Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
Minutes of a meeting of Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday, 14th August 2008 at 7.00pm
Present Cllr M Kirby (Chairman) in the Chair, Mrs P Kwantes,(Vice Chairman) and Cllrs, J Bradford, P Bradford, P Loudoun, Mrs V Murray, N. Priddle, and P White,. 

1.	Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. M Lovell.
2.	Public Discussion period: 
The Meeting was adjourned for discussion.
(a)	PCSO Ian Leslie made a brief presentation regarding the Swanage Safer Neighbourhood Team and pointed out that the Team and PACT had to cover a very large area. He said that the Walking Bus to St George’s First School had reduced traffic at that time of day by 80% and also said that from December it would be permanent. He added that the three main concerns of residents within the SSNT area are speeding, anti-social behaviour and parking. The Team would try to address all of these issues.
(b)	Mr Roy Smith the local coordinator for Homewatch then spoke. He said that there were 108 Homewatches in the area but only 26 had joined the South Purbeck Homewatch Association. He said that the police would try and enrol the rest and appealed for support for the police and asked for a volunteer from Langton Matravers to represent the Parish on the South Purbeck Homewatch Association.
(c)	Mr P Notley spoke about the Wilts & Dorset bus stop which had been moved to outside his house and said it should be at the stone seat at the junction of Coombe Hill and Three Acre Lane. PCSO Leslie advised him to fill out a complaint form in the Post Office and send it in to the police
(d)	There was a complaint that the milestone at Steppes Hill was obscured by overgrown vegetation. Mr & Mrs Hinsull, who were in the public gallery, said that they were representatives for the National Milestone Society and promised to take up the issue with DCC.
3.	Matters arising from the Public Discussion.
	The Meeting was reconvened.
Cllr Priddle suggested that the request for a representative for the South Purbeck Homewatch Association should be put in The Dubber and Cllr Mrs Kwantes promised to arrange this.
Cllr P White stated that the bus stop should indeed be at the stone seat at the junction of Coombe Hill and Three Acre Lane and had been for many years. By unanimous agreement the Clerk was instructed to write to Wilts & Dorset and ask them to reinstate the bus stop at its usual site.	
4.	Planning Matters: 
	(1) There were no comments from the public concerning Plan No 0474, submitted by Langton Matravers Parish Council; Change Of use from agricultural field to allotment gardens accessed from Garfield Lane. Land off Durnford Drove.
.	(2) Determine Council’s comment on Plan 0474.
	On the proposition of the Chairman it was unanimously agreed that;
	“The Parish Council fully supports this application.”	
	(3) There were no comments from the public concerning Plan 30. 08/09 submitted by Mr & Mrs Kwantes; to fell 5 trees at ‘Leat Cottage’ 12 High St, Langton Matravers. 
	(4) Determine Council’s comment on Plan 30. 08/09.
	Permission had already been granted before the Meeting of the Parish Council.
	(5) There were no comments from the public concerning Plan 0532, McGrath Homes Ltd; Removal of Condition 10 (Detailed scheme for the improvement of the footway/visibility at the junction of Malthouse Lane/High Street) of PP 6/2006/1018, to erect two detached cottages; modify vehicular access and carry out alterations to the Old Malthouse Lane/High Street junction.
	(6) Determine Council’s comments on Plan 0532:
	On the proposition of Cllr Priddle it was unanimously agreed that;
“The Parish Council reserves the right to comment until the future of the school is certain.”

 (7) The following Planning Decisions were noted:
(a)	 Plan 0383. submitted by Mrs D Tyrer : add lead capping to top of roof extension and insert dormer window to rear elevation (revised scheme to PA 6/2008/0059. at Greystones The Hyde: Approved.
(b)	Plan 275, submitted by Mrs M. Sutton; to carry out roof repairs at Acton Farm Cottage: Approved.
(c)	Plan 0779, submitted by Land and Mineral Management Ltd; Variation of Condition 2 of PP 6/96/641; to extend time to extract the remaining limestone in Plot 18 at Acton Quarries: Approved.
(d)	Plan0377, submitted by Mr & Mrs Murray. Use of land for camping (tents, caravans and motor homes) outside of existing lawful dates (Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Spring Bank Holiday – Friday, Saturday and Sunday after August Bank Holiday and 20th to 24th July) annually. West Acton Field (Acton Field Camp Site), Langton Matravers: Withdrawn.
 (8)Any other Planning Matters;
	The Clerk was instructed to check the progress of Mr Young’s application with PDC.
5.	Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 10th July were confirmed and signed.
6.	Matters arising from the Minutes:
(1) Item 3 (b) Access road into Acton. The Clerk reported that DCC Highways Dept. had replied but not set a date for any works.
(2) Item 8 (4); The Clerk reported that he had written again to SEC asking for the lights to be repaired and cleaned.
(3) Item 18 (a); Small Works. It was unanimously agreed that the damaged kerb should be put on the Small Works agenda and that the Clerk should write to DCC regarding the quality of the previous repair.
 7.	The Clerk’s Report for the period was received.
 8.	Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report:
	(1) Item 6; SLCC. It was not felt necessary for the Clerk to join the Society for Local Council Clerks.
(2) Item 22; Bus shelters. Cllr Kirby said that he would like to contact DCC with regard to having a wooden bus shelter at Steppes Hill. Cllr Priddle agreed that it might be a good idea as long as the Council got a good grant to help pay for one.
(3) Item 26; Ringing in the Olympics. Cllr Priddle pointed out that St George’s Church has no bells.
(4) Item 38; Cllr Kirby said that he would change the telephone number on the sign on the Parish Office door.
(5) Item 48; Conservation Area Review. It was unanimously agreed that Councillors needed more time to collate and compose a detailed response and therefore the matter should be deferred until the next Meeting. The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr B Webb informing him that the Council would respond after the September Meeting.
(6) Item 51; Issues arising from Annual Audit. The Clerk was instructed to phone A&L and see if it was possible to have a ‘view only’ internet account.
(7) Item 53: The Purbeck Stone Centre. Cllr Kirby and Cllr Mrs Kwantes said that they would like to accept the Centre’s invitation to a guided tour and several other councillors agreed that they would like to go too.
(8) Item 58; The Parish Plan. On the proposition of the Chairman, it was unanimously agreed that this should be added to the next Agenda.
(9)Item 61; Putlake Farm’s Planning Appeal. On the proposition of the Chairman it was unanimously agreed that the Clerk should write to the Planning Inspectorate to say that the Council fully supported the appeal and that it could confirm that Mainhyde field had been used as an overflow car park since 1994.
(10) Item 66; Circulation envelopes to Councillors. The Chairman suggested that there should be 2 types of envelope, one for urgent matters.
9.	Chairman’s announcements;
The Chairman announced that he would ring Mr M Collins and thank him for all his work on the village seat. Cllr Priddle said that he had asked Mr J Burden to repair the paving stone on the plinth beneath the village sign, and that after it was damaged the original slab had been stolen.
10.	Financial Matters:
	(1) The following additions to the Council funds since the last Council Meeting were noted:
£50.00 from James Smith Funeral Directors, for the interment of the ashes of the late Mrs Kathleen Audley.
£10.00 from D&P Lovell Quarries Ltd, for the additional inscription on the monument to DJ & PV Lovell.
 £740.00 received from James Smith Funeral Directors, for the purchase of burial plot and the interment of the late Mrs Doreen Hobbs.
(2) The following Payments by Cheque, already authorized, since last Meeting, were noted:
 £183.25 to Burden Building Services Ltd to re-paint the playing field swings.
 £157.45 to D&P Lovell Quarries Ltd, for a load of topsoil for the cemetery.
 £1527.50 to SAS Playgrounds Ltd, for surfacing work at the village Play Area.
 £128.16 to Southern Electric for electricity bill for the period 21st March to 23rd June.
 £15.99 to Nildram for the broadband connection for the period 21st June to 20th July.
 £50.53 to the Purbeck Housing Trust for ROSPA inspection of the Play Area.
 £325.00 to J. Bellucci for Clerk’s salary for June.
 £20.00 to the Langton Matravers Village Hall Comm. for the hire of the Council Chamber for May and June.
 £23.50 to Brian Glassock Builders to fix the new post box to the office wall.
 £15.99 to Nildram for broadband connection for 21/7 – 20/8.
 £334.08 to BDO Stoy Hayward LLP for fee for Annual Audit.
 £550.00 to I Travers for work in cemetery and Play Area.
(3)The following payments by Direct Debit were noted:
£72.00 to PDC for July Business Rates for office/toilet block.
(4)Any other Financial Matters:
(a) The Annual Return;
On the proposition of Cllr Priddle the Annual Return was unanimously approved and accepted.
(b) On the proposition of Cllr Kirby it was unanimously agreed to switch the Council’s deposit account to Scottish Widows when the Nationwide account is closed.
11.	Cemetery Matters:
	(1) Council cemetery.
(a) Regulations and Fees; On the proposition of Cllr Priddle it was unanimously agreed to increase by £50.00 each the fees in Section 2 of the Regulations and Fees. It was also unanimously agreed on the same proposition to increase to £50.00 the amount transferred to the Council’s Endowment Account.
(b) The Chairman reported that Cllr M Lovell had applied for a grant to help pay for the new wall at the cemetery.
(c) Cllr Bradford suggested that Mr I Travers be instructed to deal with the dead tree that overhangs the cemetery.
	(2) Closed cemeteries.
	Nothing to report.
12.	Allotments.
(a) The Chairman reported that he had personally spoken to Mr and Mrs Parsons regarding their objections to the allotments and hoped that if 3 issues could be resolved they might withdraw their objections. They would like the access gate from Coles Ground into the allotments moved, they felt that the fence was too low, and felt that the area allocated for allotments should be reduced. 
Cllr Loudoun said that the positioning of the access gate was for practical purposes to allow a tractor to manoeuvre. He also pointed out that when he first took over Coles Ground many people had complained then because it changed their view. With regard to car parking he did not feel there would be a big increase and he felt that the suggestion that a small corner of Coles Ground be reserved for parking was unlikely to meet with NT approval.
Cllr Priddle said that the type of fence planned would not serve to obscure a view of the allotments and therefore the height would not matter.
The Chairman also reported that he had tried to arrange a meeting with Mr and Mrs Stevens of Tom’s Field Rd, but that they had refused unless he agreed to meet all the objectors to the plan. 
Cllr Loudoun said that the Council should write to the NT and refute the suggestion that there is great opposition to the plan for allotments and that it should be pointed out that there were already over 30 applicants for one or part of one.
Cllr Mrs Kwantes agreed to put a piece in The Dubber with the address for Louise Carmichael so that people could express their views to the NT.  
13.	Affordable housing;
Cllr Priddle said that a letter had been received from Raglan Housing Assoc., saying that the NT was now opposed to the site at Capston Field, and had suggested alternative sites, which included Coles Ground and The Steppes.
Cllr Kirby said that he would like to arrange a special meeting between the Council and Raglan Housing Assoc., to discuss their plan for The Steppes. It was unanimously agreed that he should contact Mr Cronk of Raglan to arrange this.
14.	Trees.
Cllr. Priddle raised the matter of the Ash tree that overlooks the closed cemetery. He said that the Old Rectory had previously agreed to have it cut down and he would ask them if they were still intending to do this.
Cllr Kirby read out a letter from PDC that had been passed on to him by a third party, which detailed PDC’s requirements for the replacement for the 3 trees that were cut down in Old Malthouse Lane. It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk should write to Mr S Mackenzie, PDC Chief Exec., to complain that the Parish Council was not being kept informed of these developments. 
15.	Conservation Area Review;
	Already dealt with.
16.	Clerk’s salary and hours;
	Moved to the last item on the Agenda and dealt with in closed session.
17.	Signposts;
Cllr. Loudoun said that some fingerposts were in disrepair and he would like to ensure that they are replaced with like for like wooden fingerposts. The Clerk was instructed to write to DCC to request this.
18.	 The date of the next Council Meeting was confirmed as September 11th at 7 pm.
19.	Items for the next Agenda;
	(a) Conservation Area Review.
	(b) Small Works.
(c) Electricity pole at Crack Lane.
(d) Notice case at cemetery.
(e) The Clerk’s hours and salary.
20.	There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

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