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Home , Charlton Marshall, Durweston, Iwerne Courtney, Iwerne Minster

Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils Northern Area Committee

Minutes of the meeting held at Council Offices, Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FH on Tuesday 16th January 2018

1. Present:

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. CllrJackie Stayt Town Council (BFTC) Cllr Haydn White Blandford Forum Town Council (BFTC) Cllr John Stayt Blandford St Mary PC (BSMPC) Cllr Tim Hill Parish Council (CMPC) Cllr Harold Galpin PC (DPC) Cllr Mike Jones Parish Council (IMPC) Cllr Pam Eaton South Tarrant Valley PC (STVPC) Cllr Tony Bishop Town Council (STC) Cllr Scott Norman PC (SPC) Cllr Clemency Wilkins The Stours PC (TSPC) Cllr John Parker The Stours Parish Council (TSPC) Cllr Andrew Donaldson Sturminster Newton TC (SNTC)

In attendance: Hilary Trevorah Chief Executive, DAPTC Pam Higgins Secretary Northern Area, DAPTC

Apologies Stephen Hill Councils Partnership, NDDC Cllr Simon Firbank Bourton Parish Council (BPC) Cllr Jenny Morgan Bourton Parish Council (BPC) Cllr Bobbie Church PC (BPC) Cllrs Hewitt & Morris & Stepleton PC (IC&SPC) Cllr Helen Andrews Lower Winterborne PC (LWC) Emma (Clerk) Manston & PC (M&HPC) Cllr George Weeks PC (OFPC) Cllr Tim Craven Orchards & PC (O&MMPC) Cllr Martin Richley PC (PPC) Cllr Pauline Batstone Sturminster Newton Town Council (SNTC) Cllr D Godden PC (WSPC)

2. Minutes of the AGM held on 19th October 2017 The minutes of the AGM held on 19th October 2017 had been previously circulated. The minutes were proposed by Cllr Jones (IMPC) and seconded by Cllr Hill (CMPC)and signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting.

3. Matters arising Dorset LEADER – Has had 75 recent applications. Will be able to apply for more funding from EU. Funds need to be spent by Spring 2019.

4. DAPTC CE Report A question from Cllr Richley (PPC) regarding resolutions discussed at DAPTC AGM – various resolutions are passed and then passed on to NALC for consideration/action; what response / action if any has resulted in the light of the resolutions? Hilary replied The resolutions are passed to NALC, then to the Policy Committee. They look at the resolutions from County Associations. They met today and Hilary supplied information of Councils who raised the resolution, with Cllr White also available to answer questions and supply information. Hilary is then informed by NALC of their decision which she then passes on to the members. They did ask about each resolution, some in more detail. It then goes to Policy Table, then brought to notice, e.g. put together so they can lobby, it then becomes NALC Policy. Some might be acted on, but it can be worthwhile to bring up again as new evidence might be available to back up current policy. Highlights of the Report – a copy is attached to the minutes LGR – The councils now agreeing to ‘Future Dorset’ proposals is 8 – 1, hoping for a decision from SoS in mid Feb. Links to various websites – regarding proposals and two joint committees; Dorset Principal Authorities – Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and Rest of Dorset. The agenda’s and minutes available. John and Hilary attend the meetings to raise profile of DAPTC and councils – can speak in public participation but have to apply in advance. Rest of Dorset – Things will be clearer as they take things forward. Continue to keep the association in profile for the formation of structure and how they can liaise with TC and PC’s regarding information. Newsletter sent with all the available information – also available on the DAPTC website Introduction to new External Auditors at Athelhampton House – Important Clerks attend. Nomination for Royal Garden Party Training events planned for the year so far. Data protection at the end of March – NALC will be involved. Highways – Working Together – TC and PC’s taking on non-essential and minor maintenance. Communities Highways manager can advise/help, willing to attend meetings. Cllrs Hill and Parker endorsed this as they had received help from their respective Highway representative.

5. Chairman’s Report The Chairman gave his report – a copy is attached to the minutes Attended a couple of meetings with South West area of Local Associations. NALC AGM and Conference in October in Milton Keynes – the content was very good. Attended Dorset Joint Committee meetings – links in report. Some concerns at the construction of the new authorities – some fear that new authorities could be unduly influenced by West Dorset and Bournemouth. Local TC and PC’s will be another tier and will work with both of them. Strategy group looking at DAPTC to make recommendations as to its future operation and direction. Executive meeting at the end of January. Development Working Party meeting in each town. Next one at Stalbridge on 22nd Feb. LGR workstream on Shared Services – this is one DAPTC might be involved with as is area based decision making.

6. Dorset Councils Partnership No report available at present.

7. Reports from Portfolio Holders The Chief Constable is retiring in April. in talks with Devon & Cornwall police regarding amalgamation, so not replacing. Deputy Chief constable will fill the position until the future is resolved.

North Dorset Development Working Party Meeting 22nd Feb. at Stalbridge.

The Standards Committee No news, ad hoc meetings.

Travellers & Gypsies Still a problem at Stours and Cann. District Cllrs keep trying to find a solution. Next key date will be in the summer.

Northern Dorset LAG As in matters arising

Blandford Leisure Centre A report was given by Cllr Hill (CMPC) copy of report attached to minutes. Highlighted the issue of two other Leisure Centres receiving larger grants from DCC than BLC. This might change with new authority.

Overview and Scrutiny No news. Next meeting might be 29th Jan. but as it clashes with other meetings it might not happen.

8. Members Items

Stalbridge TC Cllr Bishop – The car park and allotments has been transferred to Stalbridge TC – no charges except for maintenance. The town is losing its GP this year on 31st Dec. – he will hand in resignation 6 months beforehand. Problems recruiting GP’s to rural areas as they have to be responsible for owning the surgery/property and what goes with it. This has raised concerns regarding vulnerable people in the area and how it will be addressed. About 4,000 people on the list.

Iwerne Minster PC Cllr Jones raised the following issues: - First - the NDDC Local Plan, particularly Q.29 in the Consultation Questionnaire. His PC had encouraged parishioners to say Yes to the question as to whether land designated for a by-pass, in the future, should be kept for that purpose rather than be made available for housing. Second - the "problems" with the ongoing road works on the A350. On a personal level he explained that he was unsure, as were several others, regarding housing numbers in the villages. This all led to a great deal of discussion. Certain procedures were criticised and although much of the criticism was anecdotal it was generally agreed that NDDC Planning/Management did not "help themselves".

Stourpaine PC Cllr Norman - Land allocation for by-pass – ND has to raise this every 2-3 years. Everyone be encouraged to say No to using land for anything else. A350 group attended DCC cabinet meeting regarding A350/C13 issue, weight restriction on top road and one-way system. The cabinet voted to keep this option in place for the present.

Charlton Marshall PC Cllr Hill commented on the ND Local Plan public consultation in Dec. was held on the opening day; he attended but found not many people had attended due to poor publicity, (small advert in BMV on the Friday before Monday of consultation), should have been reorganised. LGR - Planning Authority will continue with plan until new structure is in place.

Sturminster Newton TC Cllr Donaldson – Planning applications – decisions are being taken in-house rather than being decided by Planning Committee. Concerns about District planning at present. On the website there is an amended application by Sturminster Newton TC made 12 years ago. Not sure what it was for and when Planning office was contacted they didn’t know either. Concerns regarding the railings on the road side of the bridge – is owned by DCC Highways, work has been done to but the fencing is in a bad state of repair. Neighbourhood Plan – Sturminster Newton plan has been submitted – have concerns regarding the inspection process. Loss of banks – no banks in Stuminster Newton, only two cash points (which are frequently out of order). Trying to encourage one to open in the town. Mobile facilities aren’t able to take a lot of cash. Local retailers are suffering as residents go elsewhere to get cash, so do shopping out of the town. Also no filling stations.

The Stours PC Cllr Parker – Southern extension at Gillingham – nothing happening at present.

9. Dates of next meeting Wednesday 18th April 2018 at the Pavilion, Okeford Fitzpaine at 7pm.

With no further business the meeting closed at 8.55pm. The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.

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

Attachments: Chairman’s report CE of DAPTC report Blandford Leisure Centre report DCP News Briefing for DAPTC Spring (February) 2018 (rec. 8/2/18)