MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 10th APRIL 2006 AT 7 PM.

Present: Alan Stenning (Chair), Geoff Matthews (Vice Chairman), Mrs Dorothy England, David Stubbs, Bob Dennis, Karl Wallace (following co-option in item 2).
In attendance: Chris Dobbs (Clerk).

1. APOLOGIES.

There were no apologies.

2. CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLOR.

Karl Wallace presented himself to the Meeting for co-option as a Parish Councillor. Proposed to be co-opted by Geoff Matthews and seconded by Bob Dennis.

Karl then attended the Meeting as a Parish Councillor.

3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held on Monday 13th March, were accepted as a true record of the Meeting and duly signed.

A Confidential Minute (item 10 - Quotations for Grass Cuttings), was distributed to Councillors at the Meeting and signed by the Chairman.

4. MATTERS ARISING.

Matters raised in the Democratic Half Hour at the 13th March Meeting at Walditch to be considered in item 12 (Parish Matters).

5. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.08 p.m., the Meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.10 p.m. the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda there being no further matters raised.

Due to the later arrival of two members of the public just prior to 7.30 p.m., it was proposed by Geoff Matthews and seconded by Peggy England to close the Council Meeting . This enabled the 2 ladies to air their views between 7.45 p.m. and 7.55 p.m. The Meeting continued following the break in proceedings.

6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR BOTHENHAMPTON, DAVID TETT.

Modifications to the Local Plan have been published and objections and supporting representations can be submitted to the District Council before the 19th May when the period of consultation expires.

The modifications can be viewed at the Town Council Offices and at The Library and District Council website. The Parish Council also have two copies which are planned to be distributed prior to the next Meeting on the 8th May. Regarding the Crown and East Road roundabouts, the present position is that Clive Groves will liaise with the appointed Landscape Architect and work out some proposals. However, these will need to be approved by the Highways Agency first. The Town Council is still in correspondence with Connect (Maintenance Contractor for the Trunk Road), regarding the possible advertising that can be placed on the roundabouts.

A Planning Application for an Open Store at 7 Green Lane was mentioned by David Tett (1/W/06/000546), where the applicant has been informed that prior District Council approval is needed.

Councillor Read Admiral Pritchard had nothing to add to Councillor Tett's comments.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH.

Mark Roberts pointed out that the Local Plan defining development boundaries will include both Bothenhampton and Walditch within Bridport, and not just Bothenhampton as previously reported.

The WDDC Environment Committee are planning to improve the pontoon facility at West Bay, and the sandbar in the Harbour entrance is to be regularly dredged. Apparently fishermen are now able to use the Harbour for 200 days which is a considerable improvement on past facilities. There seems to be a problem regarding the Sluice Gate which is maintained by the Environment Agency but operated by WDDC employees. As yet no answer to difficulties re opening procedures

8. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR.

Ron Coatsworth had nothing to report but contributed to the Meeting regarding the footpath on East Road Junction, Manor Field.

9. PLANNING.

a) Applications received from WDDC/DCC.

1/W/06/000471 - Erect single storey extension, Manor Farm, Bothenhampton - not opposed.
1/W/06/000436 - 12 Elwell - single storey extension - not opposed.
1/W/06/000530 - 8 Nordons - 2 dormer windows - to be considered, David Stubbs.
1/W/06/000569 - Links View - erect dwelling in garden - to be considered, Peggy England.

b) Decisions by WDDC/DCC etc.
1/W/06/000546 - 7 Green Lane - Erect open shed. Prior approval is required.

Approval of Planning Permission.

1/W/06/000306 - The Oaks, Walditch Road.
1/W/06/216 - 58 Gundry Lane - Erect conservatory
1/W/06/000087 - 75 Crock Lane - Erect conservatory.

Refusal of Planning Permission..

1/W/05/002435 - 21 Elwell, Bridport - erection of dwelling.
1/W/06/000217 - 58 Gundry Road, Bridport - erection of 2 story dwelling.

Tree Preservation Order 746 (A.1)
TP/06/00032. 16 Howard Close, Bridport - Remove lower branches of 3 Beech Trees - Consent is granted.

10. FINANCE.

A] Finance Statement of Account as at 31 March 2006 - Total £9,112 (with account for payments paid).

B] Accounts for Payment.

783 Clerk's salary less Tax. March £314.21
784 Tax for March 2006. £88.62
785 Nick David (Grass Cutting) £310.49

11. RISK ASSESSMENT REPORT

This Report as written by Councillor Geoff Matthews was discussed and approval by all Councillors. Proposed as accepted in full by David Stubbs and seconded by Bob Dennis. It was noted that DAPTC Circular dated March 2006 reminded councillors of the need for every employee who uses a computer (notably the Clerk), must have their workstation assessed.

The Chief Executive, David Webb, was hoping to obtain a package to make it easier for smaller local councils to carry out this assessment

. The Clerk was instructed to word process the approved Report for Parish Council records.

12. PARISH MATTERS

i) The PC approved the need for the Clerk to obtain a Filing Cabinet to be used in the Parish Office at 6 Sunnyside.

ii) Estimates for proposed new gate at John Holt Play Area, Bothenhampton.

As only two estimates were obtained for the Meeting, the Clerk was advised to seek a further estimate and also ensure that the specifications were clearly defined. Estimate to be considered by the next Meeting, Monday 8th May.

iii) The Parish Plan Project -

The West Dorset Research Centre has contacted the Parish Council and are enthusiastic to develop a Parish Pack for Bothenhampton in the near future.

Councillors indicated an interest in finding out more about the Project. Action Clerk.

iv) Karl Wallace informed the Meeting that in his role as a Bridport Town Councillor he was aware that Bothenhampton and Walditch PC had not been informed about proposed bus stops in Sea Lane. While the Clerk agreed to make representation regarding the need for consultation between the various authorities, I have subsequently noted that said bus stops were mentioned in DCC Ron Coatsworth's Report to the Annual Parish Meeting in May 2004. So will await advice for the next PC Meeting on 8 May 2006.

v) Democratic ½ hour - Matters raised at PC Meeting in Walditch Village Hall on Monday 10th March 2006. Concern was expressed by 2 Walditch residents regarding apparent breach of Planning Approval at :-

1) Blueberry Hill Farm, Bonscombe Lane, Walditch.
1/W/2002/0716 & 1/W/2003/1891.

2) Sheepshed at Hyde Farm, Walditch
1/W/00/000038.

Clerk requested to contact WDDC Planning Authority to outline local Walditch residents concerns.

vi) Old Church Road, Bothenhampton - Parked Vehicles.
In a comprehensive letter from Doug Chalmers, Team Leader, Traffic and Safety Management, Parish Councillors agreed not to enforce legal traffic regulations of double yellow lines and were not enthusiastic regarding a no parking advisory sign.

A suggestion was made in the letter to erect some central hazard warning lines to be laid around the bend supplemented with 'slow' carriageway markings on both approaches. This would alert unsuspecting drivers of the need to exercise caution when driving in this area. The Parish Council is in favour of the markings as described.

vii) Crown Roundabout.

An email and detailed plan has been received from Eddie Varley, Route Manager, Connect Road Operators Ltd., which outlines a proposed improvement to lane signs in the Burton Road. The Parish Council supported the proposals as seen.

13 CORRESPONDENCE

John Gundry Play Area, Walditch.

Correspondence from Lucy Chant requesting support for play equipment funding, signage and improvements to the Play Area were discussed at the Meeting. It was decided that Geoff Matthews and Karl Wallace would liaise with Lucy Chant regarding future plans for the Parish Council amenity Area.

A leaflet from the Land Registry was handed to Geoff Matthews who is going to investigate the need for registering council land.

CPRE Membership renewal was agreed for 2006/07 at £26.

Dorset Association of Parish and Town Clerks Annual Subscription for 2006/07 was agreed £441.52.


The next Meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall immediately following the Annual Meetings, which commence at 6.30 p.m. on Monday 8th May 2006.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.00 pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

Roger Ffooks thanked the Clerk re the parking concerns at the junction of Church Road/Long Lane.

Lucy Chant and friend outlined their plans for seeking funding to have children's playground equipment erected at John Gundry Play Area, Walditch.