Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils
Northern Area Committee
Minutes of the AGM held at Sturminster Newton Council Offices,
Old Market Hill, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1FH
on Wednesday 19th October 2016
1. Present:
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
CllrJackie Stayt Blandford Forum Town Council (BFTC)
Cllr Simon Firbank Bourton Parish Council (BPC)
Cllr Jenny Morgan Bourton Parish Council (BPC)
Cllr Tim Hill Charlton Marshall Parish Council (CMPC)
Cllr Anna Baker Gillingham Town Council (GTC)
Cllr Martin Richley Pimperne PC (PPC)
Cllr Mike Jones Iwerne Minster Parish Council (IMPC)
Cllr Tony Bishop Stalbridge Town Council (STC)
CllrJohn Parker The Stours Parish Council (TSPC)
Cllr V Fox Sturminster Newton TC (SNTC)
Cllr D Godden Winterborne Stickland PC (WSPC)
In attendance:
Stephen Hill Dorset Councils Partnership, NDDC
Pam Higgins Secretary Northern Area, DAPTC
Apologies
Hilary Trevorah Chief Executive, DAPTC
Cllr Haydn White Blandford Forum Town Council (BFTC)
Cllr Crawford May Lydlinch PC (LPC)
Cllr George Weeks Okeford Fitzpaine PC (OFPC)
Cllr Ian Lee South Tarrant Valley Parish Council (STVPC)
Cllr Pauline Batstone Sturminster Newton Town Council (SNTC)
Cllr Clemmie Wilkins The Stours PC (TSPC)
2. Minutes of the meeting held on 20th July 2016.
The minutes of the meeting held on 10th May 2016 had been previously circulated.
The minutes were proposed by Cllr Bishop (SPC) and seconded by Cllr Jones (IMPC) and signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting.
There were no matters arising.
3. Chairman’s Report
The Chairman read out an email received from Teresa Rabbetts, Housing Enabling Officer. It stated now NDDC is part of the Dorset Councils Partnership, the Housing Enabling Team it is looking to working with Parish Councils in the North Dorset area. The team recently gave a presentation at Stratton Village Hall for the Central Area committee where they explained the need for affordable housing and the role of the Housing Enabling Team and offered to present a similar talk to the Northern Area. The chairman asked the members if they would like to hear what they had to say at the next meeting; the members agreed they would like to see the presentation. The secretary will contact Teresa.
The Chairman gave his report to the committee - copy of report attached to minutes.
In brief:-
DAPTC Executive Committee
Executive Committee on 10th September
NALC on 2nd August
Attending NALC for Smaller Councils 20th October
4. Reports from Representatives
CPEND
This meets quarterly. It will be covered in Community Development.
The Standards Committee
No news
Travellers & Gypsies
Still looking at present camps and sites, re government guidelines. John will continue to monitor.
Northern Dorset LAG
Still cannot give out information officially but can be contacted.
Blandford Leisure Centre
A report was given by Cllr Hill (CMPC) copy of report attached to minutes.
Tony Hurley producing a newsletter to ask PC’s for more financial help. Next year is the final year of DCC grant.
Overview and Scrutiny
No news.
5. Election of Chairman for 2016/17
John Parker proposed by Cllr Jones, Seconded by Cllr Stayt. Carried
6. Election of Vice-Chairman for 2016/17
Mike Jones proposed by Cllr Parker, Seconded by Cllr Stayt. Carried
7. Election of Portfolio Holders for 2016/17
Gypsy and Traveller and Community Development – Cllr Parker
Blandford Leisure Centre – Cllr Hill
Standards Committee – Cllr Bishop
Local Re-Organisation – Cllr Godden
8. DAPTC CE Report
This report was circulated with the agenda
Resolutions have been sent out to Town and Parish Councils for discussion at the AGM November 5th.
Local Government Finance Settlement – re more financial pressure on Town and Parish councils to increase precepts to finance services, but limit larger councils to 1.99% increase.
9. District Council Matters
Dorset Councils Partnership
Stephen Hill gave the report. A copy will be attached to the minutes.
In brief –
Local Government Re-Organisation – public consultation in progress. Ends 25th October.
20,000 households sent the consultation to complete and return. Had 3,300 returned.
Low response from businesses so more work to be done.
NDDC looking at services for 2017/18. Public Consultations for CAB and Community Development end 28th November. This will filter through for budget considerations early next year.
Comment was made about the wrong date being given for the Blandford road show and would there be another for public to attend. Stephen thought this was unlikely as the consultation was nearly over, but there was still time to do it on-line.
10. Members Items
Bourton PC
Cllr Firbank raised the issue of CAB. at present NDDC give £75,000 for the service. It only has a pproximately 1 year left to operate. Is in talks to merge with Sherborne and Dorchester but they will pull out if grant is withdrawn. If this was done in stages then CAB could access funding from elsewhere and also merge with Sherborne and Dorchester. Please respond to consultation. In North Dorset 1,500 people with over 6,000 problems. Chairman will write a letter to PC’s to consider in their precepts assistance to CAB.
Stalbridge TC
Cllr Bishop - North Dorset LAG – unofficially open for business. The scheme will continue for 2 years or until money expires.
Iwerne Minster PC
Cllr Jones raised the issue of District Cllrs attendance at PC meetings. They had not had a Cllr attend for a long time but did receive written reports, do any other PC’s have this problem?
Most said their District Cllr attended their meeting regularly.
Gillingham TC
Cllr Baker– Raised the issues re cuts in services especially highways and communication.
The Rangers did the gulley and road cleaning but TC have taken it back in-house as the work wasn’t being done. Difficult decisions when services are cut and threats of capping.
The Stours PC
Cllr Parker – Youth clubs – Gillingham has a rescue plan within the town. Blandford – checks are in place, safe-guarding etc but the building to be used with other services.
Development in Gillingham southern area appear to have stalled.
Neighbourhood Plan – Infrastructure plan – tough talks – who provides what. The consultation has finished. Is now with District Council but not agreed yet.
Stephen Hill
Re demonstration of suitable housing sites – have a 5 year development plan of land supply to build more houses that government says is needed.
11. Dates and Venues for the year 2016/17
Tuesday January 17th 2017, Thursday April 27th, Tuesday July 18th,
AGM Thursday October 19th
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 17th January 2017 at The Hub, Stalbridge Town Council and Information, Station Road, Stalbridge, DT10 2RG at 7.00pm.
With no further business the meeting closed at 8.15pm. The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.
Signed:…………………………………………….... Dated:…………………………… ………..
Chairman
Attachments:
Chairmans report
Blandford Leisure Centre report