Stourpaine Parish Council – March 2014 Meeting

In attendance:

P Clark – Parish Clerk, Louise Webb – prospective Parish Councillor

Apologies for Absence

None Received

Co-option of new Parish Councillor

After discussion it was agreed unanimously by Councillors to co-opt Mrs Louise Webb as a Parish Councillor to Stourpaine Parish Council.

The Clerk arranged for Cllr Webb to complete the relevant Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Having been distributed beforehand to Councillors the minutes of the meetings held on the 16^th February 2014 were accepted by all present to be a true and accurate record of proceedings and signed by Cllr Norman as Chair.

Cllr Norman will report progress in due course.

Flood Prevention Measures

A discussion took place on the issue of flood prevention and planning:

It was noted that the promised Problem Identification Study prepared by the Environment Agency is still awaited. Cllr Norman has chased Steve Malpass from the Environment Agency several times with no success to date. Both Cllr Croney (NDDC & DCC) and Bob Walter MP have been made aware of the frustration of the Parish Council on this issue.

Cllr Norman reported that he had been invited to meet with Oliver Letwin MP on the 21^st March 2013 to discuss the experiences of Stourpaine in dealing with flooding.

As yet there had been no advice from DCC/NDDC regarding the proposed public seminars on the issue of flooding.

Derek Gardiner was taking the lead in the Havelins in trying to assist residents in liaising with recent initiatives by Government to fund property level protection, however it was acknowledged that the information available was scant and often confusing. This would be reported by Cllr Norman to Oliver Letwin MP when they meet. In addition technical surveys are required to assist however it was not clear who was responsible for commissioning/arranging them.

Further invites are to be extended to both Guy Parker and Brian Richards to present to the wider village at the Annual parish Meeting in May 2014..

The Parish Council is in the process of producing a folder for residents in Havelins detailing household protection measures and important contact points. It was discussed that these would be delivered to households in person with a signature being requested as proof of receipt.

Cllrs discussed the proposal that plastic grit/storage bins be purchased to store sandbags and other equipment to assist in flood prevention. It was agreed by Councillors that the Stourpaine Playing Field Association be contacted requesting permission for the items to be sited in the playing field car park.

It was agreed that subject to consultation with the Parish Council insurers that a number of other items of equipment be purchased to assist in the management of flooding. A list of equipment and costings had been prepared by the Clerk and circulated to Councillors.

The presentation by Guy Parker from the Environment Agency on the 26^th February 2014 was discussed and agreed to have been worthwhile particularly in putting recent events in context.

Parish Plan Update Action Plan

The Clerk reported that he had spoken with Sue Mitchell from the Dorset AONB Partnership further contact is awaited with regard to the management of traffic passing through the village on the A350 Shaston Road.

The Clerk reported that on advice from NDDC the Parish Council could expect a full planning application in due course for discussion.

2. 2/2014/0169/PLNG – Bushes Farm, Bushes Road, Stourpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8SU – Awaiting decision

After discussion it was unanimously agreed by Councillors to support the application as submitted to NDDC.

3. 2/2013/1266/PLNG – Stourpaine Playing Fields Association, Havelins, Stourpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8TH – Permission Granted by NDDC with conditions

Following the approval of the application at a meeting of the NDDC Full Development Committee it was reported by Cllr Norman that he had been invited to a meeting with Planning Officers at NDDC to discuss a number of concerns raised by the Parish Council.

Confirmation of the approval to the associated application 2/2013/1261/PLNG is awaited.

ACTION – Clerk to chase up the Boundary Commission for a decision

No new report received as at the date of the meeting

b. County Councillor

No new report received as at the date of the meeting

c. Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator

It was acknowledged that there had been a number of thefts and burglaries in the village over recent weeks as advised by Dorset Police.

Cllr Partridge reported that two new PCSO’s had been recruited for the Blandford Area.

It was requested by Councillors that a representative from Dorset Police be invited to the Annual Parish Meeting in May 2014 to make a presentation.

ACTION – Clerk to invite Dorset Police to the Annual Parish Meeting in May 2014

d. Village Hall/Stourpaine Playing Fields Association

See item 14/03/09 (3.) – Cllr Yarwood reported that building contractors have been interviewed and quotations obtained for the construction of the new village hall.

Solicitors are in the process of helping the Village Hall Committee and Stourpaine Playing Fields Association create a new joint legal entity.

Cllr Norman offered the services of Julie Wigg from the DT11 Forum Partnership to assist with making any grant applications to assist in funding the new village hall development.

As yet the start date for construction for either the new village hall or the affordable housing to be built on the site of the old village hall has yet to be agreed.

e. DT11 Forum/CPEND

As previously circulated to Councillors.

Cllr Norman reported that a final meeting with Bob Walter MP, DT11 Partnership Forum and BDUK is scheduled with regard to the Trailway Broadband Project.

f. Trailway

The clerk reported that he had recently spoken with Graham Stanley – DCC Rangers who had advised the surface of the Trailway in Havelins will be scraped and repaired in the new financial year to improve its condition.

A request has been made by DCC Rangers for the Parish Council to request that Mark Pearson re-route his farm vehicles in an effort to protect surface once repaired. It was discussed by Councillors that the Parish Council had made similar requests of Mark Pearson in the past with limited success. However a further attempt would be made to engage Mark Pearson on this issue.

ACTION – Clerk to make contact with Mark Pearson on this issue

The Clerk reported that he had asked Graham Stanley to obtain a quote to replace to metal gate on the Trailway near the Church with a wooden gate. Further contact is awaited.

ACTION – Clerk to follow

Cllr Yarwood reported that he had been made aware that a number of items of signage had been left on the Trailway by contractors who had recently been working to repair the railway bridge on the A350.

ACTION – Clerk to contact DCC Highways to arrange removal.

It was also noted that a caravan had been placed on a piece of privately owned land adjacent to the River Stour. The Clerk was asked to check the legality of this with NDDC.

ACTION – Clerk to follow

g. Rights of Way Officer 

It was noted that DCC Rangers may have to re-route a bridle path permanently following its collapse in recent weeks. Notices warning the public had been placed in the village. Further contact/advice is awaited from DCC Rangers.

h. Allotments

The Clerk reported that contact had been made with both the Chairman and Treasurer of the Stourpaine Allotment Association and that a meeting was pending to discuss issues.

Cllr Yarwood had recently been contacted by a resident in the village asking to rent a piece of land unused by the allotment association to graze horses. It was agreed by Councillors that the Clerk and Cllr Yarwood should manage this request.

i. Unauthorised Travellers Encampment – Update

The Clerk reported that he had been advised by Paula Clover – DCC Gypsy & Traveller Liaison Officer that it was the intention on DCC to remove the unauthorised encampment in Bushes Road by May 2014. Further advice is to follow.

The Clerk reported on a useful meeting held with Twyford Parish Council who had been very candid and helpful in their advice on handling the same group of Travellers in their Parish. It was acknowledged that the Parish Council would need to push DCC for information/action.

j. Spectrum Housing – Hod View Estate Strategy

It was noted that a meeting is to be held with Spectrum Housing on the 11^th April 2014 to discuss the Hod View Estate Strategy.

With regard to the report from residents on the issue of a loose dog fouling the communal areas of the flats in Hod View the Clerk reported that he had discussed the matter with the Dog Warden at NDDC who had given advice on the management of the issue and that NDDC were aware of the owner having dealt with the owner on similar issues in the past. Residents should be encouraged to contact NDDC when the dog is loose. It was discussed that the Parish Council should contact the owner to raise its concerns.

ACTION – Parish Clerk to follow

The Clerk reported that Health & Safety inspections of the site continued to be carried out on a weekly basis.

The Clerk had obtained quotations for grass cutting/strimming at the site, after discussion it was agreed unanimously that the Parish Council would accept the quotation from Iwerne Valley Garden Services of £650.00 for a service for the next twelve months.

b. Grace Upward Under 12s, Bottom Road

Cllr Partridge reported no issues and that following work undertaken by Phil Wigg the area was in a good state of repair.

It was agreed by Councillors that all payments, bill and invoices listed on the schedule be paid. The payments were then authorised by Cllrs Norman and Yarwood.

ACTION – Clerk to write to NDDC and follow for any response

• Deb Appleby from Locality – re Neighbourhood Planning
• Guy Parker from the Environment Agency – re Flood Prevention
• Brain Richards from DCC – re Flood Prevention
• Dorset Police – re Home Security