On Wednesday 24th September 2008 commencing 8-00 p.m.
Present Councillors B Alexandre, P Ashcroft, J Cowley, J Cox, K Garland, D Grimes, J Smith, J Wardell and G Carr-Jones, Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr D Fox, S Williams DCA and 3 residents.
To receive apologies Cllrs W Batty-Smith and R Penfold
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.
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
Parker Merchanting Grafitti remover £16.84
DCC. Print walks booklet. Grant received £2352.00
J Wardell Equipment for walks (from grant) 45.23
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by B Alexandre that the following cheques be signed
D J Hine Salary + £12.15 mileage 534.97
Stalbridge Land Settlement 1670.00
DCC 2352.00
Gillingham TC 1636.50
J Singleton 481.25
S Electric 131.71
J Wardell 45.23
BDO Stoy auditors 505.25
Parker Merchanting 16.84
The Clerk presented the Annual Return now that the audit opinion has been given and it was proposed by G Carr-Jones and seconded by D Grimes that this be approved and accepted by the Council. All agreed. The only issue arising from the audit is the matter of the Trustees of the Playing Field Trust which the Clerk is dealing with.
Proposed Youth Shelter
Letter received from residents of Stalbridge Close objecting to any proposal to site a Youth Shelter at the entrance thereto. Clerk to write and advise that this site is not being considered. S Williams, advised that the next step should be a feasibility study which should establish to actual need and also a suitable site. She will take the lead in this and will liaise with the Police and also B Alexandre and K Garland of the TC.
Clerk to write
Status of path on boundary of Jarvis Field Play Area
N Brown is concerned that this path may be lost to the public at some future date unless it is officially recognised at least as a Permissive Bridleway. After some discussion it was proposed by B Alexandre and seconded by K Garland that we apply for Bridleway status. 6 in favour. However J Wardell will research further on the matter.
Additional Burial Ground
The land is now officially owned by the Town Council. A grant may be available from Dorset Trust for Nature Conservation on production of an approved plan for hedge planting etc. The Clerk suggested that before there is any question of leasing the land to the Church it should be set out how the Council wanted it with regard to hedging etc., and then keeping it in a similar manner could be a condition of the Lease. P Ashcoft, J Cox and J Cowley will liaise to produce a plan.
Change of meeting time
The Chairman suggested that meetings should start earlier during the winter and also an approximate finishing time be specified. He therefore proposed that when the clocks change back to Greenwich Mean Time between October and March meetings should start at 7-00 p.m. and finish at 9-00 p.m. seconded by J Smith. Motion carried on a vote of 7 in favour. Clerk to put an announcement in the BV Magazine.
Clerk to action
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
J Cowley advised that the next DAPTC Northern Area meeting will be held in Stalbridge. Clerk to contact DAPTC regarding hire of hall etc.
Clerk to action
B Alexandre asked for a hard copy of the Agenda be sent to her for Stalbridge Weston Notice Board.
J Smith reported that Mrs Fritzlan of Station Road had pointed out that a notice advising of a hidden access, being the rear access to Station Road properties, on the left hand side when leaving the Car Park appears to have gone missing and asked for it to be replaced.
Clerk to report
P Ashcroft asked if some trees could be planted on the boundary of Jarvis Field Play Area. This was agreed. She also advised that she had attended a meeting in Sturminster to discuss the possibility of NORDCAT running a regular bus service on a circular route including Stalbridge to enable residents to travel to either town for shopping, appointments etc. Councillors agreed that this would be an asset.
J Wardell asked if there is a balance left from the money allocated to the Trailway, could this be used on the footpaths. It was agreed that when the balance was known this could be put on a Planning meeting Agenda.
D Grimes advised that he had some concerns regarding the refurbished toilets in that the doors of the Ladies and Disabled Toilets have a large gap at the bottom. The Town Council officially takeover the lease of the Toilets on 1st October. G Carr-Jones suggested that some sort of notice should be put in/on the Toilets.
Next Agenda
A report received that a lady with two dogs and a cat is living in a car in the Car Park.
Clerk to report to NDDC
C. Cllr D Fox reported that the Roads and Rights of Way Ctte. were minded to reject the TC request for Option 1 to be adopted with regard to parking in the High Street and he had requested further discussions, however, Councillors are adamant that their request for Option 1 should be progressed as they feel that their decision is the correct one and was arrived at in the proper manner. He also advised that a major scheme to deal with the drainage/road surface problems on Church Hill is being planned. He also suggested that a request be made for the 30 mph signs and the SIDs be moved further out of the Town.
Correspondence
Notice of meeting of Henstridge Airfield CC on Weds. 22nd October at 5.45
DCC Confirmation of Modification Order in respect of FPs 48, 54 and 55
NDDC RoSPA Inspections – Report – Put on Planning Agenda
Shani Bancroft – re. Youth Opportunity Fund
DAPTC – seeking views on Indemnifying Councillors re. Code of Conduct
NDDC Tim Bailey – Details on On-line Development control information
Environment Agency – details of Flood Wardens Seminar
DCC – Revised Library Opening hours
Minutes of DAPTC Northern Area Meeting of 10th July
DCC Tim Westwood – reply to our letters re. Highway Improvements and changes to Waiting Restrictions. Also acknowledgement of copy letter to Robert Walter and Angus Campbell
Somerset Highways – re. Henstridge Airfield, no proposals to change signage.
Petition from Stalbridge Close against Youth Shelter at entrance (see above)
Stalbridge Hall – re. Youth Shelter siting. Requesting consultation. Clerk to write and advise that no firm proposals agreed and further action to be taken (see above)
DCC – Details of Dorset Waste Forum meeting 13th October
DCC requesting grant towards cost of Dorset Youth Forum
NDDC request for up-date on progress of action on Town Plan
NDDC Developer Contribution Progress Report
Sturminster TC Invitation of Civic Reception re. Local Delivery – Where Next on Friday 24th October
DAPTC C. Exec. Circulars `11/08 and 12/08
NDDC Street Closure Order re. Late Night Opening 5th December
DCC Draft list of road maintenance schemes 2009-10
Result of 3 monthly seat inspection
Dorset CC Corporate Plan Summary