Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council Held At s1

L09/2016

SHILLINGSTONE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 2016 AT THE CHURCH CENTRE, BLANDFORD ROAD, SHILLINGSTONE

PRESENT: Councillors T Kennard (who took the Chair), K Ridout, J Turnbull, P Watts and C Oakley; NDDC Cllr S Jesperson, ROW officer G Rains and two members of the public and the Clerk M Wilson

116. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Received from Cllrs Aaron and Webberley

117. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Turnbull declare an interest in planning application 2/2016/0740

118 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: The minutes of the meeting held on 4th August 2016 were approved.

119. PUBLIC SESSION TO RAISE ISSUES: It was reported that the gate from the Recreation Ground onto the Trailway is increasingly difficult for wheelchair and mobility scooter users as a step is developing due to ground erosion. The clerk will investigate and organise a repair as appropriate. Mrs Turnbull raised her objections to planning application 2/2016/0740. These relate to the loss of amenity due to noise from the plant for the new store and the way in which the noise consultants have undertaken their report. Attempts to have a meaningful dialogue with the developers (West Coast Developments) and the lessee (the Co-op) have been fruitless. These concerns were noted.

120. COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT: The latest report had been circulated. NDDC Cllr Jesperson gave some more background to the key issue in the report – the public consultation on the future of local government in Dorset. It is clear the status quo is not an option. Left to its own devices North Dorset District Council will eventually run out of money. The likely way ahead is for two unitary authorities for Dorset, with one potentially centred on Bournemouth and Poole (and possibly Christchurch), and one for the more rural areas. Whilst these changes will save considerable money (and seem to work ok in places like Wiltshire and Cornwall) it will have implications at the local level. Given there will be far fewer councillors, it will be harder for them to provide the same level of support to parishes and have as much knowledge of local issues. Council tax will also rise and at a faster rate. Currently NDDC can only increase its element of council tax by 2% per annum; Dorset County Council can increase its element of council tax by 4%. Any unitary authority will thus be able to increase the entire council tax by the higher amount. Additionally, there will need to be a harmonisation of council tax rates across the new authority – given council tax is lower in North Dorset than most of the other councils in Dorset our council tax will need to be further increased. The extra funding will not feed back into local services like libraries, verge cutting, footpath maintenance etc, but will fund the soaring costs of adult social care and children’s services, both of which are now a local responsibility. Once a strategy is set after the consultation, individual district councils will not have any power of veto and will have to join in the new arrangement. The consultation runs for some time, there are local presentation events and she urged everyone to read the public information and have their say. The parish council could also make a collective response.

121. FOOTPATHS: i) Footpaths officer report: The footpath from Knapps into Church Field had been reported as overgrown, but this has largely been cleared now. The tenant of No 1 Grange Cottages has allegedly told a local resident that it is not his responsibility as a tenant to cut his hedges – this is a matter for the landlord. The clerk will seek clarification from Spectrum (ex-Signpost); staff from the Forum School are using the path as a smoking area and filling the dog waste bin with butt ends and drink cans – the clerk will contact the School; it seems the owner of Church Field might wish to erect stock fencing by the footpaths and graze animals in the field, but no concrete proposals have been seen; there has been some minor vandalism to Trailway signs, this has been reported to the Rangers ii) Trailway and Station: Discussions are taking place at both the northern and southern ends over potential extensions/alterations to the route

122. PLANNING i). Clerk to report on outstanding applications: A revised application for the DJ’s site – 2/2016/0740 – has been received. The external staircase will now be made of timber, but the issues of noise from the external plant and subsequent loss of amenity for neighbours have not altered. The noise consultant’s report had been circulated to councillors and the potential flaws in the analysis highlighted by Mrs Turnbull were noted. It was agreed to object to the amended application on the grounds of loss of amenity and ask that the plant be re-located further away from 250 neighbours. The clerk will also write to the lessee – the Co-op – to make them aware of the distress caused by their plans and seek a change ii). To consider any new applications received before the meeting: a) 2/2016/1203 – Stour Brook House, Cookswell. DT11 0QZ – erect single storey extension (bay window) – no objections iii). To consider applications to carry out works to trees in the conservation area received before the meeting: None received iv) Neighbourhood Plan –update: The examination is underway. There has been no indication that a public hearing will take place.

123. FINANCES: i) To approve cheques for payment as per schedule: The following payments were approved: SO – Shillingstone cricket club – grass cutting - £100.00 2027 – Adrian Taylor – pavilion painting - £1,200 2028 – Came & Co – insurance premium - £1,764.06 2029 – HMRC – PAYE July – September - £399.00 2030 – M Wilson – August pay - £502.92; 2031 – M Wilson – September pay - £502.92. ii) insurance renewal (due 1st October): The clerk had received 3 quotes via Came and Co and had circulated a comparison analysis. It was agreed to accept the lowest quote from Hiscox and enter into a three year agreement which gives a 5% reduction in premiums. It is interesting to note that the annual premium is 25% less than the parish council paid in 2012 even though the level and range of cover has increased. iv) auto-enrolment of pensions – update: The clerk has completed and registered a certificate of compliance with HMRC in accordance with the new regulations. This is valid for 3 years unless there is a change of clerk

124. THE CROSS – update: Historic England has been provided with details of the capping arrangements for the column – approval awaited; The clerk has completed a pre-application registration form with NDDC to arrange a site visit to find out exactly what NDDC need by way of a planning application from us to re-locate the cross head. There shouldn’t be a fee for the pre-application meeting as we are a parish council. The clerk has let the Diocese and Sylvia Stokes know the current position.

125. PLAY AREAS, RECREATION GROUND AND PROPERTY CHECK: i) To appoint Councillor to inspect play areas, recreation ground and property in July: Cllr Oakley. ii) To note Councillors reports and decide any action: Cllr Watts has raked the woodchip play surface but new supplies might be needed soon; some minor repairs to timber items and a bench are required soon iii) Trees and hedges: It was agreed the clerk should approach Jeff Fincham to work on the hedge between the Recreation Ground play area and Spencer Gardens. A request for the lengthsman to cut a verge in Vale Terrace was not agreed. iv) Pavilion: The front and side windows have been painted and the painter has agreed to do the remainder of the work for the same cost. It is hoped Pitmans will begin work to complete the refurbishment within the next week or so. The cast iron cistern in the gents toilet is coming off the wall – Cllr Watts will organise a replacement in good quality plastic. He will also ask the plumber to repair the boiler in the pod and fix the leaking overflow in the main pavilion. He reported that a village football team has been formed and already played 3 matches and joined the Dorset League. The club has no funds to speak of, and it was agreed the parish council would not seek a donation for the first season using the facilities. v) Allotments: After a delay, the new water supply should be installed by next week. The clerk is trying to find a tenant from the waiting list for the one vacant plot.

126. COMMUNITY DEFIBRULATOR: John Lewis is a Hazelbury resident who is working with the South West Ambulance Trust to widen the distribution of defibrulators in Dorset. It would need to be located on the outside of a building, probably the Portman Hall, so it can be connected to an electrical supply so the equipment is kept warm in the cold weather. Cost is about £1,300 - £1,500 plus an allowance of about £40 a year to build up a reserve to replace the battery and chest pads from time to time. The Hall would have to be happy to bear the small electricity cost. John Lewis currently has access to some grant funding which could reduce the cost to about £800/£900.He and SWAT would provide community training sessions; Cllr Turnbull also has contacts who can provide this. John Paul has been in contact about organising a fundraising event at the Hall in 2017. This might raise enough to cover the cost but it was agreed to proceed with the purchase immediately with any funds from the event being used in mitigation in the future. The clerk will progress matters

127. CORRESPONDENCE: Cllr Ridout reported adverse comments on social media about the parish council’s lack of commitment to the Speedwatch initiative. Given the parish council bought all the equipment and paid for the training this seems unfair and inaccurate. The Speedwatch group unfortunately was not able to operate for a variety of external factors and it was noted that the Police is the organisation that vets and approved volunteers.

128. TO AGREE ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA: Routine items . 250

129. NEXT MEETING: This will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 6th October 2016 at the Church Centre. Cllr Turnbull gave his apologies

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.10 pm.