Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
 
Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 9th July 2015 at 7 pm.
Present: Cllr W.Knight in the Chair, Cllrs P Loudoun, M Turner, P White, M Lovell, P Christie, C Drayson, R Sheppard. 
There were 9 members of the public present.
Owing to technical problems, it was not possible to audio-record the meeting.  
1. Apologies for absence. Cllr Lucas, Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle (RoWLO).  
2. Declarations of Interest / Grant of Dispensations. None. 
3. National Trust Report. Jon Kershaw reported that 2 new memorial seats are being prepared for installation above Seacombe and Hedbury in August. The bookings system is working well, though the Lulworth estate has seen an increase in numbers as a result of limits on group size at Dancing Ledge. The NT will be working with Lulworth to share experience and manage this for the future. Jon had explained the system to Worth PC. Signage is being developed for the Durnford Drove turning circle and junction with the High Street, and there has also been work on permissive footpaths in the parish. The new path beside the road to the Spyway car park is now open. The trebuchet at Corfe Castle, built using wood from Langton West Wood, is now operational. Following questions from Cllrs.Mr Kershaw reported that the flat fee for licenses is £100, and groups at Dancing Ledge pay a headage charge. Several groups have been using Winspit, but spot checks by the NT have only noted one group at Seacombe. Cllr. Christie expressed concern that cattle had been grazing rare orchids and eroding tracks at Hedbury. Mr Kershaw explained that rotational grazing patterns are used to ensure a viable cycle for a range of flora .and retard scrub build-up. Cllr Drayson thanked Mr Kershaw for the NT’s support for forest skills work with St George’s School children.
4. Public Discussion Period. The meeting was adjourned for this agenda item.
a) Mrs Lorna Russ asked about proposed NT signs at Dancing Ledge to manage activity groups: Mr Kershaw said that they would be aluminium and plastic. Mrs Russ does not support signs at the Ledge. She asked that spot checks on activity groups be more systematic. JK explained that the NT are working with the Lulworth Estate on ways to record such data. Mrs Russ also asked that the numbers using the Ledge be questioned again.
b) Mr David Senior expressed concern about camping at the Spyway car park, and JK said that the NT are working on providing a phone contact so that action can be taken; this can go in the Dubber.
The meeting was reconvened.
5. Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. There were none.
6.  Planning Matters. 
1) There were no comments from members of the public concerning the plans.
2) To make comments concerning the following plans:- 
a) 6/2015/0308 Mr S Smith, Valley Road (New Barn), Langton Matravers BH19 3DX. Demolish existing barn and erect a replacement building for use as a holiday let. Objection: the building referred to as a ‘barn’ is in fact a disused milking parlour which will have to be demolished to build the proposed holiday let. The building is therefore not suitable for ‘conversion’.
b) 6/2015/0350  The National Trust, Spyway Farm Buildings, Langton Matravers, Swanage BH19 3HG. Demolish existing livestock building and erect replacement livestock building. No Objection.
c) 6/2015/0363   Mr Harris, Steppes Hill (11 - Englefield), Langton Matravers, BH19 3ET.
Erect single storey rear extension. . No Objection.
d) TWA/2015/0092  Infront Innovation, St Georges Close (The Rectory), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HZ. (T1) Horse chestnut - fell; (T3) Horse chestnut - fell; (T4) Horse chestnut - fell; (T5) Beech - fell; (TG1) Sycamore - fell all; (TG2) Sycamore - fell all - Langton Matravers Conservation Area. Leave Decision to Tree Officer.
e) 6/2015/0402 Mr and Mrs Shepherd, Gypshayes (Colerne), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HQ. Erect two-storey rear extension; insert dormer windows on side elevations. . No Objection. 
Cllr Drayson arrived during discussion of item (b).
3). Receive planning decisions affecting this parish since the last Parish Council Meeting: 
a) 6/2015/0218 Mr Peter Curtis, Serrells Mead Cottages (1), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HU. Repointing to external areas, repairs to chimney - Internal alterations and floor strengthening, internal structural repairs to fire place, plastering and ceiling replacement. Approved.
b) 6/2015/0161 National Trust c/o Edward Dyke, Quarry Field, Acton, Langton Matravers. Variation of condition 2 of planning permission 6/2004/1049 to allow use of the access road until 30th September 2052. . Approved (DCC).
c) 6/2015/0156 Mr S. Mackenzie, High Street (34 & 36), Langton Matravers. Replace one window, insert extractor fan in north wall of bathroom extension (34 High Street). Replace two windows and demolish chimney stack (36 High Street).
(Timson Trust Cottages). . Approved.
d) Remedial tree work at 66 High Street. Ash - Thinning of tips of some branches by 20%. Approved.
  4). Other planning matters. None.
7. Minutes of the Meeting held 11th June 2015.These were agreed to be a correct record and signed.
8. Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 9b). Pre-Planning. Ms Bridget Downton had sent a full response to the Council’s comments, explaining that it is not always possible to inform Councils of developers’ plans at the outset, though PDC encourages the developers to approach Parish Councils directly.
b) Item 9c) The Police say that the new SID pole cannot be used because of ivy on the wall. ACTION: Cllr White to contact owner of wall at Jasper’s cottage. 
c) Item 9e). The new Bus Cage marking at Steppes is now in position, but this has not solved the problem of the car parked on the brow of the hill near the Ship Inn. 
d) Item 11f) Advisory flashing lights at St George’s School. The Chair had met with Mr David Senior, Chair of Governors at St George’s, who says that the school is not in a position at present to pay for programmable units for the lights. After discussion, it was RESOLVED: To provide a grant to St George’s School for the cost of the programmable lights repayable over three years. ACTION: Clerk to take legal advice from DAPTC to ensure that this is possible before any grant is made.
Cllr Lovell left the meeting at this point.
e) Item 17) RoSPA Play Area Report. The broken weld has been mended and Cllr Christie has treated the rusty slide supports with Hammerite. Since this has been done, the post in the SW corner of the Play Area has broken off at the base: Cllr Christie has inspected others which also appear to be rotten at the base. Hand Made Places, the supplier, have been informed and have offered to inspect the equipment under the guarantee, though labour would need to be paid for. RESOLVED: To invite Hand Made Places and a local firm to quote to repair the Play Equipment as necessary. ACTION: Clerk to ask Sydenhams to put safety barrier up until work is done. 
f) Item 18b) Part-Year fees for allotments. RESOLVED: To add to Allotments Gardens Policy paragraph ‘Obligations of Tenant’: ‘At the ALOs’ and AAO’s discretion the plot fee may be adjusted or waived for new tenants who take over plots during the growing season’.
9. The Clerk’s Report for the period 8.6.2015 – 8.7.2015.  Report received.
10.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a)  Item 20. PDC Partial Review of Local Plan Workshop, 9th July. The Chair and Vice-Chair had attended. Cllr Knight said that Planning Officers had advised on preferred options for changes to the Purbeck Local Plan. There had been several objections to the proposed large development at Langton, including from Natural England and Dorset Highways. PDC had previously been considering development of less than the SHMAA-proposed number of 2,244 new houses, but it now seems that this is the figure they are working towards. PDC’s approach to ‘proportionate’ development does not relate to the relative size of the parishes concerned. The issue of second and holiday homes is still not being properly addressed.
b) Item 23. LMLHPS response to PC’s refusal to grant funds. Several Cllrs accepted the Society’s invitation to visit the Parish Museum before the next meeting. Despite figures given in the letter, Cllrs did not feel that plans were clearly in place to resolve the Society’s financial problems. ACTION: Clerk to contact LMLHPS. Cllr Drayson suggested that Cllrs meet with the Society to look at forward plans.
c) Item 26. ‘Ask Dorset’ Pop-ups proposal. Cllrs did not wish to host one of these. 
d) Item 30. Rebecca Travers – Memorial Trees. The Council approved Ms Travers’ proposed site for the trees in memory of her parents on the West side of the drive near the Two Leas wall. .
e) Item 31. Jan Marsh – Access for dogs on footpaths. The RoWLO, Mr V-A had responded formally to Mrs Marsh. Cllr Loudoun said that the structure of stiles needs to be changed to make them accessible for bigger dogs. ACTION: Clerk to write to Mrs Marsh.
f) Cycling Code. The Clerk reported on the proposed ‘Purbeck Cycling Plan’ for event organisers drafted by the Police in conjunction with PDC, the NFU and DCC. There is also a new voluntary code for cyclists which has not yet been released. These had both been introduced at a recent DAPTC Purbeck meeting on 24th June, hosted by LMPC at the Village Hall.
g) Allotment Inspection, 24th June. All plots are let. .Some perimeter fence posts are starting to rot at ground level, and will need replacement within c. 2 years. Budget is already in place for their replacement.  Cllrs did not wish to raise any points.
11. Chairman’s Announcements. The Chair proposed a vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Kirby for the beautiful flowers by the Steppes Hill bus stop. All agreed. ACTION: Clerk to pass on to Mr and Mrs Kirby.
12. County and District Councillor’s Report. Cllr Lovell not present.
13. Village Car Park. As Cllr Lovell was not present to make his proposal, the matter was deferred.
14. Terms of Reference for a survey of Footpaths and Bridleways in the Parish. RESOLVED: To accept the Terms of Reference as drafted by Mr Vaughan Arbuckle, Parish RoWLO.
15. Governance Working Party. Cllrs had received a paper from the Chair explaining the rationale behind the proposed recommendations. RESOLVED: i) To establish a Governance Committee: ii) To accept the Terms of Reference for this Committee, as drafted by the Chair: iii) To appoint Cllrs White and Lovell to the Governance Committee. Cllr Knight will be away in August, so the Committee will start work in September.
16. Rural and Coastal Parishes Collective Approach to pressures on the Isle of Purbeck.. Cllr Christie had previously circulated a paper outlining key challenges common to parishes in the rural and coastal areas of the Isle of Purbeck. He noted that, although DAPTC Purbeck does useful work, they only meet 4 times per year; his proposal could mean a faster response to matters of urgency relating directly to the rural and coastal areas of the Isle Purbeck. The aim of having a collective approach would be to strengthen Parish Councils’ voices in dealing with people and policies further up the Government ladder. After discussion, it was RESOLVED: To contact other rural and coastal Parish Councils in the Isle of Purbeck to propose the formation of a close-cooperation group to enable more efficient communication and lobbying power on issues of mutual threat and concern.  The Chair will contact Chairs of other Councils at Arne, Church Knowle, Corfe Castle, Studland, West Lulworth, East Lulworth and Worth Matravers to suggest an initial meeting .ACTION: Cllr Knight.
17. Community Emergency Response Plan. Cllr Christie had been to training on the topic organized by DCC. He recommended that the Council explore the possibility of creating such a plan, in order that people know who to contact and who will coordinate support as necessary. Relevant groups might be campsite owners, the school, village hall, church and the Old Rectory care home. It was also recommended that Kim Gallagher of Swanage Community Partnership be contacted. ACTION: Cllrs to read DCC’s draft Emergency Response Plan, consider which aspects are relevant to Langton and how to take the matter forward.
18. Revision of Community Asset Register. Cllr Drayson said that as Cllrs Lucas and Lovell were absent, it might be more useful to review the register at a future meeting.  
19. Financial Matters:
(1) 	Note the following addition to Council funds since the last Council Meeting: 
       £ 500.00   Cremation plot, Interment fee and monument fee – the late Kelly Pope Plot Zc7.
       £ 170.00   Interment fee – the late Marjorie Lander, Plot K15.
       £ 1,866.52   VAT Repayment (HMRC).
       (2) 	Note the following Payments by cheque or cash to be made since last Meeting:
       £ 165.00   Ian Bugler,    Grounds Maintenance (June).
£ 570.83   Clerk’s salary (June) 
£ 471.58   Elliott’s Cleaning Co. Public Toilets + supplies. (June).
£ 38.99     New pin board for Langton notice case (CASH payment to P.White).
£ 4.25       Brass hinge for Langton notice case (CASH payment to P.White).
       £ 280.13   DAPTC + LCR Annual Subscription.
       £ 60.00     DAPTC - New Councillor training x2.
       £ 102.00   ICCM Sexton training course (Clerk).
       £ 89.82     SSE Electric supply to Public Toilets Mar-July 2015.
       £ 50.00     Purbeck Weld (slide support at Play Area.
 (3) Payment by Direct Debit:
£ 41.28 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
4. Any other Financial Matters. None.
20. The date of the next full Council meeting was confirmed as Thursday 13th August, 2015 at 7pm.
21. Items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting: As the Chair will be away in August, the matters of the work of the Governance Committee, Collective PCs approach to matters of concern and Revision of Community Register will be deferred until the meeting on 10th September.

Closed 8.45 pm.

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