Minutes of Town Council Meeting held in the Town Council Office
On Wednesday 28 th July 2004 commencing 8-00 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, J Cox, D Grimes, M James, D Neal, J O’Hare and J Cowley Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr Mrs R Ash and 2 residents
To receive apologies D Cllrs W Batty-Smith & G Carr-Jones, Cllrs M Butterworth, R Penfold and D Short
Declarations of Interest None
Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting having previously been circulated to Councillors were approved and signed by the Chairman.
OPEN FORUM
C Cllr R Ash took the opportunity to advise those present that the County Council has made a grant of £50,000 towards the proposed extension of the Stalbridge Hall in respect of the Youth and Community project.
On the question of the Heavy Lorries in Stalbridge Weston although various meetings had been held there appeared to be little progress and she suggested that perhaps a complaint to the Environmental Health Dept. on the grounds of lack of sleep due to noise might help. Also enquiries could be made of RSPCA with regard to movement of live poultry.
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by J Cox and seconded by D Grimes that the following expenditure be approved
R Sharp cutting Springfields hedge & clear away 166.00
Williams Nursery. Plants for troughs at The Cross 29.17
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by J Cox and seconded by D Grimes that the following cheques be signed
D J Hine salary 390.53
R Sharp NDDC Grass £250.00
The Pound 55.00
Hedge 166.00 471.00
B Gas 18.66
Williams Nursery 29.17
D Office 14.04
J Singleton 437.50
St Mary’s Church – churchyard 2,000.00
BMV Pubs 13.78
Pond Close 200.00
O A Wiles (rec’d from NDDC) 1,951.62
The Clerk provided Councillors with copies of the quarterly comparison of expenditure to Budget.
Consider implications of Disability discrimination Act 1995
A letter received from DCC advising that it would not be possible to place a ramp on the pavement together with a safety rail on edge of pavement to enable wheelchair access to the office. It was therefore agreed to accept the fact that, at present, the T C are unable to do anything about this. With regard to those with limited sight being to read the Notices of Meetings in the window it was agreed to purchase A4 plastic freestanding holders to place nearer the front of the window.
Clerk to order
Report of completion of check on Town Inventory and Risk Assessment
All items on the Inventory have now been checked and a list produced of various works required. The Bier House needs clearing out and the PCC to be asked if the Bier could go back in the Church and the various old mowers and other obsolete items removed. A new cover is required for the well inside the Bier House. It was suggested that the sums insured in respect of The Cross and The War Memorial be increased to £35,000 each. Clerk to ask Insurance Company by how much the premium would be increased. It was thereafter agreed that the T C had carried out an adequate risk assessment on the Town’s property.
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
It was reported that at an informal meeting with the School Governors, Cllrs were advised that a planning application in the joint names of the Governors and a Developer would be submitted to NDDC in October regarding housing development on the present school site and provision of a new school on another site.
The Chairman and Clerk attended the launch of the Liveability Fund on 22 nd July and it had been suggested that a grant towards the purchase of a site for an extension to the Burial Ground may be considered.
D Neal reported that the open meeting of NORDOP on the 6 th July in Blandford although well supported by various information organisations had not been very well attended by the public. He also advised that the replacement spring animals are now in place in the Jubilee Play Area. He also advised that where a large limb of the very old Chestnut Tree had fallen on the wall, some children are now using this as access to The Park. D Neal also expressed concern that there were people with dogs in The Park.
It was agreed to put the question of future use of Pond Close on the next Agenda as this too could be suitable for a Liveability Fund grant
Correspondence
Letter from English Heritage re. The Cross advising that if nothing is to be attached to the Cross there is no objection to it being floodlit
Letter from DCC re. Disabled Access to 8 Ring Street. Advising that it would not be possible to fix a guard rail between the pavement and road at this point. See Agenda item
Letter from DCC re. HGVs accessing Poultry Farm at Stalbridge Weston. Advising that it is felt that a time restriction on lorries would not be practicable and that the owner is investigating ways of alleviating the problem. He feels it best to await the outcome of these. See comment in Open Forum
Letter from Mrs S Brooks complaining about illegal parking on the High Street. Copy to be sent to DCC parking dept.
Notification of Sturminster Newton Civic Day on 12 th September
Invitation to North Dorset’s Civic Day on 17 th September
Letter from DCC re. Pedestrian Crossing asking for confirmation that local businesses are in favour of the crossing. It was agreed to write a further letter pointing out that as a result of a meeting with DCC and Local Traders what was requested should have been Traffic Lights with a pedestrian phase.
Letter from NDDC advising that there is to be a review of Public Conveniences and that the public are to be asked their opinion on the present provision
Copy of the NDDC Best Value Performance Plan 2004/05
Letter from DCC asking for Volunteers for the Dorset Local Access Forum
Invitation to Shaftesbury Civic Walkabout on 21 st August
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
P Ashcroft reported that the footpath from Thornhill Road down to Lower Road is very overgrown at the Thornhill end. Clerk to ask Mr Sharp if he will trim this.
With reference to the item in the minutes regarding the complaint that Age Concern took over the limited parking area in Station Road for some time, it was agreed to write to them and suggest that they use the Car Park if they wish to make a return visit.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.10 .pm.