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

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 9th August 2012 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllr P White in the Chair, P Loudoun, H Tizard, M Turner, M Kirby, J Bradford, C.Drayson.

There was 1 member of the public present.

1.	Apologies: Jonathan Kershaw, David Hodd (NT).
2.	Declarations of interest.  Cllr Kirby declared a personal interest as his wife has an allotment. Cllrs Tizard, Drayson and Turner each declared a personal interest as allotment tenants. 
3.	Reports. a) Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, PC Rights of Way Liaison Officer, had attended the 7th August meeting of WMPC to explain proposals to repair the Priest’s Way. The Council voted to support the project and Cllr Hobson offered to represent WMPC on the working group. Swanage TC has still not responded. Ian V-A will compile a formal Expression of Interest for circulation to relevant groups. Dog Fouling deterrence has now commenced.
b) The Clerk read a report from David Hodd of the National Trust. David Williams, the new Academy ranger will be starting in September. Mat Chivers will be exhibiting at Spyway Barn until 9th September, and there is also an exhibition at Burngate. 
4.  Public Discussion. Mr. Treleven Haysom, a quarry owner, expressed his concerns about aspects of DCC’s proposed Minerals Core Strategy, which is in its final consultation stage. 
5.  Matters Arising from the Public Discussion.  It was agreed that Mr. Haysom should present particular concerns about the strategy to the Council; these can be discussed at the next meeting.
6.  Planning Matters. 
       2) There were no plans to discuss. 
       3) The Council received planning decisions by PDC since the last meeting: 
     a) TWA/2012/0082   Mr. Keith Dowling, Garfield Cottage, Garfield Lane, Langton Matravers.  Lime Tree – 20% Crown thin by removal of epicormic growth and a few tertiary branches. NO OBJECTION
   4) Other planning matters: a) Plans for new Secondary school - It was recorded that ‘the Council continues to support the development of the new school’. 
b),c),The Council did not wish add anything to previous comments regarding appeals APP/B1225/X/12/2179668 and APP/B1225/A/2177801 (Saunders and Helfer).
d) St George’s School Plans. DCC had just sent the plans, and some Cllrs expressed concerns about the lack of provision for staff parking, and short timespan for receipt of planning comments. The Clerk was asked to contact the Chair of Governors to see if any public open session had been or could be organised for display and discussion of the new plans. RESOLVED:That the Council ask DCC for more time to comment on the plans, and send the initial comment ‘We consider it necessary that a small staff car park should be provided at the West end of the school field’. Cllr Drayson asked why DCC was not making its own plans for parking on the field; this is apparently on cost grounds. Cllrs Kirby and Turner explained that such a car park would be of mutual benefit to DCC and LMPC, as it would provide access to the Council’s land to the South of the school field and the allotments. Cllr Tizard suggested that Cllrs have until 20th August to consider the plans, and reconvene before the next meeting if necessary to discuss further formal comments.  
7.  Minutes of  the Meeting held 12th July 2012. The Minutes, having been circulated previously, were agreed as a correct record and signed.
8.  Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 9b. Waste collection at Acton; the Clerk had written to Mrs.Brown.
b) Item 19. A copy of the updated Parish Plan Recommendations had been sent to PDC for their files.
9.  The Clerk’s Report for the period 9.7.2012 to 3.8.2012.  Report received.
10.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a) Item 14. Mr. Roger Free had asked about a neighbour’s tree: Cllr Lovell had already discussed it with PDC’s tree officer.
b) Item 31. Acton Sign. Cllr Turner had noted the ‘correction’ to the sign at Acton. He would see if it is possible to amend it properly. ACTION: Cllr Turner.
11.  Chairman’s Announcements. Clerk’s Salary: the Clerk left the room during the discussion. It was agreed to pay for 5 more hours per month (57 hrs), and increase the hourly rate from £8.545 to £8.747, the next band on the salary scale. The Clerk thanked the Council, and expressed her appreciation of their support during her first year in the post. 
12.  Financial Matters.
 (1)   Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting: None.   
 (2) 	Note the following Payments by Cheque to be made since last Meeting:
  £ 180.00   Mr I. Bugler – Grounds Maintenance (July). 
  £ 444.34   Clerk’s salary (July).
  £ 83.52     Newsquest – Caretaker contract advertisement. (cheque to M.Sparks). 
  £ 450.00   Ellis Jones (NT) – Purchase price of Land at Crack Lane cemetery.
  £ 50.00     Ellis Jones (Land Registry transfer fee).
  £ 30.00     Stamps (cash payment).
       (3) Payments by Direct Debit:
£ 36.56 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
       (4) 	Other Financial Matters. a)The Clerk reported that the VAT reclaim for 2011- 12 had been sent.
b) It was suggested, to simplify paperwork, that the Council make an annual payment to the Village Hall committee for use of the hall for council meetings. ACTION:Clerk to contact Mrs. Ibbs, Treasurer, to suggest this.
13.  Cemetery Matters:
(1) Council’s Cemetery. a) Purchase of Land update. Craig Wells, who is acting for the Council, has advised that completion should be by the end of August. 
b) Caretaker Tender. The Council received 11 tenders. Following  recommendation from the  Tender Group who had met on 8th August to open and discuss all tenders, it was RESOLVED: That the Council accept the tender of Mr. Ian Bugler, for the sum of £1,440.00 p.a. 
(2) Closed Cemetery. Cllr Bradford noted that the bin inside the cemetery gate had not been emptied for some time. Cllr Kirby said that bin by the bus shelter also needed emptying. ACTION: Cllr White/Clerk to inform the PDC waste collector.
14.  Allotments.  Cllr Kirby reported that Plot 24b had been given up by tenants moving to Swanage. The plot would be shared by the 2 people currently on the waiting list, meaning that there is no longer a waiting list. 
15.  Code of Conduct. Some Cllrs have already completed their new registers of interest. The Clerk asked that all forms be completed in the next few days, so that they can be uploaded to the Parish and PDC websites.
16. Traffic Management.. 
a) Speed Watch. No progress, though ongoing work by Southern Gas outside the PO has slowed the traffic considerably.
b) Widening Footways. A meeting has been arranged with Mr. and Mrs. Purver and DCC traffic team for Monday 13th August to look in detail at plans for the section outside Steppeshill house. David Hill of Savills, who manages the Scott Estate, has said that the Putlake proposal is ‘broadly acceptable’ to the Trustees subject to certain conditions.  ACTION: Clerk to follow up. 
c) Cllr Turner expressed concern about the verge on the W.side of the road into Acton, which has not been cut for several years. ACTION: Clerk to contact DCC highways to ask that it be cut.
17. Play Area. Cllr Tizard had inspected the swings and felt that they are past repair. RESOLVED:That the swings in the Play Area be replaced. The Clerk was asked to contact Mrs. Tracey Stone, who had previously been involved with play equipment for the Play Area, to see what funds might be available. 
18. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7pm on Thursday 13th September 2012. The October monthly meeting will be at 7pm. on Thursday 11th October 2012.
19. Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting:  Play Area/ Minerals Core Strategy/Widening Footways/ St George’s School Plans and Car Park/Public Toilet Cleaning Contract.

Closed 8.45pm 

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