Bothenhampton - Parish Council minutes for July 2004

MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 12TH JULY 2004.

Present: Mr Matthews (Vice Chairman), Mrs England MBE, Mr Harrison Mr Dennis. In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES.

Mrs Regan, Mrs Warburton.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14th June 2004 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

None.

4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR

. At 7.10pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.27pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

Mr Tett informed the meeting that the proposed closure of the public toilets in Bridport Town Hall may be reconsidered by the council. Damage to trees in Walditch is receiving the attention of the Trees Officer.

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

Mr Roberts will remind WDDC that he is the only District Councillor representing Walditch. He confirmed that consultation time for parish councils in respect of planning applications might be reduced from 28 to 21 days and that notification of successful applications might be by a list rather than individual letter.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.

Mr Coatworth had nothing to report.

8. VODAFONE MAST, WALDITCH.

The clerk informed the meeting that he had written to Vodafone's representative as instructed in the last meeting but no reply had yet been received.

9. WESSEX WATER SEWAGE TRATMENT WORKS.

Mrs England reported that foul smells are still being emitted from this site, with Wych Ridge residents being badly affected. Monitoring by the local authority continues.

10. PARKING IN BOTHENHAMPTON.

The clerk informed the meeting that Mrs Regan had requested in the last meeting that this be added to the agenda. It was agreed that, as no viable solution had yet been found, no further action should be taken at present.

11. LICENCE FOR 'CEMETERY' PLAY AREA, LOWER WALDITCH.

The clerk informed the meeting that public liability insurance cover is being arranged and as soon as it is finalised, Bridport Town Council will sign the licence, as Mr Matthews reported he and Mrs Regan had done since the last meeting. The clerk referred to Section 9 of the parish council's Obligations in the licence, which requires it to erect a sign which states which activities are not permitted to be carried out in the play area. He was instructed to obtain a quotation from Mystic Signs for this. Mr Matthews proposed that, as soon as the area becomes the responsibility of the parish council, the clerk should ask the Superintendent of the cemetery to arrange for the grass to be cut and that, subsequently, the area's grass cutting should be added to the council's contract, which is due to be put out to tender shortly. This was seconded by Mr Dennis and agreed by all of the other councillors. The clerk reported that, in respect of this play area and both of the others in the parish, the insurers are requiring a weekly risk inspection to be carried out by a councillor. It was agreed to nominate inspector(s) at the next meeting. The clerk was instructed to add the 'cemetery' play area to WDDC's refuse collection round and acquire a litter bin in due course. The clerk advised that the parish council should purchase and own any goal posts to be erected, as otherwise the owners are liable for separate public liability insurance for their use. As the Valley View Residents Society was planning to purchase these, Mr Matthews suggested that the Society considers making an equivalent donation to the parish council in this respect, to avoid it having to obtain insurance cover.

12. PLANNING.

A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/000973 - 1 Hyde Cottages, Walditch Road, Walditch: Install ground floor window and door to rear elevation: No comment.
1/W/04/01026 - 9 Nordons, Bridport: Demolish existing garage and rear extension; erect replacement garage and rear extension: No comment.
1/W/04/000738 - The Old Vicarage, Westown, Bothenhampton: Erect conservatory: No Comment. (Mr Dennis declared an interest).
1/W/04/001188 - Erection of illuminated signs at 16-18 East Road, Bridport (neighbouring parish consultation): No comment.
1/W/04/001241 - Willowmead, Lansdowne Road, Bridport: Erection of three dwellings with garages and construction of new vehicular access; erection of garage for existing dwelling: passed to Mr Matthews for comment. (Mr Harrison declined to deal with the matter, due to the proximity of the proposed development to his house).
1/W/04/001209 - Cherry Tree, Duck Street: Erection of extension and detached garage; carry out alterations: passed to Mr Matthews for comment.
1/W/04/001135 - Kingshill, Westown, Bridport: Erection of double garage: Inclined to pass no comment, but to be passed to Mrs Regan for consideration. (Mr Dennis declared an interest).
Note: In respect of 9, Nordons and The Old Vicarage, councillors complained that planning notices were not in place.
The clerk read out a copy letter from Mr Tett in which he stated his intention to investigate possible breaches of planning permission (re fencing) at the Copplestones development.
DCC: None
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC: None.
DCC: None.

13. FINANCE

A] Statement of Account as at 30 June 2004.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (June).Е...ЕЕЕЕЕ..ЕЕ..ЕЕ..г242.33
David Landscapes (grass cutting)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ..г400.68
Open Spaces Society (annual subscription)ЕЕЕ..г30.00
Walditch Village Hall (hire)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ..г15.00
SWEB (street lighting)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ..г303.03
Mr Matthews proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mr Harrison and approved by all of the other councillors.

14. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.

None.

15. VITAL VILLAGES.

Mr Harrison reported that this matter is now complete and handed the clerk the final accounts. Mr Matthews expressed the council's gratitude again to all those who helped to run the project.

16. PARISH MATTERS.

Footpaths & Roads - Mr Harrison thanked Mr Coatsworth for his help in arranging the clearing of Footpath W5/20, which took nine telephone calls to DCC to resolve. After a discussion, it was agreed that the parish council should not take on the responsibility for cutting the grass along this footpath.
Mrs England raised the matter of parking along Crock Lane, outside the social housing at the southern end. Buses have been prevented from getting through as a result. DCC extending the 'keep clear' area at the Bowhayes junction was suggested, also DCC visiting local residents.
Street Lighting - The clerk still awaits a reply from DCC on the matter of replacement lighting columns at Manor Fields. Neighbourhood Watch - Nothing to report.
Conservation & Open Spaces - Mr Matthews advised the meeting that the next stage in the development of the Jellyfields and Bothenhampton Nature Reserves will be a site meeting to discuss the establishment of 'Friends' groups.
Play Areas - A Mr McDonald has offered to fill the hole in the John Holt Play Area surface.
DAPTC - Chief Executive's Circulars 14/04 was referred to by the clerk. . This parish council will be offering to host the September regional meeting of DAPTC, to be held on 2 September at 7.30pm in Bothenhampton Village Hall.

17. CORRESPONDENCE.

WDDC: The clerk read out a copy of a second letter sent from WDDC to Mr A Norman in respect of damage to the trees in the Walditch Conservation Area, possibly caused by his cattle. His attendance at an interview in Dorchester has again been requested, as he did not attend on previous occasions. A letter from the WDDC Chief Executive was read out by the clerk, which described the Comprehensive Performance Assessment carried out on it by the Audit Commission, which resulted in a grading of "fair and improving". Details of a new body involved in street naming and numbering. A letter encouraging home composting - Mr Matthews took an accompanying leaflet to read.
BTC: Minutes of Bridport Area Partnership Committee meeting of 20 May 2004 & a progress report from the Community Partnership Development Officer.
NALC: "Local Council Review" journal.

The next meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall at 7.00pm on Monday, August 9th at 7.00pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.45pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:

1. Grass cutting at the proposed 'cemetery' Play Area, Lower Walditch.
2. Tree surgery at Valley View Amenity Area / 7 Howard Close.
3. Noticeboard along Walditch Road.
4. Landscaping of Valley View Amenity Area.
5. Proposed location for new Bridport Health Centre.