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

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 14th June 2012 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllr P White in the Chair, P Loudoun, H Tizard, M Turner, M Kirby, W Knight, J Bradford, C Drayson, M Lovell.

There were 10 members of the public present.

1.	Apologies: David Hodd, Jonathan Kershaw (National Trust).
2.	Declarations of interest.  Cllr Kirby declared a personal interest as his wife has an allotment. Cllrs Tizard, Drayson and Turner each declared a personal interest as allotment tenants.
3.	Report  Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, PC Footpath Liaison officer, read a letter from Steve Kourik from DCC about repairs to the Priest’s Way: surface repairs will definitely be crushed stone or chippings sourced locally. Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle had contacted Worth FLO who will express support for the project to DCC to encourage funding, and it was agreed to contact Martin Ayres, Clerk at Swanage TC to elicit his support also. ACTION: Clerk/Cllr White. There is still a problem with dog fouling at certain popular field entrances: RESOLVED: That a soluble paint spray be used to outline dog mess at these points: to be trialed for a month. Note to be written in the Dubber advising dog walkers. ACTION: Ian V-A. Maintenance of footpaths was also discussed, as Mr V-A often does this himself at present: he was advised that DCC could be contacted to clear paths as necessary. Cllr White thanked Mr. Vaughan-Arbuckle for his report. 
4.	Public Discussion. 
a) Mrs Margaret White expressed her concern about the new NHS Proposals for Swanage, and in particular the proposal to close Swanage Hospital. She noted that the proposal would adversely affect not only local residents, but the large number of holiday visitors to the town. She emphasised the problems of patients and their families, particularly the elderly, having to go to Poole or Dorchester, and the real difficulties of nursing ill and vulnerable patients in their own homes. She asked the Council to support the League of Friends of Swanage Hospital in fighting the closure.
b) On the same topic, Mrs Sue  Spilling advised the meeting of a ‘Drop In’ session to discuss the proposals on 23rd June, and asked people to fill in the feedback forms suggesting Options 3 or 4, which retain  the hospital and medical facilities in Swanage. Cllr Lovell noted that, in his role as a County Councillor, he hoped to form a committee at County level to consider the proposals. 
c) Mr Ian Mackenzie announced that the claim for the Windmill Lane footpath is to be heard on 2nd July at County Hall, Dorchester. He asked everyone to lobby DCC Cllrs Lovell and Munro, and attend the meeting (from 10am onwards) to support the claim. Cllr White thanked Mr Mackenzie for his input.
5.  Matters Arising from the Public Discussion.  
a),b) NHS Proposals. RESOLVED: That the Council  write a formal letter opposing both Options 1 and 2: That the questionnaire be filled in on behalf of the Council, suggesting Options 3 and 4: That a paragraph be included in the Council’s Dubber report encouraging parishioners to respond to the proposals and support the retention of the hospital. ACTION: Clerk. 
c) Windmill Lane footpath. RESOLVED: That the Council write to Cllr Munro supporting the claim. ACTION: Clerk. 
6.  Planning Matters. 
       2) To make comments concerning the following plans:- 
a) 6/2012/0318 Application for :- Full Planning Permission Other Development:	Mr Travers. Erect single storey rear extension. Capstan Field (12), Langton Matravers BH19 3HP. No Objection.
b) 6/2012/0320    Application for :- Full Planning Permission  Other Development:  Mr and Mrs S Hutchings. Erect part single and part two storey rear extension. Alter and extend existing front extension.  Acton (Quarry Close), BH19 3JS. The Parish Council opposed the application on the grounds that it believes that the double storey extension will distract from the traditional building lines within the Acton Conservation Area and will also restrict the outlook and light on properties in the immediate vicinity. 
c) 6/2012/0331   Application for :- Change Of Use	Other Development:	Mr S Smith. Change of use of barn and alterations to form holiday unit. Valley Road (New Barn), Swanage, BH19 3DX	The Parish Council opposed the application in line with the PDC Core Strategy policy on the Re-use of Rural Buildings (p.65, Sept 2009). They do not feel that sufficient attempts had been made to use the building for business, for affordable housing, or for Community use: it appears to be intended for tourist accommodation. 		
d) 6/2012/0356 Application for :- Listed Building Consent Other Development:	Dr D Kelly, Dr J Hatch & Dr T Hatch. Remove door and window from existing extension; form new window and render facade to front elevation. Old Malthouse Lane (Windward), Langton Matravers, BH19 3JA. No Objection.
e) 6/2012/0357 Application for :- Listed Building Consent	Other Development:	Dr D Kelly, Dr J Hatch & Dr T Hatch. Partial demolition of existing extension to rear, alterations to door and windows on rear elevation and internal alterations.  Erect single storey rear extension.  
Old Malthouse Lane (Windward), Langton Matravers. No Objection.			
f) 6/2012/0358 Application for :- Full Planning Permission. Other Development: Dr D Kelly, Dr J Hatch & Dr T Hatch. Remove door and window from existing extension; form new window and render facade to front elevation. Old Malthouse Lane (Windward), Langton Matravers. No Objection.
7.  Minutes of  the Meeting held 10th May 2012. The Minutes, having been circulated previously, were agreed as a correct record and signed.
8.  Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 9b. A date for the Core Strategy Open Meeting with Steve Tapscott and Diane Bemand of PDC was agreed for 5th July 2012 at 7pm at Langton Village Hall. 
b) Item 9c. The revised Architect’s plans for development of St George’s School will not now be available to view on 18th June: new date t.b.a.
c)  Item 9d. Cllr Kirby reported that he and Mr Duncan were intending to put up the necessary section of fence at the NE end of the Council’s land adjoining the school field on 16th June, weather permitting.
d) Item 13(4) The Clerk had spoken to the Internal Auditor, Mr Nigel Donald, who had confirmed that he would be happy to act for the Council for the financial year 2012-13.   
10.  The Clerk’s Report for the period 8.5.2012 to 8.6.2012.  Report received.
11.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a) Items 14/24. Rob Blake of PDC had followed up concerns from a resident of Three Acre Lane about unsafe steps there: repairs had been put in hand.
b) Items 21/32. Mr John Curtis, blocked drains at Coombe: DCC had attended and discussed difficulties at the site with Mr Curtis, though the problem was not yet resolved.
c) Item 25. Following a request from Mrs P.Wright, PDC had sent a road sweeper to Lower Steppes.
d) Item 42. Mrs K.Atkinson: request to develop Grave Maintenance Business at Crack Lane Cemetery. RESOLVED: That the Council has no objection. 
11.  Chairman’s Announcements. 
The Chairman reported on the problems with drains in the lower part of the village, especially near the Old Bakery, where paving stones are often forced up during heavy rain. DCC has attended and done both exploratory and clearance work: there is a problem with a narrow drains and tree roots causing a blockage on the corner of Crack Lane. There is also a problem with the drain at the end of the Hyde. DCC are working hard and it was agreed to keep the issue under review. Cllr White said that he and his wife had recently attended the Civic Jubilee Service at Wimborne Minster, and had been invited by the PCC to lunch with the Bishop of Salisbury at Kingston on 18th June.
12.  Financial Matters.
(1)   Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting:
       £  890.00   Purchase of Burial plot and interment fee: the late Mr M A Weston. Plot R10.
       £  80.00     Travers Monument fee. Plot V2.
       £  25.00     Travers (Matthews) fee for interment of ashes. Plot V2.
       £  500.00    Purchase of Burial Plot. Miss V Travers. Plot V3.   
(2)   Note the following Payments since last Meeting:
       £ 12.00      Langton Matravers Village Hall Committee for June Council chamber.
       £ 444.34 	   Clerk’s Salary – May.
       £ 75.00	      Mr I.Bugler, Grounds Maintenance (May).
       £ 282.78.   DAPTC Annual Subscription (RESOLVED:All in favour).
       £ 47.84      Laminator. (Cash payment to Cllr Kirby).
       £ 9.30        Cemetery keys copies for Mr I Bugler. (Cash payment to Cllr White).
       £ 47.97      2 x Printer Cartidges. (Cash payment to Cllr Kirby).
 (3) 	Payments by Direct Debit:
       £ 36.23      XLN Telecom for phone and broadband 
 (4) 	Other Financial Matters. The Clerk reported that the End of Year Audit had been completed by the Internal Auditor, and presented a statement of the Council’s accounts for the year 2011-12. RESOLVED: That the accounts for the year 2011-12 are accepted by the Council. The accounts will now be sent to the External Auditor. ACTION: Clerk.
14.  Cemetery Matters:
(1) Council’s Cemetery. a) Purchase of land at Crack Lane to extend the Cemetery. Cllrs confirmed that the map which had been sent by the vendors indicating the land to be purchased showed the correct portion.
b) Cremation Plots. Following information about number of cremation burials allowed in plots at Godlingston and cemeteries in Bournemouth, the Council decided to leave the regulations as they stand (3 only). 
c) The Clerk had received a request to pay for reserved plots in instalments. RESOLVED: That reserved  burial or cremation plots can be paid for in instalments, as long as payments are complete before the certificate of grant is issued. 
d) New Tender Document for Grounds Maintenance. Cllr Lovell proposed that a working group of three Cllrs plus the Clerk be formed, to produce a new document for the Council’s consideration. ACTION: Cllrs Loudoun, Lovell, White and Clerk. Cllr Lovell also suggested that the Grounds Maintenance job might be split into two.
(2) Closed Cemetery. The Clerk reported that James Bennett, PDC/DCC tree officer had still not looked at overhanging ash tree at the Old Rectory. ACTION: Cllr Lovell to follow up.
14.  Allotments.  a) Cllr Kirby explained that garden machinery had been bought by the Council using grant funding: now three years have elapsed this machinery may be given to the Allotment Association. He further pointed out that the Parish Council’s allotment insurance did not cover equipment, and said that members of the Association should be made aware of this. RESOLVED: (by Cllrs who had not declared an interest)That the machinery be given to the Allotment Association. ACTION: Cllr Kirby to advise allotment tenants about insurance.
b) The National Trust had proposed a rent increase of £42 p.a. on the allotment site, backdated to April 2012, in line with their 3-yearly rent reviews. RESOLVED: That the Council accept the increase and pay when the invoice arrives. That any changes in annual charges to allotment holders be discussed
in Nov/Dec when the Budget is set.
16.  Village Car Park update. Cllr Kirby reported on possible solutions to ‘hurdles’ noted by Jacqui Leaton, DCC Premises Officer, in her e-mail of 22nd March. The Council will now wait to see what plans (if any) St George’s School put forward for parking as part of their re-development as a Primary school.
17. Traffic Management update. a) Widening Footways: DCC have funding for proposals for widening the footways at Putlake and on the corner by Steppes Hill House, but need approval from landowners before progressing. Cllr White had spoken to the owners of Steppes Hill House, who are happy to take the project further, and the tenant at Putlake feels the same: the Clerk has contacted the Scott Estate and awaits their comments. 
b) RESOLVED: That a letter from the Council be circulated to parents at St George’s School when the new ‘bus cage’ road marking is installed on the N side of the B3069 opposite the end of Durnford Drove, explaining that parking there is illegal.
c) Speed Watch: Cllr Kirby is waiting to hear from PACT when the project can go ahead. More volunteers are needed.
17. School Field.  a) Play Area Inspection. The Clerk reported that ROSPA had not done an inspection of the equipment since 2009, when the Purbeck Housing Trust ceased its involvement. RESOLVED:That £210.00 plus VAT be paid for an ‘out of sequence’ inspection, and that the site be put on ROSPA’s  list for annual inspections each May, which will be cheaper. It was further suggested that a monthly visual ‘damage inspection’ would be useful, and Cllr Bradford offered to undertake this.
b) Fencing on S.side.  Mrs Brown had arranged a meeting with DCC’s Mike Organ to discuss replacement of the fence along the boundary with the PC’s land, as there are holes and dangerous wire etc. which makes that part of the field unsafe for children to play. The PC were invited to attend, and Mr Organ agreed to replace the fence along its entire length along the line of the old fence, if the PC could clear the hedge back to this line. Cllr Lovell will ask for volunteers (eg Young Farmers) to help with this once the nesting season is over. It was noted with reference to Item 9d from the May minutes, that Mr Organ said that DCC were not prepared to rebuild the wall.
18. Jubilee Plans.  Cllr Knight had not had the opportunity to discuss plans with Mrs Brown, and it was decided to remove the item from the agenda until plans for the school development are further advanced.
20.	The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7pm on Thursday 12th July 2012. The August monthly meeting will be at 7pm. on Thursday 9th August 2012.
21.	Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting:  New Code of Conduct/Footway Widening. 

Closed c.8.53pm 

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