I § Minutes of Piddle Valley Parish Council
Tuesday 24 April 2018
Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall
Present: Cllrs Mailer (CHAIR), Clifton, Lock, Potts, Abbott, Phillips, Howard, Cox, Milne, Ebdon, Hiic;eek, Coombes, Brackstone, Sherwood, Murray, County Cllr Haynes, District Cllr Haynes
Apologies received: Cllr Hiscock
Democratic Period
The Chair of Piddle Valley First Schools PTA attended the meeting to introduce herself and to inform the council that the PTA want to be more involved with the community. PTA events coming up include a Royal Wedding Street Party which all are welcome to attend. The paint party for the playground equipment has been discussed and the date is to be agreed shortly. Thanks were expressed for attending the meeting.
County Cllr Update
County CHr Haynes gave an update on the following;
• The proposed warding areas have been discussed and the new figure could be 3756 + or - 10% but nothing has been agreed as yet. • Apologies for May meeting.
District Cllr update
District Cllr Haynes gave an update on the following;
• The Old Chapel property - District Cllr Tim Yarker can attend parish council meeting to explain what can happen with this property. Advised to contact Empty Homes Officer to ask what he can do. • SMARTS enforcement - letter received confirming this case is now closed.
Police/Home watch update
PCSO Alison Oonnison was unable to attend the meeting but sent an update confirming that there have been no reported crimes during the last month. An update on the changes to the PCSO's was also included in the update which Alison confirmed that she has chosen to remain as a Police Community Support Officer and at this time is awaiting the decision as to where she will be based. It may be covering a different area or if she remains in this area it will most definitely be covering a much larger area. Alison will endeavour to update you as soon as her position is clear.
11 The below is the press release issued;
Police Community Support Investigators (PCSls) have been drafted in to meet the demands of modern policing in Dorset.
The 31 PCSls will be based out of stations in Poole, Bournemouth, Blandford, Weymouth, Ferndown, Wareham and Bridport and will mean Dorset Police is able to respond to the needs of victims much more effectively.
It will also enabling scheduled appointments to be made when initially contacting the Force.
This new role is being introduced following public feedback that the Force did not always respond to crimes in a timely and efficient manner, where it had been established there is no immediate risk or danger. It will result in important face-to-face contact with the public after they have been the victim of a crime - something the public regularly feedback to the Force.
On top of the initial nine weeks training for their former role as a police community support officer, the new PCSls have been through a further eight-week intensive training programme involving four weeks of classroom learning and four weeks of on-the-job training, shadowing police constables.
The investigators will attend appointments at a pre-agreed time and location to deal with incidents where there is lower threat, harm and risk, such as assaults, criminal damage, shed breaks, vehicle crime and harassment. They will record crimes, carry out the initial investigation, such as identification of CCTV and witness opportunities, take statements and provide reassurance and crime prevention advice to the victim.
The project will also generate uplifts to teams dealing with cyber-crime, child sexual exploitation and sex offences, as well as other areas that generate significant demand.
Assistant Chief Constable Julie Fielding said: "As has been seen in other parts of the country, policing numbers have reduced over the last five years and we must constantly evolve how we operate to ensure we best meet the needs of Dorset residents.
"This is an exciting time for our Police Community Support Investigators who have been recruited from our existing Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). They bring with them a range of skills and years of policing experience which will be very useful in their new roles.
"We have been able to invest in increasing resources in areas where we experience significant demand by retraining and redeploying PCSOs from our neighbourhood policing teams, whilst still enabling them to carry out some of their more traditional responsibilities wherever and whenever it is appropriate in a more flexible role.
"Neighbourhood policing is still at the centre of everything we do in Dorset and we remain committed to supporting local communities who expect and deserve a visible policing presence. We will continue to have police officers and PCSOs working as part of our neighbourhood policing teams
2 I c_e__~ ~, s' ti& across the county."
The introduction of the new role also creates a career path for PCSOs to progress into investigation roles ~ something that hasn't been possible until now.
PCSI Cheryl Belfield, of Dorset Police, said: "I've been a police community support officer now for eight years, but having the opportunity to progress my career within policing was an opportunity I jumped at. We all join policing to help people and in this new role, I can really put my problem solving and investigative skills into practice and have an even greater impact on supporting victims and vulnerable members of our community."
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill said: "Now more than ever, we need to be making best use of available resources. Giving PCSOs an opportunity to diversify their careers is important if we are to retain skilled individuals with a solid understanding of local needs. But beyond this, with PCSls taking on the initial investigatory work in relation to low threat crimes, our PCSOs will be better able to fulfil their core community engagement role while police officers will have more time to tackle high risk crimes in Dorset.
"I am confident this will improve experiences of policing for residents and I am pleased that my decision to raise the precept will support ongoing work such as this to meet the changing demands we face."
ACC Fielding continues: "Crime has changed and we must ensure our workforce reflects the modern demands we face. Increasingly these are complex and often hidden from public view such as online crime and child sexual exploitation, which are particularly impactive on victims.
"We have been very honest and open with the public while making these changes and we will continue to ensure that through a flexible approach and efficient distribution of our resources we are able to continue to meet current challenges and demands.
"Neighbourhood policing as a whole is still part of every police officer and PCSO's business, which includes response officers, local investigation staff and other operational officers."
Cllr Milne advised of an engraving security method the Police are offering for machinery which should deter attempted thefts. Anyone interested should contact the Police.
5~018 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Phillips declared an interest with the Millennium Green request on the agenda.
57/2018 Minutes of meeting held on 27 March 2018 lt was proposed by Cllr Coombes and seconded by Cllr Clifton that these minutes with the following amendment should be accepted as a true record of the meeting. All agreed.
c:::.... e,_. l!-Cls-c:a.___ 3 I ~l~/tA Page 1, Democratic Period, County Cllr update, last line of point one, change 84 to 82.
Page 3, item 4~018, second point at the end of first sentence should include, Cllr Phillips had details of 2 people requiring the scheme.
5$018 Clerks Update
a) Pension
The Clerk informed the council that this is ongoing.
b) Transparency Code
Further discussions were had regarding what should or needs to be added to the Assets register along with items that should be removed. A long discussion was had concerning the pump at Piddlehinton and it was agreed that the Clerk should contact the insurance company to ask if it would be covered under the public liability if something were to happen to it.
The Clerk informed the meeting that the application for funding a new website had been successful. Clerk has also received a very informative precis of website providers who could build the website. Discussion followed where there seemed to be uncertainty as to whether the parish needs to have a stand-alone website, it was agreed at the January meeting that we would. The Clerk pointed out the risk to the council if they choose not to proceed. Cllr Milne proposed and Cllr Sherwood seconded that a working group is created to draw up a terms of reference and decide a way forward and to assess the providers and decide which one to go with. The group members would be, Clerk & Cllrs Phillips, Ebdon and Clifton. All agreed with one against.
Clerks working group update - no meeting held, therefore, next agenda
59/2018 Planning matters
I) Planning Consultation;
WD/D/1~453 - Erection of stables block - WEST COTTAGE, POUND FRAM CROSSROADS BLACK HILL- This application was discussed and voted on -All in favour with 1 abstention
WD/D/1&t)00483 - Erection of entrance porch and single storey rear extension with roof terrace; addition of Juliet balcony to south west elevation; balcony on the north-west elevation and
41 C...·~ ~b,.__ ~,~, ti installation of front dormer together with internal and external alterations. - WATERWAYS, SWAN LANE, PIDDLETRENTHIDE - This application was discussed and voted on -All in favour with 1 abstention
The following application has been received after the agenda was set - An extra ordinary meeting was arranged for 8th May. Site meeting at 7pm, Extraordinary meeting in the Village Hall at 1930pm. Agreement from the occupier was received during the meeting.
Cllr Mailer gave her apologies for this meeting.
WD/D/1a,t)00636 - Demolish existing conservatory and replace with two storey rear extension incorporating second floor attic conversion - MALLARDS, MAIN STREET, PIDDLETRENTHIDE ii) Decision notices;
WD/D/1a,t)00020 DOLES ASH FARM, DOLES ASH, PIDDLETRENTHIDE - Erect new porch to replace rotted modern doorcase. - APPROVED WD/D/17!J(J2190 MILL HOUSE, MAIN STREET, PIDDLETRENTHIDE- Erect one bedroom detached dwelling to be used as holiday accommodation - REFUSED iii) Enforcement Issue WD/ENf/ 1&()0154 Nature of Enquiry: Alleged that tree screening under condition 2 of l/D/1~01605 for landscaping has not been carried out - C SMART AGRICULTURAL
60/2018 Community Car scheme working group
A further 'plea' is going in the next edition of News & Views and the group will decide the next stage following this.
Cllr Mailer informed the meeting that she has received a copy of a letter from the residents at Wightmans Orchard which will be sent to central government requesting the return of a public bus service. The residents have requested that the parish councillors either sign their letter or produce a letter of support. It was agreed that a letter of support should be sent agreeing with the majority of the comments made.
6:1/2018 Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
Prior to the meeting Cllr Cox circulated the change of wording in the document relating to land at Alton Pancras with a view to agreeing which one should be included in the final version of the plan. The first option, space in the centre of the village adding to the character of the settlement, this was
5 I c:::_c._..~ ~Is It,& proposed by Cllr Abbott and seconded by Cllr Mailer and the vote = 4 in favour and 9 against.
The second option, Important green space adding to the character of the settlement, this was proposed by Cllr Cox and seconded by CHr Phillips and the vote = 10 in favour and 4 against.
Express was thanked to Cllr Cox and the working group for all their work getting the plan through.
61/Z018 DAPTC meeting update
No update. The next meeting is the is" May- Cllr Mailer is unable to attend. No one volunteered to attend in her place.
6~018 Defibrillator working group update
No update. Meeting to be arranged.
64',Z018 Village meeting updates
Deferred to next meeting after minutes have been received from the Clerk.
6~018 Matters arising from last minutes
a) Flood Prevention Plan - The Clerk has received an update from Dorset County Council which has been circulated to Councillors;
Since the meeting, DCC Highways have dug out grips along Rectory Road, cleared the drainage channel alongside The Manor House (CllO), and cleared the culvert by Barcombe Farm and emptied gullies in Alton Pancras. Water Management Walkovers have also been undertaken on a number of farms within the valley. These were completed by ADAS on behalf of Natural England's Countryside & Stewardship fund.
The walkovers found that the farms are well managed and that there are no major compaction issues, however one of the main issues identified was the lack of maintenance and condition of some of the tracks. Works have been identified to improve the drainage of these tracks including installing additional grips and maintaining the existing ones, this will also help in reducing the amount of silt and debris entering the highway drainage systems and the River Piddle. We will hopefully be progressing this work during the summer months. We are planning on having a further farmers meeting, provisionally booked on the 24th may, to discuss the findings of the water management walkovers and to put an action plan together for the works identified. I will advise the PC of the date once it has been confirmed.
There is also an issue with larger vehicles driving on the verges and churning up the grass and mud,
6 I C- e.__...~ ~,, t!.> l l~ leading to a significant amount of silt in the gullies and on the road, and we would welcome the PC's input and ideas as to how this could be reduced, (a local campaign for example). We are also looking to engage DWT with local river champion campaign, to highHght to riparian owners the best time to undertake maintenance of their watercourse, and how to improve biodiversity etc. I will hopefully have more information on this by the next PC meeting, but again we would welcome the PC's involvement with this.
Cllr Sherwood requested that DCC confirm who is responsible for the new drain at Dead Cat Lane as it is full with silt.
b) School Matters -
Cllr Cox confirmed the meeting with the school has taken place and the minutes of the meeting are attached to these for information.
Two invoices have been received from the school for the contribution towards grounds maintenance. One for school year 201&'17 and the other for school year 2017/18. It was agreed that these would be paid as part of April payments.
c) Millennium Green Finance -
The Clerk has received a further breakdown of income confirmed and income to be confirmed from the trustees. It was agreed an update should be sent to the council prior to May meeting.
d) Post Office -
The Clerk confirmed that no response from both Piddletrenthide stores and the Post Office has been received.
e) S106 monies
The Clerk raised further questions with West Dorset District Councill and the below response was received;
In terms of who decides how the money is spent, we would always look to come to mutual agreement with the parish council on the matter.
With regard to the restriction that the money cannot be used for repairs, maintenance or like-for-like e_.<:_d.s-_ 71 ;,_4ls/t,l replacement, this is a government restriction on the use of S106 agreements. Developers contribute to facility improvements in recognition of the impact of an increase in the local population as a result of new housing. The cost of maintaining existing facilities would need to be covered by other means, including local taxation.
We have suggested that if the money can't'be used in the village in which it was collected then it could be allocated to a nearby community. This is very much the last resort and we would only do this with the agreement of the parish council. Otherwise the money would need to be returned to the developer.
It was agreed that the Clerk should pose the following;
• Why December before submitting proposals?
• Who can apply and how?
• How are the monies categorised?
It was also agreed that at May meeting a list of proposed facilities would be compiled.
f) Asset Devolution meeting
The Clerk informed the meeting that an invite to the Chair and Clerk has been received from West Dorset District Council to attend meeting with West Dorset District Council to discuss devolution of certain discretionary services and assets. It was agreed that the Chair/Clerk should attend.
6&'2018 Financial Matters
The Clerk reminded the Council that as of April the Clerks salary/tax/office payments would be a standing order as previously agreed and will not appear on the monthly payments.
a) Bills for Payment
Clerks expenses £24.80
Village Hall hire costs £ 25.00
DAPTC-AGM £ 70.00
Piddle Valley First School Grounds maintenance 2016/17 & 2017/18 £2000.00
It was proposed by Cllr Coombes and seconded by Cllr Sherwood that these payments should be made. c,...c__~ s I ?;/s/1,A b) End of Year Accounts
These were reviewed and Cllr Cox informed the meeting that there should be a reserves account in place of £4000. It was proposed by Cllr Sherwood and seconded by Cllr Lock that the accounts are approved and a separate line created for the reserves. All agreed.
c) First stage of External Audit
The Clerk read through the Annual Governance Statement and this was signed and agreed by the Clerk and Chair.
67/2018 Highway Matters
a) Additional Grit bins - Cllr Hiscock
Defer to April meeting
61VZ018 Piddlehinton Camp lights
Cllr Lock informed the meeting that the lights on the camp are still left on through the night. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact planning to enquire about the lighting conditions.
69/2018 Beacons for WW1 centenary
Cltr Sherwood informed the council of the funding available for this event and it was proposed by Cllr Mailer and seconded by Cllr Cox that the funding should be applied for. All agreed. It was agreed that the grant should be for a tree and plaque to replace 2 lost trees on the bank above the school playing field. It was suggested that it would be good to join with the School and make this an event. Perhaps find an older person from the Village who may like to plant the tree.
70/2018 Superfast Broadband for Plush
Cllr Sherwood expressed concern that BT has now pushed back the scheme for Plush by a year. Further conversation will be had with BT. Cllr Mailer suggested that Cllr Sherwood speaks to a local resident who is already taking this forward - details passed to Cllr Sherwood.
7l/2018 Views about a National Park
Cllr Sherwood informed the meeting about the proposals AONB have for creating a National Park. It was agreed that AONB are invited to the June meeting .
72/l.018 Repairs to noticeboard
Ctlr Sherwood informed the meeting that the noticeboard at Plush requires maintenance and there is nobody in the area to do it. Cllr Brackstone confirmed that he would have a look and submit a quote to the parish council.
c:..c_.~ 9 I ~l ,~, l.~ 7~018 News & Views/Website
A new editor has compiled the next edition of the News and Views with the help of the previous editor. The request for a new editor will continue to be put in News and Views.
74'2018 Playing Field & Playground
The Clerk confirmed that annual inspection would take place at some point during May/June.
7~018 Items for next agenda
Clerks Working Group update New Website S106 monies Post Office
There being no further business the meeting closed at 2205 with notice that the next meeting will be the AGM and will be held on Tuesday 29 May 2018, 1900hrs at Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall.
C-C-~ 10 I ;;t.'::l [ s l t fo.