Annual Parish Meeting - Winterborne St. Martin
Meeting Monday 24th May 2010
The Parish of Winterborne St.Martin has changed little during the course of the year. We have seen a few comings and goings but the character of village life is unaltered by the passage of a calendar year. We mourn the loss of Oliver Duke who was a great servant to the community in the tasks that he under took. He lifted the spirit of those that live here and his presence will be missed.
The issues of last year are the issues of this year and nothing changes. Speeding in the village by cars continues but we have noticed an increase in activity by the law enforcing authorities. It is of interest that the statistics of this work show that the number of offenders who live in the valley is high. We have asked for the increased presence of cameras to continue and suggested some new places where they may be sighted.
After continuous pressure from us and David Crowhurst the state of the stream bank has been reviewed by the County Council and they have acknowledged that there is a problem. Temporary warning posts have been put in place but a permanent long-term solution has not yet been presented to us. Financial pressures on the County do not encourage this Chairman that any scheme will have a high priority.
One problem was solved by finding land for allotments and the Council thanks the owners of the area for allowing this to happen. One unsolved problem, a football play area remains. Thanks to all who have helped with these issues.
Culture in the village hall appealed to all with a stunning Artsreach program well support by locals and strangers from afar. After much hard work the Salmon’s are stepping down and we must all applaud their achievements. Thank you Ann and Sam.
The village showhighlighted the talent in all the ages of the residents of Martinstown and was a great success.
The Blanchard Trust continues to support local individuals and organisations. Geraldine Canniford has handed over the reigns of Chairman to Fran Taylor and we thank her for her efforts to bring the Trust up to date and start social and fund raising events.
Waste Watch collects paper and money for its efforts is another valuable source of village funds.
The Cricket Club has played its first game on the new grass square and the club continues to be promoted up the league structure on an annual basis. Does any other Dorset club equal these feats?
Our village shop continues to supply the needs of locals and visitors while the pub has had a make over and will soon open its B&B rooms. The food is good, the company excellent but we must support both ventures as continued existence is dependent on a sound financial position which means use by us all.
So in conclusion we remain content with our lives in this valley with the exception of traffic speed. Sat nav and tom-tom has its advantages and disadvantages. The forecast visitor numbers to the Olympics may test our patience if traffic flows in villages like ours are not well controlled.
WINTERBORNE ST.MARTIN PARISH COUNCIL|
24th May 2010
The May meeting followed the Annual parish meeting. After Patrick Jeffery was relected as Chairman, David Gargrave was proposed as Vice-Chairman.
The first issue discussed was a proposal to erect a bus shelter in the centre of the village opposite Manor Grove. The visual impact was thought to be detrimental in this location and the outline cost high so the council voted not to proceed with this project.
The accounts were adopted, a grant of £100 made to the cricket club and minor planning issues noted.
Patrick J Jeffery
WINTERBORNE ST MARTIN PARISH COUNCIL
Meeting Monday 22nd March 2010
The March meeting of the Parish Council took place on 22nd March and the meeting started with the news that it is possible that an area might have been found which could act as a space where a football could be kicked about with safety. The Parish Council thanked the person concerned for all the hard work put into this project and nothing more will be said for the moment.
The main meeting discussed the stream and noted that warning reflector posts had been put on the stream side opposite Burnside cottages and that we now wait to see if anything more definitive will be done by the highway authority.
The allotments on land kindly donated by the owners of West End House have been handed over to the four people who asked for this facility in the village. We will be viewing their efforts over the summer and hope that not too much produce gets scrumped.
The Council is going to approach the highway authority about traffic slowing measures and ask if mock gate entrances to the village could be installed rather like those at Portersham. Painted 30mph signs on the road will be investigated and the use of speed devices held by local people. A recent blitz by the police had shown that most people stopped for speeding were locals living in the valley.
No significant planning matters were reported, dog fouling persist and the next meeting of the Council will be on 24th May.
Patrick J Jeffery
WINTERBORNE ST MARTIN PARISH COUNCIL
Meeting Monday 25th January 2010
The Parish Council met on 25th January in the Parish office for the first meeting of the new year. David Crowhurst and Ian Shaw were present.
The meeting started with a concern being expressed about hedge cuttings that are left on the highway. The Parish Council felt that they had no direct responsibility in this matter but that anybody who was concerned that a risk was being created should speak to the contractor undertaking the work or directly to the farmer whose hedge was being cut.
David Crowhurst reported that the stream bank had been inspected along its length by the senior officer of the County Council responsible for the bank up-keep of the stream and it was agreed that work needs to be undertaken to stabilise the bank opposite Burnside. This will be undertaken some time in the future together with other work along the length of the stream including repairs to the bridge at Rew.
The Neighbourhood Watch scheme will be moved forward and coordinators asked to go around their patch and confirm who wants to take part. Documentation will be provided for those who say yes to the idea but at the moment it has not arrived in the village.
Dog mess is once again a problem and highlighted by everybody present. Dog owners should be reminded to use the bins provided and it was suggested that they be named and shamed if they continue to ignore the problem that their pets create.
No significant planning issues were reported, the allotments should be handed over in the next few weeks when final issues are resolved, and the Parish Councillors will carry out tiding work around the parish office and at the bus stop on Mallards Green in the next few weeks.
WINTERBORNE ST MARTIN PARISH COUNCIL
Meeting Monday 23rd November 2009
The meeting started with a parishioner expressing concern over the idea that Parish Councillors were to investigate the possibility of being trained to carry out speed checks on vehicles travelling through the village. He considered that if any residents of the Parish were caught speeding on camera it could cause problems for Parish Councillors. Although this scheme is on trial in the county it is yet to be progressed by the Parish Council.
Advice and guidance on clearing the Winterborne Stream has been received form West Dorset District Council following a meeting with the Winterborne Valley Flood Wardens, Officers of WDDC and the Environment Agency. It was agreed that only cutting of weed should take place this year. The cut weed should be removed 24 hours after clearing and not left on the banks. The banks need to be left untouched with a fringe of weed at the very bottom. If any riparian owners require more information please contact Carly Galloway, Mervyn Travers at WDDC on 01305 252296 or 252398, or the Environment Agency.
An item of concern was the lack of progress in repairs to the Winterborne Stream roadside banks. A site meeting is to be arranged with a Senior Officer from Dorset County Council in an attempt have positive action taken to repair the banks.
A Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is being established for the village and meetings have been held with the Police at which the scheme was explained. Volunteers have been appointed to take responsibility for areas in the village. They will be issuing packs containing information and advice as soon as they are received from the Police.
Parking issues in the villager were discussed. Remember when parking your vehicle to leave room for emergency service vehicles to get through. Who knows it could be your house the ambulance or fire engine needs to attend. If access or exit from private drives or garages is blocked by parked vehicles then residents must contact the Police for help, as they deal with items such as parking issues.
A document has been received from West Dorset District Council on Planning Obligations Guidelines. This was discussed at length by the Parish Council. As this document affects planning development in the Winterborne Valley residents are recommended to read this document at: www.dorsetforyou.com/planningobligations/west or by visiting Stratton House in Dorchester.
The area around the Parish Office is scheduled to be tidied up, now that the building work at Park House is almost complete. Work will probably start in early January 2010. If any one would like to volunteer their services please contact Stephen Slade for more information on the work.
Brian Thompson, Vice Chairman
Winterbourne Abbas and Winterbourne Steepleton
Parish Council
Some guidance on stream clearance throughout the Winterbournes is given in the Martinstown PC minutes above. Minutes of the meeting held on 18th February will appear in March.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Winterborne St Martin Parish Council will be:
Monday 26th July 2010
at 7.30pm
PARISH COMMITTEE
Clerk
Mr S.Slade
Tel: 01305 889411
Chairman
Mr P.Jeffery
Tel: 01305 889322
Councillors
Mr B.Thompson,
Mrs M.Hearing,
Mr I.Gibson,
Mr C.Taylor,
Mr D. Gargrave,
Mr J. Cooksley,
Mr D. Read