On Wednesday 21st January 2009 commencing 7-15 p.m.
Present Councillors P Ashcroft, W Batty-Smith, J Cowley, J Cox, K Garland
D Grimes, J Wardell and G Carr-Jones, Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr D Fox part way through the meeting.
To receive apologies Cllrs. B Alexandre, R Penfold 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.
Re. Retaining wall by Dog Bin in Park Grove. As nothing has been done J Cowley asked that a letter be sent to DCC Chief Executive with a copy of the correspondence, copy to be sent to C Cllr D Fox (see further comments later) Agreed.
Clerk to write
Re. Missing Post Box, Thornhill (Stalbridge Common) Clerk to check with the Post Office regarding replacement
Clerk to check
Re. Hole in road, top of Copse House Hill. Letter to be sent to A Ackerman, DCC
Clerk to write
Proposed Expenditure
In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by J Cox that the following expenditure be approved
Stalbridge Youth Club £500.00
Playing Fields,Mowing Play Area 300.00
Sign Cheques
In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by J Cox that the following cheques be signed
S Electric (signed on 7th Jan) £218.32
Gillingham TC 3,273.00
D J Hine 535.64
Direct Office 123.46
Youth Club 500.00
Playing Fields 300.00
B Gas 201.29
B Telecom 155.25
Make Precept
The Clerk confirmed that there is still a balance of some £1,000 from the amount put aside for the Trailway, the reason for the confusion is that this balance and the Awards for All grant had been held over from previous years. The “Health Walks” finance had been put under “footpaths” as there was nowhere else to record it. The Clerk will adjust the “balance” figures at the end of March.
J Cowley queried whether or not further quotes should be obtained with regard to the maintenance contract as the amount spent on maintenance is over £1,000. However, it is difficult to estimate how much is likely to be spent on this apart from the periodic inspections (Clerk’s note; which amount to £725). It was agreed to leave this in abeyance for the time being.
It was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by D Grimes that the Precept for 2009-10 be £67,000. All agreed
Future of Bier House
J Smith is arranging for the rubbish to be cleared and it was agreed that the Bier House will be left as it is and used as storage for any Town Council items for the foreseeable future.
Condition of “Snapshot of Stalbridge” books
Concern had been expressed that the books had been removed from the display cabinet and placed on the shelves in the Library, this has resulted in some damage to the books. It was agreed that K Garland would liaise with the Librarian as to how the books should be protected.
Councillors’ Reports/Questions
W Batty-Smith advised that the planning dispute in respect of Hallett’s Farm is going to an Enquiry and that he has offered to speak at this, if required.
J Cox advised that the Jarvis Field Fence has now been completed together with the Churchyard extension fence.
J Cowley queried the “correct procedure for reporting highway problems” as produced by the Clerk at the last meeting. During the discussion which followed, which included C Cllr D Fox, it appeared that the trouble is that having reported the problem in the correct manner, there is no system in place for the Highways Dept. to advise the “reportee” what is going to happen about the problem or what status of emergency it is classed as. D Fox advised that he is visiting the area with one of the DCC Highways’ staff on Friday and he was given the list of items reported which he will have a look at.
P Ashcroft reported that someone had complained that they could not understand some of the wording of the minutes.
J Wardell asked that a letter be sent to the Rights of Way Officer requesting that the pathway from Jarvis Way to the Bridleway which runs along the north side of Jarvis Field Play Area, the land belongs to the Town Council, is declared a Public Bridleway. This will not cost the T C anything but a contribution towards the Department’s expenses with regard to adverts etc., would be appreciated. This was agreed.
Clerk to write
The Clerk advised, with regard to the water supply to the Allotment Gardens, that all the Water Board had to do was connect the supply, a new Water Main is not required. Their quote for this is £380.65. Two quotes for laying the pipe to the Allotment Gardens have been requested by the Clerk. Hopefully this will prove to be cheaper than anticipated.
With regard to the two applications to fell trees at The Cottage, Church Hill, there is no problem with felling the Pine Tree, but the other is an Ash tree which is very close the J Smith’s property. The Clerk will check with him as to what he feels about the proposal.
J Cowley reported that the cover and frame on the water hydrant on the edge of The Ring had been removed and subsequently replaced by J Smith. Clerk to report
(Clerk’s note. Reported to Wessex Water on 22.01.09. Tel. No. 08456004600. The site will be visited within 5 working days. Reported to Claudine ref. No. 12922764001)
Correspondence
Partnership Security. Service and Maintenance Contract. It was agreed to accept the offer of this contract.
NDDC. Scrutiny Officer. Details of Budget Scrutiny Meeting. Letter passed to J Smith, who had attended the previous meeting.
DAPTC C. Exec. Circular 01/09
Life Education Dorset. Request for Grant
Details of CPEND Community Project Grants. Send to Mrs J Strowger re. JFPA refurbishment.
Matt Mellor Employer and Community Engagement Officer re. Possible Courses in Stalbridge. Pass to the Stalbridge Hall Committee.
Westree Company. Copy of their letter to Tree Officer NDDC, complaining about lack of action from the department.
A Archibald. Details of Workshops on Ageing Well in Dorset
DAPTC Minutes of Northern Area Meeting held 27th Nov. 2008
Mr D Knight. Further letter re. siting of Re-Cycling Bins advising that he is dealing direct with NDDC
DCC Highways, Draft Structural Maintenance Programme 2009-10
DCC Audit & Scrutiny committee Annual Report
Local Council review January
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8-35 p.m.