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LYTCHETT MINSTER & UPTON TOWN COUNCIL
A MEETING of the TOWN COUNCIL was held in the Council Chamber, 1 Moorland Parade, Moorland Way on TUESDAY the 15 November 2016 and commenced at 7.30 p.m.
PRESENT: Councillor Mrs J M Richards in the Chair
Councillor Mrs M Pryor
Councillor J C Small
Councillor P F Johns
Councillor F H Drane
Councillor R Griffin
Councillor R Burns
Councillor M Holmes
Councillor M Dodds
Councillor Mrs R J Wood
Councillor M Chase
Councillor Mrs J Marston
Also in attendance: Mrs K Wright, Town Clerk
Mrs B Lake, Office Manager
Before the business of the evening commenced the Mayor welcomed Cllr Mrs Joy Marston to the Town Council.
281/16 APOLOGIES: Councillor Mrs E Andrews (unwell)
Councillor F Rickard (unwell)
282/16 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
None.
283/16 MINUTES of the Town Council meeting held on the 18 October 2016 as circulated were confirmed and signed. It was requested that a copy of the Volunteer Code of Conduct be attached to the minutes.
284/16 CLERKS REPORT:
a. Minute 64/15 Purchase of Noticeboard. The condition of the noticeboard has improved slightly but there is still an issue with it misting up. This is being pursued with the supplier.
b. Minute 665/15 Review Photocopier Arrangements. Negotiations are still taking place with both organisations relating to this matter.
c. Minute 796/15 BoP Consultation regarding parking charges at Upton Country Park. No further information. A response is awaited.
d. Minute 122/16 Sale of PDC land and Town Council owned Hibbs Close. No further information.
285/16 CORRESPONDENCE:
None.
286/16 ADOPTION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a) The report of the Environment committee held on 25 October 2016 as circulated was confirmed, adopted and signed.
continued…………………….
286/16 ADOPTION OF COMMITTEE REPORTS:(Cont)
b) The report of the Amenities committee held on 1 November 2016 as circulated was confirmed, adopted and signed.
c) The report of the Planning committee held on 8 November 2016 as circulated was confirmed, adopted and signed.
287/16 REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS/DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS:
Cllr Mrs J M Richards – Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council
Cllr Mrs Richards attended the Remembrance Day Parade on Sunday 13 November and expressed concern that no assistance towards planning and supporting the event on the day was forthcoming from the Royal British Legion. A letter to this effect will be sent to the Head Office of the RBL and an article published in the Clarion. Cllr Chase thanked Cllr Burns for his assistance in putting out the necessary signage.
Cllr P F Johns – Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council
I attended the Purbeck District Council (PDC) 5th November Local Plan Partial Review meeting together with two members of the Lytchett Minster Planning Watch (LYMPWatch) group where we expressed our extreme concern about the proposal to allocate the fields around Lytchett Minster village for 650 new dwellings. My concern was mainly questioning the proposal to allow this large housing development to be built on this part of the Purbeck green belt which in the PDC’s 2015 Green Belt Review is stated to be the most important part of the Purbeck green belt because it stops the spread of the Poole and Bournemouth conurbation into Dorset. The LYMP Watch members were mainly concerned about the proposal to build such a large number of properties around the existing village, which is a conservation area and because the large number of new properties would increase the existing risk of flooding in the village. In conclusion, because a very considerable number of Purbeck residents had objected to the Partial Review proposals the PDC councillors decided to reconsider the partial review proposals with a new consultation to be carried out in March 2017.
Cllr B Burns – Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council
Cllr Burns attended the recent LUCA AGM but the meeting was not quorate. Some business was conducted but a special AGM will now take place before the end of the month.
Cllr Mrs R J Wood – Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council
Lockyer's Trust Meeting held on Tuesday, 8th November 2016 at 5.00 p.m.
As the Town CounciI's representative, I attended the above meeting held at Lytchett Minster School(LMS). The head teacher of LMS, Mr Meade, attended the meeting for the first time.
Having agreed a number of grant applications, our discussion then centred on raising the initial grant available to eligible applicants from £250 to £350. It was agreed that the grant would be raised w.e.f from 1st January 2017. (Earlier in the year it had been agreed that post-graduate students could seek an additional grant up to a maximum of £150.)
Discussion then moved to possible reasons for the comparatively modest take-up of grants within the community, despite information being included by LMS with students' A level (or equivalent) exam results. It was agreed that this matter would be discussed further at the next meeting of the trust. In addition, it was noted that the Cecil Trust ( another local trust that can offer financial support to local young people) was experiencing a similar problem. It was agreed, therefore, that closer liaison between the two trusts should be explored.
The main reason for Mr Meade's attendance at the meeting was to explore the possibility of the Trust making a financial contribution to the music department to help provide lessons for budding orchestral musicians. As presented, the Trust stated that it would not be able to support such a venture. However, other ideas were explored and it was agreed that Mr Meade and Mr Ruston (Deputy Head) would bring revised proposals to the next meeting.
continued…………………….
287/16 REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS/DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS:
Cllr F H Drane, Dorset County Council
PDC Members Meeting
Purbeck District Conservations Areas – Preservation and Enhancement
Parish and Town Councils can appoint heritage wardens in much the same way as they currently do tree wardens, thereby taking a direct role in the custody within their area.
Purbeck Local Plan Partial Review Advisory Group
I have been elected onto the PRAG and in that capacity attended the 2 November 2016 meeting.
I attended the DCC Pathway to independence.
Informed that care will be given to those needing care on a moving basis, eg financial help is available to people with less than £13k less up to £23k then financial help ends.
I attended the DCC Police and Crime Panel. The Police Commissioner could not attend due to family illness. The Deputy Commissioner attended and gave a report on future events. They intend to take on apprentices and also a part-time Chief Executive and Assistant Chief Executive, hinting that the work load for his department was increasing. I made the point that apprentices I fully agree with but the position was getting too heavy at the top and sounds like empire building. This was denied but I asked for it to be on future agendas.
I attended the DCC full members meeting and seminar pm.
It was confirmed that the DCC election will take place in 2017 and not put forward to 2018. I asked why in short a delay on elections can be 5 years but not 6 years.
No further information on the Councils getting together. I made the point months ago, I raised the effect it would have on Parish and Town Councils and yet we still haven’t had financial facts put forward.
288/16 TO CONSIDER THE CREATION OF A ‘COMMUNITY YOUTH AWARD:
After discussion it was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED to create a Community Youth Award which will be presented at the Annual Assembly. Cllr Griffin will supply the criteria and then the initiative will be publicised to invite nominations.
289/16 TO CONSIDER A NOMINEE FOR ‘PURBECK VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 2017’:
It was suggested that Mrs Shirley Benjafield and Ms Mandy Borg be nominated for this award and Cllr Chase will prepare some information for submission to PDC.
290/16 TO CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR THE TOWN COUNCIL VACANCIES:
No applicants have been received therefore no discussion took place.
291/16 TO RECEIVE UPDATE ON COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS EVENT IN UPTON:
The Christmas Parade is in hand and the route will be publicised. Collection buckets will be provided by the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Electrics are being organised at the cedar tree and a PA system will be provided. Arrangements for the carol service, which includes the involvement of the Infants and Junior School choirs, are confirmed and refreshments will be provided afterwards at the Community Centre by Friends of Upton Library, with entertainment by the Wrinkle Pickers. It was suggested that the Town Council should purchase carol sheets.
292/16 TO CONSIDER VARIOUS LAND PARCELS WITHIN THE TOWN (REDWOOD ROAD/LAND ADJ TO RECREATION GROUND/SKATE PARK/HIBBS CLOSE/FRAMPTON TERRACE) WHICH COULD BE DEVELOPMENT IN THE FUTURE AND LOOK AT WHAT OPTIONS THERE MAY BE TO PROTECT IT FROM DEVELOPMENT:
After discussion it was agreed to arrange a meeting with PDC to discuss areas of land the Town Council have identified and how these can be protected, and to advise of any other pieces of land that could be developed.
continued…………………….
293/16 TO DISCUSS CEMETERY ISSUES:
Cllr Small reported on discussions he had with a representative from the Borough of Poole who suggested ways the existing drainage could be improved at a cost of approximately £6000. The use of the central area in the Cemetery for burials will be put on hold until further discussion on the drainage has taken place and this will be included as an item on the next Amenities agenda. A notice to this effect will be put on the Cemetery notice board. Copies of the drainage proposals from the Borough of Poole will be circulated to members.
294/16 TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT BUDGETS FOR 2017/18:
The budgets were perused by members and it was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED that they be approved.
295/16 TO RECEIVE THE LATEST FINANCIAL SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS:
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED that the accounts for November 2016 be approved.
296/16 TO APPROVE ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT AND TO INSTRUCT MEMBERS TO SIGN CHEQUES:
It was proposed, seconded and
RESOLVED that the accounts for November 2016 be approved.
297/16 ITEMS OF REPORT (INCLUDING PUBLICITY OPPORTUNITIES) AND MATTERS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:
a) The Mayor advised members that they should make an appointment if they wish to speak to the Clerk.
b) Cllr Griffin reported on a meeting with the Borough of Poole regarding the possibility of sharing ground staff. They have an employee who is about to complete a horticultural apprenticeship and this person will be employed on a 2 month trial basis commencing January 2017, after which time the position will be advertised and he will be free to apply.
c) Cllr Griffin reported that he met the DCC Highways Officer on site at Waypoints to look at solutions to the parking issues there. The installation of the metal hoops will be pursued with Waypoints.
d) Cllr Mrs Wood had received a complaint from a resident about water being pumped off the Policeman’s Lane building site into the streams/ditches and it will be clarified with PDC whether they have permission for this activity.
e) Cllr Chase advised that the car park at the Grove requires urgent attention.
f) Cllr Drane raised the issue of changes to Doctors’ Surgeries.
g) Cllr Johns advised that discussion on the Lytchett Minster Conservation Area have been put on hold until after the PDC Partial Review.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.35 p.m.
Chairman……..…………………………………..
Date………………………………………………