On Wednesday 19th December 2007 commencing 8-10 p.m.
Present Councillors B Alexandre, P Ashcroft, J Cowley, J Cox, K Garland
D Grimes, R Penfold J Wardell and W Batty-Smith Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance Mr T Lee
To receive apologies C Cllr D Fox, D Cllr G Carr-Jones 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.
J Cowley asked if anything had happened about re-positioning the dog bin in Park Grove. The Chairman confirmed that, as reported by the Clerk previously, it is not possible just turn round this bin. J Cowley then asked that a new bin be provided.
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by K Garland that the following expenditure be approved
Soc. Local Council Clerks £102.00
Westree. JFPA 575.75
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by R Penfold that the following cheques be signed
Soc. L C C £102.00
Westree 575.75
Stalbridge Hall (Town Plan) 30.00
Direct Office 21.95
NDDC Rent Pond Close 11.75
AKH Plumbing. The Flat 94.45
D J Hine Salary 522.82
N Brown (The Pound Wall) 5.45
Glasdon. 2 seats 579.86
Dike & Son (Refreshments Town Plan) 97.44
Up-date on The Library
Mr T Lee, Chirman of the Library Support Group, thanked the TC for the grant of £100 to the Friends of the Library to enable them to open a Bank Account. A successful public meeting was held on November attended by 65 people. The meeting gave wholehearted support to the TC’s decision in principle to pay for the 6.5 top-up hours from the precept. It was agreed to establish the Friends of Stalbridge Library and a Committee was formed, however, it was also agreed not to actively seek members until summer 2008 when there would be something worthwhile to do. The Friends Committee held their first meeting on 22nd November at which it was decided that membership would commence from the 1st July and membership forms would go out to those who had registered an interest. A draft Constitution was agreed which would go forward to the AGM. Junior members will be represented by the new Headmaster of the Primary School. A leaflet will be distributed by the Scouts telling people about the Library and the Friends. Membership rates will be £8/£5/free. The next meeting will be on 6th March 2008. It would appear that the TC may only have to pay for the additional hours for six months in 2008.
The DCC put a questionnaire in the Library about opening hours with a closing date of 8th December although we had received a letter on 22nd November advising that the library hours would not change. Letter from P Leivers of DCC stating that RFID/self service is crucial for the volunteer system to work at a cost of £1.7m. A meeting of the Forum on 1st December agreed to send a letter to P Leivers, Councillors, Officers and MPs voicing total opposition to this, however as we are not using volunteers as Librarians it may not affect Stalbridge directly.
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
R Penfold reported that he had attended the Sturminster Newton Youth Centre AGM at which it was announced that Tony Baverstock, the Area Youth Worker is retiring.
J Cowley asked if there is any further new regarding Developer Contributions. The Chairman advised that he is still negotiating with NDDC on the grounds that Stalbridge is independent of Sturminster Newton. J Cowley also pointed out that the Ivy has not yet been removed from the Bier House.
Clerk to progress
K Garland asked if there had been any progress regarding the naming of the road on the new development off Barrow Hill as Ham Stone Court is not appropriate and the Town Council had suggested Baker’s Field. (Clerk’s note. Since the meeting an e-mail received from Bellway Homes asking for confirmation from the TC that Baker’s Field is the preferred name for the road. A confirming e-mail has been sent)
When asked, the Clerk advised that at present she had been unable to obtain the signs indicating the Dog Walking Area from the supplier of the other signs. She will endeavour to find another supplier.
J Wardell asked the Chairman if any of the cost of the sailing competitions for the Olympic Games which will be held in Weymouth, is likely to fall on the Council Tax payers in Dorset. He replied that such costs will be borne by the Government direct rather than the County. She also reported that the Health walks are going very well and that the design and content of the booklets is in progress.
J Cowley advised that he thought the conduct of the site meeting regarding the development in Gold Street had been very good.
Correspondence
South Somerset DC Letter re. Local Action for Rural Communities
John Foster-Pegg. Letter requesting Grant for Churchyard maintenance
Sturquest. Invitation to a Reception on 24th January in The Exchange
NDDC Copy of Press Release re. Gillingham & Sturminster Leisure Centres
Sturminster TC Request for contribution towards provision of public toilets in Sturminster and support for Leisure Centre, SIDs and CAB. It was agreed to point out that Stalbridge had its own toilets to deal with, that we supported the CAB by providing premises for them in Stalbridge and that we had already agreed in principle to joining with other parishes in supporting the provision of a SID for use by the parishes in turn, however, the TC felt unable to provide financial support for the Sturminster Newton Leisure Centre.
Clerk to write
Spectrum Housing Group re. proposed footpath from Pound Close. It was agreed to send an acknowledgement of the letter but advise that we are at present making further enquiries regarding the neighbouring land.
Clerk to write
Planning Inspectorate further paperwork re. FP 4
NDDC Details of refurbishment of Public Toilets. Write and point out that the requested “time locks” have not been included.
Clerk to write
E Mail from Andrew Perry re. Common Purpose. Reply to the effect that no-one has heard of Common Purpose
Minutes of DAPTC N Area meeting 22nd November
Letter R Walter MP congratulations on Big Lottery Fund Grant for Health Walks booklet
Minutes of HACC meeting
NDDC Enforcement re. Middle Farm S.Weston. Confirming what had previously been advised by the Chairman, that the two mobile homes on the site were being used by the one family, and that the permission for the mobile home was due for renewal shortly and the matter would be addressed at that time.
Estimate to repair Pump on The Ring. It was agreed to ask for more details of the work included in the quotation
Clerk to obtain
The Clerk reminded all present of the meeting on the 2nd January to set the Precept.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-20 p.m.