Parish Council Update, Minutes, Agenda
Your Councillors are: Trevor Marpole (Chair), Nicki Barker (Vice Chair), Alan Foot, Andy Foot, Doug Morse, Mark Needham, Chris Osmond, Andrew Stone, Stephen White.
Please see bottom of page for Parish Council Minutes and Agenda
What is a Parish Council? Confusion often arises because of the use of the word 'Parish' which most people would connect with the Church. "Parish" is an old English word that means a local territory or catchment area. A parish had two principal functions: firstly to act as a civil unit which was responsible for the collection of taxes and tithes, the dispensing of justice and the raising of armies-, secondly it was an ecclesiastical institution served by a local church or chapel, with a priest or similar clergyman tending to the spiritual needs of local people. By the late 19th Century, the two functions of civil and ecclesiastical parish were formally split in law. The civil parish went on to develop into what we call the parish or town council today (PC). The ecclesiastical parish or Parochial Church Council (PCC) is now an entirely separate body A Parish Council is now a statutory local authority set up under the Local Government Act 1972. It is a corporate body with a legal existence of its own quite separate from that of its members. Councillors are elected every four years and a Clerk is employed to organise meetings, carry out the council's decisions and give advice on any legal issues or new legislation. The Clerk is the only paid person to administer and serve a council and is often the Responsible Financial Officer too, but does not vote or make decisions for the council. Parish and Town Councils in England are the first tier of local government. They have extensive powers ranging from the power to deal with 'offensive ditches', to acquire land and my personal favourite 'to accept gifts'!! The list is too extensive (3 pages) to publish here, if you wish, you can check out www.naic.gov.uk for more information.
Democratic Half Hour
At Parish Council meetings, we include a 'Democratic Half Hour' to allow members of the Parish to make representations at the meeting. This will be added to the Agenda,
before the main body of the meeting takes place, allowing Parishioners to leave if they wish. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, or would prefer to
write or email your concerns or potential resolutions, please can you advise the Chair or myself at least five days before the meeting, if possible. Parish Council Meeting Dates
Future meetings will be held in the Parish Rooms at 7:30pm every 2nd Tuesday of each month. If there are any changes, a note will be posted on the Parish Room door. The dates
for 2008 are as follows: 13 May - AGM and Annual Parish Meeting, 10 Jun, 8 Jul, 12 Aug, 9 Sept, 14 Oct, 11 Nov, 9 Dec.
BUCKLAND NEWTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting
Tuesday, 9th September 2008
at 7.30 pm in The Parish Rooms
Present: Chair - Trevor Marpole (TM), Nicki Barker (NB), Alan Foot (AJF), Chris Osmond (CO), Andrew Stone (AS), Mark Needham (MN), Doug Morse (DM) Clerk: Jacqui Cuff (JC) /Vanessa Wellstead (VW)
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Item |
Detail |
Action |
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1. |
Apologies: Andy Foot (ARF), Stephen White(SW) |
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2. |
Declarations of Interest: Cllr Barker & Cllr Marpole re: item 10 |
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3. 3.1
3.2 |
Democratic Half Hour: Chris Hildred was present at the meeting to talk about the new entrance gateway and the effect on the traffic. There had been several responses from local people, generally in favour of the gateway, but it was felt that further speed prevention measures were needed to have a real effect. As yet no response from DCC road safety re: possibility of installing rumble strips at entrance to village. Cllr Marpole to follow up on progress and ascertain a timescale. Chris also wished to discuss the new location of the Post Office service, please see item 10. |
TM |
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4. |
Minutes of Last Meeting held 12th August 2008: Passed Agreed & Signed |
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5.
5.2
5.3 |
Planning Applications Erect calf housing and storage building No Objections with comment submitted re: roof lights 18/09/08 Proposed AJF seconded DM All in Favour 1/D/08/001623 Land adj to Duntish Mill Farm Erect Stable block , sand school etc Objections, follow up email sent 30/09/08 Proposed MN seconded AJF All in Favour 1/D/08/001687 Knoll End, Castle lane, Buckland Newton Certificate of lawfulness for existing use as dwelling house No objections, supporting letter sent 24/09/08 Proposed CO seconded MN All in Favour |
VW
VW
VW
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6. 6.1
6.2
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Financial Matters Allianz Cornwell Invoice to be paid, following receipt of play area inspection reports. Proposed AJF seconded NB All in Favour
Updated accounts to be passed to new parish clerk. |
JC
JC |
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7.
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Affordable Housing Scheme Cllr Barker had no new information about the affordable housing scheme but enquired about the progress of tenders for the footpath. Four tenders have been sent out by the parish clerk, to be returned by 6th October at the latest, as yet no responses. JC to follow up ready for next meeting. |
JC
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8. 8.1
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Play Area & Recreation Ground Cllr Stone left early to meet with the steering group for the play area. He was hoping to invigorate the group into raising money and coming forward to the BNPC with a proposal. It was also suggested that they check out existing play areas to establish the best use of the space. Cllr Stone to provide update at next meeting. Cllr Marpole will visit the play area to check and verify the inspection report received from Allianz Cornwell. Concerns were raised regarding the mowing of the playing field carried out today. Ground conditions far too wet and it was still raining. The field is now a muddy mess and complaints have been received by Parishioners. 10/9/08 Message left with DCC Call Centre (Kelly) for Jim Lord, Customer Liaison Officer, Dorset Works Organisation Ref No: 283857
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AS
JC
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9.
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Allotments As yet still no response from Ben Lancaster, the senior land agent at DCC, with regard to the proposed rent. DCC Property Management Group holding meeting on 10th September, should have feedback soon after. Follow up email sent 17/9/08
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JC
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10. 10.1 10.2 |
Post Office Cllr Marpole had an earlier meeting to discuss using the Parish Rooms as a possible location for the new post office service. As well as general redecoration, various other works would be required to facilitate the use of the parish rooms, including new door bolts, lighting and heating. The PO would be responsible for installing specific electrical requirements. Chris Hildred suggested the Village Hall as another possible location, specifically the yellow cloakroom at the front of the building. However, it was pointed out that this could cause possible issues with regards to the playgroup. Cllr Barker put forward that a meeting should be arranged between the post office group and the play group committee to discuss further. Meeting held 20/09/2008 between PO group, playgroup and village hall reps, unanimous decision made that the only practical venue is the parish rooms.
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11.
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Appointment of Parish Clerk Vanessa Wellstead is to take on the role of Parish Clerk for an initial three month trial period, will be an approximate month long handing over period.
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VW/JC |
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12. 12.1 12.2 12.3 |
Highways Please see item 3 regards gateway to village. Brockhampton sign still not correct followed up 19/9. Mound by right turn into Duntish needs to be at least a foot lower reported to fixmystreet 13/9 and acknowledged 15/9 report no 282273. Depression in road outside school car park still causing problems with water build up. This has been reported to Highways by the parish clerk followed up 19/9. |
JC JC
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13. 13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4
13.5
13.6
13.7
13.8
13.9
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Correspondence Ironman Road Closures For information only
DCC Draft Maintenance List 2009-2010 For information only
DAPTC Circular 11/08 - For information only
DAPTC Circular 12/08 - For information only
DCA response to PO Closure & Appendix information already passed to TM
DCC response to letter re allotments (Refer to Item 9) for information and LV update
Sharon Jackson re Photos on Buckland Newton Website Councillors agreed satisfied with response already sent by Parish Clerk 1/9/08, no further action.
WDDC Standards Committee Agenda for 10 Sept Meeting - For information only
Help the Aged Dorset Funds available & volunteers needed Noticeboards.
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Next meeting Tuesday, 14th October 2008 at 7:30pm, Parish Rooms
The meeting was concluded at 22:08 pm
Signed: _________________________________ Date: ___________________________
And Finally......
Vanessa Wellstead has
agreed to take on the role of Parish Clerk on a three month trial basis. We are
having a 'handing over' period of about a month, during which time, you will
have two Parish Clerks working away on your behalf! My sincere thanks especially
to the Councillors and also to the many others I have 'met' along the way, for
your patience, kindness and support it has been an interesting and enjoyable
journey.
With best wishes to you all; Jacqui Cuff
Vanessa Wellstead 01300 345183 / Jacqui Cuff 01300 345405 / jacuff@talk21.com, Parish Clerks