Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 7th July
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 |
| The Clerk Sally Upshall and the RFO Nicola Phillips. |
In attendance
Cllr Dowden - North Dorset District Councillor.
Cllr Cattaway – Dorset County Councillor.
There were also four members of the public present.
Public Consultation
Mr Crocker spoke regarding the issues there had been with tractor movement
and noise within the village. He stated that none of the tractors
had anything to do with his farm. The Chairman replied to Mr Crocker
and
explained that the Parish Council understood that they were not to
do with them, but the Council had received some letters of complaint
from
villagers. These letters were regarding the noise and also the speed
at which the tractors pass through the lanes and the danger that
this imposes to other road users. The Chairman reported that he had
spoken
to our local Police officer who had a word with the farm concerned
and they will monitor the situation. The Chairman again stressed
the point
that the Parish Council will take action where necessary but they
do need dates and times to proceed.
Mr Watson spoke regarding the speeding within the village. He explained
that larger vehicles seem to be using the lanes around the village
and he feels that the Parish Council need to push for a 20mph speed
limit
throughout the village. Cllr Cattaway reported that as each year
goes by there seems
to be a greater possibility of having speed limits reduced especially
around schools. Cllr Cattaway said that he will apply as much pressure
as he can
on our behalf.
It was also noted that when the Todber corner is resurfaced this will
increase the traffic along Great Down Lane the Nash Lane.
Cllr Chant noted that there had been incidences of vehicles travelling
very fast past the Blackmore Vale Inn and down Ham Lane. There are
pedestrians and children who use the road regularly and their safety
is extremely
compromised by the speed of these vehicles.
Cllr Dowden noted that these points can be raised through the Village
Design Statement although this does not help in the short term. On
a personal
note Cllr Dowden thanked the Parish Council for their messages of support
over the last few weeks after his recent bereavement.
The Chairman then closed the public discussion.
The Chairman noted that when items regarding the issue of grass cutting
within the Cemetery were discussed and when on the payment schedule
Cllr Plummer would leave the room. This is to comply with the correct
procedure
when you can be seen to have a personal or prejudicial interest in
the topic.
2008/064 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Bridger.
Cllr Fraser.
2008/065 Declaration of Interest.
Cllr Plummer with regard to the grass cutting in the Cemetery.
2008/066 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 27th June 2008 were agreed and signed
that the minutes are a correct and true record.
The minutes of the planning meeting on the 2nd June 2008 and the extraordinary
meeting held on the 16th of June 2008 were agreed and signed that these
minutes are a correct and true record.
Co-Option of New Councillor – The Chairman introduced Mr Scott-Nelson
to the Council and explained the co-option procedure to him. Mr Scott-Nelson
then gave a brief presentation on his background and career and why he
wanted to become a councillor.
The Councillors then all voted and there were no objections on Mr Scott-Nelson
joining the Council. This was proposed by Cllr Lawson and seconded by Cllr
Neal.
The Chairman withdrew standing orders to allow a gentleman from the Marnhull
Fest Committee to speak. He requested that the Parish Council allow the
Fest Committee to put up a banner on the wall at the entrance to the Recreation
Ground. This was agreed by the Councillors and proposed by the Chairman
and seconded by Cllr Young.
Standing Orders were re-instated.
2008/067 Financial Matters
The Payment Schedule had been circulated and read out to the public. The
total cost to the Parish Council for June is for the sum of £1764.71.
This was agreed, proposed and seconded.
The RFO gave a short financial report regarding the documents she can use
to display the accounts to Councillors. The Councillors looked at the reports
she had produced and it was felt that the new spreadsheet programme that
had been used seemed to be the clearest way of producing the documents.
Cllr Lawson still had some difficulty in interpreting the figures and it
was proposed that the RFO send the report to Cllr Neal before the next
meeting and he would go through it with Cllr Lawson.
The Chairman noted that the internal audit had been completed with no problems.
2008/068 Planning Matters
2/2008/0407 6 Musbury Close – Permission Granted.
2008/069 Reports from County and District Councillors
Cllr Cattaway – Cllr Cattaway reported that that the financial performance
of County Council had been very good and that they were a million and a
quarter under budget. Cllr Cattaway also reported that Dorset Direct was
operational and seemed to be providing a good service. He passed some flyers
onto the clerk for advertising in the village.
Cllr Dowden – Cllr Dowden reported that thanks to the note in the
Marnhull Messenger the bottles that go out for recycling are now being
crushed and so the lorry is getting much more in. Cllr Dowden also asked
the Council to consider the need for an emergency planning officer and
a health and safety officer within the Council. This is something that
has been highlighted recently due to some situations arising in other councils.
The Chairman asked the Councillors to give it some thought before the next
meeting and the clerk to add items onto the agenda.
Parish Councillors
Cllr Plummer reported on the situation with the seating in the teenage
shelter. Mr Dodd had very kindly agreed to make the seat at cost price
for us. The Chairman proposed that the council agree to up to £150
being spent on the seating, this was seconded by Cllr Lawson. Cllr Plummer
reported where she felt the best place for the seating was to be. Some
Cllrs expressed concern over this as it would leave a gap between the seats
and the wall of the shelter. It was decided that Cllr Plummer and other
councillors go to the shelter and see what other ways the seating could
be placed.
Cllr Neal reported on the Village Design Statement and noted that they
had not had a meeting since the last parish meeting. The clerk had forwarded
on a note to go in the Marnhull Messenger regarding the public meeting.
It was also suggested that a note in the Blackmore Vale magazine may
also be a good way of advertising the meeting. The Clerk to find out
costs involved.
Action Item 36/08.
Cllr Chant reported on roads and footpaths. He said that there was a
hedge along Mill Lane that was really overgrown and encroaching onto
the road.
Mrs Sturges was able to provide Cllr Chant with the land owner’s
details so he is able to contact him.
Cllr Chant also reported that we are on the last box of footpath maps
and he will get some costing for printed of more. He also noted that
the situation
with a footpath near Spring Cottage in Old Mill Lane had now been resolved.
Cllr Scott-Nelson expressed an interest in footpaths as he does lots
of walking and he would like to join Cllr Chants adopt a footpath scheme.
Cllr Plummer reported that Stable Structures had been and fixed the roof
on the shelter and that the refund for the floor was on its way.
She also reported on the situation with the signs to the village hall.
She and Mrs Locke had been looking into the colour and the amount we
needed. It was felt that brown signs would be the best and it was felt
that four
signs were needed. Cllr Plummer will continue to get some quotes. She
also noted that the wording for the plaque at the play area had now been
finalised.
Cllr Snow reported that the grass in the cemetery is looking much better
and that the ‘den’ that has been created does not appear to
have got any worse. He also noted that on two of the graves there have
been some small trees planted and on another a shrub. Cllr Snow was concerned
that these may encroach on the surrounding graves. The clerk to find out
the conditions of the Cemetery for Cllr Snow. Action Item 37/08.
It was also noted that some of the graves have long grass on the top
and it was agreed that while Mr Plummer is tending to the grass he could
go
over these graves.
Cllr Lawson reported that the Village Hall was going through a quiet
period. He explained that unfortunately recently they had lost one of
their major
revenue contributions as they have moved to another venue. This was for
various reasons one being that they were slightly unsettled by youths
climbing on the roof while they were using the hall.
Cllr Young reported that the grit bins are to be filled in October.
2008/070 Action Update
The Chairman gave an update on the Action List. Please see attached list
for information.
2008/071 Clerk’s Report
The clerk reported that she had received the CRB check forms and Mrs Locke
had taken Mr Young’s and Mr Clarke’s to be completed. It
was also felt that Mrs Locke and Cllr Plummer should also get checked
due to the level of contact they have with the children. The clerk asked
for the council’s permission for the council to spend £45.10
per check. This was proposed by Cllr Neal and seconded by Cllr Plummer.
The clerk also reported on the problem with vandalism in the Recreation
Ground and that she witnessed two young people damaging some equipment.
It was felt that a letter to their parents was the best way forward; this
was proposed by Cllr Young and seconded by Cllr Plummer.
The subject of the bus crash that happened in Nash Lane was discussed and
the clerk reported on her telephone conversation she had with the driver
of the bus. It was also noted that many of the parents drive far to fast
and suggested that a letter from the headteacher to the parents may be
helpful. The clerk to contact Mrs Denham. Action Item 38/08.
2008/072 Correspondence
The Chairman read out the letters of correspondence that the Clerk had
received.
2008/073 Chairman’s Urgent Business
The Chairman asked that the Councillors consider some items for discussion
at the next meeting. These were the need for picnic tables in the Recreation
Ground and as to where they would be sited and do they need to be tethered.
Cllr Snow will consult with the Cricket Club as to how this would effect
their mowing.
He also noted that the re-surfacing of the car park is due to take place
from the 4th of August.
2008/074 Press Release
There were none.
2008/075 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council Meeting will be on Monday 4th August 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. |
| 30/08 |
The Clerk to contact Gillingham Town Council regarding
the play area inspections. |
Clerk – Completed. |
| 31/08 |
The Clerk to contact NDDC regarding getting a litter bin
for the play area. |
Clerk – Completed. |
| 36/08 |
The Clerk to contact the Blackmore Vale Magazine regarding
placing an article for the Village Design Statement meeting. |
Clerk – Completed. |
| 37/08 |
The Clerk to find out a copy of the conditions of the
Cemetery and pass onto Cllr Snow. |
Clerk. |
| 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. |
