Child Okeford Parish Council

The Annual Meeting of this Parish Council was held at the Community Centre on Monday the 12th May 2008, at 7-30pm. 

Action by
198

Appointment of Chairman

It was proposed by Jackie Yard, seconded by Carrie Lewis and carried unanimously that Sylvia Holdeman be appointed Chairman for the ensuing year. Noted
199

Attendance & Apologies

All Councillors attended with the exception of Angie Schwier who sent her apologies for her absence.  One parishioner attended together with the Clerk.  Apologies for absence were received from Angus Campbell and Deborah Croney.

Noted
200

Declarations of Interest

No Declarations of Interest were received.

Noted
201

Other Appointments

It was proposed by Wendy Addley, seconded by Jackie Yard and carried unanimously that the following officers and committees are appointed for the ensuing year:

Vice-chair: Angie Schwier
Head of Planning: Angie Schwier
Housing: Sylvia Holdeman
Comm. Centre/Play Area: Wendy Addley
Footpaths: Alan Blundell
Tree Officer: Jackie Yard
DAPTC reps: Marion Carpenter
Utilities Liaison: Sylvia Holdeman & David Fielding
Publicity: Jackie Yard
Finance Committee: Angie Schwier, Jackie Yard & Tim Cotton
Ancient Monuments: Tim Cotton
Planning Committee:Derek Duke, Peter Riley & Sylvia Holdeman
(In addition to Head of Planning) (Sylvia Holdeman to be a full member and not ex-officio)
Parish Plan: Derek Duke
Rep. on SturQuest: Derek Duke
Rep. on DT11 Parternership: Carrie Lewis
Transport: Tim Cotton
Rep. on AONB:Frank Spencer
Rep. on V/Hall Com: Sylvia Holdeman

Clerk
202

Minutes

The minutes of the Meetings held on the 19th March and the 7th April 2008, having been previously circulated, were confirmed and signed after item 188 had been amended. Clerk
203

Matters Arising

a A parishioner had asked whether the poppies laid at the War Memorial could be left until after Christmas.  This was accepted. Noted
204

Reports

a

Written Reports had been submitted by Angus Campbell and Deborah Croney.

Noted
b Carrie Lewis reported on the Local Action for Rural Communities Meeting she attended at which the area’s bid for funding, worth £4.5M over five years, was discussed. Noted
205

Public Participation

a

No items were raised by the members of the public.

Noted
206

DT11 Partnership

a

The revised Terms of Reference of this Partnership, having been previously circulated, was accepted with no adverse comments. Noted
207

War Memorial

a

The Clerk reported that following discussions with the duty Planning Officer, that planning permission is required to carry out any works to this listed monument or its surround.

Noted
b The Clerk was instructed to obtain a quotation for the services of a local architect to work with the Council to evolve a scheme to provide some form of low level, decorative, protective fence around the monument and also to explore the possibility of extending the scheme to modify the adjacent highway to deter use by heavy vehicles. Clerk
c The Clerk was instructed to explore the availability of grant aid under the Heritage Lottery - Awards for all scheme. Clerk
d The Clerk reported that he was still actively pursuing the claim for damages to the surround caused by a County Council vehicle. Clerk
208

Recreation Ground

a It was agreed to accept the invitation of NDDC to arrange for the annual RoSPA inspection of the play equipment through them. Clerk
b Following discussions between the Clerk and the Solicitor acting for the School it has been established that the Licence Agreement should have been signed in twofold, on a counterpart arrangement.  To rectify this erroneous situation two new documents were signed by the Chairman and Derek Duke, which are to be sent to the School for completion. Clerk
c It was agreed to obtain more precise details from the School on their request to use the Recreation Ground during lunch times.  Meanwhile, it was agreed to seek the views of the Community Centre Management Committee. Clerk
d It was proposed by Wendy Addley, seconded by Jackie Yard and carried without dissent (Sylvia Holdeman having declared an interest in this item) that Derek Holdeman be asked to install the litter bin in the Recreation Ground. Clerk
e It was agreed to request that the grass around the periphery of the play area is strimmed and that the defected drain at the Community Centre is repaired. Clerk
209

Village Items

a It was agreed seek the views of the Post Mistress on the desirability of holding a Parish Meeting to discuss the possible closure of the Post Office. Sylvia
b It was agreed to hold a village work party on Sat the 24 05 08 at 10.00am. Noted
c It was agreed to seek the views of the villagers, through a Parish Meeting, on arranging a Village Fund Raising Committee, in accordance with Rec. 7 of the CO&H Parish Plan. Clerk
d It was agreed to provide additional Homewatch notices at a cost of approximately £15.00 each.  Sylvia to review requirements. Clerk
210

Planning

a

The following decisions were tabled:

2/2007/1350 – To provide two additional windows on property at Little Stream (retrospectively) – approved.
2/2008/0123 – Erect replacement rear extension at Crofton – Approved.

Noted
b Consideration was given to full/listed applications 2/2008/0363 & 0365 to provide gates to the existing listed pillars at the entrance to Little Stream.  It was agreed to seek a change of finish from paint to preservative and to query the provision of a building, adjacent to the stream, to house the refuse. Clerk
c Several alleged breaches of planning consent were raised which the Clerk is to investigate and discuss with the Enforcement Officer. Clerk
211

Finance

a

It was proposed by Marion Carpenter, seconded by Tim Cotton and carried unanimously that the following recommendations of the Finance Committee are implemented forthwith:

  • The previously circulated updated Estimate of Expenditure is accepted.
  • The £1,719.95 VAT Recovery is transferred to a new account and set aside for future capital provisioning.
  • The present current balances are transferred to new interest bearing accounts.
Clerk
b

It was proposed by Marion Carpenter, seconded by Carrie Lewis and carried unanimously that remunerations paid are increased as follows:

  • Chairman’s Honorarium: From £130.00 to £135.00 per annum.
  • Clerk’s Salary: From £2,424.00 to £2,500.00 per annum.
  • Maintenance of Play Area: From £515.00 to £530.00 per annum.
  • Maintenance of Rec: From £425.00 to £440.00 per annum.
Clerk
c The Clerk reported the receipt of £1,719.95 from HMC&E (VAT Recovery). Noted
d

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

  • 000923 – S/Newton Bldg Supplies - £98.17 – Matl’s for store in Rec. (Retrospectively)
  • 000924 – S Holdeman. - £135.00 – Chairman’s Honorarium
  • 000925 – D Jones - £440.00 – Maintenance of Rec.
  • 000926 – DAPTC - £412.64 – Subscription
  • 000927 – Nildram - £58.29 – Router & line rental
  • 000928 – Glasdon UK Ltd - £206.94 – Litter bin
  • 000930 – RM Doble & Son Ltd - £564.00 – Work to bus shelter.
Clerk
e It was proposed by Wendly Addley, seconded by Sylvia Holdeman and carried unanimously that the insurance cover is renewed with the Allianz Ins plc but extended to include cover for the new lap top computer.  Accordingly, cheque no. 000929 for £1,293.20 was signed. Clerk
  No 1 account Opening Balance

£11,474.02

Noted
Plus VAT Recovery £1,719.95

Less cheques as above

£3,208.24
Balance in hand

£9,985.73

No 2 account
Balance in hand £315.36
Total Closing Balance £10,301.09
g

It was proposed by Derek Duke, seconded by Carrie Lewis and carried unanimously that the accounts for 2007/08 are accepted, subject to no adverse comments being received from the Internal Auditor.

Clerk
212

Correspondence

a

Various items of correspondence were left on the table.

Noted
213

Other Business

a

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

Clerk
b It was agreed to ask the School to include a note in their next newsletter requesting parents not to park their cars outside the bus shelter. Clerk
c The Clerk was instructed to request DCC to cut the grass at the entrance to Portman Drive. Clerk
d It was agreed to request SHA to tidy a property at Cooper Gardens. Clerk
e It was agreed to progress the scheme to provide SIDs with SNTC. Clerk
f A fitting tribute was paid to Hugh de Iongh in recognition of all the outstanding work that he has done for the village, particularly his invaluable contribution in bringing the Learning Centre to fruition. Clerk
g

It was agreed to request the highway authority to fill the potholes on the approach roads to the village and to clear the drain outside the Old House in High Street.

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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