Allington Parish Council

Present: Cllrs. P J Lathey, M A Wrighton, D C Hitt, K Hitt, I B Gay. District Councillor Mr A. Alford. Mr D Mc Allister [Cherry Tree Play Area Supervisor] Mr P Bowditch [Woodland Trust Play Area Supervisor] plus 4 members of the public. Mrs C Stansfield recorded the minutes.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that under our standing orders item 10 would be removed to the end of the agenda. Everyone except for parish council members would be required to leave as this item discussed salaries and appointment of new clerk.

1. Apologies. Apologies were received from T. Gruitt [via Cllr Gay] Mr D. McAllister who was working away

2. Declarations of member's interests. There were no interests to declare in this part of the meeting

3. Approval of minutes. The Chairman asked councillors if they had read the minutes and if so was it their wish that he should sign and date the minute book as a true record. ALL AGREED. The minute book was duly signed.

4. Matters arising. Several complaints had been made regarding Mr Issacs going up the lane and leaving food. The Chairman suggested anyone who sees such an incident should make a note of the time and date and report to Magna Housing Association as well as council. There were still ongoing problems with vandals around the new houses/garages in North Allington, the police had been informed and any further sightings on this problem should be reported to them or to Councillor Lathey Many complaints are received by the parish council of dog fouling mainly in the Bridport Town Council area of North Allington and the pavements. Letters to go to Bridport Town Council and to the Dog Warden. Parish Maintenance Units had been advised of all road markings that need re-painting. Magna advised of pavement problems No's 1-3 Cherry Tree.

5. Public Participation. Requests for Dog Fouling notices to be erected in Pymore. Complaints had been received of Garden refuse still being dumped on the lower part of the hill.  

6. Mr Kelly. The Chairman read out in full the letter council received from Mr Kelly regarding his involvement with the Symondsbury Estate and various planning issues. After much discussion it was agreed to monitor the situation and request from planning department of West Dorset District Council any notification of planning applications on the Colfox Estate in Symondsbury Area. If any planning applications of substantial interest i.e. Waste Transfer or Housing were received by the Planning Department of West Dorset District Council or Dorset County Council, this parish council wished to be informed as our parish boundary adjoins.

7. Finance Report. [a] Balances. The balance on the ordinary account stands at £2319.88p. This includes interest of £1.08p - this account also includes approx. £500 of parish grant money. Savings Account £2016.77p.
[b] Two accounts have been presented for payment. Cheque for £200 for Logomotion to maintain our website. £65.21p cheque to repay the advertisement in Bridport News for post of clerk. [Cheque paid to Mrs C Stansfield] Both cheques were agreed by council and duly signed.

8. New Councillor. Council had received notice that no one had applied to be considered for Councillor. This vacancy could now be filled by Co-option. The Chairman suggested we wait until the next meeting all agreed.

9. Planning. Council had received a letter regarding the lighting in Simene Close and West Mead Area. All residents in the vicinity to be notified - council to notify Dorset County Council as soon as this has been carried out. Plans discussed at length. This letter to go our with the newsletter  

10. Vacancy for new clerk. Five replies to the advertisement had been received. As agreed this item to be discussed at closed session after this meeting in accordance with our standing orders.

11.Clerk's Report. The next meeting of the way ahead group is February 27th We are nearly ready for the plan to go to Creeds for publishing. Then the hard work will begin but, that will be the work of my successor. Paul Fuzard our present Internal Auditor is to do the audit on our accounts in the next few weeks he has, stated he is to retire after this. Councillor Lathey told the council that his son was an accountant - the clerk to look into the situation regarding having Matthew Lathey as Auditor. Council will then have to approve the appointment and Cllr Lathey would not be present in the room whilst this was being discussed. .A current copy of Charles Arnold Baker is required this will be in the region of £70. Councillors agreed to purchase this manual. The local area plan had now been published clerk to contact Tim Crabtree regarding this. Council require one hard copy of this report. And also photocopy to each councillor the page that is relevant to Allington. We have been granted 100% affordable housing. Cllr Lathey explained the local plan our criteria was that this be totally 100% affordable housing for key workers and local people

12. Cherry Tree Play Area. As Mr McAllister had tendered his apologies for absence due to work commitments, the clerk gave a resume of the amount of debris that had been found on/in the Play area. Some animal had been digging by the fence posts. Mr McAllister thought maybe it was a dog but the councillors felt it was a badger. There is still lots of dog mess in the play area.

13. Woodland Trust Play Area. Mr Bowditch commented on the play area being well used. A member of the public said people were coming from Loders village as ours was one of the few 5 a side play areas locally.

14. Correspondence. Cllr Lathey read out all the correspondence to the council

15. The date of the next meeting was March 14th. Chairman reminded everyone that this meeting was in fact two. This first one being the Parish Meeting and the second being the ordinary council meeting.

The meeting closed at 8 43pm and everyone left the room except for councillors and clerk.