Memorial Hall at 2pm

1. Apologies Jenny Winslade (Buses)

2. Review of Previous Minutes.
These were agreed and signed by Roger.

Outstanding Actions.

a) Eliminating Graffiti. Pamela advised that she is still awaiting a response from Martha Perry at EDDC regarding obtaining a Graffiti removal kit. Item carried forward.

b) Next Amber Group meeting. Roger confirmed that this has been arranged for Thursday 19th Feb at 2pm in the Hall. Item closed.

c) Special Character Areas. No news yet on whether EDDC have considered adopting our proposals. ACTION John to ask Parish Clerk to chase this.

d) Bus shelters. Pete advised that he had asked East Dorset Housing Association to remove the shrub which blocks the sight line from the Castleman Court bus stop. ACTION Monitor progress.

e) Speed Indicator Device. It had been hoped to share the cost of a SID with St Leonards and St Ives but they have apparently withdrawn from the PACT and are to form their own LAG. Item carried forward.

f) Improved signage for Castleman Trail way. Pete advised that these signs were the responsibility of Dorset County Council and the matter was under consideration. ACTION Monitor progress

Other outstanding actions were dealt with as part of the Agenda.

3. Correspondence. None.

4. Review need for a litter pick.
Steve advised that letters had recently been sent to some 20 local clubs/associations but we wouldn’t hear back until they had held their next meetings. He suggested that in the meantime the LAG could undertake a litter pick. This was provisionally agreed for Saturday 24th Jan at 2pm. Meet by the Library bench. ACTION Mike kindly agreed to use his vehicle to pick up the rubbish for disposal. Post meeting note. Pete has borrowed the necessary equipment for this task

It was also agreed to ask the West Moors Directory to run a piece about litter in the village. ACTION Pamela to approach Debbie Corney of the Directory.

Pete advised that EDDC had recently changed the contractors for cutting grass verges and it was hoped that the new firm would litter pick before mowing.

5. Agree wording of follow up letter to Wilts and Dorset re Buses to Bournemouth.
John had previously circulated a draft letter, the wording of which was approved. (Jenny had indicated her agreement via e mail) It was agreed to ask County, District Councillors and the Chairman of Parish to sign this, together with the Chairman of the LAG and present it to the Wilts and Dorset representative at the East Dorset Community Partnership Traffic & Transport TAG being held on Monday 19th Jan in Wimborne. ACTION John to arrange to get the letter signed

6. Themed Action Groups- Actions and Options.
Roger explained that these are very useful meetings to attend as they bring together other LAGS/ Parish Plan Groups who can share ideas and pool resources on any number of different issues. It is also an opportunity to go for funding towards achieving aims. East Dorset Community Partnership has put up some £25k and local communities are invited to bid for a share. After some discussion it was agreed that a bid should be made to try and obtain some funding under the Youth/Crime TAG in respect of providing organised activities for youth during school holiday periods ACTION Steve to complete and submit the funding application form in respect of this venture.

A general discussion then took place regarding the outstanding items from the Parish Plan and which should be tackled next. It was agreed that the provision/ move of a pedestrian crossing in Station Road was a priority action from the Parish Plan given the ever increasing traffic flows through the village. A crossing adjacent to St Mary’s School has been a long term aim and Pete recommended enlisting support from the school (who are already campaigning for a lollipop manned crossing point) the police, and Steve Davies, who looks after the Castleman trail way. A permanent crossing would benefit those parking in the Hall car park and then visiting the school and the church, plus those walkers following the trail way. ACTION John to write to the School, Church, Memorial Hall, Castleman trail way warden and the Parish Council to enlist their support and the matter then to be escalated to Dorset County Council via the Traffic and Transport TAG.

7. Update on progress with the provision of Allotments.
Pete and John advised that some 40 villagers have expressed an interest in acquiring an allotment. A meeting has been arranged in the Hall at 7pm on 27th January where they will be given an up date on progress and invited to form themselves into an Allotment Association. The land behind Brookview Nursing Home off footpath 5 is currently the favoured location.

8. Update on the proposals for a new Medical Centre.
John advised that at a recent meeting the contractors had offered the Trustees of the Memorial Hall the sum of £200k in return for a long term lease of part of the Hall car park, to enable them to build a Village Medical Centre. The Trustees had decided to get a professional valuation of the site from an independent source. It was pointed out that the need to call a public meeting would only become necessary if the Trustees decided to change the present structure of the Memorial Hall site. The Trustees have been advised by the Charity Commissioner that their sole duty is to look after the interests of the Hall and not to decide upon the merits, or otherwise, of having a new Medical Centre in the village. ACTION John B to keep the LAG advised.

9. Chairman’s report.
Nothing further to add

10. AOB
a) Speeding. Donna enquired about the procedure for obtaining extra speed camera signs/ 30mph signs for use in the village and whether it was something that where we could apply for funding.
Post meeting note Donna has since discovered that the cost is around £100 per sign but the rules regarding where they can be displayed are complex. A suggestion from the police is the temporary use of plastic or cardboard policeman at speeding spots, alternating their use with a real policeman. The police offer of a trial has been accepted. ACTION Watch out for policeman, live or otherwise.

b) Parish Office. John advised members that the Saturday opening of the Parish Office had been started in an attempt to improve communication with the public under Action point 4 of the Parish Plan. This was now becoming difficult to manage since the use of the office had recently been restricted to the outer area only. This was cramped and during cold weather very uncomfortable. The inability to open the main window and the need to keep the door shut in cold weather made it look as though the office was closed, plus it gave a very poor impression to members of the public to see Councillors struggling to provide the service. Because of the difficulties the District Councillors monthly surgery has moved back to the hall which means that most villagers have further to walk for a consultation. He was currently taking the matter up with the Chairman of the Parish Council to see if the current ruling could be reversed. ACTION John to advise on outcome

. Next Meeting Tuesday 24th February 2pm at the Memorial Hall

The meeting ended at 4.21 pm.

Minutes JJB/ 16/01/09