Bothenhampton - Parish Council minutes for January 2006

MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 9th JANUARY 06 AT 7 PM.

Present: Alan Stenning (Chairman), Geoff Matthews, (Vice Chairman) Mrs Dorothy England, David Stubbs, Rob Dennis. In attendance: Chris Dobbs (Clerk).

1. APOLOGIES.

None.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14th November 2005, with amendment to Item 16 (i.e. seconded by Mrs England), having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

Item 1. Resignations have been received during December for Tony Harrison and Joan Regan.
Item 16. Thanks extended to retiring Clerk Dudley Barnes.
Item 3. Village sign has arrived and been erected.

4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.08pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.19pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

David Tett outlined the Bridport Town Council's plans to refurbish the Crown and East Road Roundabouts. Requested support from Bothenhampton and Walditch PC - agreed to write letter of support
. WDDC will replace public toilets, presently below the Town Hall, on alternative site if necessary on Town Hall refurbishment scheme.
Recommended WDDC Council Tax increase likely to be 2 ˝ % for 2006/07.

6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH.

Mark Roberts absent from the meeting, - no report.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, RON COATSWORTH.

Possible 5% increase in Council Tax. Savings needed from some budgets. Most money increases on Social Services and special needs.
Over 60's can obtain free bus passes from 1st April 2006. Cost Ł400,000.
Considerable changes planned for NHS with enlargement of Area Strategic Offices to embrace whole of South West. Aim to bring services nearer to patients with G.P.'s having greater control - reduction in number of Primary Care Trusts. No public consultation and Bridport doesn't figure in regional plans.

Recycling collections to start in March 06.

Re-organisation of Police presently being considered - to possibly become regional force - Consultation document too late for PC consideration.

No progress with regard to high cost of transport for cancer patients travelling to and from Poole hospital for treatment.

8. PLANNING

A) Applications received from WDDC/DCC - to be placed on Agenda for next Parish Council Meeting on Monday 13 February 06.

WDDC:
1) 1/W/05/002331 - Dorwest Packaging, Firch Lane, Walditch.
Demolish building and erect two- story extension. Do not oppose application.

2) 1/W/05/002236 - Hyde Barn Cottage, Walditch.
Remove Condition No 2 of PP 1/W/1985/0210 - 'the occupation of the dwelling hereby approved shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed in the Hyde Farmhouse (including any dependents of such a person residing with) or a widow or widower of such a person'. - Do not oppose application.

3) 1/W/05/ 002435 passed to David Stubbs 19.1.06. Oppose application.
" to discuss at PC 13 February 06.

4) 1/W/06/000095 - Erect conservatory 4 Manor Fields. -
Recommend approval - Geoff Matthews.

5) 1/W/06/000087 - Erect conservatory 75 Crock Lane,
Recommend approval - Geoff Matthews.

DCC:

1) Proposed Public Path extinguishments order - footpath 23 (part), Bothenhampton. - Approved with reservations - Geoff Matthews.

B) Decisions by WDDC/DCC

WDDC.
1) 1/W/05/001937 - 13 Crock Lane - Erect dwelling with garage - withdrawn from planning register.

2) 1/W/06/000048 - The Oaks, Walditch Road, Walditch - Erect agricultural stock building - Approval given after 28 days from 9.1.06.

3) 1/W/05/002084 - Hazel Mead, 22 Elwell, Bridport - Erect first floor extension and dormer window, and carry out internal alterations - Approval given.

4) 1/W/05/001998 - 45 Slades Green - Demolish existing single storey extension - Approval given.

5) 1/W/05/001854 - Carey Cottage, Walditch Road, Walditch - site new connection of gas service pipe - Approval given.

Trees - Sycamore Avenue in the Walditch Conservation Area - owner has agreed to replanting requirements as defined in the conditions report dated 25 October 04.

Tree Preservation Order : 746(A1).
Application Reference Number : TP/05/00360 - 8 Howard Close - to clear any deadwood and clean through 1 No Macrocarpa and to also thin and remove any potential falling branches - consent is granted.

Trees in Walditch Conservation Area. Ref: CA/06/00011

9. FINANCE

A] Finance Statement of Account as at 30th December 05. The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.

B] Accounts for Payment.

762. Bothenhampton Village Hall (Grant agreed July 05) Ł225.00
763 Bothenhampton Village Hall (rant agreed Nov.05) Ł500.00
764 David Landscapes Ltd. Grass cutting Ł310.49
765 Edwards Sports Products Ltd (Football nets Walditch) Ł313.50
766 BDO Stoy Hayward LLP (Audit) Ł293.75.
767 Chris Dobbs (Clerk's Expenses) Ł39.98
768 Dorset County Training Partnership (Clerk's Training) Ł20.00
769 EDF Energy 1 Limited Ł550.37
770 D.R. Barnes - Clerk's Salary Nov & Dec (paid January) Ł512.72
771 D.R. Barnes - Clerk's Expenses (Oct to Dec 05) Ł130.70
772 RT Randall (1/2 payment for Allotment Ł12.00
773 Peter Gough (Notice board Repair) Ł11.00
774 Bothenhampton Village Hall (Grant agreed 9.1.06) Ł1,500.00

Geoff Matthews proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mr Stenning and approved by all of the other councillors.

Accounts to be presented to the February Meeting:-

David Landscapes Ł1077.42 (Hedge at Lower Walditch).

10. BUDGET/PRECEPT 2006-07.

Delay discussion to Item 14 Parish Matters.

11. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.

Open Spaces Society request for Grant turned down.

As agreed in Minute 12 page 76 dated 9.1.06, the PC had agreed to increase the existing grant of Ł225.by Ł500. Village Hall Committee Member; Councillor David Stubbs, outlined that the estimated cost of refurbishing the Village Hall Kitchen was Ł6,500 of which Ł2,500 had been obtained by fund raising events. Geoff proposed that a further Ł1,500. be allocated to the Kitchen refurbishment fund. This was seconded by Alan Stenning and approved by the Parish Council. Precept increase to be considered at item 14 for Bothenhampton & Walditch Village Halls.

12. HANDYMAN

Matter was discussed and Council requested that Clerk write to DAPTC for advice regarding employment of Handyman to work on keeping village tidy. Advice to be discussed at the February Meeting.

13. TRAFFIC ROUNDABOUTS.

1] Support for Town Council to encourage refurbishment of Crown and East Road Roundabouts was approved - Action: Clerk see 5.

14. PARISH MATTERS

i] Mrs England expressed concern that agreed replacement of lighting columns in Manor Fields has not yet been carried out * now completed as seen by Geoff after Meeting.

ii] Discussion re road markings on Crown Roundabout - for February Meeting. Action: Clerk.

iii] Clerk - Pay and Conditions to be discussed as a Confidential Item at next Meeting.

iv] Councillor Geoff Matthews considered that the suggested Precept for 2006/07 should be increased to offset the possibly employment of a Handyman, and in anticipation of further grants being applied for by Bothenhampton and Walditch Village Hall Committees.
It was proposed by Geoff Matthews that 2006/07 Budget Headings - Insurance to be increased by Ł250, Grass Cuttings etc. (Handyman) by Ł2,500 and Donations/Grants (Village Halls), by Ł3,000. This presents a Total Budget 2006/07 of Ł26,905 and an increase of Precept from Ł5,750 to Ł14,620.22.

v] Geoff gave notice that next 'Working Day' at Quarry, Sunday 22 January from 10.30 a.m. - Volunteers needed.

15. CORRESPONDENCE

i] Letters from residents in Asker Mead re double yellow lines in Walditch Road. Investigate with Highways Agency for next meeting.

The next Meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall on Monday 13th February 2006 at 7.00 pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.10 pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

Welcome to new Clerk.

Thanks for Grant - Pennie Jones, Bothenhampton Hall Committee.

Parking problems continuing. - 'No Parking' sign - Roger Ffooks.

Vote of thanks to Peter Gough for repair to Notice Board.