Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
Minutes of a meeting of Council held in the Village Hall on  Thursday August 9th 2007 at 6.45 pm
Present: Cllr N E Priddle (Chairman) in the Chair; Cllr P E Loudon (Vice-Chairman); Cllr Mrs V C Murray, 	        Cllr Mrs P M Kwantes, and Cllrs. J Bradford, P J Bradford, P White and M Kirby.
1.	Apologies were received from Cllr M W J Lovell, who was abroad on holiday.
2.	Mr P Aston, Democratic Services Officer of Purbeck District Council, then addressed the Council on 	the Revised Code of Conduct over some 39 minutes. Several hand-outs were distributed and several 	questions were put. Chairman thanked Mr Aston for offering to come to explain the revised system.
3.	The Meeting was then adjourned for the Public Discussion, during which Mr and Mrs J Kennedy
	sought to answer the objection from neighbours to their proposed extension at ‘Minstead’, The Hyde.
	The Clerk explained that Cllr Kirby had obtained a copy of the objection and passed it to the Clerk, 	so the objection and the answer to it could now be read when the plan was under discussion.
4.	The Council Meeting was then re-convened and Planning Matters were discussed:
	(1) A letter of objection to Plan 492 from Mr & Mrs Bell of ‘Durlsmere’, The Hyde, was read and a 	letter from Mr & Mrs J Kennedy answering the objection.
	(2) Concerning Plan 492, submitted by Mr J Kennedy, to erect first-floor extension over existing 	garage at ‘Minstead’, The Hyde, after some discussion, on the proposition of Cllr Mrs Murray, it was 	unanimously agreed that “The Parish Council has no objection.”
	(3) There were no comments from the public to Plan 507, submitted by Mr R Sheppard, to erect rear 	extension and insert new dormers and roof-lights at ‘Tree Tops’, Durnford Drove.
	(4) On the proposition from the Chair, it was unanimously agreed that “The Parish Council has no 	objection” to Plan 507.
	(5) There were no comments from the public concerning Plan 525, submitted by BT, to erect a 10m 	lattice steel tower to replace existing aerial mounting poles on Nine Barrow Down above Knitson.
	(6) On the proposition from Cllr Loudoun, it was unanimously agreed that “The Parish Council has 	no objection” to Plan 525.
	(7) Council noted PDC’s approval of four Planning Applications relating to the parish: No. 375 	(Conservatory at ‘Spyway Edge’, Steppeshill); No. 393 (Replacement windows & door at Serrell’s 	Mead Cottages); No. 374 (Repair & replacement work at ‘Greenhayes’, Castle View); and No. 409 	(Detached summer-house at rear of ‘Sutherland’, Gypshayes).
5.	Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday July 12th 2007, having been distributed to 	Members prior to the Meeting, were unanimously confirmed and duly signed.
6.	Matters Arising from the Minutes:
	(1) Item 6(4) As there had been no answer on the matter of allowing parking on the wide verge near 	the south end of Crack Lane, on the proposition from the Chair, it was agreed that another letter 	should be sent.
	(2) Item 6(11). There was nothing further to report concerning the south wall of the Closed Cemetery.
	(3) Item 8(2). The reply had been sent to Mrs Rochelle and the schoolchildren. It was agreed that a 	letter should be sent to Mrs Stone suggesting another seat to match that existing.
	(4) Item 8(3) the Clerk reported that the mandate for Direct Debit of BT accounts had been sent.
	(5) Item 8(5). The Clerk reported that the re-surfacing of the stretch of the A351 in the parish had 	been completed.
	(6) Item 8(6). The Clerk reported that the key of the fuse-boxes and trip-switch had been located.
	(7) Item 11(1). Chairman announced that Mr Barry Audley had agreed to do the work on the land 	reserved for extension to the Council’s Cemetery. A vote of thanks was recorded to Cllr Loudoun for 	the clearance work he had done. It was agreed that the Caretaker of the Council’s Lands should be 	asked to strim along the north side of the north fence of the Cemetery. Chairman promised that a 	marker post at the NW corner of the ground would be soon in place. 
	(8) Item 11(2). It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Manager of The Old Rectory Care 	Home, pointing out Council’s concern over the very tall ash tree at the NE corner of the curtilage.
	(9) Item 13. The Clerk reported that a notice concerning Dog-litter Bins had been put in the ‘Dubber’.
	(10) Item 14. It was confirmed that the new NALC booklet for Parish Councillors had now taken the 	place of ‘Powers and Constitution of Local Councils’. It was agreed that eight more copies of the new 	booklet should be obtained.
	(15) Item 15. It had been confirmed that where there is no post or notice with double yellow lines, the 	ruling is automatically that they apply at all times, and this IS enforceable.
	(16) Item 16. The Clerk reported on a site meeting with Tony Burt of DCC. He had ruled out a 	DISABLED notice on the road surface, and recommended extension of the double yellow lines as far 	as the south end of the Scout HQ premises, as originally proposed. Council agreed that application 	should be made for this extension.
	(17) Item 17. It was agreed that, before a ‘job description’ could be drawn up, rulings must be 	obtained from DAPTC on (a) whether the appointment of an Assistant Clerk might be undertaken, (b) 	the maximum hours of work allowed for part-time Clerks, (c whether a short-term contract is possible 	for a trial period, and (d) the current Rates of Pay for those starting out as Clerk.
7.	The Clerk’s Report for the period from 6.7.07 to 2.8.07 was received.
8.	Matters Arising from the Clerk’s Report:
	(1) Item 16. It was agreed in principle that a copy of Arnold Baker’s updated book should be 	purchased, but a final decision should be made after publication, when its price could be ascertained.
	(2) Item 24. In reply to the Clerk’s letter a bundle of forms was received from the County Rights-of-	Way Division. Te Clerk had asked the Parish Rights-of-Way Liaison Officer to assist in completing 	them in respect of Windmill Lane, which she had recently walked.
9.	Chairman‘s Announcements: None.
10.	Financial Matters:
	(1) The following additions to Council funds were noted:
	     £170.00 from James Smith, Funeral Directors, for burial of the late Mr Arthur Daynes,
	     £340.00 from James Smith, Funeral Directors, for burial of the late Mrs Pauline Lovell,
	     £80.00 from Lovell’s Quarries for Monument to the late Harry Whalley,.
	     £160.00 from Grassby & Sons for Monument to the late Robert Cattell.
	     £3,338.55 from HM Revenue &Customs (VAT refund on new Play Equipment).
	(2) The following payments by cheque, already authorized, were noted:
	     £2.64 to Clerk (ex Purbeck Press) for new Ink Pad for Council’s Authentication Stamp,
	     £158.63 to BDO Stoy Hayward for District Audit of 2006-7 Accounts,
	     £10.00 to Village Hall for use of June Council Chamber.
	(3) The following payments by Direct Debit were noted:
	     £69.00 to PDC for August Rates on Toilets/Office Block.
	(4) The District Auditor’s Report on the 2006-7 Accounts was received, nem con.
	      In reply to their suggestion that the Indemnity Guarantee Cover should be increased, after some 	discussion, on the proposition from the Chair, it was unanimously agreed that “The Parish Council is 	of the opinion that the Fidelity Guarantee Insurance figure of £10,000.00 is sufficient for the year 	ensuing.” 
	(5) Cllr J Bradford had asked that PDC should be required to give a detailed break-down of the cost 	of the recent Bye-Election. The Clerk said that he had not yet received the bill, but that the last 	Election Bill had been accompanied by a detailed breakdown of the costs. It was therefore agreed to 	await the arrival the bill.
12.	Cemetery Matters:
	(1) The Council’s Cemetery:
	Nothing to report.
	(2) The Closed Cemeteries:
		Chairman reported that he would try to get something done about the trees which were 	damaging the north wall. He reported that some work had already been done in removing the tree 	which had been allowed to grow within a  grave in the Non-Conformist section of the Cemetery, and 	that he was hoping to get the stump ground out..
13.	Revised Standing Orders of Council:
	Copies of the revision having been distributed to all members prior to the Meeting, on the proposition 	by Cllr J Bradford, it was unanimously agreed to accept the Standing Orders as revised.
14.	Affordable Housing:
	(1) It was agreed that Council must be vigilant to see that the 106 Agreement in respect of the 	proposed new houses at Steppes was in place before the detailed plans were agreed.
	(2) Chairman mentioned Cllr Kirby’s efforts concerning the housing fiasco at Steppes, and proposed 	that he be forthwith appointed the Council’s Housing Liaison Officer. This was unanimously agreed.
15.	The date of the next Council Meeting was confirmed as Thursday September 13th at 7.0 p.m.

There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 8.46 p.m.

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