Child Okeford Parish Council

The ORDINARY MEETING of this Parish Council was held at the Community Centre on Monday the 7th January 2008, at 7-30pm. 

Action by
135

Attendance
All Councillors attended with the exception of Sylvia Holdeman and Peter Riley who sent their apologies for their absence.  Four parishioners, four youths (part time) and the Clerk also attended.  Apologies for absence were received from Deborah Croney and Angus Campbell.   Angie Schwier presided. Noted
136

Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were declared.

 Noted
137

Parish Precept - Estimate of Expenditure for 2008/09

a

 The Clerk had previously circulated Report No. 16a setting out the financial details and implications based on the proposal to maintain the precept at the same level as last year - at £18,000.  Two Councillors recommended that this sum be reduced by £2,000.  An open discussion thereupon ensued on the pros and cons of both options.  It was proposed by Derek Duke, seconded by Marion Carpenter that precepts are issued on the rating authority for 2008/09 in the sum of £18,000, which was carried by 5 votes to 2.  This sum included contributions to Sturminster Newton Leisure and CAB, both of which are under threat of imminent closure due to withdrawal of funding from NDDC and both are used by the residents of Child Okeford. Clerk
b During the discussions it was agreed to obtain quotations for refurbishing the gang mowers. Clerk
c Requests were tabled from Blandford and Sturminster Newton Town Councils seeking financial support for some of the devolved services.  It was agreed that any support given to such services (as detailed in item 137a) would be assessed on an individual basis and would only include services used by the electors  of Child Okeford and which are in imminent threat of closure, with contributions being made direct to the organisation itself without going through a third party.  Clerk
138

Minutes

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on the 3rd December 2007, having been previously circulated, were confirmed and signed.

Clerk
139

Matters Arising

a

 Despite exhaustive inquiries made through Mr Harris, Alfords Brothers the builders and their successors, it has still not been possible to establish ownership of the verges in the Hollow, above and below the entrance to Portman Drive.  Therefore, it was agreed to leave the matter in abeyance. Noted
140

Public Participation
a With the introduction of the SID a parishioner inquired whether the authorities would welcome a voluntary group monitoring speeds of vehicles that exceed the limit, as indicated by the device.  The Clerk to investigate. Clerk
b Questions were asked on the possibility of providing a skate park. The chairman outlined the current position and gave assurances that if and when a suitable site can be acquired, the matter would be revisited. Clerk
c It was reported that the nets of the goals on the football pitch had been slashed.  The Clerk to investigate. Clerk
d A parishioner raised a cautionary note to ensure that any contributions made to such facilities as leisure centres, did not incur any legal responsibilities on the donor.  Derek Duke thought not but would check before any donation is made and he also agreed to establish whether there would be any concessions available to parishioners of donor Councils. Derek Duke
e Frank Spencer informed the meeting that the consultative questionnaire on the Management Plan Review for the Cranborne Chase ANOB has been posted on their website.  It was agreed to reply on the basis that the Iwerne Valley, from Iwerne Minster down to Stourpaine, has its own special landscape character but lying on the boundary of both the Cranborne Chase and Dorset AONBs it is marginalised by both authorities.  Therefore, it is suggested that this area should be given special consideration by including a chapter on it in both area documents. Clerk
141

Reports
a

Alan Blundell reported on the state of the village's rights of way as follows:

  • DCC have agreed to repair five broken stiles.
  • The owner has agreed to permit the permissive path around the maize field to continue to be used until the end of 2008.
  • The Shillingstone Trailway is being extended and a safety barrier fitted at the exit onto Hayward's Lane.
  • Dogs are being allowed to run loose on Hambledon Hill.
  • Horses are churning up the surface of Hambledon Hill and not keeping to the bridleways.
Noted
b

In her absence a report was read from Deborah Croney who reported on the NDDC by saying that a delegation of senior officers and councillors have met John Healey MP, the Local Government Minister, in an attempt to permit more flexibility in the capping rules, to allow the lowest taxing councils to move towards the national average.  Currently NDDC is the sixth lowest in the country.  His decision is pending.

 Noted
142

Recreation Ground

a

 It was agreed to ask Jeff Ling to cut the hedge bordering the road and the dividing hedge with the School. Clerk
b It was agreed to obtain three itemised quotations for carry out remedial work to the trees, in accordance with the survey carried out by Byron Harris, Aboricultural Officer of NDDC, and as detailed in Report No. 11 dated 19th July 2006. Clerk
c Details of a notice for the car park were tabled and a minor amendment to the text made.  Quotations are to be obtained. Clerk
143

Planning
a

The following decisions were tabled:

2/2007/1091 - Modifications to Greenlawn, Station Road - approved.
2/2007/1108 - Erect outbuildings at Chisel House - approved.

 Noted
b Consideration was given to full application 2/2007/1324 to erect a single storey front extension at 15 Melway Gardens.  It was agreed to raise no objection. Clerk
c Consideration was given to full application 2/2007/1336 to extend the existing lay-by at Beech Cottage, The Hollow.  It was agreed to raise no objection. Clerk
d Consideration was given to full application 2/2007/1337 to erect a garden art studio at The Old School House, High Street.  It was agreed to raise no objection. Clerk
e Consideration was given to an application to fell and prune trees at Kalbarri, High Street.  No objections were raised to pruning the cedar and poplars.  It was felt that the felling of the two cupressus in the front would leave a 'gap'.  However, Council is aware of the reasons that prompted the application and if it is agreed that the stated objectives cannot be achieved by judicious pruning, then no objection would be raised to the trees being felled. Clerk
144

Highways
a

Following a proliferation of heavy vehicles passing through the village, it was agreed to request that the existing 7½ tonne weight restriction signs at all junctions with main roads are replaced with signs of the maximum size and clarity.  A number of the present signs have become obscure and are not positioned to give maximum prominence to drivers.

Clerk
145

Finance
a



It was proposed by Carrie Lewis, seconded by Tim Cotton and carried unanimously that the following cheques are signed:

  • 000906 - GP Gray - £210.00 - Cleaning of bus shelters.
  • 000907 - David Fielding - £129.00 - maintenance of play area (3rd qtr).
  • 000908 - J Gill - £861.55 - Clerk's salary & expenses (3rd qtr).
  • That Cheque for Connecting Dorset is to be signed out of meeting when received.
 RFO
b

The following are the details of both accounts:

 RFO
No 1 account Opening Balance

£7,369.70

Less cheques as above

 £1,200.55
Balance in hand

£7,169.15
No 2 account
Balance in hand £315.36
Total Closing Balance £6,484.51
c It was agreed that the work at the Cross had not been completed to specification and the Clerk informed the meeting that he had already informed the contractor accordingly.  The Clerk was instructed to liaise with the contractor to have the situation rectified. RFO
d It was proposed by Derek Duke, seconded by Tim Cotton and carried unanimously that the estimated v actual expenditure for the 3rd quarter, showing a closing balance of £7,369, is accepted. Clerk
e The 2007/08 Risk Assessment carried out by the Clerk and previously circulated was discussed.  It was proposed by Wendy Addley, seconded by Derek Duke and carried unanimously that the assessment is accepted. Clerk
146

New Code of Conduct
a

The Clerk informed the meeting that whereas this council's acceptance of the New Code of Conduct had not been published in the local press, DAPTC are nearing completion of their survey of all parish councils in North Dorset, with a view to advising NDDC so as they can arrange to publish a block notice in the press.  Therefore, it was decided to closely monitor the situation and to take no unilateral action at this time.
Clerk
147

Correspondence
a

A number of items were presented and left on the table.  The following action was agreed:

  • The Clerk to respond to the NDDC's consultative document on Identifying New Sites for Housing.
  • Angie Schwier to respond to NDDC's Landscape Character area Assessment.
  • Derek Duke and Carrie Lewis agreed to attend the event on the 18th February at Bryanston School on Creating Sustainable Communities.
 As Noted
148

Other Business
a

In a bid to shorten meetings it was suggested that each agenda item is allocated a time limit.   Clerk to discuss with the Chairman.

 Clerk

 The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.10pm.

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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