SYDLING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 February 2014
Members Present: Mr C Legg (Chairman), Mr D Wareham (Vice Chairman), Mrs P Davies, Mr C Fowler,
Mr M Hole, Mrs L Percy, Mrs D Tucker.
Mrs M Penfold, District Councillor, was also in attendance
There was 1 member of the public present
During the Democratic Half Hour Item 7 (Graham’s Yard) was raised and there was a very useful input by both the member of the public, who raised the issue, and the District Councillor. Having discussed the email sent by the Graham’s property developer, it was agreed that further information was needed before a response to the email could be given. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact WDDC, to arrange a meeting with the appropriate Planning Officer.
1. Apologies for Absence
There were no apologies for absence
Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest
Minutes of Last Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 2/12/14 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.
Matters arising from the Minutes
(item 4.2) The grit bins had now been filled. A quote for necessary work to the Cross Tree had been received. It was agreed that the Clerk would obtain two other quotes.
(item 7) The Clerk reported that there appeared to be no legal restrictions regarding the levelling and grassing of the uncompleted boules pitch in the play area. It was agreed that she should obtain quotes for the work to be undertaken.
Finance
5.1 Bank balances
- Treasurer’s account: £5816.59 (9/1/14)
- Business account: £223.68
- Play area account: £826.59
5.2 Precept for 2014/2015
The Clerk had submitted the Precept request of £4452 to WDDC on 14/1/14.
5.3 Invoices / receipts
The following cheques were approved / signed at the meeting:
- hire of village hall: £20.00
- stationery: £5.99
- website domain fee: At the meeting held on 2/12/13 a cheque had been made out to the incorrect payee. This cheque had been returned and cancelled and another cheque for the fee of £33.60 was approved.
Flood Issues
It was agreed that the village had done very well during the recent floods in clearing drains and providing sandbags to residents. A letter of thanks from a member of the public was particularly appreciated and the Chairman also wished to thank to Patricia Davies and John Plumer, who had ensured that drains throughout the village were kept clear on an almost daily basis.
Due to the recent very high workload placed upon the Environment Agency by the recent floods,the Clerk had not yet contacted them regarding a visit to the village by the Agency’s public awareness campaign. She would do this once the weather conditions had settled down.
The clerk would also research previous correspondence regarding ditch clearance along the Dorchester Road.
Graham’s Yard proposed development
This item was discussed following the Democratic Half Hour.
Correspondence
A number of letters had been received by the Chairman regarding the large number of potholes in the village, which had had a severe impact upon the safety of cars and pedestrians. The Chairman had advised the correspondents to contact the County Council directly and it was agreed that the Clerk would also write to express the Parish Council’s concern and to ask for emergency work to be undertaken. It was felt that the worst areas were along East Street, the High Street by Dollens Farm, and just past the ford, towards Cerne Abbas.
9. Any Other Business
- There had recently been an ongoing electrical fault affecting houses around the Green and the company responsible for repairing the fault, SSE, had been unable to effect a proper repair, due to severe flooding of the holes they had dug. In order to ensure that properties did not suffer any further power cuts, especially those that relied on an electricity supply to pump water from their properties, SSE contacted the Chairman to request that new cabling could be laid under the Green. In consultation with other Members, this was agreed and SSE had now supplied the Parish Council with the necessary Wayleave Consent, Plan and Schedule of Payments.
- There had been a request from a member of the public to reduce the length of the hedge at the edge of the Green by 8 – 10 feet. Having carefully considered the reasons for this request, the majority of the Council felt that the length should be left as it is, but that it would be trimmed in height once the weather improved.
Date of next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday, 14 April 2014, at 7.00pm, in the Village
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