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At Litton and Thorner's
Community Hall
Present: Mr. F. Spicer (Chairman), Mr. S. Kourik (Vice-Chairman), Mrs.
S. Dyke, Mr. W. Orchard, Mr. B. Prentice, Mr. J. Randall and J. Firrell (Parish
Clerk). Also in attendance: Cllr R. Coatsworth, Cllr T. Bartlett and four
members of the public.
1.
Apologies: Mrs.
A. Spurrier.
2.
Declarations of Interest: None.
3.
Democratic Time: It was requested that an agenda could be placed on all village notice
boards in addition to the official notice board in the bus shelter.
4.
Approval of the Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 11th
May 2010: It was
proposed by S. Kourik, seconded by F. Spicer and carried unanimously that the
Minutes be approved.
5.
Matters arising: None that would not be discussed as part of this agenda.
6.
Financial Report: Bank balance as of 30th June 2010 - £5762.04. Income since
30th April - £17.27p made up of Vat refund £17.10, and interest of
0.17p. Expenditure since 30th April - £935.37p made up of insurance
premium £559.77, annual hire of the hall £57.60, Lengthsman £120, Donation
(Guide Dogs) and Clerk's salary £173.00. Retrospective approval was
required for the additional sum of £37.52 being the extra annual insurance
premium required on renewal - proposed F. Spicer, seconded Mrs. S. Dyke
and carried unanimously. Robert Dewar has kindly consented to perform the
duties of Internal Auditor for the coming year if it was the wish of the Parish
Council. It was proposed by S. Kourik, seconded by Mrs. S. Dyke and carried
unanimously that a grateful vote of thanks be given to Robert Dewar and that he
be appointed Internal Auditor for the fiscal year 2010/2011. A Risk Assessment
Review (as required by BDO) would be undertaken by the RFO and Internal Auditor
over the coming months with the objective of signing it off in January/March
2011 and in advance of the next audit. Two invoices were approved for payment
- Lengthsman (James Williams) £120 for work carried out during May &
June, and £110.60, Annual Membership of the Dorset Association of Town &
Parish Councils (DAPTC). Proposed by B. Prentice, seconded by J. Randall and
carried unanimously.
7.
Water Supply to Land adjacent to Community Hall: The Chairman briefed councillors on an
issue involving the wording of the covenant by the Parish Council in the
Transfer deed of October 2007. A water supply to the retained land and a
drinking trough was to be provided if the Transferor requested it prior to the development
of the land transferred as a village or school hall. No request was made, so no
supply was provided. In November 2009 a belated request was made, but no follow
up action was taken because it was assumed the relevant part of the retained
land was in the process of being sold to CG Fry, and it was felt the new owner
would provide a water supply using their own resources. It now appears that the
relevant land might be sold to another buyer so the issue has re-surfaced and a
further letter has been received from the Council's solicitors containing
details of a further request received from the solicitors acting for the
Transferor. It was argued that the Parish Council should take a hard line on
the basis that the supply was not requested prior to the start of the hall
development as specified in the covenant. The hall has long since been built
and the installation now of a water supply would mean the car park would have
to be dug up and considerable disruption to the use of the hall would follow. LATCH
as the Parish Council's lessee had been consulted and they are
understandably unhappy at the prospect of the car park being dug up to lay a
water pipe. It was pointed out that as the water supply to the hall was a
branch off the school's main supply any onward connection would be inadequate
to provide a proper supply to the adjoining land in addition to that already
provided to the hall. J. Randall believed it was a case of honouring an
agreement and felt a water supply should be provided as requested. This view was
not supported by other councillors, and it was agreed that a reply be sent to
Humphries Kirk, in the form of a draft presented to the Council by the chairman,
highlighting both the failure to request provision of the water supply within
the time specified and that the water supply to the hall would be inadequate
for the purpose required. Proposed by S. Kourik,
seconded by B. Prentice and carried on a five for, one against vote. It was
suggested the most practical solution in the circumstances would be to bring
the water supply in from the road, possibly through the proposed new residence
to be built on the plot of land between Magna Housing and Mr. Gil Smith.
8.
Playing Fields/Allotments Report: B. Prentice rendered his report stating there had been
a definite improvement in the state of the allotments probably due to the plots
coming into their own after their period of "bedding in". There
were some weeds and grass that needed to be cut back and he was assured that
would soon be happening. More protection was required from rabbits and this was
being addressed. The Dorset Magazine had featured an article about the
allotment holders of Litton Cheney complete with photograph. J. Randall who had
earlier in the year been critical of the state of the allotments said there had
been a big improvement. In the playing field area, it was suggested that Steve
Randall be asked to carry out the task he did last year in clearing the stream
and cutting back the overhanging greenery.
9.
Triangle Project: Despite several ideas being put forward into how best to enhance this
central village area, several councillors had doubts as to how best this could
be achieved and whether the money should be spent in other areas, if at all. S.
Kourik indicated that if the Council decided to install an interpretation/information
board at the bus shelter, this was likely to cost in the region of £275, and
probably more than one would be required. There would need to be some design
input and he was hoping Mrs. S. Dyke would assist in this area, if it was the
will of the Council to go ahead. Further cost implications would be explored.
F. Spicer said he would prefer the money be spent on something that would
benefit the village more, perhaps even contributing towards tarmacing the
driveway into the community hall. He also raised again the issue of making a financial
contribution towards the cost of maintenance of St Mary's churchyard,
given it was the right of anyone resident or dying in the Parish to be buried
there and as such the community as a whole should contribute. It was proposed
by B. Prentice, seconded by S. Kourik and carried unanimously that further
costings should be sought concerning the various schemes put forward and a
decision made at the next meeting.
10. Traffic/Highways/Signs: The clerk would be arranging a meeting
between himself and the village lengthsman to discuss tasks that could be done that
were within the capabilities of the lengthsman, with possible funding from DCC.
S. Kourik agreed to attend the meeting so that information on village signage and
footpaths could be incorporated into the plan. DCC had set up a fingerpost sign
initiative in an attempt to maintain and retain many of the traditional Dorset fingerpost signs. Cllr Coatsworth handed the clerk
a copy of an email regarding fingerposts, the contents of which were relevant
to Litton Cheney. S. Kourik had contacted Frank and Barbara Whillock at Court
Farm and the Kingston
family at White Thorne Cottage and both had agreed subject to certain
conditions that "Hall" directional signs could be placed on their
property. There remained the need to have a Hall sign at the Triangle. When
this was last brought to the attention of DCC, they had quoted a price of £805
which was considered to be too high, notwithstanding that it ought to be
provided as part of DCC's responsibility.
11. Planning Applications: - a) The Old Rectory - A number of
planning applications were still outstanding due to the extensive work being
carried out at this property. A recent amendment had been circulated to
councillors with the suggestion that rather than wait for the hard copy to
arrive, they look on the WDDC planning web site and email the clerk with any
observations they may have. b) 14 Baglake - Approved. c) Charity Farm
- Erection of two agricultural barns had been approved subject to certain
conditions including a landscaping scheme and proper disposal of dirty water.
The clerk was instructed to write to the planning department requesting they
inform the applicant that work should not start on the new barns until the
landscaping scheme applicable to the previous planning application in 2007 is
completed. Ourganics - Final planning
permission had now been given which incorporated an S106 agreement along the
lines proposed by the Parish Council, and agreed between Pat Bowcock and WDDC.
12. Correspondence: Relevant correspondence had been dealt
with via other items in the agenda.
13. AOB: None from Parish Councillors
but Mrs. Spiller requested to put forward her continued concern about the lack
of good TV and radio reception in certain parts of the village since the
digital switch over. Dorbag (Dorset Broadcasting Action Group) chaired by
Oliver Letwin MP was aware there were a number of "blind" spots in
the area and he and his panel were working with the broadcasting authorities to
try and get the situation rectified. The clerk was asked to write to Mr. Letwin
reiterating the council's concern about the length of time it had taken
for this to be sorted out, although there was a feeling that this situation was
being repeated throughout the country. Cllr Bartlett suggested the PC contact
Cllr Ian Garden whose remit included quality of broadcasting reception in the
area. The Chairman invited both visiting councillors
to address the meeting if they so wished. Cllr Coatsworth brought the meeting up to date with various
happenings at WDDC and DCC, and Cllr Bartlett was able to concur with Cllr
Coatsworth's view on most matters.
14. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 14th September 2010.
15. There being no further business the
meeting was closed at 9.25 pm.
John Firrell
Parish Clerk
Litton Cheney Parish Council
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