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VALE OF ALLEN PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES

of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING, held at 7.30.pm in Witchampton Village Hall on Tuesday 21st October 2014

PRESENT Cllr Mr T. May - Chairman Cllr Mr D. Gill – Vice Chairman Cllr Mr D. Walker, Cllr Mrs J. Manson, Cllr Mrs M. Cook, Cllr Ms. D White Cllr Mr J. Campbell, Cllr Mr R. Hill, Cllr Mrs P. Hill, Cllr Mrs R. Goulden Also present was the Parish Clerk Mrs K. Bradbury and two members of the public

14/095. APOLOGIES Apologies were received from, Cllr Mrs S. Gilchrist, District Councillors Mr S.G. Flower and Mr S.S. Tong and County Councillor Mr S. Butler.

14/096. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest to report.

14/097. DISPENSATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN A VOTE ON AN AGENDA ITEM There were no requests for dispensations.

14/098. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME There was nothing to report.

14/099 MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON – Tuesday 23rd September 2014 The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 23rd September 2014 (pages (1015 - 1019), having been approved, were adopted and signed as a true and correct record.

14/100. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES There were no matters arising from the minutes.

14/101. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS Cllr Mr S.G. Flower: submitted a written report. See attached page 1026 of the minutes.

14/102. PARISH CLERK’S REPORT a. Community Governance Review: The review includes an examination of Town and Parish Ward boundaries and the consequent changes to electoral arrangements. The review criteria offer the opportunity to consider a number of issues including the merging or altering of parishes and wards, the naming of new parishes and wards and the changes in size and number of councillors for each ward. The portion of the consultation paper dealing

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Minute No 14/102 Parish Clerk’s Report (continued)

with recommendations for the Vale of Allen Group of Parishes was circulated to all Councillors. The Parish Council had no objection to the revised ward boundaries and the change of name. Long Crichel and Moor Crichel to be amalgamated and called Crichel Ward. Hinton Martell, Gaunts Common and Hinton Parva to be amalgamated and called Hinton Ward. There was an objection to the reduction in the number of councillors for Gussage All Saints from three to two as constant changes in government legislation has caused an increasing workload for Councillors which would act as a disincentive for new Councillors to put themselves forward to serve on the Parish Council. b. Local Government Boundary Commission: Notification was received of a consultation on the proposals to revise the electoral divisions of Dorset County Council. The document can be viewed on the County Council website – www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk. Refer to the next meeting for a full discussion. c. Ward Budget: The following proposals were put forward for consideration for applying for funding through the Ward Budget i. Telephone Kiosk – The Witchampton Kiosk has been refurbished through fundraising by the Witchampton Community Fund and the work of volunteers. The kiosks at Long Crichel and Hinton Martell were not considered to be a priority at this stage. ii. Witchampton Bus shelter verge – this is an on-going project that has been funded by the Witchampton Community Fund and is not considered to be a priority at this stage. iii. Refurbishment of Fingerposts - this is an on-going project that has been funded by the Witchampton Community Fund and is not considered to be a priority at this stage. iv. Refurbishment of the Rest & be Thankful Seat – the seat requires replacement at an estimated cost of £8,000. Put forward for consideration to the Ward Budget v. Gussage All Saints Village Hall Heating System up-grade. Put forward for consideration to the Ward Budget vi. Defibrillator for the Witchampton Telephone Kiosk. Put forward for consideration to the Ward Budget vii. Handrail on the Gussage All Saints Village Hall Steps. Not considered to be a priority at this stage. d. Knowlton Parish Council: A letter was received from Lisa Goodwin, Clerk to Knowlton Parish Council about the C2 road from the Horton Inn that runs past Stanbridge pumping station which is subject to very heavy traffic flows. The road narrows to a single track at this point and Knowlton Parish Council is looking for support from Vale of Allen Parish Council regarding a request to widen the road. It was resolved to support the proposal to widen the road. e. Grit Bins: Dorset County Council are commencing the filling of grit bins for the coming winter. It was noted that some of the bins are already full but the contents have solidified due to the heavy rains last winter. The County Council will loosen the solidified salt and grit, however the lids blow open when it is windy and the rain gets in again. Cllr Mr T. May agreed to have a look at the bins to see if he could devise some sort of fastening to prevent the lids blowing open. f. Flood Alleviation & Flood Warden Scheme: Cllr Mrs M Cook reported on the meeting with Mr P. Waterman from the County Council Highways

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Minute No 14/102 Parish Clerk’s Report (continued)

Department, County Councillor Mr S. Butler, Mr Brian Hammond and Mr peter Moseley. Maps for Long Crichel, Moor Crichel, Gussage All Saints, Witchampton and Hinton Martell showing the location of blocked ditches and grips were discussed in detail with Mr Waterman and an agreement was reached that the worst affected areas would be cleared of blockages and if there were any further problems the County Council would have another go at clearing them. Local landowners have been asked to clear ditches located on their land as the County Council will only clear ditches on the roadside verge. g. Dorset Waste Partnership: Consultation on street cleaning and litter was received. The main problem is silt and gravel washing out of the roadside verges and collecting in the road. This causes serious danger of skidding for cyclists and motorcyclists in particular, The problem is caused by heavy farm machinery which breaks down the edges of the verge and destroys the vegetation holding the soil together. h. Planning Seminar: Cllr Ms D. White gave a short report on the DAPTC Planning Seminar held on 9th October 2014. The seminar gave a very comprehensive overview of the planning system but it might have been better if fewer subjects were covered in greater depth. It was useful to have contact with Councillors from other Parishes and to hear answers to their questions. Cllr Mr R. Hill has scanned the presentation notes and e-mailed them to the Councillors who could not attend the seminar. i. Dorset Community Action: Funding Fair provides help for groups raising funds for their community projects. Thursday 6th November at the Learning Resource Centre, King Street, Wimborne. Cllr Mrs M. Cook and Cllr Mr R. Hill expressed a wish to attend the workshops. j. Environment Agency, Stour & Moors River enhancement: An invitation to attend a public meting to hear about the proposals or the enhancement of the Stour and Moors Rivers. k. DAPTC Training Seminars:

Date Time Course Venue Cost Attending Thurs 9.30 – New Clerks Dorchester DYA £35 23rd Oct 1.00 Thursday 9.30 – Essential Finance Dorchester £30 Cllr R. Hill 13th Nov 12.30 Wed 19th 7.00 – Chairman’s DCC Committee £30 Nov 9.00 Seminar Room Thurs 7.00 – Councillor’s Tarrant Keynston £30 Cllr Mrs M. 20th Nov 9.00 Update East Village Hall Cook Tues 2nd 10.00– VAT Workshop Dorchester £30 Dec 1.00

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14/103. PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION Application Location Proposal Type No: 3/14/0823 Dawes Cottage, Lower Bay window extension on rear HOU Street, Witchampton elevation 3/14/0833 Old Quarry, Pound Hill, Install ground floor window in south LBC Witchampton west elevation. Re-instate stud wall to ground floor bathroom. New stud wall to western first floor bedroom to form shower cubicle. Form new doorway on first floor. Install external cast iron soil pipe 3/14/0846 Crichel House, Moor Restore east hall interior LBC Crichel plasterwork. Re-paint dining room. Restore Venetian window and scagiola columns to drawing room

Parish Council comments on Planning Applications b. Planning Application 3/14/0823, Dawes Cottage, Lower Street, Witchampton. Parish Council comment – SUPPORT – the alterations improve the look of the rear elevation and ties in well with the existing bay window. The alterations are not visible from the road so ther is no impact on neighbours. b. Planning Application 3/14/0833, Old Quarry, Pound Hill, Witchampton: Parish Council comment – NO OBJECTION – comments do not need to be reported to the planning committee. b. Planning Application 3/14/0846, Crichel House, Moor Crichel: Parish Council comment – SUPPORT – a thoughtful and respectful restoration of the house to its former glory.

14/104. EAST DORSET DISTRICT COUNCIL PLANNING DECISIONS Application Location Proposal Decision No: 3/14/0432/HOU Trotwood Cottage, Erect car port and store Refuse Gaunts Common 3/14/0646/FUL White Farm, New grain store Permit Crichel Lane, Moor Crichel 3/14/0751/HOU Farm View, Raise roof, first floor extension to Permit Gussage All Saints rear and front dormer 3/14/0753/HOU Meadow View, Detached single garage with log Permit Hinton Martell store

14/105. OTHER PLANNING MATTERS a Appeal, The Old school Manswood: the appeal was dismissed. b Application to Carry out Tree Works: Mrs Blauden, Gallants, Gussage All Saints. Fell Conifers T1 & T2 at entrance to front garden. Parish Council has no objection. c Application to Carry out Tree Works: Mr E. Houston, Russetts, Gussage All Saints. T1, Holly reduce height by 1.5 metres and shape appropriately. T2, Silver Birch, thin by no more than 15%. T3, Holly. Reduce height by 1.5 metres and shape appropriately. T4, Purple Leaf Plum. Fell as the tree is diseased. The Parish Council has no objection.

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Minute No 14/105 Other Planning Matters (continued)

d Application to Carry out Tree Works: Mr G. Simm, Boundary of Tun Mead and Crossways, Gussage All Saints. T1, Field Maple. Crown lift to a maximum of 4 metres. T2, Field Maple. Crown lift to a maximum of 4 metres. T3, Field Maple. Reduce central dead stem and two lowest secondary branches, crown lift to a maximum of 4 metres. T4, Field Maple. Reduce subordinate stem on north-west. Remove second lowest branch on south side. Laterally reduce by 1.5 metres and crown lift to a maximum of 4 metres. T5. Field Maple. Reduce standing stem on east side. Retain epicormic growth. Crown lift to a maximum of 4 metres. T6. Field Maple. Selectively reduce crown height by 1.5 metres. Selectively reduce lateral crown spread by 1.5 – 2 metres. Retain epicormic growth. T7. Field Maple. Selectively reduce height by 2 metres. Retain epicormic growth. Crown lift to a maximum of 4 metres. The Parish Council has no objection. e Application to Carry out Tree Works: Mr Bartlett, Church View, Harley Lane, Gussage All Saints. Fell Cupressus Leylandii at entrance to drive. Parish Council has no objection. f Application to Carry out Tree Works: Mr M. Undery, Gussage House, Gussage All Saints. Fell G1, group of Poplars between garden fence and the stream. Parish Council has no objection. g Application to Carry out Tree Works: Jessamine Cottages, Witchampton. Fell T1, Cupressus Lawsonii, too big for the garden. Parish Council has no objection. h Application to Carry out Tree Works: Mr Micklewight, Old Timbers, Hinton Martell. Fell T1, Ginko biloba, shed branches in February gales making the tree unbalanced. Fell T2, Gleditsia, overhangs neighbours garage and has shed branches in the past. Suggest replacing with a Whitebeam and a Mountain Ash. The Parish Council has no objection

14/106. FINANCIAL MATTERS a Authorisation and payment of Cheques: The cheques having been approved were signed by Cllr Mrs R. Goulden and Cllr Mr J. Campbell

Details Amount Cheque (£) No: 1 K. Bradbury Clerk’s Salary Sept 2014 702.96 719 £337.25, Clerk’s Expenses April – June 2014 £204.79 & July – Sept £160.92 2 Inland Revenue PAYE Sept 2014 58.60 720 3 DAPTC Clerk’s Seminar Sept 2014 50.00 721

Total 811.56

b The Audited Accounts for the year 2013/2014 were approved and accepted. See attached page 1027 of the minutes c The External Auditors comments on the Annual Audit for the year 2013/2014 were noted. See attached page 1028 of the minutes. d Cllr Mr T. May agreed to set a date for the Finance Working Group meeting to consider the budget

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14/107. CORRESPONDENCE Cranborne Chase AONB: An invitation to attend a seminar , the aim of which is to raise the dark Skies Status of the AONB. Thursday 6th November 2014, 9.30am – 4.15pm at the New Remembrance Hall, Charlton, SP7 0PL. Cllr Mr S. Butler: The County Council is offering “Road Closed” and “This Road Will Be Closed” signs for Armistice Day108

14/094. MATTERS OF INFORMATION a. Cllr Mr T. May: reported that the Manswood Play Area has not been cut yet again and that the cutting has been very sporadic during the whole of the summer. Refer to the Finance Working Group Meeting.

Meeting closed at 8.55pm

Signed………………………………..... Date……………………………………

Chairman

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Vale of Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 21 October 2014 District Councillor Report –Cllr. Spencer Flower

Ward Member Budgets – East Dorset introduced this scheme for members when the budget for 2014/15 was agreed earlier in the year. This type of member budget has been in existence in many Council’s for some years so the idea is not ground breaking. We are now half way through the year and quite a few good causes have benefitted from contributions by their local ward member. These include contributions to Age Concern, pre-school groups, carnivals, church halls, flower shows, a museum, community library, a defibrillator and a bat conservation group and more. Members can allocate all or part of their £2,000 budget to any properly constituted community group in your area and to make an award Councillors only need to complete the form on the intranet and submit for processing. The first year of operation of the scheme has thrown up a few issues. For instance it is not felt appropriate that ward budgets should be allocated to Town or Parish Councils as this would be seen as subsidising another authority. Likewise, contributions should go to a cause which can be delivered in the current financial year, it is not appropriate to allocate funds to a project which may take several years to come to fruition such as a building project.

New Morrison’s Superstore –The long awaited new superstore opened its doors to shoppers in Verwood on Monday 6 October, creating over 50 new jobs for residents. The old store has closed to make way for the chain’s brand new store and is planned to be demolished very soon to make way for significant car parking. Work on a filling station and convenience store will commence later in the year with a planned opening in the spring of 2015.

Future Grounds Maintenance Operations – Under the terms of the new Community and Open Space structure management the coordination of Grounds Maintenance will be a shared service through a Grounds Maintenance Officer and a Senior Supervisor. This does not, at the moment at least; include any capacity for highway verge cutting by County. Members have made the decision not to renew the external contractor arrangement and to bring grounds maintenance back in house. This should address the reoccurring issue of the increased growing rates at the beginning of the season (the ‘spring flush’) when additional capacity will be deployed in the spring to reduce the time between cuts aimed at maintain overall grass length within acceptable parameters, particularly in urban areas. Rural areas will continue as County Council. Going forward the cutting regime will offer a far more flexible programme to allow targeted works based on the condition of the grass as opposed to a strictly round based system delivering a fixed number of cuts regardless of demand. Moors Valley Country Park will provide a suitable site for a strategically placed depot for Grounds Maintenance operations across East Dorset. New machinery and vehicles will be required. The items will be specifically selected to meet the requirements of the new operating model. Grass cutting teams will have a wider operating remit to include localised hedge and shrub works during mowing operations costing approximately £17.000 per year Including the Potterne and Moors Valley Grounds Maintenance total expenditure by East Dorset District Council is currently £228,000. The proposed in house model would offer an increased level of service (additional capacity in the spring) for a total of £195,000 a saving of £33,000 per year or approx. 17% over current costs. SGF/October 2014

VALE OF ALLEN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the meeting held 21st October 2014