Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 11th April 2013 at 7pm.
Present: Cllr P White in the Chair, Cllrs M Turner, P Loudoun, M Kirby, J Bradford, C Drayson, W Knight, Cllr M Lovell.

There were 7 members of the public present.

1.	Apologies: Cllr Tizard.
2.	Declarations of interest.  There were none.
3.   Grant of Dispensations.  There were none.
4.   Report. a) Footpaths. Mr Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, Parish Rights of Way Liaison Officer, reported on progress with the Priest’s Way repair project. DCC will finalise the application document, to be submitted by LMPC in May. Three of the landowners affected by the proposed works have sent written agreement, but one has so far not responded: this could seriously affect the bid. Mr V-A has applied for grant funding from the Ramblers Holiday Trust to cover new signage costs. He has been in touch with Jenny Penny, Purbeck Coastal ranger (DCC), following complaints about roundels on footpath signs/stiles. These are part of a joint project between Tom’s Field campsite, the NT and the SW Coast path team to provide circular walks from the camp site; LMPC were not consulted. Jon Kershaw said that the NT were not happy with the roundels, and he and Mr V-A will talk to Jenny Penny about their removal, while noting the need to inform the Council of future activities of this type. There have been enquiries about the path beyond the Ship Inn which goes due South between fields, with a locked gate and a stile at the N end: Mr V-A emphasised that this is NOT a public right of way, and therefore no change can be made to access. The overgrown path two fields S of Putlake farm has been cleared by DCC and should now be used instead of walking into the field; Mr V-A has asked for new fingerposts at each end. The Chairman thanked him for his report and for his hard work.
b) Jon Kershaw reported for the National Trust: he thanked all who supported the Langton Litter Pick at the end of March. Dry stone walling has been carried out by volunteer groups at South Barn and around several underground quarries near Burngate. The Spring deer census took place on 9th April, showing some increase on previous years; volunteers were thanked. The footpath to Dancing Ledge is still unsafe and remains closed while options are explored to restore it. A new ranger is likely to be in post in May. Mr Kershaw was also thanked by the Chairman.
5.Public Discussion. 
a) Mr J Warren asked about the motor caravan parked on the footpath behind the Ship Inn: Mr V-A assured him that it was now gone.  
b) Dr Chris Spilling referred to item 16, ‘Disposal of Council’s land to the S of School field’; he assumes that the Council will invite the village to comment on any proposals. The site remains an important wildlife habitat, and he urged that it be kept as a space for the village. On the same topic, Mr R.Simpson noted the value of the land as a ‘shelter belt’ for the village allotments.
b) Mr Warren commented on planning application 1d) on the Planning agenda (6/2013/0200). As this was a recent application and Cllrs had not had a chance to see the plans, he asked that any decision be deferred until the next meeting.  He was concerned that the new development would be out of character with the rest of the Steppes Hill estate. Cllr Lovell promised to look at the application, and suggested that Mr Warren also informed PDC planning of his concerns, with a copy to LMPC. 
7. Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. The Chairman explained in relation to Agenda Item 16, that the plan was to ask the village for suggestions about what should happen to the Council’s land at the Parish Assembly on 25th April. 
8.  Planning Matters. 
  1) There were no written comments by members of the public; Mr Warren had commented orally on Item d) (see 5b) above).
  2) To make comments concerning the following plans:-
   a) 6/2013/0136. Mr and Mrs Gillingwater. Church Cottage, 57 High Street, Langton Matravers. Dismantle chimney stack and reconstruct using salvaged materials. Observation: No Objection.
   b) 6/2013/0078  Mr K and Mr S Bowers, Verney Farm, Langton Matravers. Change of use of land to site residential caravan for temporary use by an agricultural worker. It was noted that the caravan will be well screened by bushes. Cllr Loudoun said that the planning application showed no justification for the need for such a residential caravan. Observation: No Objection. 
  c) and d) 6/2013/0198 /  6/2013/0200 As Cllrs had not had the opportunity to see either set of plans (hard copies had not so far arrived at the office) decision on both applications was deferred until the next meeting.
e) Cllr Kirby drew Cllrs’ attention to an amendment to the Raglan plans at Steppes (6/2012/0824) to replace the proposed wooden windows with white UPVC to match those already built: as the adjoining buildings had recently had new windows fitted, it was RESOLVED: That the Council has no objections to the amendment as long as the windows are the same colour as those in the adjoining buildings, which are presently brown. 
4) Other planning matters: - Planning decisions between monthly meetings. As planning decisions are sometimes required between meetings, it was RESOLVED: That a subcommittee be authorized to make decisions on plans as necessary, all Cllrs having had the opportunity to view the plans online. If a plan is contentious, a decision will be deferred to full Council meeting, and the Clerk will inform the relevant planning officer accordingly. Cllrs White, Turner and Kirby agreed to act as a Planning Subcommittee .
8. Minutes of  the Meeting held 14th March 2013. The Minutes, having been circulated previously, were agreed as a correct record and signed.
10.  Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 4a) Windmill Lane. Cllr Drayson asked Mr V-A if he would organise a group walk on the footpath: he agreed to set a date and publicise the event.
b) Item 5a). Part-night lights. The Clerk had been in touch with the lighting authority and it seemed unlikely that DCC-controlled part-night lighting would appear in Langton before the end of 2014. 
c) Item 5b) DCC Highways had looked at the road surface outside Talbot cottage and had decided that no action was necessary.
d) Item 10e). The Clerk noted that plans for new building at St George’s School included a Kitchen garden on the S side of the old Victorian schoolroom, behind the railings.
e) Item 16. Repairs to Putlake toilet fence. Mr Ian Bugler had carried out essential repairs to railings and some posts.
f) Item 17. Toilet refurbishment.  PDC had confirmed that they will not be carrying out any major works on the Putlake toilets before handover in October 2013. They have mended the disabled toilet door.
10.  The Clerk’s Report for the period 9.3.2013- 5.4.2013.  Report received.
11.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a) Item 21. DCC – Traffic Regulation Orders: owing to implementation of improvements to the system, consideration of LMPC’s application for yellow line passing bays in the High street will be deferred until 2014/15.
b) Item 23. LMAA – Bee talk, 10th April. Cllr Drayson thanked Mrs Pearson, (Chair of the LMAA) and members for a very successful and informative evening.
c) Item 25. Raglan Housing development; The Council had been asked to suggest a name for the new development: three suggestions were made, and parishioners will be asked for ideas at the Parish Assembly.
d) Item 30. Sandra Brown – Dorset and East Devon National Park Group.  After discussion, the Council decided that they needed more information about the implications of such a designation before coming to a decision about whether to support the proposal. ACTION: Clerk.
12.  Chairman’s Announcements. Cllr White thanked Mrs Bridget Mayes on behalf of the Council for organizing the recent Litter Pick. He noted that the Community Energy Event organized by Cllr Drayson and supported by LMPC had been reported in the Advertiser. 
13.  Financial Matters.
(1)   Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting:
         £ 35.00   Interment of ashes and monument inscription fee - Mr. A.Lucas. Plot Cr 8.
         £ 340.00 Interment fee - the late Mr. Alfred Holmes, Plot H 15.
(2)   Note the following Payments by cheque to be made since last Meeting:
         £ 154.95   Mr I. Bugler – Grounds Maintenance (March) 
         £ 498.57   Clerk’s salary (March).  
£ 67.31     Wessex Water- Public Conveniences supply 30/08/2012 – 06/03/2013
£ 240.66   Southern Electric – Supply to toilet block 20/12/2012- 10/03/2013.
£ 12.00     Langton Village Hall – Community Energy Event rental.
£ 342.00   National Trust – Annual Allotment rent.
 (3) 	Payments by Direct Debit:
       £ 37.13      XLN Telecom for phone and broadband. 
 (4) Other Financial Matters. None.
14.  Cemetery Matters:
(1) Council’s Cemetery. Owing to time constraints, it was agreed to defer discussion of estimates to build the new wall to the next meeting.
(2) Closed Cemetery. There had been complaints that flowers were being mown down by the contractors. ACTION: Clerk to contact PDC.
15.  Allotments.  Cllr Kirby advised that there needs to be a change in the tenancy agreement to reflect changes in the insurance cover purchased by the Council for LMAA: as members helpers are now also automatically covered.  RESOLVED: To change clause to read:
All allotment tenancy holders have the right to become members of the Langton Matravers Allotment Association. The Council encourages membership as members will, with other benefits, automatically receive Product and Public Liability Insurance cover for both themselves and their helpers for their activities on the allotments. 
It was also agreed that an additional clause should be inserted as there is presently no mention that tenants have the right to store their equipment in the Council’s shed. 
RESOLVED: To insert new clause:
Tenants can, if required, store their tools in the communal shed. Tools should be labelled with the tenant’s name for ease of identification.
RESOLVED: To have made and attach to each allotment gate notices for dog owners, as proposed by Cllr Kirby. 
Allotment catchment area: Cllr Kirby suggested that, as there is only one vacant half plot at present, the decision to implement any changes to the Council’s plot allocation policy should be ‘driven by future events’. Cllrs agreed.
16. Disposal of Council’s Land/Community Orchard ? The Chairman emphasised that the Parish Assembly would be a good opportunity to get parishioners’ views on what (if anything) might be done with the land. It was agreed to wait and see what suggestions were made.
17. Community Assets Register. A useful meeting had been held on 11th April with Sue Bellamy, the PDC officer responsible for the register; she had explained its purpose, and took questions from Cllrs and the owners of the King’s Arms and Post Office, who had been invited. Cllr Kirby explained to the Council meeting that Ms Bellamy had made clear that any application for change of use (resulting in the possible loss to the village of eg. a pub or shop) would be carefully considered by the planning department, and would be known to the Council and in the public domain. Cllrs agreed that there was no advantage in adding either the Kings Arms or the Post Office to the register.
18. Swings Replacement. The Clerk had not heard about the lottery application for funds. It was agreed to await the outcome of this before making any decisions about how to proceed. The Clerk has been undertaking a regular recorded weekly inspection at the Play Area, and reported that ROSPA will do their annual inspection within the next 4 weeks.
19. Parish Assembly. Arrangements are in hand, with several village organizations intending to be present and report to the community. RESOLVED: That the Council spend up to £120.00 on liquid refreshments for the Parish Assembly, with goods bought on a sale or return basis. ACTION:Cllr Drayson, Clerk. 
20. Risk Assessment. Owing to time constraints, this item was deferred to the next meeting. Cllrs will send comments on the draft to the Clerk. ACTION: All Cllrs.
21. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 9th May, 2013. The meeting will begin at 7pm. 
23.Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting: Swings / Council land / Risk Assessment.

Closed c.9.07pm. 

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