Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
 
Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 10th September 2015 at 7 pm.
Present: Cllr W Knight in the Chair, Cllrs P Christie, P Loudoun, P White, M Turner, C Drayson, R Sheppard, M Lovell. 
There were 13 members of the public present.
The meeting was audio-recorded.  
1. Apologies for absence. Jon Kershaw (National Trust). Cllr Lucas was absent from the meeting.   
2. Declarations of Interest / Grant of Dispensations. Cllr Christie declared an interest as a neighbour in relation to Planning Item 1a) (Mrs Cassidy, 82 High Street.). 
3. National Trust Report. Work has started on the circular seating area in Talbot’s wood and the staff welfare unit. Signage for Spyway car park is being processed with PDC, and a new welcome board designed. A stile has been vandalised near Dancing Ledge.
4. RoWLO Report. Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle has begun work on the survey of footpaths in the parish by establishing NT and Scott Estate land ownership. Cllr Lovell offered to help with recording land ownership in the rest of the parish. Mr V-A has scheduled an introductory meeting for 26th October, 10-12 in the Memorial Room for a public consultation about the survey: he will seek comments and suggestions and ask for volunteers. 
5. Public Discussion Period. The meeting was adjourned for this agenda item.
a) Dr Chris Spilling i) expressed concern about the number of cars parked on the Priest’s Way, and asked what the NT are doing to control this, ii) reiterated his offer of help in cutting back the overgrowth on the S boundary of the school field, iii) presented a short paper on car park proposals and suggested that a working party be set up to explore options.
b) Mrs Daryle Pearson, LMAA Chair, asked that the allotments be added to the Council’s Community Asset Register. The LMAA had had a very successful Open Afternoon with record numbers of visitors. She thanked attending Cllrs for their support.  
c) Mr Barrie Mayes announced that Mrs Bridget Mayes will be running the Autumn Litter Pick on Thursday 12th, Saturday 14th and Monday 16th November, supported by Langton Scouts and the NT. 
d) Mr George Crabb expressed concern that the Speed Indicator recently placed at the West end of the village is not visible, owing to direct sunlight in the afternoons. ACTION: Clerk to follow up. 
e) Mrs Jasmine Cattle complained about inconsiderate parking by the Bus Stop on the S side of the High Street by the King’s Arms, making deliveries difficult for local businesses and bus passengers. She asked that something be done to remedy this.
The meeting was reconvened.
6. Matters Arising from the Public Discussion. 
a ii) S Boundary of school field. Cllr Loudoun said that the remains of the old fence are dangerous, and any new fence must be childproof. It was confirmed that DCC is responsible for this c.165m.boundary, and had agreed in 2012 to replace the fence. The Clerk awaits further information from them.(see also 9b) 
7.  Planning Matters. 
1) There were no comments from members of the public concerning the plans.
2) To make comments concerning the following plans:- 
a) TWA/2015/0135 Mrs Tara Cassidy, High Street (82 - Wesley House), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HA. (T1) Walnut - crown thin by 25%; (T2) Ash - crown thin by 25% - Langton Matravers Conservation Area. Leave decision to Tree Officer.
b) TWA/2015/0141 Ms Karen Travers, Durnford Drove (Langton House), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HG. Tree management works as per detailed schedule ref. SW2 dated 01/09/2015 - The District of Purbeck (Spyway House, Langton Matravers) TPO 1976 (Ref.TPO 44). Strong Objection. 

3. Receive planning decisions affecting this parish since the last Parish Council Meeting: 
a)  6/2015/0429 Mrs Denise Cheslett, Valley Road (Greenacre), Harmans Cross, Swanage, BH19 3DX. Erect two storey rear extension. Approved.
b) 6/2015/0363   Mr Harris, Steppes Hill (11 - Englefield), Langton Matravers, BH19 3ET.
Erect single storey rear extension. Approved.
c) 6/2015/0350  The National Trust, Spyway Farm Buildings, Langton Matravers, Swanage BH19 3HG. Demolish existing livestock building and erect replacement livestock building. Approved.
d) 6/2015/0402 Mr and Mrs Shepherd, Gypshayes (Colerne), Langton Matravers, BH19 3HQ. Erect two-storey rear extension; insert dormer windows on side elevations. Approved.
e)  6/2015/0308 Mr S Smith, Valley Road (New Barn), Langton Matravers BH19 3DX. Demolish existing barn and erect a replacement building for use as a holiday let. Approved.
f) 6/2015/0481 Mr M.Barnett, Old Malthouse Lane (Purbeck Ridge), Langton Matravers, BH19 3JA. Proposed Non - Material Amendment to PP 6/2015/0278 (Roof conversion and install dormers) to install an additional rooflight in the north elevation. Refused.
  4). Other planning matters:
  a)  Nursery Bridge Farm (6/2015/0296) at PDC Planning Committee. Cllr Christie read out a prepared statement reiterating the Council’s decision to support Mr Young’s application which was made on 11th June 2015. He proposes to read this statement to PDC Planning Committee on 30th September. RESOLVED: That LMPC accepts the content of the statement, and that it should be read to PDC Planning Cttee. by Cllr Christie.
b) Habitat Regulations Assessment on 14th Onshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round. Cllrs Drayson and Christie drew this to the Council’s attention, as it affects Purbeck. Concerns were expressed that this was intended to be a public consultation, and yet Cllrs Drayson and Christie had established that almost all local stakeholders, including the NT, were unaware of it. RESOLVED: To write a strong letter to the Department of Energy and Climate Change saying that the Council is aggrieved that few stakeholders have been informed of this important Public Consultation, and asking that, in view of this, the consultation period be extended. Copies to go to MP (Richard Drax), DAPTC, AONB, NT, DCC, PDC, CPRE, Jurassic Coast, DWT, Natural England, Dorset Coastal Forum. ACTION: Clerk.
8. Minutes of the Meeting held 13th August 2015.These were agreed to be a correct record and signed.
9. Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 8b) Advisory flashing lights at St George’s School. DCC have now agreed to pay for programmable light units.
b) Item 11. Southern Boundary of School Field. Cllr Loudoun expressed concern about the use of Mr Bowerman’s offered scrub clearance machine. It was agreed to defer any decision on clearance until DCC say if they will replace the fence.
c) The Clerk reported that, in line with the new National Transparency Code for Councils, all relevant financial and other information was now on the LMPC website. Thanks to Mr Martin Kirby for doing this.
10. The Clerk’s Report for the period 9.8.2015-4.9.2015.  Report received.
10.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a)  Item 25. RESOLVED: To repurchase Burial Plot M15 at Crack Lane cemetery for purchase price less £25 admin fee (£135).
b) Clearance of wall and overhanging branches at Putlake. It was agreed to write a letter of thanks to Mr Geoff Cockwell for doing the work on the Council’s behalf without charge. ACTION: Clerk.
c) Allotment change.  Plot 5b has changed hands: the new tenant is Mr Jonathan Leyland, an NT ranger.
d) New Speed Limit Trial on Valley Road.  Coombe junction will become a 30mph zone from 18th Sept.
e) PDC SHLAA sites in Langton. Cllrs Christie, Drayson, White, Sheppard and the Clerk had attended a meeting with Steve Tapscott and Anna Lee (PDC Planning Dept) on 7th September to discuss SHLAA sites and explore options for future housing.
f) RESOLVED: i) To support the Autumn Litter Pick with Public Liability insurance and equipment.
ii) To fund the purchase of 20 High-Vis vests in assorted sizes with ‘LMPC’ on the back.
g) Item 31. Cyclists Cllr Drayson had attended a Purbeck DAPTC meeting where the issue of the Cycling Code had come up: there is still no agreement with cycling groups to wear numbers on the back.
h) Item 29. Purbeck CPRE meeting, 9th September. Cllr Drayson asked that other Cllrs try to attend meetings like this too, to report back to LMPC.
12. Chairman’s Announcements. Cllr Knight read a statement relating to a formal complaint against Cllr Turner regarding a breach of the Code of Conduct, received from Mrs Marion Page on 10th October 2014. 
In accordance with the standards framework (Localism Act 2011), the complaint had been dealt with by the District Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, Mr David Fairbairn. At a meeting of the Purbeck District Council Standards Cttee on 18th August 2015, the committee resolved that Cllr Turner had breached the Code of Conduct at the PC meeting on 9th October 2014 by using ‘his position to confer an advantage on himself or a potential developer of the Spyway Orchard site’. Cllr Turner was therefore censured by the committee. The Monitoring Officer will arrange training on the Code of Conduct and disclosure of pecuniary interests for all members of LMPC. Full minutes of the Standards Cttee meeting can be found on the PDC website, and a hard copy is available to view in the Parish office.
13. County and District Councillor’s Report. Cllr Lovell again has discretionary funding to use in his ward. The Parish has until next March to think about how it might like to spend its share (£500.00). Cllr Turner asked if there was any progress with refreshing white lines in the parish. ACTION: Cllr Lovell/Clerk to follow up.
14. Governance Committee. Cllr Knight will arrange a date for its first meeting shortly. ACTION: Cllr. Knight.
15. Village Car Park(s) ?  RESOLVED: To set up a working party to explore ideas and make proposals to put forward for consultation; that Cllrs Lovell, Sheppard, White, Loudoun, Christie be members of the working party, with Clerk in attendance.. 
16. Bus cage outside King’s Arms. RESOLVED: To ask DCC to paint a bus cage by the ‘King’s Arms’ bus stop on the south side of the B3069 from the end of the yellow lines as far as the pub.
17. Service Level Agreement for footpath works with DCC. Mr Vaughan-Arbuckle explained how the SLA scheme works; DCC will pay half the cost and do maintenance (42p per metre), on paths chosen by the Parish. He noted that the projected footpath survey will help to establish which routes are a priority. The contract would be for 12 months, renewable if required. RESOLVED: To approve the principle of using a SLA to maintain the important RoWs in the parish, as recommended by our survey of footpaths, without committing any specific level of funding at present. Mr V-A was thanked for his work in this matter.
18. Preservation Society Future Plans.  Cllr Christie had met with Mrs Jasmine Cattle, the Chair of the Society. LMLHPS finances are secure in the long term, but the present museum needs to develop and expand to meet short and longer-term challenges. It was suggested that perhaps linking plans for a new museum to eg. car park plans might be useful. Cllr Lovell explained that a major cost was keeping museum artefacts in storage. The Chair suggested that LMPC might work with LMLHPS to identify shortfalls in funding and develop short-term plans to maximise funds. He will discuss this further with Cllr Christie. ACTION: Cllrs Knight, Christie. 
19. Joint Parishes approach to matters of concern in Purbeck. Cllr Knight will contact the relevant Chairs of Parish Councils and Meetings shortly to discuss how to go forward with this.
20. RESOLVED: To recommend to St George’s School Governing Body that Mr Peter Moring be appointed as LMPC’s representative on the Governing Body. ACTION: Clerk to inform Chair of Governors.
21. Financial Matters: 
(1) 	Note the following addition to Council funds since the last Council Meeting: 
       £ 10.00    Monument fee – the late Patricia Goodhand, Plot A13.
       £ 4.50      Langton String Orchestra – photocopying. (CASH payment)
       (2) 	Note the following Payments by cheque or cash to be made since last Meeting:
       £ 150.00   Ian Bugler,    Grounds Maintenance (August).
£ 589.25   Clerk’s salary (August + 2 hrs overtime) 
£ 465.00   Elliott’s Cleaning Co. Public Toilets + Bus shelter. (August).
£ 30.00     DAPTC Chairmanship training.
£ 3.98       Office sundries – CASH payment to M.Lovell.
(3) Payment by Direct Debit:
£ 42.92 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
4. Any other Financial Matters. a) Quotations for repairs to Play Area. 3 quotations had been received. RESOLVED: To accept the quotation of Mr Brian Glassock, for £930.00 plus VAT. 
b) RESOLVED: To set aside £2,000 p.a. in the budget towards new play equipment.
20. The date of the next full Council meeting was confirmed as Thursday 8th October, 2015 at 7pm.
21. Items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting: Village car parks / Plans for Museum / Allotment water rate / Revision of Community Asset Register / Acton Car Park. / Invitation to Richard Drax.

Closed 9.10 pm.

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