Child Okeford Parish Council
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Minutes of the last Meeting
An Ordinary Meeting of this Parish Council was held at the Community Centre on Monday the 9th October 2006, at 7-30pm.
Councillors Derek Duke, Sylvia Holdeman, John Salwey, Carrie Lewis and Jackie Yard attended with apologies received for the four absentees. Also in attendance were Angus Campbell (part time) Frank Spencer (part time), 7 parishioners and the Clerk. Sylvia Holdeman presided.
Before the proceedings started the Chairman presented the awards won in the 2006 Best Kept Village Competition, as follows:
Calor Gas - Best Kept Village – large village winner.
NDDC - Best Kept Village Competition – winner with Cert of Excellence.
DEFRA - Building Community Life Competition – runner up.
Prize money amounted to £425.00.
A vote of thanks was extended to Sylvia and Angie for their unstinting and tireless efforts in organising the entries and for their preparatory work around the village and also to all the many parishioners, too numerous to mention individually, who helped and supported the competitions.
| Action by | ||||
| 1 | Declarations of Interest |
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| No declarations of interest were received. | Noted | |||
| 2 | Minutes |
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The Minutes of the meeting held on the 4thSeptember 2006, having been previously circulated, were confirmed and signed. |
Clerk | |||
| 3 | Matters Arising |
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| a | The Clerk had established that there will be a delay in organisations obtaining computers under the Connections for Dorset Scheme, pending the results of a grant funded feasibility study, which is expected to be completed by Christmas. | Noted | ||
| b | A letter was read from Mike Brock of DCC saying that arrangements were in place for several overhanging hedges to be cut back. A letter was also tabled from the Highway Inspector accepting the extent to which the yew hedge in Upper Street has been trimmed | Noted | ||
| c | Advice was received from the DCC that it is expected that the 20mph limit will be in place by early November. |
Noted |
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| d | The DCC is asking for our assistance in finding a suitable site for the 'Shillingstone' finger post to be placed on the Station Road/High Street/Duck Street junction – which must be at least 0.50m from the edge of the highway |
Clerk |
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| e | The DCC is investigating the need to replace the partially obliterated 7½ weight restriction sign at Steepleton. |
Noted |
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| f |
The DCC is arranging for all the gullies in the village to be cleared within the next few weeks in preparation for the onslaught of winter. |
Noted |
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| 4 | Public Participation |
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| a | It was noted that the sunken drain cover at the top end of Station Road has still not been repaired | Clerk |
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| b |
It was reported that:
The Clerk is to investigate and this item is to be included on the agenda of the next meeting. |
Clerk |
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| 5 | Reports |
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| a | Carrie Lewis reported on the DT11 Partnership by mentioning that the joint lottery bid for the North Dorset Partnerships had failed and that other sources of funding are being sought. Amongst other things she also mentioned the possible closure of Blandford Camp, the new PACT Initiative (Police & Communities Together) and the need to respond to the revised Action Plan. | Noted | ||
| b | Derek Duke responded to Carrie Lewis by saying that the future of the Community Partnerships, which were set up by NDDC and held as a shining example to all as the way forward, are in jeopardy as their funding from NDDC and DCA is to be withdrawn under government capping. Partnerships in the larger towns will probably survive as they can obtain financial support from other sources, but SturQuest is struggling to remain in existence. |
Noted | ||
| 6 | Rate Capping / Tough Choices |
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| a |
A letter was tabled from NDDC requesting a decision from all town and parish councils as to whether they will contribute to the 'Tough Choices' scheme by the 20th October 2006. In view of the importance of this matter and the fact that there were only five councillors present, it was decided to defer this item until Monday the 16th October 2006, to afford the opportunity for all councillors to attend, when a Special Council Meeting would be held to make the final decision. |
Noted | ||
| 7 | Recreation Ground |
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| a | The Clerk reported that the initial meeting of the interested parties concerned in the preparation of the formal agreement granting pedestrian access across the Rec. Ground to the School, will be held at the School on Monday the 30th October 2006 at 4-00pm. Sylvia Holdeman and the Clerk to represent the Council. |
Clerk & |
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| b | The Chairman agreed to arrange for the fence between the Rec. Ground and the School, which was damaged by the recent fallen tree, to be repaired. |
Chairman |
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| c | A letter was tabled by a resident of Melway Lane, which was supported in person by a neighbour, claiming that footballs are frequently being kicked into their gardens which are being retrieved, without their permission, resulting in damage to their property and also complaining of foul language. To prevent such occurrences it was decided to request that the high net, extending across the width of the penalty area and of sufficient height to be effective, is reinstated and that the eastern goalposts (Melway lane end) are removed at all times except during matches. |
Clerk |
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| d |
It was agreed that the specifications for fencing the eastern boundary are circulated to all councillors and that the height is reduced to 1.8m with the wire mesh not sunk into the ground. |
Clerk |
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| 8 |
VDS/DT11 Action Plan |
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| a | Derek Duke reported that the preparation of the VDS would continue next month, after the summer recess. |
Noted |
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| b |
Each councillor was handed a copy of version 4.1 of the DT11 Action Plan and requested to let the Clerk have their comments in good time for replies to be submitted by the 27th November 2006 at the latest. |
All Cllrs. |
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| 9 | Planning |
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| a |
The following decision was noted: 2/2006/0911 – to erect a porch at Holdway House - Approved. |
Noted |
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| b | Consideration was given to full application 2/2006/0972 to demolish the wooden extension at Beech Cottage in the Hollow, to which it was agreed to raise no objection. |
Clerk |
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| c | Consideration was given to full application 2/2006/0994 to erect a two-storey extension at Beech cottage in the Hollow. It was agreed to recommend refusal of the application as submitted on the basis that increased parking spaces, turning facilities and visibility splays are provided commensurate with the additional living space proposed. Notwithstanding the foregoing Council raises no objection to the design of the extension itself. |
Clerk |
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| d | Consideration was given to full application 2/2006/1019 to erect one dwelling to replace a pair of semi detached cottages at Pike’s & Thompson’s Cottages at Little Hanford. It was agreed to recommend refusal on the basis that the proposed design is too urbanised. |
Clerk |
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| e | Consideration was given to full application 2/2006/1030 to erect a summer house at Elm House in the High Street. It was agreed to recommend refusal on the basis that the design and the proposed materials are out of keeping with its surroundings. |
Clerk |
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| f | Consideration was given to carry out works on one ash and three oaks at Vale House/Saxon Inn respectively. Council raises no objection to some pruning being carried out to correct the imbalance of the ash with some limited judicious pruning of the three oaks, provided it is under the direct supervision of the Tree Officer. The Council to request NDDC to place a TPO on all four trees. |
Clerk |
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| g | The Clerk up-dated the Council on enforcement action currently being considered in the parish. |
Noted |
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| h |
A letter from NDDC on Managing Housing Land Supply in North Dorset is to be circulated to all councillors. |
Clerk |
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| 10 |
Reports (continued from item 5) |
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| a | Frank Spencer reported that NDDC's Revised Scheme of Delegation has been approved which meant that parish councils had again be accorded full powers to refer planning applications to the Dev. Con. Comm. for determination. He also reported that the new Dorset Primary Care Trust that has superseded the local Trust had withdrawn funding to spray against the Blandford Fly. Council to write a letter of objection to the loss of this service. |
Noted & Clerk |
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| b | Angus Campbell reported that the Government white Paper on Local Government reform is expected to be published imminently and that DCC was considering various schemes aimed at protecting the future stability of Durweston bridge. |
Noted |
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| 11 | Finance |
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| a |
It was proposed by John Salwey, seconded by Jackie yard and carried unanimously that the following cheques are signed:
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RFO | ||
| b | The following are the details of both accounts: | Clerk | ||
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No 1 account Opening balance |
£7,588.17 | |||
| Less cheques 000840 to 000846 as above | £2,677.77 | |||
| Plus Precept | £6,000.00 | |||
| Plus Prize money (cheques to be banked) | £425.00 | |||
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Balance in hand |
£11,335.40 |
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| Total Closing Balance | £11,490.76 | |||
| c | It was proposed by Derek Duke, seconded by John Salwey and carried unanimously that the previously circulated estimated v actual expenditure for the 2nd quarter of 2006/07 is approved. | Clerk | ||
| d |
An email was tabled from Peter Allen, Treasurer of the Community Centre, advising that they had received a £500.00 grant from the Georgian Fayre towards the cost of providing the new emergency door at the Community Centre and suggesting that our grant is reduced to £250.00. On this basis it was proposed by Sylvia Holdeman, seconded by Jackie Yard and carried unanimously that this arrangement is accepted. |
RFO | ||
| 12 |
Civil Contingencies Act 2004 |
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| a |
Sylvia Holdeman and David Fielding were appointed as village representatives. |
Clerk | ||
| 13 |
Correspondence |
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| a |
A number of items of correspondence were left on the table. |
Noted | ||
| 14 |
Other Business |
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| a |
The Clerk was instructed to ask the NDDC to investigate the fly tipping in the track below Bower. |
Clerk | ||
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The Chairman declared this section of the meeting closed at 9-45pm. |
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| 15 |
Discussion in Commitee |
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It was proposed by Derek Duke, seconded by John Salwey and carried unanimously that the estimate from Hags Play Ltd to renovate the play equipment in accordance with the RoSPA Report for the sum of £1,095.28 plus VAT is accepted. |
Clerk | |||
| The Chairman finally declared the meeting closed at 10-05pm. | ||||
Signed ………………………………… Presiding Chairman Date ……………………
(To be signed and dated by the presiding chairman after approval at the next Parish Council meeting)
