Minutes of Town Council Meeting held in the Town Council Office
On Wednesday 1st June 2005 commencing 7-50 p.m.
Present Councillors W Batty-Smith, J Cowley, J Cox, D Neal, R Penfold, and I Semple
Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance 2 members of the public
To elect Chairman and Vice-Chairman
Before any decisions were taken on this, D Neal proposed a vote of thanks to J Cowley retiring Chairman and J Cox retiring Vice-Chairman for all their work.
Elect Chairman. J Cowley proposed and W Batty-Smith seconded that I Semple be Chairman. All agreed.
Elect Vice-Chairman. J Cox proposed and D Neal seconded that J Cowley be Vice-Chairman.
I Semple proposed R Penfold but no-one seconded this. J Cowley was elected on a vote of 3 in favour with 2 against (1 abstention)
To co-opt new Councillor
There was only one application and therefore J Oliver of Woodmills was co-opted to serve on the Town Council. He was welcomed by the Chairman and duly signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
To receive apologies D Cllr G Carr-Jones, P Ashcroft, D Grimes, J O’Hare & 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 No matters were brought up
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by D Neal that the following expenditure be approved
Purchase of Telephone/Fax/Answering machine for Clerk’s office
Inkjet fax machine £87.00
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by J Cox and seconded by W Batty-Smith that the following cheques be signed
The following cheques were signed at the Planning Meeting on the 18th May
Pond Close Mowing £200.00
I Semple repayment of Training fee 15.00
R Sharp NDDC Grass and The Ring 320.00
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D J Hine Salary 240.00
D J Hine Rochfords new Mower 189.00
Trav. Exes re above 8.40
B Telecom 154.93
R Sharp The Ring and Pond Close footpath 110.00
Community Office repayment of VAT 47.56
J Singleton JFPA 437.50
Stalbridge Parish Church 2,000.00
S & A Builders Maintenance & inspection 132.72
Direct Office 19.31
With regard to the payment to the Parish Church, the Clerk was asked to write a letter with this cheque pointing out that complaints had been received from members of the public about the untidy sate of the Churchyard and these were confirmed but some of the Councillors
Clerk to write
Discuss commencing Town Plan procedure
After some discussion it was agreed that the Town Council would fully support the production of a Stalbridge Town Plan. To this end a letter will be sent to various people and organisations inviting them to a meeting with Hugh deIongh and/or Simon Thompson of Dorset Community Action who will enlarge on the matter, with a view to setting up a Steering Group of 8-10 people (not more than 12) two of whom will be Town Councillors, but we have been advised that the two from the Council should not be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman or Clerk. D Neal proposed and I Semple seconded this course of action. All agreed.
Clerk to write
Discuss implications of N D Local development scheme – April 2005
Letter received from Gill Smith of NDDC acknowledging that the summary of Policy ST1 is incorrect and should read that Stalbridge is a “Town for limited growth subject to protection of local character” and that she will ensure that this is corrected on all future LDS revisions
Discuss proposal to request Listing of Park Wall
Some information regarding the procedure obtained from English Heritage. However it was agreed that as the Councillor who suggested this was absent the matter should be put on the next agenda.
Next Agenda
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
R Penfold attended the Hall Committee AGM. There are plans to re-decorate the main hall.
D Neal and J Cowley attended the May meeting of the ND DAPTC but had nothing new to report
R Penfold also attended a SturQuest meeting. He had also had a request from residents to have the triangular piece of grass at the end of Grosvenor Road cut and reported also that the road sweeping lorry does not go to the end of Grosvenor Road
Clerk to deal with
It has been established that the articles in the Bier House are not Mr Pope’s and can therefore be disposed of. With regard the proposal to offer the Devon & Dorset Regiment the Freedom of the Town, there is a meeting on the 4th June.
I Semple advised that he had enjoyed a very interesting day at the Gillingham Civic Service/Day
With regard to The Ring, we are awaiting a report as to how to deal with the beds long term from Mr Williams. In the short term Mr Sharp will be asked to weed the beds as best he can.
The Cross. I Semple has asked a stone expert for advice regarding dealing with the weed growth on the actual Cross. A quote is awaited from SEC for the electrical work required.
The Chairman asked that a Town Property Audit be placed on the next agenda
Next Agenda
Correspondence
DAPTC Ch. Exec. Circular 08-05 with details of Quality Council Roadshow and other training events I Semple, R Penfold and D Hine will attend.
NDDC Web Manager re. possible page on their web site
DCC advising of closure of Gold Street for works also Lower Road
NDDC confirmation that a new Councillor may be co-opted
DCC School Travel Newsletter
NDDC Enforcement – re. Old Coach House, Barrow Hill, Access. Acknowledging our letter of 18th November
Sturminster Newton TC enclosing copy of letter from NDDC N Fagan ref. letter from N D Towns Alliance
Office of D P M reply to letter of 26th April re. SW Regional Assy
Community Office. Asking what is the position regarding cost of Broadband and advising that they do not wish to deal with the T C Office garden. To be confirmed that the telephone bill will be paid in full by the Council but that the grant to the C Office will be reviewed in December
Clerk to advise
Wimborne T C Details of new Mayor and Diary Date for Walkabout
Sturminster Newton TC Details of Chairman
NDDC B Heath. Re. Health Walks in Stalbridge
DCC Vision for Education in Dorset
Liveability - Year One Evaluation
Letter from Mr Frampton, 9 Anglesey Cotts. Advising that if the owner of No. 8 Anglesey Cotts puts in a planning application for a garage, he objects.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
It was suggested that a letter of thanks be sent to Fudges for organising a very successful “Open Day” in aid of Cancer Research on Bank Holiday Monday, also to the Cricket Club for the Paul Wadham Memorial Match on the same day for the same Charity.
Clerk to write
As no comments have been received from Enforcement regarding the Gold Street Garage letter, this to be chased.
Clerk to progress
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-45 p.m.