Bothenhampton - Parish Council minutes for August 2004

MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 9TH AUGUST 2004.

Present: Mrs Regan (Chair), Mr Matthews, Mrs England MBE, Mr Harrison. In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES.

Mr Dennis, Mr Tett, Mr Davies.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12th July 2004 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting after various amendments and duly signed.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

Item 4 - Relocation of Bridport Health Centre: Mr Harrison attended a recent question & answer session organised by Bridport Town Council and circulated the minutes.

4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.08pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.32pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

The clerk read out a letter from Mr Tett which informed the meeting that Oliver Letwin M.P. is now involved with the proposed closure of the public toilets in Bridport Town Hall. Also, WDDC is considering procedures to adopt for its review of Political Management structures.

6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH, MR ROBERTS.

As Mr Roberts was absent from the meeting, there was nothing to report.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.

Mr Coatworth was absent from the meeting, so had nothing to report. On his behalf, Miss Brown reported that she is attending a meeting on 13th August regarding the relocation of Bridport Health Centre and another meeting is due shortly regarding the proposed angling jetty at West Bay.

8. VODAFONE MAST, WALDITCH.

The clerk read out a letter from Vodafone's representative in response to his which requested comprehensive consideration of alternative sites for the antennae. The letter stated that the appeals office in Bristol could not accept any further comments or representations, as the deadline for these had long passed, and full consideration of alternatives were contained in Vodafone's appeal documentation. Mr Matthews reported that, according to Mr Davies, the appeals office had requested 'further plans and drawings' from Vodafone to assist it with its decision-making.

9. LICENCE FOR 'CEMETERY' PLAY AREA, LOWER WALDITCH.

The clerk showed the meeting the signed licence and informed it that the commencement date was 2nd August 2004, hence as of that date, the area is a Play and Amenity Area, the responsibility of this parish council.

10. TREES AT VALLEY VIEW AMENITY AREA.

Mr Matthews reported that he had obtained a quotation for surgery to a cedar tree in the Valley View Amenity Area, which was overhanging 7 Howard Close. The cost was г80.00 + VAT. Mrs Regan proposed that this work should be carried out; this was seconded by Mr Harrison and agreed by all of the other councillors.

11. PLANNING.

A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/001241 - Willowmead, Lansdowne Road, Bridport: Erection of three dwellings with garages and construction of new vehicular access; erection of garage for existing dwelling: Refusal recommended on the following grounds: inadequate access to site both during and after construction; gross over-development of site; detrimental to amenities of neighbouring properties; site floods due to inadequate diameter of the culvert under 'The Crown roundabout'. Mr Matthews will attend and speak at the planning committee meeting for this application.
1/W/04/001209 - Cherry Tree, Duck Street: Erection of extension and detached garage; carry out alterations: No comment.
1/W/04/001135 - Kingshill, Westown, Bridport: Erection of double garage: No comment.
1/W/04/001260 - Laurel Farmhouse, Main Street, Bothenhampton: Demolish porch and erect single storey extension: No comment. (Mr Matthews declared an interest).
1/W/04/001253 - Bradford Building Supplies Ltd, Sea Road South (neighbouring parish consultation): site a portacabin in existing yard: No comment.
1/W/04/001417 - 87 Gundry Road: Erection of first floor extension: passed to Mrs Regan for comment.
1/W/04/001413 - 1 South Lawns: Erection of two-storey extension: passed to Mrs Regan for comment.
1/W/04/001419 - 10 Mount Joy: Demolish chimney and remove dormer window; carry out internal and external alterations; install three dormer windows: passed to Mr Harrison for comment. (Mrs England declared a possible interest due to the close proximity of the proposed development to her property).
DCC: None
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/001026 - 9 Nordons: Demolish existing garage and rear extension; erect replacement garage and rear extension: permission granted.
1/W/04/000973 - 1 Hyde Cottages, Walditch: Install ground floor window (amended) and door to rear elevation: Listed Building Consent granted.
Trees - Purple maple at Long Cottage, Walditch: permission granted to perform surgery.
DCC: None.

The Clerk redistributed guidance for planning considerations, prepared by DAPTC.

12. FINANCE

A] Statement of Account as at 31 July 2004.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (July).Е...ЕЕЕЕЕ..ЕЕ..ЕЕ..г242.33
Clerk's quarterly expenses (April to June)ЕЕЕЕг143.46
Austen Whetham & Guest (solicitor re Cemetery Play Area)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ..г352.50
S. Willmore (development of Walditch Village Play Area)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ..Е.г5,266.35

Mrs Regan proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mr Matthews and approved by all of the other councillors.

The clerk distributed an analysis for the period 1 April to 31 July 2004, showing actual against budgeted expenditure.

13. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.

None.

14. VITAL VILLAGES.

Mr Harrison confirmed that remaining funds in the Vital Villages bank account will be transferred to the main current account when the clerk finishes with the cheque book and returns it to him. It was agreed that 'Vital Villages' will not appear on future agendas.

15. PARISH MATTERS.

Footpaths & Roads - Mr Harrison will continue to arrange for the clearing of Footpath W5/20. Mr Harrison distributed Parish Maintenance Unit forms to Mr Ffooks and Mr Gough (and will to Mr Davies) and reminded them that they should be returned by 1st September for inclusion in the October visit to the area. Regarding the Crock Lane congestion, Mrs England asked whether Mr Dennis had progressed the matter. She mentioned the need for the greenery near the junction of Wych Hill and Mount Joy to be cut back. Mr Harrison is still pursuing the obstruction of the footpath near "Landfall" and has requested co-operation between interested parties to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Street Lighting - The clerk still awaits a reply from DCC on the matter of replacement lighting columns at Manor Fields, though he has received an apology for the lack of response.
Neighbourhood Watch - The recent cancelled meeting has not yet been reconvened.
Conservation & Open Spaces - Mr Matthews reported that there is no progress yet re Friends of the nature Reserve(s).
Play Areas - The clerk was instructed to clarify the insurer's requirement that only councillor(s) must inspect each Play Area weekly for damage etc. Should delegation be permitted, Mrs Regan will still inspect the John Holt Play Area, a person yet to be nominated will inspect the Walditch Village Play Area and Valley View Amenity Area and a resident, Mr Roger Castle of Lower Walditch Lane will inspect the Cemetery Play Area. Mr Matthews asked the clerk to confirm the inclusion of the Walditch Village Play Area in the council's list of such areas held by the insurers. The Clerk replied that inclusion is automatic, according to the insurers. Mr Matthews informed the meeting that the Friends of Walditch Village Play Area plan to meet in about 10 days time.
The clerk read out a letter from parishioner Mr Chadney of Minard House, Bothenhampton, in which he requested the use of part of the John Holt Play Area for his daughter's wedding, scheduled for 2006. He wishes to erect a marquee and hold celebrations in it over a period of about three days. It was agreed that permission will be granted on the following two conditions: the parish council is indemnified against all claims arising from the use of the area for this purpose, for which it is not insured; resident children will not be prevented from using the area as normal throughout the period in question.
DAPTC - Chief Executive's Circular 15/04 was referred to by the clerk. This parish council will be hosting the next regional meeting of DAPTC, to be held on 2 September at 7.30pm in Bothenhampton Village Hall. Mr Matthews will be organising refreshments.

16. CORRESPONDENCE.

WDDC: The new Corporate Plan was circulated to councillors by the clerk, firstly to Mrs Regan. Sports Newsletter. New contact details re street naming & numbering.
DCC: The new Dorset Community Strategy was circulated to councillors by the clerk, firstly to Mrs Regan. An appeal from the Dorset Local Access Forum for volunteer members.
Other: The clerk read out a letter from Mrs Warburton, which informed the council of her resignation as a parish councillor on grounds of ill health. Mrs Regan joined all of the other councillors in expressing their sadness and disappointment over the decision, as Mrs Warburton had been such an enthusiastic supporter of the residents of both Bothenhampton and Walditch. The clerk read out Mrs Regan's reply to Mrs Warburton's letter and all councillors agreed that it should be sent, along with the council's good wishes.
WATAG: Minutes of the meetings held on 27th May and 15th July 2004.
Mr Ffooks' letter regarding parking in Long Lane: The clerk was instructed to obtain a quotation from DCC for a "No Parking Beyond this Point" sign.
BTC: Agenda for the meeting of the Bridport Area Partnership Committee to be held on August 5th.
The Boundary Committee for England: The Electoral Commission will implement the Committee's recommendations shortly after 7th September.
NALC/SLCC: 2004-5 National Salary Award for Local Council Clerks.
DCA: Notice of Play Area exhibition in September in London.
CPRE: circular.
Bridport Youth Centre: letter of thanks for recent grant.
Letter asking for details of any unused allotments in the parish: Mr Matthews to check with Mr Davies.

The next meeting will be held in Walditch Village Hall at 7.00pm on Monday, September 13th at 7.00pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.25pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:

1. Cost of repairing notice board in 'Lower Walditch'.
2. Drains blocked along Walditch Road.
3. Restricted view of traffic caused by hedge at junction of Walditch Lane and East Road.
4. Obstruction caused by overgrown hedges along Lower Walditch Lane.
5. Area behind 20 Howard Road: trees preventing access: WDDC area.
6. Parking at Long Lane/Old Church Road, Bothenhampton.