MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 11TH APRIL 2005.
Present: Mrs Regan (Chair), Mr Matthews, Mrs England MBE, Mr Harrison, Mr Dennis, Mr Stubbs, Mr Stenning. In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)
1. APOLOGIES.
Rear Admiral Pritchard CB.
Mrs Regan informed the meeting that Mrs Kirkpatrick has resigned as a parish councillor, due to other commitments. The clerk was instructed to send a letter of thanks to her for the contribution she made.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14th March 2005 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING.
Item 13 - Vital Villages Grants. The clerk confirmed that no applications had been received from any groups intending to implement projects contained within the Parish Plans.
4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
At 7.06pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.07pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.
5. DATE OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING & ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
.
It was agreed that these meetings will immediately precede the next monthly meeting on 9th May 2005. The series of meetings will start at 6.30pm.
6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.
Mr Tett reported that the district council has been restructured and its work will restart in earnest after its Annual Meeting in May. He was invited to attend a meeting of the A35 Communities Initiative, which took place during week commencing 4th April. The Highways Agency gave a presentation on the Miles Cross to Crown roundabout section, confirming that all suggestions for improving safety will be considered. The estimated cost of a roundabout at Miles Cross is £750,000 to £1,500,000. The parish council should be consulted during what will be a six month survey.
7. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH, MR ROBERTS.
Mr Roberts informed the meeting that the district council is quiet at present, therefore he had nothing to report.
8. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.
Mr Coatsworth stated that the estimated total cost of each fatal road traffic accident is £1M, therefore the cost of a roundabout at Miles Cross represented good value for money. Additional benefits of a roundabout could be the improvement of road access to the Symondsbury area and any waste transfer site and/or medical centre which might be positioned there.
Mr Coatsworth informed the meeting that the proposed road closure between Abbotsbury and Portesham will now only affect traffic between the hours of 10pm to 7am with work starting now rather than in June, as originally intended.
9. PLANNING.
A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/05/000376 - Ab Antiquo, Main Street, Bothenhampton: Replace rafters and thatch, carry out internal alterations: No comment.
1/W/05/000328 - 40 Maple Gardens: No comment.
1/W/05/000385 - 18 Elwell: Erect conservatory: No comment.
1/W/05/000388 - Cherry Tree, Duck Street, Bothenhampton: Erect extension and garage, carry out internal/external alterations: Refusal recommended on the following grounds: Excessive height; excessive size - extension would triple floor area of current bungalow, turning it into a house with dormer windows in the roof; concrete block and render not suitable materials for a building of this size; ground stability questioned.
1/W/05/000046 - Fosse Way, 11 Bowhayes: Extension to bungalow & alteration to pitch roof: Mrs Regan was passed an amended plan for this application.
1/W/05/000544 - 6 Coopers Drive: Erect conservatory: passed to Mr Harrison for comment. Mrs England declared an interest in this application, due to its proximity to her residence, and took no part in the matter.
1/W/05/000559 - Thatch Cottage, Quarry Lane: Erect garden room/study: passed to Mrs Regan for comment.
DCC: None.
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/05/000139 - Eastwood: Demolish existing bungalow and garage. Erect new bungalow and double garage: Approval given.
1/W/05/000201 - 22 Glebe Close: Erect extensions: Approval given.
1/W/05/000200 -26 Crock Lane: erect conservatory on rear elevation: Approval given.
DCC: None.
Trees: Cypress and holly trees at 'Cherry Tree', Duck Street: permission granted for removal of two trees.
10. FINANCE
A] Statement of Account as at 31 March 2005.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (March)……...…………..……..………..£249.02
Clerk's quarterly expenses (January to March)……...…£128.30
Walditch Village Hall (hire)……………………………..£15.00
Accounts & Audit Services (2003-4 Internal Audit)…….£85.00
Allianz Cornhill Insurance (2005-6 insurance)……..…..£341.98
DAPTC (annual subscription)…………………………..£410.03
SWEB (street lighting electricity)………………………£316.06
Mr Matthews proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and approved by all of the other councillors, following an explanation to Mr Dennis of the benefit of subscribing to DAPTC.
11. NEWSLETTER.
Mrs Regan explained that the sheet displaying the areas of responsibility for each councillor can be printed on the reverse of the newsletter, to save printing costs. The content of the newsletter was proposed as suitable by Mr Matthews and seconded by Mr Dennis. Following further changes to areas of responsibility, to be decided in the forthcoming Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, the printing of the newsletter will be discussed at the subsequent monthly meeting.
12. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.
Walditch Village Hall Committee is intending to redecorate the Hall and purchase new stacking chairs. A grant from the Community Action Fund for Dorset for 75% of the costs is potentially available, providing the parish council covers 5% or £103.65. Mr Matthews proposed that a grant from the parish council is offered; this was seconded by Mrs Regan and agreed by all of the other councillors. The clerk was instructed to put this in writing to the Committee.
13. PARISH MATTERS.
Footpaths & Roads - The clerk was instructed to arrange for the repair of the steps from the high pavement on Main Street, Bothenhampton. He referred to the road closure between Abbotsbury and Portesham previously referred to in Mr Coatsworth's report.
Street Lighting - The clerk confirmed that he still had no news on the commencement date for replacement of lighting columns at Manor Fields.
Play Areas - Mrs Regan indicated that she might take back responsibility for the John Holt Play Area, following Mrs Kirkpatrick's resignation. This will be discussed at the forthcoming Annual Meeting. The clerk read out a request from the Walditch Village Play Area group for financial assistance in respect of goal nets, a bench seat and a table. Following a brief discussion, the quotation for goal nets for £430.00 + Vat was accepted,
funding of a bench seat was accepted in principle, though the clerk was instructed to ask the group for two further quotations and the clerk was instructed to inform the group that the council, according to the recollection
of all members, had not indicated that it would fund a table. The above was proposed by Mrs Regan and seconded by Mr Stubbs.
DAPTC - The clerk referred to the Chief Executive's Circular 05-05, which detailed the annual subscription due this month, and 06-05.
14. CORRESPONDENCE.
WDDC: Letter regarding Older Peoples Lunch Clubs within the district; Corporate Plan for 2005-9.
Standards Board for England: "A Code for the Future" - introduction to the review of the Code of Conduct for councillors.
Environment Agency - Flood Warden Newsletter.
SWRA - Regional Spatial Strategy Update.
Bridport Local Area Partnership: Notice of next meeting (24/3/05) & minutes of last.
CPRE: Notice of A.G.M.
The next meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall immediately following the Annual Meetings, which commence at 6.30pm on Monday, May 9th 2005.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 7.53pm.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:
None.