Minutes of Town Council Meeting held in the Town Council Office
On Wednesday 20th October 2004 commencing 7-50 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, W Batty-Smith, J Cox, D Neal, J O’Hare, R Penfold
D Short and J Cowley Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance
To receive apologies D Cllr G Carr-Jones, Cllr M Butterworth, D Grimes & M James
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 with the following additions:
Item 7. J Cowley distributed copies of the new Standing Orders as originally proposed before the meeting
Item 9. After ….as possible attend, W Batty-Smith suggested Councillors attend in a private capacity.
With regard to the Minutes of the Planning Meeting of the 6th October J Cowley felt that the report of the meeting with DCC reps. held on 30th Sept. at the Station Road junction should include the following:- “ The meeting was attended by Cllrs M Butterworth, D Grimes, D Neal, R Penfold and the Chairman J Cowley and the Town Clerk. C Cllr Mrs R Ash also attended the meeting as did Mr J Else representing High Street Traders (with the permission of the DCC representatives). During the meeting Mr K Bealing, a School Bus Driver made an unsolicited appearance and gave details of the difficulties he experiences when approaching the junction from the South on the A 357 and endeavouring to turn into Station Road caused by vehicles parked near the Post Office.” All agreed.
OPEN FORUM
Mrs Murray expressed concern that a request for a Grant from the North Dorset CAB had been turned down. She was advised to suggest to the CAB that they make a further request for a Grant before the Budget Meeting for 2005/6 in December.
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by P Ashcroft that the following expenditure be approved
D J Hine Conference travel exes 59.00
R Sharp Repair to Mower 30.00
(if we are going to sell the mower to Mr Sharp this
will not have to be paid)
It was agreed to sell the mower to Mr Sharp for £70
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by P Ashcroft that the following cheques be signed
D J Hine salary 401.26
Conference travel 59.00 460.26
Direct Office 14.04
R Sharp The Ring twice and footpath 125.00
Stalbridge Estate Rent 1,475.00
British Gas 17.97
S & A Builders. Maintenance inspections 56.40
BMV Pubs 15.52
R Sharp NDDC grass 250.00
Henstridge A C Cttee 12.50
Sturquest Comm. Lunch 3.50
Proposed Additional Standing Orders
J Cowley proposed the following additional Standing Orders
SO 88 The Standing Orders for the Town Clerk, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman should contain details of the Inventory, Deeds etc., and information on where important documents are kept.
SO 89 The Chairman or Vice Chairman in the absence of the Chairman, to be informed of all correspondence addressed to the Town Council within 72 hours of receipt.
The Clerk pointed out that she felt that both the above proposals should apply to all Councillors as to restrict the information to the Chairman and Vice-Chairman would accord them privileges over the rest of the Councillors to which they were not entitled.
After some discussion the following new Standing Orders were agreed
SO 88 An up to date copy of the Inventory of Town Possessions to be placed with all copies of the Standing Orders. Proposed by D Neal and seconded by W Batty-Smith. This was agreed by all Councillors, with the exception of the Chairman, who did not vote.
SO 89 All correspondence including e-mails and Planning Applications will, on receipt, be placed in a tray in the Town Clerk’s office and be available for all Councillors to read. Proposed by D Neal and seconded by W Batty-Smith. All agreed with the exception of the Chairman who did not vote.
Proposed Rail to Trailway (Mr N Brown)
The footpath officer, Mr N Brown, addressed the meeting and gave details of proposals of Stalbridge Trailways and cycle path links with the exception of I to K marked on the plan, Vale Road to Blackmore Road to Jarvis Way. The Town Council’s thanks for his efforts were recorded. It was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by P Ashcroft that a statement supporting safe and easy access to the countryside not currently provided be sent. All agreed.
Clerk to write
Problem of Beech Trees at the Entrance to Park Road
An e-mail was received from the County Council, who stated at the present time they accept responsibility for tree No 2 on the highway verge. Mr Hughes, 2 Park Road to be informed of the County Council’s decision. (see also correspondence)
D Neal to action
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
The Clerk gave a short report to Councillors with regard to her attendance at the Annual Conference of Local Council Clerks. She has brought back a copy of the Local Authorities Cemeteries Order 1977 which has various information with reference to a possible new Burial Ground. Further details have been obtained regarding the implications of the Freedom of Information Act , further parts of which will come into force on 1st January 2005. A summary of the Law relating to meetings with some of the issues regularly raised is very useful should any problems arise. A Guide to becoming a Quality Council makes interesting reading and this is something that should be discussed in detail by Councillors. The booklet will be circulated and the item put on a future Agenda. During a seminar with the Chief of Police for Warwickshire he emphasised that the Crimestoppers Number should be publicised and people encouraged to use it. The Community Office have been asked to do this. Various contacts were made with other Clerks, which is always a most useful part of the Conference as the Clerk’s job is a very lonely one.
W Batty-Smith advised regarding Development Control procedures that if the Town Council object to an application an official Planning Reason must be quoted. If Dev. Control disagree with a Town Council’s recommendation, they will be advised of the reasons in advance of any decision being made.
With regard to the new regime on Licensing, W Batty-Smith recommended that if a casual licence is required for a function over Christmas application should be made as soon as possible.
As the local representative with regard to Postal Problems W Batty-Smith asked to be advised of any problems as at present he understood that some areas are not getting mail daily because of lack of staff.
D Neal reported on the recent Henstridge Airfield Consultative Cttee meeting. Figures for air movements for the period March to September were 3684 of which 206 were rotary aircraft (these do not include the air ambulance) On the Open days there were 252 movements on the March day and 281 on the 28th August. 22 complaints have been received from 5 people of these 4 were disputed and 5 others in doubt. Two Open Days planned on 27th March and 1st June 2005. The fly out time in June will be slightly later than usual. With regard to the proposed Wind Farm whether or not this would mean some alteration to air routes is being investigated.
R Penfold attended the Sturminster Newton Civic Day which was most enjoyable. A visit was made to Sturminster Mill and a good lunch provided. Unfortunately it also rained rather a lot. He felt it was a worthwhile public relations exercise.
It was reported that the bollard outside the Post Office has been damaged.
Clerk to report
Rubbish still on Pond Close area from Park Road property, further letter to be sent
Clerk to write
D Neal had taken some photos of The Cross. Letter to be written to English Heritage asking for advice regarding value for Insurance purposes.
Clerk to write
Correspondence
Copy of letter from Dorset Race Equality Council to DAPTC drawing attention to the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the implications thereof.
Letter from S W Regional Assembly enclosing details of the Regional Spatial Strategy Consultation document for comment.
Letter from Nick White the Creative Consultant for a new rural community development project asking if Stalbridge wishes to be involved
Letter from Wicksteed Leisure re. Disability Discrimination Act and the October 2004 provisions suggesting checks on Play Equipment
Letter from Parking Services advising that Stalbridge is patrolled on a regular basis but some additional visits will be arranged concentrating on the High Street
Letter from DCC advising that a Waste Local Plan for consultation has been published for Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset. Also letter advising that the next meeting of Dorset Waste Forum on on 30th November at Ferndown.
Allotments Survey Form for completion
Supplementary Guidance Notes for Liveability Fund
Letter from Williams Nursery with suggestions for replacement tree on The Ring. Obtain cost of Crateagus.
Clerk to contact
Notification of Community Lunch in Sturminster Newton R Penfold will attend, cheque for £3.50 agreed
Letter from DEFRA re. Clean Neighbourhoods
Letter from Dorset Regiment re. Freedom, suggesting this is held in abeyance until announcement regarding future of the regiment. Agreed
Letter from NDDC re. Grant towards cost of Community Office. It was agreed that as the cheque for £650 was made payable to the Community Office, this would be treated as the TC grant to the C Office for 2005/6
Notification from DAPTC of subscription for 2005/6 (£442.09) and of AGM 30.10.04
DCC Update on Parish Maintenance Units
E mail from J Mann, DCC Highways. Re. Park Road Beech Trees. The County accept that the tree outside No.2 is a Highway Tree but that it is not causing a highway problem and therefore they will not be doing anything. If the Owner of No. 2 wishes to do something, then he may after he has obtained permission from County & District Councils. The tree outside No.1 belongs to No.1 and as the branches overhanging the pavement are a hazard they will ask the owner of No.1 to get them cut back. Send copy to David Hughes (see Agenda item 8)
Letter from Wessex Water re. Roadway to SPS. They will be following up what appears to be unauthorised use of the track by two properties. They will also be monitoring the effect of works on the ditch to the flooding of the track and if there is a problem they will contact the property owners.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs Cox requested that the very important letter be sent to the residents of Lark’s Meadow regarding the damage to the Town Council’s fence on the boundary of the Jarvis Field Play area.
Chase up letter regarding visibility at Bagber Crossroads
Send letter to NDDC, Kevin Morris, regarding the state of the bund at Woodmills
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.05 p.m.