Child Okeford Parish Council

The ORDINARY MEETING of this Parish Council was held at the Community Centre on Monday the 6th August 2007, at 7-30pm. 

Action by
065

Attendance

All Councillors attended with the exception of Carrie Lewis and Marion Carpenter who sent their apologies for their absence.  Apologies were also received from Deborah Croney who was on holiday. Fourteen parishioners (some part time), Angus Campbell (part time) and the Clerk also attended.  Sylvia Holdeman presided.

Noted
066

Village in Bloom Prize Giving

Wendy Addley, the event organiser, thanked everyone for entering the competition and presented the prizes as follows:
Winner - Christine Downer, Homefield
Second - Chrissie Neil, Ridgeway Lane
Third - Mr & Mrs Randall, Jacob's Ladder
Runner up - John Patterson, Bower
Runner up - Mel Jeans, Gold Hill
Runner up - Mr & Mrs Hessell, Chalwell

 
067

Declarations of Interest

Tim Cotton declared a Personal Interest in items 074a (School Path) and 075b and c (Planning Applications).

Noted
068

Minutes

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on the 2nd July 2007, having been previously circulated, were confirmed and signed.

Clerk
069

Matters Arising

a A letter was read from Mike Hansford of the County Council advising that the recently requested work to the highways will be scheduled into the works programme. Noted
b A letter of apology was received from Mr Sunnucks for the disruption caused to the residents of Melway Lane by the Pony Club competitors. Noted
c A letter was read from Rutters, solicitors of Shaftesbury, requesting a plan to help them identify the owner of the land below Damsel Pit in the Hollow. Clerk
070

Public Participation

a Frank Spencer gave a report on the AONB's consultative document on Dorset AONB Landscape Character Assessment & Management Guidance which we had not received. He reported that Hambledon & Hod Hills are detached parts of the escarpment, each with their own identity, and relate more to the downs in the neighbouring Cranborne Chase AONB.  The splitting of the valley between Dorset and Cranborne AONBs do no service to the future conservation of the valley and that both plans should include a common chapter on the character and conservation of the Iwerne Valley.  This view was endorsed by Council and the Clerk is to write to AONB endorsing these comments and inquiring why we were denied the opportunity to comment on a matter that has such an effect and impact on Child Okeford. Clerk
b Concern was expressed over the event to be held on Hambledon Hill on the 23rd September 2007, particularly in respect to the welfare of the animals.  The matter is to be checked out with English Nature. Clerk
c

The matter of listing the two telephone boxes is to be pursued.

Clerk
071

Reports

a

Angus Campbell reported the following matters:

  • The School signs will be installed shortly.
  • Arrangements have been made for a traveller's site to be provided at the steam fair.
  • Negotiations are in hand for the renewal of the lease for the Hod Hill car park in Hanford.
  • It is probable that the'pathfinder' scheme for Dorset will go ahead.
  • The meeting to determine the Smuggler's Lane up-grade will be held on the 10th September 2007.
The County Council is reviewing its budget.
Noted
072

Local Initiative (Tough Choices)/VDS/DT11 Plan

a

Derek Duke reported that discussions are still taking place in an attempt to devolve the discretionary services.  Sturminster and Blandford Town Councils together with SturQuest and the DT11 Partnership are meeting shortly, with similar joint meetings planned in the north of the district.

Noted
b Derek Duke reported that there were some twenty responses to the consultation on the VDS.  These would be reviewed and a report written. Noted
c There was nothing to report on the DT11 Action Plan. Noted
073

Code of Conduct

a This item was held over to the next meeting. Clerk
074

Recreation Ground

a

It was proposed by Wendy Addley, seconded by Tim Cotton and carried unanimously that:

  • The suggested opening times of the gate by the School, namely 7-45 to 9-00am, 11.45am to 12-30pm and 3-00 to 4-30pm on school days, are accepted on the basis that the gate is kept locked at all other times.
  • Council accepts that the formal agreement can be prepared by the DCC provided it is vetted by a solicitor of our choice up to a maximum cost of £300.00 plus VAT.
  • The fees of the grantor and grantee are to be paid by the School.  Council will pursue the possibility of getting the document vetted by the DALC, to minimise the legal fees involved.
Clerk
b It was agreed to obtain an estimate for pruning the dead branches and carrying out crown lifts on the horse chestnut trees. Clerk
c A request from the Youth Club to install net ball facilities behind the Community Centre was discussed.  It was agreed in principle for a post mounted net to be installed, similar to the one in Shillingstone Rec., subject to confirmation against a detailed scheme.  This decision was supported by Barry Curtis, who represented the Management Committee. Clerk
075

Planning

a

The following decision was tabled:

2/2007/0524 - Erect an extension to The Bield, Rectory Lane - Approved.
Noted
b Consideration was given to full application 2/2007/0727 to convert an existing barn into a holiday let at Abergavenny Farm.  It was agreed to recommended approval conditional upon proven viability, and the free and unimpeded availability of the adjacent right of way both during the conversion works and the subsequent occupation of the property.  It was felt that this scheme, which is outside the settlement boundary, would represent a ‘planning gain’ to the local residents.  Clerk
c Consideration was given to full application 2/2007/077470776 to provide a replacement extension at Orchard Cottage, Duck Street.  It was agreed to recommend approval. Clerk
d

It was agreed to remind The Development Control Manager of his commitment to the revised amendment scheme and of his negotiations with the developer of Little Stream.

Clerk
062

Finance

a



It was proposed by Derek Duke, seconded by Angie Schwier and carried unanimously that the following cheques are signed:

  1. 000886 - Audit & Account Services Ltd - £115.00 - Internal audit.
  2. 000887 - LexisNexis Butterworths - £53.45 - Local Council Admin book.
  3. 000888 - Wendy Addley - £38.80 - Exps. for Village in Bloom comp.
RFO
b

The following are the details of both accounts:

RFO
No 1 account Opening Balance

£4,544.05

Less cheques as above 

£207.25
Balance in hand

£4,336.80
No 2 account Opening balance £235.36
Total Closing Balance £4,572.16
c The RFO reported that the accounts for 2006-07 have been approved by the Internal Auditor and that they have been sent to the External Auditor for his approval. RFO
d

It was proposed by Derek Duke, seconded by Angie Schwier and carried unanimously that the Internal Auditor’s recommendations are implemented forthwith, as follows.

  • Increase the Fidelity Insurance cover to £15,000.00.
Produce written procedures of the duties of the Clerk & RFO.
RFO
e It was agreed that wood for gravel boards to be attached to the fence bordering the pavement in the Recreation Ground are purchased at a budget cost of circa £50.00. RFO
077

Village Projects

a It was agreed to hold a Welcome Day for new villagers at a date to be arranged by the Chairman. (Sunday 18th November 2007 in the Village Hall).  Clerk to circulate details to all village organisations. Clerk
b It was agreed that the Council take over the role of editing the Village Directory, with effect from October 2007. Clerk
078

Correspondence

a

A number of items of correspondence were left on the table.

It was agreed to request that Legal Lane and the pavement at Millbrook close are included in the required footway improvement scheme being carried out by the DCC.
Noted
Clerk
079

Other Business

a

It was agreed to find out more details about the 'Adopt a Footpath' scheme implemented by Litton Cheyney Parish Council.

Clerk
b It was noted that the footpath off Melway Lane is overgrown with maize. Clerk
c It was noted that there is a branch protruding over the highway in Duck Street. Clerk
d t was noted that the annual cut of the track off Melway Lane has not be carried out, Clerk to progress this with DCC. Clerk

 The Chairman 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)

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