Those Present: - Mr A Aylott, Mr T Every, Mrs J Grocott, Mrs T Hughes, Mrs M Penfold (District Councillor), Mr J Peake (County Councillor) and 1 member of the public.

Apologies Mr P Bowler

Welcome extended to all present.

09/01 Mr John Peake gave a short report and account of his past year's acitivites as County Councillor. He will not be standing for
re-election this year, and the Parish thanked him for his years of service and help.

09/02 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.

09/03 Democratic Period in which members of the public may comment on any matter.

09/04 Comment on agenda items by members of the public
No comments were made on matters arising from the Agenda.

09/05 General Statement made of the Acts of Parliament affecting the administration of Stratton Parish Council. Chairman read aloud the General Statement of Considerations for functions of various
Acts which govern the activities of the Parish Council and these were accepted by each Councillor. They included Equal Opportunities, Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Freedom of Information Act, and the current Code of Conduct. The General Statement was accepted by all Councillors.

09/06 Election of Officers
Mrs M Penfold (Acting as temporary Chairman) asked if any Councillor wished to be considered as Chairman for the forthcoming year and it was agreed that Cllr A Aylott continue as Chairman.

Chairman: Cllr A Aylott proposed by Cllr T Hughes and seconded by Cllr T Every.
Vice-Chairman: Cllr T Hughes proposed by Cllr T Every and seconded by Cllr J Grocott.

Specific duties of Councillors:
a) DAPTC Representative Cllr T Hughes
b) Village Hall Representative Cllr P Hallett
c) Rubbish disposal/litter Officer Cllr T Hughes
d) Transport Cllr A Aylott
e) Footpaths and Rights of Way Cllr J Grocott
f) Trees Cllr P Bowler
g) Playground inspection Cllr T Hughes
h) Housing Cllr R Protheroe
i) Liaison Officer - Ancient Monuments Mrs M Putnam (Voluntary)
j) Emergency Homewatch Contact Mr T Every (Unofficial position -
liaising with Parish Council)

09/07 Minutes of the last meeting held on 10 March 2009 (previously circulated) was approved.

09/08 Matters Arising
a) Stratton Railway Halt (Minute 08/79a). Cllr J Grocott reported that the old Stratton Halt is not the property of Network Rail. It belongs to First Great Western. Cllr J Grocott will contact First Great Western to seek permission to enter upon the land to view the site. JG
b) Youth Club trees donation (Minute 08/79c). Clerk reported that the trees are to be planted on Wednesday, 6 May.
c) New bus shelter (Minute 08/79e) - Notice board - Cllr T Hughes reported that she is having difficulty obtaining a noticeboard suitable for a semi covered position. Cllr Hughes proposed a purpose made cork noticeboard be obtained and she will investigate
and order up to the value of £250.00. TH Wastebin - This has been placed in the new position by the bus shelter.
d) Calor Dorset Best Community Village Competition 2009. (Minute 08/79g). Cllr T Hughes reported that time does not permit an entry for this year's Competition. She also reported that the deadline for the Best Kept Village Competition has elapsed but intends to commence the applications earlier in 2010 for both these Competitions.
e) Footpath 7 (Minute 08/65g). Cllr J Grocott reported that the Rights of Way Officer is happy that the footpath which had previously been ploughed over has been trodden down and deemed satisfactory.
f) Playing Field Committee (Minute 08/79j). Chairman reported that no
meeting had been arranged but circulated the draft plan and report for further discussion at next meeting.
g) Annual Spring Clean (Minute 08/84b). This took place on 18 April 2009 and many thanks to all who helped. Clerk has noted that a resident from Meadow Bottom periodically sweeps the area around the Green and the Councillors expressed their gratitude.
h) Dog Fouling on the Green (Minute 08/84c). Clerk produced alternative costings for four signs for the Village Green and one for the Playing Field and it was decided to purchase notices without metal supports. These notices are to be fixed to existing bollards and the metal gate to the Playing Field. Clerk to place order. AN
i) Railtrack (Minute 08/87b). Clerk has contacted Railtrack to request
notification of any impending night time work near residential areas in
Stratton.
j) 212 bus service (Minute 08/88). Clerk has contacted Dorset County
Council who has confirmed that this problem is under review.

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

Receipts and Payments Summary for meeting to 31 March 2009

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

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

b) The final accounts for the year 2008/2009 were reported on by the
Chairman and the end of year position confirmed. The accounts for 2008/2009 were accepted by the Council and formally adopted as a correct and proper record of financial activities in 2008/2009.
c) The Annual Audit forms for 2008/2009 were discussed and the Annual Governance Statement agreed by the Meeting. Chairman and Clerk to complete all the appropriate certifications. The accounts have already been seen and signed off by the Internal Auditor.
Details now to be returned to the Auditors (BDO).

09/10 Crime Prevention
Cllr T Every reported that milk money has been stolen from milk bottles outside a few houses and requested that this is reported in the Stratton Herald.

09/11 Planning Matters
1/D/08/002399 - 4 Penn Hill View, Stratton. Erect single storey extension. APPROVED.
1/D/09/000209 - Cheeseman's Cottage, Main Road, Muckleford. Erect
two storey extension. APPROVED.
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). AWAITING DECISION.

09/12 Highways
Speeding Traffic A37 (Minute 08/83a). Clerk reported that Dorset County Council has confirmed that positions of the posts for the Speed Indicator Devices in Grimstone have been marked. One post will be by the layby to the north of the village and the other by Colin Clark Meats. The posts will be erected in the next couple of months and the SID should be positioned shortly after and then appear on a twelve weekly rotation.

09/13 General Maintenance
Chairman raised the reinstatement of the white lines on the tennis court in the Playing Field. He has obtained a quotation of £58.37 from DWO and it was agreed to accept.

09/14 Correspondence
a) Councillors were informed that an amount of correspondence was being circulated.
b) BT has advised that the phone box opposite the Old Bull Inn is being changed from cash to card only facilities. Work will commence from 27 April 2009.
c) Dorset County Council has written to Town and Parish Councils requesting them to remind property owners of their obligation to keep their trees and hedges cut back from footways and roadways.
Cllr P Bowler requested (in his absence) to do an annual review of any dangerous trees' within the village.

09/15 Date of next meeting
The date of the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 at 7.30 pm.

09/16 Any other business
a) Victim Support- The Parish Council has received a request for a donation and it was agreed to defer a decision until the Precept Meeting in October.
b) Chairman reported the difficulty the Parish Council is having with
Nationwide Building Society due to the poor service being received. It was agreed to review and see if another alternative was available.
c) Cllr T Hughes raised the issue of a trade sign fixed to the boundary fence of a property in Dorchester Road. Mrs M Penfold offered to investigate the planning regulations regarding signage and inform the Clerk.

09/17 Democratic Period in which members of the public may speak or ask questions.


Meeting closed at 8.30 pm.