PRESENT:
Cllr. M. Wrighton, Cllr. D. Hitt, Cllr. K. Kitt, Cllr. P. Bowditch (Woodland Trust Play Area Supervisor), 5 members of the public. Miss A Hull recorded the minutes
1. APOLOGIES
Cllr. P. Lathey, Cllr. I. Gay, Don McAllister and District Councillor Alford
2. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS INTERESTS
There were none.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The Chairman asked if everyone had both received and read the minutes of
the last meeting, if so, were they a true record. The only point to
mention was that the date of the next meeting on the minutes had been
left as October rather than November. This was altered then ALL AGREED
that the minutes were a true record. The minutes were duly signed
and dated.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES
The ongoing problem of the trees at Longhayes Avenue was discussed.
Magna were meant to be meeting with the Tetts to discuss a way forward
but had been unable to contact them by telephone. The Clerk has since
asked Magna to write to them again and present them with notice
or threaten court action. Magna were trying to go back on their offer
of paying for all financial costs associated with any court proceedings.
Clerk had contacted Andrew Dyke and been told that Mead Lane is not owned
by the Symondsbury Estate. Councillors argued that part of this always
used to be cut by Symondsbury Estate. Clerk to raise this with
Andrew Dryke again.
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A taxi is now parking in front of the railing in Hospital Lane which
although not illegal, creates a hazard for elderly pedestrians trying
to board buses etc at the end of that path. Clerk to speak to Don McAllister
as he knows the owner of the taxi.
Again the issue of the overgrown hedge near Simene Close was raised as
pedestrians etc are having to walk in the road. Clerk to contact Highways
as a matter of urgency
Weller Scaffolding lorries are now using the Dottery to Gore Cross route
very dangerously and driving too fast. Clerk to inform Community Support
Officers.
The speed reduction construction before the Medical Centre is not quite narrow enough as two cars are able to use it at the same time therefore it is not acting as a slowing down hazard. The best thing would be to remove it altogether. Clerk to inform Daryl from Bridport Town Council.
There is felt missing from the bus shelter at the start of Hospital Lane. Clerk to inform Bridport Town Council.
Drain going into Allington Gardens needs unblocking. Clerk to inform Highways.
6. FINANCE REPORT
The account balance was read out to Councillors and as usual all books
were on the table for any member of the public to read.
a) The balance
of the ordinary account now stands at £5,786.77. The savings at £15,340.33. Money paid in is £2.85 in Interest on Current Account and £137.51 in Interest on Savings account.
b) The following cheques was authorised by the council: Clerk's wages (for past month) £237, BDO Stoy Hayward for External Audit fee £158.63, Local Councils Update Subs £65
c) Internal Audit has been undertaken and everything was found to be in order. This was presented to the meeting and agreed. Proposer D.Hitt, Seconder P. Bowditch.
d) The External Audit had been received back as well as an Issues Arising Report. It was agreed by all to accept the External Audit. Poproser: M. Wrighton, Seconder: P. Bowditch. An Action Plan had been produced by the Clerk to document the issues arising from the audit and to show what needs to be done. Action points which were agreed were as follows:
A new Internal Auditor needed to be appointed which was agreed as Leigh Hansford. It was also agreed to pay him £10 per audit undertaken.
Clerk to put together a Risk Assessment and present to council in February each year.
To review effectiveness of Internal Audit at same time as Risk Assessment.
Clerk to update Asset Register to show location held of each item and maintain as such.
Minuting approval of the Annual Return needs to mention each specific question and answers to each question - to do this in future.
Fidelity Guarantee to be raised to £25,000 at an additional cost of £12.50 per annum
More detail of specifics can be found in the Action Report.
e) Precept Request - As per the budget that hasd been tabled in September it was agreed by all that there was no need to ask for more than we had done in previous year which was £14,000. This was Proposed by Cllr. Bowditch and Seconded by Cllr. D. Hitt.
f) Negotiations between unions have now been agreed and percentage increase
means that clerks wages will rise from £202 per month to £207
per month, this will be backdated to april and is shown in the cheque
for clerks salary which is £237.
7. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
1/D/08/002003 - 12A Morbae Grove, Pymore. To carry out loft conversion, erect dormer windows and roof lights.
There were no objections.
8. CHERRY TREE PLAY AREA REFURBISHMENT
Funding from the Leisure Development Fund within West Dorset District
Council has been applied for and this will be looked at their next
meeting in January.
9. CHERRY TREE PLAY AREA REPORT
Mr McAllister was not present but had told Clerk that all was fine.
It was raised however, that the gate is sticking when pushed back into
the grass. Clerk to inform Mr McAllister.
10. WOODLAND TRUST PLAY AREA
Cllr. P. Bowditch said the play area itself was fine.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
Various which were all available to read.
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 9 December 2008
Meeting closed at 8.05pm |