Quarterly News Letters

 

GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL

The Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham Dorset SP8 4QR

Tel: 01747 823588    Email: GillinghamTC@aol.com

www.gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk

Quarterly Report December 2011

The Mayor, Cllr David Milsted, has been busy during the past three months carrying out civic duties on behalf of the town including the following:-

September 28^th - Presentation to Air Ambulance – The Mayor attended Henstridge Airfield to present a cheque for £500, being the donation from Octopus Recruitment from the balloon race to celebrate the opening of their new Gillingham branch. It costs £3,400-00p a day to keep the helicopter on stand-by at Henstridge all raised from donations and fund raising activities.

September 30^thCarnival Concert – The Mayor and Mayoress attended an excellent concert to launch the 2011 Gillingham Carnival, and to crown the Princess. The Gillingham Imperial Silver Band performed superbly and it was a most enjoyable evening.

October 1^stGillingham Book Launch – The Mayor and Mayoress attended the launch, at Orchard Park, of the excellent new History of Gillingham by John Porter, published by the Gillingham Local History Society. A copy of this work, with a bookplate signed by the author, was presented to the Mayor on behalf of the Town Council.

October 3^rd Opening of Asda store – The Mayor attended the opening of the new Asda store by the Carnival Princess accompanied by her attendants and members of the Carnival Committee.

October 15^th Mayor’s Charity Auction -– The auction was a tremendous success raising the amazing total of £2,070-50p (net of expenses). Huge thanks are of course also due to all the local businesses and individuals who kindly donated items to be auctioned.

October 21^st Mayor and Mayoress attended the Devon and Dorset Regimental Association Dinner at the Olive Bowl. This was really a great treat and a very enjoyable and also moving evening, capped off by the very generous offer, on behalf of the Gillingham Branch of the Association, of a fundraising coffee morning on behalf of the Mayor's War Memorial Charity, in the New Year.

October 23^rd Mayor and Consort (Rowan Milsted) attended 'Gillingham Remembers', the British Legion concert at Gillingham School featuring the Wessex Regimental Band and the Wessex Highlanders Pipe Band. This was a simply superb event and a brilliant evening which did great credit to all involved

October 27^th Mayor and Mayoress attended the Lord-Lieutenant's Annual Award Ceremony at Kingston Maurward College where we enjoyed a very interesting presentation on the service in Afghanistan of the 6^th (TA) Battalion, The Rifles. Gillingham featured prominently in the Awards. Among the eight winners of a Certificate for Meritorious Service were Sergeant Major Instructor Jeremy Vincent Stockford of the Gillingham Cadets, and Flight Lieutenant Darran Hackshall of 932 (Gillingham and Shaftesbury) Air Cadets.

October 28^th Mayor and Mayoress attended the annual Gillingham Bowling Club dinner, another very enjoyable event at this flourishing local club. Our Council's support for the School Coaching event in the summer resulted in 240 pupils of Gillingham School learning to bowl, and a keenly contested Girls v Boys match in September

November 12^th The Mayor, who is also the Branch Chairman of First Dorset Credit Union, cut the ribbon at the new First Dorset Credit Union Service Point at the Community Office, Chantry Fields with assistance from the Town Crier.

War Memorial – To date approximately £9,000-00p has been raised and an application has been submitted for a grant from the War Memorial Trust, which, if successful, will enable the restoration and associated landscaping work to be carried out during the summer of 2012.

Precept for FY 2012-2013- With a deduction of £64,482- 20p for the estimated income during the Financial Year 2012/2013 and the addition of a contingency budget of £10,000-00p, the precept for the FY 2012-2013 was set at £458,478.15p   resulting in a charge of £101.53, per band D property, for the Town Council’s part of the Council Tax bill for the FY 2012-2013. This represents a 0.29% percentage increase on the precept current financial year and a 24pence reduction in the annual charge for a Band D Property as there are an additional 23 Band D Equivalent properties for 2012/ 2013.      

Gillingham Direct - This joint initiative between Dorset County Council, North Dorset District Council and Gillingham Town Council provides a locally based location for customers to access services that are provided by the Town Council, District Council and County Council. The opening hours are from 9am to 1pm every weekday morning. Access to the reception desk is through the front door facing School Road. The DCC Registration Service has relocated from St Martins in Queen Street to the Town Hall and a license has been applied for to hold wedding ceremonies.

Festive Lighting Parade - This year’s parade was the best supported yet. The Mayor judged the Festive Costume Competition, with individual girls and boys awards and a shield for the group award won by the Topsie Rabbit pre school nursery.  Members of Gillingham Carnival Committee marshaled the parade, starting from the Town Hall and led by the Town Band. The switch on ceremony, for the lights on the tree at the Town Meadow, was followed by carol singing conducted by the Reverend Greenwood and Curate Nicholas Mercer.

 Council Members and contact details:-

COUNCILLOR	WARD	ADDRESS	TELEPHONE
RICHARD ARNOLD	MILTON	2. Lodbourne Terrace SP8 4DQ	01747 822970
ANNE BECKLEY	LODBOURNE	2 Dolphin Cottages, Peacemarsh   SP8 4EU	01747 823 821
EILEEN BOOTON	HAM	Roma, 5 Kings Court Close, SP8 4LF	01747825 173
CHANEL CORNELIUS	RURAL	12 Camelot Way SP8 4SY	01747 821900
COLIN DANN	LODBOURNE	4 Swallowfields Gillingham   SP8 4US	01747 822 256
RUPERT EVILL	WYKE	Selwood, Common Mead Avenue  SP8 4NB	01747 822 886
ALAN FRITH	WYKE	9 Hilmar Drive SP8 4PL	01747 826 394
DENNIS GRIFFIN	LODBOURNE	8 Waverland Terrace, SP8 4NT	01747 824 857
SU HUNT	MILTON	Sunnyside, Milton-on-Stour SP8 5AD	01747 840 333
Deputy Mayor STEPHEN JOYCE	MILTON	Peacemarsh Farm, Peacemarsh,  SP8 4HB	01747 822 411
MICHEAL LODGE	WYKE	1 Hanover Lane, Wyke SP8 4TA	01747 826 481
MAYOR DAVID MILSTED	TOWN	The Firs, Hardings Lane SP8 4HU	01747 826 184
VAL POTHECARY	WYKE	3 St Martin’s Square Queen St.   SP8 4DP	01747 826 089
BELINDA RIDOUT	WYKE	30 Camelot Way  SP8 4SY	01747 825161
JANET ROBSON	TOWN	43 Shreen Way Gillingham  SP8 4EL	01747 821 864
DAVID WALSH	WYKE	30 Camelot Way, SP8 4SY	01747 825161
LINDA PHILLIPS	TOWN	17 Goldfinch Gate SP8 4GZ	01747 835891

Contact Your Town Hall:-

SYLVIA DOBIE	TOWN CLERK	Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham	01747 823 588
PHILIP KNOTT	ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK	Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham	01747 823 588

 

GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL

The Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham Dorset SP8 4QR

Tel: 01747 823588    Email: GillinghamTC@aol.com

www.gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk

Quarterly Report September 2011

The Mayor, Cllr David Milsted, has been busy during the past three months carrying out civic duties on behalf of the town. During June he attended the Twinning Exchange Dinner, the NORDDIS AGM, a Coffee Morning held at the Town Hall in aid of the Dorset County Hospital Mammography Appeal and the Devon and Dorset Regiment Association, a Homewatch Garden Party held at Motcombe Memorial Hall. The Mayor and Mayoress also attended the Annual Dinner of the Twinning Association at the Olive Bowl with the Mayor’s speech kindly translated by Lorna Lyons Head Teacher at Gillingham School. The Deputy Mayor and Mayoress attended a Concert at North Dorset Rugby Club, with Gillingham Imperial Silver Band and Musikzug Viktoria Hille from Germany, Gillingham School Year XIII Art Exhibition and a ‘Fly the Flag for Armed Forces Day’ service held in front of the North Dorset District Council Offices at Blandford

 During July the Mayor attended the Bournemouth University Summer Reception, opened the Gillingham Primary School Summer Fayre and attended the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy DCC Chairman’s daytime reception. The Mayor and Mayoress attended the 15th Birthday Party of Carewatch (Wessex) at Old Park Farmhouse together with Deputy Mayor and Mayoress Cllr Stephen Joyce and Sue Toogood. The Mayor attended the Summer Fair at the Topsie Rabbit Kindergarten and on July 10th the Mayor and Mayoress attended the Annual 43rd (Wessex) Division Memorial Service and Parade in Mere, accompanied by the Deputy Cadet.  On the 14^th July Mayor and Mayoress attended the annual Dorset Fire Service Awards Ceremony at Lulworth Castle, where two Gillingham Fire-fighters, WM Bill Cadman and FF Paul Hankin were awarded Long Service and Good Conduct medals by the High Sheriff of Dorset. On 17th July the Mayor and Mayoress attended the Ceremony of the Keys at Portland Castle and on the 19^th July a Civic Ceremony to open the new Community Fire Station in Weymouth. The Fire-Wise educational suite at this magnificent facility was fitted out by the Up In Smoke Theatre Company of Gillingham. On the 21^st July the Mayor opened the new play trail at Wyke Primary School

    During August the Mayor attended the Wareham Civic Day with stepson Jack Fanning as his Escort, the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show and the opening of Octopus Personnel (formerly Smart-Start). On the 24^th August he attended the Lyme Regis Civic Day accompanied by the Mayoress.

Gillings Play Area at Wyke- A new multi play has been installed, complete with new safety surfacing.  New fencing and two new self closing gates have now been installed.  The revamped play area was formally reopened by the Mayor on Friday 9^th September

CCTV cameras A report containing recommendations on the phasing and annual funding required too complete the upgrade of the CCTV Cameras and monitoring equipment was presented to the September meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.  The intention is to rationalise the existing system by reducing the number of cameras from sixteen to eight. These cameras will be located to monitor eight key locations in the town, all with a good line of site to the control room, to provide good quality images suitable for use as supporting evidence in a criminal court.  Parts from the redundant cameras can be used to repair those retained.

NDDC Land Transfers - The Town Council solicitor’s is proceeding with the legal process for the freehold transfer of open spaces land at Rolls Bridge, Hawthorn Avenue, Barnaby Mead, Addison Close and Chantry Fields from NDDC.

Horsefields Amenity Land - A list of work required to bring the site up to an adoptable standard, together with an ongoing maintenance plan, has been prepared. When the costs for one off work and ongoing maintenance have been established the lump sums required from the developer will be calculated and presented to the Policy and Resources Committee for member’s consideration.

War Memorial- The total amount raised to date is approximately £6,000-00p as a result of the sponsored tandem parachute jump, a coffee morning, £550-00p from the Waitrose Community Chest and £250-00p from the Gillingham Fire Brigade Charities car wash.  Fund raising events being organised included an auction of items and services on Saturday 15^th October at the Olive Bowl. Quotations have been obtained from three stonemasons and a Project Manager has been appointed. The next stage will be to complete and return grant application forms to English Heritage and the War Memorial Trust. Listed building consent will not be required.  The NDDC Conservation Officer Carol Ryan will be advised prior to work staring.  A site meeting is to be arranged with Officers from NDDC to consider landscaping the area surrounding the memorial and relocation of recycling bins. Costs for landscaping can then be established. These costs will not qualify for grant funding.

Litter Bins- Four additional litter bins have been purchased. They will be placed at the following locations- next to the public seat at Milton on Stour, next to the public seat near the river at Chantry Fields, and outside of Lloyds Bank, in the High Street. The fourth bin will replace a smaller one outside of the National Westminster Bank in Upper Station Road, with this bin relocated to Lodden Bridge at Shaftesbury Road.   

Grit Bins- Grit bins have been placed around the town at fifteen locations and filled with grit ready for use by members of the public during adverse winter weather conditions. The grit is provided for use on public footways and not for use on private driveways and paths. A list of grit bins is available at the Town Hall reception desk

 Council Members and contact details:-

COUNCILLOR	WARD	ADDRESS	TELEPHONE
RICHARD ARNOLD	MILTON	2. Lodbourne Terrace SP8 4DQ	01747 822970
ANNE BECKLEY	LODBOURNE	2 Dolphin Cottages, Peacemarsh   SP8 4EU	01747 823 821
EILEEN BOOTON	HAM	Roma, 5 Kings Court Close, SP8 4LF	01747825 173
CHANEL CORNELIUS	RURAL	12 Camelot Way SP8 4SY	01747 821900
COLIN DANN	LODBOURNE	4 Swallowfields Gillingham   SP8 4US	01747 822 256
RUPERT EVILL	WYKE	Selwood, Common Mead Avenue  SP8 4NB	01747 822 886
ALAN FRITH	WYKE	9 Hilmar Drive SP8 4PL	01747 826 394
DENNIS GRIFFIN	LODBOURNE	8 Waverland Terrace, SP8 4NT	01747 824 857
SU HUNT	MILTON	Sunnyside, Milton-on-Stour SP8 5AD	01747 840 333
Deputy Mayor STEPHEN JOYCE	MILTON	Peacemarsh Farm, Peacemarsh,  SP8 4HB	01747 822 411
MICHEAL LODGE	WYKE	1 Hanover Lane, Wyke SP8 4TA	01747 826 481
MAYOR DAVID MILSTED	TOWN	The Firs, Hardings Lane SP8 4HU	01747 826 184
VAL POTHECARY	WYKE	3 St Martin’s Square Queen St.   SP8 4DP	01747 826 089
BELINDA RIDOUT	WYKE	30 Camelot Way  SP8 4SY	01747 825161
JANET ROBSON	TOWN	43 Shreen Way Gillingham  SP8 4EL	01747 821 864
DAVID WALSH	WYKE	30 Camelot Way, SP8 4SY	01747 825161
LINDA PHILLIPS	TOWN	17 Goldfinch Gate SP8 4GZ	01747 835891

Contact Your Town Hall:-

SYLVIA DOBIE	TOWN CLERK	Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham	01747 823 588
PHILIP KNOTT	ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK	Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham	01747 823 588

 GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL

The Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham Dorset SP8 4QR

Tel: 01747 823588

Email: GillinghamTC@aol.com

www.gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk

ANNUAL REPORT FOR COUNCIL YEAR 2010-2011

Seventeen elected council members represent residents in the following wards - Gillingham Town, Milton-on- Stour, Ham, Wyke, Lodbourne and Gillingham Rural. At the Annual Council meeting, held at the end of May each year, the Council elects a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The Town Clerk is the Executive Officer for the Town Council leading a team of operational and administrative staff consisting of an Office Manager (28hrs per week) Administrative Assistant/ Mayors Secretary (20hrs per week). Four permanent outside grounds and maintenance staff including a Works Manager and Head Grounds-man maintain the land and buildings owned by the Town Council. Two Town Orderlies, one employed mainly on Agency Work, including street cleaning, and litter clearance, and cleaning of the public conveniences, for Stalbridge Town Council on a cost recovery basis.

Meetings normally take place on Monday evenings, commencing at 7.30pm, except for Bank Holidays when they are moved to the Tuesday evening. The Annual Town Meeting is held on the last Wednesday in April each year. Agendas for meetings are published on the Wednesday prior to the meeting and placed on the Town Council notice boards which can be found at the following locations:- Outside of the Town Hall, at the front of St Mary the Virgin Primary School, Broad Robin Post Office, High Street opposite the Town Meadow, Lodbourne Green and Milton-on-Stour opposite the shop.

All decisions taken by the committees have to be ratified at the next meeting of the Full Council, before they can be implemented, to ensure that all members of the Town Council have the opportunity to comment on every decision taken, apart from comments on planning applications, where the committee has delegated powers to the Development Control Planning Department, at NDDC, and the Planning Department Dorset County Council to respond without ratification by Full Council in order to meet response deadlines. The Press and public are welcome to attend all meetings and time is set aside at the start of the Committee meetings for comments and questions from members of the public and at the end of Full Council meetings. Members of the public can also speak prior to the start of a specific agenda item with the permission of the Chairman. Four Committees report to Full Council.

The Policy and Resources Committee has responsibility for all matters of finance, including the consideration of draft expenditure proposals, as prepared by the Proper Financial Officer and setting the Annual Precept, consideration of all requests for one off grant aid and financial support from outside bodies, consideration of recommendations received from the General Purposes Committee for expenditure, receiving quarterly financial statements from the Town Clerk and receiving and approving all cheques for payment.

The precept is set at the December meeting. The precept for the current Financial Year was set at £451, 147-05p the same as for the previous year. Estimated expenditure is £526,029.06p with the difference between the two amounts being the estimated income from items such as local service provision for Stalbridge, Town and Marnhull Parish Councils, agency work, burial fees and for letting fees for the use of accommodation at the Town Hall.

Included in the precept is a grants budget of £112, 534-70p for annual, and one off grant awards to local voluntary and community organisations, including £58,427-00p towards the operating costs for RiversMeet,

£5,000-00p to the Three Rivers Community Partnership for on-going administration costs, £1,000-00p to the Carnival Committee, £2,000-00p to the Local History Society, £1000-00p to Gillingham Town Band, £5,000-00p to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, £3,500-00p to Blackmore Vale Tourism Development Company Ltd and £10,000-00p to the North Dorset Citizens Advice Bureau.

Salaries, wages and invoices are currently all paid by cheque, with the payments examined, and the cheques signed, by two authorised signatories, in addition to the Town Clerk. Internal Audits are carried out on a quarterly basis, by a qualified independent auditor, and the auditors reports presented to the committee. Annual Audits are carried out by the Audit Commission. The 2009-2010 accounts were fully approved by both the internal and external auditors with no issues or concerns raised.

A War Memorial Restoration Working Party has been set up with Cllr Milsted as Lead Member. The Working Party includes representation from membership from the Royal British Legion and the Devon and Dorset Regiment Association. A survey has been carried out by a specialist surveyor and a report containing recommendations and costs was presented to the committee. Fundraising is underway and five brave ladies, including the Town Clerk Mrs Sylvia Dobie and Cllr Mrs Hunt, will be undertaking a sponsored parachute jump.

The freehold of the former public conveniences at Chantry Fields has been acquired by the Town Council and converted to provide accommodation for community use. Local organisations expressing an interest in using the facilities include the Blackmore Vale Credit Union and the Shaftesbury and Gillingham Tourism Development Company. The Community Worker for Gillingham, Bisi Adekunie, will also be transferring from the Town Hall to Chantry Fields. This will free up office space at the Town Hall to accommodate the Community Hub.

The Community Hub is a joint initiative between the Town, District and County Councils, to improve customer service provision, starting with a pilot scheme in Gillingham, to enable local residents to access services provided by the Town, District and County Councils. The proposal will provide a single local point of contact for customer services for all three tiers of local government, avoiding the need for local residents to travel to Blandford or Dorchester to access services.

The freehold transfer of open spaces land and play areas at Ham Farm and Lodden Fields has been completed. The transfer of open space land from North Dorset District Council at Rolls Bridge Way, Hawthorn Avenue, Addison Close, and Barnaby Mead is in progress together with the transfer of land, and play areas, at Peaceamarsh from Persimmon Homes and land at Church View and Horsefields from Bloor Homes.

The General Purposes Committee has the responsibility for buildings, recreational land, open spaces, planted areas and play areas including the following:-

High Street Public Conveniences - transferred from North Dorset District Council during October 2008 following refurbishment.

Hardings Lane Recreation Ground - Purchased by the Parish Council in 1935 for a sum of £800-00p. The Recreation Ground provides a home for the Gillingham Cricket Club. The main children’s play area for the town is also located here together with a public shelter and a temporary pavilion, with separate external access to the public conveniences. Daily litter clearance and visual inspections of the play equipment are carried out, together with a weekly-recorded inspection

The Garden of Remembrance - The Gillingham Burial Board purchased land at Rolls Bridge in 1860 to provide a burial ground for the town following the closure of St Mary’s Churchyard. A brick perimeter wall was erected to enclose the cemetery, with wrought iron gates erected at the entrance. The cemetery was full by 1890 when further land was purchased on the opposite side of the road.

The Old Mortuary Building - located at the rear of the Garden of Remembrance has recently been restored for operational use including repairs to the roof and external painting.

The Cemetery was opened for burials in 1890 with the present average annual rate of interments it will be full by 2016.

The Chapel is located in the grounds of the Cemetery. The floor has recently been replaced due to dry rot, lighting and background heating has been installed and the interior has been redecorated. The chapel is open during normal working hours to provide shelter and a place for quiet contemplation for visitors to the cemetery.

St Mary’s Closed Churchyard - The last full interment was in 1864. The churchyard has been maintained by the Town Council on behalf of the Parochial Church Council since 2006.

Wesley Garden - in Queen Street was the burial ground for the former Wesleyan Chapel. After many years of neglect the Town Council took over the area in 1999 and restored it as a millennium project.

Cemetery Road Allotment Gardens - 25 plots are located at the rear of the Garden of Remembrance at Rolls Bridge.

Orchard Park Allotment Gardens - In the spring of 2009 Mr and Mrs Clark kindly offered the Town Council a plot of land, adjoining the Orchard Park Garden Centre, for allotment provision. A water supply was connected and 15 plots were allocated to local residents on the waiting list. A further 2 plots have been made available for the 2011 season. The Allotments and Burial Provision Working Party is currently in discussions with Thorngrove Garden Centre regarding the possibility of obtaining more land for allotment provision.

Saxongate Shaftesbury Road - The recreational land, planted areas, play area and a surface water balancing pond at the Westbury Homes (Now Persimmon Homes) Development at Saxongate, are maintained by the Town Council, on a cost recovery basis, as the first stage in the transfer process.

Downsview Drive Peacemarsh - The freehold transfer to the Town Council of recreational land at Downsview Drive was completed in 2009.

Ham Farm Development - The freehold transfers of the play areas, open spaces and nature conservation areas at the Ham Farm Site at Shaftesbury Road, from Taylor Wimpey to the Town Council, was completed in the spring of 2009.

Lodden Fields - The freehold transfer of the Open Spaces land from the developer was completed in January 2011, with responsibility for ongoing maintenance of lighting and the tarmac footway transferring to NDDC.

Cresscombe Peacemarsh - The freehold transfers of the play area, and adjoining land at Cresscombe, from a resident’s management committee and Matthew Homes respectively was completed in 2009.

Barnaby Mead Open Spaces and Play Area - The freehold transfer of the play area, from NDDC to the Town Council, was completed in 2009. The freehold transfer of the open spaces land is in progress. In the meantime it is being maintained by the Town Council on a cost recovery basis.

King John Road Play Area and adjoining land - The freehold transfer of the play area and adjoining land, from the Management Company to the Town Council, is in progress. In the meantime it is being maintained by the Town Council on a cost recovery basis.

The Hyde Road, Wyke and Lodbourne Local Play Areas were upgraded in 2007 with the Big Lottery fund providing two thirds of the cost. Weekday visual inspection and litter clearance is carried out together with a weekly recorded inspection.

Le Neuborg Way verges and planted areas - The Town Council maintains these areas, on behalf of DCC Highways. DCC has notified the Town Council that they will not be contributing towards the cost involved from April 2011 onwards.

Town Ward Street Cleaning - The Town Council employs a Town Orderly whose duties includes street cleaning and litter clearance in the Town Ward, together with the daily cleaning of the public conveniences, emptying of litter bins, and keeping the area around the recycling bins at the Chantry Fields car park clean.

The Development Control Recommendations Committee receives and makes comments and recommendations on all planning applications in Gillingham. Since the beginning of June last year, the committee has received and considered eighty three planning applications ranging from the erection of conservatories to the wind turbines at Silton.

The committee considers all of the applications submitted to the Local Planning Authority including new development and alterations, or extensions, to existing buildings. Over the last year the committee has considered several applications for new dwellings in existing residential gardens, these always result in much debate and comment.

In August the members considered the application to erect four 120m high wind turbines, during the course of which the committee received presentations from members of the public.

Members have regularly discussed, received updates and made recommendations on, proposals submitted to North Dorset District Council to designate parts of Wyke as a Conservation Area. In February, a report was submitted to the District Council.

As well as considering planning applications the committee is also notified of, and invited to comment on, proposals to carry out works on trees that, either lie in a Conservation Area or, are subject to a Tree Preservation Order.

Members also regularly receive updates from the Town Design Statement Steering Group and the Town Plan Steering Group. Have regular update and discussion on current Planning Enforcement issues and receive reports from our Footpath Liaison Officer, Mr Brian Millichamp. Our meetings are frequently attended by members of the public many of whom take the opportunity to speak on individual planning applications of concern to them.

The Staff and Salaries Committee meets on a monthly basis and has the responsibility for staff recruitment and training, Contacts of Employment, the Disciplinary and Grievance Procedure, Performance Appraisals, approval of wages and salary payments and the quarterly monitoring of employment costs.

Council Members and contact details:-

COUNCILLOR WARD ADDRESS TELEPHONE

RICHARD ARNOLD - MILTON - 2. Lodbourne Terrace. SP8 4DQ - 01747 822970

ANNE BECKLEY - LODBOURNE  -2 Dolphin Cottages, Peacemarsh SP8 4EU 01747 823 821

EILEEN BOOTON - HAM - Roma, 5 Kings Court Close,SP8 4LF - 01747825 173

CHANEL CORNELIUS - RURAL - 12 Camelot Way - SP8 4SY - 01747 821900

COLIN DANN - LODBOURNE - 4 Swallowfields, Gillingham SP8 4US - 01747 822 256

RUPERT EVILL - WYKE - Selwood, Common Mead Avenue – SP8 4NB 01747 822 886

ALAN FRITH WYKE - 9 Hilmar Drive - SP8 4PL - 01747 826 394

DENNIS GRIFFIN - LODBOURNE - 8 Waverland Terrace,SP8 4NT -01747 824 857

SU HUNT - MILTON - Sunnyside, Milton-on-Stour - SP8 5AD - 01747 840 333

Deputy Mayor STEPHEN JOYCE - MILTON - Peacemarsh Farm, Peacemarsh, SP8 4HB - 01747 822 411

MICHEAL LODGE - WYKE - 1 Hanover Lane, Wyke - SP8 4TA - 01747 826 481

MAYOR DAVID MILSTED - TOWN - The Fir, Hardings Lane SP8 4HU - 01747 826 184

VAL POTHECARY - WYKE - 3 St Martin’s Square Queen St. SP8 4DP - 01747 826 089

BELINDA RIDOUT - WYKE - 30 Camelot Way SP8 4SY  -1747 825161

JANET ROBSON - TOWN - 43 Shreen Way Gillingham SP8 4EL - 01747 821 864

DAVID WALSH -  WYKE  - 30 Camelot  Way, SP8 4SY - 01747 825161

LINDA PHILLIPS -   TOWN  -    17 Goldfinch Gate SP8 4GZ - 01747 835891

Contact Your Town Hall:-

SYLVIA DOBIE -  TOWN CLERK   -Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham 01747 823 588

PHILIP KNOTT - ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK  -Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham 01747 823 588

 

Gillingham Town Council

The Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham. Dorset. SP8 4QR

Tel: 01747 823588 Email: GillinghamTC@aol.com

MARCH 2010 NEWS REPORT

On Sunday 24^th January the Mayor, Cllr Rupert Evill attended a New Year Lunch, organised by the Gillingham Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, held at East Stour. On the 13^th February the Mayor attended a Haggis Supper, organised by the Wessex Highlanders, held at the Royal Chase Hotel Shaftesbury. 

On Thursday 18^th March the Town Council hosted a joint meeting, with pupils from all of the school councils in Gillingham attending.  The theme for the meeting was the ‘Future of Gillingham’. Pupils were encouraged to express their views on the town, its recreational, community and leisure facilities and their vision for its future.

High Street Enhancement Scheme - The installation of the litter and cigarette bins is underway. The construction and installation of the public seats around the raised planter and at the front of the High Street car park has been completed. The proposed refurbishment work to the bus shelter and the planting and maintenance of the raised flower bed at Newbury, on a voluntary basis, by the Thorngove Garden Centre has been incorporated into this scheme.

War Memorial - A report on the site inspection carried out by the specialist surveyors recommended to the Town Council by the Salisbury Cathedral Workshop was presented to the March meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Allotment Land - Permission has been obtained from the Directors of the Orchard Park Garden Centre to proceed with the planning application for 30 plots at Orchard Park.  A planning application has been submitted to North Dorset District Council. If the initial response to the planning application is positive then the first 30 on the waiting list will be contacted to establish if they are still interested in taking on an allotment.

Alcohol Ban - Notification of the ban covering Hardings Lane Recreation Field, Wesley Gardens, the Cemetery and the Garden of Remembrance, has still to be advertised in the local press. A quotation will be obtained for the signs required for the implementation of the alcohol ban, in designated areas in the town, following receipt of advice on the size of, and wording on, the signs. 

Oak Tree Downsview Drive Recreational Land – A post and rail fence is to be erected, in the form of a chiquane, to protect the mature oak tree in the corner of the site from children on bicycles, creating ramps, disturbing the roots of the tree, and damaging its branches.

Fire Escape at front of the Town Hall - Funding approval has been granted for the construction of a fire escape ramp at the front of the Town Hall to comply with fire regulations.

Boundary Wall Garden of Remembrance - Funding approval has been granted for rebuilding a section of the brick boundary wall, which has been undermined by tree roots.

Milton on Stour War Memorial – The memorial has been cleaned at the same time as the annual pruning was carried out to the planted area at the rear of the memorial. 

Shelter at Hardings Lane Recreation Field - The public shelter is to be relocated to a position at the rear of the extended car park for the Leisure Centre, RiversMeet.  This will improve access to the recreation field following completion of the car park.  The raised flower bed will also be removed

Winter Gritting and Snow and Ice Clearance - A Working Party has been set up by the General Purposes Committee under the leadership of Cllr Milsted.  An interim report was presented to the March meeting of the General Purposes Committee. A full report including recommendations will be presented to the April meeting.

Additional Litter bins outside of Zone One - Funding has been approved for the purchase of three litter bins . The bins will be placed along the footway to Milton on Stour, in the vicinity of Milton on Stour Post Office and at Lodden Bridge.

Lodden Fields - The legal formalities for the freehold transfer of the open spaces land at Lodden Fields will be completed shortly. Quotations for one off, and ongoing, maintenance were presented to the March meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Ham Farm - The one off landscaping and tree planting to bring the site up to an adoptable standard has been completed by the developer. The Section 106 agreement has been signed off by NDDC the freehold transfer to the Town Council can now be completed. Quotations for ongoing, maintenance were presented to the March meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

Chantry Fields Former Public Conveniences - The freehold transfer has now been completed. Refurbishment will start when agreement has been reached on future use. A proposed floor plan was presented to the March meeting of the Policy and Resources committee. Approximately £4,150-00p is available from a lump sum provided by NDDC to carry out the work most of which will be done ‘in house’ with voluntary labour.

           

Council Members and contact details:-

 

COUNCILLOR	WARD	ADDRESS	TELEPHONE
ANNE BECKLEY	WYKE	2 Dolphin Cottages, Peacemarsh	01747 823 821
JENNY BELL	WYKE	Boleyn, Newton Close, Gillingham	01747 822 162
EILEEN BOOTON	HAM	Roma, 5 Kings Court Close, Gillingham	01747825 173
COLIN DANN	LODBOURNE	4 Swallowfields Gillingham	01747 822 256
ROGER MONKSUMMERS	MILTON	29 Cloverfields, Gillingham	01747 822 202
FRED EVILL	WYKE	Selwood, Common Mead Avenue	01747 822 886
MAYOR RUPERT EVILL	WYKE	Selwood, Common Mead Avenue	01747 822 886
DENNIS GRIFFIN	LODBOURNE	8 Waverland Terrace, Gillingham	01747 824 857
DEPUTY MAYOR SUSAN HUNT	MILTON	Sunnyside, Milton-on-Stour	01747 840 333
STEPHEN JOYCE	TOWN	Peacemarsh Farm, Peacemarsh, Gillingham	01747 822 411
MICHEAL LODGE	WYKE	1 Hanover Lane, Wyke	01747 826 481
CHERYL HANKIN	RURAL	4 Fairey Crescent Gillingham	01747 831 183
DAVID MILSTED	TOWN	The Fir, Hardings Lane	01747 826 184
BRIAN MILLICHAMP	MILTON	4 Victoria Terrace, Turners Lane	01747 825 703
VALERIE POTHECARY	WYKE	3 St Martin’s Square Queen St., Gillingham	01747 826 089
JANET ROBSON	TOWN	43 Shreen Way Gillingham	01747 821 864
IAN STEWART	LODBOURNE	34 King John Road	01747 834 423

 

Contact Your Town Hall:-

SYLVIA DOBIE

TOWN CLERK

Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham

01747 823 588

     

GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL

The Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham Dorset SP8 4QR

Tel: 01747 823588    Email: GillinghamTC@aol.com

www.gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk

ANNUAL REPORT

Council Year 2009-2010

It has been a busy year for Gillingham Town Council. In March the Council was awarded Quality Council Status, with the certificate presented by the High Sheriff of Dorset. Quality Status is an accreditation that demonstrates that a local council has the ability to deliver efficient services to local residents and speak with greater authority to principle councils when seeking delegated functions. To achieve Quality Status, the council had to demonstrate that it had reached the required standard by passing various tests such as:-

 Electoral Mandate - at least 2/ 3rds of councillors having been elected.

• Qualifications of the Town Clerk - passing the Certificate in Local Council Administration.
• Administration - Satisfying criteria in other areas including council meetings, communications & community engagement, Annual Report, accounts, Code of Conduct and training.

Gillingham Town Council is recognised as a leader in the field of Local Service Delivery, providing services including Street Cleaning, cleaning of Public Conveniences, play area inspections, grass cutting and litter clearance to surrounding parishes including Stalbridge, Marnhull and Motcombe.

Three of our councillors are members of the Town Design Statement Steering Group. The purpose of the group is to collate & produce a document giving a broad view of how the town is perceived and help it to be conserved & improved in the future. On the 4^th 5^th & 6^th February, the Steering Group organised a Public Consultation, held here in the Town Hall. 208 individuals attended over the 3 day period, mostly people living in Gillingham. l30 households in the town were represented and 123 questionnaires were filled in. The Group has been busy collating these responses ready for inclusion in a draft Design Statement to be presented at a second Public Consultation planned for June or July.

In addition to this, a Town Plan Steering Group has been formed in conjunction with the Three Rivers Partnership, The purpose is to review and update the original town plan that was produced & adopted several years ago. lt will cover areas such as Housing, Education, Transport and Health, and involve the whole community by gathering the views and opinions of as many groups and organisations as possible. When completed it will provide a great deal of information regarding the views and issues affecting the residents of the town, which can be referred to when considering future projects to improve the town and infrastructure.

For several years, this council has been trying to identify additional land that could be made available for allotments. Following successful negotiations with the Directors of the Orchard Park Garden Centre, fifteen plots along Shaftesbury Road have been let to tenants and a possibility that additional plots will be available for rent in the near future. These will be in addition to the existing allotments in Cemetery Road.

 The General Purposes Committee

The General Purposes Committee has responsibility for the management for most of the open spaces, and recreational and planted areas around the town, including the Garden of Remembrance, the Cemetery and the Hardings Lane Recreation Ground.

A number of working parties report to the committee. The Play Areas Working Party has responsibility for the management of the play areas, including recommendations on expenditure for repairs and the provision of new items of equipment. The Traffic Management Working Party has been working hard to try and resolve speeding and parking issues in and around the town. It is a difficult task as I’m sure all the working party members will agree. They find themselves continually thwarted by the criteria set by Dorset County Council Highways and the lack of available funds.  At last some measures are being put in place on Wyke road. The Working Party will be keeping a watching brief to see how well they work. All other outstanding issues will be followed up during the coming year.

 The Waste and Recycling Working Party deals with any litter problems that may arise, although, thanks to our Street Orderlies, complaints are few and far between. The Working Party continues to support County Councillor David Milsted in his efforts to obtain an up to date recycling centre for Gillingham residents. Other issues this Working Party has been involved with includes the installation of cigarette bins in the High Street. These should be installed within the next few weeks. New seats have been installed at the front of the High Street car park, near the Town Bridge, and around the raised flower bed at the front of the Somerfield store.  The Working Party is also reviewing litter bin provision in the town and more bins will be provided during the coming year.  A Working Party has been set up to look into grit bin provision. A report was presented to the April meeting of the committee containing proposals and costs for grit bins at a number of locations in the town.  The bins will be in place before next winter.

An alcohol ban has come into force at the following locations, Wesley Gardens, the Cemetery, Garden of Remembrance and the Recreation Ground Hardings Lane. Repairs have been carried out to the drainage system in the Cemetery to resolve a flooding problem. The maintenance of the roundabouts at Peacemarsh, and Shaftesbury Road has been contracted out to two local businesses to maintain on behalf of the council, with funding from the payment received from Dorset County Council. Work is due to start shortly on the former public conveniences at Chantry Fields, to convert the building for community use. The architect is in the process of drawing up the plans.  An extra member has been recruited to the ground staff team for the summer period

The Development Control Recommendations Committee

The Development Control Recommendations Committee has eleven members who consider and pass comment on planning applications based on the information and plans submitted by the applicant to North Dorset District Council as the statutory body responsible for planning decisions in Gillingham. Members can either recommend approval, refusal, request site visits or referral to the NDDC Development Control Committee. Planning applications considered during this past year included the Nursing Home at Shaftesbury Road and various Conservatories and extensions to domestic properties.

The Policy and Resources Committee.

One of the priorities of the Policy and Resources Committee is to set the precept for the next financial year. The precept is set at the December meeting after the General Purposes, Development Control Recommendation and the Policy and Resources Committees have been given the opportunity to prepare a wish list for items of expenditure for consideration at the precept meeting.

The precept for the current Financial Year was set at £451, 147-05p an increase of 1.01% on the last year. The estimated expenditure is £527,463-34p with the difference between the two amounts being the estimated income from items such as local service delivery, provided to Stalbridge, Marnhull and Motcombe, burial fees and for letting fees for accommodation at the Town Hall.  

Included in the precept is a grants budget of £59,400-00p for annual, and one off, grant awards to local voluntary and community organisations, including £1,000-00p to the Carnival Committee, £2,000-00p to the Local History Society, £1000-00p to Gillingham Town Band, £5,000-00p to Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, £3,100-00p to Blackmore Vale Tourism Development Company Ltd and £10,000-00p to the North Dorset Citizens Advice Bureau.  A further £10,000-00p has been allocated to the Community Partnership for on-going administration costs for the RiversMeet Community and Leisure Facility.

1.  The service level and agency agreements currently in place are working well. These include street cleaning, and cleaning the public conveniences, in Stalbridge, litter clearance and play area   inspections at Marnhull, grass cutting, and maintenance of planted areas, at Motcombe, for both the Parish Council and Persimmon Homes and grass cutting, and maintenance of planted areas, at Saxongate for Persimmon Homes. The Stalbridge Service Level Agreement is in the final year of a three year agreement.

A War Memorial Restoration Working Party has been set up with Cllr Milsted the Team Leader. The Working Party includes membership from the Royal British Legion and the Devon and Dorset Regiment Association. A survey has been carried out by a specialist surveyor and a report containing recommendations and costs was presented to the March meeting of the committee.

An agreement has been reached with Gillingham Cricket Club for a twenty year lease for the cricket pitch at the Hardings Lane Recreation Ground. This will enable the Cricket Club to apply for grant funding to develop the club and improve the facilities. The lease agreement has been drawn up and is ready for signature.

The freehold of the former public conveniences at Chantry Fields has been acquired by the Town Council and plans have been drawn up to convert the building for community use.

 The Land Acceptance Working Party reports to the Policy and Resources Committee. The freehold transfer of a number of areas of NDCC owned open spaces and recreational land to the Town Council has been completed. Negotiations with developers for the transfer of public open spaces at Ham Farm and Lodden Fields to the Town Council are at an advanced stage. In both cases there is still an outstanding issue to be resolved before the transfers can be completed.

Following a review of the records held by the Town Council a number of items have been transferred to the Dorset History Centre at Dorchester. 

Towards the end of the Financial Year the Town Council received a one off grant request from FROGS (First Responders of Gillingham Supporters) for a contribution towards the cost of a basic first aid kit and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), as well as a separate bag for oxygen therapy.

At the present time the four Community First Responders have to share one kit between them. The kits cost £2,000-00p each. As Community First Responders advise the South West Ambulance Service Control Room when they are available to be "on call" they can only currently do so when they have first identified the location of the one kit, checked the holder is not on call, and collected it. Members agreed to award a grant of £2,000-00p sufficient to purchase one complete set of kit.

Council Members and contact details:-

 

COUNCILLOR	WARD	ADDRESS	TELEPHONE
ANNE BECKLEY	WYKE	2 Dolphin Cottages, Peacemarsh	01747 823 821
JENNY BELL	WYKE	Boleyn, Newton Close, Gillingham	01747 822 162
EILEEN BOOTON	HAM	Roma, 5 Kings Court Close, Gillingham	01747825 173
COLIN DANN	LODBOURNE	4 Swallowfields Gillingham	01747 822 256
ROGER MONKSUMMERS	MILTON	29 Cloverfields, Gillingham	01747 822 202
FRED EVILL	WYKE	Selwood, Common Mead Avenue	01747 822 886
RUPERT EVILL	WYKE	Selwood, Common Mead Avenue	01747 822 886
DENNIS GRIFFIN	LODBOURNE	8 Waverland Terrace, Gillingham	01747 824 857
MAYOR SUSAN HUNT	MILTON	Sunnyside, Milton-on-Stour	01747 840 333
STEPHEN JOYCE	TOWN	Peacemarsh Farm, Peacemarsh, Gillingham	01747 822 411
MICHEAL LODGE	WYKE	1 Hanover Lane, Wyke	01747 826 481
DEPUTY MAYOR DAVID MILSTED	TOWN	The Fir, Hardings Lane	01747 826 184
BRIAN MILLICHAMP	MILTON	4 Victoria Terrace, Turners Lane	01747 825 703
VALERIE POTHECARY	WYKE	3 St Martin’s Square Queen St., Gillingham	01747 826 089
JANET ROBSON	TOWN	43 Shreen Way Gillingham	01747 821 864
IAN STEWART	LODBOURNE	34 King John Road	01747 834 423
VACANCY	RURAL

 

Contact Your Town Hall:-

SYLVIA DOBIE

TOWN CLERK

Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham

01747 823 588

 

GILLINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL

The Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham Dorset SP8 4QR

Tel: 01747 823588    Email: GillinghamTC@aol.com

www.gillinghamdorset-tc.gov.uk

Quarterly Report September 2010

The Mayor, Cllr Mrs S Hunt has attended the following events since the previous report:-

30^th June- Rotary Club of Gillingham ‘Changeover Night’ when she was made an honorary member for the next year. 2^nd July- Drinks with the High Sherriff of Dorset at West Woodyates Manor. 4^th July- Centenary Celebrations Girl Guiding Dorset, Thanksgiving and Pageant, held at Bournemouth. 8^th July- Teddy Bears Picnic at Milton School – Judging oldest teddy and most fashionable teddy followed by sports day. 11^th July- The 34rd (Wessex) Division Annul Memorial Service, and Parade, at Mere. 14^th July- Teddy Bears Picnic Stower Provost School– judging the ‘Best Dressed Teddy Bear’. 18^thJuly- , Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Civic Service held at Portland. 3^rd August-A Night at the Opera, with superb entertainment provided by the Royal Corps of Signals at Blandford. 4^th August - Showcase of Scouting and AGM held at Buddens Camping and Activity Centre - 5^th August - Dorset Army Cadet Force - 150^th anniversary – Celebrated at Chickerell  18^th August - 150th Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show.

Grit bins – Eleven grit bins provided by the Town Council will placed at locations around the town during October. Dorset County Council’s Highways Department will fill, and replenish, the bins on an as required basis.

Newbury Flower Bed - The bed has now been cleared in preparation for the   hand over to Thorngrove Nursery, for future planting and maintenance, under the terms of a maintenance agreement agreement. 

Chantry Fields Former Public Conveniences – Work is about to start on the conversion of the building for community use. Several local organizations have expressed an interest in using the facility following completion of the work, including the Blackmore Credit Union and the Blackmore Vale Tourism Development Company Ltd.     

NDDC Open Spaces Land - Agreement has been reached with North Dorset District Council for the freehold transfer of the remaining areas of NDDC owned open spaces land in the town to the Town Council.  A meeting of the Open Spaces Working Party has been arranged, to establish if the Community Partnership wishes to take on the full responsibility for the future management of these areas of land, under the terms of a lease agreement, or if it wishes to work in partnership with Town Council, possibly by appointing representatives to a Land Management Working Party.  

War Memorial - Cllr David Walsh and the Office Manager attended a War Memorials Trust seminar at Bristol on the 9^th September. Working Party representatives have visited the monumental mason at Dorchester, currently working on the memorial commissioned by the Devon and Dorset Regiment Association, for placement at the Somme Battlefield in northern France. A  Working Party meeting was held on the 15^th September to receive reports from the members attending the War Memorial Trust Conference at Bristol and the visit to the monumental masons at Dorchester.   The approximate costs for each option are to be identified. Arrangements for a consultation exercise with the members of the Gillingham Royal British Legion, the Devon and Dorset Regiment Association and the general public will then be put in place.

 Council Members and contact details:-

 

COUNCILLOR	WARD	ADDRESS	TELEPHONE
ANNE BECKLEY	WYKE	2 Dolphin Cottages, Peacemarsh	01747 823 821
JENNY BELL	WYKE	Boleyn, Newton Close, Gillingham	01747 822 162
EILEEN BOOTON	HAM	Roma, 5 Kings Court Close, Gillingham	01747825 173
COLIN DANN	LODBOURNE	4 Swallowfields Gillingham	01747 822 256
ROGER MONKSUMMERS	MILTON	29 Cloverfields, Gillingham	01747 822 202
FRED EVILL	WYKE	Selwood, Common Mead Avenue	01747 822 886
RUPERT EVILL	WYKE	Selwood, Common Mead Avenue	01747 822 886
DENNIS GRIFFIN	LODBOURNE	8 Waverland Terrace, Gillingham	01747 824 857
MAYOR SUSAN HUNT	MILTON	Sunnyside, Milton-on-Stour	01747 840 333
STEPHEN JOYCE	TOWN	Peacemarsh Farm, Peacemarsh, Gillingham	01747 822 411
MICHEAL LODGE	WYKE	1 Hanover Lane, Wyke	01747 826 481
DEPUTY MAYOR DAVID MILSTED	TOWN	The Fir, Hardings Lane	01747 826 184
BRIAN MILLICHAMP	MILTON	4 Victoria Terrace, Turners Lane	01747 825 703
VALERIE POTHECARY	WYKE	3 St Martin’s Square Queen St., Gillingham	01747 826 089
JANET ROBSON	TOWN	43 Shreen Way Gillingham	01747 821 864
IAN STEWART	LODBOURNE	39 King John Road	01747 826 904
DAVID WALSH	RURAL	30 Camelot Way	01747 825161

 Contact Your Town Hall:-

SYLVIA DOBIE

TOWN CLERK

Town Hall, School Road, Gillingham

01747 823 588