On Wednesday 10th January 2007 commencing 8-00 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, W Batty-Smith, B Booth, J Cowley, D Grimes,
J O’Hare R Penfold, J Wardell, and D Neal Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance D Cllr G Carr-Jones
To receive apologies C Cllr D Fox, Cllrs J Cox and 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.
Matters arising
The letters to Corfe Mullen and Colehill Councils re. Library Closures have not yet been written but will be in the next few days.
The matter of vehicles parking close to the Waterlake/A357 junction should be reported to the Police
The badly damaged bollard by the Post Office will be reported to Highways at Blandford.
The holes in the road at Copse House Hill have been reported.
(Clerk’s note – I have now established that the road surface of Copse House Lane as far as the crossroads with Landshire Lane is the responsibility of DCC Highways East at Blandford. The road from there on down the hill to the A30 is the responsibility of DCC Highways West at Dorchester, even though a short stretch is in Somerset. I also confirmed that the correct and the most efficient procedure for reporting road surface damage is to ring DCC Clarence with full details and the message is then passed electronically to the appropriate area)
OPEN FORUM No comments
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by P Ashcroft that the following expenditure be approved
Shoptek JFPA Goal post £287.88
Stalbridge Joinery See-Saw repair 235.00
Scouts from Town Plan budget 200.00
BMV Pubs ditto 26.64
Soc LCC Working with your council update 19.50
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 £494.10
Shoptek 287.88
Direct Office 22.09
BT 158.62
Stalbridge Joinery 235.00
Stalbridge Scouts 200.00
B M V Pubs 26.64
Southern electric 38.97
Soc. LCC 19.50
Youth Club Grant 500.00
Playing fields Play Area Mowing 250.00
Community Office Grant 250.00
Make Precept
Whilst discussing the proposals it was agreed to ask the Hall Cttee to ensure that the TC get a copy of their balance sheet and also to request a copy of the account in respect of the latest Hall Extension. With regard to the amount put aside for Section 137/Charity expenditure it was proposed by B Booth and seconded by J O’Hare to grant N Dorset CAB £100 for this year only but to give no grant to Sherborne CAB. All agreed. Also it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by J Cowley to grant £200 to the Air Ambulance. All agreed. It was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by D Grimes to make a precept of £58,000 on the NDDC. All agreed.
Consider offer by NDDC of replacement land at Pond Close
After some discussion it was agreed to write to NDDC agreeing to release the land required by Signpost for the proposed additional dwellings on Pond Close but to delay any decision as to whether or not replacement land for recreation in the area is required until the results of the Town Plan questionnaire are to hand.
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
D Grimes reported various holes in the road surface of Thornhill Road. Contact Clarence
J Wardell reported pavement sinking in various parts of Thornhill Road where vehicles cross. Contact Clarence in first instance
G Carr-Jones asked that Street Cleansing be put on the next Agenda as he had comments to make on this subject
W Batty-Smith commented on the letter from DCC re. refusal of Pedestrian Crossing. He proposed that a letter be sent to Miles Butler expressing disgust at the decision and requesting details of criteria used and when the statistics regarding traffic were obtained. The letter should also emphasise that finance is available and in addition more house are proposed off Barrow Hill and that it is not a new request correspondence regarding a pedestrian crossing dates back to the 1992. All agreed.
Clerk to write
J Cowley/J Wardell reported that the surface of the path down to the Sewage Pumping Station is in poor repair especially by the gate.
Advise DCC
D Neal and P Ashcroft will attend the N Area DAPTC meeting.
Correspondence
NDDC Would we like an Elm Tree to plant. Yes, contact N Brown re location
Clerk to action
DCC two letters re. Review of Library Services including a paper “Agenda for change” Suggest a meeting on a Wednesday evening in Stalbridge. Also request reply to our letter of 5th Dec.
Clerk to contact
Floodwatch warning re. possible flooding in the area together with Calendar and Newsletter
DAPTC Minutes of AGM
J Rabbetts Copy of letter to First Bus for info.
DCC re. Request for Pedestrian Crossing. List of requests. See comments above
Ramblers Assoc. Copy of letter to NDDC re. development at Poolestown and FP 40
NDDC Report on Financial Assessment of NDDC
Isle of Wight Council re. Power to the Parishes
DAPTC Details of Training Courses and C Exec Circular
Blandford TC details of Charity Event
NDDC Notice of diversion of FP49
Minutes of DAPTC Northern Area meeting and Agenda for meeting 18.01.07
Local Council review
Sth. Som notification of withdrawal of PA 03271 Increase number of resident aircraft to 74
DAPTC Agenda for Northern Area meeting 18th January
Copy of letter from NDDC to Ramblers Assoc advising that PA 1333 will not affect the neighbouring footpath 40
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
R Penfold asked if there was anywhere in Stalbridge a small meeting could be held now that the Methodist Hall is closed. P Field Pavilion may be available.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-40 p.m.