Allington Parish Council

Present Cllrs. P.J.Lathey[Chairman] Marion.A.Wrighton [Vice Chairman] G. Stansfield, I. Gay, T. Gruitt, D.C.Hitt and Karen Hitt. District Councillor A. Alford, Mr Adam Georgiou Play Area Supervisor. Mrs C. Stansfield Clerk.
plus 3 members of the public.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. Apologies There were none to receive

2. Declarations of member’s interests Cllr Lathey declared an interest in item 6d. Cllr Stansfield in items 6d and 6a. Councillors D & K Hitt in item 8 and 9

3. Approval of Minutes of meetings Dec. 7th and 10th The Chairman dealt with the minutes of Dec. 7th first. All councillors were asked if they had read the minutes and if they were in agreement was it their wish he signed and dated the minutes as a true record. Councillors were also asked if they had received the copy of the resolution sent to West Dorset District Council Planning Office and Chief Executive Officer as well as the Internal Auditors report. ALL AGREED. The Dec. 10th meeting was an emergency one when we had received the lease from the Woodland Trust, this required signing by the 11th as the Clerk was going on holiday. The councillors who attend this meeting were asked if the minutes were true and accurate and was it their wish the book be signed and dated ALL AGREED.

4. Matters arising from the minutes [Dec. 7th] we had heard from Matron of Bridport Community Hospital regarding signage in the car park and were assured these would be in situ on January 6th. By the date of this meeting the signs were not in place. Letter/email to go to Matron with cc to Dave Hambridge of the Hospital Estates Department. The Clerk had not received a reply from Mr Hambridge to her letter on this subject. Gladedale, we had heard nothing from them, however, Lyn Cooch from Dorset County Council had and it was positive news Gladedale were committed to securing long term future of site. Clerk rang Gladedale the person to whom she spoke was unaware of Pymore. A letter to go to Gladedale enquiring about not only the Nature Reserve but also the notice board they promised us 2 years ago. Magna Housing still has not replied to our letter regarding attendance at meetings. 14 Broadmead Avenue still no work done Clerk to contact authorities

5. Public Participation Woodland Trust. Council had received several complaints from concerned members of the public regarding the state of the Woodland Trust new paths and the management of the hill in general. Mrs Dibden who was not able to attend the meeting had voiced her primary concerns both to the council and the Woodland Trust. Several members of the public expressed their worries and concerns on the following. The newly created steps were too steep for many people to ascend. Questions were raised as to whether the Woodland Trust was aware of the possible legal problems that could ensue if anyone fell. The paths were slippery. Heavy duty bikes had been using the paths and concern was expressed that if the remainder of the fraternity were to do the same then there would be a potential dangerous situation for all dog walkers and other ramblers along the hill/field. Motor Bike tracks had also been seen on the hill by Councillors and members of the public. Below Mrs Miller’s goat field at Hibernia Close the children had made a BMX course, this council and public alike did not object to as it was out of the way and safe, giving the children somewhere to play on the BMX bikes without causing hindrance to anyone. Council said the clerk would write to the Woodland Trust to notify them of this and other problems. Seagulls once again the problem of the seagulls breeding in large numbers were affecting Cherry Tree and Meadfields. This is a potentially dangerous situation as they attack members of the public. Clerk to notify West Dorset District Council of this. Medical Centre/Ambulance Station. A member of the public had contacted the council and was present at the meeting. A neighbour apparently had been to Blakey & Griffin Pharmacy and been informed by a pharmacist there that Tesco Stores representatives had been to measure up the field to the West of the Garage on West Road, concern was mounting as to the volume of traffic in view of the proposed medical centre being sited nearby this area and also the Ambulance Station being sited along side the medical centre. Council told the meeting we had heard nothing about the Tesco situation but would discreetly enquire. Minor Injuries Unit. The minor injuries unit will be closed from 8pm through to 8am next morning the Emergency Practitioner cover would still be on going but from the Medical Centre. This appeased several worries over there being no cover at all.

6. Finance [a] Cheques for £100 for clerks homeworking allowance [2nd half] and for £30 for subscription for Society of Local Council Clerks were presented for payment. These were signed by Cllrs Lathey and Wrighton. Permission for payment to Viking direct for £130.35p for the Labeller via the BACS was also given.
[b] Balances in the ordinary Account is £369.53 of which £2.26 is interest. Savings Balance is £3,669.91. A claim for v.a.t. paid to the amount of £1,233.39 has been sent off. The precept is due in our account on April 30th this will be £4.675,00 and is the first half of the payment. We have received word regarding our band D property amount for next year’s council tax.
The receipted accounts from Austen Whetham & Guest, Woodland Trust [rent] St. Saviour’s Church, Bridport Town Council [allotment rent] has all been acknowledged.
[c] The Internal Auditor was pleased with the audit everything was correct. The clerk requested that the Internal Audit Form has a proposer and seconder. Cllr Gay proposed Cllr Gruitt seconded.
[d] S137 payments. We had received within the Deadline for applications the following: Bridport House Club, Air Ambulance, W.R.V.S. Axe Valley Ring and Ride, Winged Fellowship Trust, Samaritans. Plus an application from Miss Malwah. The Clerk reminded councillors that the S137 was to benefit all the community we could not give to individuals as we had not the power to do so.
The Chairman read out her letter and whilst it was commendable she was doing the Mexican project to help others Miss Malwah had to fund it herself. The criteria was that people live in Allington The Chairman suggested we make budget for this kind of thing next year, the clerk told council we do not have the power to do this. No one council can give to individuals without the necessary legal power to do so. The clerk would look into this. The Winged Fellowship Trust and the Samaritans could not say whether Allington Residents were among the people they help. We have on the register 493 people and are allowed to spend £5 per person. Last year we spent £1000. S142 is thepower we use to give to the Citizens Advice Bureau who have again asked for our help.

7. Planning The Chairman read out the resolution sent to West Dorset District Council also the reply received from John Greenslade of that Department together with an article from the 2005 Clerks and Councils Yearbook. It was suggested that the clerk write to Mr Greenslade for a copy of the plans for the Medical Centre .

8. Woodland Trust Play Area Cllr Stansfield had collected the lease and landlord act paper from Solicitor – this was signed at this meeting. The contractor TMH Fencing is unable now to do the fencing work until the weather improves. Clerk to approach Dorset County Council regarding the play signs for the road. Two locks would also be required for the gates.

9. Cherry Tree Play Area A good response had been received regarding the new equipment, the Play Area Supervisor had seen some youngsters messing about and had spoken with their grandfather who assured him this practice would stop. The fencing to be replaced here shortly the good wood taken down to make seats.

10. Way Ahead Group The group is on track time wise for the Parish Plan the final questions would be gone through at the meeting on Thursday. Two people from Dottery had also expressed an interest in joining the group. Clerk reminded council that we had no power available to give a cash prize or gift prize for the return of the questionnaire draw. Suggestion was made to ask an Allington company to provide this. All agreed.

11. Footpath/Tree Officers report A large conifer tree had been left at entrance to Mead Lane track, Cllrs Gruitt and Gay offered to move this. Lots of trees down on the woodland trust land and a moped which had been abandoned for many years was still rusting away. Clerk to notify relevant authorities. It was suggested that maybe the Woodland Trust could use blown down trees for seats. Clerk to suggest this to Woodland Trust.

12. Clerks Report Council had received over 400 items of mail not including emails since April 2004. We were on line to become a quality parish council fulfilling all the criteria. As Allington Parish representative I will be attending the Axe Valley ring and ride meeting. On Feb 24th together with the Chairman we will be at the Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils meeting. Our web page has drawn lots of interest and our newsletter has been well received. We have enquired about a mail box in the area of Simene Close/ West Mead the nearest one is quite a distance from there. The mailbox at the oldAllington Post Office We have been assured will stay. We still receive emails from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister including one about the new electricity regulations. 11 people wished for a copy.

13. Clerk Appraisal The date fixed for this was 2nd February this to be carried out by the Chairman.

14. Correspondence We had received Western Area Transport Groups minutes and Agenda, Clerks and Councils Direct and Local Council Review Magazine. The Dorset Community Action Review of village of the year form [all councillors agreed we did not fit into the category to apply for this] Bournemouth Poole and Dorset Structure Update leaflet. A letter and leaflet was received from Porter Dobson solicitors regarding the reform of Licensing laws and how it is applicable to licenced outlets in Allington. As we have only Washingpool Farm that has a alcohol licence it was agreed to take no action and send the correspondence to Washingpool Farm for their perusal. As usual all correspondence and magazines are available for anyone to read.

15. The date of the next meeting was February 8th items for agenda please to the clerk before the meeting

The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and explained he could not be at the next meeting. Vice Chairman Cllr Wrighton would take the Chair.

The meeting closed at 8 53pm