MILTON ABBAS PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of a Meeting of the Parish Council held on 22 May 2015 in the READING ROOM, MILTON ABBAS, at 7.30pm PRESENT Mr S. Cox Mr J. Fifield Mr S. Gould Mr R. Kelso Mrs G. Fitzpatrick (Chair) Mrs L. Fry (Vice Chair, Retiring) Mr T. Ives Mrs E. Payne IN ATTENDANCE Mrs E. Sellen (Clerk), Mr. Steve Bewers (Tree Officer), Mr. Kevin Morris (NDDC) and 23 members of the general public. Six members of the public left at 8.30pm and four members of the public left at 9pm. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Mr. Rowan Woodhouse, Mrs. Jane Somper (District Councillor), Mrs. Emma Parker (District Councillor) 2. DISPENSATIONS 3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on 8th May 2015 had been circulated. It was proposed by EP, seconded by TI, and agreed by those who had attended the previous meeting, that they should be accepted as a true record. 4. MATTERS ARISING EP enquired regarding the matter Listed Building Overreach raised by RW following the previous meeting. The Clerk confirmed that RW had subsequently asked for this to be included in the June agenda. 5. CORRESPONDENCE All correspondence had been circulated by email or was available on the table. The clerk drew attention to the following: A paper copy of the Local Govt. Boundary Commission Electoral Review of Dorset was available for those who were interested. An Emergency Planning Session had been announced for 17 June 2015 5.30pm-8.30pm. As yet no-one had volunteered to attend. SG requested that the email be resent. Notification had been received from Macmillan about the Dorset Bike Ride due to take place on 5th July 2015. RK asked what had been done to raise awareness. The Clerk confirmed that following an accident the previous year, the Cycling association had been given responsibility for raising public awareness, however the Clerk would share the information on notice boards, the village website and Facebook. 7
6. REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS 7. REPORTS HOMEWATCH MATCH The Clerk read an email from the Chair of MATCH as follows; As you know we have recently been hit by quite a large bill for maintenance of Jane s Wood. The article in the last bulletin was inaccurate, nobody came to MATCH with 'cap in hand' from the PC to pay for the maintenance of the wood as it was agreed that MATCH would pay for such work when the wood was originally bought. If the PC wants to change that then they need to speak to me. I will speak to Mostyn and ask him to go out to tender for the work. How it is funded will be up to MATCH to decide. JANE S WOOD JF confirmed that he d been unable to attend the previous meeting. PLAYPARK TI confirmed that there were no problems to report. WELCOME PACK EP confirmed that a WP had been delivered in the village and confirmation of receipt had been obtained since it had not been possible to find the resident at home. EP requested permission to include new Councillor contact information in the WP, and all Councillors agreed. RK enquired regarding the village activities page, which was not up to date; EP confirmed that an update had been requested but not yet received. RK agreed to follow this up. REPORTS FROM OTHER PC OFFICERS 8. PUBLIC FORUM The following points were raised: Mrs. Fifield enquired regarding Jane s Wood and anticipated maintenance. JF voiced concerns regarding access and some debate ensued regarding costs and Tree Preservation Orders. The Clerk reminded everyone that MATCH had advised that this was not a PC matter. Mrs. Robinson enquired regarding the works progressing at Sylvan Corner and whether they were covered by an appropriate Tree Works Application. SB advised regarding progress and confirmed that appropriate permissions had been sought. JF highlighted the Great Stare Project at the Abbey, and suggested that the PC should be more proactively involved. Some concerns were raised regarding the scale and sensitivity of the works. EP suggested that GF should be nominated as a PC representative in place of the retired Chair (Allen Tice). GF agreed. JF, EP and GF agreed to represent the PC and make regular reports to the PC. KM was asked to comment on the proposed works and gave a brief overview of the two phases. RK asked whether the proposed car park would require planning 8
permission and whether the PC would be asked to comment. KM confirmed that it would. Mrs. Robinson drew attention to the fact that timescales would not be favourable for the required permissions to be sought. Mr. Gibbons enquired regarding speed initiatives in the village due to ongoing concerns about speeding traffic which he perceived had worsened since the road resurfacing works. Many suggestions were raised. Mrs. Robinson advised that the Community Speed Watch Team had received the Speed Watch Kit, apologised for the apparent delay in getting started and requested new volunteers or concerned residents to contact her directly for more information. 9. PLANNING Decisions 2/2015/0002/HOUSE & 2/2015/0003/LBC 50, Milton Abbas two storey and single storey extension with veranda and replacement garage Refused 2/2015/0194/HOUSE 18, Milton Abbas Erect replacement garden shed Granted 2/2015/0435/DOC Milton Abbey School, Discharge of Conditions relating to doors, windows, rain water goods and flues Fully Discharged. EP gave a brief report regarding the need for this additional application. Applications 2/2015/0511/FUL St Catherine s Chapel, Milton Abbas Installation of new protective window guards, glazing repairs, repointing of stonework, associated internal and external alterations. As lead, JF gave a brief resume of the issues. KM advised that there was a need to balance the harm of the security guards with the ongoing threat of vandalism and emphasised that the requirement was to safeguard the building. (Some concerns were voiced over the online planning system and the lack of information for this application in particular. The Clerk offered to attend at the end of a Computer Café to present applications on screen and to provide training on the online system at a time of choice.) It was agreed that the next application should be presented on screen at the PC meeting. JF proposed that this application be accepted, there were six votes in favour and one abstention. 2/2015/0647/LBC 44, Milton Abbas - Install 1 window. TI explained the need for this change from a double glazed window to a single glazed hardwood window. TI proposed that this application be accepted and it was agreed unanimously. 10. ARTICLE 4 DIRECTION REVIEW Kevin Morris (Environment, Community & Commissioned Services Manager, NDDC) gave a presentation highlighting the need for a review of the Conservation Area Boundary and Appraisal Document and explained how authorised and unauthorised planning works could potentially dilute the character of the village and ultimately reduce the value of properties if not wisely managed. KM explained that existing planning law already took away many permitted development rights for Listed Buildings, but highlighting local examples demonstrated that the replacement of green areas with large hard standings, 9
enclosure of lawns by 1m boundary walls and painting properties with brightly coloured artwork would be detrimental on the character of the area. Therefore Article 4 seeks to preserve these precious features. Some discussion ensued regarding recent shed and shower room applications. KM re-iterated the fact that sheds are covered under Listed Building regulations and not Article 4. Mrs. Robinson pointed out that the PC were asked only to comment on the removal and replacement of the floor in the recent shower application. Mr. Calloway enquired regarding removal of a front door in the street; KM agreed to investigate whether this was included as part of a previous permission and report back to the Clerk. RK asked KM who approached whom to instigate the Article 4 Direction. KM confirmed that the Parish Council had reported their concerns regarding various developments within the village to NDDC and there had been a joint venture to implement a solution. Mr. Duncombe-Anderson reported that having searched online at www.dorsetforyou.com, he had found.pdf resources relating to pre-application advice and submission of forms to be comprehensive and informative. 11. REVIEW OF INSURANCE QUOTATIONS Following circulation of two quotes for insurance, the Councillors felt that more information was required prior to entering a three year agreement. RK proposed that the PC accept one year of insurance with the existing insurers for the higher rate, to provide additional time to research the alternatives. This was seconded by EP, there were six votes in favour and one abstention. The Clerk agreed to discuss the quotation with Came & Co to see if there was scope to reduce the premium for this year. 12. REQUEST FOR STREET FAIR VOLUNTEERS The Clerk advised that Mr. Morley had requested volunteer assistance from potential Street Fair beneficiaries. GF volunteered to distribute literature prior to the event. Other officers advised that they were already involved in the Street Fair. The Clerk also passed some raffle tickets to the Chair for distribution amongst the Councillors. 13. FINANCE Balances: Current A/c 13,851.10 Playpark A/c 1,371.60 Nationwide A/c 1,150.56 It was proposed by RK and agreed unanimously that existing signatories could continue to sign cheques in the interim. The following cheques were authorised: Current Account Association of Dorset Watches (repl 1019) 1039 300.00 10
Playpark Account Ian Rogers 69 65.00 GF advised that three new councillors had requested to attend the New Councillor training provided by DAPTC at a cost of 30 each, and that as a new Chair, GF would like to attend the Chairmanship Training at 30. It was unanimously agreed. The Clerk had been advised that the Reading Room rent had increased from 8 to 10 per session. It was agreed that this still represented good value for money and the Clerk explained that the budget included provision for two additional meetings which could possibly cover the increased expenditure. GF announced that the internal audit of the Annual Report had been successfully carried out that day. 11. CHAIRMAN S URGENT BUSINESS 12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Councillors were reminded that the next meeting would take place on 10 June 2015 at 7.30pm and, there being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.15pm. 11