On Wednesday 4th June 2008 commencing 7-30 p.m.
Present Councillors B Alexandre W Batty-Smith, J Cowley, D Grimes, R Penfold, J Wardell and G Carr-Jones Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr D Fox, N Brown Foothpath Officer and 5 young residents
To receive apologies Cllrs P Ashcroft, J Cox, K Garland 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 enquired as to what had happened about the figure and signs outside the Charity Shop in Station Road which are possibly causing an obstruction. The Clerk said she had checked and there was room to get a mobility scooter passed the items on the pavement. J Cowley then proposed that a letter be sent to DCC reporting obstructions on the pavement however no-one seconded the proposal.
Before the next item on the Agenda, the Chairman explained that the young residents had come to the meeting with a request that the Town Council assist towards the provision of a Youth Shelter somewhere in the Town.
The young people explained that as the Youth Club is open only one night a week and not during the school holidays they have nowhere to go to just meet and chat. They suggested it could be placed perhaps on the land adjacent the Library, an area below the Stalbridge Arms or Jarvis Field. They would be very willing to help raise funds and build the shelter which would give them an interest and also very good reasons for looking after the shelter rather than allowing it to be vandalised. It was suggested that they get details of shelters in neighbouring Towns/Villages so that costs could be obtained. The Police are apparently in favour of these shelters. It was agreed that the matter would be put on the Agenda of the next Planning meeting. The Chairman said he would try and get a representative from the Police to attend.
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by D Grimes that the following expenditure be approved
St Mary’s Church Churchyard Grant £3,500.00
Wincanton Print (From Town Plan Grant) 789.00
John Foster-Pegg purchase of additional land 175.00
(Vendors Surveyor’s disbursements)
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by D Grimes that the following cheques be signed
John Foster-Pegg Purchase of additional land
Cheque signed between meetings £5,000.00
St Mary’s Church Churchyard Grant £3,500.00
Wincanton Print (From Town Plan Grant) 789.00
John Foster-Pegg purchase of additional land 175.00
(Vendors Surveyor’s disbursements)
D J Hine Salary 522.82
John Singleton JFPA mowing 481.25
Stalbridge Hall 15.00
British Telecom 149.60
Possible purchase of land to extend Trailway
N Brown reported that the Trailway extension to Shillingstone has now been opened. It is hoped to extend the Trailway in Stalbridge in both directions, (towards Henstridge and Sturminster) however, if the landowners are willing to part with the land someone to officially buy it is required and the Town Council would seem the obvious choice. There would be little cost to the Council as grants are available for the purchase and legal costs although these could be part of the Town Council’s contribution. As it would be classed as a public bridleway the Insurance would be covered by the County Council. With regard to maintenance, the County would be responsible for the surface but the Town Council would be responsible for side growth, however it is established practice that Trailway maintenance is carried out by the Countryside Rangers using volunteers and contractors. It was agreed that he could report back that there is definite support from the Town Council
Jarvis Field Play Area Fence
After some discussion it was proposed by J Cowley and seconded by W Batty-Smith that gates should be fitted each end of the proposed new piece of fence. Agreed. The Clerk will obtain a further fully detailed quote including an exact specification of the fencing.
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
D Grimes reported that the grass etc., is very long at the Thornhill junction causing problems for motorists. To be reported to Clarence
J Wardell asked what action would be taken with regard to the proposals put forward by the public in the Town Plan. D Fox suggest that contact be made with the new Dorset Community Action worker when she is in place.
R Penfold pointed out that one of the Stalbridge Close nameplates is in a poor state. Report to NDDC
B Alexandre asked if any further information had been obtained with regard to the School Governors meetings. The Clerk advised that she had spoken to the Chairman of the Governors who had confirmed that there was really no point in sending a representative to the meetings as they cannot take any part or report back to the Council however the School is quite happy to take part in projects suggested by the Council and also will contact the Council for assistance when required.
J Cowley referred again to the RSS and requested further information. It was agreed to contact the Leader of the NDDC Cllr Peter Webb and ask him to attend a Planning Meeting to discuss this especially in regard to housing development in the area. He also reported that the pavement retaining wall by the dog bin in Park Grove had still not been repaired. (Clerk’s note: Spoke to Clarence on 13.06.08 The matter has been referred to John Staddon under ref.no.271616)
W Batty-Smith asked for a query to be raised with Bellway Homes as to why they are still referring to the development off Barrow Hill as Hamstone Court when the address is Baker’s Field. He also reported that NDDC had eventually been able to access Halletts Farm and that as a result the request for a Certificate of Lawfulness had been refused and 4 Planning Enforcement Notices issued. Also with regard to the apparently blocked drains and damage to the road surface on Church Hill, this has been reported in writing to DCC and also in person to Mr S Savage.
Correspondence
DAPTC C Exec Circular 06/08 including details of Seminars for new Chairmen and new Councillors.
Review of Dorset Municipal Waste Strategy Leaflet
Shaftesbury & District Chamber of Commerce. Meeting re. Parking 5th June
Alan Packham. Request for link an external link from our web pages
DAPTC Town & Larger Councils meeting 6th June, Dorchester
W Summers. Further e-mail re. Allotments. No action to be taken.
Dorset Waste Forum. Next meeting 20th June
N D CAB Annual Meeting 5th June, Sturminster Newton
NDDC Notice to inform that complaints about Councillors conduct will have to be made directly to the NDDC instead of the Standards Board.
Notification that the propose closure of the A357 will not now take place
Sth Som. PA 1618 extend aircraft hangar. Granted
Sth. Som. Mike Allen. Explanation as to why they did not proceed with Local Action Bid
DCC Engineering. Re. Closure of Bagber Bridge. Reply to our letter advising that this work will not be carried out at the same time as work on A357 (A357 work now cancelled)
Dorset Age Partnership. Meeting 18th June in Stratton
Dorset POPP Conference 14th July in Dorchester
Memo from The Clerk re. Water Meters. Agreed to get quote for extending pipes to enable meters to be fitted. There is no charge from W.Water for fitting meters.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-20 p.m.