Child Okeford Parish Council

The ORDINARY MEETING of this Parish Council was held at the Community Centre on Monday the 5th November 2007, at 7-30pm. 

Action by
108

Attendance
All Councillors attended with the exception of Jackie Yard, Carrie Lewis and Marion Carpenter who sent their apologies for his absence.  Deborah Croney (part time), two parishioners and the Clerk also attended.  Angus Campbell sent his apologies for his absence, being unable to attend due to a prior meeting of the County Council.  Sylvia Holdeman presided. Noted
109

Declarations of Interest

No declarations of interest were received.

 Noted
110

Minutes

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on the 1st October 2007, having been previously circulated, were confirmed and signed.

Clerk
111

Matters Arising

a

 The NDDC has agreed to step up its drive to curb dog fouling in the village.  The Chief Executive is to be informed that while some improvement has resulted, a prosecution would undoubtedly be the most effective deterrent. Clerk

b

 The DCC has agreed to remark the obliterated white lines throughout the village. Noted

c

 Discussions are taking place with the DCC to provide 'no through' signs at the Cross Clerk
d The DCC has cut back the protruding stump in Melway Lane, which has been the cause of a number of accidents involving damage to vehicles. Noted

e

 A letter was tabled from DCC stating that Smugglers'Lane, in Iwerne Steepleton and Stourpaine, has been upgraded to BOAT status (Byway open to all traffic). Noted
112

Public Participation
a The parking of cars by the bus stop, outside the School, is to be discussed at the next meeting Clerk
113

Reports
a

Deborah Croney reported on the NDDC as follows:

  • The District Council had received a 'commendable' report from the Audit Commission.
  • The Council had adopted the 'Clean Neighbourhoods' strategy.
The Development Control Committee have approved a new residential care home with 73 places in the Milldown Road, Blandford Forum and have also approved the plans for the redevelopment of the brewery site, which if ratified by central government, would result in section 106 agreement fees in excess of £500k. 		Noted
b

Derek Duke reported on a meeting he attended with Stur. Newton Town Council, at which eight local councils had expressed an interest in participating in a group SID scheme.  The posts would be installed free of charge by the DCC and the cost of the scheme is expected to be £100 for each week the instrument is deployed in the first year and possibly less in successive years.

 Noted
114

Local Initiative (Tough Choices)/VDS/DT11 Plan

a

 It was proposed by Wendy Addley, seconded Angie Schwier and carried unanimously that we contribute to the group SID scheme, up to the maximum extent of £400 for the first year. Clerk
b It was agreed to hold over until the next meeting, the decision on how the public will be consulted over making a further contribution to the Local Initiative Scheme in 2008-09. Clerk
c

Derek Duke reported that the VDS has been approved by the cabinet and is now to be referred to the full Council for final adoption.

  
115

Recreation Ground

a The Council expressed bitter disappointment that the Football Club has not completed the promised works to prevent footballs from entering the adjacent gardens in Melway Lane.  It was agreed that if the works are not completed imminently, a notice barring them from using the pitch will be served on them. Clerk
b The NALC's comments on the licence granting a right of access to the School across the Recreation Ground are still pending. Clerk
c The rectification work carried out by Hags Play Ltd was accepted and approved. Clerk
d

In response to the email received from the Community Centre Management Committee the following was agreed:
Further investigation is to be carried out in respect to the light for the basket ball square.
David Fielding is to be asked to arrange for the emptying of the litter baskets.
That further consideration is to be given to the use of the 5-a-side goals.

 Clerk
116

Planning

a

The following decisions were tabled:

2/2007/0865 & 0931 – To carry out internal works at Chisel Farm House – approved.

 Noted
b Consideration was given to full application 2/2007/1091 to raise the roof height to form additional living accommodation and replace the double garage at Greenlawns, Station Road.  It was noted that this application is conceptually the same as the previous application on this site.  Therefore, it was unanimously agreed to recommend refusal essentially on the basis of the unsuitability of this site for the scale of redevelopment proposed. Clerk
c Consideration was given to full application 2/2007/1108 to erect two single storey outbuildings and demolish the existing at Chisel House, Little Hanford.  It was agreed to recommend refusal on the grounds of undesirable development in the hitherto open landscape. Clerk
d The Planning Committee reported that they had received information that irregularities on the situation at Dovecote Farm had occurred.  The matter is to be raised with the Enforcement Officer. Clerk
117

Finance
a



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

  1. 000894 –S/Newton Bldg Supplies- £40.54 – Materials for Rec. Ground
  2. 000895 – S/Newton Bldg Supplies - £206.80 – Matls for Rec. Ground
  3. 000896 – NDDC - £52.99 – RoSPA inspection
  4. 000897 – BDO Stoy Hayward`LLP  - £205.63 – External audit fee
  5. 000898 – Hags Play Ltd – £866.58 – Remedial work on play equip.
  6. 000899 – NDDC - £3,041.50 – Local Delivery
  7. 000900 – Child Okeford PCC - £250.00 – Grant to churchyard maint'ce.
  8. 000901 – Mrs J Salt - £50.00 – Donation to D Webb's retirement fund
  9. 000902 – Poppy Appeal – £17.00 – Poppy wreath
  10. 000903 – C/O Hall Man. Comm. - £30.00 – Hire for Welcome Day
 RFO
b

The following are the details of both accounts:

 RFO
No 1 account Opening Balance

£3,267.22

Plus precept

£9,041.50

Less cheques as above

 £4,761.04
Balance in hand

£7,547.68
No 2 account
Balance in hand £315.36
Total Closing Balance £7,863.04
c

The RFO presented the External Auditor's report as follows:

  • Increase the level of Fidelity Guarantee.
  • Change the method of presentation from Receipts and Payments to Income & Expenditure.
 RFO
d The RFO reported that the Revenue had imposed a penalty of £400.00 for allegedly the non submission of the Employer's Annual Return.  The RFO refuted this outright and had already contested this wrongfully imposed fine. RFO
e The RFO informed the meeting that he had contacted the organisations who regularly use the Recreation Ground, requesting details of their insurance details thereby enabling him to complete the Annual Risk Assessment for 2007-08. RFO
118

Village Projects

a The Clerk reported that some thirty organisations have accepted an invitation to attend the Welcome Day on the 18th November 2007.  The list of Newcomers was reviewed and invitations will be sent to almost fifty households involving some ninety parishioners. Clerk
119

Correspondence
a

A number of items were presented and left on the table. 


Clerk
120

Other Business
a It was agreed to investigate whether planning approval is required (as no application has been received) for the two new signs recently placed at the entrance to the new storage depot in Gold Hill. Clerk

 The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.00pm.

Signed ………………………………… Presiding Chairman Date ……………………

(To be signed and dated by the presiding chairman after approval at the next Parish Council meeting)

Top of Page Top