In attendance:

P Clark – Parish Clerk and one member of the public

Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Croney (NDDC/DCC) and Cllr Partridge who will arrive late to the meeting

Having been distributed beforehand to Councillors the minutes of the meetings held on the 20^th March 2014 were accepted by all present to be a true and accurate record of proceedings and signed by Cllr Norman as Chair.

Flood Prevention/Planning

The Clerk reported that a submission had been made to NDDC with regard to Flood Damage, Repair and Prevention. Cllr Jespersen highlighted that the responses would be collated by NDDC and then discussed with DCC and other relevant agencies.

It was noted that Mike Coker at NDDC has offered to pay for storage bins to keep sandbags and associated equipment. The Stourpaine Playing Fields Association have been approached requesting permission to site the storage bins on their land – a response is awaited.

DCC are in the process of producing a Flood Risk Assessment Survey that would have input from NDDC and the Environment Agency. No further information is available at this time.

Cllr Norman had produced a report on the recent flooding in the Village that has been sent to Bob Walter MP at his request. Cllr Jespersen asked for a copy to be sent to her.

ACTION – Clerk to arrange for a copy of the report to be sent to Cllr Jespersen

Councillors discussed the lack of co-ordination between the responsible authorities and the communication with the Village that is often not consistent and contradictory.

Cllr Norman reported that the Environment Agency do not appear to be willing to make the capital expenditure needed for a village protection scheme and that the Environment Agency had indicated that a proposed flood relief valve would not work. There also appeared to be little appetite to deal with the issues with the River Stour.

The Environment Agency have released an upgraded scheme that dealing with property level protection. Households could apply for a sum of up to £10,000.00. However if they were accepted for the Environment Agency Scheme, households would not qualify for the NDDC scheme.

There would be a further meeting in the Village on the 6^th May 2014 for affected households to discuss any further measures and seek advice.

Cllr Norman referred to a recently published (Atkins) report that would indicate that the cost of implementing measures could outweigh the monies that can be raised.

It was discussed that a flood prevention scheme was proposed in 1996 but rejected by the village.

Cllr Norman is to have another meeting with Oliver Letwin MP in May/June 2014 and will raise the Parish Councils disappointment with the Environment Agency.

Information has been given that suggests that the River Stour has not been dredged since the 1980’s and that there are only four Environment Agency personnel responsible for works between Stourhead and Christchurch.

The culverts running under the road near the Durweston Bridge were discussed as Cllr Farwell highlighted the fact that these needed attention. The land belongs to Crown Estates, Cllr Norman stated that he would make contact with the relevant Land Agent.

Planning Matters as listed on the schedule

Cllr Norman gave a summary of the recent meeting with Officers from the NDDC Planning Department. The meeting had been attended by Cllr Norman, Mr Simon Elliott, Cllr Croney and NDDC Officers. As previously minuted in March 2014 the planning application for the affordable housing to be built on the site of the existing Village Hall had been approved following a meeting of the Full Development Committee at NDDC. The meeting was held to discuss what could be done to mitigate some of the objections raised to aspects of the application post approval. Cllr Norman and Mr Elliott outlined areas of concern and made some suggestion to NDDC Officers including the design detail, materials, management of the bank to the front of the development and landscaping.

Cllr Norman felt that it had been a useful exercise and that NDDC Officers were due to meet with the architect Barry Coupe shortly to discuss further some aspects of the application.

Concern was expressed by all present that the road on the development would not adopted by DCC and that would impact on refuse collections which could cause health and safety issues.

NDDC Officers had indicated that Raglan Housing could enter into an agreement with the Parish Council to manage the bank at the front of the development, however it was agreed by those present that this was not an option that should be considered further.

Cllr Partridge stated that he was disappointed with the way that the architect had engaged with the Parish Council particularly after the meeting held in January 2014.

Cllr Jespersen highlighted the fact that she felt that the village had lost an opportunity to influence future development with this application.

Cllr Norman said that he had made it clear to planners that the Parish Council had been disappointed with the way that concerns had been handled.

2611/CA/SLS/14 – Tree works to be carried out at the Laurels, South Holme, Stourpaine, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8TG

Details of this application had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. The application for works was discussed which are unanimously supported by Councillors.

Electoral Review of North Dorset

It was discussed that following a review carried out by the Boundary Commission that Stourpaine would remain in the Hill Forts Ward as per the submission submitted by the Parish Council.

Cllr Jespersen stated that NDDC had made a Freedom of Information Request to find out the rationale for the decision however there were no plans for the decision to be challenged with an appeal by NDDC.

Farm and Commercial Vehicles using village

It had been reported to the Parish Council that contractors working for Mark Pearson (who farms land in the Village) had been observed travelling at a speed through the Village that might prove dangerous to other road users. It had also been observed that contractors had been spotted driving through the Village whilst on their mobile phones.

However it was also reported at a recent North Dorset Trailway Group meeting that Mr Pearson had requested his employees and contractor to re-route farm traffic through his land rather than through the Village and on the Trailway.

After discussion it was decided that the Parish Council should write to Mr Pearson to thank him for re-routing his vehicles but that some employees/contractors using the Village roads were not always driving at speed conducive to the size of the roads and their vehicles.

ACTION – Clerk to write to Mr Pearson as above

As received and circulated to Councillors – Cllr Jespersen added that there had been a number of staff changes at NDDC with responsibilities being reorganised.

Cllr Jespersen asked if Stourpaine would be marking the start of the First World War. Cllr Norman outlined a proposal that had been discussed with the Parish Church. Details of events planned by other Villages were outlined by Cllr Jespersen.

After further discussion Cllr Norman asked Cllr Webb to investigate further ideas for the Village.

b. County Councillor

As received and circulated to Councillors

c. Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator

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

The Clerk reported that a representative from Dorset Police had been invited to the Annual Parish Meeting in May 2014 to make a presentation.

Cllr Norman requested that the use of the Dorset Police Ringmaster messaging system be reviewed to see how the information could be best communicated to the Village

ACTION – Clerk to speak with Dorset Police on the use of Ringmaster

d. Village Hall/Stourpaine Playing Fields Association

Cllr Yarwood reported that a budget/forecasts had now been prepared and that a business plan was being considered to assist with approaches for grant funding and that Julie Wigg was assisting with fundraising.

Some inspections have taken place with respect to the required ground works.

It was noted that Tony Whiteland from SSE had assisted in dealing with a number of tree issues near to the Sports Pavilion and that the area appeared much improved. The services of SSE were offered as part of a community project.

e. DT11 Forum/CPEND

As previously circulated to Councillors.

f. Trailway

It was reported that there were works pending on the surface of the Trailway and the path from Stourpaine to Hod Hill.

A new leaflet on the Trailway was pending.

Cllr Norman reported that in 2015 grant funding might be available for the Trailway, Applications would need to focus on the economic/employment benefits that the Trailway brings. This funding could be used to extend the Trailway from Sturminster Newton to Stalbridge.

There is a proposal to link up with other Trailway Groups.

It was discussed by Councillors that the Trailway had a positive effect on the Village and the surrounding area.

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 he had met with the Committee Members of the Allotment Association and that this had been a positive meeting. New tenancy agreements were being obtained from plot holders and that the outstanding rents for 2012/13 had now been paid to the Parish Council.

A discussion had also been held with Wendy Gredley who had expressed an interest in renting a piece of unused land for grazing horses.

After discussion by Councillors it was agreed to give first refusal to Mr David Scott to rent the land as it had been taken back from him in 2011/12 to allow for new allotment plots that did not materialise. If David Scott did not wish to rent the land then it would be offered to Mrs Gredley on terms to be agreed.

Concern was expressed that the size of the land may not be sufficient to accommodate the number of horses proposed by Mrs Gredley.

ACTION – Clerk to offer first refusal to lease the land to David Scott.

i. Unauthorised Travellers Encampment – Update

The Clerk reported that no further contact had been forthcoming from Dorset County Council on the removal of the Traveller occupying the site of the DCC Chipping Store in Bushes Road. The matter however would be followed.

j. Spectrum Housing – Hod View Estate Strategy

Cllr Norman reported that he had attended the recent Hod View resident’s event organised by Spectrum Housing. Around 9 people attended who were involved in clearing litter in Hod View.

An issue was raised over Asbestos in the flats in Hod View, it was agreed that Spectrum Housing be contacted for further information.

ACTION – Clerk to contact Spectrum Housing

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

b. Grace Upward Under 12s, Bottom Road

Cllr Partridge reported no issues, however it was clear that a number of pieces of equipment would require replacement in the medium term. It was agreed that Spectrum Housing be contacted with a request to assist with a consultation of Young People living on the Hod View/Orchard Close side of the Village as to the type of equipment that might be purchased (consultation with Young People over the play areas is highlighted in the Parish Plan Update).

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 respond to the consultation.