Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 1st September
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
Cllr Bridge |
| The Clerk Sally Upshall and the RFO Nicola Phillips. |
In attendance
Cllr Cattaway – Dorset County Councillor.
Cllr Dowden – North Dorset District Councillor.
Public Consultation
Mr Lloyd spoke and noted that the disabled parking spaces that have been
put in at the Village Hall were not of the correct size. The Clerk will
look into this and report back at the next meeting.
Mr Miller Chairman of the Village Hall committee spoke regarding the
money allocated to the Village Hall and he had previously e-mailed the
clerk concerning
this. He wanted clarification that the Village Hall had £2500 allocated
in this year’s budget and this will be set aside for them to use as
and when needed in the future. The RFO confirmed that this was correct. Mr
Miller then spoke regarding the issue of the toilets in the Village Hall.
He said that it was a legal requirement to provide a handicapped toilet and
any ideas to put up a stud wall he felt would not be viable. The Chairman
assured Mr Miller that this had not be decided upon and that it will be revisited
in the budget meeting in November. Mr Miller requested that he should receive
monthly minutes from the clerk and that he is kept informed of any issues
concerning the Village Hall.
A member of the public spoke regarding a tree outside Beech House in Burton
Street and that the tree was dying and in need of some attention. The clerk
to contact NDDC regarding this. Action Item 41/08.
Mr Lloyd again spoke reporting that there is subsidence of the road in
Woodlands Mead and the wall at Burton Street car park also is in need of
attention
and it appears to have been struck by a vehicle. All Villagers are reminded
that they can contact Dorset County Council regarding highways issues on
01305 221000 Monday – Friday between the hours of 7am and 8pm. The
clerk to follow these issues up. Action Item 42/08.
2008/088 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Mrs Plummer.
2008/089 Declaration of Interest.
2008/090 Minutes
The minutes of the Council meeting on the 4th August 2008 were agreed and
signed that these minutes are a correct and true record.
2008/091 Financial Matters
The Payment Schedule had been circulated and read out to the public. The
total cost to the Parish Council for August was the sum of £17702.02.
This was agreed, proposed and seconded.
At this point the RFO reported to the Councillors that the external audit
had been signed off by the auditors and she was just waiting for the paperwork
to be returned to her.
The RFO had previously circulated the Financial Update which was discussed
by Councillors. All Councillors thought that this was a clear format for
all to understand.
The Chairman read out a quotation the clerk had received from DCC regarding
kerbing outside the Post Office. Discussion between the Councillors followed
and some were in agreement that kerbing was needed, others felt that it was
an unnecessary expense. It was proposed by the Chairman that this be put
on hold until the budget meeting, and seconded by Cllr Young.
Cllr Cattaway said that he would look into the issue of the kerbing on behalf
of the Council.
The Chairman then read out the insurance quotation that the clerk had received
regarding Public Liability insurance. Further discussion followed and it
was decided that the best way forward was for the clerk to look into additional
quotes increasing the sum insured to £5,000,000 and £10,000,000
to see how this would affect the premium. She is also to contact DAPTC to
see what happens in other parishes. Action Item 43/08.
The Chairman read out a letter from NDDC concerning chargeable litter/dog
waste bins. The letter requested that we let NDDC know if there is any need
for this in the village. Discussion followed and it was decided that the
clerk would contact NDDC to let them know that we would require 4 or 5 additional
dog waste bins. Action Item 44/08. This was proposed by Cllr Bridger and
seconded by Cllr Neal.
The Chairman then referred Councillors to an e-mail the clerk had previously
circulated regarding Speed Indicator Devices and the possibility of entering
into a project with Sturminster Newton Town Council. A discussion followed
among the Councillors as to whether these devices are really effective. Council
Cattaway said that he would find out about the devices that read the number
plates of the vehicles as well as speeds and noted that Bourton had just
installed a S.I.D. and he would find out where it came from. The Chairman
proposed a vote on whether we should carry this matter on further with Sturminster
Newton Town Council, this was seconded by Cllr Snow. There were four Councillors
in favour and five against so the clerk will contact Sturminster Newton clerk
and let her know that we decline this project.
The RFO left the meeting.
The Chairman proposed that the RFO’s position on temporary contract,
be made a permanent position. Some Councillors were not in agreement with
this as the paperwork from the external auditors had not been received. After
discussion Cllr Neal proposed that an amendment be made that, ‘the
decision be deferred until the external audit had been received and if a
satisfactory report was forthcoming, then a decision could be made at the
October meeting of the Parish Council’. This was seconded by Cllr Bridger.
A vote was taken, the amendment was agreed by a vote of 7-2 and the original
proposal was withdrawn.
2008/092 Planning Matters
Mr Bailey spoke to the Council regarding a planning application that the
Parish Council objected to but that NDDC passed. He explained that he was
very aggrieved as to the way in which this application had been dealt with
and he personally has complained to NDDC. Unfortunately the only way the
application can be overturned is through the High Court which is very costly.
Cllr Dowden explained that if the Parish Council had felt that the application
was contentious then they could have asked for it to be heard by the Development
Committee. Cllr Dowden also requested that he be informed of planning meetings
when they come up so that he can attend if he feels it is necessary.
2008/093 Reports from County and District Councillors
Cllr Cattaway – He reported that things were fairly quiet but just
to remind Councillors and the public the CLARENCE details for any jobs to
do with Highways. They can be contacted through the new DCC number which
is 01305 221000 and then the jobs will be put on the Parish Maintenance Unit
list for their next visit.
Cllr Dowden – He asked whether the clerk had received a copy of the
document regarding the changes to Post Office service in North Dorset, the
clerk had and will put it on the agenda for the next meeting. He also said
that there is a new web page on NDDC’s site for planning applications.
Village Design Statement – The pamphlets have now be printed and collected
by the clerk and are available for all. They will be distributed in various
outlets around the village. The questionnaire for use at the meeting was
reviewed and discussed and was proposed by the Chairman for use at the meeting,
this was seconded by Cllr Snow.
Cllr Chant reported on the footpath maps and explained that he had put in
a request for a large map to be displayed on the parish notice boards. He
also explained that the footpaths do change quite frequently and so with
that in mind he has reduced his order of the footpath leaflets.
He also reported on the continuing problem with speeding motorists through
Ham Lane and the rest of the village. The Parish Council are in the process
of liaising with the Police to see what measures can be put in place to help
alleviate this. He also explained that he had got the contact details for
the owner of the field that runs down Mill Lane for the clerk to contact
to request that the hedge is cut. Action Item 45/08.
Cllr Snow reported on the Recreation and Burial grounds. He and Mrs Sturges
have identified a maintenance programme within these areas of work that will
be required. Cllr Snow is going to obtain three quotes for the work and have
them for the next meeting.
Cllr Snow also noted that there are two trees that are pushing into one another
and one needs to be taken down before next March. He and Mrs Sturges will
decide with advice from a tree surgeon which would be the best one to remove.
Cllr Snow also noted that the person who cut back the trees in the Recreation
Ground had been identified.
Cllr Snow also reported that he had spoken with the clerk and that she is
going to put a notice at the Cemetery regarding the problems with the shrubs
and rose plant, and request that those concerned contact her. It was voted
that if she had no response within three months then the council will take
the necessary action. This was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr
Young.
Cllr Young reported that he felt that there was a need for bus shelters in
the village.
2008/094 Action Update
The Chairman gave an update on the Action List. Please see attached list
for information.
2008/095 Clerk’s Report
There was nothing to report.
2008/096 Correspondence
The Chairman read out the letters of correspondence that the Clerk had received.
2008/097 Chairman’s Urgent Business
The Chairman reminded all Councillors about the forthcoming Village Design
Statement presentation and requested that where possible Councillors should
attend.
2008/098 Press Release
There were none.
2008/099 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council Meeting will be on Wednesday 8th October 2008 in
the Village Hall at 7.00pm.
Training Session with DAPTC 22nd October at 6.30pm in the Village Hall for
all Councillors, the clerk and the RFO.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 9.25pm
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. |
| 26/07 |
To obtain quotes for resurfacing of drive and car
park at Village Hall. |
Clerk – Completed. |
| 06/08 |
The Clerk to obtain some more quotations for the
work at the allotments. |
Clerk. |
| 29/08 |
The Clerk to gain some quotes for the new notice boards. |
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. |
| 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. |
| 41/08 |
The clerk to contact NDDC regarding an overhanging tree
in Burton Street. |
Clerk. |
| 42/08 |
The clerk to contact DCC regarding the sunken road at
Woodlands Mead. |
Clerk. |
| 43/08 |
The clerk to contact DAPTC regarding information about
Public Liability insurance. |
Clerk. |
| 44/08 |
The clerk to contact NDDC regarding the council being
interested in obtaining more waste bins on a fee system. |
Clerk – Completed |
| 45/08 |
The clerk to contact the land owners to get the hedge
at Mill Lane cut |
Clerk – Completed |
