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

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council, held in the Village Hall on Thursday11th December 2014 at 7 pm.
Present: Cllr M.Lovell in the Chair, Cllrs P Loudoun, P Christie, C Drayson, R Sheppard.
There were 17 members of the public present.
Before the meeting began, the Clerk announced that it was being (audio) recorded. There were no objections from members of the public.
Election of Chairman. In line with Standing Order A11, it was RESOLVED: that Cllr Lovell take the Chair. 
1.	Apologies for absence. Cllrs White, Turner, Knight, Lucas. 
2.	Declarations of Interest / Grant of Dispensations. Cllr Christie declared an interest as a neighbour in Planning Item TWA/2014/0218 , the ash tree in Old Malthouse Lane. 
3.	RoWLO Report. Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle reported that Brenscombe Outdoor Centre have agreed to sponsor 5,000 Priests’ Way leaflets. It was agreed to write a letter of thanks. ACTION: Clerk. The National Trust have offered to supply copies of their ‘livestock grazing’ advisory notices, and Mr V-A offered to supply the same for non-NT land if the Council would like. The Chair thanked him for his report. After discussion it was RESOLVED: To accept the offer from the NT/MR V-A to supply and put up livestock grazing advisory notices on some field gates as necessary.
4.	National Trust Report. The Trust are floodlighting Corfe Castle over the Christmas period to coincide with the village Christmas lighting. They have been doing more access and dry stone walling work in the area. The draft plan for Langton West Wood is now ready for consultation until the second week in January: there will be a hard copy in the Parish Office, and it will be available online. There are plans for further woodland days and weekends in January and February 2015. Mr Kershaw was thanked for his report.
5.	Public Discussion Period. 
a) Mr. Edward Cassidy drew the Council’s attention to PDC’s guidance for tree work in the Conservation Area, which makes clear that removal or unnecessary pruning of a tree in good condition should not be allowed. 
b) Mr George Crabb asked if the Council were happy with the position of the new 20mph advisory signs around the school.  
6. Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. 
a) 20 mph advisory lights. After some discussion, the Clerk reminded the Council that they had already agreed the position of the lights when they were first proposed in 2013. It was agreed to wait and see how they worked. 
7.  Planning Matters. 
1) There was a letter from Mrs Tara Cassidy objecting to TWA/2014/0218 Mr McCarthy, Old Malthouse Lane (The Old Malthouse), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HB. (T1) Ash - fell to ground level & poison stump. This was read out to the meeting.
2) To make comments concerning the following plans:-
a) TWA/2014/0207 Mrs Coleman. Coombe Hill (Inglenook Cottage), Coombe, Langton Matravers, BH19 3DP. (T1) Apple - reduce entire crown by up to 2m, 15% crown thin focussing on low vigour branches, & crossing & rubbing branches, remove deadwood & stubs; (T2) Fig - reduce entire crown by up to 1m, 15% crown thin focussing on low vigour branches, & crossing & rubbing branches, remove deadwood & stubs - Langton Matravers Conservation Area. Decision to be left to the Tree Officer.
b) TWA/2014/0208 Mrs Hazel Dorrington, St Georges Close (Stoney Yarrows), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HZ. (T1) Willow - reduce entire crown by 2-3m, 15% crown thin, crown lift to 5.2m - Langton Matravers Conservation Area. Decision to be left to the Tree Officer.
c) TWA/2014/0209 Mr Gavin Bibra, Mount Pleasant Lane (opposite entrance gate to Rookhurst), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HY. (T1) Ash - reduce entire crown by 4-5m, crown lift to 5.5m, remove deadwood & crossing & rubbing branches - Langton Matravers Conservation Area. Decision to be left to the Tree Officer.
d) TWA/2014/0218 Mr McCarthy, Old Malthouse Lane (The Old Malthouse), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HB. (T1) Ash - fell to ground level & poison stump - Langton Matravers Conservation Area. Decision to be left to the Tree Officer, on the basis that he pays careful attention to the letter from Mrs Cassidy.
e) 6/2014/0619 Mr Donald Stoneman, Acton (Demelza), Langton Matravers, BH19 3JS. Demolish existing detached garage and erect single-storey rear extension. No Objection.
f) 6/2014/0631 Beachcote Homes Ltd., The Hyde (Lynford), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HE. Proposed non-material amendment to PP 6/2014/0400 - Demolish existing dwelling and erect new dwelling (to insert rooflight to west-facing roof slope). No Objection.
3) Planning decisions since the last Parish Council Meeting.; 
a)	TWA/2014/0178 Mt Steve Tooley, Mount Pleasant Lane (Tara - trees to south of boundary wall), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HH. (S1) Sycamore - fell; (S2) Sycamore - fell; (E) Elder - fell - Langton Matravers Conservation Area. REFUSED. TPO on 2 sycamores.
b)	6/2014/0337 Mrs C. Buchanan, Castle View (Wood Close), Langton Matravers BH19 3HT. Demolish existing dwelling and erect two storey detached dwelling. Amended Plans. APPROVED.
4). Other planning matters.None. (but see Item 24)
14. Report from Dancing Ledge Working Group. Mr V-A reported that plans are in hand for the new permissive footpath to the West of the narrow lane from the Durnford Drove turning circle up to the Spyway car park, on the west side of the hedge. The National Trust will begin installing gates or stiles at each end, and signage, before the end of January, The draft Commercial Users’ Working Agreement, which sets out the terms for use of Dancing Ledge in the future, had already been circulated to Councillors.  Mr V-A asked for Council’s approval in principle of this draft, for the working group’s proposals for parking at Spyway and Acton, using the Acton site for coaches and minibuses so they are kept out of the village, and for provision of improved toilets at Spyway Farm, which might need a contribution from the Council. The next meeting of the DLWG will be on 6th January 2015, and if outcomes to proposals are positive, it may be possible to disband it at this point.
Queries were raised by Cllrs about climbing numbers and the role of the draft Agreement in the context of the National Coasteering Code of Conduct. Jon Kershaw, for the NT, who own the land, said that the content of the Agreement will be kept under review. .He also stated that if the extra work necessary to develop proposals for car parking at both Acton and Spyway goes ahead, there will be donation boxes to fund the work, and pay and display machines there within two years. He said that the 50m exclusion zone quoted in the Agreement at Clause 12.0 comes from a range of advisory material, including ‘Wise Ways to Watch Wildlife’, and stressed that though the NT have no jurisdiction over seaborne access, they will be monitoring seabird disturbance. Cllr Loudoun proposed that Cllr Christie attend the next meeting of the DLWG to make his points and give details of research about exclusion zones.; this was agreed by Ian V-A. RESOLVED: To accept (i) the draft Commercial User’s Working Agreement (subject to minor amendment), (ii) the proposal to develop Spyway and Acton car parks and (iii)the development of improved toilet facilities at Spyway Farm, with a possible contribution from the Council towards the cost. 
8. Minutes of the Meeting held 13th November 2014.These were agreed to be a correct record and signed.
9.  Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 7a). Corfe Castle Housing Charity advice. The Clerk reported that neither Corfe PC or Corfe Housing charity have nomination rights on affordable housing there.
b) Item 10c) Allocation Policy letter. Fiona Brown, Housing manager at PDC, had sent a full response and information about the workings of the District Council’s Allocation policies. There are new ‘Local Lettings Plans’ which may help to ensure that Langton affordable housing is for Langton people. 
c) Item 10d) Knitson fingerpost. The refurbishment is now complete. It was agreed to send a letter of thanks to Bruno and Becca Charron. ACTION: Clerk.
d) Item 10 e) Play Area repairs. RESOLVED: To accept the quotation of 28.10.2014 from Hand Made Places to mend the rotten timbers. ACTION: Clerk to inform suppliers. In view of the charge for the labour work, it was suggested that the Council review whether the company be used for repairs in the future.
d) Item 12a) Autumn Litter Pick. A vote of thanks was proposed to Ms Bridget Mayes for another successful Litter Pick.
e) Item 17. SSE Contracting – new lights. The new lights have now been installed, but the midnight switch off timers are not working. The Clerk has contacted the company, but received no response.
10  The Clerk’s Report for the period 8.11.2014 – 5.12.2014.  Report received.
11  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. The Clerk reported on relevant content from the Clerks’ liaison meeting at PDC, including policy for removal of waste bins and mowing of verges. 
12  Chairman’s Announcements. a) The Clerk read out notes from Cllr White on the joint parishes liaison meeting with the NT at Currendon Farm on 2/12/14, where Laurie Clark outlined the Trust’s future policy in the area. Liaison meetings will be held every 6 months. 
13  County and District Councillor’s Report. Cllr Lovell reported on how the money he had from DCC had gone to ITC provision in schools in his division.
15. State of Synergy/Aster home at Steppes.The council had received a letter from Mrs Gemma Wells about the unsatisfactory state of repair of her home, and the unhelpful response of the landlords, Synergy/Aster homes, to the family’s request for repairs. Cllr Lovell had been to see Mr and Mrs Wells and will hope to meet Synergy/Aster to discuss the matter further in January. It was agreed that Cllrs Christie and Drayson would go to see Mr and Mrs Wells, and also find out if other residents are experiencing problems, and report back to the January meeting. ACTION: Cllrs. Christie, Drayson.
16. Speed Indicator at West end of the village. The clerk reported that the speed data taken suggest a need for an indicator: a site has been chosen, and DCC are now trying to get funding to do the work.
17. Dates for Council Meetings and Parish Assembly 2015. These were agreed as the 2nd Thursday of each month and 22nd April 2015 respectively. 
18. Formal support for Community Land Trust Initiative. RESOLVED: To send a letter to Mrs Priddle expressing the Council’s unanimous support. ACTION: Clerk.
19. Household Recycling Centre  cuts - Consultation. The Clerk explained that for financial reasons there is threat to HRCs across the County. It was agreed to write a letter expressing the Council’s objection to any reduction in availability of HRC service/use, particularly at the Swanage centre, suggesting that the DWP should be promoting reduction and re-use at sites as well as recycling. ACTION: Clerk, plus note in the Dubber to encourage parishioners to respond to the consultation.
20.  Financial Matters.
(1) 	Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting:
       £ 200.00   Cremation plot and interment fee – the late Eva Ricketts, Plot CR 5
       £ 2,608.00  PDC – Public Conveniences, Year 2 payment.
(2) 	Note the following Payments by cheque or cash to be made since last Meeting:
       £ 60.00   Ian Bugler, Grounds Maintenance (November).
£ 694.60   Clerk’s salary (October) plus 4 hrs overtime + Non-consolidated payment.
£ 120.00   Elliott’s Cleaning Co. Public Toilet cleaning (November).
£ 37.72     Long litter picker. (cheque to B.Graham).
£ 89.99     Argos – Voice recorder for meetings (cheque to Clerk).
£ 47.84     Printer ink (cheque to Clerk).
£ 195.00   Langton Village Hall, Council Chamber hire 2015 + £15.00 for 6th November.
£ 49.99     New Telephone for office (cash payment to P.White).
£ 14.98     Annual Bill for emptying of Sanitary Disposal Unit (Toilets).
£ 73.90     Bluefin Annual Allotment Insurance.
An invoice for £ 1,888.68 from PDC for the cost of ballot papers for the May 2014 Parish Council elections was queried by the Chair, and it was decided to delay payment to check that the sum was correct. ACTION: Chair/Clerk.
3) Payment by Direct Debit:
£ 38.48 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
  (4) Any other Financial Matters:  The Chair said that discussion of the Budget and Precept should be deferred to the next meeting when more Councillors might be present. 
21.  Cemetery Matters: (1) Council’s Cemetery. Repairs to gates. It was agreed to ask Richard Simpson the repair the ironwork on the middle gate, and Ian Bugler to look at the stay on the upper gate.
(2) Closed Cemetery. Loose memorials. Mr Saville had only been able to find one living relative. PDC have said that they will not be carrying out work on any memorials. Cllr Lovell said that the Council has a moral responsibility for the memorials, and Cllr Drayson agreed. ACTION: Cllr Lovell to talk to Richard Conway (PDC) to see if funds can be made available. 
22. Allotments.  a) Cllr Christie had not been able to contact Mr Hole for a fencing/post quotation. The chair deferred the matter to the next meeting. 
b) Revised Tenancy agreement. The Chair decided that this should go round to allotment holders for consultation before the Council accepts it; a copy will be on the website. The matter will now be deferred to February. 
23. The date of the next full Council meeting was confirmed as Thursday 8th January, 2015 (NOT 9th Jan 2014, as on the agenda) at 7pm.
24.Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting: Dancing Ledge Working Group  / Allotment fence and gatepost quotations / State of Aster Homes at Steppes / Budget and Precept / Dorset Community Action talk for Parish Assembly. Cllr Drayson asked whether LMPC would be represented at the Planning Committee meeting on 17th December at which a decision would be made on the Spyway Orchard application ( 6/2014/0508). It was suggested that Cllr Christie go to and read out the Council’s statements on the matter. ACTION: Cllr Christie. Cllr Christie advised the meeting of a recent spate of shed and garage burglaries in Swanage, reported to him by local Police.

Closed c. 9.05.pm.

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