Minutes of the Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held in the Church Hall, Bothenhampton on Monday 10 February 2003.
Present:- Mrs.Regan [Chairperson] Mrs.England, Mrs.Sawyer, Mr.Matthews, Mr.Harrison, in attendance M.C.Farnham [Clerk] Rear Admiral Pritchard
1 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the previous meeting held on the 13 January 2003 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed, with the following amendment. Item 12 the quotation obtained by Mr.Matthews should read, “including the removal of the remaining tree stumps”.
2 APOLOGIES
Mr.Harrison, Professor Eastham, Mr.Coatsworth
3 MATTERS ARISING
The clerk confirmed that he has still to write to Dorset CC concerning the Mobile Library calling in Bothenhampton. He is also still awaiting WDDC to confirm if they can provide a bin by the seat half way up Walditch Lane.
4 RESIGNATION OF THE CLERK
The Clerk confirmed that he had written to Mrs.Regan confirming his resignation for personal reasons which all the Parish Councillors were aware of but do not need to be reported in the minutes. It was his intension to finish at the end of March 2003. The question of a gratuity was raised and it was agreed that this matter would need to be considered at the next Parish Council meeting as a confidential item. Mrs.Regan thanked the Clerk for all his work over the last six years.
5 REPORTS BY DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REAR ADMIRAL PRITCHARD
Rear Admiral Pritchard informed the meeting that he had looked into the “Copperstone” planning application and it would appear that not all the District Councillors had acted in the appropriate way. However, it is very unforeseen but there is no way that the approval given can be overturned. The only way forward is to decide if the Councillors concerned did act in an inappropriate way, and if three or four persons who did attend the planning committee meeting are willing, they each should write to the Standards Board asking them to investigate the actions of the District Councillors concerned. He also confirmed that the District Council would be increasing in part of the Council Tax by £14.00 per year.
6 REPORT BY COUNTY COUNCILLOR Mr.COATSWORTH
As Mr.Coatsworth did not attend the meeting no report was made.
7 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.
8 WORKING FOR WILDLIFE IN DORSET
The Clerk referred to the letter dated 28 January 2003 from DCC copy of which had been sent out with the agenda concerning this matter, the contents of which were noted.
9 DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL – COUNCIL TAX 2003/04
The Clerk referred to the letter dated 24 January 2003 from the DCC copy of which had been sent out with the agenda concerning this matter, the contents of which were noted.
10 NEW RESTRICTIONS AT HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING CENTRES
The Clerk referred to the letter dated 23 January 2003 from DCC copy of which had been sent out with the agenda concerning this matter, the contents of which were noted.
11 POSSIBLE PLAY AREA LOWER WALDITCH DEVELOPMENT
The Clerk referred to the letter dated 16 January 2003 from Bridport Town Council confirming their acceptance of the conditions relating to the area of land. Mrs.Regan proposed that the Parish Council proceed to the formal agreement, this was seconded by Mr.Matthews and agreed by all the other Councillors. The question of fencing the area etc. was raised and it was agreed that this should be considered at the next Parish Council meeting.
12 COUNTRYSIDE & CONSERVATION GRANT SCHEME 2002/03
The Clerk referred to the letter dated 10 January 2003 from WDDC concerning the above grant scheme for projected that will be completed by the 31 March 2003. The contents of the letter and leaflet were noted.
13 PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS – THURSDAY 1 MAY 2003
The Clerk referred to the letter dated 22 January 2003 from WDDC concerning the Parish Council Elections in May 2003, the contents of which were noted.
14 ROLE OF THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
The Clerk referred to the letter dated January 2003 from the Environment Agency concerning their role, the contents of which were noted.
15 THE OLD GEORGE INN BOTHENHAMPTON
Mrs.Regan informed the meeting that this property was now on the market and she had contacted the Estate Agent concerning informing them that the Parish Council may be interested in renting the existing skittle alley to use as a Parish Room.
16 FARMERS MARKET IN BOTHENHAMOTN VILLAGE HALL
Mar.Regan reported that it had been suggested that a farmer’s market could be held in the village hall in the near future.
17 PLANNING
- Applications received from WDDC;
- application 1/W/2003/0043, Land adjacent to thatched cottage, Quarry Lane, Bothenhampton, erect two storey dwelling with detached garage, construct new vehicular 7 pedestrian access. Returned with the following comments; The Parish Council notes that the area relating to this application is clearly within the area designated as Land of Local Landscape Importance, boarding the conservation area of Bothenhampton Village. This application is in the opinion of the Parish Council almost identical to previous applications to develop this area, which following site visits by the District Council Planning Committee have all been refused. The recently built neighbouring house was permitted although it is in the LLLI, because it replaced, [and occupied the same footprint as] an existing building. This exception should not be used to grant approval to this application and the Parish Council believes that the reasons for refusing permission previously are still valid and therefore this application should also be refused.
- Decisions by WDDC;
- Application 1/W/2002/1723, 11 Uplands, Walditch, erect two storey extension. Permission granted.
- Application 1/W/2002/1968 5 Elwell, Crock Lane, Bothenhampton erect first floor extension. Permission granted.
- Application 1/W/2002/2038 & 2039 Many Sparrows, Walditch, erect single storey extension, Planning and listed building consent, both granted.
- Application 1/W/2002/1784, 69 Gundry Road, Bothenhampton, erect conservatory. Permission granted.
- Applications received from DCC, none.
- Decisions by DCC, none.
18 FINANCE
[a] The Clerk informed the meeting of the current situation.
The following accounts were approved for payment.
[1] M.C.Farnham Salary for February £203.54
[2] Mrs.Regan expenses for January & February 2003 £12.26
Mr.Matthews proposed that these accounts should be paid; this was seconded by Mrs.Sawyer and agreed by all the other Councillors.
19 REQUESTS FOR GRANTS
None
20 VITAL VILLAGES
Mrs.Regan reported the committee had meet on the 7 February 2003 and confirmed that of the questionnaires sent out 38% had been returned. These are now being assessed and a newsletter will be sent out with the Team News giving details of the results.
21 FOOTPATHS & ROADS
Mr.Harrison had provided a written report, which related to footpath W5/20 & W5/23, provision of replacement sign and possible diversion of footpath. He also reported that he had contacted DCC concerning refilling of the grit bin at Chestnut Road and the removal of a dead tree opposite 4 Lake Lane.
22 STREET LIGHTING
Mr.Matthews reported that work to lighting column No8 in Main Street is being carried out to restore the supply.
23 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Mr.Harrison had provided a written report, which related to a “security firm” using bullyboy tactics on elderly people to purchase security items.
24 CONSEVATION & OPEN SPACES
Nothing to report
25 PLAY AREAS
Mr.Matthews informed the meeting that an open meeting had been held in Walditch on the 29 January 2003 concerning the new play area in Walditch. A number of residents had put themselves forward to help carry out improvement work to the area. Mrs.Regan informed the meeting that the removal of the ivy will take place the weekend of the 23 February 2003.
26 BRIDPORT REGENERATION AREA PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS
Nothing to report, the next meeting due to be held on the 18 February 2003 has been cancelled and will now take place on the 4 March 2003 with Professor Eastham attending.
27 DAPTC
The Clerk handed out the February 2003 Newsletter. He also reported two circulars received, one giving details of the new chief executive of DAPTC and the other on the electoral commission. Plus a copy of the executive committee minutes of their meeting held on the 7 December 2003.inaugural meeting of the Society for Local Council Clerks – Dorset Branch.
28 CORRESPONDANCE RECEIVED
[a] From DCC; None
[b] From WDDC; letter dated concerning a tree preservation order on a sycamore at 18 Howard Close, Bothenhampton.
[C] Others; Bridport Charter Group minutes of meeting held on the 2 January 2003. Letters dated 30 January 2003 from the Birdport & District Citizens Advice Bureau, 31 January 2003 from the Dorset Wildlife Trust, Allotments Society, 2 February 2003 form the Dorset Association for The Disabled and 6 February 2003 from Bothenhampton Village Hall, all thanking the Parish Council for the grants made to them.
There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 8.25pm.
MATERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR
[1] Copperstone Planning Approval
[2] Open Space Lower Walditch
[3] Waste Transfer Station