Minutes of HoltAnnual Parish Meeting

Held Friday 14th March 2014at Holt Village Hall 7:30pm

Item / 01
Attendance & Apologies
Cllr Norman Willis (Chairman of the Parish Council)
Cllr Peter Finney (CountyCouncillor for Holt)
Cllr Bob Finlay
Cllr Susan Frost
Cllr Celia Moore
Cllr Jim Stone
Cllr Janet Wallace
Cllr Malcolm Birr (Chairman East Dorset District Council)
Cllr Spencer Flower (DistrictCouncillor & LeaderDorsetCounty Council)
Inspector Wayne Nock (Dorset Police)
PCSO Louise Hamilton (Dorset Police)
Lisa Goodwin (Clerk)
25 members of public.
01 / Welcome
The Chairman welcomed those present and introduced members of the Council & Guests.
02 / Apologies were received from
Cllr Dick Irish (Vice Chairman of the Parish Council)
Cllr Marjorie Shaw
03 / Read and confirm the minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting held 15th March 2013.
The Clerk read the minutes of the last meeting held 15th March 2013 which were confirmed as correct and signed by the Chairman.
04 / Matters Arising from the minutes of the last meeting
None.
05 / Annual Report of the Parish Council
This is the annual report of Holt Parish council for the year 2013/14.
The council held its AGM in May appointing a new chairman Cllr Norman Willis.
The council thanked the outgoing chairman Cllr Peter Finney who held the post for two years, the maximum allowed under the constitution.He was very busy as he is also our CountyCouncillor.
We considered 30 planning applications in the year, a slight increase on last year. We may see an increase in the future as the economy picks up.
The council is very concerned with the proposed development on greenbelt land north of Wimborne adjacent to Burts Hill and the Cranborne Road as outlined in the Core Strategy and we are holding a special meeting on Wednesday 19th March to consider a response to the proposal.
Our main concern for this parish is the increase in traffic through the village, across Holt Heath towards Ringwood and the A31 thereby avoiding Canford Bottom.
The industrial estates at Verwood and Woolsbridge create a lot of commutertraffic as information from traffic censuses has confirmed large numbers of vehicles during the rush hour periods.
Some of this information was obtained from our SID (Speed Indicator Device). We have two of these, one for use on roads with a 30mph speed limit and one for use on other roads.
We are looking for volunteers to erect these at various points around the parish, so if you can help please contact the clerk. Training will be available to those interested.
Whilst on highway matters the council is very concerned with the deterioration of the roads throughout the parish caused by the wet weather and flooding.
We have requested that land owners clear the ditches adjacent to their land to enable water to drain from the highway to prevent flooding.
This council has employed its own contractor to clear the ‘grips’ on the side of the highway as the DCC is no longer able to undertake this work for us.
This has helped but it is the ditches that are causing the main problem.
Much to the frustration of residents and businesses in Holt the arrival of Superfast Broadband from BT looks to be another two years away in 2016.Much patience is required!
The council is asked by various organisations for grants each year and we consider each one on its merits and how it will benefit residents of the parish.
In this case we gave a £250 grant to the CAB as they do provide a useful service to the community.
Cllr Norman Willis has had a difficult job managing the Jubilee Sign project.
It was hoped it would be in position on the village green by now but due to lengthy discussions regarding the design, materials used and its location on the green it has been delayed again.
As a consequence the council agreed to ask the National Trust for a lease on the village green. This has been agreed for 25 years at a peppercorn rent.
We are waiting for the legal agreement to be drawn up.
Many thanks to Norman for his hard work on this project.
The council has the responsibility for the management and maintenance of the cemetery.
Lisa the clerk deals with the day to day running of the cemetery and we have Charlie Hiscock who keeps the grass and hedges in good order with additional work as required by Mike Clifford. The cemetery always looks well maintained and is a credit to all concerned.
Our Rights Of Way Officer Susan Frost is having a very difficult time at the moment keeping the footpaths and bridleways clear due to strong winds, fallen trees and flooding, the DCC and the National Trust assisting with this essential work.
Susan is also the council’s representative on the St Margaret’s and Stones Almshouses board.
Properties are available to qualifying residents of the parish when vacancies occur.
Drawing to a close I would thank both our County Councillor Peter Finney and our District Councillor Spencer Flower for their support over the last year.
Thanks also to our hard working clerk Lisa, who is also clerk to Knowlton and Sixpenny Handley Parish Councils.
Cllr Dick Irish
Vice Chairman
06 / Matters arising from the Annual Report.
An explanation was provided on the installation phases of Superfast Broadband.
The road surface through Gaunts Common continues to be monitored by Dorset County Council.
07 / Report by District Councillor Spencer Flower
Cllr Flower provided a review of District Council matters.
08 / Report by County Councillor Peter Finney
Councillor Peter Finney gave a general report on County Council Matters.
09 / Report by Inspector Wayne Nock on Rural Crime
Inspector Nock reported on how the police are currently working on tackling the recent increase in rural crime such as thefts from sheds and garages aswell as working with landowners to tackle poaching and coursing.
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A new ‘Rural Alert’ system will be coming in to operation shortly to replace ‘Ringmaster’ on which information from Police and the Community can be posted to improve awareness.
Owners encouraged to postcode and mark their property to help identify stolen goods, quite often sold on ebay.
A member of the public took this opportunity to thank PCSO Louise Hamilton for her hard work with the community.
10 / Presentation of the Audited Accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2013.
The audited accounts for the year ending 31 March 2013 were displayed for members of the public to view. There were no matters arising from the external audit. The Clerk is available to answer any questions related to the Parish Council finances.
11 / Any other business
Concerns regarding alterations to junction at Pig Oak and Petersham Lane following recent grant of planning permission at Pig Oak Farm.
Unresolved issue of water rising from manhole cover at Pig Oak. Cllr Peter Finney will request DorsetCounty Council inspects.
Wessex Water mains sewerage trenches with gravel encourages land drainage water to fill. Cllr Peter Finney will request DorsetCounty Council inspects.
Road surface at Gaunts Common has been completely destroyed by mains sewerage installation and still nothing done to remedy by Wessex Water.
The installation of 40mph extension through Holt Heath as made a huge difference.
The clearance of grips by Holt Parish Council has proved extremely worthwhile following the very wet winter.
The Chairman took this opportunity to thank Joanne Smith from Holtwood for her continued work clearing litter from roadside verges all year round. All those present agreed her work is greatly appreciated.

Meeting Closed at 8:34pm

These minutes are to be signed by the Chairman after approval at the next Annual Parish Meeting.

Signed;…………………………………………………………………………………………… 14th March 2014.

The evening ended with a presentationby

Martin Green on Local Archaeology.