/126 Minutes
The minutes of the Council meeting on the 3rd November 2008, the planning
meeting on 2008 were agreed and signed that these minutes are a correct
and true record.
At this point Cllr Scott-Nelson explained that he was not happy with the
minutes from the last meeting and that there was no reference to the Police
Area Commander being contacted in relation to the mud on the roads issue.
The Chairman had said that he would contact him, but after the meeting
with PC Surgue on the 8th of November he felt that nothing would be gained
by contacting the Area Commander. (See Item 2008/129).
2008/127 Financial Matters
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
The total cost to the Parish Council for September was the sum of £1911.67.
This was agreed, proposed and seconded.
The chairman explained regarding the clerks payment of holiday in lieu.
The clerk reported that she had found an internal auditor a Mr Kim Harden
who is a resident in Marnhull. It was proposed by the Chairman that we
instruct Mr Harden to do the internal audit, this was seconded by Cllr
Neal.
The Chairman followed on from e-mails that have been circulating regarding
the Financial Working Party. It was proposed by the Chairman that the first
meeting should take place in January, seconded by Cllr Neal. Cllr Lawson
suggested that an initial meeting should take place as to determine the
best way to carry the Financial Working Party forward. It was also noted
that the clerk will ask Mr Harden to attend the meeting so the Councillors
can meet him.
The clerk explained the IT system assistance packages that PC Prodigy
offered. It was proposed by the Chairman that we adopt the bronze package,
this was seconded by Cllr Snow.
The Chairman reported on the play area inspection and that there are a
few minor repairs that need to take place and Mrs Locke has them underway.
The large water bills that the council are receiving were discussed. The
clerk to look back at the old bills over the last two years to see if there
had been a large increase. Action Item 48/08.
After discussion it was decided that the best way forward with the insurance
was a meeting to take place with Mr Ferguson from the Insurance Company.
Any questions that the council have could then be addressed. Proposed by
the Chairman and seconded by Cllr Scott-Nelson.
After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Scott-Nelson that we should accept
Somdor Engineering’s quote for the new notice boards. This was seconded
by Cllr Chant, the clerk to write to accept the quote. Action Item 49/08.
It was proposed by the Chairman that the clerk also take on the RFO role
on a permanent basis with the additional hours. This was seconded by Cllr
Scott-Nelson.
Cllr Snow reported that there are about eight or nine trees that need
to be removed in the Recreation ground as they are diseased. Cllr Snow
also reported that he had a tree consultancy report on the chesnut tree
in the play area. It came up with the fact that the tree is diseased and
remedial work or removal should be considered in the near future. It was
proposed by the Chairman for Cllr Snow to get a quote as soon as possible.
This was seconded by Cllr Scott-Nelson.
It was further proposed that Cllr Snowshould let the clerk know when he
has the quotes and she can get an e-mail vote, this was seconded by Cllr
Chant.
2008/128 Planning Matters
After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Chant that planning meetings
should be attended by full council, this was seconded by the Chairman.
It was also noted that the application at Sackmore Lane had not come
up for committee as yet, but we will be informed when it does.
2008/129 Reports from County and District Councillors
DCC – The Chairman welcomed back Cllr Cattaway on behalf of the Council
and said how good it was to see him back at the meeting and how please
the Council was that he is back on the road to recovery.
Cllr Cattaway reported that DCC had £28.1 million in the Icelandic
Banks, but they are confident that they will get most of the money if not
all of it back.
The A303 is to be closed for 12 weeks starting from the 14th of February.
The diversion is going to affect the local area as drivers are to be diverted
from Shaftesbury through Gillingham and back onto the A303 at Wincanton.
NDDC – Cllr Dowden will forward notes on the diversion to the clerk.
He also informed the Council that Red Bridge will be closed for 10 weeks
in February.
Cllr Dowden also requested that Villagers squash plastic bottles that they
put out for re-cycling so the vehicle can get more in before having to
empty. This request also to be placed in the Marnhull Messenger. The clerk
to contact the editor.
VDS – It was reported that there had been no meeting recently and
that the photography is nearly finished. The next meeting is on Wednesday
3rd of December.
Village Hall – As there has been no progress with the signs for
the Village Hall then the Village Hall Committee has decided to repair
them on a temporary basis. The Chairman suggested that Cllr Lawson contact
Cllr Plummer as she was dealing with this issue.
Roads and Footpaths – The problems with speeding within the Village
had already been discussed. Cllr Chant reported that there had been some
police presence in the Village with speed cameras. Cllr Chant also reported
on the mud on the roads situation. Cllr Chant reported that if a valid
complaint is made to the Police then they can get the roads cleaned up
and if appropriate, charge the landowner.
It was decided that as speeding was such an important issue within the
Village that a public meeting should be held with PC Surgue and DCC to
find ways to improve the situation and for people to air their views.
Cllr Scott-Nelson proposed that the clerk writes to the Area Commander
to be told our concerns and ask why that there is not more Police presence
in the Village. This was seconded by Cllr Chant. Action Item 50/08.
It was proposed by Cllr Young that the Parish Council need not pursue
any additional CRB checks in regards to play area and Recreation Ground.
This was seconded by Cllr Scott-Nelson.
It was proposed by Cllr Chant that the hedges at Salisbury Street be left
as they are, this was seconded by the Chairman. The clerk to write to Mr
Brown of Stoneylawn to inform him of our decision.
2008/130 Action Update
The Chairman gave an update on the Action List. Please see attached list
for information.
2008/131 Clerk’s Report
The clerk reported on the new model of the Freedom of Information Act,
which had to be adopted by the 31st of December 2008. It was proposed
by the Chairman that the act be adopted and this was seconded by Cllr
Neal. Discussion followed as to the levels of documentation that we may
be required to produce. The clerk to contact DAPTC to gain clarification.
2008/132 Correspondence
The Chairman read out the letters of correspondence that the Clerk had
received.
2008/133 Chairman’s Urgent Business
The Chairman noted that our next meeting was in February and that it would
be in the Pavilion.
2008/134 Press Release
There were none.
2008/135 Date of next meeting
Monday the 5th of February 2009 at 7pm in the Pavilion.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 10.05pm
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 also the wall in Burton
Street car park. |
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. |
| 41/08 |
The clerk to contact NDDC regarding an overhanging tree
in Burton Street. |
Clerk. |
| 43/08 |
The clerk to contact DAPTC regarding information about
Public Liability insurance. |
Clerk - ongoing. |
| 47/08 |
The clerk to arrange a meeting concerning the verges
outside the
Post Office. |
Clerk. |
| 48/08 |
The clerk to look at the past water bills to see
if there had been
an increase. |
Clerk. |
| 49/08 |
The clerk to write to accept the quote from SomDor
Engineering
regarding the notice boards. |
Clerk. |
| 50/08 |
The clerk to write to the Area Commander expressing
the Parish Councils concerns over Police presence in the Village. |
Clerk. |
