MINUTES of the MEETING of MELBURY ABBAS and CANN GROUP PARISH COUNCIL HELD on 14Th FEBRUARY 2006

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MELBURY ABBAS AND CANN GROUP PARISH COUNCIL 6th APRIL 2016 HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL

Present: In attendance – Cllr. Hughes, (Chair), Cllr. Markham, Cllr. Weston, Cllr. Gill, Cllr. Webber, Cllr. Mitchell, Cllr. Kenealy, Mrs. Kaile (Clerk).

Members of the Public 5

2015.113 APOLOGIES

Cllr Sturgess and Parker. Mrs. Langham

2015.114 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Minutes of the Meeting of 3rd February read and approved.

2015.115 MATTERS ARISING

No matters arising.

2015.116 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were asked to re-read the agenda for this meeting and to make any declarable interests known. Cllr Webber advised he would have to declare an interest if the Commons was discussed.

All would have an interest in road matters.

2015.117 REMINDER AS TO MEDIA POLICY

Meeting reminded as to the Council's policy.

2015.118 UPDATE COUNTY COUNCILLOR

The monthly report from the County Councillor had been circulated earlier.

UPDATE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

No update.

2015.119 FINANCE REPORT

New notice boards due to be erected by end of the month.

A gas beacon has been purchased for Beacon lighting events and will now be available for the village to use. Cost £299 plus VAT. (This purchase was agreed by all the councillors). It is planned that it will be lit for the Queens 90 th Birthday on the 21st April but will not be part of the National Chain of Beacons as too late to register. Due to time restraints and the requirements of the various landowning bodies it attendance will be by invite only and by foot only. A risk assessment as required by the insurance company has been prepared. Police and Fire Brigade to be notified.

It was agreed that the Parish Council will donate £590 to the cost of the Hog Roast for the village event for the Queen's birthday being held in June.

Two quotes received to date for the defibrillator which is to be installed at the Village Hall. Another quote is due and to be discussed at next meeting.

Cheques to be minuted:- DAPTC -Training Seminar £35 Donations St. Thomas Church Preservation £100 CAB £100 Dorset Air Ambulance £200

Clerk's Expenses for the year to 31.3.16 £397.36

Balances:- Bank Instant Account £5773 Treasurers Account £9875 Post Office Account £2502

Additional signatories for cheque signing still being sorted out.

The Clerk recommended that in the future the completion of the required HM Taxes forms for the Clerk's salary and any work relating to pension obligations that the Parish Council would be liable for in the future should be outsourced for transparency. Cost would be £50 per annum and the company being recommended is Ian J. Small Accountancy Services who undertake this function for several local Parish Councils. Proposed acceptance Cllr. Webber, Seconded Cllr. Weston. All in agreement.

Parish Councils will now have to offer pensions to paid employees and would need to budget for the same. The minimum would be 3% of the gross salary.

2 Clerk stated she would not be asking for a pension.

Freedom of Information requirements in the process of being reviewed.

2015.120 REPORT FROM PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Planning application for Higher Blandford Road/A30 - no decision has been heard with regard to this application.

Cllr. Mitchell asked do the planners discuss what facilities such as medical and schooling would be required when considering new housing applications. Mr. Proctor (member of the public and current mayor of Shaftesbury) said that planners never consult on this. He stated that Dorset County Council have advised that there will be a new primary school in Shaftesbury by 2017 but as yet they have not even bought the land.

2015.121 REPORT FROM ROADS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

A complaint has been received concerning the number of HGVS trying to use Pitts Lane (via sat nav). A Not Suitable for HGVs has been requested. DCC advise that there one such sign there but there is not.

Cllr Mitchell has looked at the other lanes and reported that they have worsened in the last six months. He has requested that Mr. Skeats visits and inspects the same. Cllr Mitchell disappointed that Mrs. Croney feels unable to listen about these kind of issues first hand. Chairman agreed and has raised her inaccessibility with her but she feels e mail/phone is sufficient.

Cllr Mitchell felt that if villagers started to make a claim for damage caused to their vehicles by the poor condition of the lanes then something might happen.

Cllr. Webber says that the roads on the western side of the Parish are also in a poor state. Another suggestion was that an article is written about the poor road and lane conditions and get them to complain via the Dorset Website. Clerk to write to DCC about issue.

Mr. Proctor raised the concern about HGVS using St. John's Hill part of which is in the parish. Shaftesbury Town Council are going to erect warning signs advising as to the unsuitability and feels that DCC cannot stop them from doing this. He stated that Shaftesbury Town Council need to work with this parish on this matter. The Chairman felt that Andrew Brown from DCC needs to approve such signs and Mr. Proctor will contact him to this end.

3 New VMS at Cann Hill to be installed in May.

Update on Dinah's Hollow given. The landslip has been removed and the road to be re-opened shortly.

The Chairman has been looking at the possibility of purchasing speed indicators and it is something that the Parish Council should consider when setting the budget for the financial year 2017/18. There are sites that are already approved in the Parish for such pieces of kit and with help from Shaftesbury Town Council employees these indicators could be moved around the parish as would be required. Cllr. Kenealy has some specifications for these indicators along with prices of approximately £2500 - these have data recording capabilities. Mr. Proctor felt they would be useful in Shaftesbury as well and Cllr. Kenealy to let Mr. Proctor have the relevant detail.

The issues of village gates was discussed - and it was suggested that perhaps the prisoners at Guys Marsh could make them. Cllr. Parker to be asked to contact HMP regarding same. Clerk to contact DCC about positioning of gates.

2015.122 REPORT FROM THE GUYS MARSH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

No prisoners being allowed out on work release projects.

2015.123 REPORT FROM FOOTPATHS AND TREES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

No issues.

2015.124 REPORT FROM THE DAPTC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Clerk to contact North Dorset division as nothing heard from them for some considerable time.

2015.125 REPORTS FROM SHAFTESBURY TAKE GROWTH FORWARD

Meeting tomorrow to be attended by Cllr. Markham. Cranborne Chase group holding Planning Seminar - this parish council to send representatives.

2015.126 AIRFIELD

Nothing to report.

2015.127 VILLAGE HALL AND MILLENNIUM GROUP

The Village Hall Group asked the Parish Council if there is anymore

4 money they could have this year (over the £2000 already allocated). Clerk stated not possible this financial year as monies going to other events in the village.

2015.128 TRAVELLERS

There are a few travellers back on the Commons. No response yet on the management plan.

2015.129 OPTIONS FOR USE OF TELEPHONE KIOSK

Options for its new use outstanding. Cllr Markham to get quote for notice board. for inside kiosk.

2015.130 COMMUNICATIONS

Already circulated.

2015.131 QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

Mrs. Stoate enquired about a litter pick for the village. Mrs. Stoate and Cllr. Kenealy to liaise.

Mrs. C. Stone from Dorset Partnership - POPP then outlined what they can offer to the over 50s. It was agreed that she should be the guest speaker at the Annual Meeting on the 1st June.

The Chairman stated that there is need for rural transport and referred to the loss of buses and a scheme that Mrs. Clarke was keen to see being adopted.

Mr. Reynolds stated that the MP, Mr. Hoare is indicating that there is a plan to remove six houses from Melbury Abbas to widen the road and he would like the Parish Council to ask Mr. Hoare what is actually happening. Chairman to contact Mr. Hoare.

2015.132 ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA

Next meeting 10th May - AGM and bi- monthly meeting.