Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
Minutes of a meeting of Council held in the Village Hall on  Thursday, 10th April 2008 at 7.00pm
	(Present: Cllr N. Priddle (Chairman) in the Chair, Cllr P. Loudon (Vice Chairman), Cllr Mrs V. Murray, and Cllrs M Lovell, J Bradford, P Bradford, P White and M Kirby.)

1.	Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs P Kwantes.
2.	Public Discussion period:
	The Meeting was adjourned for discussion.
	(1) Ms Z. Hunter expressed her concerns about vehicular access through Garfield Lane to the 	proposed site of the allotments at Coles Ground. Mrs J Greves regretted the loss of the site as an open 	field and suggested that instead of allotments there should be a communal garden. Mrs L Parsons of 	Durnford Drove opposed the allotments and expressed concerns about vehicular access, water supply 	and objected to a change of use on the grounds that it might set a precedence that could lead to the 	site being used for housing. Mr D Parsons also opposed the allotments and wondered where the 	people to use them would come from. Mr and Mrs  Stevens of Tom’s Field Rd expressed their 	concern and opposed the use of the site for allotments. Mr D Senior pointed out that there will be a 	formal planning process during which people who oppose the allotments can express their objections. 	Ms C Drayson spoke in support of the allotments.
3.	Matters arising from the Public Discussion.
	The Meeting was reconvened.
	The Chairman proposed that the subject of allotments (Item 12) be brought forward on the Agenda.
12.	Allotments.
	 The Chairman read out a resume of the conditions for the proposed lease from the National 
	Trust for allotments on Coles Ground, which answered some of the objectors concerns about  	bonfires, sheds, and vehicles, one of which will be allowed on site. He also pointed out that there 	had been a big response (25 applicants to date) from people wanting an allotment and asked the 	Councillors if they wished to continue with the project in principle.
	Cllr. White proposed that the project continue and this was carried unanimously.
4.	Planning Matters:
	(1) There  were no public comments concerning Plan 182, submitted by Mr Collins, to demolish and 	rebuild the chimney at 2 Coombe Buildings.
 	(2) On the proposition of the Chair it was unanimously agreed that “The Parish Council has no 	objection”.
	(3) There were no public comments concerning Plan 198, submitted by Mrs Fuggle, to demolish 	existing garage and erect a garden chalet (retrospective) at No. 2 North Street.
	(4) On the proposition of the Chair it was unanimously agreed that “The Parish Council has no 	objection”.
	(5) Regarding Plan 2008/11 concerning Spyway Orchard, which had been taken to Appeal, Council 	was asked if it had any additional comments, it decided to merely reiterate that it was strongly 	opposed to this development. Cllrs J and P J Bradford had expressed non-prejudicial interest, and 	took no part in the debate or decision on this matter.
	(6) There were no public comments concerning Plan 207, submitted by Mr and Mrs White, to erect a 	single-storey extension at rear of “Greensleeves”, Coombe.
	(7) Cllr White expressed a prejudicial interest and left the Meeting. On the proposition of the Chair it 	was unanimously agreed that “The Parish Council has no objection”. Cllr. White then returned.
	(8) Concerning Plan 168, submitted by Mr and Mrs Smith, to erect extensions and form roof with 	dormer windows at ‘Tilshead‘, Tom‘s Field Road., the Clerk read out 2 letters, the first from Dr and 	Ms Spilling of “Cull’s”, expressing their concern over the north east boundary wall, which is a 	mature dry stone wall within the Conservation Area.; the second, from Mr and Mrs Cartwright of 	“Thorne’s Mead”, who objected to the plans for the north boundary of the property, which would 	introduce overlooking of their garden and house.
	(9) Concerning Plan 168, on the proposition of the Chairman it was unanimously agreed that “The 	Parish Council is concerned that proposals of development near the northern boundary will introduce 	overlooking of the neighbouring garden and house.“
	(10) The following Planning Decisions were noted:
	(a) Plan 2008/57 extension to ‘Greystones’, The Hyde; approved.
	(b) Plan 2008/60 block up gateway into private drive, 20 High St; approved.
5.	Minutes of the last Meeting, held 13th March, were confirmed and signed.
6.	Matters arising from the Minutes:
	(1) Item 3: the WC sign has been removed. Cllr Loudoun agreed to make his signs more permanent 	regarding removal of dog mess.
	(2) Item 6 (4); Cllr Kirby raised the subject of affordable housing at Capston Fields. On the 	Chairman’s proposal it was unanimously agreed that the Clerk should write to Mr Cronk of Raglan, 	with a copy to the Purbeck District Planning Officer, emphasising that the Parish Council is still very 	keen on the Capston Fields site for affordable housing, as an alternative to the Steppes site.
 	(3) Item 6 (6); A meeting had been held at St George’s Close and a plan for double yellow lines was 	drawn 	up by Mr Tony Burt of DCC.
 	(4) Item 6 (15); Cllrs. Priddle and White had inspected the lights at Acton and found 3 that were in 	very poor condition. The Clerk was instructed to ask SEC to remedy this once the correct 	identification numbers of the relevant lights were known.
 	(5) Item 6 (16). There was nothing to report on the National Trust’s stiles, as Cllr Mrs Kwantes was 	absent. Cllr. J. Bradford reported that a gate appeared to have been stolen from one of the sites.
 7.	The Clerk’s Report for the period 7.03.08 - 3.04.08 was received.
 8.	Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report:
	(1) Item 6; Cllr. Lovell will speak to Benjamin Webb, concerning the review of  Conservation Areas. 	Cllr. J.Bradford suggested a plan with any additional Conservation Areas should be made ready for 	the next Agenda.
	(2) Item 16. Council wished to make no comment on the proposed Wind Farm, at East Stoke.
	(3) Item 25. The Clerk reported that the Bus Shelter for Steps Hill had been put on the DCC List and 	that the application form would be received shortly.
	(4) Item 32. No Councillor wished to attend the Purbeck Community Partnership Annual Conference.
	(5) Item 42. The Clerk was instructed to pay the Allianz Cornhill Insurance premium.
	(6) Item 49. A letter had been received from Cllr Mrs Kwantes, reporting on a Meeting with Mr Ian 	Mackenzie of the Ramblers Association and their researcher, Mrs Prescott. The matter of Windmill 	Lane was proceeding well.
9.	Chairman’s announcements;
	(1) The Chairman referred to the possibility of a gift to the retiring Clerk in recognition of  his 37 	years in office, but said that this would be embarrassing to him and, he suspected, also to the 	Clerk. He therefore proposed that a donation from Parish Council should be made to the Langton 	Matravers Local History and Preservation Society, a Charity very dear to the heart of the Clerk, and 	that this matter should be put on the next Agenda.
	(3) Cllr Priddle announced that two large glass panels in the Bus Shelter in the centre of the village 	had been smashed. Cllr, P. Bradford asked that in future all crime, such as breakage of the glass 	panels of the bus shelter, or the stealing of the flag and flagpole, should be reported to the Police and 	that an EVA (an evaluation of all criminal activities within the parish) should be made for PC 	Ashdown. This was agreed.
10.	Financial Matters:
	(1) The following additions to the Council funds since the last Council Meeting were noted:
		£97.48 from cash collected for work on the closed cemeteries,
		£230.00 from Mrs Jayne Suttle for Cremation Burial Plot, Burial of Ashes of the late Richard 			Suttle and a Memorial to him.
		£170.00 from James Smith for the burial of the late Mrs Norah Smith.
	(2) The following payments by cheque, already authorized, since the last Council Meeting were 			noted:
		£113.52 to E.G. Andrews  for work at closed cemeteries,
		£93.00 to B.Whalley for work at closed cemeteries,
		£10.00 to Village Hall for use of February Council Chamber,
		£300.00 to J.Bellucci for February salary as Assistant Clerk,
		£2,200.00 to R.J.Saville for annual salary as Clerk, second instalment,
		£130.00 to SE for Quarterly electricity bill (Office/Toilets Block).
	(3) On the proposition by Cllr Lovell, it was unanimously agreed to pay the subscription to DAPTC.
	(4) The Clerk reported on an estimated surplus of some £20,550 at the end of the Financial Year 			ended 31st March 2008..
11.	Cemetery Matters:
	(1) Council cemetery.
	(a) A quote has been received from AJS to prepare ground for a wall;
		£675.00 + VAT to clear ground,
		£125.00 + VAT to clear area at back of cemetery.
	As there was only one quotation, it was agreed that a decision must await a second.
	(b) The annual safety check has been completed by the Clerk and 8 Monuments were found to be 	unsafe and a further four slightly loose. One (Mrs Alice Harrison) had been laid flat by Chairman.
	(2) Closed cemeteries.
	Chairman said he would continue to take an interest in these cemeteries, but was looking for another 	Councillor to take over responsibility for a ‘watching brief’.
13. 	Cllr. J Bradford reported that work of the footway on Steppes Hill has been completed.
14.	The Chairman spoke concerning enhancement of some street furniture and proposed that the 	Milestone on Steps Hill be painted and the grass around it cut, and that 3 Vent Pipes and 2 	Stand Pipes throughout the village should also be painted. Council deferred any decision until the 	next Meeting.
15.	The date of the next Council Meeting was confirmed as May 8th  following immediately after the 	Annual Parish Assembly, which would convene at 7 pm.
16.	Items for the next Agenda;
	(1) Fees at the Council cemetery.
	(2) Enhancement of street furniture.
	(3) Plan for Conservation Area.
	(4) A donation from Parish Council to Local History and Preservation Society.
	(5) Car parking at St George’s First School.
	(6) Crack Lane Highway. Removal of impediments on the west side.
	(7) Repainting of Double Yellow Lines at Durnford Drove.

There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 9.08 p.m.

Signed……………………………..(Chairman).               Date…………………………..