MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 5TH APRIL 2004.
Present: Mrs Regan (Chairperson), Mr Matthews, Mrs England MBE,
Mr Harrison, Mrs Warburton, Mr Dennis. In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)
1. APOLOGIES.
Mr Coatsworth, Mr Tett, Rear Admiral Pritchard.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 8th March 2004 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING.
Item 22 - Street Lighting. The Clerk read out a letter from DCC in response to his request for details of lighting columns owned by the parish council. He was instructed to obtain further clarification.
4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
At 7.12pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.41pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.
5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR, REAR ADMIRAL G. PRITCHARD CB.
As he was not present, no report was given.
6. REPORTS BY OTHER WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.
Mr Tett, absent from the meeting, sent in a report stating that WDDC may progress the Countryside Stewardship scheme for the Jellyfields area and Bothenhampton Nature Reserve.
7. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH, MR ROBERTS.
As Mr Roberts was absent from the meeting, no report was given.
8. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.
As Mr Coatworth was absent from the meeting, no report was given.
9. LOCATION OF NEW SALT/GRIT BINS.
Mrs Regan reported that, with the help of DCC, the new bins for Bothenhampton have been sensibly placed and no further complaints have been received from residents.
10. ROAD SAFETY IN BOTHENHAMPTON.
The clerk read out a letter received from DCC which detailed the decisions taken at its site meeting with Mr Dennis on 25 March: "Pedestrians in Road" signs will be provided at the top and bottom of Hollow Way, with adjacent "Slow" road markings, within two months. A speed recorder will be placed near The Old Barn and traffic speeds monitored. A Speed Indicator Device may be provided on a temporary basis in the future. Driveway Protection Markings are being considered outside Woodbrook Cottage on Old Church Road. DCC will not support a change of priority at the junction of Hollow Way/Main Street/Crock Lane. Mr Dennis reported that the meeting was positive, DCC being sympathetic to the parish council's concerns. He explained that evidence of speeding is needed by DCC before a speed limit can be reduced from 30mph to 20mph. The monitoring period will be for one month. Mr Dennis informed the meeting that DCC is reluctant to apply parking restrictions at any particular point, as this merely moves the problem further along the road which, in the case of the three mentioned, is unlikely to ease parking congestion overall.
11. PROPOSED SITA WASTE MANAGEMENT SITE, BURTON ROAD.
Mrs England reported that she had been approached by the action group campaigning against this development which had raised concerns over the parish council's failure to submit its objections to DCC, as part of the county's current reconsideration of Sita's planning application. The Clerk referred to DCC's letter of February 2004 in which the parish council was notified of the reassessment of the original planning application dated 2001, which had not been amended. As a result, DCC did not require the objections raised in 2001, during the parish council consultation, to be resubmitted, as they were on file and would form part of the reassessment. However, given the decision taken at the last meeting, Mrs Regan reported that she had written to DCC repeating the parish council's views to make absolutely sure they were on file. Mrs England stated that the action group believed that a new resolution, stating the council's objections, should be passed, (which the group would like a copy of), and its contents submitted to DCC. In addition, Mrs England recommended that it should be the clerk, on behalf of the parish council, who writes to DCC in this respect. The following resolution was proposed by Mr Matthews, seconded by Mrs Regan and all of the other councillors voted in favour:
"Bothenhampton & Walditch Parish Council objects to the proposed waste transfer station on Burton Road for the following reasons:
Damaging effect on tourism, Jurassic Coastline, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, danger of foul smells, excessive proliferation of waste
facilities (i.e. there is an existing sewage treatment works) along a completely unsuitable road which would suffer unacceptable congestion as a result, especially during the summer months."
12. PLANNING.
A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/000218 - Wych Links, Wych Hill: Erect extensions & carry out alterations: No Comment.
1/W/04/000379 - 1 Elwell, Crock Lane: Erection of conservatory: No Comment.
1/W/04/000479 - 24 Pasture Way, Bridport: Demolish existing porch and erect single storey extension: Refusal recommended due to design not in-keeping with neighbouring properties, obtrusive structure for properties no. 26 & no. 22, drainage inadequate.
1/W/04/000599 - 2 Mount Joy: Demolish existing flat roof porch and erect single storey extension; demolish chimney: passed to Mrs England for comment.
DCC: None
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/000254 - Lyndhurst, Sea Road South: Erection of single storey extension: permission granted.
1/W/04/000270 - 21 Uplands, Walditch: Erection of conservatory: permission granted.
1/W/04/000177 - 6 Bowhayes, Bridport: Erection of conservatory: permission granted.
Withdrawn Application - 87 Gundry Road: Roof conversion.
DCC: None.
13. FINANCE
A] Statement of Account as at 31 March 2004.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (March)
...
..
.....£242.33
Clerk's quarterly expenses
£139.70
David Landscapes (grass cutting)
.£223.84
Stadia Sports (Play Area repair)
.£49.34
Mrs Regan (expenses)
...
..£12.80
CPRE (annual membership renewal)
.
.£25.00
Mr Matthews proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and agreed by all of the other councillors.
14. EXTERNAL AUDITOR'S REPORT re ANNUAL RETURN 2001-2.
The Clerk read out the report which brought two matters to the attention of the council as at 31 March 2002, both of which have either been addressed since or are being addressed, i.e. the appointment of an independent Internal Auditor and the carrying out of a risk assessment. Mr Matthews proposed that the Annual Return for this period was approved and accepted by the council, following its external audit. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and agreed by all of the other councillors.
15. APPROVAL OF ANNUAL RETURN 2002-3.
The Clerk reported that, as the Internal Auditor had not yet completed the audit, the documentation could not be put forward for pre-external audit approval by the council. It was hoped that this might be possible at a later meeting.
16.DATE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL & ANNUAL PARISH MEETING.
After a short discussion, it was agreed that these meetings will take place immediately prior to the next monthly meeting on May 10th in Bothenhampton Village Hall, commencing at 6.30pm with the Annual Parish Meeting.
17. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.
None.
18. VITAL VILLAGES.
Mrs Regan distributed copies of the Parish Plan and Design Statement for Walditch amongst the councillors and proposed that its compilers were to be congratulated for an excellent brochure. This was seconded by Mrs England and agreed by all of the other councillors.
19. PARISH MATTERS.
Footpaths & Roads - Mr Matthews proposed that he ask DCC for a street name sign for Main Street, Bothenhampton, as there is no such sign in place. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and agreed by all of the other councillors.
The Clerk read out recommendations/observations put forward by Hyder Consulting, appointed by the Highways Agency to carry out a study of the A35 Trunk Road where it comprises East Road, Bridport. These included the provision of pedestrian facilities, signs and road markings at East Road roundabout, congestion problems near the garage and turning to the industrial area and Walditch Road, alterations to the Asker Road/ Lower Walditch Road junction, provision of enhanced speed limit markings and signings, improved bus stop facilities at Hanover Court and Lee Lane. The Councillors broadly welcomed the findings and awaited final observations/recommendations.
Street Lighting - The recent failure of street lighting between Sea Road South and East Road roundabout will be monitored.
Neighbourhood Watch - Mr Harrison reported that there is a public meeting to be held on July 12th in Bothenhampton Village Hall, immediately prior to that evening's monthly meeting of the parish council.
Play Areas - Mrs Regan proposed that responsibility for the John Holt Play Area should be allocated to Mr Dennis. This was seconded by Mr Matthews and agreed by all of the other councillors. Following a short discussion, Mr Dennis proposed that repairs to the surface of the Area should be carried out by a suitably qualified/insured person. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and all of the other councillors agreed. Mr Dennis will contact Lewis's in this respect. The Clerk was instructed to u se DCC engineers to repair the play equipment as suggested in their report following a recent inspection.
The Clerk reported that the Licence for the 'Cemetery Field' has been prepared for signature by BTC and this council, following its approval by the Diocese of Salisbury, where the document is placed at present.
Mr Matthews reported that Stuart Willmore will be seeding the Walditch Village Play Area shortly after it has been fenced as required. Following recent concerns raised by a resident, the resident has been informed of the position of the boundary between the Play Area and adjacent allotments.
BCI - Bridport Town Council has postponed the next meeting of Bridport Area Partnership Committee to 20th May at 2.15pm at Mountfield.
DAPTC - Chief Executive's Circular 06/04: availability of road safety leaflet, which the Clerk has requested; notice of 'Regional Government Now & the Future/Jurassic Coast' conference on 24th April.
Chief Executive's Circular 07/04: notice of withdrawal of funding for Vital Villages programme.
Mrs England reminded the meeting that consideration was to be given by 27th May to the parish council hosting an area meeting of DAPTC in August/September. Mr Matthews proposed that this should take place in Bothenhampton Village Hall at a date to be arranged and will include light refreshments. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and agreed by all of the other councillors. Mrs England will find out which dates are inconvenient.
20. CORRESPONDENCE.
WDDC: Letter from legal dept re applying for a review of a referral decision in respect of a Code of Conduct hearing.
DCC: Notice of Dorset Strategic Partnership 2004 conference on 15 May; newsletter from Social Services; newsletter from Passenger Transport dept.
Environment Agency: proposed additions to Main River network.
CPRE: "TCG News", "Planning Update", "Dorset Review" & "Rural Matters"; invitation to summer garden party at Melplash Court on June 26th.
Bridport Older People's Forum: Notice of 'Open Forum Event' on Friday 30th April.
The next meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall at 7.00pm on Monday, May 10th, immediately following the Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, which start at 6.30pm.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.10pm.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
1. Parking outside Briarwood in Bothenhampton.
2. Stolen road/street name signs.
3. Vodafone mast at The Hyde, Walditch: review of parish council's corporate view will take place in July 2004.
4. 'Cemetery Field' Play Area.
5. Hedging obstructing footpath on Lower Walditch Lane.
6. Jellyfields.
7. 'Millennium Bench' for Valley View Amenity Area.
8. Number of District Councillors representing the parish.