MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2005.
Present: Mrs Regan (Chair), Mr Matthews, Mrs England MBE, Mr Harrison, Mr Dennis, Mr Stubbs, Mr Stenning. In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)
1. APOLOGIES.
Mrs Kirkpatrick
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th January 2005 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING.
Item 15 - Mr Dennis reported that he had spoken to DCC Highways regarding parking problems in Bothenhampton. Yellow lines are universally unwanted and 'friendly' signs are thought to be unsuccessful. Only official signs can be erected by DCC on the highway. (Further comment was made during the Democratic Half Hour).
The clerk reported that he had not yet heard whether the colour of grit bins may be changed.
4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
At 7.14pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.26pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.
5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.
Mr Tett reported that the Council Tax for West Dorset is likely to rise by 4.68% for 2005-6. The budget for WDDC is to be put before the council for ratification on 24th February.
6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH, MR ROBERTS.
As Mr Roberts was absent from the meeting, no report was given.
7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.
Mr Coatsworth reported that the County Council portion of the 2005-6 Council Tax is likely to rise by 3.8%. Dorset remains the county awarded the lowest grant from central government. He reiterated that, if its grant equated to the national average, the Council Tax could be reduced by £31M, or £188 for each Band 'D' payer. Mr Coatsworth reported that doctors'
practices in Dorchester are merging and the Shepton Mallet day operations unit is due to open in summer 2005.
8. PLANNING.
A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/002337 - Parsonage Cottage, Walditch Road, Walditch: Erect single storey extension to garage: No comment.
1/W/04/002296 - 6 Valley Road: Erection of detached house, replacement garage and construction of new vehicular and pedestrian access: Mrs England reported that she had received an amended plan for this proposed development, changing certain panes of glass to obscured type. The corporate view of the council remains unchanged, as minuted in the last meeting.
1/W/04/002382 - 87 Crock Lane: Erection of conservatory: No comment.
1/W/05/000098 - 9 Bowhayes: Erection of double garage: No comment.
1/W/05/000200 - 26 Crock Lane: Erection of conservatory: passed to Mrs Regan for comment.
1/W/05/000046 - Fosse Way, 11 Bowhayes: Erection of extension to bungalow and alter pitch roof: After a discussion, during which it was concluded that, as there is no intention to remove the hedge which affords privacy to Carlisle House next door and the original plans have been improved in so far as the proposed roof level is now lower, No Comment should be recorded against this application.
1/W/05/000139 - Eastwood, Burton Road: Demolition of existing bungalow and garage; erection of new bungalow and double garage: Refusal recommended on grounds of apparent proposed height of new bungalow.
DCC: None.
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/002218 - 18 Maple Gardens: Erect single storey extension: Approval given.
1/W/04/002180 - 23 Mount Joy: Erection of front & rear single storey extensions: Approval given. (Mrs England recalled only rear extensions were proposed - clerk to check this).
DCC: None.
9. FINANCE
A] Statement of Account as at 31 January 2005.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (January)
...
..
..
..£249.02
Dorset County Council (street lighting maintenance)
£583.96
Mrs Regan (expenses)
..£23.36
DAPTC (postage on publications)
.£3.00
David Landscapes (grass cutting etc)
...
£50.53
HLB AV Audit Plc (2002-3 external audit fees)
£293.75
Mr Matthews proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mr Dennis and approved by all of the other councillors.
10. GRANTS FOR PARISH PLAN PROJECTS.
Mrs Regan reported that a representative had met with various parishioners involved with producing the Parish Plans for each village at a recent meeting. Disappointingly, there was no representation from the Walditch Village Play Area, for which grant money was intended to be applied for. The representative was not very well-informed, however, and forms were merely distributed for completion by interested groups, to be returned to the parish council for processing. Match-funding is a requirement, also a 10% contribution from the parish council.
11. APPROVAL OF ANNUAL RETURN 2003-4.
The clerk reported that, as the Internal Auditor had not finished his audit, the accounts were not available. The matter was deferred until the next meeting.
12. DECEMBER MEETINGS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL.
Mrs Regan proposed that there should no longer be a normal meeting of the parish council each December. This was seconded by Mr Dennis and agreed by all of the other councillors.
13. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.
None.
14. PARISH MATTERS.
Footpaths & Roads - Mrs Regan reported that the erection of signs warning drivers and pedestrians of frogs (not toads) crossing roads in Bothenhampton had been successful, with many having been saved. The temporary signs can be used periodically.
Street Lighting - The clerk informed the meeting that the new lighting columns in Manor Fields could be installed as soon as next month.
Neighbourhood Watch - Mr Harrison reported that, at a meeting at Bridport Town Hall in December, a Mr Malcolm Devonport, a former police officer, was named as the new local co-ordinator, replacing WPC Karen Taylor. He may be contacted on (01305) 226570.
Conservation & Open Spaces - The nature reserves have been involving local schoolchildren in their development. Mrs England reiterated that certain monies held by WDDC are for the exclusive use of the Jellyfields area. She will contact WDDC to ascertain its intentions regarding Jellyfields.
DAPTC - The clerk referred to Chief Executive Circulars 01-05, 02-05 & 03-05.
15. CORRESPONDENCE.
WDDC: Letter promoting "Community Champions 2005" awards; letter about free promotion of local events; Sports newsletter; letter & poster (displayed) re free collection of 'end of life' vehicles; letter confirming Precept required; letter promoting 'West Dorset Spring Clean'.
Central government: Letters re Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Bill, allotments and other green spaces, Freedom of Information Act 2000; "Citizen Engagement and Public Services
" & "Vibrant Local Leadership" booklets.
Bridport Local Area Partnership: notice of next meeting (24/03/05) & minutes of last.
Learning & Skills Council: Strategic Area Review.
DCA: Notice of conference on affordable housing; letter re Dorset Village of the Year.
Mr Richard Chadney (parishioner): Letter of acceptance of parish council's conditions of permitting his use of the John Holt Play Area space for his daughter's wedding reception.
The next meeting will be held in Walditch Village Hall at 7.00pm on Monday, March 14th 2005.
In closing the meeting, Mrs Regan asked all councillors to give thought to changes to the Chairmanship of the council.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.13pm.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:
1. Violation of traffic law (parking): police matter.
2. Copplestones development sign.
3. "Bothenhampton" road sign.