On Wednesday 4th July 2007 commencing 8-20 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, B Booth, J Cowley, K Garland, D Grimes, R Penfold,
S Waite, J Wardell and W Batty-Smith Chairman,
D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr D Fox and D Cllr G Carr-Jones
To receive apologies J Cox and J Smith
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
G Carr-Jones asked that publicity be given to the fact that there appeared to be a bogus representative of an Electricity Company visiting elderly people in the area.
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
Western Newspapers Notice re. tenders £112.80
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 July £494.10
Blackmore Vale Internet 54.00
Western Newspapers 112.80
Direct Office 105.12
R Sharp NDDC Grass & The Pound £484.20
(Cheque signed at Planning Mtg. 20.6.07)
Conduct of meetings
S Waite felt that the T C should try and get members of the public more involved in the decisions made with regard to the facilities in the Town and its future. As it is illegal for members of the public to actually take part in a Council meeting, this is rather difficult to put into practice, however, it was agreed that all Councillors would give the matter some thought.
Problem of under-age drinking
It was agreed that this matter can really only be dealt with by the Police and that any evidence of this problem should be reported direct to them immediately
Consider extension of pavement at the Jarvis Way junction with Station Road
P Ashcroft had suggested that the pavement on the lower side of Jarvis Way at its junction with Station Road should be changed to go across the grass visibility splay as people who wanted to cross the road and enter Woodmill Close were not bothering to use the pavement which goes further down Station Road as this means crossing Station Road and then walking a short way back up on the other side to get to Woodmill Close. Before any approach is made to the DCC it was agreed that P Ashcroft would endeavour to find out if the School has a “travel plan” which would support the request.
P Ashcroft to action
Check Insurance Values
It was agreed to ask the Insurance company if the “contents insurance” in respect of the offices could be just one lump sum to cover all the contents rather than have all the items listed. A copy of the Inventory to be placed with documents at the Solicitors’ Office. Councillors will arrange a suitable date and time to check the Inventory
Sign Minutes of Annual Town Meeting
It was agreed that a copy of these would be left in the Town Clerk’s office to enable all Councillors to read them and the item will be placed on the next Agenda
Discuss possibility of additional land at Pond Close
The Clerk advised that she had been in contact with Mr A Fraser, NDDC Legal Dept and passed to him the name and address of the TC Solicitor. She also pointed out that when preparing the draft Lease of the proposed additional land at Pond Close, this should allow for the land to be used at allotments, if required, and also that Signpost had agreed to lay a water supply from the new development to this area. Access must also be provided into the Recreation Area for use by a Tractor or similar, as is the present case. We await a copy of the draft Lease for approval.
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
D Grimes reported a deep hole in the road part way down Bazel Hill. A further hole reported in Ring Street, just opposite turning to Stalbridge Close. D Grimes also suggested that a 30 mph speed limit be placed on the A357 from Spire Hill Farm to Hartgrove Farm. D Fox advised that there are new guidelines on the placing of speed limits on main roads.
J Wardell advised that she is in the process of getting together an application to the Lottery Awards for All scheme in order to obtain match funding for the Health Walks booklets, NDDC having promised a grant on this basis.
P Ashcroft asked that the dead tree on The Ring be replaced. E Williams to be contacted.
J Cowley attended a further meeting regarding the future of Libraries. It would now appear that the DCC are thinking about involving Community Support for all the Libraries in the County rather than just the threatened 13. He also asked if there will be any Developers’ Contributions as a result of the further development at Pond Close and if so, will these be allocated to Stalbridge.
Clerk to write
Light No 12 in Jarvis Way is being obscured by overhanging tree.
Clerk to advise DCC
R Penfold asked about checking condition of Public Toilets. B Bray at NDDC to be contacted and it was suggested that the Sturminster Mill Toilets be looked at as these will provide a standard which should be obtained.
W Batty-Smith reported on attending the latest Local Delivery meeting. He asked that the following be considered by all Councillors. If the Town Council do not agree to take on responsibility for the Public Toilets and the Pavement Sweeping after the 1st April 2008 then the Toilets will most probably be demolished and no pavements will be swept. As Stalbridge has always tried to assert its independence then this must be the time to take control of these important services.
Correspondence
NDDC re/ request for Litter/Dog Bin, JFPA. Should resources become available the request will be considered
DCC Mr S Howard. Acknowledgement of our letter re: Traffic Proposals and confirming changes to parking arrangements will be progressed.
DCC J Burridge. Up-date on situation with Kings Mill Bridge
NDDC Notice of Public Path Order re. FP No.4 Pond Close. J Wardell will be writing to object on behalf of the Ramblers and will let the Clerk have a copy
Sturminster Newtoon Invitation to Civic Day Sat. 8th September
Blandford TC Invitation to Civic Day Sunday 23rd Sept
Bridport TC Invitation To Civic Service. Sunday 15th July – reply needed
Copies of correspondence between Transport Rep. and County Council
NDDC – Key features of community Planning
DCC Dorset Data Book
N Dorset CAB Acknowledging receipt of grant but asking why it is reduced for this year
DAPTC Ch. Exec Circular 08/07
DCC Highway Maintenance Programme 2007/8 – no mention of Stalbridge
NDDC re. Commuted Sums for Play Areas and Open Spaces.
Signpost H Assoc. Copy of their letter to NDDC re. Pond Close Land. (see above item 11)
NDDC Planning Guidance Note. Parish Planning in North Dorset
Letter of thanks from St. Mary’s Church for Churchyard Grant
NDDC Copy of Child Okeford Village Design Statement
Note from Clerk re. Street Lights. Turning off Lights at midnight would have to be County wide.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-50 p.m.