On Wednesday 30th July 2008 commencing 7-30 p.m.
Present Councillors B Alexandre, P Ashcroft, W Batty-Smith, J Cowley, J Cox,
K Garland, D Grimes, R Penfold, J Smith, J Wardell and
G Carr-Jones, Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance PCSO James and 3 members of the public
To receive apologies C Cllr D Fox
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. It was pointed out that the name of the BMV Magazine reporter is V McManus not Manners.
Arising
Repair of pavement retaining wall in Park Grove to be progressed. Clerk
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by B Alexandre and seconded by D Grimes that the following expenditure be approved
NDDC Planning Application fee re:
Change of Use for Allotments £167.50
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 Part salary for August £261.41
Post 41.86 £303.27
R Sharp Springfields Hedge £290.00
NDDC grass 395.00
Ring/Pound 130.60 815.60
Gillingham Town Council 1,636.50
B Telecom 158.62
J Singleton 481.25
B Gas 43.08
C Willis (Town Plan) 15.00
Cheque for NDDC Planning Application signed between
Meetings as a matter or urgency 167.50
Youth Shelter
K Garland produced a list of the possible sites together with notes regarding the suitability or otherwise. From this it was deduced that the two most likely sites are The Pound and on the Hall site. The Chairman asked for comments from each Councillor from which it appeared that The Pound was most popular. J Cox asked that it be recorded that she was against any form of Youth Shelter. J Cowley felt that, although he was in favour in principal, none of the proposed sites were suitable. Mr P Prill commented that he felt that The Pound was not suitable as there was not sufficient area surrounding it for the young people to do other things in addition to just sitting down. The Clerk advised that although the Town Council owned the whole of the Hall site, she was not certain how much of it was actually leased to the Hall Trust. J Smith then proposed and B Alexandre seconded that the Youth Shelter be placed on the Hall land W Batty-Smith then proposed and D Grimes seconded an amendment that the Youth Shelter be placed on The Pound. The amendment was voted on with the result of 3 in favour, 5 against with 3 abstentions. The original proposed was voted on with the result of 5 in favour, 3 against and 3 abstentions. It was therefore decided to go ahead with producing plans of the proposal although The Hall Committee will have to be consulted.
Place on next Agenda
Jarvis Field Play Area
A further quotation for the fence had been received from Stag Fencing of Dorchester which was only slightly different from the quote from Westree Company. It was therefore agreed to award the contract to Westree but that before any work commences they must liaise with Cllrs W Batty-Smith and J Cowley to ensure everyone is happy with what is to be done. A leaflet had been received via NDDC regarding grants for Community Open Spaces, J Wardell will check the details on the website.
Place on next Agenda
Additional burial ground
The purchase of the additional land has now been completed and the Clerk pointed out that as part of the purchase conditions the fence must be put in place soon. It was agreed to award the contract to Westree Company as per their quotation. Dorset Wildlife Trust may be able to award a grant towards some of the work but a plan with regard to the hedging and possible planting of wildflowers etc., must be produced and agreed with them in the first place.
Place on next Agenda
Revised High Street Parking Restrictions
A further plan received showing double yellow lines on Post Office corner and on the eastern side of the High Street from Duck Lane to Station Road. There was also a further plan showing additional dropped kerbs with coloured tarmac showing the crossing pointsand the proposal to provide a new Bus Shelter. However Councillors felt that all the matters had been discussed previously and that their original decision to request Option 1 be adopted still stood together with their comments regarding the coloured tarmac crossing points. It was therefore decided to write to the DCC C. Exec with a copy to The Leader of the Council and the local MP expressing the Councillors disgust that their democratically agreed proposal had been ignored
Clerk to write
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
D Grimes asked if the visibility splay at then junction of Jarvis Way with Lower Road could be altered as lorries are constantly driving over the grass.
J Wardell pointed out that there did not appear to have been any action with regard to the lorries etc. on the land at the edge of Priors Down wood. She was advised that the time limit imposed by the Enforcement Officer had not yet expired She also asked that a letter be sent to Gillingham TC expressing the fact that the street cleaner is doing a very good job and there have been several comments from both Traders and residents to this effect.
Clerk to write
P Ashcroft asked about who to contact regarding possible allotments. She was advised to contact Mrs D Paulley, Secretary to the Allotment Society. She had also received a request that the 30 m.p.h. sign in Station Road be moved further out towards Marnhull beyond Shipney Lane.
B Alexandre thanked the Clerk for the training session regarding the accounts procedure which she found most helpful.
K Garland queried why the light was on permanently in the office window as she felt the TC should be setting a good example regarding saving electricity. It was pointed out that this is for security reasons.
J Cowley advised that at the recent DAPTC meeting the Regional Spatial Strategy Consultation Period had been spoken about by Trevor Warwick of NDDC
J Cox queried the fact that Bellway Homes are still referring to the site off Barrow Hill as Hamstone Court. The Clerk advised that this is the name of the development only and that Bellway are well aware that the addresses will be Baker’s Field.
W Batty-Smith advised that Dorset Healthcare Trust had come third nationwide with regard to the way they treat people with disabilities. He also advised that the application for a Wind Farm at
Correspondence
NDDC re. North Dorset draft Homelessness Strategy
Friends of Stalbridge Library Copy of Newsletter No.1
DAPTC Circulars 08/09/10
NDDC M Brownbridge. Response to Town Plan
Sth Som D C re. Henstridge Airfield Master Plan draft 106 Agreement
DCC re. FPs 48,54 and 55 asking if we wish to maintain our objection. No, can be withdrawn
Postwatch re Dorset P O Closures
Sturminster TC asking for confirmation that Stalbridge wish to be part of the provision of SIDs scheme. Reply yes.
John Foster-Pegg Title information document re. graveyard extension
NDDC S Hill Leaflet re Community Spaces funding. J Wardell will investigate on web site
I Robson re. trees to the rear of his property
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10 p.m.