Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
 
Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 13th August 2015 at 7 pm.
Present: Cllr P Christie in the Chair, Cllrs P Loudoun, M Turner, C Drayson, R Sheppard, M Lovell. 
There were 20 members of the public present.
The meeting was audio-recorded: there were no objections from the public.  
1. Apologies for absence. Cllr Knight, Cllr White. Cllr Lucas.   
2. Declarations of Interest / Grant of Dispensations. Cllr Christie declared an interest as a neighbor and friend relating to Planning Item 1a) (Mr and Mrs Free, Tom’s Field Rd.). 
3. National Trust Report. There has been work on a circular seating area for Scouts etc. in Talbot’s wood, funded by IBM. Jon Kershaw has put up temporary signage at Spyway car park to deter overnight camping. The Trust are working on speeding up the formal permission process for the car park signage for Durnford Drove. They are gathering data about possible further developments of the car parks at Spyway and Acton.in the future, and working on interpretation boards at Spyway barn, using outside funding. New donation boxes are planned for Spyway, one in the main car park, one in the overflow, and one at Spyway Barn. Work is being done on stiles in the Putlake area. Cllr Turner asked if note had been taken of Acton residents’ views in plans for the Acton car park, and Mr Kershaw explained that at present the Trust are collecting data, such as amount of traffic using the car park and lane into Acton, before putting forward any options for discussion by the Parish Council  and villagers. Cllr Drayson noted that Footprint Ecology have been recording visitor numbers etc. in the area: Mr Kershaw said that the Trust has access to some of their reports. Cllr Drayson asked that the NT change its policy so that future stiles built by the Trust be dog-friendly, or that gates be used. Mr Kershaw noted that choices of types of stile were often dependent on tenants’ needs.
RoWLO Report. Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle, having explained the legal position that stiles are for people and that there is no obligation to provide for dogs, said that he will do his best to promote ‘dog friendly’ stiles where possible. The cost of a stile with a ‘dog latch’ is c £215.00, and a gate c £430.00. He will include access for dogs in his survey of footpaths where a stile needs replacing and note areas where this is a problem. The new DCC Senior Ranger for Purbeck in charge of Rights of Way is Katie Black, based at Durlston. Sam Jackson will be responsible for paths in this parish. Tara Hansford (DCC) is working on establishing Service Level Agreements with parishes, based on 50/50 split of costs with parishes to get RoW work done. Mr V-A recommends that this is discussed formally by the PC. ACTION: Clerk to put on next agenda. Cllr Lovell noted that the provision of stiles is the responsibility of the relevant landowner. It was agreed that if LMPC contributes to the cost of stiles in the parish, it should have a say in their design. Mr Kershaw and Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle were thanked for their reports.
4. Public Discussion Period. The meeting was adjourned for this agenda item.
a) Mrs Maggie Sutton, resident of Acton, asked Mr Kershaw about traffic monitoring, and he explained that the NT will be using a tracker device to ascertain use of the present car park and lane into Acton.
b) Mr Keith Diffey of Three Acre Lane expressed concern about the footpath across a field from Lower Hyde to the Ship, where alpacas and Shetland ponies are sometimes aggressive towards walkers. He asked if the path could be moved to the side of the field. Mr V-A advised the meeting that moving a footpath needs legal permission. 
c) Mr George Crabb complained about the slippery surface of the new permissive footpath bridges at the south end of Durnford Drove. ACTION: Jon Kershaw. He also asked if the request for renewing of faded white and yellow lines in the village had yet been passed to DCC. Cllr Lovell said the DCC Highways had apologised for not getting the work done, and will hope to do this shortly. Cllr Lovell also noted that the DCC Highways team have changed, with Steve Mepham still in charge, and Jenney Penny our new area manager.
d) Cllr Drayson spoke on behalf of a member of the public, echoing Mt Diffey’s concerns, and asked what the term ’Custom and use’ means in relation to footpaths. Mr V-A advised that this type of footpath is not an official footpath, but has become part of the local network through regular use.
e) Ms Sue Hutchings, Acton resident, asked Mr Kershaw about the status of the small tree plantation to the west of the Acton car park. He advised that if it has a designation or has been grant-funded, this rules out use of the land for any other purpose. She then asked the Council if they thought that there should be coaches in the car park.
f) Mr James Bradford, Langton resident, asked why the Council had asked the Preservation Society for details of its accounts when considering grants to local organisations, and had not done so for other groups.
g) Mrs Pat Wright, Langton resident, explained the difficulties for residents parking in Langton High Street, and renewed her request for provision of a car park.
The meeting was reconvened.
5. Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. 
f) LMLHPS. Cllr Turner said that he thought that a donation should be made. The Clerk advised that some other groups had been asked for details of accounts, including the Citizens Advice Bureau. Following earlier discussion with Mr Selman, LMLHPS Treasurer, Cllr Christie suggested that the Council ask for more information about the museum and its plans, in order to work out how best to support this important village organisaton. ACTION: Clerk, Cllr Christie.
e) Acton Car Park.  It was RESOLVED: TO ask the National Trust not to extend the Acton Car Park to the west into the area of planted trees. Mr Kershaw said that in view of this, he would work in the short term on plans for Spyway, and leave plans for Acton for the ‘long term’. Cllr Christie suggested that the Council meanwhile engage further with the people of Acton to consider future options. ACTION: Clerk to put on October agenda.
g) Village Car Park. Cllr Lovell suggested the field to the north of the B3069 at Putlake, to include a village museum. After discussion it was agreed to ask the community for suggestions about possible sites and who they think might need/use them. ACTION: Clerk to put in Dubber and on next agenda.
b) Aggressive Alpacas. Cllr Loudoun reminded the meeting that it is illegal for farmers to keep aggressive animals on land with a footpath. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the farmer recording the complaints, and asking him to sort the matter out. ACTION: Clerk. 
6.  Planning Matters. 
1) There were no comments from members of the public concerning the plans.
2) To make comments concerning the following plans:- 
a) 6/2015/0432 Mr and Mrs Roger Free, Toms Field Road (Brendon), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HN. Sever land, demolish garage and erect bungalow. No Objection. 
b) 6/2015/0429 Mrs Denise Cheslett, Valley Road (Greenacre), Harmans Cross, Swanage, BH19 3DX. Erect two storey rear extension. No Objection. 
c)  6/2015/0466  Mr and Mrs J Yeung, Acton (Harris's Cottage), Langton Matravers, BH19 3JS. 
Erect single-storey extension, insert rooflights and convert door to window .Full Planning Permission. No Objection. 
d) 6/2015/0467 Mr and Mrs J Yeung, Acton (Harris's Cottage), Langton Matravers, BH19 3JS. Erect single-storey extension, insert rooflights, modifications to existing doors and windows and internal alterations to form an ensuite shower room. Listed building.consent  No Objection. 
e) 6/2015/0462 Mr Tristian Howlett, Valley Road (Woodfield), Harmans Cross, BH19 3DX. Erect detached garage. No Objection. 
f) 6/2015/0445 Mr C Bryceson, Steppes Hill (9), Langton Matravers, BH19 3ET. Replace existing partial tile hangings with textured cladding/weatherboard. No Objection. 
g) 6/2015/0443  Mr G Mallett, High Street (77), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HA. Replace rear door and bathroom window and fit bathroom extractor fan. No Objection. 
2.  Determine Council’s comment on the following Plans:-   as 1.
3. Receive planning decisions affecting this parish since the last Parish Council Meeting: 
a) 6/2015/0278 Mr M.Barnett, Old Malthouse Lane (Purbeck Ridge), Langton Matravers, BH19 3JA. Roof conversion and install dormers. Approved.
b) 6/2015/0297 Mr and Mrs G Harris, Castle View (Daisy Cottage), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HT. Demolish single storey extension and erect new single side extension. Approved.
c) ) 6/2015/0298  Mr and Mrs G Harris, Castle View (Daisy Cottage), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HT.  Demolish single storey extension and erect new single side extension. Internal refurbishment and repairs. Install chimney liner. Repairs to boundary walling and outbuildings (Listed Building Consent). Approved.
d) 6/2015/0324 Mr and Mrs J Cooper, Blacklands (Hedbury House), Acton, BH19 3LD. Demolish existing garage and erect two-storey and single-storey extensions. Approved. 
e) TWA/2015/0092  Infront Innovation, St Georges Close (The Rectory), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HZ. (T1) Horse chestnut - fell; (T3) Horse chestnut - fell; (T4) Horse chestnut - fell; (T5) Beech - fell; (TG1) Sycamore - fell all; (TG2) Sycamore - fell all - Langton Matravers Conservation Area. REFUSED – TPO.
  4). Other planning matters. None.
7. Minutes of the Meeting held 9th July 2015.These were agreed to be a correct record and signed.
8. Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 8b). SID Pole at West end of village. This is now clear of ivy, and the police have been informed by DCC.
b) Item 8d) Advisory flashing lights at St George’s School. Cllr Lovell had no further information on progress towards installation of programmable light units, despite Mr Senior having sent a formal request to Clare Marshall at DCC Traffic Engineering asking that the work be put in hand. The Clerk reported that she has not yet received legal clarification from NALC about the legality of the proposed loan to the school. ACTION: Clerk to follow up and put on next agenda. 
9. The Clerk’s Report for the period 7.7.2015 – 8.8.2015.  Report received.
10.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a)  Item 12. PDC Taxi Licensing policy. The Council did not wish to comment.
b) Item 17. Putlake Footway project. The Clerk updated Cllrs on a useful meeting in July with the Scott Estate’s new land agent, the DCC District Valuer,  Bill Green (DCC Highways) and Putlake tenant Steve Legg, to confirm details of the work to be done. It is hoped to start in the Autumn. 
c) Item 36. Linda Buckley – abusive cyclists and visibility at Tom’s Field Rd junction. The Council expressed its sympathy with Mrs Buckley, and asked that a copy of her letter be sent to the Police ‘Code for Cycling’ group and DAPTC. ACTION: Cllr Christie, Clerk.
d) Coombe Crossing Request.  DCC’s survey revealed only 25% of pedestrian traffic needed to justify a crossing: they will therefore go no further with the proposal. Cllr Lovell reported that work is being done to move the 30 mph speed limit west of Coombe junction. 
e) Item 34. PDC Partial Review Advisory Group meeting, 12th August. Cllrs Christie and Drayson had attended. PDC have decided not to draft a second homes policy, though they admit that there is a problem. They estimate a Purbeck-wide average of 7% second homes, though Worth has 60%.
f) Item 15. Community Flowerbeds by Steppes Bus Shelter.  Cllr Drayson invited parishioners to join in with donations of plants etc. ACTION: Clerk to put in Dubber report.
11. Chairman’s Announcements. Cllr Christie suggested a working party to clear the southern boundary of the school field in the Autumn so that DCC can replace the fence. ACTION: Clerk to put request for help in Dubber report. He had visited Swanworth Quarry and was impressed by the environmental grassland reclamation work being done there. He also proposed a village tidy-up in the Autumn. 
12. County and District Councillor’s Report. Cllr Lovell had already reported on DCC/PDC matters elsewhere in the meeting.
13. Council’s Response to DCC Minerals and Waste Consultation. RESOLVED: To support the extension of Swanworth Quarry to the NW for future crushed rock provision on the grounds that local jobs would be retained; this outweighs landscape impacts on the AONB.
14. Play Area repairs and Budget. Hand Made Places had sent a new surveyor to look at rotten timbers on the wooden play equipment. The timbers will be replaced under guarantee, and the company quoted £2,565 for fitting.  RESOLVED: To accept the replacement timber. To get quotations for fitting from local tradespeople. ACTION: Clerk to get quotations. Cllr Christie advised that the equipment would have to be replaced within c. 7 years, and suggested that £2,000 per year be put aside in the budget towards this. Cllr Lovell suggested that it might be prudent to increase the precept to cover this. ACTION: Clerk to put on next agenda.
15. Financial Matters: 
(1) 	Note the following addition to Council funds since the last Council Meeting: 
       £ 170.00  Interment fee – the late Donald Church, Plot C19.
       (2) 	Note the following Payments by cheque or cash to be made since last Meeting:
       £ 150.00   Ian Bugler,    Grounds Maintenance (July).
£ 570.83   Clerk’s salary (July) 
£ 487.50   Elliott’s Cleaning Co. Public Toilets + Bus shelter. (July).
£ 120.00   BDO – Annual External Audit fee.
£ 3.88       Langton PO – Office sundries – CASH payment
(3) Payment by Direct Debit:
£ 41.87 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
4. Any other Financial Matters. RESOLVED: To accept and approve the External Audit for the Financial year 2014-15.
20. The date of the next full Council meeting was confirmed as Thursday 10th September, 2015 at 7pm.
21. Items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting: DCC Service Level Agreement for Footpaths / LMLHPS / Village Car Park / Budget for Play Area / Advisory Flashing Lights / Work of the Governance Committee / Collective PCs approach to matters of concern. Deferred to October: Revision of Community Asset Register / Acton Car Park.

Closed 9.10 pm.

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