MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STRATTON PARISH COUNCIL held on 17th May 2007 at Stratton Village Hall.

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

Proceedings

Welcome extended to all present and the new Parish Council for Stratton.

01. Comment on Agenda items by members of the public.

No comments were made.

02. Minutes of the last Annual Meeting held on 23 May 2006 (previously circulated) were approved.

03. Matters Arising.

Bus shelter (Minute 6) - Further discussion was held regarding
a bus shelter at the western end of the village. It was suggested that it could be sited at the junction of Manor Close and Dorchester Road. Chairman to contact Highways West.

04. Chairman's Report 2006/2007.

This is the final report of the current Council as Parish Council Elections are due in May 2007.

During the final year of its existence the Parish Council has continued to improve facilities within the Parish, and to act with the higher authorities at District and County level to ensure that our interests were protected.

The three main objectives that we have worked on for several years, also all came to fruition during the year. They were:- 1) Parish Internet site. Our Parish Internet site has continued to be widened to include much more information about village groups and activities. Plans have been put in place for the site to be fully operated from within the Parish; training on web-site design and the purchase of appropriate software has taken place. Colin Jackson acting as 'editor' has now taken over full control of the website. As the site will move from its existing service provider it will also appear under a new name. In future the site will be obtainable at www.strattondorset.org and should be fully available in a new style very shortly. Please visit the site to see all about your community.

2) Younger Children's Play Area. Work on this project was completed in mid-Summer last year, and has proved very a beneficial addition to the facilities in the Parish. At long last the very youngest members of our community have a facility that they can use and enjoy. Many parents have spoken to Councillors and passed on words of thanks for seeing this project through. Our thanks especially go to the voluntary Young Mother's group who worked so hard to obtain various grants for the purchase of the play equipment. A few remedial ground works have still to be undertaken.

3) Parish Plan. Work on the Parish Plan was finished in late Spring last year, and distributed to every household in the Parish. This excellent document was compiled by Ali Frapwell (Chairperson-Parish Plan Group) and her dedicated Committee, and represents the thoughts and views of the majority of parishioners. It certainly gives Parish Councillors a clear direction in which the people of Stratton want to proceed, and the new Council will no doubt work towards its stated objectives. Indeed, several of the objectives have already been acted upon and completed. This includes the continuation and financial support of the 'The Stratton Herald', and installation of new noticeboards at Grimstone and Ash Hill, as well as in Stratton. Our thanks go to all who worked on the Parish Plan
for their efforts in finalising the Plan.

The only down side of the past year is that we did not achieve two areas of work that we had aimed to. Delays have occurred in replacing wooden posts around the village green, and a condition report on the state of trees within the village has not been fully reported and discussed. These items remain outstanding and need to be satisfactorily concluded over the next year.

It appears from papers received from the Returning Officer, West Dorset District Council, that no election for Parish Councillors
will take place in Stratton this May. Which is a pity as democracy at this level should work with villagers being given an opportunity of making a choice of local Councillors through the ballot box. At least I can report that a full seven nominations have been made for the new Council, which is a lot more than in many neighbouring parishes.

The finances of the Parish remain sound, although with reduced balances. My thanks go to all Councillors for the work they have
done during the year; to Alan and Anne Newton for covering the Parish Clerk's role and to Wayne Hughes who kindly acted as our internal auditor.

A. J. Aylott
Chairman of Stratton Parish Council

05. Accounts for 2006/2007.

Chairman gave a summary of Receipts and Payments, Balance Sheets, Bank Reconciliation and Loan Account and reported that the finances of the Parish remain sound. Several questions on the accounts were answered.

06. Any Questions.

No questions.