Child Okeford Parish Council

Attendance

All Councillors attended with the exception of Wendy Addley, Carrie Lewis and Jackie Yard who sent their apologies for their absence. Five parishioners (some part time), Angus Campbell (part time) and the Clerk also attended.  Apologies for absence were received from Debroah Croney. Sylvia Holdeman presided.

Declarations of Interest

Sylvia Holdeman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 191, which it was agreed to hold over to the last item.

Minutes

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on the 3rd March 2008, having been previously circulated, were confirmed and signed.  However, the accuracy of item 180a of the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on the 19th March 2008, having been previously circulated, was queried by Angie Schwier on behalf of herself and the absent Jackie Yard, and the was Clerk instructed to amend them for reconsideration and approval at the next meeting.

Matters Arising

a

A letter was tabled from the County Council requesting further details in support of our claim for repairs to the surface of the War Memorial surround, resulting from damage sustained by a DCC vehicle mounting the kerb.

Public Participation

Sir Barry Wilson requested Council’s support for next year’s formal wreath laying ceremony to be held at the War Memorial at 11-00am, to the accompaniment of a bugler, which was given.  Sir Barry agreed to remove last year’s faded poppies and a notice is to be inserted the The Hill requesting their removal by mid December in future years.

Recreation Ground

This item was taken out of agenda sequence at the request of Tony Lewis of the Cricket Club.  He explained that the approval for the practice wicket and nets to be positioned on the western side of the field, as agreed at the site meeting, presented difficulties with mowing and logistically was too far from the changing rooms.  He asked for approval for it to be positioned on the eastern side of the Rec, below the scorer’s hut and angled towards the football dugouts, which Council approved.

Reports

Angus Campbell reported on the activities of the DCC by saying that:

• The IdeA is carrying out a review of Adult Social Care.
• The site for the traveller’s camp for this year’s Steam Fayre is still under active consideration, with objections from residents for last year’s site to be used.

Tim Cotton reported that an inaugural meeting of the Village Environment Committee had been held and that he will give a full report at the forthcoming Annual Parish Meeting.

Highway Matters

a

A parishioner complained that the random parking in the High Street area rendered it difficult for the larger vehicles to negotiate a way through.  A request for people to park considerately is to be placed in The Hill.

Parish Plan

Recommendation No 7 of the Parish Plan has still to be implemented.  Derek Duke pointed out that DCA has set up a countrywide data base to identify all possible sources of grant aid for various schemes.

Recreation Ground

Planning

War Memorial

This item was held over to the last item on the agenda.

Pride of Place Awards

The closing date for applications of the 25 04 08 was noted and it was agreed not to enter this year’s competition.

Annual Parish Meeting

The draft agenda was tabled and accepted.

Finance

a

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

• 000921 – D Jones – £952.86 – Reimbursement for mower repairs
• 000922 – D Jones - £280.48 – Expenses for cutting Rec.

The following are the details of both accounts:

£3707.36

Less cheques as above

£11474.02

The Clerk reported that he had submitted a claim of £1,719.95 to Customs & Excise for the recovery of VAT paid in 2007/08.

Best Kept Village Competition

It was agreed to arrange for a working party to tidy up areas of the village at the forthcoming APM.  Furthermore, it was agreed to request the co-operation of the parishioners in the following ways:

• To keep the road frontages of their properties tidy and litter free.
• To ensure that all items placed in recycling boxes are made secure (covered) to prevent them from being blown over the area.
• To place refuse sacks out in the morning on collection days to prevent the contents from being scattered by birds and animals.

Correspondence

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

Other Business

An alleged breach of planning consent was reported which the Clerk was instructed to investigate.

War Memorial

Provisional estimates to enclose the monument by a low level chain and post fence were tabled.  However, it was agreed to investigate the procedures to be followed before such a project could be undertaken.

Tim Cotton & Clerk

 The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.40pm.