Allington Parish Council

Present. Councillors P.J.Lathey [Chairman] G. Stansfield, I Gay, D& K Hitt.
5 members of the public. Julie Anne Foster Magna Housing Association representative. The Clerk Mrs C Stansfield recorded the minutes.

The Chairman began this meeting by welcoming everyone and asking everyone assembled to stand and pay tribute with a minutes silence to former Councillor Stanley Wrighton who had recently passed away. The minute’s silence was duly observed. The business of the meeting began at 7. 32pm.

1 Apologies. The Clerk had received the following apologises for absence. Mrs Jane Dibden, Mr Adam Georgiou [Play Area Supervisor] [previous engagement] Vice Chairman Mrs M. Wrighton [due to bereavement] Cllr Gay tendered Cllr Gruitts apology. and Dr. Coffer.

2 Declarations of Members Interests. Cllr Stansfield in item 9 and item 7c. Cllrs D&K Hitt in items 12 and 7d. Cllr Lathey in item 7[c]

3 Minutes of last meeting. The Chairman asked if everyone had both received and read the minutes of the meeting of March 8th 2005, if so was it there wish he sign and date the minutes ALL AGREED. The minutes were duly signed and dated.

4 Matters Arising. The lelandi trees in Longhayes Avenue had been cut down to acceptable height so no correspondence was required from council. The shrubbery at Broadmead Avenue had been cut back and an email of thanks to Bernard Paull Town Surveyor. Council has heard from Mr Ian Curry of Gladedale regarding the notice board, they are to erect same in May and I am to meet them on site when we can ascertain where the position will be for the bench seat we have provided. With regards to our query of the waterwheel there are only two places it could be, one is on site and one is with the remainder of the pieces and that is in the museum. Mr Curry to look into this and get back to us. The Woodland Trust is gradually clearing the paths. No news yet from Frys re the positioning of the notice board at West Mead.

5 Public Participation.
[a] The Clerk told the meeting that Mrs Dibden had found some items on Allington Hill i.e. an African type blade, a bow similar to the type firing arrows this was a strong bow not a small one, an axe etc., all wrapped in cloth. Council agreed these items should not be given to Woodland Trust as Mrs Dibden suggested but handed to the Police.
[b] Cllr Lathey had attended the meeting of the A35 bypass – A survey [several have already been previously carried out] into the number of casualties during accidents to be carried out on this spot. This will be the 6th survey carried out at a cost of £30,000 per survey. There has to be 30 fatalities before a speed restriction is in force.
[c] A member of the public was querying the barrier Fry’s had put up this barrier to stop people/children running straight onto the pavement and then onto the road. Council to look at this situation. In reply to a query as to whether the vegetation was being cut back enough the reply was it was.

6 Magna Housing. The Chairman introduced Julie Anne Foster from Magna. Council had received word that Magna were to charge council £8 per hour to use the building. A tenant – Mr Chubb had complained that the residents should not be charged a service charge for the communal room when they do not use it [this non use is the residents choice] Magna were looking at all their charges and £8 was comparable with other halls in the area. The Chairman explained that we had not budgeted for this expense this coming year 2005-6. For 2006-7 our budget meeting is in October and we notify the District Council in December. The communal room would be cleaned regularly, the clerk explained that it would be preferable if no smoking was adhered to by Wardens who come in to sign on at Careline, as more often than not the room reeked of stale smoke whenever the Council used it. Councillors and members of the public told Ms Foster that the windowsills had not been cleaned for over a year and the two brown heaters at the rear of the room were over 30 years old and not efficient. The Chairman asked for a negotiable date to begin charging for the room and Ms Foster to liaise with the clerk after the meeting. Ms Foster agreed to this and she left the meeting at 8 15pm

7 Finance.
[a] The clerk read out the balances in the two accounts. Ordinary account £665.65 In the savings 14 day account we have £811.88p. Into our accounts but this will go into the next financial year is a vat claim for £521.04.
[b] Approval for accounts for audit. The Clerk gave to councillors the accounts for this financial year. She explained that the amount they see is the same as the ledger but the auditor [external] insist council rounds the figures up/down. The council agreed to adopt the accounts ALL AGREED.
[c] S137 payments The clerk read out the list of people wishing to have donations under the S137 power. The following could not say they had people in Allington using their service so they were not considered The Winged Fellowship Trust, The Samaritans. The Bridport Hopper at this time decided not to apply for funding even though they had applied in time. The following were awarded a donation

W.R.V.S. Bridport £200.00
Axe Valley Ring and Ride £100.00
Bridport House Youth Club £200.00
Air Ambulance £300.00
S142 Citizens Advice Bureau £250.00
All of the above to re-apply for further funding in 6 months time. An invitation to come to the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on May 3rd to collect their cheque will be issued.
The clerk reminded Councillors that the amount per elector has gone up to £5. 30, however, because not every person is on the electoral register we can only give the amount on the electoral register. We have 365 properties on the community charge list but only 268 properties registered.
[d] Our subscription to the Dorset Association of Parish and Town Councils was now due for payment £122.84 this cheque was authorised for signature by the council. A retrospective cheque for £2899.90 for TMH Fencing had been signed all agreed retrospective permission given. The clerk stressed that this was a one off situation as cheques should only be signed at meetings.
[e] Insurance. Council has received the renewal for the Insurance. This quote has gone up from last year and there is not on this list the Woodland Trust Play area. Without the Woodland Trust one it is almost £600. In order to get best value I am contacting Zurich Insurance Company. Cllr Gay suggested the NFU. Both play areas have a 10 million pound public liability cover.

8 Planning Update. The Clerk attended the planning meeting for the proposed new medical centre and gave Councils opinion on the building and other issues. Ian Madgewick from Highways said they would have speed controls on the road and also a coned crossing plus a pavement on the other side of the road. The site has been zoned for a medical centre and the company were being asked to re-submit plans. [b] Council had received approval for the conservatory at 66 Cherry Tree.

9 Clerks Appraisal. The Chairman explained the clerk had received her appraisal and all was in order. Council now had every book they needed to legally function as a council.

10 Way Ahead Group 365 questionnaires had been sent out. Only around 350 were able to be delivered due to either the houses being unsold in Pymore and West Mead or else empty and not built. We had received back in excess of 115 replies. This is a superb result for such a scattered parish. Now the hard work for the group begins. We have to collate every question. Any that are of concern for the Highways, District, or County Councils these will be passed on. Any that are Bridport Town Councils remit they also will be passed onto Ron Gregory Town Clerk. Next meeting of the Way Ahead Group in April 28th Thank you all that helped.

11 Cherry Tree Play Area. Since the last meeting a vandal has torn off the lock on the contractors gate literally days after it was put on. The police have been informed. Because it is wilful damage we cannot claim under the 10 year guarantee on the lock. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is coming to inspect the play area in May. Quotes for new swing seats to be obtained.

12 Woodland Trust Play Area. At present we are waiting for TMH Fencing to erect the fencing. The goalposts, signs and road signs are ready we are just waiting to hear from the contractor.

13 Bridport Local Area Partnership. The clerk represents Allington Parish Council on this group. Meetings are held quarterly. At the last meeting items discussed included the Jurassic Coastline, and the following:

West Dorset District Council are aware there are shortcomings in their consultation process and this is being addressed. Issues raised at Parish Plans are also being taken notice of. Affordable Housing was another emotive subject discussed.

14 Bournemouth Waste Plan. The Chairman read out the document to council and told them that it actually did not apply to anywhere in Allington

15 Correspondence. All correspondence was read out to the councillors including the broadband cd rom, all the circulars from Chief Executives office.

16 Date of next meeting. The clerk reminded everyone that at the next meeting the draw for the meal at Washingpool Farm would take place. The Editor of the Bridport News will do the draw. The recipients of the S137 donations will be invited to the meeting also. It was the Clerk reminded council our annual meeting and a Chairman would have to be elected. Councillors asked Cllr. Lathey if, he wished to stand for re-election he said he was prepared to do so. As he is unable to take the meeting due to work commitments he agreed to being proposed for Chairman for 2005-6. The remainder of the council are due for election in year 2007.

The Chairman thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and formally declared the meeting closed at 9 04pm