LITTON CHENEY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of Litton Cheney
Parish Council
held on Tuesday 8 November 2022
Present: Bill Orchard (Chairman); Quentin Blacke; Andy King; Andrew Price; Maggie Walsh (Clerk). Also in attendance 2 local residents
3. Democratic time The applicants for the current planning application relating to the siting of a shepherd’s hut for holiday accommodation at MEADOWFIELD, HILL CLOSE, SCHOOL HOUSE LANE, (P/FUL/2022/04678) advised the Parish Council that, in light of the LPA’s concerns and Parish Council’s representation response concerning the proposed location of the shepherd’s hut within the field, they had met with the case officer on site. They had subsequently proposed an alternative location near the north east corner of the field, where it would be placed in front of recently planted trees. It was anticipated that the LPA would reconsult the PC once the amended details were submitted.
4. Approval of minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 27 September 2022 It was proposed by Cllr Orchard, seconded by Cllr King and carried unanimously that these be approved.
5. Matters arising since the previous meeting not part of this agenda N/A
6. Dorset Council overview – N/A
7. Finance report and invoices for approval (Clerk and RFO) Thorner’s School Association had thanked the PC for its donation of £50 towards its participation in Candles on the Hill.
The Clerk had attended a Clerks’ Conference at Kingston Maurward. There was support for the concept of Dorset Council and Town and Parish Councils agreeing the principles of how they might work together for the benefit of all local residents. But it was felt this could be achieved without a long and complex document. DAPTC would take this work forward.
David Ingram had kindly volunteered to act as Flood Warden for Litton Cheney. A meeting was scheduled to start identifying areas at possible risk of flash flooding. Ultimately a network of residents would be needed to help prevent or respond to flooding leading up to and during extreme weather events.
The PC had again received a request for a donation towards the upkeep of the churchyard. Having considered NALC advice relating to such donations it was proposed by Cllr Price, seconded by Cllr Blacke and carried unanimously that the PC donate £500 towards the upkeep of the churchyard as the space benefitted all local residents. MW
The RFO had begun estimating budget commitments for 2023-24 to inform the process of setting the Precept at January’s meeting.
At the time of publishing the agenda, Parish funds stood at £26,802.19. Spend since the previous meeting was £334 comprising £249 for hedge cutting by R Sorrell; £50 donation to Thorner’s School Association towards its participation in Candles on the Hill; £35 printing costs by Footeprints. Income since last meeting was £5,156.46 comprising £4,950 precept from Dorset Council; £106.25 representing LATCH share of hedge cutting costs; £100 private donation to the Community Bench Fund and .21p interest. The PC wished to minute its gratitude for the donation to the bench fund.
The following invoices were for approval:
|
Russell Randall for community/commemorative bench located in the Vineyard |
£660.13 |
|
Abbotsbury Stonework commemorative bench design/drawings and model |
£220.00 |
|
Reimburse Cllr Firrell for purchase of Remembrance Wreath from Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory |
£37.40 |
|
Reimburse Cllr Blacke for materials purchased from Bradfords to construct Vineyard bench plinth |
£17.81 |
|
Reimburse Clerk for travel expenses |
£16.20 |
|
|
£996.54 |
It was proposed by Cllr Orchard, seconded by Cllr Price and carried unanimously that these be approved. MW
8. Councillors’ portfolios:
Planning (Bill Orchard, Chairman): Fry’s had advised the PC that pre-commencement archaeological work in Barges Close was due to commence imminently. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill was purported to include some interesting elements – the PC waited to see which elements would be included in the final bill and which would pass into law.
Highways/Transport (Andrew Price): Wessex Water were due to commence a series of works within the village involving a number of road closures. DC had confirmed its intention to impose a weight limit on Whiteway. Cllr Price had met with the Community Highways Officer, who was aware of a number of road repairs required within the village, however, lack of funds for more significant works was an issue.
Agricultural Liaison/Footpaths/Rights of Way/ (Bella Spurrier/Quentin Blacke): Nothing to report regarding footpaths. There were still problems with electric fences across footpaths and approaching farmers directly had not helped. He would contact DC. QB
Playground/Playing Field/Allotments (Andy King): Stream clearing had been organised for the weekend. Cllr King was having difficulty sourcing wood for replacement playground bench slats. He had no update on the goal posts and would chase this up. The last grass cut of the season had taken place: he would ask DC for a quote for next year. AK
Village Fabric/Maintenance/BLAP/DAPTC/ Administration & Probity (John Firrell) Work continued to agree proposals to provide seating and improve the Jubilee Hut area in commemoration of the Platinum Jubilee and reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
Work continued behind the scenes to create a village focus group and a meeting was scheduled for 15 November.
Cllr Orchard proposed that, since the Social Committee had disbanded, the PC take on responsibility for purchasing the Christmas tree at a cost of up to £75 for the current year. This was seconded by Cllr King and carried unanimously. JF
Climate Emergency and Environment (Vacant) The Parish Council wished to record its thanks to Anna Morley for completing Dorset AONB’s Community Tree Scheme survey.
9. New planning applications for consideration at the meeting There were no new planning applications for consideration.
The PC would consider its response to the proposed new location for the proposed shepherd’s hut at MEADOWFIELD, HILL CLOSE, SCHOOL HOUSE LANE, (P/FUL/2022/04678) when reconsulted by DC.
Since the last meeting, DC had consulted the PC on a Listed Building application to Retain internal alterations and repairs on ground floor and first floors at PEGGOTTYS, CHALK PIT LANE, DT2 9AN (P/LBC/2022/06341). The PC had determined under delegated powers that it had NO OBJECTION to this application.
The application for continued use of agricultural land as a camping site; retention of static caravan, log cabin for use as a farm/site shop and cafe, WC shed, storage building, laying of hard standing and tracks for internal access and parking; and erection of shower/toilet block at Fishing Lake, Charity Farm (P/FUL/2022/02660) had been withdrawn from DC’s Planning Committee Agenda and remained undetermined.
10. Correspondence not dealt with as part of the agenda none
11. Date of next meeting Tuesday 10 January 2023
Meeting closed
Maggie Walsh
Parish Clerk