Those present:- Mr A. Aylott, Mr P. Bowler, Mr A. Cameron, Mr T. Every, Mrs T. Hughes, Mr P. 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. Comgratulations were extended to Mary Penfold on being re-elected as District Councillor.

07/01 Comment on Agenda items by members of the public.

No comments were made.

07/02 Declaration of Acceptance of Office and Registration of Interest made for the seven members of the Council. Until the Revised Code of Conduct is adopted Members are bound by the existing Code of Conduct.

07/03 General Statement made of the Acts of Parliament affecting the administration of Stratton Parish Council.

07/04 Annual Election of Officers.

Chairman: Cllr A Aylott proposed by Cllr R Protheroe and seconded by Cllr P Bowler.
Vice-Chairman: Cllr T Hughes proposed by Cllr P Bowler and seconded by Cllr T Every.

Specific duties of Councillors:

a) Emergency Homewatch contact - Cllr T Every
b) DAPTC representative - Cllr A Cameron
c) Village Hall representative - Cllr P Hallett
d) Rubbish disposal/Litter Officer - Cllr T Hughes
e) Transport - Cllr A Aylott
f) Footpaths and Rights of Way - Cllr T Every
g) Trees - Cllr P Bowler
h) Playgroud Inspection - Cllr T Hughes
i) Housing - Cllr R Protheroe
j) Liaison Officer (Ancient Monuments) Mrs M Putnam (Voluntary)

Chairman read aloud the General Statement of Considerations for functions of various Acts which governed the Councillor's Code of Duty and these were accepted by each Councillor. They oncluded Equal Opportunities, Crime and Disorder, Health and Safety and Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Chairman requested that any Councillor whose initials appear against an item requiring attention in the Minutes should, if they are unable to attend the next Meeting, provide the Chairman with uan up to date written or verbal report. There should be no Council decisions made by Councillors via e-mail. All decisions are to be resolved at Council Meetings.

07/05 Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 March 2007 (previously circulated) was approved.

07/06 Matters Arising.

a) Additional Bollards (Minute 122a) - Chairman to purchase new wooden stakes as replacements around the Green.
b) Public Footpath (Minute 122c) - Countryside Access has written to Network Rail requesting that attention be given to the steps each side of the railway line. It was decided the Clerk should write to Network Rail drawing attention to the urgent need for the remedial work to be carried out. - AN
c) Dog fouling (Minute 122d) - As there has been no improvement with this problem Cllr T Every suggested placing another strong reminder in the Chalk Stream.
d) Metal tube for Christmas tree (Minute 122e) - This has been filled in and made safe. No metal tube at present.
e) The Annual Spring Clean (Minute 122b) - This took place on 21 April 2007 and many thanks to both the residents and those
associated with the Youth Club who came from other villages. It was decided to re-consider the advertising of the Spring Clean
next year to encourage more participants.
f) The Green (Minute 122b) - Dorset Works Organisation has applied weed killer, spiked the ground and re-seeded the bare areas. Still awaiting completion of over seeding and matting at top steps adjacent to Play Area. Clerk to write a reminder. - AN

07/07 Finances.

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

Reciepts and payments Summary for meeting - 17 May 2007

BUS
SHELTER

b) The final accounts for the year 2006/2007 were reported on by the Chairman and the end of the year position confirmed. Several questions were raised and answered relating to cost of grass cutting - 2 year's accounts recieved and the length PWLB loan still had to run. The accounts for 2006/2007 were accepted as a correct and proper record of financial activities in 2006/2007.

c) Councillors agreed to now shut down the Community Reserve as it had fulfilled its purpose. Balance amount to be transferred to the Contingency Reserve.

07/08 Crime Prevention.

Cllr T Every reported that he was receiving a weekly report which was passed on to all involved with Homewatch.

07/09 Planning Matters.

a) 1/E/07/000466 - Erect dwelling and garage on land adlacent to 11 Dorchester Road, Stratton - (Approval of reserved matters) -
Awaiting desicion.
b) 1/E/07/000303 - Erect new umbrella canopy - Saxon Arms, 20, The Square, Stratton. APPROVED
c) 1/E/07/000787 - Erect garden room - 1, Church View, Stratton - Awaiting desicion.
d) 1/E/07/000573 - Erect UPVC conservatory to rear elevation - 2, Magiston Street, Stratton - Awaiting desicion.

07/10 Highways.

a) Speeding and Parking in Dorchester Road, Stratton (Minute 126b). - Chairman to write to all residents in the parish concerning speeding and inconsiderate parking in the village. AA
b) Overhanging Trees. (Minute 90d) - Chairman read aloud a general statement regarding overhanging trees. This was discussed and an agreed Process is now in place. A resident requested information on all offending trees in the village. It was agreed that Cllr P Bowler would verbally notify any owner of a potentially offending tree followed by a written reminder if no action taken. Cllr. P Bowler gave a report on trees found in the village outside of the County criteria. Cllr A Aylott declared a personal interest with regard to trees at Carpenters Close and Cllr A Cameron declared a prejudicial interest with regard to a tree at Bumble Bee Cottage. Cllr P Bowler and the Clerk to arrange a site meeting for inspection of the trees. PB/AN

07/11 General Maintenance.

a) It has been reported that the bus shelter roof covering is in need of repair. Cllr T Every to inspect and report to Cllr P Hallett if action needed. TE
b) Attention was drawn to three unlit street lights on Saxonfield. Clerk to identify and write to Morrish Builders. AN
c) A litter bin has been requested to be fixed to the side of the bus shelter in Dorchester Road. Clerk to check with West
Dorset District Council to enquire if a litter bin is available. If not, Clerk to order a bin provided price does not exceed £200.00 AN

07/12 Correspondence.

a) Councillors were informed that an amount of correspondence was about to be circulated.
b) A letter has been received from DAPTC regarding 'Connecting Dorset' providing a braodband internet link including direct local
government information.
c) A Freedom of Information request has been received from a resident relating to overhanging trees.
d) A letter has been received from Wrackleford Estates confirming ownership of trees between the telephone kiosk and War Memorial in Dorchetsre Road.

07/13 Date of next Meeting.

The date of the next Meeting will be on Tuesday, 17 July 2007 at 7.30pm.

07/14 Any other business.

a) Chairman reported that a Welcome Evening for new residents was held on 1 May 2007 and local organisations gave a short
talk on their Group's activities.
b) Viaduct at Grimstone - West Dorset District Council has confirmed that in order for the viaduct to be inspected trees and
vegitation will be removed in the next two weeks.
c) No Smoking Signes - From 1 July 2007 all enclosed public places shall have notices indicating that they are smoke free. Cllr
T Hughes will provide and fix laminated 'No Smoking' signs.
d) Communications - Chairman expressed his gratitude to Colin Jackson for all his hard work in setting up the new Stratton
web site and for attending the web site course. Thanks were also given to Doreen Smith for all her efforts in the past.
e) West Dorset District Council have provided details on bonfires and that they are legally subject to certain criteria being
followed. The County Fire Brigade recently made comment on the number of false call outs they had attended in Stratton.
f) A Grimstone resident drew the Council's attention to the following items:- i) Concern was expressed regarding excessive
speed through Grimstone. Chairman to contact Dorset Safety Camera Partnership to request attendance. AA - ii) There is an
unacceptable amount of rubbish/litter along the pavements of Grimstone and it was asked if this could be removed. Chairman
to contact local authority. AA - iii) Could it be clarified if the padlocked gate near the stables next to the notice board in
Grimstone is legal. Cllr T Every to investigate and report back. TE

07/15 Democratic Period in which members of the public may speak or ask questions.

No questions were asked.

Meeting closed at 9.45pm.