Minutes of Town Council Meeting held in the Town Council Office
On Wednesday 9th March 2005 commencing 7-58 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, W Batty-Smith, M Butterworth, J Cox, D Grimes, D Neal
J O’Hare, R Penfold, I Semple, D Short and J Cowley Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance 1 Member of the public
To receive apologies C Cllr R Ash and D Cllr W Carr-Jones
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
Letter received from Mrs Garton of Stalbridge Weston, who had intended to be at the meeting and to use Open Forum to thank the Town Council and C Cllr Mrs R Ash for backing the request by Stalbridge Weston residents for a night time ban on heavy goods vehicles using the roads in Stalbridge Weston. The residents are extremely grateful for this support which has resulted in application for a ban to be imposed being made by DCC
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by D Grimes that the following expenditure be approved.
S & A Builders. Repairs to Park Wall 904.75
Four County Services Install Broadband 235.43
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by D Grimes that the following cheques be signed
S & A Builders 904.75
S & A Builders Maintenance 70.50
Four County Services 235.43
D J Hine Salary 401.26
Blackmore Vale Pubs. Advert & Notice 39.73
The following cheques were signed at the Planning Meeting on 23.02.05
B Telecom 56.88
Do 1.31
Do 85.17
Dorset C Training Partnership 20.00
Possible Listing of Park Wall
After some discussion it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by P Ashcroft that the possibility of having Park Wall “Listed” be investigated. This was carried on a vote of 8 to 3. It was also agreed that Mr De Pelet be contacted and advised of the position.
Monitor Inventory of Town Possessions
J Cowley proposed that the old and up to date photos of The Cross should be included on the Inventory together with the Picture of what is thought to be the inspiration for the design of The Cross. He would also like to see items on the Inventory to be put in geographical order rather than alphabetical.
Clerk to retype
The Clerk advised that Mr Jonas, a stonemason, is coming to see The Cross with a view to possible insurance valuation on Thursday 10th at 4-30 p.m.
Consider future of Bier House
After some discussion it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by D Neal that a letter be written to the PCC asking for the Bier House to be cleared of rubbish within 4 weeks. Agreed
Clerk to write
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
J Cowley and D Neal had attended a meeting in the Station Road Car Park with S Price of DCC to discuss a request for Disabled Parking spaces adjacent the Bungalows in The Close. There are no dedicated parking spaces in the Car Park at present but that will be rectified shortly. However, the TC would like to see these provided as near to the Library as possible and suggest that Signpost are requested to provide dedicated spaces on their property.
Clerk to write
At a recent meeting of the North Dorset Community Partnership Steering Group it was recommended that each Parish and Town produce a Parish or Town Plan as this is the heart of the Community Planning process. The Plan must be produced in partnership with residents not just by the Council. However, it is essential that before the plan is completed consultation should take place with the Planning Office to ensure that the comments on planning matters are viable. The Clerk will be arranging a meeting with Simon Thomson from DCA to advise regarding the Town Plan process.
Clerk to arrange
Booklets with regard to Quality Status for Councils were distributed. This matter will be discussed on a future Agenda
The recent closure of the A350 and the affect on Stalbridge and the A357 was discussed. It was agreed that Stalbridge would like to be involved in future when the possibility of closing the A350 is discussed.
There is to be a meeting of Councils in Okeford Fitzpaine to discuss Community Partnerships P Ashcroft, M Butterworth, J Cowley, J Cox and D Neal will attend.
Correspondence
DCC Mr S Howard requesting support for proposed Traffic Order prohibiting heavy lorries from entering or leaving S. Weston between 2300 and 0500 (as requested by the Town Council)
Sturminster TC Copy of letter from ND Town Council Alliance to Head of Dev. Control NDDC
Request from grant from Sherborne CAB – Advise this will be considered at Budget meeting in December
Clerk to write
John Singleton – Confirmation of price for mowing JFPA as quoted in Nov. 2002 for 3 years.
NDDC application form for Small Business Rate Relief - completed
DEFRA re. introduction of Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
Hall Management Cttee Newsletter
Copy of Local Government Review
Copy of revised plan for South Farm, Cooks Lane
Notice of next meeting of H A CC on 16th March
Okeford Fitzpaine P C Notification of Meeting on 17th March at Okeford Fitzpaine (see above)
Mrs P Peak advising that she will be talking about seats in the High Street in Open Forum – Letter written to Mrs Peak advising that this matter has been discussed and it is felt not to be a viable proposition
Standards Board. Introduction to review of Code of Conduct
DAPTC Exec. Report for February
NMDDC Statement of Licensing Policy
WRVS request for Grant – Budget meeting in December
Notification of Renewable Energy Forum at Wincanton on 12th March
NDDC Notification of Leisure Centre Admission Fees
Details of dorsetforyou.com web site
NDDC Notification of request to fell tree at Simandnick, Church Hill – tree blew down in recent gale
Invitation to Civic Reception at Hinton St Mary from NDDC Chairman. Accept
Invitation of Civic Service from Wimborne Mayor and notification of Concert
NDDC Annual Monitoring Report on District Wide Local Plan and North Dorset Profile
Report from Mike Burt on North Dorset Community Partnership Steering Group – discussed above
North Dorset Scout Council invitation to attend St George’s Day Parade
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
D Neal reported that the See-saw in the Jubilee Play area needed painting and also one of the legs on the Swings Frame is loose.
Clerk will action
Blackmore Road sign is damaged.
Clerk will report
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-35 p.m.