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

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 8th November 2012 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllr P White in the Chair, H Tizard, M Turner, M Kirby, J Bradford, C Drayson, M Lovell, P Loudoun, W Knight.

There were 9 members of the public present.

1.	Apologies: there were none.
2.	Declarations of interest.  Cllr Kirby declared a personal interest as his wife has an allotment. Cllrs Drayson and Turner declared a personal interest as allotment tenants. Cllr Turner declared a pecuniary interest in Planning Item 2 (TWA/2012/0147).
3. Grant of Dispensations. As under the new Localism Act (2011) and Code of Conduct it is no longer possible for Cllrs to discuss Council Tax, precept and allotment matters if they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, DAPTC had advised that the Clerk be delegated the power to grant dispensations. RESOLVED: That the power to grant dispensations be delegated to the Clerk from now onwards, in order that there may be efficient and effective conduct of Council business. Cllrs White, Turner, Kirby, Drayson, Bradford and Knight had all submitted applications for dispensations before the meeting, and these were formally granted by the Clerk.
4. Reports. a) Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, PC Footpath Liaison officer stated that he had received several complaints about muddy footpaths, especially near gates, leading to requests for hardcore in affected areas. Cllr Lovell suggested that DCC be approached about the advisability and possible supply of such hard core.  Mr. V-A had met with Kevin Haugh, Natural England officer, who would be handling the bid for funding for work on the Priest’s Way; key points were outlined, including the proposal to create a new bridleway between Verney and Belle Vue farms. He will be a meeting with representatives of NT and DCC to work out details of the bid on 14th November. The Chairman thanked him for his report, and in particular for his work on the Priest’s Way project, and urged the National Trust to retain the momentum to bring the project to completion.
b) Jonathan Kershaw of the National Trust noted the Trust’s work on the walls behind the Burngate Centre. The Trust are still looking at options to improve flooding problems at Durnford Drove, and are trying to establish the main source of the floodwater. They intend to clear the ditch which has the BT cable in it. Cllr Turner suggested making a pond to retain excess water. Planning permission has gone in for the resurfacing of the Spyway car park, and this will include a new drain. There will be interim repairs to parts of the Priest’s Way to reduce standing water and mud between Eastington and Spyway. Mr. Kershaw announced plans for activities for the open day for Langton West Wood at the Burngate centre on 24th November from 10.30 am - 3pm. Cllr Lovell asked what was happening about the cemetery gate post at Crack Lane, and Mr. Kershaw said that there are problems with removal of the concrete base necessary for the repair. The Chairman thanked the NT for the report.
5. Public Discussion. 
 Dr Chris Spilling noted that at the Council’s meeting on 11th October 2012 four Cllrs who had declared an interest as allotment tenants or spouses thereof had voted on Item 19, resolution 1. The Clerk had already taken advice from DAPTC on whether this was correct procedure, following an expression of concern by Cllr Drayson. She had been informed that as the vote was about trying to establish the feasibility of the school car park/access to Council land project in principle, this need not be a problem. Dr Spilling also quoted past Council minutes indicating various intended uses for the Council’s land to the South of the school field, asking for clarification.  Ms Katharine Knotts felt that the Allotment  Association should have been consulted about any proposals for an allotment car park on the Council’s land. Mr Pete Christie suggested that the residents of Garfield Lane should be approached to see how they would feel about the lane being used for access rather than creating a new road. Mrs.Sue Spilling  proposed that the Council’s land might be used for a community orchard. Mr. Keith Dowling commented that there were problems with speeding near the proposed access. It was noted by more than one Cllr that at this point the Council is trying to establish what is possible in relation to school car parking and access to the Council’s land, and that it is important to establish this clearly before taking proposals further.  
6.  Matters Arising from the Public Discussion.  As item 5 above.
7.  Planning Matters. 
       2) To make comments concerning the following plans:-
a) Number: 
6/2012/0629 	Location: 
Home Field, Acton, Swanage 	Proposal: 
A replacement Purbeck Limestone Quarry at Home Field Acton & the retention of the existing service area & extension of an existing stone processing building. 	Applicants Name: 
Keates Quarries 	
				
                                                                                                     Observation: No Objection.
b) Number: 
6/2012/0693 	Location: 
Ailwood (Oakwood Farm), Corfe Castle 	Proposal: 
Retain use of building for storage of old lorries and agricultural bygones. 	Applicants Name: 
Mr Austin Smith 	
                                                                                                     Observation: No Objection.
c) TWA/2012/0147  Mrs. K Mutendera
 Location: Durnford Drove (Spyway Orchard), Langton Matravers 
Description: (T1-T8) Sycamore, (T9) Ash - reduce height of all trees by 30% 
Tree Preservation Order: District of Purbeck (Spyway House, Langton Matravers) TPO 1976 (Ref.44) 
Cllr Turner left the room during this item. After discussion about the best height reduction, Cllrs agreed to leave the decision to the Tree Officer concerned.
       3) There were no planning decisions by PDC since the last meeting.
       4) Other planning matters: - There were none.
8.Minutes of  the Meeting held 11th October 2012. The Minutes, having been circulated previously, were agreed as a correct record and signed.
9.  Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 4a. Langton Litter Pick/Tidy Up. This had been postponed, and will now take place, using the same format, on 29th, 30th November and 1st December between 10am and 1 pm. The Council agreed to help with posters to promote the event.
b) Item 8a. Acton Sign. Cllr Turner confirmed that the relevant alteration had been made.
c) Item 8d. Yellow Lines. Cllr Lovell had organized a meeting with Steve Mepham of DCC Highways for  20th November at 10 am. Cllrs were asked to contact the Clerk with suggestions for improving traffic markings before this meeting.
d) Item 10b. Lamp Standard, St George’s Close. Andy Royse of SSE Contracting reported that the previous lamp standard had been removed as it had been cracked and was unsafe. New ‘heritage’ style lamp standards are a different shape, but can be cut down to fit. The Clerk had been advised that Mr. Royse was meeting with Rod Mainstone, County Lighting Engineer to discuss the policy for replacement of lights in Langton Matravers, including future use of part-night PECs.
e) Item 18. Footway at Putlake. Cllr Lovell had met Henry Scott, who was happy to proceed with the project to widen the footway. DCC had been in contact with the Scott estate.
f) Item 20. Snow Plan. This is almost complete and will be sent to DCC highways shortly.
10.  The Clerk’s Report for the period 5.10.2012 to 2.11.2012.  Report received.
11.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a) Item 29. Upton Bypass Works. DCC had just changed plans for road closures as bridge repair work was causing such traffic problems for local people. The work will take up to 15 weeks.
12.  Chairman’s Announcements. The overhanging trees at Yards Brake had finally been trimmed, improving visibility around the junction with Crack Lane. ACTION: Clerk to write letter of thanks to owner of Yards Brake expressing Council’s appreciation.
13.  Financial Matters.
(1)   Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting
        £ 200.00   Cremation Plot and Interment fee – the late Michael Page
        £ 840.00   Burial Plot and Interment fee – the late Robin Lang Plot M19 
        £ 500.00   Purchase of Burial Plot W2 – Mr. and Mrs. B. Matthews.
        £ 250.00   Purchase of Burial Plot W3 – Mr. and Mrs. P. Burgess.      
(2)   Note the following Payments by cheque since last Meeting:
       £ 498.57 	   Clerk’s Salary – October.
       £ 270.00	    Mr Ian Bugler, Grounds Maintenance and work on cemetery gates and shed. 
       £ 27.03      Office sundries (cheque to Clerk).
(3) 	Payments by Direct Debit:
       £ 35.98      XLN Telecom for phone and broadband 
 (4) 	Other Financial Matters. Village Hall payments. Cllr Knight reported that the Council’s proposal for annual payments for the Council Chamber had been accepted.
14.  Cemetery Matters:
(1) Council’s Cemetery. a) Row 1. RESOLVED: That Row 1 may be sold as burial plots, with the new path being made directly to the North of it when the extension to the cemetery is brought into use.
b) Keys for Albert Marsh, Funeral Directors. As there had previously been problems with access, it was RESOLVED: That Albert Marsh be permitted to have keys to Crack Lane Cemetery.
c) James Smith Funeral Directors had asked for clarification about who was responsible for topping up of new graves after initial subsidence. After discussion it was RESOLVED: That Funeral Directors will be responsible for the topping-up of subsidence of new graves for the first six months after a burial; the Council’s Caretaker will be responsible thereafter. The Clerk to change the cemetery regulations to reflect this.  
(2) Closed Cemetery. The Clerk had nothing to report.
15.  Allotments.  a) Cllr Kirby reported that there had been a complaint from the Allotment Association about untended plots, and he had been in contact with the relevant tenants. There is no waiting list; there will definitely be two vacant plots in the New Year, and probably more. The Clerk was asked to contact Worth Matravers to see if anyone else would be interested in an allotment. ACTION: Clerk.
b) Rents and water charge.  RESOLVED: That the rents for plots will stay the same for 2013 at £50 p.a. for a full plot, £25 per plot for a half plot. As the water costs were less this year, Cllr Kirby suggested a £5 per full plot water charge, £2.50 per half plot. This was agreed by the Council.
16.  Community Energy Event. Cllr Drayson had been in touch with Pete West, and a date in February was suggested for an open meeting at which parishioners could learn more about energy saving and use. This might include the school. ACTION: Cllr Drayson to liaise with relevant people and fix a date.
17. Village Carol Service.  There had been a request for a representative from the Council to read at the village carol service. Cllr Knight offered.
18. Traffic Management update.  See Item 9 e above. The Clerk had been in touch with Kelly Rand of DCC re: Yellow Lines and she had suggested that the Council make a list of all new traffic markings which they would like before making a formal application.
19. Play Area.  The Clerk had so far been unable to find a source of funding for the replacement swings. ACTION: Cllr Tizard to pass on possible contact for funding application from PERENCO. Cllr Kirby suggested CIL, and Cllr Lovell said there was a County Fund at DCC which might be accessed. 
20. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7pm on Thursday 13th December 2012. 
21.Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting:   Public Toilets sub-committee, Community Energy Event.
Closed c.8.45pm. 

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