MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WALDITCH ON MONDAY 14TH JUNE 2004.

Present: Mrs Regan (Chairperson), Mr Matthews, Mrs England MBE, Mr Dennis. In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES.

Mr Harrison, Mrs Warburton, Rear Admiral Pritchard, Mr Tett.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th May 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 7.06pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.33pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

As none of these District Councillors was present, there was nothing to be reported in person. Mrs Regan advised that Mr Tett had written to her to inform the council that, at the next meeting of the Bridport Area Partnership, a WDDC Officer will give a presentation on how the district council intends to implement the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

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

As Mr Roberts was absent from the meeting, there was nothing to report.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.

Mr Coatworth reported that the Social Health & Welfare Committee of DCC is considering the potential closure of Sidney Gale House carefully: its next meeting is on 17 June. The Parish Maintenance Units appear not to have been entirely successful in this area - Mr Coatsworth urged the parish council to be persistent with its requests for road/pavement improvements. On 16 June, the Environment Committee will be discussing the issue of Travellers potentially occupying a site near to Hardy's monument. Central government will allow funds to be used for the provision of sanitary facilities once a suitable site is found. Mr Coatsworth informed the meeting that he will be objecting to the usage of this site, mainly on environmental ground, as previously, damage to the area was caused. Mr Dennis asked which alternative sites might be considered; Mr Coatsworth mentioned one at Poundbury.

8. VODAFONE MAST, WALDITCH.

Following a discussion, it was proposed by Mr Matthews that the clerk should write to Vodafone's representative to ascertain whether an appropriate level of consideration has been given to alternatives to the siting of a mast at The Hyde Plantation. In particular, usage of existing electricity pylons which cross the Bridport-to-Beaminster road and the NTL mast at Eype should be mentioned. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and agreed by all of the other councillors. Should a reply be received by the next meeting, further discussion will take at that time.

9. PLANNING.

A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/000780 - Juniper Lodge, 3 Mount Joy: Demolish existing flat roof garage and erect pitched roof garage: No comment.
1/W/04/000973 - 1 Hyde Cottages, Walditch Road, Walditch: Install ground floor window and door to rear elevation: passed to Mrs Regan for comment.
DCC: None
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/04/000650 - 85 Crock Lane: Erect single storey extension: Permission granted.
1/W/04/000681 - 1 Mount Joy: Erect single storey porch to north elevation, foem pitched rof over porch & demolish chimneys: Permission granted.
1/W/04/000683 - Land adjacent to 1 Chestnut Road: Erect dwelling with garage & new vehicular access: Permission refused.
1/W/04/000780 - Juniper Lodge (as above): Permission granted.
1/W/04/000599 - 2 Mount Joy: Demolish existing flat roof porch & erect single storey extension; demolish chimney: Permission granted.
DCC: None.

10. FINANCE

A] Statement of Account as at 31 May 2004.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.

B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (May).…...……………..……..……..£242.33
Accounts & Audit Services Ltd (internal audit 02-3)..£75.00
David Landscapes (grass cutting)…………………..£424.18

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

The clerk will ask David Landscapes whether the grass at the John Holt Play Area can be cut shorter, to enable games such as hockey to be played on it.

11. APPROVAL OF ANNUAL RETURN 2002-3.

The Clerk read out the Internal Auditor's report. Mr Matthews proposed that the Annual Return should be signed and sent to the external Auditor in due course; this was seconded by Mr Dennis and agreed by all of the other councillors. Mrs Regan and the Clerk duly signed the documentation as required.

12. NEWSLETTER.

Mrs Regan reported that she had circulated a copy of the newsletter to all councillors for their comment. Since then, she advised that she had written an additional paragraph stating the parish council's objection to the proposed waste transfer station on Burton Road. Mrs Regan proposed that 1,100 copies should be printed at Creeds, for circulation within the Team News to all parishioners (700 Bothenhampton, 400 Walditch). Mr Matthews seconded this and all of the other councillors agreed.

13. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.

The Winged Fellowship Trust, providers of holidays for the disabled and their carers, had applied for a donation. Mrs Regan proposed that the same grant be given as last year, i.e. £50. This was seconded by Mr Dennis and agreed by all of the other councillors.

14. VITAL VILLAGES

. Nothing to report.

15. LEASE FOR 'CEMETERY' PLAY AREA, LOWER WLADITCH.

(The clerk acknowledged that this heading should read 'licence', not 'lease').
The final licence has now been received and the clerk informed the meeting that it now meets all of the conditions which the parish council has requested. Mrs Regan and Mr Matthews, who are to sign it, proposed to do so prior to the next meeting, providing they approve its contents. This was seconded by Mr Dennis and agreed by all of the other councillors. It is hoped that Bridport Town Council will sign it as soon as possible to enable local residents to use the area this summer. The clerk will obtain suitable insurance cover and will provide each councillor and Mr Gough with a copy of the licence.

16. PARISH MATTERS.

Footpaths & Roads - Mr Harrison's reports will be discussed at the next meeting. Mr Mathews advised the meeting that the cutting of the grass at the old church in Bothenhampton is the responsibility of the church, not the parish council.
Street Lighting - It was further contended that the parish council did not agree to funding the replacement of lighting columns within the parish: the clerk awaits a reply from DCC on this matter.
Neighbourhood Watch - The clerk reminded the meeting that a Neighbourhood Watch meeting is being held in Bothenhampton Village Hall from 6.00pm on 12 July.
Conservation & Open Spaces - Mr Matthews reported WDDC plans to run the four Bridport Nature Reserves together (Asker Meadows, Bothenhampton, Jellyfields and West Cliff at West Bay). To encourage 'Friends' to sign-up to each Reserve, separate meetings will be held and will be advertised in the local press. Mrs England asked how the development of the Jellyfields site is being financed. She noted that, should 'Stewardship' funding be forthcoming for the Reserves, might Jellyfields be excluded as other WDDC funding is in place?
Play Areas - The clerk will inform Mr Gough of the date the licence is executed. Mrs Regan awaits the quotation from Stadia Surfaces for the repair at the John Holt Area. The grass at the Walditch Village Play Area needs cutting: Mr Matthews will investigate this. (He reported that the track and gates are now in place there).
DAPTC - Chief Executive's Circulars 11/04 & 12/04 were referred to by the clerk. He distributed the May 2004 Newsletter to all councillors. Mr Matthews & Mrs England attended a recent meeting at which amendments to the regulations governing the usage of churchyards (required due to lack of burial space) and social housing (difficulty in South West housing associations qualifying for grants) were discussed. This parish council will be offering to host the September regional meeting of DAPTC.

17. CORRESPONDENCE.

WDDC: The clerk read out a copy of a 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 been requested; "Care & Repair" leaflet.
DCC:.Bus & Train Timetable for Bridport & Lyme Regis area; acknowledgement of receipt of parish council's latest letter of objection to the proposed waste management site at Wych Farm, Bridport Road; "Community Strategy for Dorset".
BTC: Minutes of Bridport Area Partnership Committee meeting of 18 December 2003.
WATAG: Minutes of meeting of 20 May 2004.
CPRE: "Countryside Voice" magazine; "Fieldwork" pamphlet..
Open Spaces Society: Annual Report & Accounts 2003; "Open Space" magazine.
DCA: "Community News" newsletter.

The next meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall at 7.00pm on Monday,July 12th at 7.00pm.

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

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:

1. Proposed Vodafone permanent mast, Walditch.
2. Parking in Bothenhampton.
3. Notice boards in Walditch.
4. Jellyfields area.
5. 'Cemetery' Play Area.
6. Bench for Valley View Amenity Area.