Bothenhampton Village

MINUTES OF BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCI.MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL,WALDITCH ON MONDAY 10 FEBRUARY 2014.

Present: Bob Dennis(Chair), Alan Stenning(Vice Chair),Pennie Jones, Colin Sparkes, & Elizabeth Welch.
In attendance: Chris Dobbs (Clerk).

85. DECLARATION OF INTEREST.

85.1 - To remind Parish Councillors that if a matter arises at a Meeting which relates to an interest in Appendix A of the Code of Conduct adopted by resolution of B&WPC on Monday 9th July 2012, then the member shall not participate in a discussion or vote on the matter. Where a matter arises at the meeting which relates to Appendix B of the Code of Conduct, then the member shall withdraw from the Meeting. Where a matter arises at a meeting which relates to a financial interest of friend, relative or close associate, the member concerned shall disclose the nature of the interest and withdraw from the meeting.

86. APOLOGIES.

86.1- There were apologies from - Ian Bark, Ed Hanson, Colin Sparkes, & David Stubbs( sending a letter of resignation) -

87. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The Minutes of the previous Meeting of Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held on Monday13 January 2014, were accepted as true records and duly signed by the Chairman.

88. MATTERS ARISING.

88.1- May 2013 - 1 to 12, June - 13 to 24, July - 25 to 36, August - no Meeting, September - 37 to 48, October - 49 to 60, November - 61 to 72, December - no Meeting, January 2014 - 73 to 84, February 2014 -85 to 96, March 2014 - 97 to 108, & April 2014 - 109 to 120. This is following the advice of the Internal Auditor, and creates a unique set of Minutes for each month in the year.

88.1 - Declaration of Acceptance & Register of Interests to be sent to Ian Bark.

88.2 - Tree reported to be in dangerous condition in Valley View Amenity Area - Action - Clerk contacted Forest & Tree Care -

88.3 - Flood Report presented to Meeting - to be Addendum to Minutes -

89. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.06 p.m. the Meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their view on matters of local interest. At 7.15 p.m. the Meeting re-convened to complete the Council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

n.b. - There were 0 members of the public present at the Meeting -

90. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

David Tett - Although undertaking my monthly round of Meetings and appointments, I have little to report from West Dorset.

I will mention just a few items.

Firstly, it seems likely that the District will be putting up its Council Tax by 1.99%, which is just below the Government cap of 2% at which point the Council would have to carry out a Referendum !

This is the first time in three years the tax has risen, but with a continual cut in the Government's Support Grant, this has been found necessary.

Leading on from here, the Council is to carry out a further revision of its services to see if it can provide them more efficiently and effectively as well as saving costs. Through the shared partnership working with Weymouth and Portlsnd Borough Council, we are saving something in excess of Ł3 million per annum.

We are in difficult times and there are many challenges ahead both over finances and boundary changes in 2015.

The projected Local Council Tax Support Funding for Bothenhampton & Walditch for 2014/15 is Ł1,082.

It is hoped that a new Chief Executive will be in place later this month.

91. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH

Mark Roberts - commented on delays in Local Development Plan - apparently the Inspector indicated 'over consultation !' - Oliver Letwin has suggested amendments -

92. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR - RON COATSWORTH.

DCC are recommending a 1.99% increase in Council Tax -

DCC white lines on coast road to be replaced, but not in villages -

Ron talked about the food waste recyclying at Piddlehinton, then much discussion regarding the planned Bridport Waste /Recycling Centre took place.

Also mentioned was The Neighbourhood Plan -

93.* PLANNING AGENDA for B&WPC Meeting - Monday 10 February 2014 .

a) Applications received from WDDC/DDC -

WD/D/14/000097 - 47 Slades Green - Action - Parish Council recommended Approval of Planning Consent -

WD/D/14/000191 - 18 Crock Lane - Parish Council recommended Approval of Planning Consent -

b) Decisions by WDDC/DCC etc

CA/13/00377 - 6 The Green, Walditch - fell 1 Cypress & surgery to various other specimens - No Objections from WDDC -

CA/13/ 00368 - Greystones, Walditch - removal of various trees - No Objections from WDDC -

94. FINANCE AGENDA - B&WPC MEETING - Monday 10 February 2014.

Receipts - 0.62p Interest - Business Reserve Account -

i) Statement of Current Account as at 31 January 2014 - Ł14,721.87

* (including cheque 1331) ii) Accounts for Payment

Less outstanding cheques as listed :-

Cheques Ł

1337 - John Bright Fencing - Repair of storm damage - 504.00

1338 - Forest and Tree Care Ltd - Storm damage to Cedar Tree - 144.00

1339 - C T Dobbs - January 2014 Salary - 379.08

1340 - C T Dobbs - February 2014 Expenses - 38.53

Total Ł1065.61

Balance Ł13,656.26 Cheques as listed proposed for payment by Pennie Jones, seconded by Elizabeth Welch, and carried by all Parish Councillors present.

95. * PARISH MATTERS - for B&WPC Meeting - Monday 10 February 2014.

- n.b. All items to be introduced by Clerk unless specified on Agenda -

95.1 - Internal Audit 2014/2015 - As Henry Lovegrove is retiring this June, consideration needs to be made for a newly recommended Auditor -

Action at February Meeting - Agreed for Rosie Darkin- Miller to be appointed as Internal Auditor from 2014/15 -

95.2 - CAB - Request for financial assistance 2014 -

Action at February Meeting - B&WPC approved a Grant of Ł1000, to be presented for payment at the March 2014 Meeting -

95.3 - Review of Cedar Tree in Valley View Amenity Area -

Action at February Meeting - After considerable discussion, it was agreed for the Clerk to consult with WDDC Senior Tree Officer with the B&WPC view that a further safety check is carried out on the Cedar Tree(TPO 746A1).

95.4 - Lengthsman's duties for February 2014 -

Bothenhampton - Clear rubbish & debris in Quarry Lane -

Gravel at John Holt entrance needs clearing back -

Walditch - Inspect Area potholes - Heavy water flow from across A35 and into Finch Lane - has already been reported, but will check again.

95.5 - Clerk's Salary Review - The Clerk outlined to B&WPC, that he had been on the same level of pay since November 2009, and suggested that it would be appropriate to consider a Review within the present NALC guidelines. Action at February Meeting - The Meeting indicated full support for an agreed incremental increase from the present LC1/LC2 hourly rates(payable from 1 April 2013), and approved the Clerk's present Spinal Column Point 21 to advance by two increments to SCP 23. This would be an hourly rate increase from 10.040 per hour to 10.603 per hour, & full provision has been considered for this increase in the agreed B&WPC Budget for 2014/15. It was suggested by the Clerk, that he presented a formal proposal to the March Meeting, with the view that the new salary scales could be effective from 1 April 2014.

95.6 - Pedestrian Access to Cemetery Play Area and maintenance of surrounding hedges - Action at February Meeting - No Action as estimates have not yet been received - to be considered at March Meeting -

95.7 -Fencing work in John Holt Play Area -

Action at February Meeting - As the work does not present an immediate Health & Safety concern, a further estimate is being sought for the work.

95.8 - Bridport Heritage Forum - wild flower Memorial Meadow at Jellyfields LNA -

Action at February Meeting - B&WPC fully approved the Project as outlined, and recommended a Ł100 donation towards the work being planned.

Proposals for the Parish Matters Agenda of the March 2014 Meeting.

That the Cedar Tree reviewed in 95.3, be further considered at the March Meeting -

96. CORRESPONDENCE - to be tabled at Meeting.

N.B. All correspondence is available from Clerk unless assigned to a Parish Councillor as listed.
96.1 - DCC - Verge Cutting Programme - All members present were given a copy -
96.2 - CPRE - AGM - Elizabeth Welch took details -
96.3 - Jill Butler - Requesting Post Box & Playground equipment in Valley View Amenity Area - Has previously been considered by B&WPC -
96.4 - Bridport Heritage Forum - Keep the Home Fires Burning - see - 95.8 -

The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held at WALDITCH VILLAGE HALL, on MONDAY 10 March 2014, commencing at 7 pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the Meeting closed at 20.35 p.m.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

Monday 10 February 2014 -

Pennie Jones is concerned about the footpath at the bottom of Marrowbone Lane, and leading up to the Quarries. The muddy path has been infilled with bricks and broken tiles, which is potentially dangerous to walkers. Action - concerns to be passed on to Debbie Knight, B&WPC Footpaths Officer.

Bob Dennis has been approached by a concerned resident living close to the Cedar Tree on Valley View Amenity Area. Action - Review of Cedar Tree is 95.3 on the Parish Matters Agenda.