Allington Parish Council

Present: Cllrs. P.J.Lathey, M.I.Norris, I.Gay, T. Gruitt, M&S Wrighton, G. Stansfield, Mr A. Georgiou - Play Area Supervisor and 3 members of the public.
The Clerk was Mrs C V Stansfield and Chairman was Cllr. Lathey.
The meeting commenced with the Chairman wishing everyone present a Happy New Year.

1. No apologies had been received.
2 Declaration of members interests
Cllr Stansfield in item 5[c[. Cllr Norris in item 6[a]

3. The chairman asked councillors if they had received and read the minutes of the last meeting, and if they were a true record of that meeting. All agreed. The minute book was duly signed

4. Matters arising
Councillor Gruitt relayed details of his attendance at the meeting at St. Saviour’s Church regarding speed limit. He was the Councils representative at this important meeting. Much discussion ensued and it was agreed to send a letter to the County Council with our concerns. The letter to remain on file. A memo report from Dorset Fire and Rescue regarding our concerns at Pymore new development and the access for emergency vehicles was read out and it was the decision of the council that this memo remains on file in the event of future access problems on this estate for emergency services.

5. Finance
[a] S137 payments. The clerk informed council that they still had the money for another seat purchase. Several quotations had been received. It was council’s decision to order the seat from Humphries of Bridport at a cost of under £300 and seat to be sited at Pymore. It is hoped that the seat be placed next to the notice board. Clerk to write to Gladedale who are providing this board to ascertain when and where the board will be sited. The new amount of S137 payments were given out – this is £5.14p councillors were reminded this is linked to inflation. We will have a maximum of £2,508.32p to spend. The Chairman explained for those who were unaware how we ascertain who receives what amount and why.
[b]The clerk read out the balances in our accounts as of today’s date. The balances were £2,552.66p and £4,590.46p. Transferred to the higher earnings account was the sum of £2,000
[c] the clerk explained about the AQA costs involved and other costs associated with this. There was enough money in the training budget for these expenses. A cheque for £100.00 was raised to re-reimburse the clerk as agreed last time for the past 2 years telephone calls and other expenses as per the ruling for home working.
[d] There is a v.a.t.claim to be sent off for over £147 this will be sent direct to our account by the BACS system.5[e] We have received and paid Clive Richards account for grass cutting £135.13p.

6. Planning
1/W/02/001876 Seymour Farm North Allington. This application has now been officially withdrawn from the Land Registry. 1/W/03/002376 Land adjacent to West Mead Lodge West Road Bridport. This planning application was discussed at great length. The application above had not been displayed in the Bridport News; however, it had been placed under Bridport Town Council’s list of planning applications. The councillors felt that this application should be re-issued this time advertised correctly as this was one of numerous errors made by the planning department. Council felt that the new plans were out of character with the adjacent buildings and that the plans were detrimental to the area. This was the full view of the council.

7. Woodland Trust Play Area
Council had received three quotations from various suppliers for the fencing. The clerk had received advice that the height of fence we requested would not be legal and had taken advice from ROSPA. A new quotation for 1.5m fencing was then submitted. After discussion it was agreed by all the councillors that the quotation from TMH Fencing for £1,999.00 was the preferred option. The Woodland Trust had that afternoon asked various questions on the fencing which the clerk was able to answer and it is hoped that the fencing will be in situ by end of February. Legal paperwork from the Woodland Trust to be with council by end of next week. Cllr Grit asked if a sign could go up requesting motorists to watch their speed as they do come u/p down Hospital Lane at speed. A letter to go to Highways requesting this and also one to go to the Hospital, notifying them of the site of the play area which is, adjacent to the Hospital Entrance as the van that services the hospital would also need to watch the speed.

8. Cherry Tree Play Area
A consultation flyer to be sent to the 190 residences that are able to use the play area asking them to come to a open evening to [a] view the brochures on play equipment [b] giving us their preferred option. Date is February 26th 6-9pm. Cllrs Gruitt, Norris and Stansfield in charge of delivery of flyers. Notice to go on Board at Corner of Cherry Tree. Also a flyer to be given to the nursery at Watercleves. The Play area supervisor also notified council of the hole in front of the seat which due to recent weather had been water logged. The area to be filled in when weather improves. It was also noticed that several of the fencing needs replacing so it was decided to replace the fencing. A grant for the refurbishment of the play area including fencing to be applied for.

9. The chairman read out the letter from First – the Bus Company and Council were made aware of the appointment of Minister to the Horse, Alun Michael MP. Who also has responsibility for notifying us of the procedure for Ragwort. A member of the public confirmed that Ragwort had been seen on Philip Colfox’s part of Allington hill and Council requested a letter be sent to him about this.

10. Next meeting as per calendar of dates February 10th 2004. The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and the meeting ended at 9-05pm