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

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 10th January 2013 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllrs P White in the Chair, M Turner, M Kirby, J Bradford, C Drayson, P Loudoun, W Knight, M Lovell.

There were 8 members of the public present.

1.	Apologies: Cllr. Tizard.
2.	Declarations of interest.  Cllr Drayson declared a personal interest in Item 15 (Allotments).
3. Grant of Dispensations. Cllr Loudoun had submitted an application for a dispensation related to his DPIs. This was granted by the Clerk.
4. Report. a) Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, PC Footpath Liaison officer informed the meeting of the ongoing closure of the path above Dancing Ledge: this needs remedial work following the heavy rains. He reported good progress on the Priest’s Way project.  A press release will be going by 18th January, plus Open Days are planned in Langton (25th Feb), (Worth 27th Feb) and Swanage (w/c 4th March) to explain details of the project and show plans, materials etc. and collect comments. The three parishes are required as part of the P4C bid to raise 25% of the total cost (£16,000); some of this can be in the form of work done, but Ian V-A asked the Council to consider making a financial contribution to the project. (see 13.4. below) Cllr Lovell reported that funding for the project had been discussed at DCC, and hoped to bring positive news shortly. The Chairman thanked Mr V-A for his report and his hard work.
b) David Hodd was welcomed by the Chairman following his absence. The National Trust had been working closely with footpath representatives on the rights of way improvements proposals for the Priest’s Way Project and will help to fund the local contribution through ‘work in kind’ as appropriate. Co-operation with Susan Woodhouse (DCC) and local residents to alleviate flooding issues at Durnford Drove and the Hyde is ongoing: some grips have been temporarily re-blocked. Cllr Drayson reported that Hyde residents had unblocked a culvert there which had partially improved the situation. Cllr Lovell had suggested that DCC set up a conference on flooding issues in the wider area to get all the agencies together to work out a more ‘joined up’ strategy for tackling future flooding. Guidance on management of the West Wood is currently being drafted by the NT, and should be completed by the end of March. The quarry restoration by the Worth road is almost complete, and grass will be sown in the spring. The Chairman thanked Mr Hodd for his report.
5.Public Discussion. 
a) Mr Ian Mackenzie announced that there had been no objections raised to the Windmill Lane footpath order, and it could therefore be confirmed on 11th January, with notice in the newspapers in the next 2 weeks; it could then be added to the definitive footpath map. He thanked Cllrs and parishioners for all their hard work over a long period in collecting and submitting evidence. Mr Mackenzie was warmly thanked by the Council for completing the project, and applauded by the meeting.
b) Dr Chris Spilling asked Mr V-A about the numerous apparently-random sign roundels on gateposts. Some are from the Keystone project, and have been put up by volunteers: Mr V-A will contact Steve Kourik of DCC about sorting them out. Dr Spilling offered to cooperate with the NT in providing environmental data for the West Wood management document. 
c) Mr Keith Dowling asked for clarification about the intentions of the letter sent to Garfield Lane residents about proposed access to the Council’s land for allotment parking. Cllr Kirby explained that the intention was get residents views about whether this might be a possibility or not, and emphasised that there was no ‘hidden agenda’.
d) Mrs Bridget Mayes, a resident of the High Street, had written to Tony Burt of DCC expressing her concerns about the Council’s proposals for yellow line ‘passing bays’ in the High Street. She reiterated the key points to the Council, namely i) 24 hr. restrictions are not necessary, ii) signage needs to be improved/augmented near the blockage areas to make drivers more aware, iii) a priority system would be helpful. 
d) Mrs Daryle Pearson, Chair of the Allotment Association, reported on behalf of that group that the Association Committee had recently voted against extending the catchment area for allotment tenants, and asked the Council to defer any discussion or decision of the matter until after all rents had been collected for 2013. She also asked for regular meetings between the Council’s allotment liaison officers and the Association to resolve issues as they arise. Mrs Sue Spilling emphasised the community value of the allotments and asked for the Council’s support in encouraging parishioners to take up the empty plots.
6. Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. There was no further discussion of these at this point. 
7.  Planning Matters. 
  1) There were no comments by members of the public.
  2) To make comments concerning the following plans:-
   a) 6/2012/0824 – Raglan Housing Association   land Adj. to Steppes.
 This application had been withdrawn for legal reasons and will be re-presented next month.
   3) Planning decisions by PDC since the last meeting: 
6/2012/0693 	Ailwood (Oakwood Farm), Corfe Castle 	Retain use of building for storage of old lorries and agricultural bygones (Continuation of the use subject of planning permission 6/2009/0552) 	Mr Austin Smith 	

			Decision: 
Approved	
    4) Other planning matters: - There were none.
8.Minutes of  the Meeting held 13th December 2012. The Minutes, having been circulated previously, were agreed as a correct record and signed.
9.  Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 21. Update on Wild Purbeck. Cllr Drayson had invited Briony Baxter, Wildlife Community Officer for the Dorset Wildlife Trust, to come to talk to the Council about the ‘Wild Purbeck’ project at the next meeting, on February 14th. It was RESOLVED: To invite Ms Baxter to come at 6.30, and start the meeting then in order to give her time to do her presentation first, and take questions. This will be advertised in the village. ACTION: Cllr Drayson.
b) Item 12b).’20 is Plenty’ Cllr Kirby asked if there had been any change in DCC’s policy (they had previously rejected the proposal for Langton). It was agreed to find out more and discuss this at the next meeting. ACTION: Clerk.
c) Item 12f).  Village Carol Service. Cllr Drayson thanked the Clerk for representing the Council on this occasion. 
10.  The Clerk’s Report for the period 8.12.2012 – 4.1.2013.  Report received.
11.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a) Item 2. Came and Co. Security Inspections for Public Liability Insurance. The Clerk advised the Council that their insurers were recommending a weekly routine of recorded inspection of Council premises and assets which might give rise to claims from the public, such as Play Areas. Cllr Bradford presently inspects the Play Area monthly, and it was agreed that these inspections should be recorded in a book kept at the Parish Office. ACTION: Clerk, Cllr Bradford.
b) Item 23. Proposals for Yellow Lines. Cllr Knight proposed that the Council follow up Mrs Mayes’ suggestion for considering additional appropriate signage in the High Street. After discussion this was not taken up. Other points in Mrs Mayes’ letter were followed up, but Cllrs did not wish to change the time restrictions for the proposed yellow lines, and it was noted that DCC are trying to reduce signage.
12.  Chairman’s Announcements. The Chairman informed the meeting that Mrs Mayes had proposed dates for a Spring Litter Pick, on March 21-23rd 2013. These dates were approved by the Council and Cllr Lovell suggested that Mrs Mayes be formally thanked for all her work in this matter.
Cllr Bradford asked if DCC could be encouraged to clear the roadside on the N side of the B3069 between Putlake and Crack Lane. ACTION:Clerk.
13.  Financial Matters.
(1)   Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting: 
       £ 340.00   Interment fee - Mrs. M.Jervis. Burial Plot C8.
       £ 550.00   Allotment rent and water charges.        
(2)   Note the following Payments by cheque since last Meeting:
£ 75.00     Mr I. Bugler – Grounds Maintenance (December) 
£ 498.57   Clerk’s salary (December).  
£ 122.40   PDC - Planning Advice Re: St George’s School playing field.
£ 73.90     Bluefin Insurance (Allotments).
£ 25.00     Fields in Trust subscription.
£ 500.00   Langton Matravers Pre-School. Grant for new furnishings.  
£ 116.77   Southern Electric – Toilet Block electricity, Sept-Dec. 2012.
£ 4.69       Clerk (Office supplies).
(3) 	Payments by Direct Debit:
       £ 36.98      XLN Telecom for phone and broadband. 
 (4) Other Financial Matters. 
a) Precept. After discussion about the increasing financial demands which will be made on the Council in the next years as a result of the handover of the toilet maintenance and cleaning contract, and the need to reserve specific funds for capital expenditure such as toilet refurbishment and setting up the new paths and walling for the new section of the cemetery, it was RESOLVED: To increase the precept for the year 2013-14 by 10% (£1,320.00), giving a total of £14,520.00. ACTION: Clerk to consider  reservation of funds for capital expenditure and bring to next meeting.
b) Community Energy Event. RESOLVED: That the Council pay for the hire of the Village Hall for this event. 
c) Paths for Communities (Priest’s Way Project) Funding. RESOLVED: That the Council will provide a grant of £500.00 towards the fund. Mr V-A thanked the Council for their support.
14.  Cemetery Matters:
(1) Council’s Cemetery. Nothing to report.
(2) Closed Cemetery. Nothing to report.
15.  Allotments.  Cllr Kirby reported that there were three vacant half plots, and suggested that as 2 people outside the catchment area had expressed an interest, there should be 2 waiting lists, with priority for parishioners of Langton. Cllr Drayson reminded the meeting that these are community allotments. It was suggested that a decision be deferred to the next meeting, pending payments of rents and possible takeup of vacant plots. Cllr Knight expressed concern about responsibility for management and attendant cost implications if plots are left vacant.
16. DAPTC Training. The Council agreed to fund HMRC training for the Clerk in April 2013 (£25.00).
17. Community Assets Register. In accordance with the Localism Bill (2012),Purbeck District Council have opened their Community Assets Register, and are inviting Councils to nominate buildings or open spaces of value to the community: the Council would then have the right to put in the first bid for these assets should they ever come up for sale. RESOLVED: That the St George’s School Playing Field and the Village Hall be put on the Register by LMPC.  ACTION:Clerk. 
18. SW Coast Path 2013. As events connected with this are already well-advertised in the local press, it was decided not to take part in any further publicity for the walks etc.
19. Play Equipment Fund. As the Clerk has so far not had any success in securing grant funding towards the replacement of the swings in the play area, Cllr Kirby proposed that a fund be set up to raise the balance needed. The matter was deferred to the next agenda. ACTION:Clerk. 
20. Website: Community Organisations List.  RESOLVED: That a new page be added to the website with a list of contacts for parish communityorganisations. ACTION: Clerk to contact organisations and assemble list. 
21. Car Park Update. there had been no further developments to report
22. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 14th February, 2013. The meeting will begin at 6.30 pm. 
23.Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting: .’20 is Plenty’, Play Area Fund, Housing Strategy Consultation.

Closed c. 8.58pm. 

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