PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES

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Parish Council Minutes February 2005

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The Monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took place in the Village Hall on Wednesday 9th February 2005 commencing at 7.30 pm.

The Vice Chairman, Cllr Mrs J Nudds presided; present were Cllrs K Bryan, C Hill, Mrs M Metcalfe, C Sleigh and M Williams with G Russell in attendance. Also present for part of the meeting was County Cllr John Howell.

1 Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were accepted from Cllr Mike Smith, who is in hospital, and Cllr Maurice Day, who is recovering from an operation. Apologies for absence were also received from District Cllr John Cotton.

2 Declarations of Interest

None

3 Minutes of the Meeting held 12th January 2005

These were approved and signed as a correct record.

By way of correcting a Minute from the December meeting re iii). Cemetery/ Abbey Closed Churchyard, Cllr Sleigh (who had not been present when these Minutes were approved at the January meeting) said that he was not at all concerned about members of the Council carrying out paid work for the Council in the course of their employment, but he felt that the declarations of interest that arise under these circumstances should be made at the start of Council meetings.

4 Matters Arising from the Minutes

a. Berinsfield Bus Shelter; a meeting was held on Thursday, 3rd February to finalise the exact site with Queensbury, the suppliers.

b. 'Hidden Britain' Project; Phil Greenaway has confirmed that the cradle for the Millennium photo album is in production and should be finished by the end of next week. Ozanna Duffy, SODC Tourism Officer, has said there is a possibility of funding for producing a book or CD of the album; more information to be obtained at the next steering group meeting. Car parking and improved signage are considered to be the most important issues.

c No date has yet been set for the decision on the Hallidays planning application. Several councillors expressed an interest in attending the meeting.

d. The Clerk reported that there would be a service in Christ Church on 9th July to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of WW II. The main national function is in London on Sunday 10th July. The local Royal British Legion branch is keen to mark the occasion, possibly with a special showing of some archive film of Dorchester in the war years. This will perhaps be the last opportunity to celebrate with many of the WWII veterans.

e. Minutes of the recent PCC meeting have been received for circulation. The Council is particularly asked to note the reference to the development plans for the Museum, home of most of the Parish's old records, stored in the 'Parish Chest'.

5 County Councillor's Report

County Cllr John Howell reported on a productive meeting which had recently been held with Peter Ronald from County Highways. Mr Ronald is in charge of traffic not repairs, which is still Brian Purcell-Smith. He has agreed that in its 2005/6 budget the County will pay for a new layout at the by pass junction (a design will be prepared for further discussion with the Parish Council) and the Dorchester on Thames signs will be moved to the correct Parish boundary, thus enclosing all Meadside and the whole length of Abingdon Road. Design of new signs to incorporate new symbols indicating: Hotels/Food, Abbey & other Historic Buildings; Museum.

Cllr Howell now has a list of maintenance projects, including Queen Street flooding, the Abingdon Road/Limes junction and the Bridge End car park, to discuss with Mr Purcell-Smith.

Cllr Howell reported on a meeting that had recently been held with the police and county councillors from neighbouring divisions to look at better control of heavy goods vehicles. Conventional weight restrictions are rarely enforced by the police, who prefer to monitor 200m long 'plugs', which is more effective. Later in the year there will be a large-scale research project into h.g.v. movements between this area and the M40 at Lewknor.

Cllr Howell recommended attendance at the forthcoming SEERA consultation meetings. He will also organise a briefing meeting on this subject.

In response to questions Cllr Howell said that he understood that Benson Parish Council has made a donation of £200 towards the expenses of the Ambulance Responder but most parish councils have adopted a wait-and-see policy.

6 Correspondence and Other Business

i). Sports Club & Playground;

Peter Keable has cut the perimeter hedge. Cllr Bryan commented upon the poor standard of safety when the hedge along Abingdon Road belonging to Miss Bowditch was cut. Debris had been allowed to scatter into and across the road.

Paul Jenks is preparing a quote for work to the trees that were identified as being in the second phase of the maintenance work requested by the Council's insurers.

The free 'whips' for perimeter hedging have been requested from SODC. Cllr Mrs Metcalfe suggested that some could be used to replace dead elms along Watling Lane.

It was agreed that the District Council is welcome to use the Recreation Ground and facilities in the Pavilion for junior cricket coaching at Easter.

ii). Footpaths;

The Handyman has cleared the branches that were interfering with use of the pavement along Manor Farm Rd.

Mr Badley of 37 Martins Lane, who wishes to replace his garden fence along the boundary with the adjacent footpath, has been put in touch with County Council.

The rail sleepers at 9 Watling Lane have been removed, but the bank of earth remains.

A response to the request for advice about what the Parish Council can do about unlawful enclosures is awaited from OALC.

iii). Cemetery;

Paul Jenks has also looked at the trees on the Drayton Road boundary of the Cemetery and will make some suggestions for maintenance.

IJP have been asked to programme the work to the old cemetery buildings, which will be carried out early in the new financial year. The Clerk reported that Oxford Crematorium charge £400 for 9" x 6" (approx.) wall plaques and that this fee only confers a 10 year right. Permanent plaques cost more.

Mr Howard Chadwick of the funeral services company will supply some illustrations and costings for what is done in other parts of the county.

iv). Allotments;

The Council approved the request from Denise Line to erect a shed on her allotment. Mark Townson reports that two of the new taps have been installed and that he expects to be able to complete the programme of work for about £50 below budget.

v). Parish Plan;

Cllr Williams reported that the Parish Plan Committee had recently reviewed all 34 actions on the schedule. He distributed minutes of that meeting. The youth group's work is progressing. He requested that a report on the Parish Plan's progress should be included in the agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting.

vi). Other letters to Chairman and Clerk

a. The Council noted that the District's Waste Community Action Group (CAG) meeting is taking place on 17th February at Wheatley commencing at 7.30 pm. Cllr Mrs Metcalfe said that she might be able to attend the Horton-cum-Studley Rural Community Funding Meeting on 2nd March.

b. Dorchester Festival; more information about how the Parish Council could assist with this project has been received from Stephanie Forman. It was agreed that Stephanie and her colleagues should be invited to attend the next Parish Council meeting to discuss the matter in more detail.

c The Council noted a letter from Audrey Farmer of Fane Drive and others with Dorchester connections who had written to say how much they liked to visit the village but that they were sorry that 'Chesters' has now closed.

d. Information about Environmental Improvement grants is to be circulated. The next round of applications is required by the end of March.

e. The Friends of the Abbey are organising a New Residents evening for 7th April. It was felt that the Parish Council should fund the catering and, indeed, be joint hosts of the event. The Council will also ask the Village Hall Management committee if the Hall could be free of charge.

f. A letter from Dr Parker to the District Council about changes to the Conservation Area was noted.

g. The Clerk was asked to publicise a Neighbourhood Watch 'Ringmaster' message which had just been received

7 Planning

a) Applications

PO5/W0051 The White Hart Hotel; Retrospective Listed Building Consent

Best Western signs at ground floor and hanging

The Council had no strong views about this application.

PO5/W0061 The White Hart Hotel; Retrospective Advertisement Consent

One projecting sign

The Council had no strong views about this application.

b) Report on planning decisions, amendments etc

The National Trust has written a letter that recommends against retrospective approval of the new fence at the Thatched Cottage adjacent to the Abbey grounds.

The Inspector has rejected the appeal by the applicants who wished to build a new house by The Barn in Abingdon Road. Details of the decision will be circulated

Dorchester Sailing Club PO4/W1189 New vehicular access

Planning permission granted 21st January with several conditions.

8 Finance

a). Bank balances at end January

NatWest Current account £2,147.52

Reserve Account £41,767.35

b). Accounts Approved for Payment:

SGB (Christmas tree barriers) £152.75

Total Pest Control (Recreation Ground & Cemetery) £470.00

Thames Water (Allotments August to November) £57.79

Thames Water (Sportsground August to November) £46.72

GGD Russell - salary £320.25

GGD Russell - admin expenses (Dec/Jan) £119.50

Geoff Willis (Handyman - 4 weeks - Jan. £286.00) £154.00

An appeal received from Home Start will be circulated and the question of a donation to the Ambulance Responder will be discussed at the next meeting.

The Council will review the remuneration of Geoff Willis at the next meeting.

9 Hurst Water Meadow Trust - appointment of Trustee

It was agreed that the Council would waive its right to be represented by two trustees who are parish councillors. It was felt that the Trust should amend its constitution so that the requirement is that only one trustee needs to be a parish councillor.

10 South East Plan - Consultation Arrangements

There is to be a Consultation Meeting at Didcot on 23rd February.

11 Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 9th March.

12 Any Other Business

a. The Council noted that Ray Brown has been awarded with the MBE after 40 years of service with the Environment Agency.

b The date of the Annual Parish Meeting was agreed for Tuesday 26th April. A progress report on the Parish Plan will be a major part of the agenda. It was also agreed that each councillor should present a brief report lasting around three minutes covering their particular area of special interest to be followed by questions.

c The Clerk was asked to make enquiries of the Enforcement Officer concerning the continued presence of the mobile home at Overy Mill.

d. Cllr Bryan warned the Council that there are types of radio masts which, through a loophole in planning law, can be erected on top of street lights.

e. Cllr Bryan said that any organisation that wanted to involve a parish councillor in an official capacity on its board or committee should obtain the council's approval in advance.

The Meeting closed at 9.25 pm

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