Unadopted Minutes of the Meeting of Stratton Parish Council held on 10 March 2009 at Stratton Village Hall.

Present:- Mr P Bowler, Mr T Every, Mrs J Grocott, Mr P Hallett, Mrs T Hughes, Mr R Protheroe, Mrs M Penfold (District Councillor) and 2 members of the public.

Apologies Mr A Aylott

Proceedings & Action

Welcome extended to all present.

08/75 Minutes of the last meeting held on 13 January 2009 (previously circulated) was approved.

08/76 Code of Conduct
In accordance with the Code of Conduct, members are reminded to declare the existence and the nature of any personal or prejudicial interest in the following agenda where items are defined in the Code and to indicate the action they will be taking when the item is considered.

08/77 Democratic Period in which members of the public may comment on any matter.

08/78 Comment on agenda items by members of the public
No comments were made on matters arising from the Agenda.

08/79 Matters Arising
a) Stratton Railway Halt (Minute 08/65a). Cllr J Grocott
reported that Network Rail has been contacted and is awaiting response. She will obtain permission from Network Rail to enter site with interested parties. JG
b) Memorial Tree (Minute 08/65c). No further action to be taken at present.
c) Youth Club trees donation (Minute 08/65d). Cllr P Bowler has received confirmation from the Youth Club that three trees have been delivered and are ready for planting. Youth Club to organise planting. Cllr P Bowler reported the agreed positions as follows:-
2 trees to be planted in the vicinity of the skateboard ramp on the
Playing Field. 1 tree to be planted in the vicinity of the triangle of grass at the western end on the village to replace the lost tree.
d) Dog Fouling - Playing Field (Minute 08/65e). Cllr T Hughes reported that the doggy bag dispenser has been fixed in position.
e) New bus shelter (Minute 08/65h) - Notice board - Cllr T Hughes reported difficulty in sourcing a suitable notice board for a semi exposed position. She is pursuing this further. TH
The Parochial Church Council has requested that the existing notice-board outside the church is taken over solely for the use of church notices. This was agreed.
Waste bin - It was agreed to move the existing waste bin from outside the church to a new position alongside the bus shelter. Dorset County Council and the Parochial Church Council are in agreement. Cllr P Hallett will re-site the waste bin. PH
f) 30 mph Roundels (Minute 08/69b). Highways Authority cannot agree to these measures as they are reserved for villages on 'A' and 'B' class roads or special cases where traffic approaches at high speed straight into a village.
g) Calor Dorset Best Community Village Competition 2009
(Minute 08/73a). It was agreed to enter the Best Kept Village competition. It has also been suggested to enter the Best Community Village Section of the competition. This is being considered. TH
h) Freedom of Information Act (Minute 08/73b). Cllr T Hughes read the content of the FOI Act and it was resolved to adopt the new Model Publication Scheme from 1 January 2009. This document can be viewed on the Stratton web site - www.strattondorset.org.
Where appropriate to contact the Clerk to view a hard copy.
i) Mays Cottage (Minute 08/73e). Mrs Penfold reported that the Enforcement Officer has stated that due to the boundary fence being of a temporary structure no action can be taken.
j) Playing Field Committee (Minute 73f). Chairman has advised that
arrangements are being made for a future meeting.

08/80 Finance
Report given on all income and expenditure since last meeting

Receipts and Payments Summary for Meeting - 11 March 2009

Money in the Village Green Account cannot be used for any other purpose.

08/81 Crime Prevention
Cllr T Every stated there was nothing to report but reminded residents to be vigilant with regard to home security.

08/82 Planning Matters
1/D/08/002399 - 4 Penn Hill View, Stratton. Erect single storey extension. AWAITING DECISION
1/D/09/000015 - Lower Muckleford House, Main Road, Muckleford.
Extend existing car port to provide double garage, general store and log store. APPROVED
1/D/09/000134 - 1 Wrackle Close, Stratton. Erect conservatory and
side extension. APPROVED
1/D/09/000209 - Cheeseman's Cottage, Main Road, Muckleford. Erect two storey extension. AWAITING DECISION

08/83 Highways
a) Speeding Traffic A37 (Minute 08/69a). Awaiting response from
Dorset County Council.
b) Speeding through Stratton. The DEC Transportation Section of DCC has trialled a new piece of speed survey equipment in Dorchester Road, to obtain information on traffic through the village. The results reported that based on a daily average of 546 traffic movements 523 recorded speeds of less than 30 mph.
There was no recorded speed in excess of 35 mph.

08/84 General Maintenance
a) Grass Cutting - It was agreed to accept Dorset Works Organisation's quotation for both the Green and Playing Field,
1 April 2009 - 31 March 2010
b) Spring Clean 2009 - The Annual Spring Clean is due in April. Sacks and disposal gloves have been ordered and volunteers will again be asked to assist. The date for the Spring Clean will be Saturday, 18 April. It was requested that all Councillors be in attendance at 10.30 am to assist. Appropriate notices to be placed on notice boards. ALL/AN. Cllr J Grocott registered her protest against being asked to participate, because she believes litter picking should be the responsibility of West Dorset District Council and should be covered by the community charge.
c) Dog Fouling on the Green - Cllr T Hughes reported that dog fouling is being witnessed on the Green and requested three additional dog fouling notices be erected in the three remaining corners of the Green. This was agreed and Clerk to place order.
Appropriate notices to be placed in Chalk Stream and Stratton Herald.

08/85 Correspondence
Councillors were informed that an amount of correspondence was being circulated. A letter has been received from Sydling Parish Council raising the issue of running water across the spinney to the water meadows near the viaduct. They have written to Dorset County Council to this effect who has now carried out the necessary maintenance.

08/86 Dates of next meetings
The date of the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 5 May 2009 at 7.00 pm (Annual and Annual General Meeting). Attention was drawn to a change of the previously agreed date for the September meeting. This will now take place on 1 September 2009 at 7.30 pm.

08/87 Any other business
a) Life Education Dorset - The Parish Council has received a request for a grant and it was agreed to defer a decision until the Precept Meeting in October.
b) Cllr P Bowler requested that Railtrack is contacted to request
notification of any impending work near residential areas in Stratton. AN

08/88 Democratic Period in which members of the public may speak or ask questions.
a) It was reported that there have been 4,300 hits to the Stratton web site since 16 September 2008.
b) A member of the public drew attention to the reduction of the 212 bus service during the school holidays and half term week. It was suggested that the Parish Council contact the Principal Public Transport Co-ordinator, Dorset County Council.

Meeting closed at 8.55 pm