Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 6th May
2008 at
7.00pm in the Village Hall
| Present: |
Chairman |
Cllr Bryant |
| |
Vice Chairman |
Cllr Plummer
Cllr Neal
Cllr Lawson
Cllr Chant
Cllr Bridger
Cllr Young
Cllr Snow
Cllr Fraser |
| And the Clerk Sally Upshall |
There were four members of the public present.
Election of Chairman and
Vice Chairman.
The Chairman opened the meeting and then handed over to the clerk.
The only nomination for the Chairman was Cllr Bryant. He was voted for
unanimously by the remaining Councillors.
The only nomination for Vice Chair was Cllr Plummer who was voted for
unanimously by the other Councillors.
The Chairman then took over the meeting.
Public Consultation
Mr Yorke attended the meeting to speak regarding the issue of the buses
using Old Mill Lane to and from St Mary’s School. He had recently
had an accident involving a school bus and noted several other incidences
concerning buses in that area. There are three buses that serve the school
and two go through Great Down Lane, which is wider, but one travels from
the other direction where the lane is much narrower and visibility is
poor. Another problem seems to be the size of the coaches, It was discussed
whether smaller coaches could be used as they seem never to be full when
taking or picking the children up from school. Mr Yorke asked if the
Parish Council could take this issue on board for discussion and to try
and find some way of improving the situation. The Councillors discussed
the issues raised and felt the best way forward was for the clerk to
contact Mrs Denham headteacher of St Mary’s School to firstly get
a copy of their recent travel plan and secondly to get the contact details
of the bus companies to see if they may be prepared to alter their route.
Action Item 25/08.
Mr Powell commented on the problem with visibility along some of the lanes
in the village and wondered if something could be done regarding the cow
parsley along the lanes as he felt that this affects the visibility. The
Chairman noted that this was really an issue for DCC.
Mrs Russell reported that there were some pot holes on Church Hill and
Sackmore Lane and could these please be added onto the list for the Parish
Maintenance Unit in May. Councillor Chant duly noted these. She also asked
the Council if they knew anything regarding an empty house at Fillymead
which is a signpost house and has been empty since October. The clerk to
contact Signpost to find out why it is empty. Action Item 26/08.
Mrs Russell also brought to the Councils attention the problem with dog
mess in the Recreation Ground. This is a problem that seems to reoccur
every year with irresponsible dog owners not clearing up after their dogs.
It was noted that some members of the Tennis Club have their dogs off the
lead when they are playing on the courts and so could not know whether
their dog has fouled. The clerk to contact Mrs Bulter to ask if she can
remind the club that dogs are to be on leads in the Recreation Ground at
all times. Action Item 27/08. The Chairman also to write a note for the
Marnhull Messenger.
Mrs Russell also reported on the progress of the decorative pots that are
to be installed in the village. There are to be two at the end of Phillips
Road which are to be planted by Plant World. The Gardening Club have kindly
agreed to take over the maintenance of the pots. If these are considered
a success then Mrs Russell is prepared to carry the project on further
by installing some more. They are meeting on Monday morning the 12th at
10am for anyone who wishes to come and help with the pots.
2008/040 Apologies
for Absence
Cllr Dowden – NDDC.
Cllr Cattaway – DCC.
2008/041 Declaration of Interest.
Cllr Fraser noted his interest with regards to the issues discussed concerning
St Mary’s School.
2008/042 Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on the 7th of April 2008 were agreed and
signed that the minutes are a correct and true record.
The minutes of the planning meeting on the 18th and the Human Resources
meeting held on the 15th of April 2008 were agreed and signed that these
minutes are a correct and true record.
2008/043 Financial Matters
The Payment Schedule had been circulated and read out to the public.
The total cost to the Parish Council for May is for the sum of £2175.1.
This was agreed, proposed and seconded.
The Councillors also had received Financial Statement from the RFO before
the meeting. The Councillors discussed the information they had received.
The Councillors discussed the issue of grant allocation. After the discussion
the following was decided.
‘
The Parish Council will make grants to societies and organisations that
they feel are a worthy contribution. However, to obtain a grant application
in writing needs to be made to the Parish Council, who will want confirmation
of the grant usage’. This was proposed by the Chairman and seconded
by Cllr Fraser.
The British Legion had requested a grant of £300 to help with the
cost of running Moviola in the Legion. After discussion it was agreed that
the Parish Council would make the donation of £300. This was proposed
by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr Young.
2008/044 Planning Matters
The Chairman read out any applications we had received.
2008/045 Reports from County and District Councillors
Cllr Cattaway – No Report.
Cllr Dowden – Cllr Dowden was unable to attend the meeting and so
Mr Lloyd read out a report regarding the Village Design Statement on his
behalf. Mr Lloyd reported that they had had their first meeting of the
VDS Sub-Committee on the 16th of April. It may be that the Committee need
to purchase a software programme to enable them to carry out the work involved
on the statement. The committee will look into applying for a grant if
necessary.
Parish Councillors
Cllr Chant reported that the footpath map supplies are becoming low due
to their popularity. He will get some costings for some more to be printed.
The clerk noted that she had a box at her office and she will pass these
onto Cllr Chant.
Cllr Chant also reported that the tractor noise that was continuing throughout
the night had now stopped. He also noted his concern that people were cutting
their banks and verges outside their houses but leaving the clippings on
the road and so these will then get washed down the drain. Cllr Chant was
concerned regarding drain blockages and it was suggested that a note go
into the Marnhull Messenger asking villagers to clear them up.
Cllr Young reported that the grit bins had been delivered but unfortunately
were the wrong colour and so had been sent back. We are awaiting the delivery
of the correct colour bins.
Cllr Plummer reported on the progress with the teenage shelter and read
out the quotations that she had received regarding the base for the shelter.
The various quotes were discussed and it was decided that the best one
was where the cement is delivered ready mixed. This was proposed by Cllr
Bryant and seconded by Cllr Neal. Cllr Plummer is to carry on and order
what is necessary.
The clerk reported to councillors that she had spoken with Mrs Locke who
was happy to carry on as the Council’s playarea representative for
as long as required. The Councillors were all in agreement for her to carry
on.
Cllr Snow reported that he had received a quotation from Treecare of £1875.00
+ vat to carry out the work required in the Recreation Ground. This had
previously been agreed and minuted in a previous meeting.
He also reported that he had spoken with the Cricket Club and they require
an extra £200 per annum to cut the Cricket ground and for another £300
per annum they will also cut the verges down the driveway. Cllr Snow proposed
we accept these prices and this was seconded by Cllr Lawson.
Cllr Bridger reported on the situation with the Gillingham Town Council
agreement and that the contracts had been sent for signing. He proposed
that we accept the quotation for the street cleaning and this was seconded
by Cllr Plummer.
He also noted that the situation with the Hydrotherapy pool in Sturminster
is still ongoing and after discussion it was decided that we should write
to the Practice Manager at the Surgery to suggest that if necessary patients
should be referred to make use of the pool.
Action Item 28/08.
Cllr Lawson reported that the Village Hall had its management meeting on
the 15th of April.
Cllr Fraser noted that there had been an application for a Wind Turbine
at Henstridge Airfield. Although this application has been rejected, he
would look into the situation in more depth because it was likely to be
resubmitted.
The new agreement for the allotments is with Paul Crocker to look over
and once he has agreed it then we can carry on with gaining some quotations
to carry out the work at the allotment site.
2008/046 Action Update
The Chairman gave an update on the Action List. Please see attached list
for information.
2008/047 Clerk’s Report
The Clerk noted some correspondence to the Councillors that she thought
might be of interest.
She also reported the state of the notice boards at the bottom of the Recreation
Ground and the one in the car park in Burton Street. All Councillors were
in agreement for her to carry on and get some quotes for new ones. Action
Item 29/08.
2008/048 Correspondence
The Chairman read out the letters of correspondence that the Clerk had
received.
2008/049 Chairman’s Urgent Business
The Chairman reported that the Annual Parish Assembly had taken place,
and how interesting it was to hear about all the different societies
in the village. He also noted that the clerk will be on holiday from
the 7th June 2008 to the 14th of June 2008. Mrs Phillips will be available
for anything that cannot wait until the clerk returns.
2008/050 Press Release
Cllr Plummer will be preparing a press release in regards to the teenage
shelter.
2008/039 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council Meeting will be on Monday the 2nd June 2008 in
the Village Hall at 7.00pm.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.30pm
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 |
| 17/08 |
The Clerk to contact the insurance company to see how
the shelter would affect our premiums. |
Clerk – Completed. |
| 22/08 |
The Clerk to find out more information regarding the Parish
Council’s ownership of the Recreation Ground trust. |
Clerk – Completed. |
| 23/08 |
The Clerk to contact Mrs Locke regarding the rust situation
on a piece of the equipment. |
Clerk – Completed. |
| 25/08 |
The Clerk to contact St Mary’s School to get the
contact details of the buses that serve the school and also a copy of
their travel plan. |
Clerk |
| 26/08 |
The Clerk to contact signpost housing regarding the empty
house at Filleymead. |
Clerk |
| 27/08 |
The Clerk to contact Mrs Butler from the Tennis Club regarding
the dogs loose on the Recreation Ground when people are playing tennis. |
Clerk |
| 28/08 |
The Clerk to write to the Practice Manager at the surgery
regarding the Hydrotherapy pool in Sturminster Newton. |
Clerk |
| 29/08 |
The Clerk to gain some quotes for the new notice boards. |
Clerk. |
