Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
Minutes of a meeting of Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday, 12th February 2009 at 7.00pm
Present Cllr M Kirby (Chairman) in the Chair, and Cllrs, Mrs V Murray, J Bradford, P. Bradford, P Loudoun, M Lovell, N Priddle, and P White. 

1.	Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs P. Kwantes.
2.	Declarations of interest: there were none.
3.	Public Discussion period:
 The Meeting was adjourned for discussion.
(a) Representatives from Purbeck Middle School Parents Action Group spoke: Mrs B Hindle & Mrs Hornby-Smith said that the PMSPAG felt that DCC’s Future School Provision In Purbeck document should be rejected, because there had been no proper consultation and they felt that there was no need to get rid of middle schools. They also felt it was very divisive. 
(b) Cllr Wendy Wilson of Worth Matravers Parish Council, who is Langton & Worth Matravers Parish Councils representative on the St George’s CE VA First School Board of Governors. She said that the Governors would like the Council to write to DCC in support of St George’s School. Cllr N Priddle asked whether a 2 – tier system, which would mean as many as 50 more children attending St George’s as well as more teachers and teaching assistants, would result in a significant increase in parking problems within the village. Cllr Wilson said that a lot of families had between 1 and 3 children of school age and that being the case she thought that it would be a manageable problem. Mrs B Hindle added that consultation document did not have a transport policy regarding schools. Cllr J Bradford then asked whether the Governors favoured a 2 or 3 tier system and Cllr Wilson said they felt that was up to the individual, but that the Governors were very keen to keep St George’s School in the village. Cllr J Bradford said that everyone was, but that he felt the Governors should take the lead and state whether they supported a 2 or 3 tier system. He asked whether Worth Matravers Parish Council had discussed the matter and Cllr Wilson said they had, but they had not come to a decision on the 2 or 3-tier system but had written in support of St. Georges School.
The Meeting was reconvened.
4.Matters arising from the Public Discussion: 
Cllr N Priddle said that he was not convinced that funds would be available to turn St George’s First School into a primary school and that he agreed with Cllr J Bradford that Purbeck should retain the 3-tier system. Cllr P White agreed and said he thought it would save the County Council money. 
Cllr J Bradford then proposed that:
 “The Parish Council is of the opinion that the existing 3-tier system gives children access to specialist teachers and resources from an earlier age than in a 2-tier system, at a time when they are ready to be stretched. Middle schools are able to nurture pupils who are more able in subjects other than literacy, numeracy and science and so help to build their confidence and self-esteem. They are able to offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds do significantly better in the 3-tier system; the middle schools have an excellent reputation for caring for and bringing on children with special educational needs and other vulnerable groups. An exceptional system of pastoral care is the key strength of a 3-tier system as stated in the Ofsted reports. Children are given support and encouragement needed in a safe and secure environment and therefore the Council wishes St George’s CE VA 1st School to remain within a 3-tier system.”
This was unanimously supported and the Clerk was instructed to write to DCC to inform them and also to send copies to The Right Hon. Jim Knight M.P., The Swanage & Wareham Advertiser, The Dubber and the Board of Governors for St George’s First School.
5.	Planning Matters:
(1) There were no comments from the public concerning Plan 0011, submitted by Mr D Dicker of “Coombe Farm” Coombe Hill, Langton Matravers: to demolish part of internal wall and insert new support lintel. 
(2) Determine Council’s comment on Plan 0011;
“The Parish Council has no objection.”

(3) There were no comments from the public concerning Plan 0787, submitted by HF Bonfield & Son. Variation of Condition 4, “The building hereby approved shall be used solely for processing, storage and as a workshop in connection with the adjoining quarry.”
 (4) ) Determine Council’s comment on Plan 0787:
“The Parish Council has no objection.”
(5) The following Planning Decisions were noted: 
There were none.
(6) Any other Planning Matters;
 (a) Plan 0755, submitted by Mr P Ferris & Mr G Smith; Change of use from public house to 5 new self contained flats. Erect two storey extension and insert new doors and windows. Steppes Hill, “The Ship Inn”, Langton Matravers. Invalid application – Withdrawn.
6.	Allotments.
(a) The Chairman read out the National Trust’s Heads of Terms, which are as follows:
The Tenant will be Langton Matravers Parish Council and the lease will be for 10 years at £250.00 per annum rent with 3 yearly rent reviews. All perimeter fencing, fittings and maintenance of ground will be the responsibility of the Tenant at all times. The following conditions apply:
No buildings to be erected on the property.
All plots and surrounding ground to be kept neat and tidy at all times.
No vehicular access to the property.
All management of subletting of allotments to be dealt with by the tenant or via Langton Matravers Allotment Association.
No music/radios etc., to be played on site.
No bonfires. 
(b) Allotment management: 
It was agreed that the day to day running of the allotments should be left to the Allotment Association, which would liaise with the Chairman, Clerk or other Councillors. 
(c) Tenancy Agreement:
Because of the NT’s 3 yearly rent review the Chairman had revised the Tenancy Agreement as follows;
“The rent payable is subject to an annual review by the Council”.  
Also because water will be charged separately the Council will provide tenants with a statement of charges each year.
Councillors or the Clerk will do a monthly inspection based on a checklist of tenancy conditions.
It was unanimously agreed that the Council will pay for annual Public Liability insurance through the National Allotments Association.
Cllr N Priddle proposed that the revised Tenancy Agreement be accepted and this was unanimously agreed.
(d) The collection of rent:
The Council will be responsible for the collection of rent.
	(e) Budget expenditure:
	The Chairman asked for permission to pay Mr B Audley’s and Mr A Hinsull’s bills and this was 	unanimously agreed.
The Chairman asked for permission to authorize at his own discretion any extra expenditure within the £1500.00 budget already agreed. This was granted by unanimously agreement.
7.	Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 8th January were confirmed and signed.
8.	Matters arising from the Minutes:
(a) Malthouse trees; The Chairman proposed that the following statement be minuted and sent to Mr J Hasaka, PDC Arboriculture Officer:
“This Council is happy to accept Mr Hasaka’s assurance that it was not his suggestion that a fear of vandalism could be used as an excuse for not planting the replacement trees in the same place as the illegally felled ones.”
This was unanimously supported.
The Chairman then said that if the only reason given by the Malthouse Trustees , for a variation of the replanting obligation, was a fear of vandalism then Mr Hasaka should  address that issue as the Council and many parishioners felt that it should be immediately dismissed, because there was no likelihood of vandalism. This was unanimously supported and the Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Hasaka.
(b) The proposed wall at the Council’s cemetery: Cllr J Bradford expressed his concern that the wall would not be finished on schedule, but he was reassured by Cllr M Lovell that Mr Neal Read would be available as soon as the ground was dry enough for the stone to be delivered.
(c) The finger post at the junction to Worth Matravers; Cllr M Lovell said that DCC was looking into the possibility of changing the sign back to a finger post.
(d) The new gate to the playing fields; The Clerk announced that Mr Andy Culley of DCC Road Safety Team had written to say that the diocese of St George were aware of the problem and intended to fit a new bar to stop children being able to run straight out onto the road.
9.	The Clerk’s Report for the period 2.01.09 – 5.02.09. was received.
10.	Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report:
(a) The Clerk announced that SEC had sent another maintenance contract, which would cost £475.00 per annum, plus the price of any repairs that were required. After some discussion Councillors decided that it was economical to continue to pay for repairs as and when they were needed.
(b) The Council’s Right of Access to its land to the north of Coles Ground: The Clerk was instructed to write to the Garfield Lane Residents Association to say that the Council knows it has right of access and it is up to the Residents Association to prove otherwise.
(c) A litter picker for the High Street: The Clerk announced that PDC had informed him that the village would only get a litter picker on request and then only after an inspection by PDC. Cllr M Lovell said that PDC had bought a mechanical sweeper, which could clean the pavements, but that the Parish Plan would need to be revised to include this, because that would add weight to the Parish Council’s request.
(d) Cllr J Bradford brought up the subject of the gates at Durnford House, which are listed. He said there had been no reply from PDC to the Parish Council’s letter in December and the Clerk was instructed to write again to find out what, if anything, PDC planned to do.
11.	Chairman’s announcements;
12.	Financial Matters:
	(1) Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting:
 £5629.00 received from the Community Aggregates Fund. 
(2) The following Payments by Cheque, already authorized, since last Meeting, were noted:
	£428.38 to J Bellucci for Clerk’s salary for December.
£20.00 to Langton Matravers Village Hall Committee for December Council Chamber and one hire of hall for meeting of the allotment committee. 
£115.00 to P Newell for clearing the cemetery paths.
£40.00 to Open Spaces Society for annual subscription.
£52.45 to SEC for repair of footway light at Acton.
£36.00 to the Post Office for 100 First Class stamps.
£0.99 to Langton Village stores for diary.
£66.24	to PTN Systems Ltd for repair of laserjet printer.
£35.00 to Fields In Trust for annual membership.
 (3)The following payments by Direct Debit were noted:
 There were none.
(6) Any other Financial Matters: 
(a) Cheques for £4185.66 and £9013.36 received from the Nationwide as the closing balances of the Council’s Parish Plan and Cemetery Accounts. Paid into A&L.
(b) The Clerk was instructed to write to the Alliance & Leicester to find out about opening a deposit account.
13.	Cemetery Matters:
	(1) Council cemetery.
 Nothing to report.
	(2) Closed cemeteries.
 Nothing to report.
14.	Affordable housing;
The Chairman stated that he had received a letter from Mr Meadows of Thornton Cottage Steppes, with concerns over the proposed Raglan development and its management. The Chairman stated that this development will become a major issue with residents over the coming months and the Council should be prepared to lend their support.  
15.	Purbeck schools review.
	Already dealt with.
16.	A notice case at the office: The Clerk was instructed to get some quotes.
17.	Cllr. Mrs P Kwantes’ absence: The Clerk announced that in Standing Orders any councillor who failed to attend six consecutive Council Meetings would automatically lose their seat unless their absence was formally approved by the Council. As the March Meeting would be the sixth month he felt it would be prudent to seek the Council’s approval now, in case any unforeseen circumstance prevented Cllr Mrs Kwantes attending. The Councillors unanimously expressed their sympathies to Cllr Mrs Kwantes for her sustained bout of ill health and happily gave their approval for her absence and looked forward to seeing her at the March Meeting, which she planned to attend. Cllr M Lovell sent his best wishes for her speedy recovery and this was unanimously supported.
19.	The date of the next Council Meeting was confirmed as Thursday the 12th March at 7 pm.
23.	Items for the next Agenda;
	Notice case.
	The bus stop outside “Rahern” and the SID.	
23.	There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 9:18pm.

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