Present - Mr A Aylott, Mr T Every, Mr P Hallett, Mr R Protheroe, Mrs M Penfold (District Councillor) and 4 members of the public

Apologies - Mrs T Hughes, Mr P Bowler, Mrs J Grocott, Mrs J Haynes (County Councillor)

Welcome extended to all present.

09/18 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. Councillors were also reminded about the
register of interest held for the members of the Council. Chairman pointed out that if circumstances have changed then councillors should inform the Clerk.

09/19 Democratic Period in which members of the public may comment on any matter.

09/20 Comment on agenda items by members of the public No comments were made on matters arising from the Agenda.

09/21 Minutes of the last meeting held on 5 May 2009 (previously circulated) was
approved.

09/22 Matters Arising
a) Stratton Railway Halt (Minute 09/08a). Awaiting report from Cllr J Grocott.
b) Youth Club trees donation (Minute -9/08b). Clerk reported that the trees have now been planted.
c) New bus shelter (Minute 09/08c). Cllr T Hughes has obtained a quotation of £126.33 to obtain two notice boards which will be fixed to the rear wall of the bus shelter. It was agreed to accept.
d) Playing Field Committee (Minute 09/08f). To be discussed at a future date.
e) Dog Fouling on the Green (Minute 09/08h). Clerk has received notices and Cllr T Hughes has arranged installation.
f) Nationwide Building Society (Minute 09/16b). Nationwide Building Society
accepts that as we are a statutory body we are entitled to receive gross interest on our savings.
g) Trade sign (Minute 09/16c). The Enforcement Officer advised that he will visit the site and report back.
h) Overhanging trees (Minute 09/14c). Awaiting a report from Cllr P Bowler.

09/23 Finance
a) Report given on all income and expenditure since last meeting. Report is attached.

09/24 Crime Prevention
a) Cllr T Every stated there was nothing to report but a member of the Community Police in attendance warned of doorstop sellers.
b) The amount of graffiti in the vicinity of the railway bridge on the A37 has been reported to the Highways' Department. Awaiting refacing of the Stratton sign at the eastern end of the village.
c) PCSO Sarah Pilcher gave a short address regarding Home Watch in Stratton and neighbouring villages. Cllr T Every is happy to be the contact and it is hoped more residents will participate.

09/25 Planning Matters
1/D/09/000528 - Lower Muckleford House, Main Road, Muckleford, Bradford Peverell. Make alterations to and extend existing car port to provide a double garage, general store and log store. Erect new walls, piers and gates (amended scheme to P.P. 1/D/09/000014). APPROVED.
1/D/09/000712 - 1 Furbers Paddock, Stratton. Proposed conservatory. APPROVED.
1/D/09/000735 and 736 - The Old Manor, 7 Manor Close, Stratton. Carry out internal
and external alterations. AWAITING DECISION.
Tree Preservation Order 760(T.9) - Application No TP/09/00169. Cut back 10
branches of 1 No. pine tree overhanging 2 Sawyers Lane, Stratton and to shorten
overhanging branches of non-designated pine trees by up to 1 metre. APPROVED.

09/26 Highways
a) Cllr R Protheroe reported that the length of the grass on the verge within
the visibility splay at the junction of Ash Hill and the A37 obscures vision. Chairman to inspect and report to Dorset County Council.
b) It was reported that there is extensive overhanging vegetation which obscures two Stratton road signs on the A37. Chairman to investigate.

09/26 c) Reinstatement of wooden posts around the Green - A quotation has been
received to carry out this work in the sum of £75.00. It was agreed to accept
this quotation.

09/27 General Maintenance
a) Maintenance to the Green - Clerk stated that Cllr T Hughes had drawn his attention to various urgent items requiring immediate action. In view of the forthcoming Summer Fayre the necessary remedial work has been carried out.
b) Chairman raised the issue of the Playing Field ditches and it was agreed that both he and the Clerk would carry out an inspection and obtain quotations for the necessary clearing.
c) Tennis Court (Minute 09/13). Chairman reported that the white lines have been painted at a cost of £67.13.

09/28 Correspondence
a) Councillors were informed that an amount of correspondence was being circulated.
b) A letter has been received from West Dorset District Council asking if the Parish is interested in pursuing the possibility of having a plastic bottle recycling bank. It was agreed to accept and Clerk to contact.
c) Parish Council Highway (Lengthsman) Scheme - This was discussed and agreed to circulate details to each Councillor for comments.
d) Proposed Standards Event - West Dorset District Council's Standards Committee. It was agreed to circulate this for interested parties.

09/29 Date of next meeting
The date of the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 1 September 2009 at 7.30 pm.

09/30 Any other business
a) Christmas Carols Evening - Clerk raised the question of this year's Carols
Evening and it was agreed to book the Durnovaria Silver Band for 11 December. Clerk to organise.
b) Cllr P Bowler has requested that a speed recording device, similar to the one
recently used in the village be laid across the A37 (Stratton By Pass) to monitor the traffic speed. Chairman to organise.

09/31 Democratic Period in which members of the public may speak or ask questions.
a) Cllr P Hallett reported that there are too many bonfires in the village and it
was suggested that any individual can obtain the necessary leaflet which provides advice from West Dorset District Council.
b) Cllr P Hallett raised the matter of unattended dogs on the Village Green. Cllr T Every stated that if there are any concerns residents should contact the Dog Warden at West Dorset District Council.
c) Colin Jackson reported that there have been 11,627 hits on the Stratton website since September 2008.

Meeting closed at 8.50 pm