On Wednesday 19th October 2005 commencing 7-40 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, W Batty-Smith, J Cowley, J Cox, D Grimes, D Neal
J O’Hare, R Penfold and D Short, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance D Cllr G Carr-Jones
Elect Chairman. J Cowley and P Ashcroft seconded that D Neal be elected Chairman. As there were no other nominations D Neal was unanimously elected.
To receive apologies C Cllr D Fox
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 alterations.
Item 7 Website maintenance. J Cowley requested that the amounts should be inserted as follows:- Regular monthly updates (1 full meeting and 2 planning meetings minutes) £18 per month payable quarterly. Ad-hoc requests e.g. add new pages etc £25 per hour with a minimum charge of quarter of an hour £6.25. Existing charges for the annual hosting and biennial domain name registration fees are Website hosting £150 per year. Domain name registration estimated £123.38 biennial.
Item 10 Re. NORDCAT Bus, R Penfold also queried whether or not Ms J Rabbetts is the official Town Council representative on Public Transport matters. In the same paragraph R Penfold meant that there is a problem with parking on several junctions not just Grosvenor Road.
It was J Cox who reported out that display items outside shops are encroaching on to the pavement.
OPEN FORUM No comments
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by J Cox and seconded by W Batty-Smith that the following expenditure be approved
Royal B Legion Club – Trafalgar Day £200.00
Trafalgar Day, Music, Bugler etc. 60.00
The Clerk presented the comparison of expenditure to budget figures for the half year to 30th September
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
Southern Electric (already signed as urgent) £25.64
RBL Club 200.00
D J Hine Salary £479.98
D J Hine Post 35.24
D J Hine Trav. Exes 68.50 583.72
B Telecom Internet 158.62
Direct Office 60.43
Four County Services 1442.92
B D O Stoy Auditors 411.25
British Gas 16.43
R Sharp 60.00
Trafalgar Day music etc 60.00
Consider latest developments re. The High Street
Before dealing with this item J Cowley reported the following figures quoted at the Henstridge Airfield Master Plan meeting as he felt they were relevant to Stalbridge High Street (A357)
At present there are estimated to be 720 -780 vehicle movements per day relating to Henstridge Airfield, if present plans for developing the area are accepted these figures could increase very substantially.
A letter received from DCC in reply to the Town Council’s letter regarding the request for a Pedestrian Crossing states that as any form of controlled crossing in the High Street would necessitate a total ban on parking/loading which would impinge on trading, it is felt that no scheme could be progressed without support from the business community. It was therefore decided to approach the High Street Traders and ask them for their ideas to solve the problem of pedestrians trying to cross the High Street.
D Neal to contact
Up date on Trafalgar Day Celebrations
The Clerk advised that the full programme for the event now consisted on the following
From 7-00 p.m. on The Ring, the Blackmore Vale lions will be providing “A square meal and grog”, music and a microphone will be provided by D Holloway and also Pipe Major A Cranfield. Father Martin Budge from Marnhull will hold a short service of remembrance for all those that died on both sides during the battle at 7-30 p.m. This will be followed by the lighting of a rocket by Commodore N Morisetti which will indicate time to light the Beacon in Wood Lane. The Flag will then be ceremoniously lowered to the sound of bugler K Robins playing Sunset. Thereafter all will be welcome for a buffet and music at the Royal British Legion Club in Barrow Hill. The Clerk also reported that the landlord of the Stalbridge Arms has requested permission to place an advertising board on the Ring for a special event at the Stalbridge Arms on that evening as well. This was agreed.
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
D Grimes reported that some residents had asked about times of the Clerk’s attendance at the office. It was pointed out that these are stated on the Door. It was agreed that the Clerk will advise the Community Office if she is not going to be available on a Monday.
J Cox reported that work on the Stalbridge Hall extension for the Youth & Community Project has now started.
J Cowley reported on the meeting of the Henstridge airfield Masterplan Working Group re. Transport. The main problem is the predicted number of vehicle movements that will be involved if all the plans are agreed. It is understood that outline planning permission as been granted for the Bioethanol Plant, the Vehicle re-Cycling plant and the Aircraft Manufacturing Unit. The number of daily vehicle movements now seems to be less than the 6627 quoted previously. It would appear that everyone is in agreement that the additional traffic is the most important item to impact on the surrounding area.
Whilst on this subject, NDDC have been consulted by Sth Somerset with regard to the planning application for the Bioethanol Plant and it was agreed to reply to the effect that it is felt that the volume of traffic and possible pollution from the plant are the most important points to consider along with a request that every effort should be made to ensure that H G Vehicles do not access the site through Stalbridge
D Neal reported that he had attended the Traders’ Lights Group meeting. The late night shopping will be on 2nd December and it is hoped that both the Church Tower and The Cross will be illuminated this year
With regard to the NORDCAT Bus it was agreed to ask Ms Rabbetts if she would like to visit the NORDCAT Office and discuss the situation
Clerk to contact
D Neal request that the Town Plan be placed on the next Agenda – Agreed
The Community Office would like a page on the TC Web site and it was agreed that all material for the site should go via the Clerk.
J Cox reported that JFPA fence needs attention and a further dog bin near the kissing gate would be helpful
D Grimes advised tha he had been in communication with Court R DePelet regarding and extension to the churchyard and he is contacting his agents in this respect.
Correspondence
Sth Som D.C. Henstridge Airfield Master Plan. Notes of Working Group meeting and main meeting
NDDC Re. Christmas Promotional Activities. Asking for details re: possible grant. Copy to J Else
Notes of Stalbridge Christmas Lights meeting and letter from J Else giving details of events
NDDC Copies of Traffic Orders closing roads for Christmas Lights event
Stalbridge Y & C Project. Request for possible short term loan to pay Contractors if grant money is not to hand at the appropriate time. Also request for consideration of a further grant in 2006/7 for furnishing the project. It was agreed that a loan would be available if needed
Clerk to write
NDDC Notification of Tree Works at Orchardlea, Barrow Hill
DCC Re: Local Public Transport with copy of letter from Miles Butler
NDDC re. Supermarket P application. Reply to our letter of 25th August, advising why a further site visit was not thought to be necessary
Mr C Taylor Request for allotment Notify NDDC
Clerk to write
NDDC enclosing RoSPA Playground Inspections report. Clerk to get most serious items dealt with.
Clerk to deal
NDDC Enforcement. Re. Stanbrook House. Advising that all work being carried out there either has permission or does not need it. Also re. Old Coach House, note of telephone call advising that at present the work being carried out does not need permission.
Mrs S Taylor. Further letter re. Supermarket Application enclosing her notes. Acknowledge only.
Clerk to write
SturQuest Notification of Community Lunch on 16th November
Report on Clerk’s Conference by the Clerk
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-25 p.m.