Sydling Saint Nicholas

SYDLING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on 03rd October 2016 at Sydling St Nicholas Village Hall

Members Present:

Cllr’s C Legg (Chairman), P Davies (Vice Chairman), A Newman, D Tucker, C Fowler and V Letten

Cllr Jill Haynes DCC

7 members of the public

1.         Apologies for absence

Cllr Hole sent his apologies

2.         Declarations of pecuniary and other interests

None declared

3.         Minutes of previous meeting 05th September 2016

These were agreed and signed by the chairman

4.         Update from the Chairman

The Chairman had no points to make other than those on the agenda

5.         Democratic discussion period

Members of the public brought up the following points:

A question of parking in Three acres was raised. It was stated that the road was blocked and the refuse lorry was unable to access. This however was not the real issue more to the point of emergency vehicle access was the concern. It was confirmed that parking on roads was not illegal unless the vehicle was causing an obstruction on the highway or within 5M of a corner. Future concerns should be addressed to the PCSO if polite requests to move the vehicle were ignored. The Parish Council would discourage stickers place on the vehicle. The Parish Council would place a message in the ChalkStream about respectful parking and the hindering of emergency and routine services.

It was asked about the distribution of minutes. The Clerk confirmed it was the aspiration to release draft minutes within the week. A full copy will be sent for uploading on the village website and an abated version to the ChalkStream.

At this point the ford (water splash) was brought up. Although an agenda later the Chairman updated the meeting. The pipes had all been cleared out by a parishioner enabling the water to flow freely which is how it was designed and how it was meant to be.

6.         To receive reports from the County & District Councillors

Cllr Haynes started by saying that it was likely that County Council elections will go ahead. She mentioned that more children with more complex needs especially teenagers were coming into care resulting in a potential £8M overspend. Adult services were okay. She continued by confirming that an agreement had been made to fell the trees around the Holywell junction. She next mentioned about the solar farm application near the old BBC Rampsham site. Negotiations were with Natural England as this area sat in an AONB. She concluded that the local grief around the Ironman event was due to the organizers having to call in external stewards at the last minute.

7.         Update on the website

Cllr Newman had done a lot of research and found a company who provide a website for free. It was agreed by all to trial this for one year subject to the terms and conditions and to remove the advertising for a £30 fee. The Clerk and Cllr Letten both agreed to assist Cllr Newman going forward on this project.

8.         Works on Village green and The Spinney update

a.         Hedges            The Parish Council agreed to contract Wessex Ground Services to undertake a one times flaying of the hedge on the Village Green. Future maintenance would be discussed at a later date.

b.         Trees               The Clerk had received a verbal report that there were no issues with any of the trees on Parish Council land. Written report to follow but no further action at this point.

c.         Digger (River) The Chairman confirmed that half the weed could be removed. However, concerns were raised as to the quality control of a digger, especially the removal of the gravel on the river bed. It was decision to have a maintenance day on 29th October between 1000-1300 to remove the weed and silt by hand.

d.         Digger (Land)  It was agreed by all, subject to receiving further quotes and agreement by Cllr Hole, to hire a 3T self drive digger to clear the areas on the village green and the Spinney.

9.         Risk assessment for the Village green and The Spinney

The Chairman stated that a full risk assessment should be undertaken after completion of the works as mentioned above. Cllr Letten offered to acquire some templates and Cllr Newman would assist in the work.

10.       Update on the winter festival

Cllr Letten stated that it was planned to hold the event at the end of November 2017. Further details would follow each month.

11.       Purchase of new benches for The Spinney

It was agreed to purchase up to 2 new picnic tables subject to price. Cllr Newman and The Clerk would obtain 3 quotes.

12.       The Water Splash

As discussed at agenda item 5.

13.       Closure of play park account and transfer funds into main account

All were in agreement to transfer the funds into the main account; close the play park account and then ring fence the funds.

14.       Purchase of a new lawn mower for the village green

The Chairman wanted to bring to the attention of the Parish Council the possibility of purchasing a new lawn mower. It was confirmed that it was good for another year. It was agreed in principal to ring fence funds from future Precept.  To be discussed at the finance meeting.

15.       Local Government Restructuring Consultation

The Clerk updated the Council on the LGRC. It was the corporate view that moving from 9 councils to 2 was long overdue and that option 2b seemed the most logical way forward because of the population geographic.

16.       Issues arising from the last meeting

No further issues were raised. The Clerk mentioned that both Highways issues had been raised.

17.       Correspondence requiring discussion or action

The Clerk spoke on the paper from NALC about the potential capping of Parish Council Precept to 6%. This would be later discussed at the finance meeting.

18.       Planning update

a.            Discussed by Parish Council

WD/D/16/001686             5 WATERSIDE LANE                                         No objections

b.            Approved by WDDC

WD/D/16/000393             7 & 8 EAST STREET, SYDLING ST NICHOLAS, DORCHESTER, DT2 9NX

WD/D/16/000394             7 & 8 EAST STREET, SYDLING ST NICHOLAS, DORCHESTER, DT2 9NX

WD/D/16/001482             28 HIGH STREET, SYDLING ST NICHOLAS, DORCHESTER, DT2 9PD

WD/D/16/001540             8 CHURCH HILL VIEW, SYDLING ST NICHOLAS, DORCHESTER, DT2 9SY

WD/D/16/001397             SYDLING ESTATE, UPPER SYDLING FARM ACCESS, UP SYDLING

WD/D/16/001703             5 WATERSIDE LANE, SYDLING ST NICHOLAS, DORCHESTER, DT2 9NY

c.             Outstanding

WD/D/16/001710             SOUTHERN COUNTIES LEISURE, LONG ASH LANE, WARDON HILL,              DORCHESTER, DT2 9PW

WD/D/16/002001             SOUTHERN COUNTIES LEISURE, LONG ASH LANE, WARDON HILL,              DORCHESTER, DT2 9PW

19.          Footpath and environment matters

Cllr Tucker stated that fp22 was obstructed by hedge and an electric fence.

The Chairman said he will look into this matter.

20.       Play park update

There were no issues to report

21.       Finance

The following cheques for presented for authorization and approval:

558    £56.25     18   Paula Harding
559   £120.00   19   BDO
560   £22.32    20   Trevor Jameson
561   £170.69   21   Wayne Lewin
There were no questions on the finances

A summary is attached at Annex A

 Audit points

The Clerk stated there were two observations on audit. Firstly a full risk assessment had to be carried out and secondly that a budget needed to be produced, agreed and minuted for the Precept.

22.       Items for the next meeting

Invite PCSO

Removal of the hedge on the village green

Removal of the original fence and wire on the village green

Digger quotes

Tree discussion

Allocation of general reserves to specific purpose funds

23.       Date of next meeting

There being no further business the meeting close at 2125 with the next meeting being confirmed as 14th November 2016 starting at 7pm.