Minutes of the Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council Meeting held in the Village Hall, Walditch on Monday 9 December 2002.
Those present for the monthly meeting were: - Professor Eastham Vice Chairperson, Mr.Matthews, Mrs.Sawyer, Mr.Harrsion, in attendance M.C.Farnham [Clerk]
1 APOLOGIES
Mrs.Regan, Mrs.England, Rear Admiral Pritchard, Mr.Coatsworth
2 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the previous meeting held on the 11 November 2002 having been circulated to all members was accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.
3 MATTERS ARISING
The Clerk reported that the planning application for Blueberry Farm had been refused. Also DCC had confirmed that the missing kerb at the junction of Crock Lane and Hollow Way would be replaced in the very near future.
4. REPORT BY DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REAR ADMIRAL PRITCHARD
As Rear Admiral Pritchard was unable to attend no report was made.
5. REPORT BY COUNTY COUNCILLOR Mr.COATSWORTH
As Mr.Coatsworth was unable to attend no report was made.
6. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR
At this point the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. The meeting then re-convened to complete the Council’s agenda.
7. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
All the Parish Councillors had now had the chance to review the documents and following a short discussion on the matter, it was agreed proposed by Mr.Matthews that the Model statement should be adopted, this was seconded by Mrs.Sawyer and agreed by all the other Councillors.
8. POSSIBLE PARKING RESTRICTIONS WALDITCH LANE
The Clerk referred to the letter received from DCC dated 2 December 2002 concerning the parking of vehicles between the mini roundabout and East Road. Following a discussion on this matter it was agreed that the Parish Council should ask for double yellow lines on both sides of the road between the East Road [A35] to the mini roundabout.
Action; Clerk to reply to DCC
9. PROPOSED BUDGET FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO HOWARD ROAD OPEN SPACE
Professor Eastham reported to the meeting that he and Mrs.Sawyer had had a meeting with the Valley View Residents Society concerning possible site improvements. WDDC had proposed 2 schemes and these are being priced. The siting of the seat provided by the Parish Council had been considered and it was agreed that the Parish Council would fund the siting costs. Mr.David had also been asked to provide an estimate for the ongoing maintenance of the area. This had not been received to date.
10. POSSIBLE PLAY AREA LOWER WALDITCH DEVELOPMENT
Professor Eastham informed the meeting that the local PCC would be supporting the Parish Council application to use the cemetery land as a play area. He also confirmed that he had spoken to the Town Council Surveyor concerning the wording of the draft agreement and it was suggested that condition “1” should be amended to take into account the comments made by the Diocese. The revised condition should now read “The area of Land to be the subject of a formal licence between the two councils for such period of time that the land is not required for cemetery purposes. The licence is to be for a maximum period of 25 years subject to early termination at 12 months notice on either side.” Mr.Matthews proposed that this amendment should be included, this was seconded by Professor Eastham and agreed by all the other Councillors.
Action,Clerk to write to Bridport Town Council confirming acceptance of the conditions[with the revised condition “1”].
11. PLANNING
Application 1/W/2002/1743 5 Elwell, Crock Lane, Bothenhampton, erect first floor extension, application withdrawn.
- Applications received from WDDC;
- Application 1/W/2002/1968 5 Elwell, Crock Lane, Bothenhampton, erect first floor extension, returned “no comments”.
- Applications 1/W/2002/1911 & 1912 Garden of May Cottage, Old Church Road, Bothenhampton remove existing redundant piggery and erect holiday cottage for disabled. Returned “ The above applications have been considered by the Parish Council and have the following comments to make. 1] It is noted that planning permission has been refused on a number of occasions in the past and it is believed that these reasons for refusing permission are still valid. 2] The Parish Council is concerned that access to and from the property by a vehicle is dangerous. 3] The Parish Council considers the design of the proposed development is not in keeping with the existing street scene and the conservation area in which this development would be set. 4] The Parish Council have recently recommended the refusal of a planning application on an adjoining parcel of land and the same drainage problems both surface and foul sewerage exist for this area. Unless or until these matters are satisfactory resolved, the Parish Council dose not believe that any further development in this area should take place. 5] The Parish Council would also ask that the comments made by your Mr.G.Hughes in his letter dated 22 February 2001 [ref.; GH/DP 1/W/5] to Humberts, are taken into consideration when the District Council considers this application. In which he questions the suitability of this site for any further development.
- Applications 1/W/2002/2038 & 2039 Many Sparrows, Walditch, erect single storey extension returned “no comments”
Applications received from DCC; None
- Decisions by WDDC;
- Application 1/W/2002/1736 Bluberry Hill Farm, Bonscombe Lane, Walditch, erect sheep handling building, planning permission refused.
- Application 1/W/2002/1755 2 Bowhayes Bothenhampton, erect single storey extension, planning permission granted.
Decisions by DCC; None
12. FINANCE
[a] The Clerk informed the meeting of the current situation, i.e. Capital Account £16,041.27 Current Account £19,427.36 Vital Villages Account £1,969.30 plus petty cash of £25.
[b] The following accounts were approved for payment.
[1] M.C.Farnham Salary for December 2002, £203.54 plus expenses of £128.31for the period 10 September to 9 December 2002.
[2] Mr.Harrison; Printing of maps etc £8.50
[3] N.David grass cutting August & Set 2002 £183.30
[4] C.W.Groves & Son provision of 2 Benches
Mr.Matthews proposed that these accounts are paid, this was seconded by Mrs.Sawyer and agreed by all the other Councillors.
13. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS
The Clerk informed the meeting that three requests had been received requesting financial assistance;
[a] Letter dated 29 November 2002 form the Bridport & District Citizens Advice Bureau help towards running costs, following a short discussion on the matter Mr.Matthews proposed a grant of £100 this was seconded by Mrs.Sawyer.
[b] Letter dated 9 November 2002 from The Dorset Association for the Disabled Bridport help towards running costs, following a short discussion on the matter Professor Eastham proposed a grant of £50 this was seconded by Mr.Matthews.
[c] Letter dated 16 November 2002 from the Bothenhampton Village Hall concerning village hall improvements, following a short discussion on the matter Mr.Matthews proposed a grant of £100 this was seconded by Mr.Harrison.
All three proposals were agreed by all other Councillors.
14. VITAL VILLAGES
Mr.Harrison reported that a meeting had been held on the 21 November 2002. The survey forms have now been distributed with the “Team News” and thanks for this help to Mr.&Mrs. Ffooks and their helpers. We now await the return of the survey forms. Since May 2002 when the committee was established 210 hours of work has been clocked up which in financial terms would have cost £1,470 at £7 per hour.
15. FOOTPATHS & ROADS
[1] Mr.Harrison reported that footpath No20 has now been resurfaced to a width of 1 metre.
[2] It was agreed that the Clerk should ask WDDC again about the drainage works under the John Holt Play area.
[3] Footpath W5/23 the signposts are missing, this should be reported to DCC.
18. STREET LIGHTING
Nothing to report.
17. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Nothing to report
18. CONSERVATION & OPEN SPACES.
The Clerk informed the meeting that WDDC have relaunched their “Countryside & Conservation Grant Scheme” and this may be a help towards the financing of the works to the open space area in Lower Walditch.
19. PLAY AREAS
[1] John Holt Play Area; The Clerk informed the meeting that he had received a quotation from N.David for the removal of the ivy off the walls. The cost quoted was £528.75 including VAT. Following a short discussion on the matter it was that Mr.Matthews would ask a local contractor to provide an other estimate.
[2] Play Area Walditch; Mr.Matthews reported that he had now obtained an up to date estimate for the trenching works required to allow Western Power Distribution to lay the overhead electricity, the cost is £1,175 including VAT. Western Power will carry out their work free of charge. The Parish Council have to however, obtain the necessary permission from landowners as the cable will have to run underground from the transformer by the old piggery on Mr.Gundrys land to the next one.
[3] Possible Play Area Lower Walditch; See report in item 10 above.
Action, Mr.Matthews to obtain alternative quote for removal of ivy at John Holt Play area. Clerk to write to Mr.Gundry concerning the overhead cable.
20. BRIDPORT REGENERATION AREA PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS
Professor Eastham gave the following report; The Bridport Area Partnership Committee met at Mountfield on the 26 November 2002.
The first part of the meeting dealt with the overlap of the purposes of the Committee with that of WATAG. A terms of reference document will be prepared by the Town Clerk.
[a]Transport Proposals;
Question, what professional help is available to parishes to set up transport schemes?
Answer, discussions by the Town Council are in progress with WDDC and DCC. A paper is promised in the New Year. Any scheme should be formulated jointly with other parishes.
Question, what is the procedure for implementing an idea?
Answer, approach transport provider and put in a bid in partnership.
[b]Paul Beecham report;
This report was prepared hastily last March/April, but in view of parish surveys now in progress, it was felt that the report was premature[ although free].
[c]Parish Plans;
Parishes are asked to prepare a short statement of parish transport plans to send to the Town Council before the next meeting on 18 February 2003.
[d]West Bay;
The consultation process for the master plan was successful, and it closed on the 29 November 2002.
[d]Countryside Agency Heathcheck;
This was well received by the Countryside Agency and other funding agencies. Any comments to the Town Co-ordinator. The report can be used to support Parish bid applications.
[e]Market & Coastal Town Initiative;
This moves towards Limited Company status. Any comments to Town Co-ordinator before Christmas.
Next meeting is on the 18 February 2003.
21. DORSET ASSOCIATION OF PARISH AND TOWN COUNCILS
The Clerk gave out the November 2002 newsletter to attending Councillors.
22. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
[a] From DCC; letter dated 4 December 2002 concerning changes to Bridport area bus services
[b] From WDDC; letter dated 25 November 2002 concerning tree work at Berry Farm, Lower Walditch Lane. Letter dated 4 December 2002 concerning District Local Plan review information days. Letter dated 6 December 2002 concerning the register of electors.
[c] From; Bridport Town Council concerning Birdport Royal Charter events for 2003. Letter from Austen Whetham & Guest with a copy of the land registry entries and filed plan for the open space in Lower Walditch development.
There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.00m.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR
Open space Lower Walditch Development.
Play area Lower Walditch Development
May Cottage Planning Application
Abandoned Cars
Provision of Bins for animal waste