Apologies:- Mr R Protheroe

Proceedings

Welcome extended to all present.

08/61 Minutes of the last meeting held on 21 October 2008 (previously circulated)
was approved. Chairman stated that a slight amendment was made on previous
finances.

08/62 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.

08/63 Democratic Period in which members of the public may comment on any matter.

08/64 Comment on agenda items by members of the public
No comments were made on matters arising from the Agenda.

08/65 Matters Arising
a) Stratton Railway Halt (Minute 08/51c). Cllrs T Hughes and J Grocott reported that the condition of the station was very overgrown but generally considered to be in a good condition and it was recommended that the Council pursue this matter. Clerk to contact Oliver Letwin, MP after Cllr J Grocott contacts Network Rail to obtain permission to enter site. If this is forthcoming a feasibility group will be set up.
b) Road surface complaint, Grimstone (Minute 08/51e). Clerk reported that this work will be carried out during week commencing 12/01/09.
c) Memorial Tree (Minute 08/51g). Cllr P Hallett will discuss this with a member of the family and report back.
d) Youth Club Shrubs donation (Minute 08/51h). Cllr P Bowler still awaiting information from the Youth Club regarding species.
e) Dog Fouling (Playing Field) (Minute 08/51i). Clerk has obtained a doggy bag dispenser which is to be installed.
f) Grant Applications - bus shelter (Minute 08/37b) and Minute 08/57e). The Parish Council has been awarded grants of £3,413.00 from Awards for All and £1,000.00 from Dorset County Council. Chairman expressed his gratitude to Mr Alan Cameron, former
Councillor, for researching the possibility of obtaining a Lottery Grant towards the cost of the new bus shelter.
g) Footpath 7 (Minute 08/59d). Cllr J Grocott confirmed that she has contacted the Rights of Way Officer to raise the issue and is awaiting action.
h) New bus shelter (Minute 08/59e) Cllr T Hughes requested that a community notice board should be fixed in the new bus shelter and will research an appropriate notice board. It was also suggested that the existing waste bin situated outside the
church be re-sited alongside the bus shelter. Cllr T Hughes to raise matter with PCC. Chairman will contact Highways Department to obtain permission.

08/66 Finance
a) Report given on all income and expenditure since last meeting.

b) Precept - Form has been returned to West Dorset District Council.

08/67 Crime Prevention
Cllr T Every stated there was nothing to report but urged people to remain vigilant.

08/68 Planning Matters
Tree Preservation Order No 760(T.1) No 09.10.92.
Application No TP/08/00336. Permission granted to perform a crown lift to 1 No Goat Willow tree, near junction with The Rise.

08/69 Highways
a) Speeding Traffic A37 (Minute 08/55a,b,c). Chairman reported that a response has been received from the County Highways Department confirming that the accident figures involving personal injury through the village and in the vicinity of the junction of the A356 and A37 do not meet the criteria for the provision of a fixed safety camera. However, one measure the Dorset County Council can implement are speed indicator
devices (SID), subject to suitable sites being found. The current cycle is that the units are deployed at each site at 12 weekly intervals. It was decided that the Parish Council
contact Dorset County Council to request that speed indicator devices be installed.
b) 30 mph Roundels (Minute 08/26a). Cllr T Every raised the question again and reiterated that he had proposed that roundels should be painted at both entrances to the village. Cllr Every then proposed that the Council approaches Dorset County Council to re-consider and a vote was carried.

08/70 General Maintenance
Chairman reported that several wooden posts around the Green require replacing and will organise.

08/71 Correspondence
Councillors were informed that an amount of correspondence was being circulated.

08/72 Dates of next meetings
Discussion was held on future dates. It was agreed to combine the Annual Meeting and Annual General Meeting. Future dates agreed:-
Tuesday, 10 March 2009 7.30 pm
Tuesday, 5 May 2009 7.00 pm (Annual and Annual General Meeting)
Tuesday, 14 July 2009 7.30 pm
Tuesday, 15 September 2009 7.30 pm
Tuesday, 20 October 2009 7.30 pm (Precept)
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 7.30 pm

08/73 Any other business
a) Calor Dorset Best Community Village Competition 2009 Entry form for 2009 competition has been received. Cllr T Hughes to apply.
b) Freedom of Information Act - A new model publication scheme has been produced and all public sector organisations must adopt it from 1st January 2009. Clerk is awaiting clarification from DAPTC and when information is received it will be
presented to the Parish Council for adoption.
c) Sustainable Communities Act. Information was given on a meeting to be held on 16th January 2009.
d) Changes to bus services 212/X37/D11
From 26 January 2009 Sureline services has advised the County Council that they will be running a reduced timetable based on school days services. Dorset County Council has arranged for Nordcat (tel 0845 6024547) to offer additional journeys to provide some alternative to those which have been lost. In addition, during Dorset school holidays a service based on the current Nordcat Saturday timetable will run.
e) May's Cottage - Concern was raised over the incomplete state of this work, in particular the unsightly boundary fence. Mrs M Penfold offered to raise the matter with the Enforcement Officer.
f) Playing Field Committee - Cllr T Hughes asked for an up date. Chairman advised that no meeting had been arranged in 2008 but a meeting date will be arranged as soon as possible.
08/74 Democratic Period in which members of the public may speak or ask
questions.
A member of the public felt that it would be advantageous to continue the 'soft tarmac' further along the A37 at the eastern end of the village. Clerk mentioned that he had received information from the Clerk at Bradford Peverell that they are in contact with Dorset County Council regarding this matter.

Meeting closed at 8.45 pm