On Wednesday 4th March 2009 commencing 7-00 p.m.
Present Councillors B Alexandre, P Ashcroft, J Cowley, J Cox, K Garland D Grimes,R Penfold, J Wardell and G Carr-Jones, Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)
In attendance C Cllr D Fox and 4 electors
To receive apologies W Batty-Smith and J Smith
Declarations of Interest None
Confirm minutes of last meeting and decisions of NDDC Planning Cttee
The minutes of the Planning Cttee meeting held on 4th February were approved and signed by the Chairman at the last TC meeting
Decisions of NDDC Planning Committee
No. 1162 9 Meadow Close. Erect extension. Granted
No. 1142 Thornhill Farm. Erect milking facility Granted
No. 0003 Milestones. Re-roof garage etc. Granted
Street Lighting Consultation – Mr D Mumford SEC
MR Mumford explained that S E C have been awarded a 25 year contract to maintain and renew the street lighting over the whole of Dorset with the exception of Bournemouth and Poole. Within the first 5 years of the contract 80% of the lighting will be changed. The equipment being considered to be unsafe or not up to standard (BS5489) This will cost in the region of £45m. The second phase of the contract will replace the lighting that is considered adequate at the present but will be out of date by 2031.
The important effect of the new lighting will be reduce “skyglow”. The current lighting allows 35% of the light to go straight up. The new lights will have zero upward light. They are also charged with reducing the DCC Energy Bill by 17% (at present approx. cost is £3m p.a.) The present light bulbs are 70-100watts the new will be 30watts.
Stalbridge are scheduled to have the lights replaced during July 2009. There will be no road closures but work on the High Street will only be permitted between 9-30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The rest of Stalbridge will be 7-30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents will be advised some 7-10 days beforehand. Where there is at present ornate lighting e.g. Gold Street, this will be replaced with similar. The T.C. can also request ornate lighting elsewhere but this will cost in the region of £1,250 for each light.
The Chaiman thanked Mr Mumford for coming. It was agreed to place Street Lighting on the next Agenda.
Churchyard extension grant
The Clerk advised that the existing hedge between the churchyard and the new land is unsuitable for “laying” it just needs to be kept cut back. It was agreed that the Clerk should send for an application form for a Biodiversity Grant in respect of planting the new hedge and some of the other work required.
Dedication of Footpath
With regard to the footway from Jarvis Way to the Bridleway and Trailway, which is over TC land, it was agreed that we should request that it be dedicated as a footpath with permissive bridleway/cycleway rights.
Stalbridge Hall – general discussion
As a result of some problems with reckless driving outside the Hall whilst it was being used for a private function, the Chairman asked the Hall Secretary why the speed humps had been removed from the drive. It was explained that they caused problems with retaining water on the higher side, which then damaged the tarmac. It was agreed that “gatecrashers” could cause problems at some events but that if such problems occurred the police should be notified.
Sign cheques
It was proposed by J Cox and seconded by B Alexandre that the following cheques be signed.
Telegraph Garden Bulbs for Churchyard £36.45
B Telecom 159.89
R Sharp NDDC Grass £310.00
Hedge 100.00
Remove tree on Ring 420.00
Gros. Rd Play Area Hedge NDDC 150.00
Other business
Mr T Stroud and Mrs V Mowlem queried why FP1 (Grosvenor Road to Wood Lane) had been “hard surfaced” with very little consultation with the landowner. J Wardell (FP Officer) explained that some 2 years ago a request had been made for something to be done to this path as it got very wet and muddy and therefore dangerous to the public. It would appear that there had been some break down in the liaison between the Rights of Way team and the landowner and it was agreed to write to the DCC and point this out.
The Clerk advised that she had been asked by the NHS Breast Cancer Screening section for permission to park their vehicle in the Station Road Car Park from 4th April to 20th June but she had suggested to them that they check the area before making final arrangements in case the access to the new development made any difference to where they were able to park. It was agreed that if this was satisfactory, there would be no objections to the vehicle being there.
The Clerk also reported that there had been several instances of vandalism to the Jubilee Play Area in the Park and that as a result the sign had been removed for the time being. Suggestions as to where this could be erected safely were requested. The police have been requested to check the area regularly.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9-05 p.m.