PRESENT – Cllrs Mrs J Barnes (Chairman), Miss A Mathie, E Adam, C Burton, J Hedges, J Wright, P Duffield, P Lucas, DA Spinney and T Rossiter
Also Wiltshire Cllr T Deane and 1 member of the public, Mr B Gray
Inspector D Minty for Rural Policing report.
APOLOGIES – Cllrs Mrs D Goetz and Mrs R Fraser
MINUTES OF LAST MEETING of the 20th January 2010 were taken as read. It was PROPOSED by Cllr J Wright and SECONDED by Cllr Miss A Mathie and ALL AGREED that the circulated minutes were a true record of that meeting.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST – Cllr DA Spinney declared an interest re – Cemetery Maintenance.
Rural Policing
Inspector Minty gave a very comprehensive report on the rural policing problems.
He admitted that mistakes were made in September last year regarding an incident at Higher Coombe. He is now pleased to report that this has led to a greater cross border cooperation with Dorset regarding 999 calls, patrols and policing.
Inspector Minty raised the issue of the elderly and vulnerable who in the current recession are retaining large sums of money in their homes. This has led to an increase in scams, distraction burglaries and break-ins
Inspector Minty advised that Constable Andy Fell has now returned from his detached duty and is again, with Kim Maffey PCSO, policing the area.
Cllrs were very pleased with the Inspector’s report and the Chairman thanked Inspector Minty for coming.
Roadways within Parish
Condition of Roads – The Chairman stated that she had spoken to Wiltshire Highways at Wilton and had been advised that they were overwhelmed at the amount of repairs that they now have to undertake as a result of the recent bad weather. Highways are aware of the problems and stated we are on the list for remedial action. Hopefully these will be undertaken sometime in April. The Chairman recommended that the Parish Council send a letter to Wiltshire Council expressing concerns about the number of complaints received. The Chairman further stated that all Councillors should spread the word that any complaints be made to CLARENCE on 0800 23 23 23. The more complaints that are made by the public, the greater the chances are of moving up the priority ladder.
Gutch Common – The work carried out by the contractors was unsatisfactory and therefore will be repaired under warranty.
A30 Footpath Ludwell – The Chairman has requested that this path be cleared as a matter of urgency.
Grit Bins – The Chairman thanked Cllr E Adams for conducting a survey on Grit Bins. The Chairman also stated that there are still grit bins that were requested and have yet to be installed.
SIDS (Speed indicator Devices) – The Chairman reported that currently work has been effectively suspended as no funding is available to purchase the SIDS or to install them at recommended ‘hot spots’. However, Tisbury Safety Partnership Group is still looking for ways to get funding and to get SIDS up and running.
Wiltshire Cllr T Deane stated that the question of finance should be raised as ‘Issues’ with the South West Area Board for both SIDS and the pedestrian crossing at Charlton.
All Cllrs AGREED.
Wiltshire Cllr T Deane stated that the alternative procedure to monitor and record vehicle speeds within villages, by Speed Watch Groups, has run into some trouble. The problem is with the software provided by the police.
Speed Limit Review – The Chairman stated that there are serious concerns, in our community and other parishes, with the recommendations in the Speed Limit Review for the raising of 40 mph speed limits to 50 mph on the A30 through villages. This will be discussed at the next TAPCAP meeting.
Cemetery Maintenance Contract 2010/2011
Cllr D A Spinney retired from the meeting whilst this was discussed.
The Clerk stated that he had received only one quotation which was for £2976.00 from Cllr D A Spinney It was PROPOSED by Cllr C Burton and SECONDED by Cllrs A Mathie and ALL AGREED that this quote be accepted.
Cllr DA Spinney returned to the meeting. The Chairman thanked Cllr DA Spinney for the excellent maintenance he had provided.
Play Areas – Remembrance Field
Football Table Project – The Clerk stated that the football table is due to arrive very shortly and that Cllr J Hedges will arrange the installation.
Dog Fouling – The Chairman stated that a parishioner has reported a number of dog fouling incidents which have occurred in the Remembrance Field despite the signs prohibiting dogs entering the field. The maximum fine for dog fouling is £1,000.00
Grants For Tennis Court – The Chairman reported that she and the Clerk had visited the Shaftesbury Task Force to finalise the application to the Lottery Commission for a grant toward the re-surfacing of the tennis courts The Parish Council will also be making an application to the South West Area Board for any balance.
The Clerk stated that he had spoken to Mr Richard Munro of South West Area Board regarding match funding as Shaftesbury Task Force considered that the Parish Council should contribute some monies to the project It was considered that, depending upon the level of success with the above funding applications, it would be prudent for the Parish Council to earmark £1,000 for this project This was agreed by all Councillors present.
Coronation Drive – Parking
A meeting is being arranged by the South West Area Board to discuss the possible allocation of land for this purpose. The meeting will also discuss the possible allocation of land for the next item on the Agenda – The Orchard Project.
Orchard Project
The Chairman stated that she advised the Chairman of the Orchard Project to raise this as an ‘Issue’ with the South West Area Board. This has been done and in consequence the matter is proceeding.
Affordable Housing
An email from Hastoe Housing was read out.
The Councillors accepted that funding for new affordable housing will be scarce for the foreseeable future.
Hastoe Housing Association are in continuing dialogue with South Wilts over the best way forward for the Donheads.
Correspondence – Any relevant correspondence has been given to Cllrs.
Flooding
Wiltshire Cllr T Deane stated that there are concerns that flooding could take place in the Coombes caused by the East Shaftesbury new housing estate of 750 houses and that he is in contact with North Dorset District Council concerning the matter.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
S/2009/1901 PROPOSAL – FULL PLANNING LOCATION OF AGRIGULTURAL BUILDING WITH POSSIBLE USE FOR LIVESTOCK TOGETHER WITH ALTERATIONS TO ACCESS AND CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS TRACK LOCATION; LITTLEDOWN, WARMINSTER, DONHEAD ST MARY, SHAFTESBURY
WC – APPC PARISH – WC ERROR – APOLOGY – PC NOT INFORMED
S/2010/78/FULL
PROPOSAL – FULL PLANNING PROPOSED TWO-STOREY EXTENSION
LOCATION – LAUREL COTTAGE, WATERY LANE, DONHEAD ST MARY, SHAFTESBURY
WC – PARISH – SUPPORT
S/2010/85/FULL
PROPOSAL – FULL PLANNING DEMOLISH EXISTING DWELLING AND OUTBUILDINGS AND ERECT REPLACEMENT DWELLING AND GARAGE
LOCATION – LONE FIR, WATERY LANE, DONHEAD ST MARY, SHAFTESBURY.
WC – PARISH – SUPPORT WITH CONDITIONS
S/2010/196/PRIOR NOTIFICATION
PROPOSAL PRIOR NOTIFICATION – ERECTION OF AN AGRICULTURAL STORAGE BUILDING IN FIELD TO WEST OF CEDAR LODGE
LOCATION – CEDAR LODGE, 5 DEWEY PLACE, DONHEAD ST MARY, SHAFTESBURY
WC – PARISH
S/2010/199/FULL
PROPOSAL – FULL PLANNING ERECT CONSERVATORY TO SIDE (WEST ) ELEVATION.
LOCATION – CASTLE RINGS, DONHEAD ST MARY, SHAFTESBURY
WC – PARISH – SUPPORT
A REVIEW OF PC ASSET REGISTER – Copy to all Cllrs.
The Clerk presented a review of the asset register, stating that certain items are outdated and needed to be written down for insurance purposes.
Annual Meeting of the Parish 7.00 pm followed by the Parish Council AGM
Wednesday 12 May 2010