Minutes of the Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held in the Church Hall, Bothenhampton on Monday 13 January 2003.
Present:- Mrs.Regan [Chairman] Professor Eastham [Vice Chairman] Mrs.England, Mrs.Sawyer, Mr.Matthews, Mr.Harrison, in attendance M.C.Farnham [Clerk] Mr.Coatsworth.
1 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the previous meeting held on the 12 November 2001 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.
2 APOLOGIES
Rear Admiral Pritchard
3 MATTERS ARISING
The kerbing work at the junction of Crock Lane and Main Street but was not of a high standard. Mr.Harrison confirmed that he would take up the status of Footpath W5/23 with DCC.
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
Mr.Coatsworth informed the meeting that an electoral review of Dorset County Council is due to take place before the next county elections in 2005. Currently there are 42 Councillors, and they represent between 7,500 and 12,000 electors. He also confirmed that now the County Council are an “excellent” authority it would not be the subject of inspection by outside bodies for 3 years. However, this status does not bring any more finance from Central Government, therefore the budget from the year 2003/04 will be a very tight one as savings will have to be made to cover such items as increased payment for National Insurance and teachers’ pension contributions.
6 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.
7 DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL – COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The Clerk referred to the leaflet received from the County Council, which was sent out with the agenda concerning this matter, the contents of was noted.
8 WEST DORSET DISTRICT COUNCIL BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN 2002 – HALF YEAR REPORT
The Clerk referred to the document received from the District Council, the first page of which was sent out with the agenda concerning this matter. It was agreed that the document should be circulated between all the Councillors.
9 MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE
The Chairman raised the issue of the mobile library service which currently does not serve Bothenhampton, following a short discussion on the matter it was agreed that the clerk should look into the possibly of the County Council including Bothenhampton on its timetable.
10 HOWARD ROAD OPEN SPACE
The Clerk informed the meeting that he had been in contact with Mr.Bailey at WDDC, who had confirm verbally that the current interest rate on a sum of £20,000 would be 3% – 4%. Professor Eastham proposed that the Parish Council invest the sum of £20,000 with WDDC, this was seconded by Mr.Matthews and agreed by all the other Councillors. It was also agreed that once the weather improves that a further cutting of grass should take place.
11 POSSIBLE PLAY AREA LOWER WALDITCH DEVELOPMENT
The Clerk informed the meeting that he had written to the Town Council confirming the Parish Councils acceptance of their conditions and he had been informed that this would be considered at the January meeting of the Town Council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee.
12 PLAY AREA WALDITCH
The Clerk informed the meeting that he had received a reply form Mr.Gundry concerning the laying underground the overhead electric cable. Mr.Gundry was happy for this work to be carried out subject to 3 conditions, which were accepted by the Parish Council. Mr.Matthews informed the meeting that he had obtained an up to date quotation for the removal of the remaining trees and the digging of the trench for the electric cable. He also confirmed that an open meeting was to be held on the 29 January 2003 at Walditch Village Hall so that the public can be informed of the situation and future developments.
13 PLANNING
- Applications received from WDDC;
- application 1/W/2002/1968, 5 Elwell, Crock Lane, Bothenhampton. Erect first floor Extension. Returned “No Comments”.
- Application 1/W/2002/2103, Kingshill, Westown Lane, Bothenhampton. Erect garage & carport with play area over. Returned with the following comments; The proposed development is very close to the high bank on the southern side of Hollow Way. This bank has recently seen a landslide and the Parish Council is concerned that this proposed development could increase the possibility of further landslides. Therefore appropriate details should be provided to show that this possibility has been taken into account in the design, before this application is considered. The proposed development appears to take up all the available land and with its location very close to the high bank. The Parish Council is concerned about the methods that would be used to carry out future maintenance of the building. The application indicates that the first floor area is to be used as a “playroom”. It is assumed that if planning approval is given any change of use of this building to say living accommodation will require a further application? Taking the above comments into account, it is considered that this proposed development is inappropriate for the area concerned and therefore should be refused”
- Application 1/W/2002/2108, 22 Howard Road, Lower Walditch, Bothenhampton, erect conservatory. Returned “ No Comments”
- Decisions by WDDC;
- Application 1/W/2002/1543, 1 Cross Roads, Walditch. Bothenhampton, erect two storey extension, construct new vehicular & pedestrian access together with alterations. Permission refused.
- Application 1/W/2002/1724, Blossoms, Quarry Lane, Bothenhampton, erect two storey extension, 2 dormer windows & conservatory to rear elevation. Permission granted.
- Application 1/W/2002/1784, 69 Gundry Road, Bothenhampton, erect conservatory. Permission granted.
- Applications received from DCC, none.
- Decisions by DCC, none.
14 FINANCE
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current situation.
The following accounts were approved for payment.
- M.C.Farnham Salary for January £203.54
- SWEB £303.03
Mr.Matthews proposed that these accounts should be paid, this was seconded by Professor Eastham and agreed by all the other Councillors.
15 REQUESTS FOR GRANTS
The Clerk informed the meeting that he had received a request for financial help from the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Following a discussion on this matter, Mrs.Regan proposed that a grant of £75.00 should be given; this was seconded by Mr.Harrison and agreed by all the other Councillors.
16 PRECEPT FOR 2003/04
The Clerk put a draft precept to the Parish Council for consideration and following a detailed discussion on this matter, it was proposed by Mrs.England and seconded by Mrs.Regan that the following should be the budget for the Parish Council for the year 2003/04 and this was agreed by all the other Councillors
Hire of Hall...................................200.00
Clerk Salary............................. 2,750.00
Office Rent..................................420.00
Office Expenses..........................200.00
Insurance................................... 500.00
DAPTC fees.................................400.00
Audit fees...................................150.00
Donations/Grant......................1,700.00
Grass Cutting etc.....................3,300.00
Walditch Church.........................500.00
Play Areas...............................4,000.00
Open Spaces...........................2,350.00
Drainage John Holt Play Area..5,000.00
Open Space fees.........................35.00
CPRE fees....................................35.00
Contingencies.........................2,500.00
Total.....................................26,780.00
Less B/F................................15,550.00
Precept for 2003/03..............11,230.00
17 VITAL VILLAGES
Mr.Harrison report the committee had meet on the 10 January 2003. The completed questionnaires are now being assessed and it will take a few months before this work has been completed and the results are known. The balance of Vital Village current account stands at £1,959.73 plus £25.00 in petty cash. It is their intention to apply to the Countryside Agency for the balance of funds due to them of £2,500.
18 FOOTPATHS & ROADS
Mr.Harrison reported that a new footpath sign has been fitted for footpath W5/11 Old Church Road Bothenhampton. It would appear that badger setts are very close to footpath W5/.21 & W5/22 up to Hyde Hill and these are causing danger to walkers. This has been reported to Dorset County Council for further investigation. He also reported that residents of Hollow Way and Valley Road had approached him and requested that the Parish Council purchase grit bins because of the icy conditions both these roads suffers. Following a discussion on the matter, the Clerk was asked to obtain a costing for such a provision.
19 STREET LIGHTING
Mr.Matthews reported that lighting column No8 in Main Street was out.
20 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Mr.Harrison reported that other than a Police message concerning 2 males acting in a suspicious way in St. Andrews Road on the 7 January 2003 all appeared to by all quiet. Mrs.Regan thanked Mr.Harrison all his work on the last 3 items.
21 CONSERVATION & OPEN SPACES
Nothing to report
22 PLAY AREAS
Mrs.Regan informed the meeting that she hoped to organise some volunteers to help remove the ivy off the boundary wall, once the weather improves
23 BRIDPORT REGENERATION AREA PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS
Nothing to report, the next meeting is to be held on the 18 February 2003 and it was agreed that Mr.Harrison would attend, as Professor Eastham would be away.
24 DAPTC
The Clerk reported two circulars received, one on recent legislation and the other on the inaugural meeting of the Society for Local Council Clerks – Dorset Branch.
25 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
- From DCC; letter dated 27 November 2002 concerning street lighting in Plumptree Gardens. Xmas card form West Area Highways Manger Mr. Blackstock confirming that he was retiring on the 3 January 2003.
- From WDDC; letter dated concerning removal of a tree at 3 Howard Close, Bothenhampton. Letter concerning removal of tree at “Cherry Tree” Duck Street, Bothenhampton. Sports Newsletter dated 4 January 2003. Letter dated 6 January 2003 concerning the register of councillors’ interests.
- Others; Bridport Charter Group minutes of meeting held on the 5 December 2002. Letter dated January 2003 from the Bridport Allotments Society.
There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.10pm.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR
- Footpath No14 changed to a Byway.
- Drainage Quarry Lane
- Salt Bin at junction of Hollow Way and Sea Road South.
- Dog Fouling Notices
- Planning Application Kingshill Westown