MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2007 AT 7 PM.

Present: Alan Stenning (Chair), Geoff Matthews (Vice Chairman), David Stubbs, Peggy England. Karl Wallace. In attendance: Chris Dobbs (Clerk).

1. APOLOGIES.

Apologies were received from David Tett and Bob Dennis.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The Minutes of the previous Meeting of Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held on Monday 8 January were accepted as a true record of the Meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

Adoption of Financial Regulations.
Geoff considered Risk Assessment matched Auditors Guidelines. Suggested that trees on Parish land to be annually reviewed. - Action - Clerk to contact WDDC Tree Officer.
Proposed formal adoption of Annual Review, and to place on June Agenda each year, i.e. Annual Review of Financial Regulations, Standing Orders and Risk Assessment. Proposed by Geoff, seconded by Alan.

4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.10 p.m. the Meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their view of matters of local interest. At 7.30 p.m. 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.

Although absent from the Meeting, David outlined to Clerk that WDDC would be setting up criteria for Grant Applications arising from monies raised at West Bay Car Boot Sales (c. £28,000).

6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH

Mark outlined the new 'Planning the Future of West Dorset', which is replacing the West Dorset Structure Plan. Papers covering all the presentations at a recent Training Day have already been sent to the Clerk for circulation to Parish Councillors.

WDDC is to part fund Lifeguards with RNLI during the summer period at East Beach, West Bay, Charmouth, and Lyme Regis. These three areas have been identified by the RNLI as being the most hazardous beaches in the area.

Peggy England expressed concern about financial questions in a recent WDDC Housing Questionnaire and had refused to answer such questions. Mark noted her comments and agreed to pass on concerns to the appropriate authority.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR - RON COATSWORTH

No news re Waste Transfer Station relocation.
Gave Street Lighting enquiry number - 0800 0684145.
Postal votes now need signature with date of birth.
Had spare copy of Speed Indicator Device (SID) equipment brochure.

8. PLANNING.

a) Applications received from WDDC/DCC.

1/W/07/000036 - Culvercroft, Old Church Road, Bothenhampton.
1/W/07/000189 - Corner Cottage, Walditch - interior & exterior alterations.
1/W/07/000188 - Corner Cottage, Walditch - remove flat roof and replace with pitch roof.
1/W/06/002440 - 6 Lansdowne Road - Erect 2 storey extension & install wind turbine.

b) Decisions by WDDC/DCC etc.

1/W/06/002442 - Crest Cottage, Long Lane - Approval.
1/W/06/002359 - 11 Lansdowne Road - Approval.
CA/06/00352 Trees in Walditch Conservation Area- Quoits 1 Willow Tree Branch - authorisation to carry out work.
Public Path Modification order 2006 - deleting part of Bridleway 36. .

9. FINANCE

A] Finance Statement of Account as at 31 January 2007 - £11,684.44.

B] Accounts for Payment in January 2007.

850 David Landscapes £310.49
851 Bothenhampton Village Hall £12.00
852 Clerk's Salary £314.21
853 Income Tax £88.62
854 Expenses - Clerk £47.95
855 Bothenhampton Village Hall Management Committee £1,000.00
856 Dorset County Training Partnership £25.00

All listed were proposed to be paid by Geoff Matthews, seconded by Alan Stenning.

10. PARISH MATTERS.

10.1 Amended copy of Meeting Schedule for 2007 distributed to Councillors.

10.2. Letter to Pennie Jones allocating £1,000 to Bothenhampton Village Hall Management Committee within 2006/07 Budget (see 9B - cheque 955).

10.3. Parish owned Street Lighting - to report on present position - set up Working Party (Geoff, David and Clerk), to meet Rod Mainstone (DCC County Lighting Engineer), on Tuesday 27 February at 11.00 a.m. in Village Hall.

10.4. Conservation Area Appraisals.
Bothenhampton and Walditch - to be carried out late February - Geoff Matthews and Clerk to meet Consultant John Wykes for Bothenhampton - Dr Ken Abel, resident of Walditch, has expressed an interest in the Walditch Appraisal.

10.5. Parish Council approved the Clerk to attend a Dorset County Training Partnershio Seminar on 9 March 2007 - cost £25.

10.6. At the Site Meeting on 16th January 2007 in Main Street, PC Geoff Matthews agreed that white markings would be set around the steps, which is the narrowest point of the roadway opposite the corner of Ab Antiquo. A warning sign was given to the owner of Ab Antiquo, David Capewell, for him to secure on the front wall.

10.7. Advice from DCC on Avian Influenza H5N1 5 February 2007. Parish Councillors requested that Clerk distribute advice posters on Parish Notice Boards.

10.8 MSC Napoli - the Clerk reported that regular updates were sent to him via email - latest information to be brought to monthly meetings.

10.9 Bridport and District CAB. Letter of Application for Financial Assistance 2007. A donation of £250 was proposed by Geoff and seconded by David..

10.10. Following a query from a Crock Lane resident, WDDC have agreed to send Street Cleaning Schedule to Clerk.

10.11 Tree blown down at the lower end of Valley View Amenity Area, causing obstruction to garage driveway and possible damage to back garden fencing of 2 properties in Howard Road.

Action - Clerk contacted WDDC Tree Officer, Graham Cox, and he recommended Forest and Tree Care to carry out work. Fencing damage will need assessment when site is cleared.

10.12. Telephone call from Bothenhampton resident - Mrs Puley (423314), looking for support in researching Parish Pack with West Dorset Research. Action - Clerk to contact Colin Sparkes who may be able to help.

10.13. Proposal from Bothenhampton High Pavement resident that further markings could be made around steps for pedestrian safety. Action - none. Parish Councillors felt that too many markings would spoil environment.

10.14. Homewatch Meeting agreed for Monday 12 March at Walditch Village Hall from 7 pm to 8 pm preceding the monthly Council Meeting. Action - Clerk to advertise Homewatch Meeting in both villages.

10.15. Karl Wallace reported on four points:

1. A35 Support Group Meeting. Connect to look again in next financial year regarding pedestrian crossing at the lower end of Sea Road South. Suggested that support from MP might help the situation. Action - Clerk to write to Oliver Letwin MP.
2. The liner is missing from the Waste bin attached to the Lychgate. Action - Clerk to investigate replacement.
3. Quarry Lane Resident remains concerned about speed reduction adjacent to Play Area. Parish Councillors considered that a more strategically placed sign should be investigated. Action - Clerk to contact DCC Road Safety.
4. Resident in 18 Pasture Way is concerned about young people causing a disturbance around the bench situated in front of the open area adjacent to Sea Road South. Wants the bench to be moved as he is worried that area is out of CCTV range but close to the town. Action - Clerk to contact local Police.

11.CORRESPONDENCE

11.1 Error in Election Pack. Action - Alan.

11.2 Dorset Charter. Action - for distribution to Councillors.

11.3 Speed Indicator Device - Action - Karl.

11.4 West Dorset Spring Clean - Action - follow up for next Meeting.

11.5 Schemes of Publication - no action.

11.6 Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Dorset - for distribution to Councillors.

11.7 DAPTC - Chief Executive's Circular 01/07 ie connecting Dorset. Action - Clerk to investigate purchase of external hard drive.

11.8 New Code of Conduct - Action - for distribution to Councillors.

11.9 Sea Road South - access of property entrance adjacent to cycle path. Action - Clerk to contact Highways.

11.10 Bridport Local Area Partnership - Thursday 15th February at 2.15 p.m. Mountfield.
Karl to attend.

11.11 Dorset Partnership for Older people. No action.

11.12 'Awards for All' grant Application. Acknowledgement of Application.

11.13. Dorset County Training Partnership - Courses in 2007.

11.14 Closure of Rural Post Offices. Consultation Document - Action - for distribution to Councillors.

11.15. CPRE Seminar - Tuesday 8th May for Chairman - Action not able to attend.

11.16 DAPTC Chief Executives Letter - Action to file.

11.17. Our Common Land. Order Form from Open Spaces Society . Action to file.

11.18 Planning the Future of West Dorset. Action - Session Papers to Geoff.

11.19 Dorset Village of the Year Competition 2007. Action - Clerk to notify Residents Associations in Parish.

11.20 St Georges Day - Action for distribution to Councillors.

11.21. Appointment of External Auditor. Action - Approval and noted by Councillors.

The next Meeting will be held in Walditch Village Hall on Monday 12 March 2007, commencing at 8.00 p.m.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.15 pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

Roger noted No Parking white lines outside Village Hall and adjacent to steps.

Still no Homewatch Co-ordinator for Bothenhampton. Roger informed that Homewatch Meeting is to be arranged for Monday 12th March - see separate notice.

Resident expressed concern re Sycamores in Jellyfields Nature Reserve.