Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org
Minutes of a meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 8th December at 7.00pm
Present Cllr P White, in the Chair, Cllr M Turner (Vice-Chairman) and Cllrs J Bradford, Mrs C Drayson, W Knight, P Loudoun, M Lovell and H Tizard.
There was one member of the public present.
1.	Apologies were received from Cllr M Kirby.
2.	Declarations of interest: Cllrs Mrs Drayson, Tizard and Turner declared an interest as allotment tenants.  Cllr Knight declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9 (7) as a governor of ‘The Dubber’.
3.	Parish Clerk: The appointment of Mr Alan Leeson to the permanent position of Clerk to the Parish Council was confirmed with effect from 1st December 2010.
4.	Public discussion: No matters were raised.
5.	Planning Matters: 
(1)	6/2010/0720 Submitted by Cothill Educational Trust; Change of use, demolition and alterations to form two dwellings and erect two detached dwellings at The Old Malthouse, High Street, Langton Matravers.
Observation - The Parish Council unanimously supports this application.
(2)	6/2010/0751 Submitted by Raglan Housing Association; Proposed Non Material Amendment to PP 6/2006/1154 (Erect 4 houses and 4 flats; form new vehicular access).  Request to insert condition requesting compliance with approved plans at Land adjacent to Steppes, Langton Matravers.
Observation – Defer and seek clarification on definition of ‘Non-material’ amendment.
(3)	6/2010/0757 Submitted by Keate’s Quarries; To vary conditions 1 and 3 of PP 6/2007/0779 to allow the extraction of stone to continue in plot 18 and the continued use of Keate's service area until 31/12/2012 with the restoration of both area by 31/10/2013 at Acton Quarries, Langton Matravers. 
Observation - The Parish Council unanimously supports this application.
6.	Minutes of Meeting held 11th November 2010 having been circulated previously the Minutes were agreed as a correct record and signed.
7.	Matters arising from the Minutes:
(1)	Item 6 (1) Cllr Tizard reported that the foam protectors for the goal posts had yet to be installed.
(2)	Item 9 Cllr Lovell confirmed that he had obtained permission from Dorset County Council for use of the signage at Acton. AGREED that the Clerk pursue the matter in order to arrange manufacture and installation. 
(3)	Item 15 Village Green Status - In response to information provided by Cllr Bradford, the Clerk provided an update.
8.	The Clerk’s Report for the period 5/11/2010-5/11/2010: Report received.
9.	Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report:
(1)	Item 10 Purbeck D.C.’s request for a suitable location for Bulb recycling facility. No suitable sites were identified. It was suggested that a local garage would be most appropriate location. 
(2)	Item 21 The Clerk referred to the Dorset County Council’s refusal RESOLVED That this Council requests the claimant Mr Ian Mackenzie on its behalf to make an appeal under Schedule 14 Paragraph 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 against the refusal of Dorset County Council Roads and Rights of Way Committee on 29th November 2010 to make an order recognising Windmill Lane as a public right of way.
(3)	Item 24 In response to an email received from DAPTC regarding future audit arrangements following the abolition of the Audit Commission it was RESOLVED That the Clerk submit a response.
(4)	Item 15 General concern was expressed at implications for other parishes following the recent grant of planning permission in respect of four wind turbines at East Stoke. It was noted that strict conditions were likely to be imposed.
(5)	Item 7 Cllr Knight explained the position regarding the requirement of The Dubber to ensure that editorial freedom were to be maintained.  RESOLVED That the Clerk progress the matter to a mutually satisfactory conclusion.
(6)	Item 22 Prompted by the email received from Purbeck D.C. regarding the proposed dissolution of the Standards Board for England the Clerk provided a further update.
10.	Chairman’s Announcements: 
The Chairman referred to there being no grit supplied for the three Council new grit bins.  A general discussion ensued.  AGREED That the Clerk write to Dorset County Council.
The Chairman reported problems encountered with a blocked drain forcing a cast iron grill and paving to lift on the pavement on the High Street.  
The Chairman highlighted the need to progress proposals to purchase and install the bus shelter(s).  A general discussion ensued regarding the lack of a detailed specification for the ground works and approval from Dorset County Council.  It was noted that Cllr Kirby had pursued an additional grant application. AGREED That a provisional estimate of £7,000 for the shelter and £1,000 for ground works be approved and that the matter be progressed as a priority.
11.	Financial Matters:
(1)	The following additions to Council funds since the last Meeting were noted;
£170.00 received from James Smith Funeral Directors for Interment Plot P5.
(2)	Note the following Payments by Cheque, already authorised, since last Meeting:
£12.00 to Langton Matravers Village Hall Committee for November Council chamber.
£231.92 to AJ Leeson for professional services.
(3)	Payments by Direct Debit:
£30.43 to XLN Telecom for phone and broadband.
(4)	Any other Financial Matters:
(a) Financial Forecast 2011-12 and Precept.
Members highlighted concern at the dependency on cemetery fees as the main source of income. It was noted that consideration be given in February/March to the policy of charging double fees.
AGREED UNANIMOUSLY that the Precept for 2011/12 be £11,000.
12.	Cemetery Matters:
Council Cemetery: It was noted that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman had inspected the condition of the path further to the decision that the matter referred to the contractor. Other issues were raised in relation to the maintenance and management. Reference was made to the potential offer by the National Trust to sell a small section land adjacent to the Cemetery.  AGREED that the purchase of land be pursued.
Closed Cemetery: No issues raised.
13.	Allotments: No matters were reported.
14.	Parish Plan:  Cllr Tizard reported on the recent meeting of the Working Group to progress the matters for revisiting the Parish Plan.  Proposals to seek ideas for new projects will continue via various methods including the March edition of The Dubber and the village fete in June.
15.	Purbeck Draft Core Strategy Consultation: The Clerk provided an update.  Cllrs Mrs Drayson and Loudoun referred to the training sessions run by District Council highlighting the range of issues affecting the different communities, including the belief that the main survey used was basically flawed. This was by virtue of there being no ‘do nothing’ option with regard to the number of dwellings proposed for the District.  Cllr Lovell warned of the impact for the District Council if the implementation of the Core Strategy is delayed i.e. to control or resist demands from developers.  Reference was also made to the issues relating to affordable housing in the local area.
AGREED That the Clerk be authorised to submit a written response, in letter form.
16.	The date of the next Meeting was confirmed as Thursday 20th January 2011 (subject to room availability).
17.	Volunteer of the Year. The Clerk highlighted the deadline for proposals to nominate an individual.  AGREED UNANIMOUSLY  That Mr Norman Priddle be nominated.

Signed……………………………………… (Chairman)		Date…………………………………..