Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
 
Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 11th June 2015 at 7 pm.
Present: Cllr W.Knight in the Chair, Cllrs P Loudoun, M Turner, P White, M Lovell, P Christie. Cllrs Drayson and Lucas joined the meeting a little later (see below).
There were 11 adult members of the public present, and 3 children. 
The Clerk announced that the meeting was being (audio) recorded. There were no objections from members of the public. 
1. Apologies for absence. Cllr Sheppard.  
2. Declarations of Interest / Grant of Dispensations. None. 
3. National Trust Report. Jon Kershaw reported that waymarking work is ongoing. The licensing system for Activity groups is up and running, and the Trust is working through teething problems with bookings. Survey work is being done at Langton West Wood, and the public will have an opportunity to look round the coppiced area on 20th June, starting at Burngate.. Cllr Lovell asked that consideration be given to having at least one specified area of coast, such as Seacombe, as a ‘quiet’ zone, where commercial activities are not permitted: Jon explained that only coasteering is allowed at Seacombe (not climbing) and the because of constraints now in place at Dancing Ledge, the activity companies are pushing for accommodation in other areas. Winspit and Hedbury are more likely to be chosen for reasons of access. The Trust are keen to work with the companies where possible. 
4. RoWLO Report. Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle was disappointed by the village response to his ‘Adopt a Footpath’ scheme, proposed in the context of withdrawal of previous levels of funding and support from the diminishing DCC Countryside team. He suggested that it would be useful to survey parish footpaths to assess the need for maintenance, grading them according to their usage, detailing work required and determining where the responsibility lies for the maintenance of each path. The National Trust have already surveyed stiles and gates on their paths, and are in the process of renewing these as necessary, which will help. Mr V-A asked for terms of reference and said he would aim to report back in 3-4 months if the Council were keen to proceed with the project. It was RESOLVED: To ask the RoWLO to undertake a survey of footpaths in the parish, identifying paths, stiles and gates in need of maintenance, and ranking these in terms of priority. It was suggested that the survey be publicised and parishioners be invited to assist and comment. Cllr Turner offered to help at Acton. ACTION: RoWLO. Cllr Lovell asked that Council wait to produce Terms of Reference until the DCC position is clearer.
5. Public Discussion Period. The meeting was adjourned for this agenda item.
a) Mr Ben Young asked the council to support his Planning Application (Item 2a below). He has been working hard for 15 years to build up his farm, and would like the chance to expand and show that he can develop it further.
b) Mrs Valerie Winch gave a statement on behalf of the Governors of St George’s School about the Advisory Flashing Lights outside the school. While the Governors are concerned about the safety of children coming to school, they do not feel that it is their responsibility to operate the lights, nor are the lights or their operation covered under the school’s liability insurance.
c) Mr Jonathan Kershaw informed the Council that the National Trust will be trialling mobile ice-cream selling on their land for three months this summer, to see if it could be done as a franchise in future.
The meeting was reconvened.
6. Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. There were none not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
7.  Planning Matters. 
1) There were no comments from members of the public concerning the plans.
2) To make comments concerning the following plans:- 
a) 6/2015/0296 Mr Ben Young, Valley Road (Nursery Bridge Farm), Harmans Cross, BH19 3DX. Station agricultural workers temporary accommodation. No objection
b) 6/2015/0278 Mr M.Barnett, Old Malthouse Lane (Purbeck Ridge), Langton Matravers, BH19 3JA. Roof conversion and install dormers. No objection
c) 6/2015/0297 Mr and Mrs G Harris, Castle View (Daisy Cottage), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HT. Demolish single storey extension and erect new single side extension. No objection
d) 6/2015/0298  Mr and Mrs G Harris, Castle View (Daisy Cottage), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HT.  Demolish single storey extension and erect new single side extension. Internal refurbishment and repairs. Install chimney liner. Repairs to boundary walling and outbuildings (Listed Building Consent). No objection
e) 6/2015/0324 Mr and Mrs J Cooper, Blacklands (Hedbury House), Acton, BH19 3LD. Demolish existing garage and erect two-storey and single-storey extensions. No objection
Cllr Drayson arrived during discussion of item (b).
3). Receive planning decisions affecting this parish since the last Parish Council Meeting: None.
Due to a clerical error, application 6/2015/0308 (Smith – demolish existing barn – erect holiday let) had not been included on the agenda. After discussion it was agreed to defer consideration of the application to the next meeting, which would still be within the time for comment to PDC.
  4). Other planning matters. None.
8. Minutes of the Meeting held 14th May 2015.These were agreed to be a correct record and signed.
9. Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 10). Cycling events. The Clerk had written to all those mentioned, but received no reply, except an acknowledgement from the DCC Chief Exec. ACTION: Clerk to write again to cycling event company if no reply received within one month of date of initial letter.
b) Item 11.4). Pre-Planning. The resolution was rephrased to say : RESOLVED: That in future, if there are matters relating to significant development which affects our village, PDC Officers should involve the Parish Council from the outset. ACTION: Clerk to send to PDC’s Head of Planning. 
c) Item 13a). The new SID pole is now in place near Jasper’s cottage. 
d) Item 15). PC Notice Cases at Acton/Langton. New cases would cost £500-£800 each. It was agreed to accept the quotation from Mr Andrews for £40 + materials to revarnish the cases: Cllr White, assisted by Cllr Christie, will fit a new brass hinge and cork board to the one at Langton. The Chair thanked Cllrs White and Christie for their support in this matter.
Cllr Lucas arrived at this point. 
e) Item 18c) Yellow lines between the Hyde and Putlake. These have been added to the DCC list for 2015-16. Cllrs asked that white lines, in particular the one at Putlake, be refreshed, and that a Bus cage be painted on the road by the Ship Inn. ACTION: All Cllrs to contact Clerk with any further suggestions re: road markings. Clerk to contact DCC with these requests. 
10. The Clerk’s Report for the period 9.5.2015 – 5.6.2015.  Report received.
11.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a)  Item 11. Transparency Code. LMPC will need to comply with this, and put all relevant documents on website etc. ACTION: Clerk. 
b) Item 35. PDC Partial Review of Local Plan Workshop 3, 9th July.  Chair, Vice-Chair and Clerk to attend.
c) Cllrs had received an invitation from Suttle’s to the annual Swanworth Quarry liaison meeting at 5.30 pm. on 16th July. 
d) The Clerk reported on the recent T&PC Clerk’s meeting at PDC. Clerks had been asked by the District Solicitor, David Fairbairn, to find out if their Councils would like to change to the PDC Code of Conduct. Cllrs were happy to remain with the present NALC Code, adopted in 2012 without Appendix B. Issues relating Recreational Tourism and Affordable housing had also been raised. Cllr Christie noted that he would be presenting a discussion paper focused on both these topics at the next meeting.
e) Item 22. DCC ‘Forward Together’ meeting, 23rd June. Cllr Lovell urged Cllrs to take the opportunity to meet the County Council. Cllrs Knight, Drayson and Christie will attend.
f) Item 28. Advisory flashing lights at St George’s School. Cllr Lovell explained that these had been part of an experimental project by DCC; DCC do not intend to remove them, but plan to move the western unit to the corner of North Street. The lights could be made automatic at an approximate cost of £3,000 for both units, plus annual service fees of £130 neither of which can be funded by DCC.  Cllr Knight reported that the school governors will discuss the situation, and decide a) if it would be sensible to purchase an automated system, and b) if yes, whether the school can afford it, possibly with community support in some form. He suggested that the PC should wait until the school has taken a view on the matter before making further comment. After discussion, it was agreed that the new North street position, though safer if the lights have to be manually operated, would not be so visible to oncoming traffic, and Cllr Lovell will contact DCC as a matter of urgency to halt the move until a firm decision has been made as to whether to go for programmable units. Cllr Lovell was asked if there was any progress from DCC with the 20mph policy generally, and said that they still do not want it on A and B roads.
g) Item 39. Request for ‘quiet area’ at Seacombe. Cllr Drayson supported this suggestion, and Cllr Loudoun noted that the CPRE are trying to designate ‘Areas of Tranquillity’. 
15. Village Car Park.  The Chair asked Cllrs to consider what would be the purpose of such a car park ? Visitors can to the area can use the NT car parks, and Putlake visitors also have parking. Would it be useful as ‘overspill’ for residents and their visitors on the High Street ? There is perhaps a need for short term drop-off /pick up space for school, and maybe more room for minibuses etc. for activities. Possible sites must relate directly to proven needs. Cllr Loudoun is in favour of enhancing traffic flow, and against further provision of parking. Cllr Lovell has a suggestion for a site on the N side of the road at Putlake which he will bring to the next meeting. ACTION: Cllr Lovell. 
12. Chairman’s Announcements. The Chair thanked the Scott Estate for their prompt and efficient clearance of trees on the S side of the road at Coombe hill, following a request through DCC from the bus company.  He asked Cllrs to think about whether there were things which Council could or should be doing differently ? ACTION: Cllrs to pass on ideas to the Chair or Clerk before the next meeting. A working party might be set up to consider these proposals, chaired by Cllr Christie.
13.  County and District Councillor’s Report. Cllr Lovell informed the meeting that there will be a one-way system at Holme Lane for Camp Bestival, and the Triathlon in the Autumn. Cllrs discussed Item 16 (Electoral Review of Dorset- Final Consultation) at this point, asking Cllr Lovell’s opinion of the proposals. Despite concerns about the mix of rural-urban areas which might result, it was agreed leave the final decision to the Commission.
17. RoSPA Play Area Report. The report had been circulated to St George’s School, as it mentions the access gate from the road. Cllr Christie had already followed up aspects related to the Play Area. He had checked swing heights and removed rust from slide supports, and painting with Hammerite. It was agreed to get two quotations for re-fixing the spring on the wobble bench. ACTION: Clerk. Cllr Christie reported that he had also noticed a crack in one of the slide welds, not picked up in the report. RESOLVED: That Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk, in conjunction with Mrs Cubitt, decide how to proceed in the matter, including Health and Safety implications, and resolve the problem.
14. New Website – update on research. The Clerk had contacted Studland’s Clerk, who is building a Hugo Fox (free) site: she will report back when it is complete. She will also find out about the Harman’s Cross Village Hall site. Adam Curtis, a commercial website designer who specializes in PC sites, had sent information about how his sites differ from free sites, and the costs involved. ACTION: Clerk to circulate information to Cllrs and follow up HX lead.
18. Allotments. a) Vacant Plot update. Cllr Christie had asked Cllr Sheppard to contact Mrs Quinn, the ex-tenant of the last remaining plot, 27b and ask her to remove rubbish from the plot: he will then strim and cover it in black plastic. 
b) Part-year fees ? Cllrs could not agree on a formula for this, and it was agreed that ALOs and the Clerk meet with the Chair of the LMAA to come up with a firm proposal. No fees were to be paid by the new tenants of 10a and b in the interim.
29. Financial Matters:
(1) 	Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting: 	       £ 50.00     Interment fee (Ashes) – the late Jean Grant, Plot A2.
       (2) 	Note the following Payments by cheque or cash to be made since last Meeting:
       £ 150.00   Ian Bugler, Grounds Maintenance (May).
£ 589.25   Clerk’s salary (May + 2 hrs overtime). 
£ 450.00   Elliott’s Cleaning Co. Public Toilets. (May).
£ 802.04   Came and Co Annual Insurance 2015-16.
£ 57.31     Website hosting – 2 yrs – cheque to Cllr Lovell.
£ 78.00     Playsafety Ltd. ROSPA Play Area Inspection.
£ 29.99     Kaspersky Lab UK – Internet safety protection 2015-16  - cheque to Clerk.
£ 50.00     PDC – Planning Training for a year.
(3) Payment by Direct Debit:
£ 44.57 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
4. Any other Financial Matters. a) CIL payment. After discussion it was agreed to keep this in reserve: in the future CIL might be used for new Play equipment, a new notice board or preparation for a Neighbourhood Plan.
b) Came and Co Long Term Insurance Agreement, 2016-18. It was agreed not to take up this offer, and to get other quotations next May. ACTION: Clerk.  
20. Cemetery Matters: (1) Council’s cemetery: Extension to cremation plot area (presently grassed). RESOLVED: To extend cremation plot are as far as the drive to the east, to make new rows.  (2) Closed cemeteries. None.
21. The date of the next full Council meeting was confirmed as Thursday 9th July, 2015 at 7pm.
22. Items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting: Reviewing Community Assets Register / Footpaths, Stiles and Gates / Cllr Christie’s paper / Village Car Park. ACTION: Clerk to circulate Community Asset Register.

Closed  9.30 pm.

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