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

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 13th February 2014 at 7 pm.
Present: Cllr P White in the Chair, Cllrs M Turner, P Loudoun, W Knight, J Bradford, C Drayson, M Kirby, M Lovell.  
There were 6 members of the public present.

1.	Apologies for absence.  Cllr Tizard. 
2.	Declarations of interest / Grant of Dispensations.  Cllr Knight, Item 8.1/2 a). (Planning).
3.	Presentation by Margaret Cheetham, PDC Planning Team: the Swanage Local Plan Consultation. 
Ms Cheetham explained about proposals for c.200 new homes in Swanage, based on central government requirements, 50% of which must be affordable. The plan also proposes more retail and employment development. The Steering Group, a mix of PDC, STC and local stakeholders, have suggested sites. There could also be some extra affordable housing on the Town Council’s allotments (which could be re-sited) if required. It was agreed to have copies of proposal documents in the Parish Office and put a note in the Dubber encouraging parishioners to comment. Cllr White thanked Ms Cheetham for her presentation.
4.	RoWLO Report. Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle reported that the re-opening of the Priest’s Way on 29th January had been successful, and particularly thanked children from St George’s for their attendance. The path is standing up well to the bad weather: DCC may be able to make some more money available to improve areas not mended so far. He thanked the PC and parishioners for support with the project. The PW website will go live shortly, with links to relevant local websites in the vicinity. Mr V-A also noted that irresponsible dog owners continue to be a problem. The Chairman thanked him for his report. 
5.	National Trust Report. Jonathan Kershaw noted that not all NT sites proposed for quarrying in the Mineral Sites document which had been discussed at LMVH on 22nd January 2014 were necessarily going to go forward. The NT has been told by DCC that the only material which can be put in to fill spent quarry holes is inert material from the immediate locality: no ‘foreign’ material can go in: this is a condition of planning permissions. Volunteers had been working with residents of the Hyde, clearing ditches to alleviate flooding there.  The West Wood Open Days had been successful, though hampered by bad weather: the NT are planning more walks in the Spring to develop the Draft Management Plan for the wood. Cllr Drayson thanked Mr Kershaw and his team on behalf of residents of the Hyde. 
6.	Public Discussion Period. a) Dr Chris Spilling reported that the new Priest’s Way commemorative stone had been defaced. He expressed concern about the future of the flower meadow area at ‘Broadmead’, Worth Matravers which forms part of the Mineral Sites proposal. Jon Kershaw (NT) responded that not all parts of any proposed site might be developed. Dr Spilling also expressed concern about the increased number of daily lorry movements which might be the result of development of new Mineral Sites in the area. Jon Kershaw said that the NT want Purbeck stone to be quarried and used in a slow, sustainable manner in the future. 
b) Mrs Bridget Mayes announced the Spring Litter Pick on 27/28/29 March. The Scouts will help on the Saturday. 
c) Mr Pete Christie again reported speeding cyclists on Sundays. He asked for a 20mph speed limit throughout the village.
7. Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. Re: 6 b) above. It was RESOLVED: To support the Spring Litter Pick with loan of equipment, and Council’s Insurance and Risk Assessment to cover Public Liability.
8.  Planning Matters. 
1) a) TWA/2014/0023  St George’s Church. (T1) Monterey Cypress – fell to ground level – Langton Matravers Conservation Area.             No Comments from the public.
  2) To make comments concerning the following plans:-
  a)  As 1a)  No Objection. Cllr Knight declared an interest and did not vote.
3) Planning decisions since the last Parish Council Meeting: None.
4) Other planning matters: a) The Clerk had received a questionnaire from PDC asking Council’s views on the delegation system Cllrs responded, indicating serious concerns because most planning decisions are now made by individual Planning Officers, rather than the Planning Board, leading to a loss of public confidence in the reality of the democratic process. Cllrs also noted that Council often did not have sufficient time to respond to applications.
b) Cllr Drayson  noted that  details of application 6/2013/0699 (Mrs. Doris Tyrer, Greystones, The Hyde, Sever land and erect three-bedroom two-storey dwelling. Create new vehicular access.),  had arrived just before the January meeting, and the Council had decided ‘No Objection’ before all 17 objections from local residents had been lodged with PDC. Cllr Lovell had not been able to get the matter referred to the Planning Board.
9. Minutes of the Meeting held 9th January 2014. The Minutes were agreed as a correct record and signed.
10.  Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 12. Cllr Kirby will install the new Community Noticeboard for the Steppes Bus Shelter shortly. He suggested that the Council have a policy about posters on its community noticeboards. ACTION: Cllr Kirby. 
b) Item 16. Cllr Lovell reported that it seems unlikely that the company running the Nr.40 bus will be cutting the evening schedule over the summer.
c) Item 18. DCC Traffic Engineering will install new road markings and ‘20mph while lights flashing’ outside St George’s school, and prepare a Traffic Regulation order for this, starting end of Feb. Clerk to ask them to prepare the proposed yellow line passing bays at the same time. ACTION: Clerk.
d) Item 19.Financial Matters. A payment of £14.98 to Cannon Hygiene which formed part of the Agenda for 9th Jan, was accidentally omitted from the original draft Minutes, but is now in place.
e) Item 23. Old Malthouse Tree. The Headmaster had been contacted, and will replace the dead tree.
11.  The Clerk’s Report for the period  4.1.2014 – 7.2.2014.  Report received.
12.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a) Item 38. Cllrs were reminded of the open Meeting about the future of the Post Office on 27th Feb.
b) Item 25. Those who had attended had enjoyed the National Trust Community Woodland days. Cllr Drayson suggested that the Council might do more to help promote these through Dubber notes etc. ACTION: Clerk/Jon Kershaw to liaise.
c) Item 49. Mr Trev Haysom had sent comments on the Mineral Sites Proposals, suggesting a site at the bottom of Crack Lane. Some Cllrs expressed concerns about effects on water voles. 
d) Cllr Drayson noted that DAPTC will be hosting a presentation on ‘Fracking’ at Wareham on 26th Feb.
e) The Clerk will be away from 2nd – 10th March inclusive, and will work remotely: there will be no paper e-mail material circulated. Cllr Kirby will post agenda etc. on the website. ACTION: Cllr Kirby.
13.  Chairman’s Announcements.  There were none. 
14.  County and District Councillor’s Report.  Cllr Lovell suggested that as there were still problems with the drain outside the bakery and the drain cover opposite 69 High Street, a meeting be set up with Danny Allen of DCC Highways. ACTION: Clerk. (Meeting to include ML/PW). He reported that the County Council had agreed a 1.9% increase in its rate.
15. Housing Needs Survey  results. There are presently 30 households on the Housing Register for Langton: 17 x 1, 12 x 2, 1 x 4 bedroom homes. As only 6 of the 8 new homes at Nine Barrow View had been allocated to people with a direct Langton connection, it seems that the allocation procedure may not be working optimally. It was therefore agreed to ask PDC what size of home was allocated to the two households with non-Langton connection. ACTION: Clerk. It was further RESOLVED: To set up a meeting as soon as possible  with Chris McDermott (PDC), and representatives from PDC Planning Dept, Raglan and Aster Housing Associations, National Trust, Scott Estate and other landowners and relevant stakeholders to discuss the way forward to address Langton Matravers’ housing need. ACTION: Clerk.
16. Replacement/Removal of Council’s Street Lights. Cllrs were informed of the relative cost of replacement and running of 14W LED lights. These might be cheaper if more are done at once, as the major cost is to get operatives on site. RESOLVED: To get a quotation to replace all 5 lights at Acton, 3 in Langton (1, 4, 5) with LED 14W lanterns with part-night PECs, plus disconnect 1 at Castle View. ACTION: Clerk. 
17. Response to DCC Minerals and Waste Consultation. Following the Open Meeting on 22nd January, Cllr Drayson had drafted an outline response based on points raised at this meeting, including concerns about quarry infill, what constitutes ‘significant impact’ and protection of historical sites. Cllr White noted, in relation to the Swanworth proposal for crushed stone quarrying on a new site with estimated 50 lorry movements per day, that this would provide employment and Purbeck was the best place for such stone extraction. After discussion, it was RESOLVED: To accept Cllr Drayson’s comments as the Council’s response to the consultation. ACTION: Clerk to pass on comments to DCC.
18. Financial Matters.
(1) 	Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting:
       £ 512.62  Allotment rent and water charges.  
       £ 160.00 Monument fee – the late Joan Slack.       
(2) 	Note the following Payments by cheque or cash to be made since last Meeting:
£ 60.00     Mr I. Bugler – Grounds Maintenance (January). 
£ 513.51   Clerk’s salary (January). 
£ 165.66   Elliott’s Cleaning Co. Public Toilet/Bus Shelter (January).
£ 261.24   SSE Contracting. Repair lights at 3 Acre Lane and Acton (2 bulbs, 1 PEC).
£ 10.79     Toilet Roll Holder – Cash payment to P.White.
£ 35.50      AVG Internet security (1 yr). (cheque to Clerk).
£ 168.10   Southern Electric Toilet Block supply, 19th Sep-19th Dec.
£ 30.00     LM Village Hall – hire of Hall for Settlement Boundary and PO meetings.
£ 45.00     Open Spaces Society Annual Subscription.
 (3) Payment by Direct Debit:
£ 37.01 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
4) Any other Financial Matters.  The Clerk’s recent ‘Essential Finance’ training had highlighted some issues relating to Audits. a) She asked the Council to note 2 further payments for the year 2013-14 which had not been previously minuted (but are recorded in the Excel cashbook): 13th June 2013, £27.50 to Kelly Fenech, allotment plot refund: 23rd October (DD), £42.55 to TalkTalk Business  (e-mail). 
 b) As Mr Leeson is no longer able to take the books to Winton for internal auditing, it was agreed to employ someone more local. ACTION: Clerk to make enquiries. 
c) Cllrs said that they were happy with the way the accounts were recorded and presented. 
19. Cemetery Matters. (1) Council’s Cemetery. Following a request from a burial plot owner for a rebate after moving to Langton, the Council agreed that this was not allowed, as the price related to situation at time of purchase.  (2) Closed Cemetery. No points for discussion.
21. Allotments.  a) Plot 13b had been let to Graham Marsh. 
b) RESOLVED: To send a letter to non-paying tenants requesting payment by 10th March, after which they will be held to have relinquished their plot. ACTION: Clerk/ Cllr Kirby.
22. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 13th March, 2014 at 7pm
23.Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting: Swanage Local Plan 
Closed 9.31pm.

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