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

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 13th October 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, M Lovell 
There were 8 members of the public present.

1.	Apologies: None.
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) Claim for restricted byway status for Windmill Knap. Ian Mackenzie reported that this had been refused on the grounds that the user evidence was for walking and not vehicular access. He asked the Council to propose that a new claim be made, for footpath status, and said that he would be taking legal advice on the matter which might help such a claim.
b) Grit Bin opposite the Post Office. Mrs. Cassie Feltham had a meeting with villagers to discuss the position of the bin. Feedback had been negative and she proposed that the bin be returned to the cemetery, where it had originally been placed as an interim storage measure.
c) David Hodd from the National Trust updated the meeting on recent NT activities within the parish. Tree safety work had been carried out in Durnford Drove, and new waymarkers had been installed in some places to give users more information about paths etc. He emphasised the Trust’s concerns about dogs not being kept under proper control, and attendant safety issues for livestock, wildlife and members of the public. He asked that the public should be made aware of the NT’s planning petition about the negative impact of the new National Planning Policy Framework on the countryside, which can be seen on the NT website. 
4.	Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. a) Windmill Knap footpath claim.  The matter of legal fees was discussed, and it was agreed that the Council might be able to help with these if necessary. 
RESOLVED: That Mr I D Mackenzie, on behalf of this Council, makes a claim to Dorset County Council under section 53(2)of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to add to the definitive Map of Public Rights of Way of the County a Footpath from Valley Road (A351) Coombe to Footpath 13 Langton Matravers near Windmill Knap.
b) Grit bin. There was much discussion about changing the placing of the bin, given that Standing Orders say that decisions made at a meeting cannot be altered for six months. Proposed alternative sites were discussed, but it was felt that further information from DCC plus permission from landowners might be necessary.
RESOLVED: That the grit bin opposite the Post Office be removed into storage until enquiries have been made of DCC and a suitable site has been found.
5.	Planning Matters. 
To make comments concerning the following plans:-
a)	6/2011/0580 Full Planning Permission. Submitted by Mr A Helfer. Erection of 1 new wind turbine with hub height 15 metres and associated works. Grid ref. E.400568 N.80553. Knitson Farm, Corfe Castle.
(1) A negative response to the application had been received by a member of the public.
(2) Observation – the Parish Council considers the development to be inappropriate in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (2 against, 1 abstention) It was further suggested that the matter should be referred to the full planning board.
b)	6/2011/0605 County Matter Permission Other Development. Dorset County Council. Retention of double temporary classroom plus additional car parking. Leeson House Field Studies Centre, Langton Matravers.  Observation – the Parish Council has no objection to the plans.
c)	Notification of Tree Works at Acton. Cllr Turner expressed an interest as a neighbour. Observation – the Parish Council has no objection.
Note – Cllr Lovell did not vote on the planning applications by reason of being a member of the District Council’s Planning Board.
(3) It was reported that PDC had approved Application 6/2011/0455, Install 80 solar panels on south elevation roof slope of barn at Wilkswood Farm, Valley Road, Langton Matravers.
(4) There were no other planning matters.
6.	Minutes of  Meeting held 8th September. The minutes, having been circulated previously, were agreed as a correct record and signed.
7.	 Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 7b. SSE contracting will be repainting the street lights in Capston Fields and St George’s Close in November.
b) Item 7f. Alan Hunt from Minster Macadams had met Cllrs at Crack Lane Cemetery to discuss the cracking on the tarmac paths. He would report back having made enquiries about the original specification for the work.
c) Item 9a. QEII Fields Challenge. The Clerk had been advised by Paul Scothern of DCC that they would not be prepared to nominate the school field as it might limit use by the school. However, he suggested that it be designated as an ‘Important Public Open Space’ under a Neighbourhood Plan.
d) Item 11.4. Cllr Kirby asked if the VAT had yet been reclaimed. ACTION: A Leeson to follow up.
e) Item 14.b. The new paragraph on Langton Matravers had been sent to Steve Dring (PDC) for inclusion in the Core Strategy. 
f) Item 15. Cllr Kirby is working on the moving of the Bus Stop sign at Steppes
The Clerk had ascertained from Savills that Putlake Orchard did not belong to the Scott Estate. ACTION: Cllr White to contact Mr G Foot (owner) about lopping trees in Putlake Orchard.
g) Item 16. The Caretaker had tidied the area around the new Bus Shelter at Steppes: Cllr Kirby asked if the Council would like it to be planted.
h) Item 18. Public Conveniences. Jill Jackson, Environmental Services Officer at PDC has called a meeting on 26th October at 4.15pm at Westport House to discuss future provision of maintenance. ACTION: Cllrs Kirby, Drayson and Clerk to attend meeting and report back.
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 44. Cllr Bradford asked that the Clerk explore the possibility of the school field being given  Village Green status, despite potential ownership problems. ACTION: Clerk to make enquiries of DEFRA/Open Spaces Society. 
b) Item 37. The Chairman has altered the sign at Crack Lane in response to Mr.Kwantes’ letter.
c) Item 38. Dr.C.Spilling’s letter re: cycling in Garfield Lane. It was agreed to refer the matter to the next meeting.
10.	Chairman’s Announcements. Cllr White reported that he was very pleased with the Acton Sign, which was now installed. There had been several positive comments as well as one less positive. He was also pleased by the response of DCC Highways Area Community Officer, Francesca Spurgeon, who had promptly organised a workforce to mend the drain and paving in the old bakery area of the High Street. He recorded thanks to Mr.Alan Leeson on behalf of the Council for his help during the changeover period.
11.	Financial Matters.
(1) Note the following additions to Council funds since the last meeting:
£ 250.00 Purchase of Plot P 16. Mr. and Mrs. R.A.M.Purver.
£ 340.80 Refund of Council Tax.
(2) Note the following payments by cheque since the last meeting:
£12.00  Langton Matravers Village Hall Committee for October Council Chamber
£118.19 Alan Leeson. Clerk’s Support – September
£444.34  Mary Sparks. Clerk’s Salary – September
£121.30 Mr. O Wiste. Grounds Maintenance – September
£23.00  Postage Stamps
£63.64  Office Stationery
£35.00 Fields in Trust Subscription Renewal
£400.00  Delia Hewitt – repayment for burial plot P 16
£882.00  Sign Images Ltd. – Acton/Car Park signs
£25.00  Came and Company – Bus Shelter Insurance
£298.09  Wessex Water – Allotments
£162.00  BDO – External Audit fee.
(3) Payments by Direct Debit:
£41.38 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
(4) Other Financial Matters. 
a) The Clerk reported that the external audit had now been satisfactorily completed. 
RESOLVED: That the Annual Return is approved and accepted by the Council. 
b) Extra payment to Mr O.Wiste. It was agreed on this occasion only to make an extra payment to the caretaker for extra work on the cemetery following the time gap before his appointment.
c) Lloyd’s Bank account. The council decided not to pursue the setting up of a new Lloyd’sTSB account. RESOLVED: That the present Santander bank account be retained with the addition of Miss Mary Sparks (Clerk) as a new signatory, and that a Santander deposit account be opened. 
12. Cemetery Matters:
(1) Council’s Cemetery. a) Purchase of National Trust land at Crack Lane to extend the cemetery. Quotations for conveyancing had been obtained. Cllr Loudoun reported that NT costa were likely to be in the region of £150-200; these are to be paid by the Council. RESOLVED: That the Clerk ask John Hart of PDC for a quotation for conveyancing, and contact the NT’s solicitor with either his name, or Ellis Jones (Swanage), to allow the sale to proceed.
 (2)  Closed Cemetery. The Clerk reported that the Old Cemetery Memorials Fund had £97.48 left in it, which had been paid into general funds. ACTION:Clerk to write to PCC to inform them of PC’s intention to set up a new ringfenced Old Cemetery Memorials fund. Colin Lander to be informed that matter is pending.
     b) Cllr Kirby reported that 6 half plots could become vacant in the near future. RESOLVED: That vacant plots be offered to people from Worth Matravers and Harman’s Cross. Cllr Kirby to advertise on noticeboards and Clerk to contact Worth PC.
14.Parish Plan Update. a) There had been no response to the Working Party’s recommendations. Diane Bemand of PDC has offered to advise the Council about updating the Plan to make it a Neighbourhood Plan, using a village Steering Group. RESOLVED: That Diane Bemand be invited to the next meeting to present a brief introduction to the Neighbourhood Plan process.  
15.PACT: Cllr Kirby reported that the group had met on 14th September. Concern had been expressed about lack of interest. There is to be a meeting on 26th October 2011 in Langton Village Hall at 7.30, when a Fire Officer will talk on ‘Celebrating Safety’. RESOLVED: That the PC pay for the hire of the village hall for the PACT meeting on 26th October. 
16. Timson Trust. Work was being done on the properties and a new tenant is being sought. 
17.Footway Light at Serrell’s Oak. The Clerk reported that there was a defective footway light belonging to the PC at Serrell’s Oak. ACTION: Clerk to get quotations to mend light and proceed following approval by Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
18.SEACS Community Energy Project. Cllr. Drayson advised members that Pete West, Renewable Energy Development Officer, was looking for 8 groups in Dorset to work on energy awareness-raising activities within communities. RESOLVED: That the Parish Council would like to be part of the initiative. Cllr. Drayson to inform Mr West.
19.Parking on Pavements. Cllr Bradford expressed concerns about the lack of pedestrian space on pavements in the High Street and the damage to paving as a result of cars parking on the pavements. Members stressed the importance of safe passage for pedestrians, including the school ‘Walking Bus’ and pushchairs. It was suggested that the matter be discussed further at the PACT meeting on 26th October. 
20. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7pm on Thursday 10th November, 2011. The December monthly meeting will be on Thursday, 8th December 2011 at 7pm.
21. Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting. Garfield Lane. E-mail information system at Worth.

Closed 9.30pm.

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