Minutes of Town Council Meeting held in the Town Council Office
On Wednesday 17th November 2004 commencing 7-55 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, M Butterworth, J Cox, D Grimes, M James, D Neal
J O’Hare, R Penfold, D Short and J Cowley Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr Mrs R Ash and Mrs I Tanner
To receive apologies D Cllr G Carr-Jones and Cllr W Batty-Smith
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 amendments
W Batty-Smith also attended the meeting with DCC Representatives at the Station Road junction.
SO88 should have the additional words “together with information as to where important documents etc. are kept” inserted after Town Possessions
OPEN FORUM
Mr N Brown advised that the proposed Trailway has been awarded a grant of £10,000 from DCC. It has also been suggested that a gate be fitted at the end of the SPS Track to discourage vehicles from using it.
Mrs Tanner asked if the Town Council would pay some of the expenses of the Open Evening on 3rd December. (see proposed expenditure)
Mrs Ash said regarding the Parish Liaison Meeting that she felt that Stalbridge was very much overlooked in favour of Sturminster Newton.
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 B Legion Poppy Wreath Section 137 12.00
Bob Jones Heating Eng. Service Boilers 94.00
Hospitality Allce. For 3rd December 35.00
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by J Cox that the following cheques be signed
D J Hine salary (incl. 2.5 wks hol. Pay) 401.26
Bob Jones 94.00
S & A Builders. Inspections 98.70
John Singleton JFPA 437.50
Direct Office 160.72
R B L 12.00
P W L B £6,817.05
Discuss provision of Broadband
After some discussion it was agreed to put this item on the next agenda. The Chairman thanked M James for his work in this connection
Next Agenda
Possible provision of Bus Shelters
There is a meeting with a representative from DCC on the 18th November.
Next Agenda
Consider permitting planting of memorial trees on The Pound
An approach has been made by a resident for permission to plant a shrub/tree on The Pound as a memorial. Whilst this would appear to be a nice idea it was felt that it could well escalate over the years. It was therefore proposed by D Grimes and seconded by M Butterworth that the Town Council turn down this request. All agreed.
Fix date of Budget Meeting
It was agreed that the preliminary meeting regarding the Budget for 2005/6 would be held after the Planning Meeting on 1st December. It was agreed that this discussion would be held in private. R Penfold tendered his apologies for this meeting.
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
D Grimes as Tree Officers advised that there are now 13 young trees left in Wood Lane. He also asked that the question of the provision of a Notice Board on the outside of the Town Council premises be placed on the next agenda. Agreed.
Next Agenda
D Neal reported on the Liaison Meeting that the Section 106 Developers Contributions appear to be allocated to Sturminster although it has now been acknowledged that Sturquest is purely for Sturminster Newton. Stourton Caundle may well be interested in joining in with Stalbridge on a future project.
With regard the Christmas Celebrations on 3rd December there will be a Policeman and 2 special Constables on duty together with volunteer marshals from the Football and Cricket Clubs. With regard to the insurance of lighting The Cross, it was suggested that Mr Foster-Pegg check with the T C’s Insurers.
P Ashcroft reported on a meeting held by the proposed Developers of the School site with the Parents. The inadequacies of the present site were emphasised including road access. The proposed new site will be in Barrow Hill. They will provide space only for a Pre-School unit and it is hoped that there would be some Community use. The proposed site is some 7 acres compared with 2.2 acres at present and although the building would be much bigger it would not cater for any increase in the number of pupils. They would want to build some 30-40 properties on the Duck Lane site
Correspondence
Letters from 14, 15 ,16,17, 19, 20 and 21 Larks Meadow objecting to part of the proposed Cycle Path/Trailway.
Copy of letter from N Brown in reply to them.
Letter from Robert Walter MP supporting HGV restriction in Stalbridge Weston and requesting information on progress. Send copy to C Cllr R Ash
Letter from DCC Highways advising that the broken bollard will be replaced but put further into the road.
Notification from NDDC advising of meeting re. Delegation of Planning applications on 29th Nov. At 6-45 p.m. J Cowley, P Ashcroft and M Butterworth will attend.
Invitation from Portland T C to Civic Carol Service on 10th December
Agenda and Minutes for N D Area meeting of DAPTC to be held in Sturminster on 25th November. D Neal and J Cowley will attend
Letter from Stalbridge School PTFA Secretary complaining about dog fouling of footpath from Station Road to Duck Lane. (Clerk’s note. I have contacted the Dog Warden who has visited the area and put up more notices etc.)
Letter from NDDC asking for details of any Christmas Promotional Activities.
Clerk to reply
Letter of thanks from Stalbridge Lunch Club for grant.
E Mail from Regional Adviser regarding grants available for Local Heritage Initiative and advising of a meeting to be held in Gillingham on 30th November. Request further details
Clerk to write
Letter from M Williams DCC in reply to our letter re. Signalised Junction advising that he cannot improve on the timescale for a preliminary design.
Letter from NDDC re. Public Conveniences asking (for research purposes only) if the Council might be prepared to consider taking over ownership and management of the toilets in Stalbridge
It was agreed to say no.
Letter from NDDC, Gill Smith. Re. Henstridge Airfield advising that a meeting has been requested with Sth. Somerset to discuss latest proposals
Notification from NDDC of Community Partnership Presentation Evening at Shaftesbury on1st December
Letter from NDDC re. Pond Close advising that at present no decisions have been reached on the medium and long term future of the area or adjoining land and therefore they are unable to consider any variation of the lease at the present time.
Letter from DCC Highways re. Bagber Crossroads advising that our correspondence has been forwarded to Traffic Management section asking if they can justify a small improvement scheme at this junction (i.e. moving hedges back)
Letter from Christmas Lights Group advising of arrangements for Christmas Celebrations
Letter from NDDC advising of Budget & Capital Workshops.
Letter from John Foster-Pegg re. Possibility of a mirror to assist vehicles leaving the road to the Church on to the A357. Suggest he re-contacts DCC as we believe it is highway not a private road as stated.
Copy of letter from R A Kinnibrugh Duck Lane to Dorset Engineering re. Lighting of footpath
C Exec Circular 20-04 from DAPTC
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
With regard to a light on Footpath from Thornhill Road to Lower Road. Clerk will check the position. Advise Mr Hann
The Chairman asked the Clerk to confirm that she would be using part of her holiday entitlement to cover payment for the period she has been ill. Confirmed.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10-20 p.m.