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Minutes of the Ibberton Parish Assembly Meeting 19th May 2016

The Annual Ibberton Parish Assembly was held in the Village Hall on Thursday 19thMay2016 commencing at 7.30 pm.

76. Present: Councillors: Derek Old (Chairman), Stan Harris, Caroline Doran, Ian Freeland and Clive Carsley; Clerk: Malcolm Wilson; Public: Ian and Debbie Aldous, Graham Dyke, Patsy Harris, Kay Old and Marion Bissell

77. Apologies:Received from NDDC Cllr Burch

78. Chairman’s Welcome:The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting

79. Highways and fingerpost issues:The clerk reported that the repair of the fingerpost at Leigh crossroad was almost complete. New arms had been made at the Portland Young Offenders Institute under the supervision of Roger Bond from Normtec. He will now blast and repaint the roundel and provide a new post. The total cost will be in the region of £260 and the clerk confirmed the Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty team will provide £200 towards this. The parish council will meet the shortfall. The clerk noted that Cllr Old had kindly repainted the other signs in the village. DCC Highways had cleaned out all the gulleys, drains and grips in the autumn, but many of the drains were now blocked by mud and silt.

The continuing problem of surface water in Church Lane was raised. It seems the problem is nothing to do with the new water main (Wessex Water have checked), it is more likely to be a spring. Whether DCC Highways have the means or aptitude to undertake investigation and repair is open to doubt but the road will be dangerous in icy conditions and the surface will be damaged over time. The clerk will speak to Highways (and involve DCC Cllr Cox).

80. Report from District Councillor Audrey Burch:A written report had been promised but not received. The clerk reported on the parlous state of finances at DCC and NDDC and that a significant restructuring of local government in Dorset was likely to save costs. There is an expectation that town and parish councils will have to take on a greater role in the provision of local services

81. Report from local Community Police Officer:None received

82. The Crown Inn – update:Gemma and James Barkess had been invited to the meeting but unfortunately were away. They had sent a letter explaining their intentions and this was read out by the Chairman. A copy is attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes.

83. Other matters raised by residents:

i) Clive Carsley explained the background to the SIFT committee and the funds collected towards the expenses of the valuation etc. £952.50 had been donated. Four individuals had donated £100; other amounts were from £50 downwards. The valuation had cost £600 leaving £352.50. He proposed that £50 be refunded to each of these four donors so that the maximum donation by any individual was £50. This would leave a surplus of £152.50 – what should be done with this? One suggestion was to give it to the village hall. An alternative suggestion was that as the money had been donated to help save the pub then the money should be donated by the village to the new owners to help their refurbishment. This was agreed.

ii) Debbie Aldous reported that the last day of trading of the shop in Okeford Fitzpaine would be 31st May. It is expected the new owners (who run the Red Barn in Hazelbury Bryan) will open in the middle of June.

iii) Ian Freeland has been asked if a 20 mph speed limit might be possible through the village. The clerk will speak with Highways but is not hopeful.

iv) Ian Freeland asked about the use of powered garden tools on Sundays. Ibberton tradition has been for these not to be used on Sundays, but this cannot be enforced and it was recognised that, for people who work, the weekend may be the only opportunity to do garden maintenance.

84. Close of meeting:With no further business to discuss the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30 pm.

Appendix 1 – letter from James and Gemma Barkess re the Crown

The Crown Inn

Ibberton

DT11 0EN

17th May 2016

Dear Parish Council Members and Ibberton Community,

Firstly, apologies that we cannot be at the Annual Parish Meeting with you this evening.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for making us feel so welcome since our arrival in Ibberton. The kind words, moving in gifts and wonderful cakes we have been generously given are greatly appreciated.

As you are all aware we moved into the Crown in February. It has always our intention on purchasing The Crown that it would be a project to which we can add our own expression by carrying out the refurbishment and restoration ourselves. Naturally this takes time, and something we are not going to compromise on just to get the doors open and start trading. We care about The Crown and it takes time and care to restore the great building that the pub is and to bring it back to what we believe it should be.

Of course this is our family home as well as being a working Public House in this beautiful village. We have been Landlords of pubs for over ten years with over twenty years overall in the trade, this experience being invaluable in the work we are currently carrying out and in our plans for the future of The Crown.

So far the refurb is going well. Some things needing more work than others! The Crown was certainly not in a state for a ‘quick lick of paint’ and carry on running.

We are very much looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming you all to bring the pub back into the hub of the village as we believe it deserves to be.

Thank you again for your continued support, and be assured that we are ‘pulling out all the stops’ to open the doors as speedily as possible.

Kind regards,

James and Gemma Barkess.