Present Councillors P Ashcroft, W Batty-Smith, J Cowley, J Cox, R Penfold, J Smith, S Waite and J Wardell, D J Hine (Clerk)

In attendance Three members of the public

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

To elect Chairman and Vice-Chairman

J Cowley proposed and J Wardell seconded that W Batty-Smith be elected Chairman Carried unanimously

J Cowley proposed and J ~Cox seconded that R Penfold be elected Vice-Chairman. Carried unanimously

Co-option of Councillors to fill vacancies.

It was proposed by P Ashcroft and seconded by J Cowley that B Booth and D Grimes be co-opted on to the Council. Carried Unanimously

Councillors signed their Declarations of Acceptance of Office

Declarations of Interest

W Batty-smith advised that the criteria in this regard has now be changed and that in future if he is a member of the NDDC Planning Committee he will still be able carry out the normal duties of a Town Councillor and Chairman of the T C at T C Planning Meetings

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 J Cox and seconded by J Cowley that the following expenditure be approved

DAPTC £495.66
N Dorset CAB (2 years) 300.00

Sign Cheques

In accordance with S O No.40 it was proposed by D Grimes and seconded by J Cox that the following cheques be signed

D J Hine Salary £494.10
St Mary’s Church C.Yard Grant 3,500.00
Allianz & Cornhill 2320.24
DAPTC 495.66
Stalbridge Hall 15.00
Direct Office 34.05
Ray Sharp The Ring/Pound £128.00
NDDC 386.40 514.40
S & A Builders Inspections etc 239.70
N Dorset CAB 300.00

B Gas 72.07 ) Signed prior to
B Telecom 158.62 ) meeting

Please note Public Works Loan Board payment made £6,817.05

The Clerk presented the Receipts & Payments Account for the year ending 31st March 2007 together with the comparison of expenditure to budget for the year and details of the allocation of the amounts carried forward to the present year. The Clerk suggested that a training evening for all interested Councillors be held to explain in detail how the figures are calculated. Agreed to be arranged

To elect Planning & G P Committee

The TC Chairman and Vice-Chairman are automatically members of this Committee. The following Cllrs were duly elected to this Committee.

J Cox proposed J Cowley, seconded D Grimes
J Cowley proposed J Cox seconded J Wardell
J Wardell proposed J Cowley seconded W Batty-Smith
P Ashcroft proposed B Booth seconded J Cox

To appoint representatives to various committees

C Office Cttee B Bottomley Chairman, D Grimes, J Smith P Cossington and
S Robinson

Footpath Officer It was felt that this position should be divided as follows

Footpaths only – J Wardell
Trailway, cycleways, bridleways and green lanes – N Brown

Tree Officer D Grimes

Councillor Auditors J Cox and J Wardell

Hall Cttee Rep R Penfold

Playing Fields Rep J Smith

Youth Club Rep J Cox

Public Transport Rep J Rabbetts

Stur. Youth Centre Rep R Penfold

School Rep B Booth

Henstridge Airfield C Cttee R Penfold and S Waite

Stalbridge T C Library Support Group T Lee Chairman, D Neal, J Cowley and
P Ashcroft

DAPTC Area S Waite, J Wardell and J Cowley

Pedestrian Crossing Up-date

A meeting has been arranged with Mr S Howard of DCC on Thursday 17th May in the TC Office to discuss this and proposals from Mr Howard with regard to pedestrian safety in the High Street.

Jarvis Field Play Area refurbishment

Topsoil has now been put under the swings, but more is required under the multi play system. Turf needs to be laid as well. The fence needs dealing with. It is important that the area is in good condition before the start of the school holidays.

Possible Closure of Library

T Lee reported that there had been two meetings with DCC Officers and Councillors regarding the Libraries but there was nothing new to report. The consultation period is until March 2009. apparently the amount budgeted for books has been reduced and will run out in March 2008. A meeting is to be held in Stalbridge tomorrow (10th) with Mr Leivers and others. Mr Leivers will report to the DCC Cabinet in July. DCC Cllr C Sutton had put forward a motion asking for a total rethink on the Library situation and suggesting that if DCC supplied books and librarians then communities would form support groups, but this was rejected.

Councillors’ reports/questions

J Cowley reported that Stalbridge had been represented at the latest DAPTC area meeting

J Cox advised that the Youth Club Wednesday night opening would be recommencing soon

S Waite asked that the way meetings were conducted be put on a future Agenda

J Smith asked that the problem of under-age drinking be put on a future Agenda

P Ashcroft pointed out that the pavement on the lower side of Jarvis Way at the junction with Station Road stopped before it got to the road and is replaced by grass, could this be changed. The footpath from Thornhill Road to Lower Road needs trimming. Can the suggestion of turning off the Street Lights at midnight be pursued and also the provision of cycle parking at Dikes’ new shop.

R Penfold advised that the Hall A G M is new week. They will be applying for planning permission for a temporary storage container. The heating boiler needs changing. With regard to NORDCAT buses there are not enough drivers at present.

J Wardell advised that she was shocked by N Brown’s comments at the Annual Town Meeting that the Health Walks project had been shelved because she had been unable to obtain funding for the booklet. This is incorrect as she is still pursuing the matter and has obtained a promise of match funding from NDDC. It was agreed that her comments be added to the ATM minutes. She also asked if we had heard anything from the Brownies regarding a grant.

D Grimes asked if there were any items Councillors wish to bring up at the next meeting with the Police

W Batty-Smith advised that thee had been complaints regarding graffiti on the Park Gate in Park Grove, but this has now been dealt with.

J Cowley advised that there had been some confusion over the new signs at JFPA. IT was agreed to get these moved. There is also a query over the pathway from Jarvis Way through to the Bridleway/Trailway.

The new District Councillors will be visiting the Community Office during their tour of the District.

Correspondence

DCC Public Path Extinguishment Order FP71
Paul Newman Property Consultant. Re. Creation of Community Land Trust
DCC Re. Highway Works Public Consultation strategy
Portland Town Council. Invitation to Annual Mayor Making Ceremony
NDDC Local Development Scheme for North Dorset Review
Stalbridge Hall Advice of application for temporary planning permission re. storage container adjacent to Hall No objection to this
Stalbridge Hall. Advice that Mr Forshaw has asked for permission to remove his hedge and replace with a fence. No objections to this

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10-00 p.m.