Sydling Saint Nicholas

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

SYDLING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 December 2013

 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 Mr Angus Macdonald, from British Solar Renewables, gave a presentation on a proposed solar farm, to be sited on land adjacent to Southern Counties, Warden Hill.  A copy of the presentation, which provides a useful summary of Mr Macdonald’s has been placed in the bus shelter for information.

Members of the Parish Council were broadly in favour of the draft proposals, but will be given the opportunity to respond more fully if a full planning application is made.

 1. Apologies for Absence

There were no apologies for absence

 Declaration of Interest

All Members of the Parish Council declared an interest in Item 5.1.  They had all previously requested and been granted a dispensation to take part and vote on this matter.

 Minutes of previous Meetings

The minutes of the meetings held on 30/9/13 and 4/11/13 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

 Matters arising from the Minutes

4.1 Meeting of 30/9/13

(from democratic half hour) The drains in the village have now been cleared.

(item 5 – electoral review) The Clerk had sent the Council’s views to the LG Boundary Commission and the District Councillor said it was expected that more information about progress would be received in January 2014.

(item 8 – Grahams Yard) There had been no further information from the Grahams’ property consultant.

4.2 Meeting of 4/11.13

(item 4 – grit bins) The Clerk had chased DCC with her earlier request that the bins be filled as a matter of urgency.

(item 5 – AOB) Arrangements had been made for an inspection of the Cross Tree to be made in the near future.

5. Finance

5.1 Budget / Precept for 2014 / 2015

The Clerk had previously circulated both a budget summary and a more detailed spend and budget account for the year to date, as well as a projected spend for 2014 / 2015.  (These summaries are attached to the Minutes for information).

Although the Council had not yet been advised by West Dorset District Council of the amount of the Council Tax Support Grant the Parish would be awarded for 2014 / 2015, it had been advised that the Parish Council could set its overall budget requirements in advance of this notification.  It was agreed that, despite a greater anticipated spend than the Council had received for 2013 / 2014, the amount of precept and CT Support Grant combined would be kept to the current year’s figure ie £4552 in total.  This was in view of the continuing poor economic climate and there being sufficient funds in Reserves to cover these costs.

5.2 Invoices / Receipts

The following cheques were approved / signed at the meeting:

• hire of village hall: £7.50
• grit bin: 132.00
• DAPTC training: £25.00
• stationery / sundries: £13.78
• website hosting fee: £108.00
• website domain fee: £33.60
• mower petrol: £26.03
• clerk’s salary (15/7/13 – 30/11/13): £1247.34

 Environment Agency visit 29/11/13

Those who attended this meeting felt that it had been useful.  Although there were one or two parts to the river that needed some attention, the representatives from the Agency, as well as the representative from West Dorset District Council, felt that there were no major concerns regarding silting or flooding risk.  They had noted that one or two parts of the riverbank needed cutting back by the relevant riparian owners.  It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the relevant person at the Environment Agency with a view to arranging a visit to the village by the Agency’s public awareness caravan.  Leaflets for riparian owners would also be distributed at the time by the Parish Council.

 Boules pitch, play area

The boules pitch in the play area had never been completed and it was felt that the poor state of the area was not only unattractive but parts were also a potential trip hazard.  It was agreed that the area should be levelled and grassed, subject to there being no legal restrictions.  The Clerk would report back on this matter at the next meeting.

 

1. Planning Matters

There were no objections to Application No. 1/D/13/001557 – 39 High Street, Sydling.

 

 

 

1. Correspondence

The Clerk had received a letter from the Council’s insurers, giving advice on snow clearance, salting and gritting.  Although the Parish Council does not grit any areas owned by it, grit bins are provided for members of the public to use.  There was, therefore, no action required by the Council.

 

1.  Any Other Business

• It was reported that dog fouling in the village continued to cause a serious nuisance to members of the public, including on the Green and in the Play Area. This constitutes a potentially serious health risk, particularly to small children.  Although certain members of the public have ignored previous reminders, it was agreed the Clerk should arrange to put another notice in The Chalk Stream.
• The hedge around the Green would be trimmed in the near future.
• There had also been reports of horse riders not wearing suitable reflective clothing, during dusk and after dark.  This had led to near accidents with cars and the Clerk would arrange for an advisory notice to be put in The Chalk Stream.

 

1.  Date of next meeting

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday, 3 February 2014, at 7.00pm, in the Village Hall.