sign in sign up
<<
Home , Charlton Marshall, Fontmell Magna, Iwerne Minster, Pimperne

Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils Northern Area Committee

Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 16th April 2019 at Village Hall, NewfieldRoad, Pimperne, DT11 8UZ at 7pm

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. Present:

Cllr Haydn White Town Council (BFTC) CllrJackie Stayt Blandford Forum Town Council (BFTC) Cllr John Stayt Blandford St Mary PC (BSMPC) Cllr Bobbie Church PC (BPC) Cllr Tim Hill Parish Council (CMPC) Cllr Chris Bellers PC (FMPC) Cllr Mike Jones Parish Council (IMPC) Cllr Philip Smith PC (MSAPC) Cllr Martin Richley Pimperne PC (PPC) Cllr Pam Eaton South Tarrant Valley PC (STVPC) Cllr Clemency Wilkins PC (TSPC) Cllr Pauline Batstone TC (SNTC) Cllr John Parker The Stours Parish Council (TSPC)

In attendance: Pam Higgins Secretary Northern Area, DAPTC

Apologies Hilary Trevorah Chief Executive, DAPTC Stephen Hill Council Cllr Michael Humphreys Fontmell Magna PC (FMPC) Cllr David Webber & Cann PC (MA&CPC) Cllr George Weeks PC (OFPC) Cllr Piers Brown Shaftsbury Town Council (STC) Cllr Lester Taylor Shaftsbury Town Council (STC) Cllr Scott Norman PC (SPC)

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 16th January 2019 The minutes of the meeting held on 16th January 2019 had been previously circulated. The minutes were proposed by Cllr Jones (IMPC) and seconded by Cllr Richley (PPC) and signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting. There were no matters arising.

3. Matters Arising - None.

4. Chairman’s Report The Chairman gave his report. In brief:- Spoke with Martin Ayres (Swanage town clerk) regarding the change from District & County Councils to new Dorset Council. The need to identify who the local Dorset Councillors will be for each area and inviting / involving them in the PC & TC monthly meetings to ensure matters are discussed as they arise. PC’s and TC’s need to be treated as equals as they have statutory responsibilities they have to adhere to. Planning – the number of planning applications presented at the last meeting had been outstanding for a number of months – this wasn’t helpful when asking for an extension. Contacting the right persons has been difficult and there needs to be more clarity regarding this a.s.a.p. After an enquiry Cllr White was told the communications team hadn’t been set up yet. Martin Horton, who gave a presentation at the DAPTC conference, reminded everyone the officers at NDDC (and other district councils) are accountable to us, the public, as we pay their wages. It was noted that Councillors were not re-applying to be elected again as they feel they are not listened to. The priority is to get the balance right and by consulting with PC’s and TC’s this might happen!

5. DAPTC CE Report The Chairman read out the report from Hilary. A copy of the report was sent with the agenda. In brief – NALC – they are getting better when policies are put to them nationally, but evidence is needed so they can lobby successfully. DAPTC won an award for their work with Clinical Commission Group 2 years ago.

6. Dorset Council Dorset Council Partnership is redundant – is now Dorset Council. Dorset Council is producing a newsletter, on a two weekly cycle, with all current information which is sent to all clerks. Interviews are in process for Directors, the level below Matt Prosser, Chief Executive.

7. Reports from Portfolio Holders

The Standards Committee - Nothing to report

Travellers & Gypsies - Jane Westbrook isn’t standing for Dorset Council. Meeting this week re liaising etc. and discuss issues.

Northern Dorset LAG - This is now finished.

Blandford Leisure Centre Are meeting next week. A newsletter is being produced to keep PC’s informed. There has been an increase in attendances of activities. GP referrals have increased which is helpful in patient’s recovery. PC’s would like to know how the money they give is spent. SLM manages three centres in Dorset and they are all being looked at.

Overview and Scrutiny - no news

8. Members Items a) Election of new Chairman Mike Jones was proposed by John Parker and seconded by Jackie Stayt. Mike Jones agreed to take on the position subject to him being re-elected in May 2019. b) Matters of concern Representatives on the Executive committee deferred to be an early item on the agenda at the next meeting in July.

Bryanston PC Cllr Church – Re the motion presented to DAPTC AGM. The latest report of progress is in DAPTC CE newsletter.

Iwerne Minster PC Cllr Jones – It is noticeable that few Cllrs are coming forward. Not just a local problem also happening nationally. Central Government hasn’t helped either. Paying for an election can be an issue as PC’s don’t have the funds like bigger councils. Not satisfactory where the PC and TC count is taking place (Weymouth) and needs to change for next time.

Fontmell Magna PC Cllr Bellers – They have a problem recruiting new Cllrs – only have 4 when 7 are required. Not sure they will reach the quota. They are new to DAPTC and want to engage with other councils etc. Hope the new ward members will come to meetings and to report on Dorset Council progress etc.

Sturminster Newton TC Cllr Batstone – They have 3 vacancies. Try to use the expertise of people even when they don’t want to stand – can be very useful.

South Tarrant Valley PC Cllr Eaton – they have 3 vacancies – some are retiring due to age.

Blandford TC Cllr White – Dorset Council election – has two wards. Information is not easy to find of the electors – registers only available at the Council office not available locally e.g. library. Blandford Neighbourhood Plan is in 2nd phase now. Cllr Jackie Stayt – not standing this time. Road works in the town – taking so long to complete, which frustrates the public.

Milborne St Andrew PC Cllr Smith – they have 4 Cllrs standing. There is a new main sewer in the village. There are 4 new planning applications in the pipeline. Sewer can’t cope with sewage now and Wessex water have to pump it out every winter, has anyone else had this sort of experience? It was suggested Environmental Health be contacted as they can put pressure on any service.

The Stours PC Cllr Wilkins – an application for a new solar farm at Fifehead has been submitted. This will be high up on the hill so will be seen from Provost, East and West Stour. The visibility of it is an issue.

Pimperne PC Cllr Richley – Re-iterated that PC’s are not listened to e.g. planning.

Charlton Marshall PC Cllr Hill – have 4 Cllrs, need 7, hope to co-opt 2 more at AGM. Most people say they’re too busy! At the last NDDC planning committee there was only 4 members present and the application for Charlton Marshall was just nodded through – no reference to objections were made at all. Frustrated at the time to get things done – have a dog bin and a SID that needs installing – both on the A350 so has to be done by Highways. Both items have been purchased by the PC.

The Chairman John thanked the members and wished the group success for the future.

The members thanked John for his hard work in keeping the members informed over these past 5 years.

9. Date for next meeting The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 17th July – Town Council Offices, Sturminster Newton

With no further business the meeting closed at 8.30pm. The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.

Signed:…………………………………………….... Dated:…………………………… ……….. Chairman

Attachments: None