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

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 10th November 2011 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllr P White in the Chair, Cllrs C Drayson, P Loudoun, H Tizard, M Turner, M Kirby,
W Knight, J Bradford.
There were 8 members of the public present.

1.	Apologies: Cllr Lovell.
2.	Declarations of interest.  Cllr Kirby declared a personal interest as his wife has an allotment. Cllrs Drayson, Tizard and Turner each declared a personal interest as allotment tenants.
3.	Public Discussion. 
a) Footpaths. Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, PC Footpath Liaison Officer, reported on a useful meeting with Steve Kurik of DCC on 9.11.2011. Work on Acton footpaths was in hand, and he stressed DCC’s view that local footpaths were an important element in promoting tourism: accordingly finance might be available to maintain or create footpaths. Ian also reported on DCC’s proposal for a Lengthsman scheme, and asked if he should follow it up. (see item 21). The Chairman thanked Ian on behalf of the Council for all the work he was doing. 
b) Langton Matravers Pre-School. Chair Vanessa Bell drew the meeting’s attention to the challenges facing the Pre-school while St. George’s School is being adapted for Primary use. They will not only need c.£10.000 to furnish their new premises when the reorganisation of the site is complete, but have so far not been able to acquire temporary accommodation while the building work is in progress.  She asked members if they had any suggestions for accommodation and funding, and if the Council would be prepared to pledge a contribution to the refurbishment fund.
c) 	David Hodd from the National Trust gave a printed and oral report to update the meeting on recent NT activities within the parish. The tenant at Spyway Farm is working with Natural England on scrub clearance for conservation work. The NT has plans for staff toilet and washing facilities at Albie’s barn at Castle View. The Council was asked to write a letter in support of the NT’s bid for DEFRA’s ‘Nature Improvement Area’ Competition. Following a previous Council query, Jon Kershaw gave members copies of maps of parts of the village prepared by the land agent, Hannah Hutchinson. The NT will be negotiating with the landowner on the maintenance of the lane at the west end of Durnford Drove.
d) 	Diane Bemand, Neighbourhood Planning Officer of PDC came to advise members about Updating the Parish Plan/Creating a Neighbourhood Plan. She explained the steps that needed to be taken, and said that she would provide a list of appropriate headings for a Parish Plan. She pointed out that a Neighbourhood Plan is a more powerful document in planning terms in relation to the new Localism Bill, but there is no necessity to have one. There is no special funding available for either Parish Plan updates or Neighbourhood Plans.
e) 	A member of the public had drawn the Council’s attention to the quantity of leaves on the footway at Leeson. 
4.	Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. The Chairman thanked Diane Bemand, Vanessa Bell, David Hodd and Jon Kershaw for their contributions.                                                                            c) RESOLVED: That the Council send a letter of support for the NT’s ‘Nature Improvement Area’ proposal to DEFRA .  
e) ACTION: Clerk to contact Encombe Estate (owners) to ask that the leaves be cleared.
5.	Planning Matters. 
2) To make comments concerning the following plans:-
 (a) 	6/2011/0640    Application for :- Full Planning Permission. Mr J Rockett. Erect single storey side extension, High Street (23), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HA. Observation: The Parish Council has no objection to the plans
(b) & (c) 6/2011/06689   Application for :- Listed Building Consent/Full Planning Permission. Mr Garrett. Demolition and re-instatement of two chimneys. Serrells Mead Cottages (2) Langton Matravers. Observation: The Parish Council has no objection to the plans.
(d) 6/2011/0681   Application for :- Full Planning Permission. Mr C Gotch. Erect         single storey rear extension. Dunford Drove (Gara), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HG. Observation: The Parish Council has no objection to the plans.
3) The Council received planning decisions by PDC and DCC since the last meeting: 6/2011/0557,0558, Windward, Old Malthouse Lane. Applications  Withdrawn.
6/2011/0605 Leeson House Field Studies Centre, Langton Matravers, BH19 3EU. Retention of double temporary classrooms. Approved.
	TWA/2011/0133 Tree Works, Mr. D.Barrell, 3 Alma Cottages, Acton. Approved.
	TWA/2011/0137 Tree Works, Dr. D.Kelly, Windward, Mount Pleasant Lane, Langton
   4) There were no other planning matters.
6.	Minutes of  Meeting held 13th October 2011. The Minutes, having been circulated previously, were agreed as a correct record and signed.
7.	Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 7.g. Bus Shelter, Steppes. RESOLVED: That topsoil, bulbs and grass be added to the border by the Bus Shelter. ACTION: Cllr Kirby.
b) Item 9.a.The Open Spaces Society had been contacted for advice about Village Green status for the School Field, but the Clerk had had no response. ACTION: Clerk to follow up.
Cllr Drayson advised the Council that Wareham Middle School Playing Fields are to be sold by DCC, and recommended that we remain vigilant.
c) Item 17.d. The Clerk reported that Alan Leeson had almost completed the VAT returns for 2009-10 and 2010-11.
d) Item 11.4.The Clerk reported that a letter had been sent to Santander Bank asking how to apply for new signatories.
e) Item 3.a. Windmill Lane Footpath: the Clerk will send a letter of support on behalf of the Council for the latest Restricted Byway application.
f) Item 17. Footway Light at Serrell’s Oak. The Clerk advised that this light, and another at the Hyde which belong to the Council have been referred to SSE at Bourne Valley to be mended.
8.	The Clerk’s Report for the period 8.9.2011 to 7.10.2011: Report received.
9.	Matters arising from the Clerk’s report.
a) Item 6. The Clerk is to attend the Purbeck Heritage Review Meeting at Harman’s Cross on 23rd November.
b) Item 26. Eneco Offshore Windpark had asked if they could add an e-link on the Council’s website. Members had no objection.  ACTION: Cllr. Kirby.
c) Item 30. Durlston Castle Re-Opening. Cllr and MrsWhite, Cllr. Drayson and the Clerk will attend on Weds. 16thNovember.
10.	Chairman’s Announcements. Cllr White reported that he had had a useful discussion with Mr Foot regarding trees at Putlake Orchard, and plans for pruning were now in hand. He thanked Cllr Bradford very much on behalf of the Council for his excellent work in clearing the pavement in the centre of the village.  He announced that Education Swanage have been given the go-ahead by the Government to open a  secondary school in Swanage, site yet to be decided.
11.	Financial Matters.
(1) 	Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting:
	£80.00 Mr. C Kwantes, Memorial to the late Pamela Kwantes, Plot O 13

(2) 	Note the following Payments by Cheque since last Meeting:
	£12.00     Langton Matravers Village Hall Committee for November Council 			chamber
	£515.74 	Clerk’s Salary – October, plus tax rebates September-October
	£121.30 	Mr. O.Wiste - Grounds Maintenance 
	£56.00	Mr. O.Wiste, extra work in September
	£30.00	DAPTC Clerk’s Seminar      
	£31.92	Office supplies (Staples) – Martin Kirby           
 (3) 	Payments by Direct Debit:
 	£ 35.68 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband 
 (4) 	Other Financial Matters. 
a) RESOLVED: That the Clerk should have £20.00 petty cash available for office needs. 
b) The Clerk reported that, to simplify accounting procedures, the Clerk’s Salary would in future be paid at the end of the month for which it is due, rather than in arrears.
c) RESOLVED: That a payment of £113.74 be made to Alan Leeson for Professional services in October 2011.
12.	 Cemetery Matters:
(1) 	Council’s Cemetery. 
a) 	Purchase of National Trust land at Crack Lane to extend the cemetery. Craig Wells of Ellis Jones (Swanage) had agreed to act for the Council, and is awaiting official approval from the NT to proceed with the purchase.
b) 	Following telephone discussion with the Chairman, Mr Alan Hunt of Minster Macadams has promised to come back in April 2012 to top-dress cracks in the paths without charge. 
c) 	Fallen Tree. Disposal of the tree was discussed: the caretaker had offered to saw up the smaller branches. Cllr Loudoun advised that a parishioner had offered to cut up the whole tree without charge for firewood. RESOLVED: Cllr Loudoun to liaise with parishioner to assist with removal of the tree from the cemetery. Cllr White to inform the caretaker.
(2) 	Closed Cemetery. The Clerk had written to the PCC about setting up a new memorials fund and was awaiting a response following the PCC meeting on 15th November.
13.	Allotments. 
a) 	Cllr Kirby reported that, following takeup of vacant plots, including two enquiries from Worth Matravers, there was now only one half plot vacant. He proposed that the water charge for 2012 be £12. RESOLVED: That allotment/water charges for 2012 be the same as 2011. Cllrs Kirby, Drayson, Turner and Tizard declared a personal interest and did not vote.
b) 	Cllr Drayson reported on a very successful Allotment Supper which had recently been held, using produce from the allotments. £120.00 had been raised for allotment funds.
14.	Parish Plan – Neighbourhood Plan  
a) 	It was agreed that survey work needed to update the 2005 Parish Plan had already been covered by the Working Party and should not be repeated. Before forming a Steering Group from the village to carry the plan forward, members felt that it was important to be clear as to whether the parish needed a Neighbourhood Plan instead/as well. Cllr Knight emphasised the importance of a Neighbourhood Plan to assure the village’s planning future in the context of the Localism Bill, and the Clerk offered to circulate information on this before the next meeting. The use of the PC’s car park plot behind the school field to alleviate school parking was discussed, and the Chairman offered to negotiate access with the Chief Executive at DCC. ACTION: Cllr White to set up meeting with DCC. 
15.	Lease on School Field : It was agreed to defer signing of the new lease to the next meeting, pending advice. ACTION: The Clerk to contact DAPTC and Open Spaces Society. 
16.	PACT update: A successful meeting had been held. Cllr Kirby reported that the message from the Police had been to encourage the public to work with them, and use their services as much as possible to avoid future reduction in personnel. They will carry out an Environmental and Visual Audit of the village on 30th November at 10am.
17.	Public Conveniences. Following a PDP meeting at Westport House, Cllr Kirby reported that PDC will not be renewing the cleaning contract or paying for maintenance after 2013. RESOLVED:That the Council wishes to retain its Public Conveniences at Putlake, and are willing to negotiate with PDC about changeover funding. 
18.	Grit Bins. RESOLVED: That three grit bins be ordered, for Gypshayes, Capston Field and Lower Steppes. Cllr Loudoun offered to accept delivery to Wilkswood Farm. 
19.	Dog and Litter Bins. RESOLVED: That a litter bin be installed by the new bus shelter at Steppes, and a dog bin next to the litter bin on the cemetery side of Cemetery Lane, with the approval of the PCC. ACTION: Clerk to write to PCC to ask for their consent.
20.	Langton Pre-School. The problems of temporary accommodation were discussed, and the lack of funding from DCC and PDC. Various suggestions were made about possible grants. It was agreed that the Parish Council would pledge funds for the project in the future. ACTION: Clerk to explore possible grant aid.
21.	Acton Footpaths Survey. Cllr Turner thanked Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle for his work on footpaths at Acton. It was agreed to ask Mr V-A to find out more about the Lengthsman scheme.
22.	Garfield Lane. Discussion of this item was deferred to the next meeting.
23.	Broadband. Cllr Kirby had attended a meeting on 10th November 2011 about developing highspeed broadband in rural Dorset in order to promote economic growth. Parish Councils are not being asked for contributions to fund the project at present, though there is considerable expense at both District and County level. RESOLVED: That the PC send letters of support for the project to Chief Executives of PDC, DCC. ACTION: Clerk and Cllr Kirby.
24.	The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7pm on Thursday 8th December 2011. The January monthly meeting will be at 7pm. on Thursday 12th January 2012.
25.	Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting:  Village Car Park/ Precept for 2012/ Annual Parish Meeting

Closed 9.20pm 

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