Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 14th July 2011 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllr P White in the Chair, Mrs C Drayson, P Loudoun, H Tizard and M Turner.
There were twelve members of the public present.

1.	Apologies: Cllrs J Bradford, M Kirby, W Knight and M Lovell.
2.	Declarations of interest: Cllrs Mrs Drayson, Tizard and Turner each declared a personal interest as allotment tenants. 
3.	Public discussion: David Hodd, Operations Manager outlined the National Trust’s proposals to grant permissive bridleways to create a mountain bike trail through West Wood. Other proposals included the creation of a dedicated circular route for walkers and refurbishment of an old existing wooden bridge and the installation of a new one. Councillors and residents were advised that the mountain bike trail proposal was part of attempts by the Trust to engage with bike users. A range of arguments were expressed regarding the conduct and conflict caused between bike users, horse riders and walkers. Other concerns raised included the environmental impact on the flora and fauna and the general lack of any consultation with other stakeholders. 
A Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle offered to act in the voluntary capacity of Footpath Liaison Officer.
A member of the public highlighted continued concerns at dog fouling, as previously reported and sought action to address the issue. 
4.	Matters arising from the Public discussion:
(1)	Footpath Liaison Officer. RESOLVED: That the offer of Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle to act as the Parish Council’s Footpath Liaison Officer in a voluntary capacity be accepted.
(2)	Dog Fouling. RESOLVED: That the Clerk register the Parish Council’s concerns with the District Council.
In consideration of the following matter Cllr Loudoun declared a personal interest by reason of being the owner land adjacent to West Wood.
(3)	National Trust’s proposals to grant permissive bridleways to create a mountain bike trail through West Wood. RESOLVED: That the Council formally object to the National Trust proposals to create a bike trail through West Wood.
5.	Planning Matters: 
To make comments concerning the following Plans:-
(a)	6/2011/0406 Submitted by Mrs Aktas; Erect single storey rear extension and associated excavation works at Kitchie Cottage Knitson, Corfe Castle. Observation – No objection.
(b)	6/2011/0387 Submitted by Mr M Haysom; Replace windows in front elevation at 1 Serrells Mead Cottages, Langton Matravers. Observation – No objection.
(c)	6/2011/0361 Submitted by Dorset County Council; Erect a replacement Dutch Barn at Coombe Farm, Langton Matravers. Noted - ‘Approved’ by Purbeck District Council.
(d)	6/2011/0330 Submitted by Dr R Cottrell; Replace existing timber framed doors and side lights at the rear on the ground floor with white powder coated aluminium framed units at Malthouse Cottage, Old Malthouse Lane, Langton Matravers. Observation – No objection.
6.	Minutes of Meeting held 9th June 2011: The Minutes, having been circulated previously, were agreed as a correct record and signed.
7.	Matters arising from the Minutes:
(1)	Item 11 (b) Cllr Turner registered concern at the Tender document issued in respect Caretaker Contract.  The concerns were noted.
(2)	Item 8 Cllr Mrs Drayson reported having accompanied the Chairman in presenting certificates to St Georges School choir.
(3)	Item 6 (3) Cllr Tizard reported having pursued progress of the sign at Acton with the contractor. RESOLVED: That Cllr Tizard liaise with the contractor and agree final amendments to the sign at Acton in conjunction with Cllr Turner.
8.	The Clerk’s Report for the period 5.6.2011 to 9.7.2011: Report received.
9.	Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report:
Item 33 Cllr Mrs Drayson reported concerns at Scottish & Southern Electric Contracting having organised a public meeting at Worth Matravers relating to proposals for street lighting improvements in Langton Matravers, at which no persons had attended. It was noted that a new meeting had been arranged to take place on 26th July 2011 in the Kings Arm public house and concerns were expressed at the poor publicity. RESOLVED: That the Clerk seek further information concerning the meeting and establish if it could be deferred to be held in a more suitable venue, date and time and if appropriate, publicise the meeting more widely throughout the village.
Item 20 The Clerk reported having attended, with the Chairman, a presentation by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England regarding an Electoral Review of Purbeck.
Cllr Drayson referred to the general system of distributing and circulating articles and sought information regarding Items 3, 4 and 16 as relating to the Windmill Lane footpath, volunteers to act as Olympic Torch bearers and a scoping report by Mistral PR for a proposed south coast wind park.
10.	Chairman’s Announcements:  
(1)	Appreciation was expressed that a local resident had cut back the hedge at Three Acre.
(2)	Enjoyment at having presented certificates to the children of the St Georges School choir.
(3)	That the collapsed drain, adjacent to the Old Bakery, High Street, was believed to be still unresolved. 
11.	Financial Matters:
(1) 	Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting:
		£50.00 Interment of Mrs Margaret Burgess Cremation Plot 20.
(2) 	Note the following Payments by Cheque, already authorised, since last Meeting:
	£12.00 Langton Matravers Village Hall Committee for June Council chamber.
	£278.64 Clerk’s Salary - June.
	£185.20 HMRC June Payroll.
	£84.96 Website – Web hosting.
	£120.00 P Newell – Grounds Maintenance.
	£184.47 Southern Electric – Public Toilets.
	£71.40  Newsquest – Advert for Caretaker Contract.
	£155.40 Suttle Stone Quarries – Top soil for Crack Lane Cemetery.	
(3) 	Payments by Direct Debit:
	£37.19 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
(4) 	Any other Financial Matters:
The Clerk reported the lack of progress on the application submitted to Lloyds TSB to create a new bank account, despite a numerous visits made in branch at Swanage.
12.	Cemetery Matters:
(1)	Council Cemetery: 
Cllr Turner sought an update on the Caretaker contract. 
(2)	Closed Cemetery:
No matters to report.
13.	Allotments: 
(1)	Cllr Mrs Drayson reported proposals of the Allotment Association to hold an open event on 14th August 2011. RESOLVED: That publicity for the event be included in the Parish Council’s regular feature in The Dubber.
14.	Parish Plan: Cllr Mrs Drayson reported that the District Council had failed to include Langton Matravers’ parish plan in its revised draft Core Strategy document.   It was noted that the matter was to be rectified and also that reference could be made to any revised Parish Plan if changes were presented and approved by the Parish Council in sufficient time for inclusion.
15.	Bus Shelter: The Clerk provided an update, following a recent site meeting with a representative of Queensbury Shelters Ltd and reported that the quotation for the company to carry out preparation of the site would be £425. RESOLVED: That the charge of £300 plus VAT in respect of an aborted site visit for construction works be approved and that Councillor Loudoun be authorised to form a Working Party to undertake the necessary site clearance and preparation work.
16.	Recruitment of New Parish Clerk:  The Clerk reported that four applicants had applied for the vacant position. RESOLVED: That all applicants be interviewed and that a Selection and Appointment Committee comprising of Cllrs White, Turner, Kirby and Mrs Drayson be authorised to appoint a suitable person in the capacity of Parish Clerk.
17.	The date of the next Meeting was confirmed as 7pm on Thursday 11th August 2011. The September monthly meeting is to be held at 7pm on Thursday 8th September 2011.  
18.	Additional Items for the Agenda of the next Council Meeting: Appointment of the Caretaking Contract.

Closed - 9:10pm 

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