On Wednesday 6th June 2007 commencing 8-00 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, B Booth, J Cowley, J Cox, D Grimes, R Penfold
J Smith, S Waite, J Wardell and W Batty-Smith Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr D Fox, D Cllr G Carr-Jones and 4 electors
To receive apologies None
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
Mr N Brown had contacted the Chairman expressing surprise and disappointment that he had been superseded as Footpath Officer and felt that the alternative offered as Trailway and Cycleway Officer was a minor post. The Chairman explained that it was standard procedure to appoint Councillors to various posts at the Annual TC Meeting and also, in some instances, to appoint someone outside the Council, as had been the case with Mr Brown. He also pointed out that there was no criticism of Mr Brown’s work and commitment to Footpaths intended. It as simply that as J Wardell had a great interest in the Footpaths it was felt that it might make life easier for both if the duties were split. However, it was agreed that Mr Brown and J Wardell be appointed as joint Footpath Officers and Mr Brown was quite happy with this arrangement. The Clerk to inform D CC Rights of Way Officer of the joint appointment.
With regard to the Library, it would now appear that events have overtaken the meeting held in Stalbridge and that the DCC are now going to look at all the Libraries in the County with a view to cutting costs over the whole system by getting local involvement.
OPEN FORUM No comments
Proposed Expenditure
There was no expenditure proposed other than that accounted for in the budged
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by J Cox that the following cheques be signed
D J Hine £494.10
Pond Close Mowing 210.00
R Sharp NDDC Grass £386.40
Ring 128.00
Footpaths 60.00 574.40
J Singleton 450.50
B Telecom 153.91
D Nettley Signs 137.50
N Smith The Ring 221.11
Scout Group re. Bus Shelter 100.00
Stalbridge B. Supplies 74.80
A Moore (Playing Fld. Grant) 99.00
Co-opt Councillor
One application for the vacancy on the Council has been received from a Miss K Garland of Poolestown. Unfortunately she was unable to be present at the meeting it was therefore agreed to put this item on the Agenda for the Planning Meeting on the 20th June.
Update on High Street Traffic Plans
The Chairman emphasised that there is no likelihood of a controlled pedestrian crossing in the High Street as the criteria for such a crossing are not met. Proposals for the High Street have been received from Mr S Howard of DCC and the Chairman summarised them for Councillors. It was agreed that Councillors would study these together with the plan provided and a decision would be taken as to what should happen at the next Planning Meeting on the 20th June. It was agreed to send Mr R Walter MP a copy of the proposals together with our reply.
Results of Town Plan Questionnaire
Hugh DeIongh reported on the results of the Questionnaire. There had been 355 replies to the 1000 household that had received it, which is 35%. However, replies were mainly from the older age group rather than the young It would appear that people think Stalbridge is a great place to live except for the Traffic problems. The population are friendly and there is a good Community Spirit. There are good facilities and the size is just about right. It is felt to be a safe place to live in lovely countryside.
It would appear that residents want small scale developments only including small unit businesses. A Coffee Shop, Market/Farmers’ Market/Adult Keep Fit Classes and better Bus Services were among the suggestions for additional facilities. Comments on the Hall were complimentary and critical of Jarvis Field. He offered to send details of the comments on the traffic situation for consideration by Councillors at the next meeting. The next stage is to produce a Plan for the future of Stalbridge based on these replies and ideas.
The Chairman thanked Mr DeIongh for the information and for his on-going work on the project.
Check Insurance Values This item was postponed to the next full meeting
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
The Chairman reported that he had attended a meeting of the NDDC Cabinet and asked that a working party with representatives of South Somerset be set up to deal with developments on the Henstridge Airfield site to ensure that we had as much influence of the decisions as they did.
J Wardell suggested that we apply to the Lottery Awards for All scheme to help pay for the Health Walks booklet.
P Ashcroft asked that a request for extending the Jarvis Way pavement be placed on the next Agenda.
B Booth had attended a meeting of the School Governors but due to their policy of secrecy was unable to report on their plans.
J Cowley advised that there would soon be a planning application from Mr Squire for the land adjacent Priors Oak to be turned into a Nature Reserve
A discussion regarding additional land at Pond Close to be placed on next Agenda
With regard to the Tough Choices/Local Delivery Programme it was agreed that R Penfold, S Waite & J Wardell would meet with M Cohen of NDDC to check and agree the condition of the Car Park and Toilets and decided what maintenance work should be undertaken before 2008. Also that The Chairman, the Clerk and D Grimes decide the wording of a possible contract for Street and Toilet Cleaning
Standing Order files to be checked and up-dated.
Correspondence
NDDC Offer of RoSPA Play Area Inspections
DAPTC Ch Exec Circular 05/07 incl Courses for New Councillors
N D Scouts AGM Shaftesbury 13th June Invite to attend
Dorset AONB Partnership requesting comments on Management Plan
Notification of dismissal of Planning Appeal in respect of 24 Vale Road
NDDC Proposed re-siting of re-cycling facilities in Car Park. New positions agreed
Stalbridge Hall Cttee letter re. appointment of J Smith as TC Rep. Actually he is not, he only stood in for R Penfold
DCC Notice of closure of Kings Mill Bridge
Copy of minutes of NDDC Cabinet Meeting re. Trailway route
NDDC Re. Community Planning
DAPTC request for nominations of reps. to Area Cttees
P Leivers DCC copy of report to DCC Community Overview Cttee (e-mail not printed)
NDDC S Hill Local Delivery Phase 2 up-date
NDDC re. Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act. Core Strategy. Issues and alternative options consultation. (needs commenting on)
Copy correspondence re. Buses from J Rabbetts
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10 p.m.