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

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council, held in the Village Hall on Thursday 11th September 2014 at 7 pm.
Present: Cllr P White in the Chair, Cllrs M Turner, P Loudoun, P Christie, C Drayson, R Sheppard, W Knight, M Lovell, R Lucas.
There were 21 members of the public present.
1.	Apologies for absence. None.
2.	Declarations of Interest / Grant of Dispensations. None.
3.	RoWLO Report. Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle reported that there will be a meeting between the NT, himself and Paul Loudoun to discuss establishing a permissive footpath on the west side of the lane to the South of Durnford Drove turning circle.  The Chairman thanked Mr V-A for his report.
4.	National Trust Report. Jon Kershaw said that the Trust has spent £8,000 on buying gates and stiles. These will mostly replace existing ones. The infill of overburden at Turnpike Quarry will be grassed over, with access to the Broadmead site retained. He has been involved with the new Code of Conduct for ‘Coasteering’ groups at Dancing Ledge, and the intention is to limit numbers to 94 ams and pms, with further caps for Bank Holidays and Sundays. Once the Code of Conduct is agreed, it will form part of the NT’s licence for access for commercial users. LMPC will be able to comment on the draft Code of Conduct, though the NT will have the final say as it is their land. Cllr Drayson asked if the NT were involved with Southampton University’s Tranquillity study in the area. Cllr White thanked Mr Kershaw for his report. 
5.	Public Discussion Period. 
a) Mr Martin Kirby asked that Mr Senior’s letters of complaint against the Council and the Council’s response be put on the website. Mr Senior said that he had no objection to this being done. Mr Kirby noted that the reason why LMPC included a ban on bonfires on the allotment lease is out of consideration for neighbours, and was not at the request of the National Trust, the landlord.
b) Mr Barrie Mayes reminded the meeting of the Affordable Housing Meeting on 17th September, and welcomed Councillors to attend in a private capacity. Jon Kershaw said that he will represent the NT.
c) Dr Tim Hatch asked what is happening about the path to Dancing Ledge and Jon Kershaw said that work is in progress on re-instatement. The Trust are also in the process of making an alternative route. Dr Hatch also raised concerns about speeding in the High Street.
6. Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. 
a) Speeding. Cllr Lovell reported that the 20mph Advisory signs will shortly be fitted near the school. Cllrs thought a speed survey had already been done at the West end of the village. ACTION: Clerk to query with DCC and check Minutes. Cllr Christie said that it is now Govt. policy that speed limits be reduced, and Cllr Knight suggested that LMPC ask DCC about a 20mph limit for Langton when we have the speed data.
b) Cllr Drayson agreed that it would be good to put the result of Mr Senior’s complaint on the website, and noted that the Council works very hard to share information about its activities via the website, noticeboards, articles in the ‘Dubber’, meetings and its ‘open office’ policy. Cllr Lucas offered a noticeboard in the ‘King’s Arms’. 
7.  Planning Matters. 
1) There had been no comments on the planning applications by members of the public.
2) To make comments concerning the following plans:-
 a) ) 6/2014/0440 The National Trust, Durnford Drove (Spyway Car Park), Langton Matravers. Change of use of agricultural land to mixed use of agriculture and peak period seasonal car park. Resurface existing car park. No Objection.
b)  6/2014/0421 Mr P Schuster, Mount Pleasant Lane (Hideaway), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HH. Convert existing double garage into bedroom with ensuite and a single garage. No Objection.

c) 6/2014/0456 Mr Graham Mallett, High Street (77), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HA. Replace two front and four rear windows with uPVC sash style windows. As the house is in the Conservation Area, the Council decided to leave the decision to PDC’s Conservation Officer, Mr Ben Webb.
3) Planning decisions since the last Parish Council Meeting.
a) ) 6/2014/0316 Mr S Fenech, The Hyde (Hollyhocks), Langton Matravers, BH19 3AG. Rebuild and reroof existing conservatory. Install stove flue. Approved.
b)  6/2014/0340 Mr O Hombersley, Castle View (Greenhayes), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HT. External and internal alterations to renovate building. Approved.
c) ) TWA/2014/0118 Mr Rob Turner, Durnford Drove (Land to south of Arbutus), Langton Matravers, BH16 3HG. (T1 - T107) Beech, Sycamore, Ash, Sweet Chestnut & fruit trees - fell (as detailed in Tree Survey Schedule received by PDC 30/06/2014) - District of Purbeck (Spyway House, Langton Matravers) TPO 1976 (Ref.TPO 44). Split Decision – New TPO
4). Other planning matters. a) Navitus Bay Preliminary Meeting, 11th September 2014, Bournemouth. The Clerk had attended. The inspection panel had explained the procedure for the 6-month inspection of the Application. A very wide range of representatives from government and non-government organisations was present. 
b) Nomination of new Mineral Extraction site at Crack Lane. The Clerk had received notification from DCC about a new proposed site at the North end of Crack Lane (W.J.Haysom). DCC are not asking for comments at this stage. It was also noted that a new site is proposed at Haycrafts Lane, in Worth Matravers.
8. Minutes of the Meeting held 14th August 2014.These were agreed to be a correct record and signed.
9.  Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 3). DCC Countryside Funding Cuts. Cllr Lovell confirmed that there will be less money and personnel available for countryside matters in the future.
b) Item 5f)  PDC policy on Notification of Tree Works Applications. It was agreed that a letter should be written to Bridget Downton, PDC Planning General Manager asking that the policy be changed so that Tree Works applications are treated in the same way as Building applications. ACTION: Clerk. 
c) Item 7.4.a) Parish Consultation on future plans for Spyway Orchard site. Mr Turner’s plans are not yet on the PDC Planning portal. ACTION: Clerk to advise when plans are published.
d) Item 9e) The Headteacher at St George’s School had thanked the Clerk for the letter warning about unsupervised children near the allotment shed, and has taken appropriate action.
e) Item 11a) Cycling Issues. The Clerk had responded to Studland PC expressing LMPC’s interest in liaison on the subject.
f) Item 11a) Pavement between the Hyde and 17 High Street. DCC Highways had been informed.
g) New Rules on Recording Meetings. RESOLVED: To change paragraph A.8 of Standing Orders to read ‘Photographing, recording, broadcasting or transmitting the proceedings of a meeting by any means is permitted so long as this does not disrupt the meeting in any way.’ ACTION: Clerk to insert altered Clause to update Standing orders. It was noted that the Council has a duty of care to check that those who do not wish to be filmed, including minors, are made aware and can be excluded from filming before any recording takes place.
h) Item 20. Proposal for joint NT liaison group with other PCs. The Clerk is awaiting a definite proposal from other Councils.
10.  The Clerk’s Report for the period 9.8.2014 – 5.9.2014.  Report received.
11.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a) Item 20. RESOLVED: To purchase a long litter picker for use by Bridget Graham’s Litter Picking Team. ACTION: Clerk to inform Ms Graham of Council’s decision.
b) Item 21. Dorset Fire and Rescue Consultation. Cllr Knight expressed concern about cuts in funding for the service, possibly leading to mergers and longer response times, and asked that LMPC’s response be put on the agenda for the next meeting. ACTION: Clerk.
c) Item 24. Purbeck Film Festival had sent a letter of thanks for their grant of £100.
d) Item 33. There was no response to DCC’s request for Flood Wardens.
e) DAPTC Planning Training, Kingston Maurward. (on August’s Clerk’s report). RESOLVED: To fund £25.00 of course fee for Cllr Drayson to attend. ACTION: Cllr Drayson to report back to LMPC.
f) Item 39. Cllr Drayson offered to attend the Chairmen’s meeting at PDC on 22nd September and report back. Her offer was accepted by Council.
h). The Council had received a Thank-You card from the Pre-School for its contribution to the new allotment raised bed.
i) Grit bins will be refilled as part of the DCC Autumn cycle. Any other refills of community bins will have to be paid for.
12.  Chairman’s Announcements. a) The Chairman understands that the tree which had died at the Old Malthouse has not been replanted. The clerk had previously asked the Headmaster, Mr Brooks, who had said he would put the matter in hand.
b) Some of the decking at the Play Area is in need of repair. ACTION: Clerk to put up warning sign and ask for prices to mend as necessary as soon as possible.
c) Mr Senior’s Complaint. The Council had sent a full response on 29th August, and Mr Senior had replied by letter stating that he considered the complaint to be ‘fully resolved’. Action points arising were:
1) Clerk to ensure that all agenda items clearly indicate content to be discussed.
2) Review the timing of the Public Discussion period.
3) Review the way in which the Council communicates its activities to the parish.
Cllr. Lovell said that LMPC does more than many other Councils to keep parishioners informed of its activities, and Cllrs noted that the Dubber, Council website, noticeboards and Parish Office all offered sources of information to the public. Thanks were recorded to Angela Bell, Dubber editor, for all her hard work and commitment to the community. The Clerk offered to open the office outside normal hours by appointment for people who are at work during the day. RESOLVED: To follow up Mr Kirby’s proposal and put the content of and response to Mr Senior’s complaint on the website.   (See 5 a) above).
13.  County and District Councillor’s Report. Cllr Lovell asked Cllrs to offer suggestions for the use of Community funding which he had available in his role as County Councillor. ACTION: All Cllrs to bring proposals to the next meeting. .
14. Composition and Terms of Reference for Dancing Ledge Working Group. After discussion it was RESOLVED: To accept the proposals and terms of reference for the group as put forward by Mt V-A at the August meeting, with the inclusion of an environmental representative. ACTION: Clerk/ Chairman to appoint Chair and set up meeting.
15. Affordable Housing and Allocation Policies; Cllr Lovell explained that the Dorset Housing Policy was used by PDC when allocating housing, which sometimes meant that, despite S106 agreements which made provision for housing just for people with Langton connections, owing to number of bedrooms considered to be needed in relation to applicants’ family size, some non-Langton households had moved in to e.g. Nine Barrow View. Cllr Knight suggested that LMPC should not support the provision of any further affordable housing in Langton until this policy is changed. After discussion it was RESOLVED: To write to PDC asking them to reconsider their allocation policy so that only Langton people get Langton homes. 
16. Quotations for Toilet Block Path.  Three quotations had been received. Some Cllrs felt that the whole path did not need to be relaid. ACTION: Cllrs to inspect path and discuss at next meeting. 
17. Financial Matters.
(1) 	Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting: 
       £ 550.00   Purchase of burial plot N18 and interment of ashes fee: the late Penelope Ostocke.
       £ 10.00     Monument inscription fee: the late Muriel Edmonds, Plot C 12.
(2) 	Note the following Payments by cheque or cash to be made since last Meeting:
£ 120.00   Ian Bugler, Grounds Maintenance (August).
£ 558.56   Clerk’s salary (August). 
£ 478.83   Elliott’s Cleaning Co. Public Toilet cleaning and supplies (August).
£ 18.00     Scott Estate. Rent for Toilet block site 09/09/2014 – 08/09/2015
£ 22.98     Law on Allotments book. (cash payment to P.Christie).
3) Payment by Direct Debit:
£ 44.96 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
  (4) Any other Financial Matters:  a) It was agreed that the Clerk could sign cheques until the new signatories are approved by the bank.
b) It was agreed to send a cheque for £200.00 to Rebecca and Bruno Charron as a contribution to their work renovating the Knitson fingerpost, as approved by Council 14.6.2013. ACTION: Clerk to send letter of thanks.
18.  Cemetery Matters: (1) Council’s Cemetery. a) Plastic Flowers. RESOLVED: To continue to accept plastic flowers in the cemetery, subject to the right of removal when they become unsightly. b) Travers Tree. The family of the late Rachel and Les Travers has asked for the Council’s views on planting a tree in their parents’ memory at Crack Lane.cemetery. A space to the North of the shed was suggested, as well as along the South wall. ACTION: Clerk to report Council’s approval in principle to family and ask them for a firm proposal about preferred tree type and siting. 
(2) Closed Cemetery. PDC’s Jill Jackson had done a safety check on the tombstones and found 6 which were potentially dangerous. She had suggested that the cost of repairs might be shared by LMPC and PDC. Cllr Knight noted that LMPC is not responsible for maintenance work in the closed cemetery. ACTION: Cllr Lovell  to discuss with Ms Jackson.
19. Allotments.  Cllr Christie reported that there are still 2 vacant half plots. As it appears that the revised tenancy agreement is not legal, a meeting had been held with the Chair of the LMAA, with the result that the Council has reverted to the previous agreement, and will be working on a new policy document which relates to the implementation of the tenancy agreement. ACTION: Cllrs Christie, White and Clerk + Chair, LMAA. Cllr Christie will use the LMPC Facebook site to advertise for new tenants. He will check the perimeter fence and report to the next meeting. ACTION: Cllr Christie. 
22. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 9th October, 2014 at 7pm
23.Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting: .DCC funding suggestions/ DWP Waste Consultation/ Dorset Fire and Rescue/Speed survey/ Timing of Public Discussion period..

Closed c. 9.07.pm.

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