Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
Minutes of a Meeting of Council held in the Village Hall on  Thursday, 11th October 2007 at 7.00 pm.
(Present: Cllr N E Priddle (Chairman) in the Chair; Cllr P E Loudon (Vice-Chairman), Cllr M W J Lovell (also District and County Councillor), Cllr Mrs V C Murray, Cllr Mrs P M Kwantes, and Cllrs J Bradford, P J Bradford, and M W Kirby.)
1.	Apologies for absence were received from Cllr P White.
2.	There were no matters raised for public discussion.
3.	There were no matters arising from the public discussion period.
4.	Planning Matters:
	(1) There were no comments from the public concerning Plan 687, a Revised Plan submitted by Mr & Mrs Varney, to demolish and re-install fire-damaged workshop at ‘Bower Cottage’, Coombe.
	(2) Concerning Plan 687, on the proposition from the Chair, it was unanimously agreed that “The Parish Council has no objection.”
	(3) There were no comments from the public on Plan 697, submitted by Mr & Mrs Bonfield for continuation of the existing Certificate of Lawful Use of land and buildings at Gully Quarry as a stonemason’s yard.
	(4) Concerning Plan 697, on the proposition from the Chair, it was unanimously agreed that “The Parish Council has no objection.”
	(In both of these foregoing decisions Cllr Lovell abstained as usual.)
	(5) Recent Planning Decisions in respect of this parish were received:
		‘Tree Tops’, Durnford Drove; ’Minstead’, The Hyde; Leeson Coach House; and Radio Tower on Nine Barrow Down; all approved by Purbeck District Council.
5.	Minutes of the last Meeting of the Council, held on Thursday September 13th, having been distributed to Members prior to the Meeting, were unanimously approved and duly signed.
6.	Matters Arising from the Minutes:
	(1) Item 6(1). The County Councillor had nothing further to report concerning the proposed parking at the south end of Crack Lane.
	(2) Item 6(2). It was agreed that a letter should be sent to Mrs Stone accepting the offer of the stone ends of a seat from Lovell’s Quarries, and asking her to order the wooden seat from Mr Bray of Haycrafts Lane.
	(3) Item 6(3). Chairman reported that the marker at the NW corner of the land set aside for an 	extension to the Council’s Cemetery had not yet been installed as Mr Audley had not yet been to do levelling. Cllr Loudoun suggested that Mr John Watkins might do the work.
	(4) Item 6(5). The proposed wording of the advertisement for an Assistant Clerk, to be placed in the next edition of the ‘Dubber’, had been distributed to Members prior to the meeting. On the proposition from the Chair, it was unanimously agreed that this should be submitted.
	(5) Item 6(6). Cllr Mrs Kwantes reported that the work on the Windmill Lane submission was still ongoing. Mrs Dicker of Coombe Farm had voiced her opposition already.
	(6) Item 8(1) Matters raised by the RoSPA Report on the Play Area:
	It was agreed that Mr Burden should be asked to erect a barrier in the style of the existing fencing just 	inside the gap where the gates used to lead into the area containing the Swings.
	It was agreed that Mr Burden should be asked to do the necessary paintwork on the structure of the 	Swings.
	It was agreed to accept the quotation received by the Langton Play Group from Hand Made Places for the safety surfacing under the swings, and that this should be paid for from the Parish Plan Account.
	(7) Item 8(2). The Clerk reported that the letter had not been sent to Mr Fenton as he had tied back the tree during the weekend following the Council Meeting.
	(8) Item 8(10). The Clerk reported that the letter had been sent to Mr O’Connell, and the foliage at the lower end of the Putlake property had been cut back immediately, but not the top end, although 	this had been mentioned in the letter. It was agreed that no further action should be taken at the 	moment.
	(9) Item 9(3). Chairman reported that Mr D White of the National Trust had given his permission for the trees at the north wall of the Old Cemetery to be removed, and some of them have already gone.
	(10) Item 9(4). The Clerk reported that a letter enclosing the two photos had been sent to DCC, but there had been no response. Cll Lovell suggested that a letter should be sent to Mr Andy Akerman, asking that the matter should be expedited. Cllr Priddle pointed out the there were in fact two former access points on the west side of the lane which could be used as emergency passing-places if the foliage were cut back. The Clerk agreed to visit the site and then send a sketch-map with the letter.
	(11) Item 14. Cllr White could not be asked about ownership of the verge, as he was absent.
	(12) Item 17. It was reported that both Street Light and Footway Light were now operating properly.
7.	The Clerk’s Report for the period from 7.9.07 to 4.10.07 was received.
8.	Matters Arising from the Clerk’s Report:
	(1) Item 7. The Clerk reported that the Councillors’ Statements of Interest did reach Mr Aston within the 28-day deadline.
	(2) Item 31. Chairman made a speech in which he said that the Council should become involved in efforts to alleviate climate change. He suggested plans to save energy and the re-establishment of Allotments as two possible ways forward. He wondered if land at the former Old Malthouse School might possibly be used for Allotments?
	(3) Extra Item 1. The Clerk reported receipt of an email from Sue Mills stating that she was OPC (On-line Parish Clerk) for Langton Matravers and Worth Matravers, and asking a question on the 	history of the latter. He had replied, giving the answer to the query, but stating that as Clerk to the Council he was unaware of any appointment of OPC, or even of the existence of such an office.
	(4) Extra Item 2. The papers on ‘Connecting Dorset’ seemed now to suggest that the offers of a free high-grade computer and printer were now not connected to Village Halls or some area where they would be available to the general public, but seemed to be on offer to Parish Councils. Cllr Lovell explained that at first they were loosely linked, causing confusion, but that now they were quite separate. Cllr Kirby was asked to investigate the offers.
9.	Chairman’s Announcements:
	(1) Cllr Priddle suggested that the services of the County Council Road Maintenance Unit should be 	more widely used. He said that a time-table of their proposed visits to this area should be publicized and Members of Council should suggest adding necessary jobs to be done to the form it before it was sent off. This was agreed.
10.	Financial Matters:
	(1) The following additions to Council funds were noted:
	   £5,500 from PDC as the second instalment of the Annual Precept,
	   £364.56 from Nationwide Building Society as a Merger Bonus,
	   £395.00 from James Smith (Undertaker) for Path-side Plot and Burial of the late Mrs Joyce Church.
	(2) The following payment by cheque, already authorized, was noted:
	   £2,000.00 to Clerk as Salary for the half-year.
	(3) The following payment by Direct Debit was noted:
	   £69.00 to PDC for October Rates on Toilets/Office Block.
11.	Cemetery Matters:
	(1) The Council’s Cemetery:
	a). The Clerk submitted an application for the inclusion within a stone Memorial of a panel of coloured glass representing the loved view of the late Mrs M Edmonds from her sitting-room window at Worth Matravers. He explained that the size could be reduced, if necessary. After some discussion, on the proposal by Cllr M Lovell, it was unanimously agreed that the application should be rejected as contrary to the Cemetery Regulations.
	b). The proposed stone wall at the west boundary of the cemetery was discussed. Cllr Lovell agreed to 	enquire about possible grants. He said that if stone had been donated for the purpose, the Council 	would stand a much better chance of obtaining a grant for the building of the wall. Cllr Priddle explained that his only reservation was that any donated stone should be of the best quality, as this was something which the parish would have to look at for many years to come. Some discussion then followed as to whether the wall should extend as far as the north-west corner of the land set aside for 	an eventual extension to the cemetery. It was agreed that this should be put on the agenda of the next Meeting.
	c). The Clerk promised to undertake another Safety Check on memorials in the Spring.
	(2) The Closed Cemeteries:
	Nothing to report.
12.	Affordable Housing:
	Nothing to report.
13.	Acceptance of the Revised Code of Conduct:
	All Members except Cllr White signed an acceptance of the Revised Code, 2007, including the two 	optional clauses.
14.	Footway on the A351 from Crack Lane to Wilkswood Cross.
	Chairman reported that this was an extremely dangerous stretch of road to walk. The bushes were growing out beyond the western white line. He asked the County Councillor if the foliage could be cut back as a matter of urgency involving public safety. A discussion followed concerning ownership of the verge. Cllr J Bradford thought that ownership of the land to the west terminated with the wire 	fence. Cllr Lovell said that in fact it extended to the crown of the road, so responsibility for cutting back foliage was the responsibility of the landowners, the National Trust and Mrs & Mrs W T Haysom. Cllr J Bradford added that there used to be a footpath there, but Cllr Lovell drew attention to the bank which would have prevented such a path. In any case the road had been slightly widened since the 1940s. It was finally agreed that the Clerk should write a letter to the County Councillor, asking for his good offices in resolving this matter which was extremely important and dangerous.
15.	The date of the next Council Meeting was confirmed as Thursday November 8th at 7.0 p.m.
16.	Items for the Agenda of the next Council Meeting:
	1. Cllr J Bradford reported that certain parts of the Council’s Website were erroneous and out-of-date. It was agreed that this should be placed on the next Agenda.
	2. The Clerk reported seeing a very large man on top of the new Play Equipment. It was agreed that the necessity for a notice limiting use to those of 12 years or under should be placed on the next 	Agenda.
There being no further business, the Meeting was adjourned at 8.44 p.m.

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