MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 14th APRIL 2008 AT 7P.M.
Present: Geoff Matthews (Chairman), Colin Sparkes, David Stubbs, Peter Tobutt, Audrey Pearson, Karl Wallace and Bob Dennis. In attendance: Chris Dobbs (Clerk).

1. APOLOGIES.

1.1 To remind Parish Councillors of the need to make a Declaration of Interest on any Agenda items where personal or prejudicial interest may arise. e.g. Grant request for Village Hall project, or a planning application adjacent to a Parish Councillors home.

1.2 Apologies were received from Mark Roberts.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The Minutes of the previous Meeting of Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held on Monday 10th March 2008, were accepted as a true record of the Meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

3.1 Re Walditch Roads - Clerk reported that he had arranged for Peter Tobutt to be contacted by DCC Western Highways. Peter commented that no meeting had been arranged. Clerk to follow up also to establish times of street cleaning schedules for Walditch. 3.2 Clerk informed PC regarding Walditch being on the list for a Speed Indicator Device and speed limit review.

3.3 Letter of contract to David Landscapes has been sent for Spring and Summer season.

4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.10 pm, the Meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their iew on matters of local interest. At 7.35 pm, the Meeting re-convened to complete the Council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

Complaints against Councillors, officers etc are now being handed down by The Standards Board for England and dealt with locally by the Standards Committee of the West Dorset District Council; only those of a complex nature involving disqualifications will be dealt with by the Board.

As regards the West Bay Car Boot Sale proceeds, there is £15,000 to be distributed and applications are being invited by 5th May.

Regarding the regeneration of the South West Quadrant, as an immediately adjoining arish Council, I regard it right and proper that you be sent a copy of the planning applications. David Tett, Ward Member for Bothenhampton, 14 April 2008.

6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH.

Apologies from Mark Roberts. Mentioned Planning Applications to demolish South West Quadrant and Applications to build 175 houses and retail and business units

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR - RON COATSWORTH.

Ron has been looking at recycling facilities with other Councillors and Officers, at various sites in West Dorset. Commented that new Bridport facility will need to include a Household Recycling Centre and a WDDC Road Vehicles Depot. Found variation in good and poor facilities, and purchased a David Shepherd Elephants Picture (signed by the artist), at one of the Centres. Colin Sparkes asked if Ron would clarify whether waste from Churchyards is counted as domestic or commercial.

8. PLANNING.

A) Applications received from WDDC/DCC.
1/D/08//000309 Little Wych, Bridport - Erect Stable Block.
1/D/08/000525 7 Nordons. Erect dwelling - opposed.
1/D/08/000435 Highmead, Lee Lane. Erect single storey extension.
1/D/08/000407 14 South Lawns, Erect garage extension.
1/D/08/000569 11A Uplands, Walditch. 2 storey extension - Opposed.
1/D/08/000610 Hyde Farmhouse - internal & extension alterations.
1/D/08/000609 Hyde Farmhouse - conversion to holiday accommodation.
Amendments to scheme as approved under application 1/W/2005/0675.

B) Decisions by WDDC/DCC etc.
1/D/08/000164 20 Pasture Way - Approval
1/D/08/000366 18 North Hill Way - Approval
1/D/08/000166 18 South Lawns - Approval.

9.FINANCE.

Finance a) Statement of Account as at 31 March 2008 - £4,049. 67.

Less Uncleared Cheques: (Jan) Ralph Probert 927 £8.00.
(Feb) Bothenhampton Hall 930 £6.00.

b) Accounts for Payment

931 March Clerks Salary £314.21
932 Inland Revenue (3 months) 265.86
933 Clerk's Expenses 48.02
934 Office accommodation 97.50
935 Walditch Village Hall 15.00
936 EDF energy Street Lighting 520.31
937 David Landscapes 697.66
All accounts listed were proposed for payment by Colin Sparkes and seconded by David Stubbs, carried by Parish Council.

10. PARISH MATTERS.

10.1 To consider request for small skatepart in John Holt Play Area - Karl Wallace. Action - Active debate at Meeting, particularly regarding suitability for village and concern about noise levels. Karl indicated that WDDC Community Enabling Fund may support such a venture. It was noted that Rob Ridge had already offered to build all equipment. Bob Dennis supported by all Councillors, proposed that a survey take place via a report in the Bridport News, to assess the needs of young people in the Community. Geoff agreed to write an article for Bridport News and Bothenhampton website. Public also invited to give view at APM scheduled for Monday 12th May at 6.30 p.m. Clerk to continue enquiries re Insurance.

10.2 Final invoice for John Gundry Play Area from Playdale Playgrounds Ltd. £3951.82. Action - Approved to be paid by Geoff Matthews seconded by Colin Sparkes. Account to be presented for payment at next Meeting.

10.3 DAPTC Annual Subscription presented to Parish Council. Action - Proposed to be paid by Audrey Pearson and seconded by David Stubbs.

10.4 Progress of damaged Fingerpost. Clerk reported that Fingerpost should be replaced in the next few fays. Action - Clerk to arrange damage claim from DCC.

10.5 Annual Insurance Premium renewal date 1st June 2008. £740.39. Action - Proposal to be paid by Geoff Matthews, seconded by David Stubbs.

10.6 CPRE Annual Subscription £28.00. Action - Propose to be continued. Agreed by Geoff Matthews and seconded by Audrey Pearson. Audrey agreed to be CPRE Representative.

10.7 West Dorset Spring Clean. Arranged for Bothenhampton & Walditch for Saturday 19th April 2008, between 10 - 12 a.m. Action - Volunteers to meet at respective Village Halls.

10.8 Grant request from Bothenhampton Village Hall towards door replacements. Grant request from Walditch Village Hall towards refurbishment of floor. Action - After much debate it was proposed by Geoff Matthews and seconded by Peter Tobutt to give a £900 Grant to Bothenhampton and a £450 Grant to Walditch. This decision was carried by the Parish Council and was based on previous Grant awards in the last financial year.

10.9 Parish Council Annual Grant to Bothenhampton and Walditch Village Hall Committees to pay for telephone and ISP connection. This is to encourage the respective Village Hall Committees to take advantage of the Connecting Dorset scheme of Internet provision for Village Halls. Action - After considerable debate, Clerk was requested to write to Bothenhampton and Walditch Village Hall Committees to indicate that the Parish Council would be sympathetic to such an Annual Award.

N.B. The Meeting closed after 10.9 debate at 9.10 p.m. The following items on Parish Matters to be carried, if necessary, to the next Meeting.

10.10 Audit 2008 - Clerk is presently preparing accounts for Internal Audit, which is planned to be carried out at the end of April.

10.11 Proposed increase in Clerk's Salary from Point 19 to Point 20. (NALC & SLCC joint recommendations).

10.12 WDDC Offer of Digital Projector for Parish Council. Action - For next Meeting.

10.13 Public Consultation re Conservation Area in Bothenhampton, change in dates from 30.6.08 to 4.7.08. Action - to be carried to next Meeting.

10.14 Courses for Clerks/Councillors. Action - to next Meeting.

10.15 Organisation of Planning Applications. Geoff Matthews. Action - to next Meeting.

10.16 Dorset Street Lighting PFI Project. Action - to next Meeting.

10.17 Letter from Geoff Matthews indicating that he will be standing down from Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council

10.18 Colin Sparkes requested copies of Parish Plans.

11. CORRESPONDENCE

To be tabled as listed.

11.1 DAPTC Chief Executives Circular.
11.2 Refuse Collections from 31.3.08.
11.3 Validation of Planning Application. Action - Probably to next Meeting. 8 Planning.
11.4 Design and Sustainable Development in West Dorset.
11.5 Mobile Library Schedules. Action - to Notice Boards.
11.6 Flood Warden System. Action - Needs Representative. To next Meeting.
11.7 Homewatch.
11.8 Weed Control Service.
11.9 Town and Parish Standard.
11.10 CPRE Literature - to Audrey.
11.11 WDDC Community Link.
11.12 Dorset Local Access Forum.

The next Meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall on Monday 12th May 2008, commencing at 6.30 pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

Roger Ffooks - Reported that Notice Board in Pasture Way needed repositioning and wondered if a working party could be organised - Roger volunteered. Action - Clerk to arrange working party.

Enquired about progress of fingerpost. Concerned that Hollow Way maintenance details still ongoing.

Bob Dennis - was concerned that an outbuilding roof overlooking Main Street was in a dangerous condition with roof slates loose and damaged. Clerk has spoken to Bob Barnes, who has asked Richard Macdonald to repair as necessary.

Peter Copeland asked if Walditch Village Hall's request for a Grant would be in Parish Matters. Confirmed by Clerk.

Rob Ridge - talked of his experience and interest over the last 20 years in BMX biking. He has built a number of BMX/Skateboard facilities in Bridport, Lyme Regis, Weymouth and Wiltshire, and an indoor facility in St Michael's Trading Estate. He has been to look at John Holt Play Area, and considers that he could build a small facility in a corner of John Holt Play Area just below the young children's play equipment.

Rob is a very enthusiastic BMX Biker who is most sympathetic towards the needs of the community. He suggested that perhaps a survey of local interest might be carried out, and estimated costs for materials to be between £1,000 and £2,000 with no labour costs. Karl Wallace commented that WDDC Community Action Fund could be approached for a Grant, and asked Rob about noise levels. Rob considered skate boards with composite/plastic wheels were noisy but BMX bikes with rubber tyres were relatively quiet. Bob Dennis expressed concerns about such a venture for Bothenhampton.

Lucy deGreef had recently written to the Clerk expressing a view that John Holt Play Area was acceptable in its present form.

The comments of the young people were welcomed by David Tett as a truly Democratic Half Hour with such positive contributions by Lucy and Rob regarding community needs.