SYDLING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL -PLANNING MEETING

 

A meeting of the above will be held in Sydling St Nicholas village hall on

19 February 2015, at 7.00pm.

The meeting will begin with a democratic half hour.

 

Agenda

1. Apologies for absence
2. Declarations of Interest
3. The following planning application(s) will be discussed with a view to making a response to WDDC:

3.1 WD/D/14/003367. Construction of a solar photovoltaic park and associated equipment (resubmission).  Location: Southern Counties Shooting Ground

 

Note: Any other applications received for consultation before the above date will also be discussed at the meeting.  Details of all planning applications may be viewed at the “Dorset For You” website.

SYDLING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2015

 

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 J Haynes, county councillor, Mrs M Penfold, district councillor, and two members of the public were also present.

 

At the start of the meeting the county and district councillors gave an update on the work of their respective councils.

Cllr Penfold explained that WDDC would no longer be delivering filled sandbags to villages and that local communities were being encouraged to keep their own supplies centrally.  Mr Legg informed the meeting that there were both empty bags and sand kept at Dollens Farm.  Cllr Penfold added that Cerne Abbas had now approved its local plan and the County Council was appealing to the Supreme Court over the Batcombe Bridleway approval.

Cllr Haynes explained that DCC would be reviewing its transport strategy, with a view to increased efficiency and improved co-ordination of services.  This would take about 18 months to complete.  DCC was also looking towards providing adult social care across Dorset, to include Bournemouth and Poole Borough.  This cross authority service could possibly go live in July or August this year.

Cllr Haynes also reminded the parish council that she had a small budget (£5000) to spend on local projects.  About half of this sum was still available and if the parish council wished to apply for some of it they should do so by the beginning of March.  It was suggested that an application could be made for funding towards the cost of a new swing for the play area.  Mr Fowler and the clerk would liaise on this and report back to the next meeting.

 

1. Apologies for absence

There were no apologies for absence.

 

2. Declarations of interest

Mr Legg and Mr Wareham declared an interest in item 3 (minutes of 5/1/15).

 

3. Minutes of the last two meetings (24/11/14 and 5/1/14)

The minutes of both meetings were agreed and signed by the Chairmen of the respective meetings.

 

4. Matters arising from the minutes

24/11/14

(item 6) The clerk had not been able to obtain any further quotes for painting the play area but would follow up for the next meting.

(item 8) DCC had now cleared out the culverts along the Dorchester Road and the clerk had written again to the Council about the stripping of the road.  She was awaiting a reply.

It had been noted that the ditches between Dry Lane and the sewerage works pump needed clearing.  The clerk would write to the landowner about this matter.

5/1/15

In order to avoid any confusion, the clerk would ensure that all agendas would state that there would be a democratic half hour at the beginning of the meeting.

 

5. Finance

5.1 Bank balances

Treasurers account: £7,500 (9/12/14)

Play Area account: £1,323

5.2 Invoices and receipts

The following cheques were approved / signed at the meeting:

• mower petrol: £00
• hire of village hall: £00
• clerk’s salary: £00
• village sign: £00

5.3 Approved signatures for banking

It had recently come to light that Lloyds Bank did not have details of any of the council’s current signatories, although they had been clearing cheques for some years.  Therefore, the clerk would make arrangements for   new forms to be completed and submitted to Lloyds.

 

6. Review of election recharges to towns and parishes

The clerk had recently received a letter from WDDC stating that, with effect from 2019, it would no longer pay for the administrative costs related to parish council elections.  This was because of continuing reductions to the council’s budget.  Parish councils would, therefore, need to make provision for these additional costs when setting their precepts.

Members stated that they understood the reasons for this, with an increasing move towards local accountability, and that the timescale was acceptable.  It was agreed that it would be best to provide for the cost of these charges on an annual basis, rather than to increase the precept by a larger amount following election years.

 

7 Consultation on possible changes to Dorset’s household recycling centres

Due to ongoing reductions in funding, the Dorset Waste Partnership is looking for ways in which to save money.  One of the areas it is looking at is household recycling centres, with a number of options being put forward.  These include the possible closure of one centre; closing all centres on a number of days each week; charging the public for using one or more centres or charging for disposal of non-household materials eg DIY waste and tyres.  Individuals are being asked to respond to the proposals, which can be seen on the bus shelter noticeboard or online at www.dorsetforyou.com/hrc.

The parish council’s view was that any move towards charging residents would be a false economy as it would lead to more fly tipping and the consequent need to clear this up.  The clerk would respond accordingly.

 

 

 

8. Grass cutting charges for other bodies

In view of increasing costs, it was suggested that the council might charge other bodies for a grass cutting service.  Currently, the only other body the parish council provides this service for is the village hall.

Annual costs of running the mower are over £1,100. This figure comprises insurance, petrol, servicing and replacement costs.  Volunteers kindly provide their services for mowing duties free of charge.

After a long discussion, it was agreed, by a majority of members, that the village hall committee should be asked to provide free of charge the hall facilities for the regular parish council meetings, in return for the mowing service provided by the parish council.

The clerk would write to the village hall committee with this proposal.

 

9. Any other business

Mr Wareham reported he had adjusted the gates to the play area and the allotment.

The clerk was asked to contact DCC regarding a large pothole outside the entrance to the village hall.

 

1. Date of next meeting

The next meeting of the parish council will be held on Monday 16 March 2015, at 7.00pm, in the village hall.