MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 13 AUGUST 2007 AT 7P.M.
Present: Geoff Matthews (Vice Chairman), David Stubbs, Karl Wallace, Bob Dennis, Audrey Pearson, & Colin Sparkes. In attendance: Chris Dobbs (Clerk).

1. APOLOGIES.

Apologies were received from Alan Stenning, Mark Roberts and Ron Coatsworth..

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The Minutes of the previous Meeting of Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held on Monday 9 July 2007, were accepted as a true record of the Meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

3.1 Alan Stenning has resigned as Chair of the Parish Council due to pressure of work.

3.2 Election of Chair - Geoff. Matthews indicated a willingness to be considered for election. Was proposed by Bob Dennis and seconded by Colin Sparkes - carried by the Parish Councillors present. Bob Dennis indicated a willingness to be considered for election as Vice Chair, and was proposed by David Stubbs and seconded by Audrey Pearson - carried by the Parish Councillors present.

4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.05 pm, the Meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their view on matters of local interest. At 7.40 pm the Meeting re-convened to complete the Council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

David Tett noted that Bothenhampton Village Hall had been awarded a Grant of £1000 from the Sunday Morning Car Boot Sales at West Bay - to be used for curtains and fittings. Mountjoy School - Outline Planning Approval has be given for the new School building, which is to include a sensory room and hydrotherapy pool. This needs to be confirmed when detailed drawings are available.

Karl Wallace indicated a need to clarify the apparent reduction in the number of Car Boot pitches at West Bay from a 100 to 60

6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH.

No Report.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR - RON COATSWORTH.

No Report.

8. PLANNING.

A) Applications received from WDDC/DCC.

1/W/07/001156 May Cottage, Bothenhampton - Erect Fence(retrospective).
1/D/07/001305 7 Nordons - Carry out loft conversion.
1/D/07/001268 17 Gundry Road - Erect Conservatory.
CA/07/00223 Homestead, Walditch - Fell Cherry Tree.
CA/07/00257 Quoits, Walditch - Fell Willow Tree.

B) Decisions by WDDC/DCC etc.

AH/06/00002 High Hedge Complaint - Parish Council not prepared to support Res. Assoc. letter. Matter is between Mr. Perry and WDDC.
1/W/06/000942 10 Marsh Gate - Amendments of minor nature.
TP/07/00167 Valley View Amenity Area - Crown Cleaning, deadwood,etc of Conifer - Parish Council land/responsibility.
TPO 2007 - 872 - not confirmed.
1/W/07/001068 Corner Cottage, Walditch - Flat roof replaced with pitched - Approval.
1/W/07/001067 Corner Cottage, Walditch - Alteration of roofing materials - Approval.
1/W/07/1107 Bridport Sewerage Treatment Works - Making the temporary access track permanent.
Modification Order - to alter Bridleway 36 in Bothenhampton.
1/W/07/001163 The Cottage, Walditch - erect extn. - Approval.

9. FINANCE

a) Finance Statement of Account as at 31 July 2007 - £10,580-38.
b) Accounts for Payment:-

887 Clerk's Expenses - £53-09
888 Clerk's Salary - £314-21
889 Accounts & Audit Services - £115-00
890 Bothenhampton Village Hall - £12-00
891 Forest & Tree Care Ltd - £270-25
All accounts listed were proposed for payment by David Stubbs, and seconded by Bob Dennis - carried by Parish Council.

10. PARISH MATTERS.

10.1 Annual Review of Financial Regulations, Standing Orders, and Risk Assessment.

Approval without amendments proposed by David Stubbs and seconded by Audrey Pearson - carried by Parish Council.
10.2 Geoff. Presented a Model Child Protection Policy to Meeting. Action - Policy, including a statement on Equal Opportunities, to be adopted at the next Meeting.
10.3 Internal Audit Report 2006/7. Action - Clerk presented framework of Report to Meeting. Annual Return has now been sent within target date of 31/8/07.
10.4 Draft Appraisal of Conservation Area. Action - Corporate View of Parish Council - letter to be sent by 23 August 07. N.B. Bob Dennis declared an interest and took no part in the discussions.
10.5 Parish Owned Street Lighting. Concerns have arisen regarding lighting levels and the number of lamps in the Conservation Area of the Village. - Action - Chair to write letters to Bridport News and DCC.
10.6 To adopt the New Code of Conduct unamended with effect from Monday 13th August 2007. Proposed by Geoff. and seconded by David Stubbs - carried by all Parish Councillors present.
Action - 1. Clerk to send notification to The Standards Board of England & Wales.

2. To have a copy of the New Code of Conduct available for inspection.

3. Publish notice of adoption in any local newspaper.
( to be arranged by WDDC ).

4. New Declaration of Acceptance needs signing by all Parish Councillors.

10.7 New changes to the Registration of Interests. Action - Clerk to check that all new Registration of Interests Forms comply to the New Code of Conduct.
10.8 Bothenhampton & Walditch Road Safety. Noted that new 30 m.p.h. roundels have been painted on the road in Bothenhampton. Action - Site Meeting arranged by Clerk for Tuesday 28th September at 10 00 outside the Village Hall, to consider roundels for outgoing vehicles and possible resiting of road signs ( Main St./Hollow Way ), adjacent to Bus Stop - query by Audrey Pearson. Clerk needs to make written request that DCC review speed limit in Walditch Village.
10.9 Homewatch. Sign has been replaced in Bothenhampton. Action - Colin Sparkes to try and arrange contact between Police and Bothenhampton Homewatch Co-ordinator.
10.10 Open Spaces Society - Parish Council agreed to renewal of subscription - £30.
10.11 Clerk's Seminar on Thursday 27th September. - Action - Parish Council agreed to fund - £30 for one day's training at Dorchester.
10.12 Allowances for Town & Parish Councillors. Action - document to Chair.
10.13 Nominations for DAPTC Committees. Action - document to Karl Wallace.
10.14 Colin Sparkes asked about progress of Lychgate bin. Action - Clerk to investigate. Also enquired about who is responsible for removal of corrugated iron adjacent to footpath by 76 Crock Lane. Action - Clerk to enquire.
10.15 Karl received complaints about Crow Scarers. Action - Clerk indicated that Crow Scarer had now been stolen - enquires presently ongoing. Informed Parish Council that WDDC approved of bagged dog waste being put in any litter bin, if the proper receptacle is not available.

11. CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence to table, as listed :-

11.1 Core Strategy Issues & Options. 4 copies for distribution.
11.2 West Dorset Community Champions 2007.
11.3 Corporate Performance.
11.4 West Dorset District Local Plan - Adopted 2006.
11.5 DAPTC Newsletter.
11.6 Ironman Triathlon.
11.7 Review of additional pitch requirements for Gypsies and Travellers in the Southwest.
11.8 Visit to Dorset of C.P.R.E. National President, Bill Bryson, on Wednesday 12th September2007.

The next Meeting will be held in Walditch Village Hall on Monday 10 September 2007, commencing at 7.00 pm.

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

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

Twelve members of the public attended.

Roger Ffooks concerned about regular cutting of footpath in Hollow Way, and lack of progress with regard to police contacting Homewatch Co-ordinator.

David Weston and others expressed concern regarding Bothenhampton Street Lighting, following publicity about adverse upgrading at Broadwindsor. Geoff. explained that Parish Council have been concerned about maintenance and energy costs of present lighting. Parish Council have now achieved a satisfactory conclusion, as the payment of £16000 for adoption by DCC is to be made over five years. Present maintenance/energy costs are approx. £3000 per year. When adopted, the Parish Lighting will not incur any further costs for the Parish Council. John Roast asked about Insurance and Assurances re lighting levels. Parish Councillors noted concern of public present, and the Clerk informed them that both Homewatch and Parish Lighting were already on the Agenda for the Meeting on 13/8/07.