Bothenhampton - Parish Council minutes for January 2005

MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 10TH JANUARY 2005.

Present: Mrs Regan (Chair), Mr Matthews, Mrs England MBE, Mr Harrison, Mr Dennis, Mr Stubbs, Mr Stenning, Mrs Kirkpatrick..
In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES.

Rear Admiral Pritchard CB, Mr Tett, Mr Coatsworth.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13th December 2004 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.

3. CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLORS.

Mr Alan Stenning, a resident of the Walditch part of the parish, formally put himself forward for co-option, (councillors voted in favour at the last meeting), to represent Walditch. Mr Stenning joined the other councillors at the table and he signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. The clerk gave him a Register of Interests form for completion within 28 days. Mrs Sylvia Kirkpatrick, a resident of the Bothenhampton part of the parish, formally put herself forward for co-option, (councillors voted in favour at the last meeting), to represent Bothenhampton. Mrs Kirkpatrick joined the other councillors at the table and she signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. She handed the clerk a completed Register of Interests form.

4. ALLOCATION OF AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY.

A brief discussion was held in which Mrs Regan allocated responsibilities to herself and the other members, all of which were accepted without objection. In a forthcoming newsletter, these will be publicised. Shortly, the clerk will post a copy of the list of responsibilities onto the main noticeboards in the parish.

5. MATTERS ARISING.

Item 9 - Mrs Regan invited Mr Roberts to clarify that not all planning applications are printed in the local press, but all potentially affected neighbours are contacted by WDDC if the proposed development is visible from their property.
Item 10 - Mr Dennis will ensure that the heaters are turned off after each meeting in Bothenhampton Village Hall.
Item 14 - Replacement lighting columns at Manor Fields. The clerk reported that work should commence within two months.

6. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.22pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.34pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

7. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

As there were no councillors present, no reports were given.

8. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH, MR ROBERTS.

Mr Roberts had nothing to report, given that December is a quiet time for meetings etc at the district council.

9. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.

As Mr Coatsworth was absent from the meeting, no report was given.

10. PLANNING.

A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/002218 - 18 Maple Gardens: Erect single storey extension: No comment.
1/W/04/002337 - Parsonage Cottage, Walditch Road, Walditch: Erect single storey extension to garage: passed to Mr Stenning and Mr Stubbs for comment.
1/W/04/002296 - 6 Valley Road: Erection of detached house, replacement garage and construction of new vehicular and pedestrian access: After a discussion, Mr Matthews proposed that the council should recommend refusal as the application represented gross overdevelopment and would not be inkeeping with neighbouring properties. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and agreed by all of the other councillors.
DCC: Wessex Water Sewage Treatment Works, Burton Road: erection of polymer kiosk: No comment.
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/002155 - 12 Elwell: Erect extension & two dormer windows: Approval given.
1/W/04/001973 - 8 Nordons: Erection of extensions: Approval given.
1/W/04/002033 - Westlands, 13 Crock Lane: Develop land by the erection of one bungalow: Outline Planning Permission granted.
DCC: None.

11. FINANCE

A] Statement of Account as at 31 December 2004.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's back-pay (April to November 2004)ЕЕЕЕ..г53.52
Clerk's salary (December)Е...ЕЕЕЕ..ЕЕ..ЕЕ..г249.02
Clerk's quarterly expenses (October to December)Е..г125.47
Mystic Signs (Play Area sign)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ.г17.63

Mrs Regan proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mrs England and approved by all of the other councillors.

12. GRANTS FOR PARISH PLAN PROJECTS.

Mrs Regan reported that DCA had been consulted, as intended at the last meeting. A maximum of г2,000 grant is potentially available for the parish for projects contained within the parish plans. Mrs Regan will be organising a meeting on February 2nd to plan which projects should be chosen for inclusion in any grant application. Various people from the parishes who were involved with producing the parish plans will be invited. The meeting will follow an advice/question & answer session to be run by DCA on 26th January, which councillor(s) from this parish will attend.

13. BUDGET & PRECEPT 2005-6.

Following a discussion, it was proposed by Mr Matthews that the budget for 2005-6 will be г20,559.00 and the Precept г11,467.41. This was seconded by Mr Dennis and agreed by all of the other councillors.

14. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.

None.
Mrs Regan confirmed to the meeting that donations to the Tsunami Disaster Appeal are not permitted under the rules governing parish council grant payments.

15. PARISH MATTERS.

Footpaths & Roads - The clerk informed the meeting that he had spoken to DCC regarding toads on the highway in Bothenhampton. DCC agreed to erect warning signs by 1st February. Regarding parking issues at the junction of Old Church Road and Main Street, Bothenhampton, the clerk was instructed to ask Mr Beldham of DCC to contact Mr Dennis to clarify the matter of the legality of 'No Parking' signs being erected. The clerk handed a confirmation of a footpath Order to Mr Harrison regarding changes to Footpath 23, as discussed in prior meetings. The clerk was instructed to ascertain whether the colour of grit bins within the parish can be changed and to chase up the renewal of the Bothenhampton village sign, which was stolen recently. In response to a matter raised in the democratic half hour, the clerk was instructed to request that C.G.Fry builders remove the 'Copplestones' sign from the development, as it has been established for a considerable time. Any decisions above were proposed by Mr Matthews, seconded by Mr Dennis and agreed by all of the other councillors. Mr Harrison reminded the meeting that, in April, the Parish Maintenance Units will be back in the area, any requests for work to be submitted by 18th February. He also reported that he is chasing up the second road sign for Chestnut Road.
Conservation & Open Spaces - Mr Matthews informed the meeting that tree planting at Asker Meadows will take place on 16th January - all welcome.
DAPTC - Chief Executive's Circular 23/04 was referred to by the clerk.

16. CORRESPONDENCE

. WDDC: Leaflet publicising parish plan project grants.
DCC: Change of operator of bus service 73, Maiden Newton to Bridport; Bridport & Dorchester bus & train timetables.
NALC: "Local Council Review" journal.
Environment Agency: Flood Warden Newsletter.

The next meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall at 7.00pm on Monday, February 14th 2005.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.30pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:

1. Planning Application 1/W/04/002296: 6 Valley Road
2. 'Bothenhampton' village sign
3. 'Copplestones' sign
4. Colour of grit bins