Minutes of Town Council Meeting held in the Town Council Office
On Wednesday 15th November 2006 commencing 8-10 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, W Batty-Smith, J Cowley, D Grimes, J O’Hare,
D Short, J Wardell and D Neal Chairman,
R Penfold arrived later, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr D Fox and 2 members of the public
To receive apologies D Cllr G Carr-Jones, J Cox
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 comments
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by W Batty-Smith that the following expenditure be approved
M Cridge Plants for The Cross 14.94
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by W Batty-Smith that the following cheques be signed
D J Hine Salary November £494.10
D J Hine Conference & meeting travel £70.90 £565.00
N Smith The Ring 47.50
M Cridge 14.94
Blackmore Vale Internet Hosting fee 130.00
J Singleton JFPA 437.50
Co-opt new Councillor
It was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by D Grimes that Ms Belinda Booth be co-opted on to the Town Council. All agreed. Ms Booth signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Street Cleaning
Notification had been received from K Wilson of NDDC that Stalbridge now shares a Town Orderly with Sturminster Newton. Where as up until quite recently Stalbridge had a full-time Orderly He works in Stalbridge from 11 am to 1-45 p.m. Monday to Friday and is responsible for cleaning the toilets and street sweeping and emptying bins etc. At weekends 4 hours each day shared with Sturminster is meant to be work. This is obviously totally inadequate. J Cowley reported that the toilets were in danger of overflowing last week. W Batty-Smith advised that Church Hill is never swept and various bins have not been emptied. It was agreed to write to D Cllr G Carr-Jones with full details and ask for his assistance in dealing with this. It was pointed out that under the Tough Choices proposals NDDC have agreed to maintain services at the present level, however the point must be made that we require the service to be at the previous level i.e. one full-time Orderly in Stalbridge
Clerk to write
Town Plan Nothing to report on this at the present
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
D Grimes advised that Waterlake has now been resurfaced.
P Ashcroft attended the Stalbridge Lights meeting, all arrangements seem to be in place and leaflets will be printed. Marshall should assemble at the Butcher’s Shop at 6-00 p.m.
W Batty-Smith reported that the High Street (A357) road surface is getting very bad again particularly opposite the Chemist’s Shop and at the junction with Station Road. Letter to J Mann, DCC Highways.
Clerk to write
J Cowley attended the NDDC budget form at the Hall which he felt was a useful exercise although not many people went. He pointed out that he felt it was wrong that the whole of North Dorset had to subsidise the Steam Fair.
D Fox advised that DCC have taken over responsibility for the footpath/cycle path from Larksmeadow to Jarvis Way including he Hedge.
W Batty-Smith confirmed that the re-cycling area is the responsibility of NDDC. There is some damage in this area. With regard to Planning Decisions and delegation of powers, the Town Council will still be able to request that an application goes before the Planning Committee rather than be decided by Officers.
The Chairman thanked all those that had attended the Service on Remembrance Sunday.
The School Governors are looking to appoint a new Head Teacher.
The Notice Board at the top of Station Road has again been damaged. To be looked at with a view to deciding whether to repair to remove.
There has been an informal meeting with the Landowner of a field off Station Road with regard to his proposals to create a nature reserve there. However, there will have to be a planning application for change of use.
Correspondence
DCC P Lievers via D Fox re. The Library meeting 27th November. Actual letter now received from DCC. The meeting will be attended by the Chairman and some of the other Cllrs.
DCC J Staddon. Reply re. Entrance to Keeper’s Cottage, Copse House Lane
DCC A Ackerman re. Possible Prd. Crossing.He has asked for the scheme to be progressed
DCC D Ackerley re. FP49 Advising what action is being taken
Diana DiCanio Community Service. Making arrangement for work requested to be carried out
Invitation to Active Dorset’s Partner & Stakeholder Event Dorchester 21st November
NDDC Invitation to Community Partnership Presentation Evening. 5th December
Guide Dogs. Request to be allowed to put box in Office for collecting unwanted jewellery, watches etc. Reply in the negative.
NDDC Awards for All Funding Workshop. 24th November
Environment Agency Leaflet Informing on priorities for South Wessex Area
NDDC Notification of the death of Col. Whitehead, Leader of NDDC
DCC Notification of Management Committee meeting of S. Newton Youth & Comm. Centre
DCA Hugh De Iongh Notification of meeting of Sports Forum and also meeting re. future of S. Newton Leisure Centre
Rev. W Ridding. Letter enclosing estimate for cutting the churchyard for 2007
N D CAB Request for Grant
Sth Somerset Statement of Community Involvement
NDDC L Goodall Reply to letter re. Tough choices
NDDC S Caundle Solicitor. Re. Tough choices and involvement of District Cllrs in Town and Parish Council meetings
NDDC copy of letter to Sth Somerset re. P A for additional residential aircraft, Henstridge
Mrs M Edwards Thank you letter for grant to Lunch Club
NDDC Notification of road closure for late night shopping event
Lights Group details of activities
NDDC Corporate Plan for Improvement
DAPTC C Exec. Circular