Minutes of the Bothenhampton & Walditch Parish Council meeting held in the Church Hall, Bothenhampton on Monday 14th January 2002 7.30pm.

Present:- Mr Matthews(Chairman), Professor Eastham (Vice Chairman),Mrs Regan, Mr Yates, Mrs Clements, Mr Harrison. In attendance M.C.Farnham(Clerk), Mr Coatsworth.

1. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 November 2001 having been circulated to all members, were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed with the following amendment.
Item 4 Report by District Councillor Rear Admiral Pritchard, last three sentences should read as follows; The Clerk confirmed that the Parish Council did respond in November 2000 to WDDC when they put forward their proposals, but these proposals do not appear to have been passed on by WDDC. The Clerk also stated that as the above document from the Local Government Commission had only been received in October 2001, this would be the first time the Parish Council had the opportunity to discuss the matter and then reply.

2. APOLOGIES

Mrs Ball, Rear Admiral Pritchard.

3. MATTERS ARISING


Mr Coatsworth confirmed that the deodorising equipment should have been installed by now, however, smells are still occurring.

4. REPORT BY DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REAR ADMIRAL PRITCHARD

As Rear Admiral Pritchard was not at the meeting no report was given.

5. REPORT BY COUNTY COUNCILLOR Mr COATSWORTH

Nothing formally to report on the progress on the proposed Waste Transfer Station, but matters are slowly progressing behind the scenes. Mr Coatsworth however confirmed the following; (a) that the private funding partnership for Mountjoy School has fallen through. (b) The County Council will be raising the Council tax above the rate of inflation. (c) The question of raising the rate of tax on second homes is one that local Parish Councils appear to agree on. (d) The draft Gypsy and Traveller Policy document that was to be discussed later in the meeting was he believed to be a reasonable way forward.

6. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR

At this point the meeting 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. BOURNEMOUTH, DORSET & POOLE STRUCTURE PLAN MONITORING REPORT "Dorset 2000"

The Chairman referred to the letter sent out with the agenda, the document will be circulated and any comments to the Clerk by the 31 January 2002.

8. QUALITY PARISH & TOWN COUNCILS

The Chairman referred to the letter sent out with the agenda, it was agreed that the document be circulated to all Councillors and any comments to the Clerk by the 31 January 2002.

9. A30/A35/A31 EXETER TO SOUTHAMPTON ROUTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

The Clerk referred to the letter sent out with the agenda and it was agreed that each Councillor should respond direct on this matter.

10. POSSIBLE PLAY AREA AND OPEN SPACE AREA LOWER WALDITCH

(a)The Clerk referred to the letter and plan received from Bridport Town Council, copies of which were sent out with the agenda. It was proposed by Professor Eastham and seconded by Mrs England that a sub-committee should be formed to progress this matter, this was agreed by all the other Councillors. The Clerk was instructed to inform Bridport Town Council that the Parish Council would be putting in the required planning application to WDDC and once this has received approval, a meeting with the Town Council would be arranged to take the matter forward.
(b) The Chairman referred to the letter sent to all Councillors asking them to visit this area before the meeting so that they were aware of its condition. He reported on his inspection of the open space area within the development in Lower Walditch, the area concerned had improved but stones are still to be found and it was doubtful if the developer would carry out any further improvements. Also the drainage of the area really does need to be improved. Professor Eastham produced a small number of large stones he had picked up from the area and stated that the Parish Council should not become responsible for the area until these matters had been resolved. It was agreed that WDDC should be contacted to find out the latest position on these matters. It was agreed that, Mr Ludgate from WDDC had had a meeting with the Parish Councils' grass cutting contractor Mr White on site in December 2001. Mr Matthews undertook to follow up on these matters.

11. JELLYFIELDS SITE LOWER WALDITCH

The Clerk referred to a copy of the letter received from WDDC concerning the future management of this area,the original of which was sent to Rear Admiral Pritchard was noted.

12. STRONG LOCAL LEADERSHIP - PARISH PROPOSALS

The Chairman referred to the letter sent out with the agenda and it was agreed that the document should be circulated to all Councillors.

13. COUNCIL TAX ON SECOND HOMES

The Clerk referred to the consultation paper sent out with the agenda on this matter and following discussion on this matter it was proposed by Mr Yates and seconded by Professor Eastham that Councils should have the option to charge the full rate of Council tax and this was agreed by all the other Councillors.

14. DCC NEW DRAFT GYPSY AND TRAVELLER POLICY

The Clerk referred to the document that was sent out with the agenda and following a discussion on the matter it was proposed by Mr Yates and seconded by Mrs Regon that the Parish Council should support the way forward proposed by the County Council and this was agreed by all the other Councillors.

15. THE QUEEN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE

The Clerk informed the meeting that he had received two documents on this subject. The Chairman also informed the meeting that a meeting had been arranged by individuals within the Parish to try and come up with ideas on how the villagers should mark the occasion. This meeting is to be held on 12 January 2002 starting at 7.30pm. Mr Harrison undertook to attend this meeting. It was suggested that the Parish Council should consider the provision of seats as a way of marking this event.

16. PLANNING

The Chairman informed the meeting that WDDC are to produce a document on the code of conduct in dealing with planning application.
(a) Applications received from WDDC; Application 1/W/2001/1789 Berry Farm Lower Walditch erect first floor extension to garage to form annexe returned "no comments", Application 1/W/2001/1788 listed building consent Berry Farm Lower Walditch erect first floor extension to garage to form annexe returned "no comments". Application 1/W/2002/0062 conservation area consent AB Antiqou Main Street Bothenhampton demolish existing concrete garage returned "no comments". Application1/W/2002/0063 listed building consent AB Antiqou Main Street Bothenhampton erect two storey extension and link and erect new garage, make internal and external alterations return "no comments". Application 1/W/2002/0064 AB Antiqou Main Street Bothenhampton erect two storey extension and link and erect new garage returned "no comments".
Application received from DCC; 1/W/2001/1551 Bothenhampton Landfill Site Long Lane. Bothenhampton erection of fenced compound housing a containerised engine/generator returned with the following comment, "the Parish Councils' only concern is that this development does not lead to even more overhead electricity wires trailing through the village".
(b) Decisions by WDDC; application 1/W/2001/1071 Briarwood House Bothenhampton erect two storey detached house permission granted. Application 1/W/2001/1349 1 Cross Roads Walditch erect sundeck permission granted. Application 1/W/2001/1422 25 Slades Green Bothenhampton extend existing balcony with timber decking permission refused. Application 1/W/2001/1466 15 Howard Close Walditch erect two storey extension permission granted. Application 1/W/2001/1476 5 Lake Lane Bothenhampton erect conservatory permission granted. Application 1/W/2001/1532 Windcroft Mountjoy Bothenhampton reconstruct existing utility room and erect new hipped roof permission granted. Application 1/W/2001/1564 15 Uplands Walditch erect first floor extension permission granted.
Decisions by DCC none.

17. FINANCE

The Chairman informed the meeting that the audit of accounts for the four years of 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/00 had taken place and referred to the report received from the District Audit, the contents of which were noted.
(a) the Clerk informed the meeting of the current situation.
(b) The following account had been paid in December 2001, M.C. Farnham Salary for December £203.54 plus office rent for the third period of £97.50.
The following accounts were approved for payment.
  1. M.C. Farnham Salary for January £203.54 plus expenses for the third period of £29.51.
  2. Audit Commission £468.37.
  3. SWEB £303.03.
  4. Walditch Village Hall £15.00.
  5. Bothenhampton Church Hall £12.00 hire of hall).

18. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS

None received.

REPORTS

  1. Footpaths & Roads; it was agreed following a discussion on the current general state of the roads and footpaths in the Parish that each Councillor would carry out a survey of their area and report back to the next meeting.
  2. Street Lighting; The lights in Crock Lane are still not working properly.
  3. Neighbourhood Watch;NTR.
  4. Conservation & Open Spaces;NTR.
  5. John Holt Play Area;NTR.
  6. New Play Area Walditch;Mr Matthews reported that the tree felling had been completed and that the trench for the overhead wires will need to be dug shortly.
  7. A35 Communities Initiative;NTR.
  8. Bridport Regeneration Area Partnership Committee;NTR.

20 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

(a) From DCC;copy of letter dated 8 November 2001 from the Emergency Planning Officer concerning DCC response to terrorist incidents in the USA Passenger Transport News booklet dated December 2001.
(b)From WDDC; letter dated 6 December 2001 concerning planning meeting to be held on the 12 December 2001 to consider application to erect sun deck at 1 Cross Roads Walditch. Best Value Performance Plan 2001 Half-Year Report. Letter dated January 2002 to confirm Parish Council Precept for 2001/02.
(c) From; copy of letter dated 16 November 2001 from Bradpole Parish Council to Local Government Commission on the review of arrangements in West Dorset. Letter dated 23 November 2001 from Kenneth Able thanking the Parish Council for the cheque towards the upkeep of Walditch Church churchyard. West Dorset Community Health Council booklet dated November 2001. Copy of letter dated 19 December 2001 from Dr Barnes to WDDC concerning planning application 1/W/2001/1788 Berry Farm Walditch. Letter dated 9 January 2002 from Mr Stapleton concerning No Ball Game notices for Walditch Green. Open Space booklet for Autumn 2001. Dorset Community Action News Booklet winter 2001/02.
There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.50pm.

MATERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR

  1. Mr Bird requested hard copy of minutes for web site.
  2. Main Street & Long Lane need resurfacing.
  3. Removal of old notice board outside the old post office.
  4. Footpath sign for Footpath No 14 has still not been re-erected.
  5. Streetlights in Crock Lane & Hollow Way not working.
  6. Seat at the top of Hollow Way needs to be repainted and repaired.
  7. The surface of the footpath between the Mens Club & Long Lane needs repairing.
  8. A meeting has been arranged for the 15 January at the Church Hall Bothenhampton to discuss possible celebrations in relation to the Queens Golden Jubilee.