Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Stratton Parish Council held on Tuesday 6th May 2008 in Stratton Village Hall.

Present:- Mr A Aylott, Mr P Bowler, Mr T Every, Mr P Hallett,
Mrs T Hughes, Mr P Protheroe and seven members of the public.

Apologies:-

Proceedings:- Welcome extended to all present. Chairman introduced Mr T Gibb, Dorset Community Action, who gave a short introduction prior to the presentation of a digital overhead projector by Mr M Foy, Novatech, marking the  100th connection to the Connecting Dorset project.  

01- Comment on Agenda items by members of the public.
No comments were made.

02 - Minutes of the last Annual Meeting held on 17 May 2007 (previously circulated) were approved.

03 - Matters Arising - Chairman reported that progress is being made on the new 'bus shelter.  A site has been suggested and prices will be obtained.  A planning application is to be submitted.

04 - Chairman's Report 2007/2008 - This is the first report of the Parish Council elected in May 2007.  Although no actual election took place, as unfortunately only seven nominations were received to cover the seven posts of Parish Councillor. During the year, we have continued to improve facilities within the Parish and to also mediate and work with the District Council and County Council to ensure that our interests were covered. One main objective that we have worked on for a number of years came to fruition during the year.  This was the resurfacing of the A37 by-pass, much as been discussed and spoken about on this subject over the years, but finally after numerous quiet and behind the scenes discussions and pressure, we played our part in getting the scheme carried out.  Initial work was merely to be extended patching, but problems were encountered with ground conditions and we persuaded the County Council to carry out a full and proper structural maintenance scheme.  This unfortunately meant that other parts of the A37 within the Parish have had to be left at present.The Parish Council continues its work on the objectives set out in the Parish Plan that was produced several years ago and various items have been completed.  The Stratton Herald continues to be fully supported with the Parish meeting its production costs and the Parish web site has been completed in its new style format.  We also took part in the countrywide initiative to upgrade all parish councils with broadband connection, which has been introduced and is greatly assisting the Parish Clerk to carry out his duties.  Our thanks to DCA and the various other bodies involved with that project. Remedial ground works on the Younger Children's Play Area were carried out and additional soft landscaping work has been completed with the introduction of grasses and other plants.  Work was carried out during the year in replacing many of the wooden posts around the Village Green.  Our thanks must go to the Youth Club for their excellent work in March in carrying out an environmental project which benefited the Village Green with several new trees.  Work has also been carried out on the flood plain/playing field area, with one of the drainage ditches being cleaned and cleared of obstructions.  A voluntary process was agreed during the year whereby the Parish Council would seek the co-operation of villagers in keeping their trees in a safe condition for road users and pedestrians. This process has worked with almost 100% co-operation and will continue to be followed. A small working party was set up during the year to look at ways in which the flood plain/playing field could be improved.  A report and their recommendations are awaited. Work has been slowly progressing on identifying and establishing a 'bus shelter for the western end of the village.  A site has been selected and agreement reached with the landowner.  The process of carrying out the necessary work, obtaining planning permission and seeing if grants can be obtained to help meet the cost is now taking place. The only down side of the past year is that we suffered an incidence of minor vandalism from what appears to be youngsters from outside of the village.  Our warning sign to drivers about the Younger Children's Play Area was severely damaged and is currently being replaced. A new Code of Conduct was introduced by Central Government and I thank all Councillors for their willingness to introduce and work within the new Code.  I also thank them for all their work around the parish over the past year.  I thank Alan and Anne Newton for covering the Parish Clerk's role and for all the assistance they have given me and Wayne Hughes, who has acted as our Internal Auditor. A J Aylott - Chairman of Stratton Parish Council.

05 - Accounts for 2007/2008 - Chairman gave a summary of Receipts and Payments, Balance Sheets, Bank Reconciliation and Loan Account and reported that the finances of the Parish remain sound.

06 - Any Questions - A resident mentioned that Stratton has become 'less green' with fencing being erected along street boundaries.  Chairman responded by explaining which fences require planning approval and which ones do not.