BEAMINSTER TOWN COUNCIL

Minutes of the Town Council meeting held on Monday 25th February 2013in the Skyrm Room at the Public Hall, Beaminster at 7.00pm.

847PRESENT– Cllr G Berry(Chairman), Cllr Mrs V Baldwin, Cllr Mrs R Beeny, Cllr P Body,

Cllr Ms A Cameron, Cllr P Elliott, Cllr Mrs R Knox,Cllr Mrs J Page, Cllr Mrs S Samuel and

Cllr CTurner.

848IN ATTENDANCE – Mrs Christine Bright (Town Clerk),one member of the public and one press representative.

849REPORTS FROM AND QUESTIONS FOR:

(a)Dorset Police Representative

In the absence of a police representative no report was received.

(b) West Dorset District Councillors

Cllr Mrs J Page advised:

  • draft Local Plan public consultation event would take place in the Public Hall

on 5th March between 1.00-7.00pm

  • a District Councillor’s boundary review would be undertaken in the summer

2013, this had been triggered by the development at Poundbury which had

affected some of the ward areas

  • the council tax charge would not be increased despite tight budget

constraints

  • a housing review had commenced which would look at the provision of

affordable housing and how the District Council might assist developers

Under this heading questions relating to the recycling of plastic and the new car park signs in the Square were raised. Cllr Mrs Page advised that when the proposed waste partnership came into force all plastic would be collected and sorted, also food waste would be collected. With regard to the car park signs Cllr Mrs Beeny expressed her concern that there would appear to be too many, taking into account the Square was within the Conservation Area.

(c) DorsetCounty Councillor

Cllr Mrs R Knox advised that:

  • following a budget meeting the County Council were to freeze their share of

the Council Tax although, in order to do that, savings and restructuring would

be needed

  • there were currently two consultation documents in circulation – provision of

adult services and transport including bus services

  • work to the Tunnel had been delayed by 3-5 weeks, she stressed that

everything that could be done would be done to recoup some of the lost time

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Under this heading concern was express regarding the proposed surfacing works on the A35 and the need for good signage which provided adequate information for visitors in particular. It was NOTED that the Tunnel had, for the duration of the closure, been removed from satellite navigation systems.

850APOLOGIES–Apologies for absence were received from Cllr R Cheeseman and District Councillor Mrs C Payne.

851 MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 28TH JANUARY 2013

The minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 28th January 2013 havingpreviously been circulatedwere signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

852DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Mrs J Page declared a prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item 6 – DAPTC –

retirement of Chief Executive.

Cllr C Turner declared a prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item 6 – DAPTC –

retirement of Chief Executive.

853REPORTS FOR OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS

(a)West Dorset Partnership – Cllr Mrs R Beeny advised that she had attended a recent

Meeting, a copy of the Bulletin attached.

(b) Bridport & District Tourism Association – Cllr Mrs V Baldwin advised that she had

raised her concerns regarding the local bus services at a recent meeting of the

Association, in which she drew attention to the effect this would have tourism in the

area. Members of the Association shared her concerns and would send their written

representation to the appropriate authority.

854 PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS

Members were tabled with a list of payments, cheque numbers 103607– 103622, together

with direct debit payments between 1stFebruary 2013 and 28th February 2013totalling £10,197.00; also receipts totalling £5,213.42. Members RESOLVED to APPROVE the list, a copy of which is attached.

Cllrs Mrs J Page and C Turner left the meeting.

855DAPTC – RETIREMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Members considered correspondence received from the Chairman, DAPTC requesting the

Council to consider a donation towards the presentation of retirement gift to the Chief

Executive, DAPTC and party on 24th March. Following discussion it was AGREEDthat it

would not be appropriate, as a council, to contribute.

Cllrs Mrs J Page and C Turner returned to the meeting.

856SUPPORTING CARERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Following discussion it was AGREED that it would be more appropriate for members to

comment on this consultation document on an individual basis.

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857TUNNEL REPAIRS

Initial consideration was given with regard to the commemoration of, in particular the two lives lost, and the subsequent repair work following the landslide in July 2012. It was AGREED to liaise with the County Council in the first instance.

858BIRD CHERRY TREE

The Town Clerk advised that the opportunity had arisen to purchase a Bird Cherry Tree at

a cost of £55 including planting. It was AGREED to accept the offer and identify a suitable

position at the Cemetery.

859DorBAG – BBC RADIO STUDIOS

Members considered correspondence received from DorBAG and it was AGREED to

support the offer made to the BBC for office space in Dorchester stressing the need for

BBC local Radio in Dorset.

860CORRESPONDENCE

The following items of correspondence were raised:

  • RoyalGarden Party – NOTED the Council’s application had been

unsuccessful

  • Dorset County Council – Parliamentary constituency boundary review.

NOTED that the next Parliamentary constituency boundary review had been

postponed until 2018

  • Department for Communities & Local Government – Localisation of

Council Tax – NOTED response received in reply to the Council’s concern

regarding the localisation of council tax support

  • AxeValley and West Dorset Ring & Ride – NOTED letter of thanks

received for financial assistance given

861 PROGRESS REPORTS

Members had previously been circulated with a written progress report on all outstanding

issues. NOTED.

862 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

One item was identified:

  • Town Plan
  • Traffic Management

863 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting was NOTED as Monday 25th February2013

864 MEETING- The meeting which started at 7.00pm closed at 8.15pm.

CHAIRMAN

25thMarch2012

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TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – MONDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2013

PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS

PAYMENTS

CHQ NO

D/D Andrews & Arnold Web Site Fee 6.00

D/D Aviva General Insurance - Hall 340.86

D/D UK Fuels Fuel - tractor & machinery 47.60

D/D Wessex Water Water & Sewerage – Public Hall 93.39

D/D WDDC Wheelie Bins 96.50

D/D BTE Hygienic services 174.72

103607 Donovan Atyeo Salary NI & ENI Paye 3810.38

103608 Mr J Cowie Ex gratia payment 2500.00

103609 A J Supplies Cleaning materials 52.44

103610 Mrs C Bright Travel expenses/Kitchen Equip. 14.75

103611 BT Telephone charges 30.44

103612 Mrs C Clare Reimbursement Caretaker advert 222.64

103613 Concorde Flooring New flooring – office 1731.25

103614 Creeds Newsletter 166.00

103615 Donovan Atyeo Reimbursement bank charges 41.89

103616 GreenTech Grit bin 180.00

103617 Larcombes General supplies 33.26

103618 Sherborne T C Donation Save the Children 25.00

103619 K Taylor Jones Dishwasher repair 60.00

103620 VPW Systems Quarterly back up/Agility Mail 212.36

103621 David Vile Salary 267.52

103622 VPW Systems Quarterly Broad band 90.00

TOTAL 10,197.00

RECEIPTS

Amounts credited to no 2 account

HSCBBank Interest 3.19

Amounts credited between to No 1 accounts 28.1.2013to 25.2.2013

Public Hall Hall bookings 5.2.2013 572.00

Hall bookings 15.2.2013 277.50

Hall bookings 22.2.2013 40.00

Beaminster

Social Club Rent 180.00

A J Wakely Interment - Plot U19 115.00

Mr Moynagh Garage rent 785.00

WDDC Refund business rates – Yarn Barton 263.84

WDDC Grant – Photocopier 2800.00

Mrs Way Purchase – Plot A25 110.00

NSIB Interest 66.89

TOTAL 5,213.42

Note for Council Information

The above payments are approved expenditure items within existing contracts and / or the agreed budget framework.

Councillors expenses having been vetted and authorised by the Chairman/Town Clerk or in the case of the Chairman’s expenses, by the Vice Chairman. Receipts are those from expected sources, and within budget projections.

Christine Bright

Responsible Finance Officer

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BULLETIN – December 2012

Issues from Local Area Partnership

Beaminster and Villages Local Area Partnership

Meetings have taken place with the credit union to attract volunteers. Concern was expressed about the lack of a response to the arts and sports consultation.

Bridport Local Area Partnership

Concern was expressed regarding funding for the Lengthsman Scheme from Dorset County Council (DCC) as no decision regarding the funding has yet been made. It was explained that community members who are not committee members are regularly attending LAP meetings and this is considered a significant achievement.

Dorchester Area Community Partnership

A letter has been written to Dorchester Town Council to request funding to support the LAP. The LAP is looking at reviewing its community lunches because the venue and the lunches themselves are not proving to be cost effective.

LymeForward

LymeForward has had a number of successes since the last meeting, most notably in that it was able to secure future funding. A Group has been established to support parents of children with learning disabilities, the food bank is being used effectively and the befriending scheme is up and running.

Sherborne Area Partnership

Sherborne Town Council has agreed to enter into a 3 year agreement with West Dorset District Council to continue to host the LAP. A re-launch event of the LAP will take place on 14th March with presentation to highlight the value of community planning and people will be encouraged to join the Management Committee and Executive. The ground work for the skate park development is due to start in the near future with a proposed opening date towards the end of May.

Dorset Local Nature Partnership

The Dorset LNP is currently in the process of forming its board with Simon Cripps acting as the interim chair. The purpose of the LNP is split into the following three areas:

  • Driving positive change in the local environment by developing a strategic view,
  • Contributing to the Governments natural environment objectives
  • Becoming local champions for the environment.

The need to connect with local people, develop a broad membership and have effective and accountable leadership was expressed as key aims if the LNP is to succeed. The LNP is seeking to be involved from the early stage in planning and development matters and work closely with the Dorset LEP to develop a sustainable approach to development.

Police and Crime Commissioner Update

The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner is continually evolving. Community Engagement Forums are being established in various areas and are seeking to gain input from as mixed a demographic as possible. The forums will provide the public with the opportunity to express their views and priorities but will also allow the PCC to explain what is being done to achieve aims set out in the Police and Crime Plan. A victim’s forum is looking at being established in order to create a victim focused approach to crime.

Safer Homes for Dorset

Community engagement is considered as a vital aspect of creating safer homes and engaging with elderly and vulnerable people is seen as crucial. Free home safety checks are available to assess homes and make them safer environments to live in. Volunteers are being encouraged to either carry out home safety checks or to engage with vulnerable groups to encourage them to have home safety checks.

Annual Report 2012-13 Discussion

The next Annual report is due at the 18 April meeting that will include a foreword by the chair and an outline of progress of the partnership.

Transport Survey and Transport Reserve Update

West Dorset District Council (WDDC) will not continue to provide funding for pre-9.30am concessionary bus travel. WDDC is looking into providing funding for a community transport programme or other solution to mitigate the impacts of withdrawing the funding to ensure people can get to early hospital appointments. Consultation on bus service will run till 18 April.

Planning Vanguard

The local plan consultation process is currently ongoing and responses raised through the first consultation are being considered now with further consultation due on a revised plan. The final decision has had to be delayed due to the need for feedback to be considered.

Communities Living Sustainably

This is a lottery funded scheme and officers are currently being appointed. The project is due to start in either March or April 2013 with an update to be provided at the April meeting of the partnership.

Future of the Climate Change Steering Group

The steering group will continue to operate. The next meeting of the group was confirmed as being on 2nd May 2013.

Dorset Community Fund

The deadline for round 4 was be 5pm on 15 March 2013 and for round 5 will be 5pm on 16th August 2013.

Date of Next Meeting

18 April AGM, South Walks House, Dorchester: 10am to 1pm

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