DRAFT

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF MELBURY ABBAS AND CANN GROUP PARISH COUNCIL 2ND AUGUST 2017 , HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL

Present: In attendance –Cllr. Webber,Cllr. Kenealy (Chair), Cllr Mitchell, Cllr. Sturgess, Cllr. Johnson, Cllr. Weston, Cllr. Faulkner, Cllr. Parker (P/T), Cllr. Markham.

Clerk.

Members of the Public 1

2017.35PUBLIC OPEN FORUM

No issues raised.

2017.36APOLOGIES

Cllr. Hughes

Mrs. Langham

2017.37MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS

Minutes of the AGM Meeting May, 2017, minutes of the Ordinary meeting 3rd May

and minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of 28th June read and approved.

2017.38MATTERS ARISING

None

2017.39DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were asked to re-read the agenda for this meeting and to make any

declarable interests known. Cllr. Webber advised he would have to declare an

interest if the Commons was discussed. All would have an interest in road matters.

2017.40REMINDER AS TO MEDIA POLICY

Members reminded as to the Council's policy.

2017.41UPDATE COUNTY COUNCILLOR

The new County Councillor Graham Carr-Jones was in attendance. He is also the new

leader of NDDC. He advised that a decision should be given by mid September with

regard to the County re-structuring. If no decision County will have to revert to Plan B - which would be some form of a Super District Council which he felt would make no sense. 2019 being the critical year for the existing DCC. At the moment DCC has severe financial issues. He felt that from a District level it is important to keep engagement with towns and villages.

He advised that the 5 year Land plan for North Dorset will not be met as developers reluctant to develop in the area for a variety of reasons. One reason they

give is that affordable housing is not viable in the area. There is only a 3.6 year plan

available which means that the planning authorities will now be under pressure to

accept planning proposals that might otherwise have not been permitted, and the

overall number of houses that will be required for the area will be raised. As yet this

revised figure is not known.

The Chairman felt that it was even more important to have in place a

Neighbourhood Plan - Mr. Carr Jones confirmed that this would run along side

the current 3.6 year.

Cllr. Faulkner concerned that housing and jobs need to go hand in hand.

He quoted examples from the housing estate of f the A30. Mr. Carr Jones

felt that this particular housing site had kept people in work during the

financial downturn.

Cllr. Weston felt that Section 106 monies were not be handed over so

important issues such as schooling and medical facilities were not being

addressed.

Cllr. Johnson felt that if land was made available in smaller lots this might

make them more attractive to developers. Cllr. Webber felt the same and Mr.

Carr Jones felt that this is what might actually happen.

Cllr Sturgess stated that the increased traffic in Shaftesbury is a problem and that

new roads should be part of any new housing development.

Mr. Carr Jones agreed but stated realistically nothing is going to happen regarding

by-passes.

The Chairman that with regard to the bigger picture the Wiltshire economic justification for a major route should be available next month and then it is sent to

Central government for consultation and potential funding if selected. Other counties will also be submitting their requirements at the same time.

2017.42UPDATE DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

No report.

2017.43FINANCE REPORT

Balances - Bank Current Account £9526, Bank Instant Account £5777, Post

Office £2517.

Cheques to be minuted: Clerk's Salary 1.4. to 30.9.17 £1063.42, Mark Weston £300,

DAPTC Handbooks £10,50, Annual Sub DAPTC £293.64.

A solar panel is required for the SID. PC to fund. It was proposed that should be purchased at the cost of £150 . Proposed Cllr. Johnson, seconded Cllr. Sturgess. All

in agreement.

Budget preparation for 2018/19 to be discussed at October meeting.

The cost of the wifi will be £25 pm and this to be paid by the VHMC. The Chairman

felt that the PC will need to provide a new password each time the wifi needs to be used. Mr. Potter said that it is important that the VHMC is very clear about this

charge and to liaise with the Secretary and Treasurer on how this is going to work.

Mr. Potter reported that the new notice boards are leaking. Clerk to contact Valecraft.

2017.44REPORT FROM COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

a. Roads Advisory

A letter (12th July) has been written to DCC concerning current issues. No reply

to date. The Chairman has a meeting with Simon Hoare in September. Accident

by Cann Farm last Sunday.

The post for the SID at Cann Hill now up. Highest speed recorded in this area to date

has been 62 mph. DCC will be able to provide monies from their current budget for

another SID for the village.

The consultation on DCC's latest proposals for A350/B3081/C13 now closed. Some

items put forward by the Parish have not been included. Cllr. Markham stated that

DCC have not considered any of the recommendations put forward for the A350

in Cann. The Chairman stated that he has advised DCC as to this and he is

waiting to hear back from them particularly on the extension of the 30mph.

He advised that the use of the SID clearly shows there is a speeding issue in this

area.

Cllr. Weston concerning about the level of vegetation overhanging signs.

The Chairman stated that this maintenance job will probably fall to Parish

Councils in the future.

b. Planning

Bells Barn - approved development has been granted for this. Cllr. Sturgess who

declared an interest in this says that there are plans to convert the existing building.

Cllr.Weston felt that the planning decisions that were taken had no standard pattern to

them. Cllr. Sturgess felt that NDDC had not embraced development in the countryside.

c. Guys Marsh

Cllr. Parker gave an update on the current situation. He advised that prisoners willbe

back into the community working by end of September. The Governor is

pleased with the progress being made in the prison with regard to some of the

current issues. Cllr. Webber said it all sounds very positive.

d. Footpaths and Trees

Nothing to report.

e. DAPTC Committee

Cllr. Webber to be the representative for the forthcoming year.

2017.45Neighbourhood Plan Update

Shaftesbury in the process of confirming the boundary for the area they

will now be responsible for regarding the Plan. Once they have done this

both Shaftesbury and this Council to advise NDDC as to the split.

Cllr. Markham concerned about the amount of work, time and money that

will be involved in setting up a Plan by this parish. The Chairman stated that

working with Shaftesbury on this issue was not all tenable and he said that a lot

of work had already been done and could be transferred. He also stated that

the parish could have the services of a consultant who had just completed a

plan for Tisbury.

The Chairman proposed that a survey goes out in the September edition

of the Spread Eagle Magazine to ascertain what the parishioners require. He added

that the current situation that has been explained this evening in that North

Dorset has not met its quota regarding planning further endorses the need

for a Plan for this village. He felt that this Parish will be given a target for

new housing. Cllr. Markham felt that it was important to let people know what

the Neighbourhood Plan is all about. Cllr. Mitchell felt that one of the hardest

aspects of this was to get people involved. Any consultation needs a 20% reply.

A discussion took place as to how potentially the construction of a new

village hall could be funded and where it should be sited. The Chairman

said that the question of the Village Hall will form part of the Neighbourhood

Plan.

The Chairman asked for volunteers to help with the Neighbourhood Plan.

2017.46REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES

a. Airfield

Consultation meeting in September to be attended by Cllr. Sturgess.

b. Village Hall and Millennium Group

Cllr. Parker had circulated a report earlier on works taking place at the village hall

to provide a disabled toilet and modifications to doorways. Monies have been obtained from lottery funding. Decorating will then

have to be undertaken, possibly using labour from Guys Marsh.

It was advised that the internet connection can be provided approximately one

month after the legal paperwork has been signed by the VHMC. Cllr. Johnson

to chase the relevant forms and liaise with VHMC.

Mr. Potter advised that the provision of outer fencing on the roadside has been

approved and this will be installed shortly.

2017.47TRAVELLERS

Still on the Commons.

The Chairman to contact the Police Inspector.

2017.48SHAFTESBURY HOSPITAL UPDATE

Decision still outstanding as to the future of the hospital.

2017.49CHUBBS ALMSHOUSES

The County Councillor advised that £200,000 has been approved to modernise these.

2017.50COMMUNICATIONS

Previously circulated.

2017.51ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA

Budget 2018/19

2017.52DATE OF NEXT MEETING

4th October

Meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.

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