Child Okeford Parish Council

The ORDINARY MEETING of this Parish Council was held at the Community Centre on Monday the 3rd September 2007, at 7-00pm. 

Action by
080

Attendance

All Councillors attended with the exception of Derek Duke who sent his apologies for his absence.  Byron Harris, Arboricultural Officer of NDDC, attended for item 082. Three parishioners and the Clerk also attended.  Deborah Croney and Angus Campbell sent their apologies for their absence.  Sylvia Holdeman presided.

Noted
081

Declarations of Interest

Carrie Lewis and Wendy Addley declared a Personal Interest in item 090b – Chisel Farm House Planning Applications.

Noted
082

Village Tree Survey

a

Byron Harris explained the requirements for undertaking a tree survey of the village.  He said that whereas all trees in a Conservation Area having a diameter of 7.5cms and above, measured at a height of 1.3m above ground level, are automatically protected but for completeness they should be included in any survey.  He suggested that only specimen trees and groups of trees that form important landscape features are included, limiting the list to not more that fifty, as has been done at Shaftesbury.  To qualify for a TPO each tree or group of trees must meet the following basic criteria:

  • Have at least 10 years remaining life.
  • Be free from defects and disease.
  • Be important and significant to the landscape.
Noted
b Byron Harris agreed to investigate the status of the Yew Wood on Hambledon Hill and to let us know the outcome. Noted
083

Minutes

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on the 6th August 2007, having been previously circulated, were confirmed and signed. Clerk
084

Matters Arising

a An email was tabled from David Pope setting out details of the responsibilities for editing the Village Directory, which is to be transferred to the Parish Council. Clerk
b An apology was received from the organiser of the Milton Abbas Street Fair for using the Millennium Map case as a site for their poster. Noted
c An email was tabled from Doug Harman, of the Dorset AONB Partnership, accepting Council’s endorsement of the comments recently submitted by Frank Spencer on the consultative document. Noted
085

Public Participation

a The ownership of the land below Damsel Pit in the Hollow was queried and if the approach through Rutters does not provide a definitive answer, then the Clerk is to pursue an approach through the Land Registry. Clerk
086

Reports

a

Carrie Lewis gave a report on the DT11 Forum.

Noted
087

Local Initiative (Tough Choices)/VDS/DT11 Plan

a

In the absence of Derek Duke, Angie Schwier reported that all the various comments received on the Child Okeford VDS had been addressed.

Noted
088

Code of Conduct

a It was proposed by Angie Schwier, seconded by Marion Carpenter and carried unanimously that pursuant to the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) order 2007 – SI 2007/1159, this Council hereby formally adopts the Revised Model Code of Conduct, with the inclusion of paragraphs 7 and 12.2.  This new Code of Conduct will apply to the Council and Councillors forthwith.  A copy of the Council’s new Code of conduct is attached to these minutes. Clerk
b It was proposed by Wendy Addley, seconded by Jackie Yard and carried unanimously that the Standing Orders are amended to allow for the inclusion of paragraph 12.2 in the New Code of Conduct as follows – that with the permission and at the discretion of the Chairman any member of the public may comment on an issue being debated by the Council in order to provide information or clarification of items relevant to the matter being debated.  This facility will normally be limited to a maximum of only three minutes per person on the subject being debated. Clerk
c The Clerk was instructed to complete the formalities and requirements in respect to the adoption of the new Code of Conduct. Clerk
089

Recreation Ground

a

A letter was read from Mrs Marsh stating that the new gate had been installed which will be locked with slide bolts during the day and pad locked at night and during holidays.  She also said that the formal agreement was now being prepared by the legal department at County Hall.  When received this is to be circulated to Councillors.

Noted
090

Planning

a

The following decisions were tabled:
2/2007/0630 – Raise the roof to provide additional living accommodation at Greenlawn, Station Road – Withdrawn.

2/2007/0774 – Demolish outbuilding and rebuild at Orchard Cottage, Duck Street – Withdrawn.
Noted
b Consideration was given to full applications 2/2007/0865 & 0931 to carry out internal extensions at Chisel Farm House, Little Hanford.  It was agreed to recommend approval. Clerk
c Consideration was given to full application 2/2007/0918 to raise the height of the roof and install two dormer windows to form additional living accommodation at 15 Melway Gardens.  It was agreed to recommend refusal on the basis that the proposals are contrary to the requirements of Local Plan Policies 1.8 and 2.11 (Out of keeping with the surrounding properties and the estate). Clerk
d t was agreed to defer the discussion on an application to extend the AONB pending receipt of more details. Clerk
091

Finance

a



It was proposed by Angie Schwier, seconded by Jackie Yard and carried unanimously that the following cheque is signed:

  1. 000889 – Bulbarrow Timber Products - £82.46 – Gravel boards for Rec.
RFO
b

The following are the details of both accounts:

RFO
No 1 account Opening Balance

£4,336.80

Less cheques as above 

£82.46
Balance in hand

£4,254.34
No 2 account Opening balance £235.36
Total Closing Balance £4,489.70
c The RFO reported that the External Auditor has requested that the accounts are presented on an Income and Expenditure basis instead of the Receipts and Payment system.  Thus, approval is still pending. RFO
092

Village Projects

a It was agreed that the Welcome Day should be held in the Village Hall on Sunday the 18th November 2007, from 10-30am to 1-30pm.  The Clerk to write to all village organisations inviting them to make a presentation and be represented at the event and to ask for their help in identifying people who have moved into the village over the past two years or so.  An invitation is also to be extended to people wishing to join village organisations. Clerk
b To be able to meaningfully discuss the Village Enhancement Scheme, Peter Riley agreed to draw up a list of possible projects for consideration. Peter Riley
c Details of the'Adopt a Path'scheme were tabled which, although it is not without merit, it was decided not to pursue at this time. Noted
d Before deciding whether to carry out a Village Environment Review it was agreed to obtain further details from DCC to enable it to be further discussed at the next meeting. Clerk
093

Correspondence

a

A number of items of correspondence were left on the table.  Tim Cotton agreed to attend the meeting arranged by Sturminster Town Council on 12th September 2007, to discuss the possible purchase of a group SID and joining the Village Lengthsman Scheme.

Noted
094

Other Business

a It was agreed to ask the Chief Executive of NDDC for the Dog Warden to regularly and inconspicuously patrol the village with a view to curbing dog fouling. Clerk
b It was noted that the white lines in the village are becoming indistinct and it was agreed to ask for them to be repainted. Clerk
c It was agreed to discuss the future requirement of the bottle bank at the next meeting. Clerk

 The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.45pm.

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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