DRAFT

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MELBURY ABBAS AND CANN GROUP PARISH COUNCIL 3rd FEBRUARY 2016 HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL

Present: In attendance – Cllr. Hughes, (Chair), Cllr. Parker, Markham, Cllr. Weston, Cllr. Gill, Cllr. Webber, Cllr. Mitchell, Mrs. Kaile (Clerk).

Mrs. C. Langham

Members of the Public 2

2015.93APOLOGIES

Cllr Sturgess, Johnson.

2015.94MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Minutes of the Meeting of 2nd Decemberread and approved.

2015.95MATTERS ARISING

No matters arising.

2015.96DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were asked to re-read the agenda for this meeting and to make any

declarable interests known. Cllr Webber advised he would have to declare an

interest if the Commons was discussed.

All would havean interest in road matters.

2015.97REMINDER AS TO MEDIA POLICY

Meeting reminded as to the Council's policy.

2015.98CO-OPTION

Mr. William Kenealy was co-opted to the Council for the Cann Ward after presenting

his C.V. to the meeting. Cllr. Hughes proposed co-option, seconded Cllr. Parker

all in favour.

2015.99UPDATE COUNTY COUNCILLOR

The monthly report from the County Councillor had been circulated earlier.

Cllr. Webber felt that the fact that the County Councillor no longer attends

Parish Council meetings means that she is not approachable, particularly when there are such issues as the current bus route closures. Mrs. Langham

had attended the first of Mrs Croney's new 1/4 sessions where the guest speaker

was Police and Crime Commissioner. Cllr Mitchell asked if the Parish Council

could offer topics for her 1/4 meetings. The Chairman to write to Mrs. Croney

concerning this idea.

UPDATE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

Mrs. Langham advised that NDDC had received notification that the developer

for the proposed development on the B3081/A30 junction was considering

a court injunction with regard to NDDC's recent District Plan. As yet no injunction

has been served. Mr. Reynolds pointed out that the land that these developers wish

to build on has been designated by the Planning Inspector as land that has to be

protected because of the views it offers to the wider area, which includes Dinah's

Hollow in which NDDC have just agreed numerous tree felling can take place.

Mrs. Langham reported that NDDC consider that the Shaftesbury Neighbourhood

Plan is not being prepared properly and will therefore not be adopted by the planning

authorities. This is because that no consultation has taken place. Cllr. Markham

pointed out that the community has been involved and that she is working on the

Rural Objectives which have been circulated to parishioners. She also advised that

a new resident of the Parish is going to assist her with elements of the Plan.

Mrs. Langham reported on the NDDC meeting that had taken place with regard to

works requested by DCC under the TPO for Dinah's Hollow. The Chairman was

concerned that in the previous week DCC and NDDC had a meeting with NDDC

councillors in the Hollow to discuss these works but no such invitation had been

extended to the landowners and other stakeholders. He said that the NDDC meeting

itself was flawed and that the Tree Officers could not determine what an ancient wood

land was when asked , and Sue Clifford of the Shaftesbury Tree Group and Richard Burden of the AONB had to do this for them. It was pointed out that if the councillors had read the DCC's Environmental report they would have known the answer. The Chairmanadvised that he would be writing to NDDC on aspects of this meeting.

Mrs. Langham mentioned the proposed Litter Pick for the Queens's 90th Birthday.

Cllr. Kenealy has knowledge of what is involved to undertake

these kind of activities and will circulate detail to see if it something this parish could

get involved with.

2015.100FINANCE REPORT

It was advised that the extra £1000 the Parish Council has allocated to the

Village Hall from next year's budget will go towards the cost of installing

a toilet for the disabled as advised by the Treasurer for the VHMC.

Cllr Markham to forward to Cllr Mitchell the bank forms required for change

of signature.

Bank Balances; - Instant Account £5772, Treasurers Account £12,593 and

Post Office £2483.

Cheques to be minuted: - Clerk's Salary £516.48, Works to Telephone Kiosk

(Mr. N. Bowman) £156.13; Spread Eagle printing £142.

DAPTC subs to increase by 3% for the next year.

The Clerk relayed the proposed changes to the Audit procedure from

2017 with the recommendation that the Parish Council opt in to the

new system for a five year period. The only difference from now will be

that the auditor will be appointed by Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments

Ltd who will undertake the limited assurance audit review. By opting in to

the new system is the simplest way should electors raise any financial queries.

The need for all employers to offer pensions to paid employees - advice is being sought from the DAPTC and others.

The Millennium Group are looking into the possibility of undertaking an event

to mark the Queen's 90th Birthday, for which they were seeking some financial

contribution from the Parish Council. More information was requested before

making decision.

A National Chain of Beacons is being organised for the 21st April to

mark the event. Clerk to contact National Trust to see if such an event

is possible on the Beacon. Also Compton Abbas Parish Council to see if

they are planning to take part.

The question of notice boards was discussed with the latest quote received

and it was agreed to order two notice boards (one for opposite the Old Post

Office, the other at Cann Common) in a rosewood finish at a cost of

£918 including VAT from Valecraft. All in agreement. Options for a notice board at Hillsidestill being considered.

Freedom of Information requirements in the process of being reviewed.

2015.101REPORT FROM PLANNING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Planning application for Higher Blandford Road/A30 - due to

discussed at NDDC planning meeting shortly. Highways

have not raised any issues.

Garage at Guys Marsh approved. Application in for Cornhills

to be reviewed.

The application for self-build houses at Guys Marsh has been

withdrawn.

2015.102REPORT FROM ROADS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

A complaint has been received concerning the number of HGVS trying

to use Pitts Lane (via sat nav). A Not Suitable for HGVs has been

requested. Reply still outstanding from DCC.

Village Gates - Cllr Parker suggested that the best and quickest way

would be for this to be a community project. Agreed that we should write

to Highways advising them that this is what is going to be done and where

it is proposed to erect them. Four pairs would be required.

The Chairman advised that he and the Clerk have a meeting with

M. Piles, Head of Economy at DCC on the 16th February on the

recent Economic report published (which discusses the close-

in bypass) and the bigger picture. Cllr Parker asked what other by pass

options are there. The Chairman replied that looking at the

west of the A350 and joining up the centres of growth would be one such

option.

2015.103REPORT FROM THE GUYS MARSH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

HMP being bought up to the required level. No prisoners being

allowed out on work release projects.

2015.104REPORT FROM FOOTPATHS AND TREES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

No issues.

2015.105REPORT FROM THE DAPTC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Details of courses available circulated. Cllr Webber felt there should be

more evening courses to enable people who worked during the day to attend.

2015.106REPORTS FROM SHAFTESBURY TAKE GROWTH FORWARD

Already discussed.

2015.107AIRFIELD

Nothing to report.

2015.108VILLAGE HALL AND MILLENNIUM GROUP

New doors fitted at the Village Hall.

Thanks given to the Parish Council for the extra £1000 that will be given later

in the year.

Flag pole being erected and a competition for a flag design to be set up.

Other activities being considered in order to increase the revenue such as the successfulSupper Clubs.

New fencing at the Village Hall now erected but not in the correct place.

2015.109TRAVELLERS

There are a few travellers back on the Commons.

No response yet on the management plan.

2015.110OPTIONS FOR USE OF TELEPHONE KIOSK

Options for its new use outstanding. Cllr Markham to get quote

for notice board from N. Bowman.

To look at the cost of a defibrillator to be sited either in the telephone

kiosk or by the Village Hall.

2015.110COMMUNICATIONS

Already circulated.

2015.111QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

Mr. Reynolds disappointed that NDDC did not invite the Parish Council

to the meeting they had in Dinah's Hollow last week regarding the TP0, when

in particular the A350 Road Group get invited to such meetings. He is also

concerned that this Parish Council is not allowed to have proper representation

on the A350 Road Group.

The Chairman said that he has tried to speak to the Chair of this Group (R. East)

but they are not prepared to accept he has to represent two villages. The Chairman

does not feel the terms and conditions of this Group are right for this Parish and

that we should remain as we are and try and get a fair deal for all roads.

Mr. Reynolds pointed out that the Parishes on the A350 do not appear from reviewing their minutes to have any mandate for such activity.

Cllr. Weston raised a question concerning who the point of contact is with

regard to the Commons. Cllr Webber advised that he is working on this particular

aspect at the moment.

A speaker is required for the Annual Meeting in June - Mr. Stoate to be approached

with regard to the work of a miller.

2015.112ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA

None

Meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.

Date of Next Meeting 6.4.16

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