On Wednesday 16th January 2008 commencing 7-30 p.m.
Present Councillors B Alexandre, P Ashcroft, J Cowley, J Cox, K Garland, R Penfold,
J Smith, J Wardell and W Batty-Smith Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance D Cllr G Carr-Jones
To receive apologies C Cllr D Fox and Cllr D Grimes
Declarations of Interest None
Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the meetings held on 19th December and 2nd January, together with the Planning Meeting of 19th December, having previously been circulated to Councillors were approved and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by J Wardell and seconded by J Cowley that the following expenditure be approved
Ashwell Landscape £690.00
N Smith The Ring 257.94
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by B Alexandre and seconded by J Wardell that the following cheques be signed
D J Hine Salary £522.82
S Electric 67.54
Direct Office 11.74
Playing Field Trust (mowing Play Area) 250.00
T R Lee (replacement cheque) 20.00
Ashwell Landscape 690.00
B Telecom 158.62
Williams Nursery 6.00
N Smith 257.94
British Gas 260.48
Award Contract for Toilet and Street Cleansing
As part of the Local Delivery programme Stalbridge have provisionally agreed to take responsibility for the cleaning of the Public Toilet in Station Road Car Park and the pavement cleansing. However, some Councillors were surprised to learn that the District Council are proposing to lease the Toilet to the Town Council. Queries were raised with regard to the cost of the Rates and the Insurance of the actual building and also in respect of a couple of items on the Service Level Agreement. A meeting will take place on Thursday 31st January in the TC Office with Mr S Hill of NDDC and their legal representative and the Chairman and Clerk of the Council together with our legal representative and two Councillors. The queries raised will be taken to this meeting. It was agreed that next Planning Meeting, scheduled for Wednesday 30th January, would be postponed to Thursday 31st, in order that a final decision regarding awarding the contract can be made after the meeting with NDDC
Award contract for mowing Jarvis Field Play Area
The Clerk having obtained 3 quotations for this work, from Julian Shave Landscaping, Mr R Sharp and Mr J Singleton, it was proposed by J Cox and seconded by B Alexandre to award the contract to Mr Singleton in the sum of £1,925.00 All agreed.
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
With regard to the planning application recently received (too late for the meeting) in respect of a proposed development on land off the Car Park, the Chairman advised that the land still belonged to the District Council rather than Signpost who have made the application. He also advised that this would be a suitable application for the Town Council to request that it be considered by the full District Council Committee at the appropriate time.
The Chairman also advised that he and D Cllr G Carr-Jones would be attending a “cross-border” meeting with various representatives of NDDC and of South Somerset DC and Henstridge PC with regard to various proposals.
P Ashcroft asked that Mr Williams be reminded about replacing the tree on the Ring.
Clerk to contact
B Alexandre reported that Stalbridge Weston residents had been disturbed by HGVs accessing the Poultry Farm between midnight and 4 a.m. approx. over the Christmas period during which they also damaged the pavement retaining wall on the corner. It was agreed that she would forward full details to the Clerk who will take the matter up with DCC
K Garland asked if a new PCSO had been appointed. The new PCSO is Kate James.
J Cowley pointed out that the stonework on The Ring had not yet been repaired.
Clerk to progress
R Penfold reported that he had attended the Christmas Civic Service in Blandford which was most enjoyable.
Correspondence
E-Mail from T Long DCC re. Library Service – Relationship with Friends
E-mail from E Garnham. Re. Local Delivery. Requesting update report
E-Mail from D McCarthy. Next meeting of DAP 30th Jan. 10.15 a.m. Gillingham Fire Station
DCC Engineering. Draft programme for structural maintenance 2008-9
E-mail from E Garnham. Meeting re Toilets & Cleaning Thurs 31.1.08 10-30 a.m. Stalbridge
E-mail from Playworld – Replacement panel will cost £176 plus VAT. It was agreed to obtain this
Weldmar Hospice. Snowdrop Service Sunday 10th February 3-00 p.m.
NDDC re. Toilets. Confirming time locks will be fitted. Work to be done in June
E-mail from D Fox re. Sturminster Newton Leisure Centre
John Foster-Pegg. Comments on lease and agreement re. Toilets
E-mail from Davitt Jones Bould, Solicitors. Draft S L A re. Street Cleansing
E-mail from Hugh DeIongh with details of grant sources
Planning Inspectorate. Further details re. FP4
E-mail from Hugh De Iongh re. Local action in rural communities
E-mail from Bellway Homes re naming of street on new development. They will be passing on the Town Council’s suggestion of Baker’s Field for the street name to NDDC
DAPTC Chief Exec circular 14/07
Planning Policy NDDC re. Identification of new sites for housing
NDDC Invite to Mythodrama Development Event at Bryanston School on 18th February re. Creating sustainable communities with as you like it
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-05 p.m.