CORFE CASTLEPARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD AT THE TOWN HALL, CORFE CASTLE
ON MONDAY 8th May 2017 - The meeting commenced at 7.00pm
PRESENT:
Cllr S Dru Drury (Chairman)
Cllr M Bond (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr S Clarke
Cllr N Dragon
Cllr M Spinney
Cllr M Dando
Cllr L Haywood
Cllr L Spicer-Short
Cllr D Grinstead
PUBLIC HALF HOUR
There were three members of the public present. One raised concerns over the new surface of the road in East Street, specifically with regard to the iron works. Attention was drawn to the exposed drain cover outside 14 East Street. It was suggested we arrange a handover with a representative from highways to ensure the quality of work is adequate.
Suzie Baverstock from Perenco attended to advise she is leaving on the 26th of May. She advised there will still be funds available for community improvement and whilst she will not be replaced the Council can liaise with Ade Parvin and Fiona Renouf. The Council extend big thanks to Suzie.
Helen Selby presented a cheque for £1000 on behalf of the Wareham and Purbeck Young Farmers and the Vintage Ploughing Committee to go toward the Councils Defibrillator project. The Council formally thanks both parties and Helen for attending.
ACTION1. / APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr R Marshallsay, Cllr P Morrison-Wells
2. / DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS
The Council adopted the Code of Conduct set out on the Communities and Local Government website at the 10th September 2012 Meeting (Page 155, para 3.7). Declarations of Interests received for all Councillors. All Councillors are granted a dispensation to set the Precept. Cllr Michael Bond also has a dispensation for discussions on affordable housing sites.No alterations.
[Declarations of Interest and accompanying dispensations are on both the District Council and the Parish Council websites – David Churchill.] / Clerk
David Churchill
3. / ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Proposed by Cllr Haywood, seconded by Cllr Clarke, that Cllr Dru Drury be nominated as Chairman for 2017/18. There were no other nominations and Cllr Dru Drury was duly elected, unanimously. He then took the Chair and proceeded to sign the declaration of acceptance of office.
4. / ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
5. / Proposed by Cllr Dando, seconded by Cllr Spinney, that Cllr Bond be nominated as Vice-Chairman for 2016/17. There were no other nominations and Cllr Bond was duly elected, unanimously. He proceeded to sign the declaration of acceptance of office.
MINUTES
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 10th April 2017 were an accurate account of the meeting and they were signed.
6.
7. / COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT
(County Councillor arrived late so this actually took place after item 13 on Agenda)
Newly elected County Councillor Cherry Brooks reported she was being inducted on April the 11th. She has attended a meeting of the new Council and advised that the previous leader and deputy had not regained their seats, the position of leader and deputy would be filled by Rebecca Knox and Peter Wharf respectively. Cherry will aim to attend PC meetings to deliver her reports and was requested by the Council to take up position of Chair tothe Purbeck Rail Transport Partnership and the Norden Park and Ride Committee.
DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT
District Councillor, Cllr Nigel Dragon reported two issues of interest. District Council have responded to Government White paper on housing, are Corfe going to respond? Secondly Arne Parish Council are planning on increasing numbers of Councillors and there may be an issue to look at in the future if they are co-opting. You can’t qualify as a competent Council unless two thirds of the Council are Elected. The status of District Council is ‘up in the air’. If District Council is abolished our point of contact with the Unitary will be far reached if our County Councillor can’t make meetings. It is a concern. Due to the forthcoming general election the restructuring is likely to be delayed for year if it even goes ahead with the new Government and their agenda.
8. / NATIONAL TRUST REPORT
9.
10. / Andrew Eustace from the National Trust has had a very successful start to the year with a very strong Easter. The additional parking made available at the overflow car-park and Norden helped with this and relieved congestion in the village. The Trust are going to get grant funding to run the Shuttle Bus independently and are aiming to run a 20 min rail-road inter change via Castle View into the village. This will probably involve the appointment of a third party.
The TRO is going ahead outside of the National Trust shop and there should be news on this within the next two weeks. Andrew will be attending a workshop with the South West director of Historic England to explore how they work together and how to best manage the castle moving forward. They will focus on the effects of Climate Change, Visitor Impact and Erosion Damage. JonathonKershaw is getting up to speed with Phil Stuckley’s area in preparation for him leaving.
Work onrubbish clearance in the Halves continues, there are still some bits left but it will soon be gone. Huge thanks were expressed by the Council for the Trust’s work on this.
The Curatorial Team are looking into possible locations that the defibrillator could be moved to. It is still a viable thing to do it are just a question of where and when.
Uvedale has been let and parking has been made available in Station Road when required.
The Trust are monitoring amplified music and would request if any is heard around the Castle that it is reported to them. The next meeting will be attended by Andrew along with his successor.Action: Andrew or successor to update us on the progress with the defibrillator and TRO
APPOINTMENTS OF COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES TO OTHER BODIES
The appointment of committees and representatives to other bodies were agreed as follows:
Standing Committees
Co-ordination & agenda: Chairman, Vice-Chairman & the Clerk
Finance: Cllrs M Bond, S Clarke, Mrs R Marshallsay, Cllr P Morrison-Wells
Highways Maintenance: Cllr M Dando, Cllr M Spinney
Housing: Need:Cllrs N Dragon, Cllr M Spinney
Delivery:Cllrs S Clarke, Cllr M Dando, Cllr P Morrison-Wells
National trust: All Councillors
Planning: Cllrs S Dru Drury, Cllr L Haywood, Cllr P Morrison-Wells
Playground: Cllrs N Dragon, D Grinsted, Mrs R Marshallsay, M Spinney
Rights of Way: Cllr Mrs R Marshallsay, Mrs L Haywood
Tourism: Cllrs M Dando, N Dragon
Youth Liaison: Cllr M Dando, D Grinsted, M Spinney
Representatives on other bodies
Chamber of Trade and Commerce: Cllrs M Bond, S Clarke, D Grinsted
Common Management Committee: Cllrs M Spinney
CPRE: Cllrs R Marshallsay, Cllr E Spicer-Short
DAPTC: Cllrs N Dragon, CllrR Marshallsay
Emergency Planning Community Contacts:CllrMrs L Haywood, Cllr E Spicer-Short [Flood Warden]
Friends of the Library: Cllr R Marshallsay, Cllr E Spicer-Short
Imreys: Cllr M Bond
Local Archaeology Liaison Reps: Cllrs L Haywood, CllrMarshallsay, Cllr Bond
PACT - Police & Communities Together: Cllr N Dragon, CllrR Marshallsay, CllrE Spicer-Short
Parish Tree Warden: Cllr Mrs R Marshallsay, M Spinney
Perenco Liaison: Cllr S Dru Drury, Cllr R Marshallsay, CllrP Morrison-Wells
School Liaison:Cllr M Bond, Cllr D Grinsted
Swanworth Quarry: Cllr Mrs Marshallsay, Cllr M Spinney
Swanage Railway: Cllr N Dragon,Cllr S Dru Drury
Transport ( incl. Purbeck Transport Action Group): Cllr M Dando, CllrN Dragon
Village Hall: Cllr P Morrison-Wells, CllrM Spinney
Nominees to other bodies
Corfe Castle Charity:[4 year terms] Mr R Swaine (February 2021), Pastor Barry Walton (Feb 2018), Mr R Green (September 2019), Cllr M Bond (September 2019)
God's Acre:(no retirement dates) Cllr Mrs L Haywood, Cllr Mrs E Spicer-Short
Sports Trust: [4 year terms] CllrN Dragon (November 2019), Cllr L Haywood (November 2020), Cllr S Clarke (August 2019)
Town Trust: [4 year terms] Cllr Dragon (January 2021), Cllr Morrison-Wells (January 2021), Cllr S Clarke (September 2019)
Actions: Clerk to advise if PACT still operational, Clerk to circulate updated list of Committees and nominations to other bodies, Cllr Spicer-Short to liaise with Cllr Haywood re. Role of flood warden.
REVIEW OF ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
No subscriptions invoices received as yet. Last year’s payments as follows:
£ Amount / Date
DAPTC - Annual Subscription + LCR magazine (up from £441.46 due to electorate figures) / £454.19 / 27/06/2017
Council for the Protection of Rural England - Annual Subscription / £36 / 04/10/2016
District Council Planning Training – now only 2 x one day events on 8th September & 6th March. / £50 / 20/06/2016
Total : / £540.19
Adopted Budget 2017/18, para 11, (DAPTC – currently £490.19 (up from £441.46) including the twice yearly LCR magazine. CPRE – currently £36 (same as last year). This totals £526.19 (previously £477.46), assume 5% increase on all items, say £550.)
Resolved- all payments approved up to a sum of £550. Proposed Cllr Haywood seconded Cllr Grinstead, all in favour. / Andrew Eustace
11.
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5 / MATTERS ARISING
Re April Item 7.1 –ANNEX A Parking, Road Safety and Other Highway Issues
(b) Parking and Road Surface in Mead Road
Raised at APM. A resident has concerns over parking in Mead Road, particularly on the corner of Jubilee Close and he would like to see double yellow lines introduced in the area. In addition to the parking issue the condition of the surface of Mead Road is poor and is prone to surface water build up. The Council advised the subject would be on the agenda for a meeting in the near future.Clerk has written and reported concerns to Stephen Mepham 05/05/2017 . He will investigate with Jenny Penny and respond. ACTION: Clerk to chase Jenny Penny
(c)Provision/creation of a cycle path from Village Square to Norden
Another issue raised at the APM was the need for a safe cycle route around the castle between the village square and Norden. The road is narrow and dangerous to ride yet frequently and heavily used by cyclists. Could a cycle path of some sort be introduced? The Chair advised that a cycle route is included in the DCC Highways Norden Park and Ride Plans but there is no date for its implementation in the near future. Council is unsure when the next Forum will take place and we would like Cherry Brooks to Chair.
Could speed be reduced in some other way, community speed-watch? Speed bumps? The Council will follow up.
(e) Pavement and Road Surface –
The road surface replacement from the Studland junction to the Kingston turning should soon be complete.- Action: Clerk to arrange site vist with highways to address any issues with the road surface.
Discussion was had regarding the Zebra crossing and the need for it’s improvement, either traffic lights or better paint? It is being ignored by too many drivers in it’s present condition .
Re April Item 7.2 – PLAYGROUND MATTERS
The Rocking Horse, See Saw and wooden fence by the swings have all been repaired. The only outstanding concern is the perished swing seats.Cllr Spinney has purchased paints for well under the agreed amount which should be sufficient to do all the work- cheque paid this month.
Re April Agenda Item 10- BRIGHSTONE LANDSCAPING CONTRACT
There are still many concerns over the frequency of cutting; it is thought they have not cut at all in April.ACTION:Clerk to chase and ensure we get reports when they have visited as stipulated in contact, we are expecting 22 cuts this year.
Re April Agenda Item 11- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
VILLAGE HALL
How much to commit? The Council considered a figure around £4,000 but would like to have a written plan from the Village Hall Committee so we can formally approve it. Whilst we had a verbal report at the AGM the council would like the proposal in writing and to know how much the Village Hall Committee are interested in receiving and how much they actually require to get started. We know they have around £90,000 already pledged from various parties. Action:Proposed a grant request is submitted to us- Cllr Spinney to arrange this for financial committee to authorise.David Atkins.
Re April Agenda Item 11- CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
Item 109: RURAL ENGLAND 15/03 FUEL POVERTY NEWS LETTER
Cllr Morrison-Wells to follow up and arrange meeting with Bridget Downton / Clerk to chase Jenny Penny
Clerk
Clerk
Cllr Spinney
Cllr Morrisson-Wells
11.6
11.7
12.
13.
14.
item
148.
item
150.
item
172.
item
173
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15.
16.
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17.
. / RUBBISH BIN REPLACEMENTS
It was resolved to purchase five new bins, three singles and two doubles in the Victoriana style, green colour, gold beading, with ‘Corfe Castle’ detail. The Council will retain ownership of the bins and will need written agreement from DWP that they will continue to empty the specific bins chosen if we proceed with replacing. The idea of sponsorship was considered to help funding but dismissed. It was also noted that we ask DWP to remove the old bins and do what they will with them. It was also discussed that the village shop in Station Road have mentioned the need for a bin. The Clerks is to see if it would be possible to relocate an existing bin and DWP continue to empty, or a new bin? To investigate options and review. Cllr Bond Proposes, Cllr Clarke seconds. Resolution was deferred until next month as matter had not been included in financial matters-Clerk to discuss with DWP and ensure the bins will be emptied.
Clerk to prepare order and include the purchase of the bins in financial matters for next month’s meeting.
Clerk to confirm would DWP continue to empty bin if it was relocated to Station Road
LANDSCAPING AROUND THE WEST STREET TOILETS: RAISED BY ALSION PALMER AT AGMCould it be made prettier? The area is owned by PDC and it was suggested the Council could perhaps contact a local garden centre to see if they would be happy to donate some low maintenance shrubs? Council will discuss with PDC initially. Clerk has spoken to PDC, no budget for either plants or maintenance. Have emailed Holme to see if they would consider donating or discounting plants that could be maintained by the gardening club (who I have yet to contact). PDC have advised signage could be installed to advertise a donation but again this would have a cost to produce. Concerns were raised regarding doing . Council are happy providing there is no financial outlay. Action:Clerk to chase and await response from East Holme.
Whilst discussing it was noted we need the potential proposal to request the Parish Council take over the running of the Car park in West Street and the Toilets on next month’s agenda.
Clerk to include in next month’s agenda
APRIL AGENDA ITEM 12: YOUTH CLUB
No confirmation of costs anticipated for the next contract as trustees are meeting tomorrow. Copy of agreement for service currently provided and was circulated at the meeting. Concerns were raised over safeguarding issues if Council were to run the youth club, they would want employees to be CRB checked as they are at present. It was again mentioned the staff needed to be consulted. The concept of having a output specification or accredited standard of operation such as ‘ofsted’ was mentioned but deferred as something that would need looking into and some Councilors felt this was a precarious undertaking. It is thought the Dorset Youth Association can actually provide many of the items discussed under their umbrella.To clarify the proposal is that the Council will pay the DYA for a subscription at £25 a year for which they will supply model business practices and guidance. The Council will then employ the staff directly and pay then through a third party accountant. If this will have pension implications do we need to look into that? The other option is carry on with the PYCF.
Cllr Mike Spinney to report back with costs anticipated for the next contract versus cost anticipated for Council to run, to also consult the current workers at the youth club
DEFIBRILLATORS:
The Council decided unanimously to team up with the Swanage Defibrillator Partnership as part of the team. The Council are still responsible for up-keep and maintaining the units. A team of young people have come forward to volunteer to train ‘Guardians’. To date there are four volunteers but Council would ideally like 12 so responsibilities were only required once a year. There is no cost to join the Swanage Defibrillator Partnership.
It has been suggested Perenco will consider funding. The Community Heartbeat Trust are installing a unit in mead Road. The Legion is a potential site for the installationof a second unit and the third could be the National Trust unit, relocated. The Councilneeds to ascertain who would pay for the casing, National Trust or Parish Council?
Resolved to join Swanage Defibrillator Partnership -Cllr Clarke Proposes we join, Cllr Spicer Short Seconded, all in favour.
Action: Chair to write to Encombe Estate for funding.
Action: Finance Committee to consider upkeep of the defibrillators in future budget
Action: Cllr Spicer-Short to confirm who is going to pay for the National Trust box