Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 10th March 2011 at 7.00pm
Present Cllr P White in the Chair, Cllrs J Bradford, Mrs C Drayson, M Kirby, W Knight, M Lovell,     P Loudoun and H Tizard.
There were three members of the public present.
1.	Apologies were received from Cllr M Turner.
2.	Declarations of interest: Cllrs Mrs Drayson and Tizard each declared a personal interest as allotment tenants.  Cllr Kirby declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 5 (1) (b) and declared a personal interest as his Wife has an allotment tenancy. Cllr White declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 15 as his Father served in the Auxiliary Unit.
3.	Public discussion: A member of the public provided background information regarding a relative who had served in the Auxiliary Unit and the role and function performed during World War II.  Support was given for proposals to create a permanent memorial.  A member of the public provided an example of the type of footpath way marker required as a replacement (Min 15 10/2/2011 refers). 
4.	Planning Matters: 
(1)	6/2011/0117 Submitted by Mr Welch; Erect side and rear extensions, bay windows and porch. Extend roof and insert dormer windows and roof lights. Observation – No objection. 
Voting: For – 7 Against – 0 Abstained – 1 
(2)	6/2011/0125 Submitted by Mr M Kirby; Insert two roof lights on east elevation at New Lodge, Steppes, Langton Matravers. Observation – No objection. Voting: Unanimous
(3)	6/2011/0131 Submitted by Cothill Educational Trust; Change of use, demolition and alterations to form two dwellings and erect two detached dwellings at The Old Malthouse, High Street, Langton Matravers. Observation – No objection. Voting: For – 7 Against – 0 Abstained – 1
Note – Cllr Lovell did not vote on any planning application by reason of being a member of the District Council’s Planning Board.
5.	Minutes of Meeting held 10th February 2011 having been circulated previously the Minutes were agreed as a correct record and signed, subject to the deletion of the word ‘recently’ prior to ‘been replaced’ in Minute 15.
6.	Matters arising from the Minutes:
(1)	Item 3 Cllr Tizard sought an update on the replacement of the street nameplate at Steppes.  Cllr Kirby advised that it had been re-secured together with the ‘cul-de-sac’ sign. 
(2)	Item 7 (1) Cllr Knight enquired as to the award of an additional grant towards the costs of the proposed bus shelter.  Cllr Kirby confirmed the sum of £2,968 and was thanked.
(3)	Item 7 (2) Cllr Tizard enquired as to progress on the sign for Acton. The Clerk confirmed that property information was awaited from Purbeck District Council. Cllr Kirby questioned the progress of the signs for the Parish Office and car park. The Clerk advised that these should be in place prior to the next Council meeting.
(4)	Item 9 Cllr Mrs Drayson sought an update on the costs of providing Royal Wedding commemorative mugs.  Cllr Knight estimated the number required as being 150 and the Clerk provided a range of prices.  A discussion ensued.  RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that the purchase of Royal Wedding commemorative mugs be not pursued in favour of consideration of arrangements for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012. 
Item 12 Cllr Bradford referred to the continued problem related to a sunken grave at the Crack Lane Cemetery. 
(5)	Item 10 Cllr Kirby sought details of the outcome of queries related to the installation of replacement galvanised fencing at Leeson House.  The Clerk summarised the action taken in reporting the matter to the Planning Authority.  Cllr Lovell stated his intentions to pursue the matter further.
(6)	Item 16 Parking on zig-zags outside school. The Clerk and Cllr Knight provided updates.
7.	The Clerk’s Report for the period 8.2.2011 to 7.3.2011: Report received.
8.	Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report:
Item 8  Request for financial assistance for expenses relating to copying footpath Appeal papers. AGREED that reasonable costs of £30 (approx) be authorised.
Item 16  A resident’s concern at the significant increase in the number of street lights in Toms Field Road was considered.  General concerns were expressed at the modern style and the possible replacement of lights in the High Street.  AGREED that the Clerk write to DCC and Purbeck District Council concerning both the street light replacement programme and the proposals to switch off lights at certain times, as a cost reduction measure.
Item 14  Cllr Bradford referred to the Fields in Trust’s Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge.  AGREED that the Clerk write to DCC advising of proposals to nominate the school playing fields.
Cllr Kirby enquired asked with regard to progress on the outstanding highway matter of trees overhanging the road at Steppes Hill.  AGREED that the Clerk again pursue the matter.
Item 22  Cllr Mrs Drayson enquired if any significant matters had emerged from the ‘Big Society’ event held 10th March 2011.  Cllr Lovell, who had attended the event, provided an update.
9.	Chairman’s Announcements:  
The Chairman reported that he had attended the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year Award at the District Council on behalf of Mr Norman Priddle. 
The Chairman reported the recent roof installation by British Gas to Timpson Cottage.
10.	Financial Matters:
(1)	The following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting:
£93.00 received from 5 Allotment holders.
(2)	Note the following Payments by Cheque, already authorised, since last Meeting:
£36.00 to Langton Matravers Village Hall Committee for outstanding rents - Council chamber.
£120.00 to Mr P Newell for Cemetery Maintenance
£278.64 to AJ Leeson for Clerk’s Salary - February
£185.20 to HMRC February Payroll.
(3)	Payments by Direct Debit:
£31.68 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
(4)	Any other Financial Matters:
(a) 	Cllr Kirby sought confirmation that all outstanding allotments invoices had been settled. The Clerk provided confirmation.  Cllr Knight questioned the billing arrangements for water charges.  Cllr Kirby provided an explanation.
11.	Cemetery Matters:
Council Cemetery: The Clerk referred to a request received for the siting of a memorial from the mother of a local man who had recently died leaving five young children.  After consideration it was RESOLVED that the permission be granted and that a charge of £225 be levied.
Cllr Bradford reported that the noticeboard containing the Cemetery Regulations was illegible and in a very poor condition.  RESOLVED that the Clerk obtain prices for a replacement noticeboard.
Cllr Lovell requested that a review of the Cemetery Regulations be considered at the next Council meeting.
Cllr Bradford referred to the need to clear away large bags, left following the delivery of stone. 
Cllr Loudon offered to attend to the matter.
Closed Cemetery: No matters were reported.
12.	Allotments: Cllr Loudoun enquired if the water supply had been restored. Cllr Kirby explained that the cattle troughs were not yet in place.  Cllr Mrs Drayson offered to pursue the matter.
13.	Parish Plan:  Cllr Kirby provided an update. It was reported that the update/questionnaire had been finalised for distribution via The Dubber and at selected locations.  The estimated production costs were reported as £65.
14.	Preservation of Auxiliary Units: The Chairman provided a historical account of the role and function of the local Units, known as the ‘Secret Army’, that had operated both at Creech and at Langton Matravers during World War II.  It was proposed that a permanent memorial be erected in the village, similar to that of the neighbouring parish.  Offers of financial assistance were reported to have been received.  Suggestions for an appropriate site were sought and discussed, together with the principle of whether the Parish Council would support the proposals. After a lengthy debate it was RESOLVED that Cllr White investigates a suitable solution.
15.	Parish Assembly – Cllr Mrs Drayson presented a range of ideas and sought support for proposals regarding the Parish Assembly to be held in May 2011. The Councillor was thanked.  RESOLVED that Cllr Mrs Drayson be supported in organising and promoting the arrangements for the Annual Parish Assembly.
16.	Cemetery Maintenance Contract: A general discussion ensued regarding a range of alternative proposals for the Cemetery maintenance arrangements and contractual provisions. RESOLVED that the Clerk investigate, through the DAPTC, examples of typical contractual arrangements from other parishes with similar responsibilities.
17.	The date of the next Meeting was confirmed as 7pm on Thursday 14th April 2011.  The May monthly meeting is to be held at 7pm on Thursday 12th May 2011.
18.	Additional Items for the Agenda of the next Council Meeting –  i) Speed Limit – Crack Lane and 
ii) Footpath and Stiles.

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