On Wednesday 26th September 2007 commencing 8-05 p.m.
Present Councillors B Alexandre, P Ashcroft, J Cowley, J Cox, D Grimes, J Wardell
and W Batty-Smith (Chairman), D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr D Fox, D Cllr G Carr-Jones and 8 electors
To receive apologies K Garland, R Penfold 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
Mrs I Chalcraft read out a letter she had sent to various Agencies and the press with regard to the unkempt appearance of the Town including dirty streets, overflowing litter bins and weeds growing from pavements and walls. Mrs Chalcraft and her husband had cleared the area around the pump at the bottom of Church Hill themselves. The Chairman explained that this work is the responsibility of the District Council at present although it is not a statutory duty for them. As a result of the NDDC Tough Choices programme Stalbridge had agreed to pay approx. £11,500 to NDDC for the year 01.04.07 to 31.03.08 to enable this and other services to continue. From the 1st April 2008 NDDC would not be doing the work and it will be up to the Town Council to provide the service if it is to continue. At the present time quotations for the contract are being obtained.
Mrs S Lee asked when the ‘capping’ of NDDC will be removed. The Chairman explained that District Councils are restricted to a 5% increase in their budget figures even though this does not actually cover the additional costs of carrying out their various tasks.
Mr I Forward asked about the progress of the Town Plan. G Carr-Jones replied that they are discussing ways of presenting the results of the questionnaires back to the Community
Mr A Chalcraft asked if the full payment for Services had been made to NDDC. Only half has been and it was agreed to discuss possibly withholding part of the next payment at the next full Town Council meeting.
Mr T Lee spoke in support of Mrs Chalcraft and also suggested that the Town Council try and impress on all residents the necessity to try and keep the area in front of their properties tidy and also not to cause problems by depositing litter.
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by J Cox that the following expenditure be approved
Jan Wardell explained that the Stalbridge Hall had been hired to carry out training for Leaders of the proposed Health Walks. The Stalbridge Surgery have promised £25 towards the cost
Grant towards Health Walks expenditure. 25.00
D A Services Y & Comm Project £6,675.18
A DeIongh Town Plan 180.00
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
D A Services 6675.18
Four County Services 62.85
John Singleton 450.00
J F P A Hedge 140.00
B D O Stoy Hayward Audit 470.00
A DeIongh 180.00
S Electric 103.42
The Clerk presented the comparison of expenditure to budget figures for the six months to the end of September 2007
Approve Annual Return as Audited
It was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by B Alexandre that the Audited Annual Return be adopted. All Agreed.
Adopt new Standing Orders re. Public Participation
As a result of adopting the New Code of Conduct it is necessary to replace existing Standing Orders as follows:-
Standing Order 70A
At all meetings of the Council, the Chairman may at his/her discretion and at a convenient time in the transaction of business, allow any members of the public to address the meeting in relation to the business to be transacted. Such sessions form part of the Council meeting in law and shall be duly minuted. The Code of Conduct which was adopted by the Council on the 29th August 2007 shall apply to members of the Council in respect of the entire meeting. Where, however, members of the Council exercise their rights pursuant to SO70B below, members of the public shall be allowed to attend the meeting to (a) make representations (b) answer questions or (c) give evidence relating to the business to be transacted.
Standing Order 70B
At all meetings of the Council, the Chairman may permit members of the Council (including co-opted members as defined by s.49 (7) Local Government Act 2000) who have a prejudicial interest in relation to any item of business to be transacted at that meeting to (a) make representations, (b) answer questions or (c) give evidence relating to the business to be transacted. Such sessions form part of the Council meeting in law and shall be duly minuted. The Code of Conduct which was adopted by the Council on the 29th August 2007 shall apply to members of the Council in respect of the entire meeting.
It as proposed by D Grimes and seconded by B Alexandre that the above Standing Orders be adopted. All agreed.
Consider proposed joint purchase of S I D and Lengthsman
J Wardell and P Ashcroft had attended a meeting at Sturminster Newton at which Mr A Ackerman, Highways Dept., DCC explained about the proposed Lengthsman Scheme and the proposed sharing of a Speed Indicator Device amongst various parishes. With regard to the Lengthsman Scheme this would provide someone to do various maintenance work throughout the Parishes which signed up. The cost of £25,000 p.a. would be split 50% the Parishes and the other 50% equally between the District and County Councils. After some discussion it was agreed that Stalbridge were not interested in this particular scheme.
With regard to the S I D it is hoped that approximately 12 Parishes would be interested in this scheme. The device would cost in the region of £3,254 to purchase but there would also be costs for Insurance, maintenance and batteries. It was estimated the cost per annum would be in the region of £500. There is a palm device as well which is used to download the information stored, programmes the device and can also be used as a radar device giving instantaneous readings. The suggested frequency would be one week at a time, every 2/3 months. J Cowley asked about the cost of Insurance, apparently DCC may well undertake responsibility for this. There will be a Committee of six to discuss matters with DCC and if adopted a Committee would agree the rota for use.
It was agreed to write to Sturminster T C to express an interest in receiving further information on the S I D but also advise that Stalbridge are not interested in the Lengthsman scheme.
Clerk to write
Up-date on Library and reply to DCC letter of 01.08.07
A letter had been received from P Leivers with request that the accompanying pro forma be completed which would express the Town Council’s wishes regarding the future running of the Library. (the letter date 1st August had not been received until September) Mr T Lee had produced a draft response from the T C which is summarised as follows:-
The Town Council did not wish to take on sole responsibility for the Library building but is willing to reduce the running costs of the building by getting volunteers to do some of the work required and by obtaining sponsorship for the remainder. They would wish to purchase an additional 6.5 Librarian hours (cost £6,500 p.a.) but would hope that any savings made with regard to the cost of maintenance would be offset against the cost of the Librarian. The T C would not wish to use volunteers for the actual Librarian work but will be forming a Friends Group which would provide volunteers to carry out other work required.
It was proposed by J Cox and seconded by W Batty-Smith that Mr Lee’s proposed replies be sent. All agreed. The Chairman thanked Mr Lee for his work on the project. A public meeting will be held in the Hall on Friday 2nd November to explain to the public the position regarding the Library and publicise the need for the Friends Group.
Councillors’ reports/questions
W Batty-Smith attended at meeting at Lydlinch with representatives of Stourton Caundle and Lydlinch to discuss the Local Delivery programme with Mr S Hill of NDDC. The main point that came from the meeting was that after April 2008 there will be no obligation for various Parishes to contribute towards such things as Artsreach, CAB etc., (contributions towards such as these have come out of the lump sum paid to NDDC this year) Individual organisations that require grant aid will have to apply to each Council individually and the Council will decided themselves which, if any, they wish to support. The proposal that the TC consider not paying the second instalment due under the SLA will be on the next full Council Agenda.
With regard to Jarvis Field Play Area as a result of an inspection it was agreed that the following work be undertaken
Chain link fence on southern boundary. Repair/replace as necessary.
Kissing Gate hinges need attention
Swing Seats. Remove a.s.a.p. Order replacement seats and chains
Top Fence. Repair as necessary. Create new opening adjacent bridleway. Check re. Strainers
Clerk to arrange for the above to be carried out
The Clerk advised that she is obtaining quotes for levelling the areas under the swings and the multiplay system and turfing. This is necessary before any safety surfacing, if necessary, can be applied
Apply to Awards for All for grant towards safety surfacing
J Wardell reported on the Health Walks Training Day. 6 Leaders now qualified. Insurance will be covered by the British Heart Foundation
P Ashcroft attended the Christmas Lighting meeting. Basically the same as last year. Query raised about trimming back the trees in The Old Rectory gardens which are obscuring The Cross. The Clerk to contact NDDC Tree Officers
Clerk to contact
The road surface by the entrance to Keeper’s Cottage in Copse House Lane, still causing concern. DCC Highways have acknowledged problem and are dealing with it.
B Alexandre will contact the new Head teacher at the School to ask about TC representation on the Governors Board.
Dealing with the Inventory will be on the next Planning Meeting Agenda.
Correspondence
Letter from S Hill, NDDC re. Section 106 Projects. Shows £10,000 collected for Stalbridge Highway Schemes (from Springfields) and also a request from DCC for £8,500 of this money for scheme for which they will prepare a Plan.
NDDC Notification of appeal against Enforcement Notice by Mr R Taylor in respect of land adjacent to Priors Down
Letter from S Hill re Local Delivery detailing amount agreed in principle, that NDDC will pay as a contribution towards the Statutory Element of Street Cleansing costs.
Notification that South Somerset Local Plan has been adopted
P R Newman. Advising that he is putting together a Planning Application for development of land off Waterlake
E-mail from Joe Williams. Next meeting of Henstridge Airfield CC 5-45 p.m. 24th October
DCC copy of letter dated 1st August re. Library support (dealt with in Agenda)
NDDC Notification of application for Licence to sell alcohol from Dike & Son Ld
BDO Stoy Hayward Notification of completion of Audit
E-mail from D Ackerly DCC re FP 49 Signage is in place, barrier will be erected
E-mail from Deb McCarthy re. Funding to expand services for older people
Plus details of Dorset Age Partnership requesting someone to attend future meetings
E-mail from J Foster-Bazin NDDC re. Comparative analysis of route for sustainability projects to LAPS
NDDC re. Additional pitch requirements for Gypsies and Travellers
NDDC Revised Statement of Licensing Policy
S Hill NDDC Notification that the application for £15,000 funding from Lift SW has been successful
DCC re. Additional Street Light on footpath Boyle Close to Jarvis Way. Will be scored and if high enough will be considered along with the other seventy plus requests.
Joy Rabbetts. Request for permission to erect a Bus Stop sign by The Hall
D Fox. Update on various County wide items.
Letter from J Guest NDDC re. Town Orderlies.
Letter from Jean Lover detailing various complaints about the state of the pavements
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.15 p.m.