Minutes of the Meeting of Stratton Parish Council held on
11th March 2008 at Stratton Village Hall.

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

Apologies:-

Proceedings & Action

Welcome extended to all present.

07/68 Minutes of the last meeting held on 15 January 2008 (previously circulated) were approved.

07/69 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 items as defined in the Code and to indicate the action they will be taking when the item is considered.

07/70 Democratic Period in which members of the public may comment on any matters arising from the Agenda.

Colin Jackson advised that an offer has been received from the Youth Opportunity Fund to Stratton Youth Club to provide trees to replace species in and around the village. Chairman proposed that Councillors be in attendance when planting takes place. All present were in agreement.

07/71 Comment on agenda items by members of the public
No comments were made.

07/72 Matters Arising

a) Street Lighting (Minute 07/47e). SEC has now inspected all the street lights and replaced the faulty bulbs. Faulty lights have also been repaired.
b) New notice board (Minute 07/58a). Letter not yet sent to nearby residents. AN
c) Overhanging Trees (Minute 07/58b). Letters have been sent to residents regarding the remaining overhanging trees. Progress has been made and the parish trees have now been dealt with together with others in the village.
d) Connecting Dorset (Minute 07/58c). This took place on 3 March 2008. The official e-mail address is stratton@dorsetparishes.gov.uk for all official use. The Parish Council will co-operate in providing access whenever
possible to information for the public on local government matters.
e) Bus Shelter (Minute 07/58e). Dorset County Council has no objection to the siting of a 'bus shelter subject to it being positioned as 'tight' as possible to the hedge row. Clerk has obtained a quotation of £5866.00 but Councillors decided that further research should be made to obtain a lower price before submitting a planning application. ALL
f) Footpath 7, Grimstone (Minute 07/58f). Dorset County Council has confirmed that the Rights of Way team have been asked to inspect and will write again to confirm the removal of the posts.
g) Safety Barrier - A37 (Minute 07/62a). Barrier has now been reinstated.
h) Play Area warning sign (Minute 07/63b). Clerk has obtained a
replacement sign, which is to be erected.

07/73 Finance
a) Report given on all income and expenditure since last meeting.

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

07/74 Crime Prevention
Stratton remains crime free but Cllr T Every reported all should remain vigilant.

07/75 Planning Matters
1/D/07/002213 - Erect single storey extension. 11 Penn Hill View, Stratton. APPROVED.
1/D/08/000132 - Retention of double garage and perimeter fence. 48 Dorchester Road, Stratton. RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION - AWAITING DECISION.
TP/08/00020 - 1 No Whitebeam (T.33) at 26a Dorchester Road, Stratton. Remove 4 branches overhanging highway and thin crown by 20% - APPROVED.

07/76 Highways
a) Parking on Dorchester Road (Minute 07/62b). Cllr A Cameron reported that there has been some improvement in the on street parking in Dorchester Road.
b) Cllr P Hallett reported that the lay-by outside Nos 2, 4, 6 and 8 Dorchester Road has deteriorated. Chairman to investigate. AA

07/77 General Maintenance
a) Dorset Village of the Year Competition 2008 (Minute 07/63a).
The meeting took place on 14 February and Cllr T Hughes gave a report and requested Parish Council support which was granted.
A house drop is to be made requesting all residents to tidy their own house frontage.
b) The Annual Spring Clean is due in April. Disposable gloves and sacks have been ordered and volunteers will again be asked to assist. The date for the Spring Clean will be Saturday, 19 April 2008. Chairman requested that all Councillors be in attendance at 10.30 am to assist. ALL Appropriate notices to be placed on notice boards. AN

07/78 Correspondence
a) Councillors were informed that an amount of correspondence was being circulated at the meeting.

07/79 Date of next Meeting
The next meeting of the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 6 May at 7.00 pm (Annual and Annual General Meeting).

07/80 Any Other Business
a) A complaint has been received by a resident regarding the ongoing problem of dog fouling on the pavements in Dorchester Road. A reminder will be placed in the next edition of the Stratton Herald.
b) Parking near notice boards - Cllr T Every raised this issue and it was suggested that ownership of land should be clarified. Chairman to AAinvestigate.
d) Change in Recycling week. Commences 31 March 2008 (fortnightly).
c) It has been reported that cars are being 'stripped down' on the highway at Ash Hill. This item is being investigated.

07/81 Democratic period in which members of the public may speak or ask questions.
Colin Jackson has received 1577 hits on the Stratton website since the last meeting, of which 242 were for the Parish Council.

The meeting closed at 9.15 pm.