Present Councillors P Ashcroft, W Batty-Smith, J Cowley, J Cox, D Grimes, J O’Hare
D Neal, R Penfold and I W A Semple Chairman, D J Hine (Clerk)

In attendance No members of the public present

To receive apologies C Cllr D Fox, D Cllr G Carr-Jones and Cllr D Short

The Chairman advised that J Oliver has resigned.

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.

OPEN FORUM No comments

Proposed Expenditure

In accordance with S O No. 40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by W Batty-Smith that the following expenditure be approved

Youth & Community Project, payment of Architects fees from £17,234.76 in the Budget

P Proctor Associates £14,281.78
Stalbridge Playing Fields Grant 2005/6 2,200.00
New Computer for Community Office 944.00 (excl VAT)
(£2,000 in Budget for IT plus £250 grant
Received by C O from Signpost)
Trafalgar Anniversary – budget figure 300.00
Town Plan temporary amount to be repaid from
Grant 300.00

The provision of the new computer was discussed and it was agreed to purchase from 4 Counties for £994 plus VAT. The order will now be placed

Sign Cheques

In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by W Batty-Smith and seconded by J Cowley that the following cheques be signed

Pond Close Mowing £200.00
R Sharp The Ring 60.00

The above two cheques signed at Planning Meeting on 7th September

P Proctor Associates £14,281.78
Stalbridge Playing fields 2,200.00
D J Hine Salary 479.98
Blackmore Vale Forge (PF Grant) 380.70
S & A Builders Inspections 211.50
B V M Pubs 15.31
John Singleton JFPA 437.50
R Sharp NDDC grass 260.00
R Sharp The Ring 60.00

Approval of Annual Return

The Auditors having completed the Audit for 2004/2005 with no comments, it was proposed by J Cox and seconded by W Batty-Smith that the Annual Return be approved. All agreed. The notice of conclusion of Audit can now be posted.

Management of TC Web Site

The Town Council web site will need up-dating and managing in the future and as this is a specialised job that takes time it was agreed to ask Mr M James to do this work on an official basis. He has provided details of the costs involved. It was proposed by J Cox and seconded by W Batty-Smith that Mr James be asked to carry out this work. All agreed. The Chairman will contact him.
Chairman to contact

Trafalgar 200th Anniversary celebrations

It was agreed that these would, on Friday 21st October, take the form of

A short service on The Ring (Rev. Ridding to be contacted) The Church Bells will be rung, followed by the firing of a Rocket to indicate time to light the beacon in Mr Stroud’s field/Wood Lane. Music and a buffet will then be provided at the Royal British Legion Club, Barrow Hill. D Neal will contact Mr Stroud, Mr L Tanner (RBL) will obtain a Rocket, Clerk/Chairman to contact R Dare re. the Beacon.

Production of Newsletter

D Neal produced two separate items, one re. the Town Plan and one re. Henstridge Airfield Master Plan and the Chairman produced a sample format. No other councillors provided any items. It was decided to endeavour to produce a Newsletter in November 2005.

Councillors’ Reports/Questions

J Cowley advised that he had met with Mr S Howard of DCC Highways and C Cllr David Fox on site on Tuesday morning and explained the situation regarding lack of visibility, they also visited the junction of Copse House Lane and Stourton Caundle Road (Weston Doors) which has an iron fence that is now overgrown with hedge which makes visibility difficult. D Grimes advised that the hedge at Bagber Crossroads has now been severely cut back.

R Penfold advised that there seemed to be some disagreement over whether the NORDCAT bus (with which he is involved) has any effect on the viability of the Commercial Bus Route through Stalbridge. He also reported indiscrimate parking on the tee junction in Grosvenor Road which is making access to part of the road difficult. A request to be made for the local police officer to have a look at the situation.

D Neal reported on attending the Henstridge Airfield Masterplan meeting. There is to be working party formed consisting of DC Highways, Somerset CC, South Somerset District, North Dorset District with one representative for Stalbridge and Marnhull. W Batty-Smith advised that Mr N Fagan will be representing NDDC with himself as deputy. It was therefore proposed by D Grimes and seconded by J O’Hare that W Batty-Smith be the Stalbridge/Marnhull rep. on the Working Party. All agreed.

As J Oliver has resigned D Grimes agreed to be the other TC representative on the Town Plan Steering Group. It was agreed that D Neal’s article for the Newsletter re. Town Plan would be sent to the BV Mag. as a press release.
Clerk to write

P Ashcroft advised that she had attended a Governors’ meeting but there is very little to report with regard the proposed new school. She also pointed out that various display items outside shops in the High Street appeared to be encroaching on the highway. To be reported to local police officer.

It was agreed to write a further letter regarding the pedestrian crossing.

With regard to the request for yellow lines in Duck Lane, letter to go to Mr S Howard confirming telephone conversation between the Clerk and his department.
Clerk to write

The Chairman produced the final Inventory with details of works required and it was agreed to ask our Maintenance Dept. to carry this out. Jarvis Field Play Area fence to be inspected by Planning Committee at next site meeting to agree amount of work required.

Correspondence

NDDC Best Value Performance Plan

Sth Som. D C PA Consultation. 02216/FUL Henstridge Airfield. Erection of earth screening bank.

Regional Spatial Strategy Update

NDDC Shaping the Future of North Dorset

Sth Som. D C Notification of Planning Appeal re. erection of 3 factory units Henstridge Airfield on 11th October.

DCC Notification of Road Closure at Cale Bridge

NDDC Stephen Hill. A schedule of open space areas on new developments is being prepared in order to try and alleviate problems over who is responsible for maintenance

Mrs S Taylor. Further letter regarding the Dike & Son Development already replied to.

DCC Notification that the road closure of Gold Street is being extended

Dorset Youth Association. Survey of Youth Provision

DAPTC Notification of AGM of North Dorset Area on 21st Sept. Apologies sent

DCC Notification that Highways have no objection to floodlighting The Cross but enclosing application for a section 50 licence regarding highway work. Passed to J Else

Sth Som D C Notes of meeting held re. Henstridge Airfield Master Plan

DCC E Mail re. Waste & Composting

DCC Rural Services Survey. Clerk will complete

DCC re. Visibility at Bagber X Roads. At present no plans to do anything except check whether hedge needs trimming

DCC E-mail notifying opening of Gibbs Marsh Depot will take place on 27th October. Letter to ask if Stalbridge TC is going to be invited.
Clerk to write