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

Apologies - Mrs J Grocott, Mrs J Haynes (County Councillor, Three Valleys)

Proceedings

Welcome extended to all present.

09/77 Minutes of the last meeting held on 12 January 2010 (previously circulated)
was approved.

09/78 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.

09/79 Democratic Period in which members of the public may comment on any matter.

09/80 Comment on agenda items by members of the public
No comments were made on matters arising from the Agenda.

09/81 Matters Arising
a) Speed Indicator Device (Minute 09/67b). Chairman reported that the SID has been deployed at Grimstone on at least three occasions since November 2009. Also, a warning sign has been displayed (north bound) for a short period with the wording 'Caught? No excuse'.
b) Playing Field Committee (Minute 09/67c). Cllr T Hughes reported that further research is being undertaken for grant funding and in the meantime a site meeting has been arranged for 7.00 pm on 30 March to discuss matters of detail.
c) Footpath 7, Grimstone (Minute 09/67e). Cllr J Grocott was absent and and will report at the next meeting.
d) Waste bin, Playing Field (Minute 09/67f). Cllr P Hallett reported that this has been completed.
e) Central notice board, lay-by (Minute 09/67g). Chairman reported that repairs have been carried out.
f) Hedge around Green (Minute 09/67h). This work has been completed.
g) Play Area inspection (09/67i).
i) Swing pivot has been oiled.
ii) Treat / repaint decorative coatings of Pony Rocker still to be carried out.
h) Allotments (09/67j). Chairman reported that the landowner has responded with a suggested possible siting at the western boundary of the village close to the Playing Field corner. Discussion took place regarding access to the site and finance implications. Chairman stated that negotiations are still in progress.
i) New Gazebos (Minute 09/68c). Chairman confirmed that two gazebos have been purchased in the sum of £560.00.
j) Grit bins (Minute 09/71a). Clerk has obtained a price for new grit bins (size 1163mm x 746mm) for £167.20 each with an estimate of approximately £75.00 per concrete base. After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should contact Dorset County Council for agreement of siting. Chairman emphasised the need for concrete bases to prevent salt spillage contaminating the ground. It was agreed to proceed.
k) Traffic speed (Minute 09/71b). Clerk reported that a letter has been received from the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership. It is considered that the A37 at Stratton does not meet the criteria set out by the DfT for the installation of a fixed or mobile camera site and, therefore, will not receive regular enforcement. However, the Dorset Safety Camera Partnership are able to enforce locations of community concern that
do not meet the DfT criteria on an occasional basis when limited resources allow. Community concern locations are visited on a rotational basis to cover complaints of excess speed but not on a regular basis. The section of road highlighted will now be passed to the Camera team to receive occasional enforcement.
l) Grimstone noticeboard (Minute 09/72). This noticeboard has now been removed.
m) Bonfires (Minute 09/73b). Clerk responded to the resident stating that anyone found deliberately disregarding the Codes of Conduct may lead to action. A further e-mail has now been received from the resident requesting the Parish Council to take a more proactive approach to prevent any possible problem and making clear the expected standards. After discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council should not adopt
any proactive policy, but that it should continue with its informal approach of passing advice on Codes of Conduct to parishioners and referring matters to the West Dorset District Council's Environmental Control Department if necessary.
n) Christmas Carols Evening 2010 (Minute 09/75a). Clerk reported that the Durnovaria Silver Band cannot play carols on the 10 December. It was decided to re-arrange the date for 17 December at 7.00 pm.
o) Footpath between A37 and Bradford Peverell (09/75b). In the absence of Cllr J Grocott, Cllr T Every reported that this has yet to be carried out.

09/82 Finance
a) Report given on all income and expenditure since last meeting.

09/83 Crime Prevention
Cllr T Every reported that there have been incidences of crime in Sydling St Nicholas and Frampton but Stratton remains crime free. Once again residents are urged to keep vigilant.

09/84 Planning Matters
1/D/09/001154 - The Old Mill, Dorchester Road, Grimstone. Change of use and erect extensions and carry out internal alterations. WITHDRAWN.
1/D/09/001691 - Watercress Farm, Lower Magiston, Sydling St Nicholas. Replace
damaged roof with single pitched roof. APPROVED.
1/D/09/001620 - Small Acre Farm, Giles Cross, Bradford Peverell. Proposed tractor and machinery shed, workshop maintenance shed, feed store, hay and straw cover and poly tunnel. APPROVED.
1/D/09/001753 - Watercress Farm, Lower Magsiton, Sydling St Nicholas. Form 4 new watercress beds, wild life pond and re-align stream. AWAITING DECISION.
1/D/10/000194 - Langford Farm, Sydling St Nicholas. Garage, log store and green house. AWAITING DECISION.

09/85 Highways
A member of the public drew attention to the defacing of the Stratton sign at the
eastern end of the village. Chairman to contact Highways Department.

09/86 General Maintenance
a) Grass cutting. A quotation has been received from Dorset Works Organisation amounting to £1225.41 for carrying out 10 cuts to the Playing Field and 12 cuts to the Green plus applying fertiliser to the Field and moss killer to the Green. It was agreed to accept quotation. Clerk to arrange.
b) Fallen tree - Playing Field. A fallen tree has been reported to the landowner for removal as a matter of urgency before the grass cutting season commences. Chairman raised concerns over the safety aspect.
c) Spring Clean 2010 - The Annual Spring Clean is due in April. Sacks and disposable gloves have been ordered and volunteers will again be asked to assist. The date for the Spring Clean will be Saturday, 24 April. It was requested that all Councillors be in attendance at 9.30 am to assist. Appropriate notices to be placed on notice boards.
d) Cllr T Hughes drew attention to the Play Area gate which requires repair.

09/87 Correspondence
An amount of correspondence was circulated at the meeting.
a) Railway Communication System - Network Rail are proposing to erect a 25m high radio mast at Grimstone to allow direct and continuous communication between drivers and signallers which will improve safety.
b) Weymouth Relief Road - Archaeology Exhibition. An exhibition will be held at the Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room displaying treasure from Weymouth Relief Road site. A poster is displayed in the new bus shelter.
c) Dorset Village of the Year Competition 2010. Entry forms for the newly updated competition have been received and passed to Cllr T Hughes.
d) Dorset Broadcasting Action Group (DorBAG) is requesting the assistance of town and parish councils in helping residents report difficulties in receiving television transmissions. It is to advertise to those residents who do not have access to the internet that hard copies of the form would be available from their own parish council.

09/88 Date of the next meeting
The date of the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 4 May 2010 at 7.00 pm
(Annual and Annual General Meeting).

09/89 Any other business
a) Chairman proposed that a Welcome Evening for new residents is organised for June. Details to be announced.
b) Colin Jackson reported that since the 14 July 2009 there have been 11,926 hits on the Stratton website.
c) Thanks were expressed to the Chairman by a member of the public on behalf of interested parties regarding allotment negotiations.
d) Cllr T Hughes reported an accumulation of rubbish to the side of the Air Ambulance Recycling bin. Clerk to contact West Dorset District Council to arrange special collection.
e) Chairman proposed that each councillor and Mrs M Penfold gives a short address to the Annual General Meeting describing their specific responsibilities.

09/90 Democratic Period in which members of the public may speak or ask questions.
Nothing to report.

Meeting closed at 9.20 pm