Child Okeford Parish Council

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

Action by
121

Attendance
All Councillors attended with the exception of Jackie Yard who sent her apologies for her absence.  Angus Campbell (part time), Deborah Croney (part time), twenty one parishioners (all but six for part time), Peter White - County Planning Officer (part time), Jason Goddard - Applicant (part time) and the Clerk also attended.  Angie Schwier presided for the planning application after which Sylvia Holdeman took the chair. Noted
122

Declarations of Interest

Sylvia Holdeman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the planning application, item 123.  Peter Riley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 129b - access to the School across the Rec. Ground and Tim Cotton and Marion Carpenter declared personal interests in the same item.

 Noted
123

Planning - Part A

Details of planning application 2/2007/1185 for a change of use of unit no. 6 from a Poultry Unit to a Plastic Recycling Unit were tabled.  The applicant presented details of his proposals after which the meeting was opened to the floor.  A number of people expressed concern over these proposals, expressly in regard to the 44 tonne lorries to service the plant and also the environmental impact.  Debbie Croney informed the meeting that NDDC, who in this instance is a co-consultee with the Parish Council, has recommended refusal.  Peter White summarised the situation for the County by stating that further technical details are required to fully assess the application. 

At the conclusion of the open discussion the Planning Committee recommended that the application is refused on the following grounds.  The proposed application is not suitable for the rural area.  There will be a marked increase in noise and disturbance resulting from the comings and goings of the 44 tonne lorries, which has Human Rights implications in respect to the First Protocol, Article 1, Protection of Property - every natural or legal person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions (in this case home and garden).  Moreover, the 44 tonne lorries on the narrow and winding C class village roads would endanger the safety of pedestrians and other road users.   The recommendation was unanimously endorsed by Council.

This part of the meeting closed at 8-20pm.		 Clerk
124

Minutes

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on the 5th November 2007, having been previously circulated, were confirmed and signed after item 108 had been corrected.

Clerk
125

Matters Arising

a

 The Clerk informed the meeting that NDDC are intending to publicise the list of parishes that have accepted the New Code of Conduct in the local press.  At present they are consulting with the DAPTC before doing so. Noted

b

 The Planning Inspectorate is holding an Examination in Public in connection with the RSS - Review of Additional Pitch Requirements for Gypsies and Travellers in the South West.  It was agreed not to send a representative. Noted

c

Clarification was sought on Council's intention in respect to the group purchase of a SID.  Under minute 114a the sum of £400.00 had been allocated to the scheme, on the basis of 4 deployments @ £100.00 each.  Since the meeting the sum per deployment had increased to £150.00 to include labour, transport and administration.  The Clerk had therefore confirmed acceptance at 3 deployments per annum with an option for a fourth.  This action was accepted.

 Clerk
126

Public Participation
a Clive Smith informed the meeting that he had acquired the bottle bank site and that he was prepared to make space available for the parking of cars for those working at the School and Pre-school.  The need for the appropriate consents was stressed and the new owner stated that he has arranged a meeting with the Environment Agency and Planning in the New Year. Clerk
b A parishioner expressed concern over the recent spate of heavy ballast lorries passing through the village.  This was attributed to the filling of a land fill site at Farrington, which was now almost completed. Noted
127

Reports
a

Angus Campbell reported as follows:

  • The Child Okeford VDS has been approved by NDDC. 
  • The protruding tree in Melway Lane has been cut back by DCC.
 Noted
b

Deborah Croney reported on the NDDC as follows:

  • The Clean Neighbourhoods strategy has been adopted and that its implementation is being discussed.
  • The annual budget review has commenced.
  • The future of the Gillingham and Sturminster Newton Leisure Centres is under review.
Noted
c

Marion Carpenter reported on the meeting of the Northern Area of the DAPTC as follows:

  • The Connecting Dorset Scheme is progressing well.
  • DCA are issuing grants provided it can be linked to the Parish Plan
Encouraging more co-operation between parishes on matters of common interests.		 Noted
128

Local Initiative (Tough Choices)/VDS/DT11 Plan

a

 It was agreed to hold a separate meeting to discuss the contribution to the Local Delivery Scheme. Clerk
b Derek Duke and his team were warmly thanked for all their dedicated work in preparing the VDS and steering it though its many consultative stages to final acceptance as a Supplementary Planning Document. Noted
129

Recreation Ground

a A letter was tabled from the Ark Pre-school Group requesting that they may be allowed to use the Community Centre car park for all day staff parking.  Following the offer made by Clive Smith under item 126a, it was agreed to refer them to him for further discussions.  Marion Carpenter asked for her support for the Group to use the car park to be recorded. Clerk
b It was agreed to defer discussions on the licence until the last item on the agenda to be discussed in the absence of Peter Riley, who had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the matter. Noted
c Council agreed in principle for a light to be provided for the basket ball square, provided it is on a time switch controlled from inside the Community Centre with a curfew. Final arrangements are to be made between the Youth Club and the Management Committee. Clerk
d The clerk is to obtain an estimate for a suitable notice for displaying in the car park. Clerk
130

Planning - Part B

a

The following decisions were tabled:

2/2007/1007&1010 - To erect single story extension to form skittle alley/function room/store and erect canopy to form open smoking area at the Baker Arms - refuse consent.

 Noted
131

Highways
  a It was agreed to defer discussions on 'on street' parking in and around Station Road pending the outcome of the offer made under item 126a. Clerk
  b It was agreed to accept in principle the position suggested by DCC for the two 'no through road' signs at the Cross Clerk
132

Finance
a



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

  • 000904 - A&J Chick - £170.00 - Maintenance of War Memorial
  • 000905 - Cross Stores - £28.98 - Welcome Day
  • That Cheques for Connecting Dorset and Bartlett Contractors are signed out of meeting when received.
 RFO
b

The following are the details of both accounts:

 RFO
No 1 account Opening Balance

£7,547.68

Plus sale of village maps

 £21.00

Less cheques as above

 £198.98
Balance in hand

£7,369.70
No 2 account
Balance in hand £315.36
Total Closing Balance £7,685.06
c

The RFO informed the meeting that the wrongly imposed penalty from the Revenue for allegedly the non submission of the Employer's Annual Return has been withdrawn.

 RFO
d Council accepted the arrangement for acquiring the computer under the Connecting Dorset Scheme of receiving the net sum (less VAT) from DCA, Council will then issue a cheque for the gross sum (including VAT) and will subsequently reclaim the VAT from Customs and Excise. RFO
e The RFO is currently carrying out the 2007-08 Risk assessment and will present details in the New Year. RFO
133

Correspondence
a

A number of items were presented and left on the table.  It was agreed to invite John Wootton to respond to a transport questionnaire and Carrie Lewis, Marion Carpenter and the Clerk were nominated to attend the SturQuest Reception on the 24 01 08.
Clerk
134

Other Business
a A vote of thanks was extended to Angie Schwier for so ably chairing the first part of the meeting dealing with the planning application. Clerk
b It was agreed to write to the owner of the property on the approach to the village from Hanford, requesting them to remove the protruding branch in their hedge.
c It was agreed to request quarterly reports from the Rights of Way Officer.

The Chairman declared this part of the meeting closed at 10-20pm, whereupon Peter Riley left the meeting before deferred item 129b was discussed.
129

Recreation Ground Continued
b

The comments from the DAPTC on the draft Licence granting right of access to the School across the Recreation Ground, having been previously circulated, were considered.
It was proposed by Wendy Addley, seconded by Marion Carpenter and carried unanimously that the draft licence is accepted with the following amendments:

Clause 1.7 - No licence fee is to be imposed.
Clause 2.0 - Access to be to and from the Recreation Ground.
Clause 3.3 - Gate may also be opened during the lunch break.
Clause 3.7 - Grantee to be changed to Licensee.
Clause 4.1 - 28 days and 6 months to be reduced to 14 days and 3 months respectively.

  

 The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.30pm.

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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