Minutes of the Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Walditch on Monday 10 March 2003.

Present:- Mrs.Regan [Chairperson], Professor Eastham, Mrs.England, Mr.Matthews, Mr.Harrison, in attendance M.C.Farnham [Clerk] Rear Admiral Pritchard

1 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the previous meeting held on the 10 February 2003 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.

2 APOLOGIES

Mrs Sawyer, Mr.Coatsworth

3 MATTERS ARISING

The Clerk confirmed that he had a received a reply from Dorset CC concerning the Mobile Library calling in Bothenhampton. They are currently looking to increase provision and they will write to the Parish Council once their review has taken place.

4 REPORTS BY DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REAR ADMIRAL PRITCHARD

Rear Admiral Pritchard informed the meeting that while Central Government has stated that it has increased funding to Local Government by 8%, this in WDDC case is not correct, as Central Government provision is only 1/3 of the total funding for WDDC. Therefore 8% of 1/3 is less than 3% set against a 4 1/2 % pay award and the increase in national insurance payments the District Council will have to pay from the 1 April 2003. Central Government also assume that WDDC will set a budget of £180 per household when in fact for 2003/2004 this figure is £98.

5 REPORT BY COUNTY COUNCILLOR Mr.COATSWORTH

As Mr.Coatsworth did not attend the meeting no report was made.

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 FOOTPATH No 23 WALDITCH APPLICATION FOR A DEFINITIVE MAP MODIFICATION ORDER

The Clerk referred to the letter dated 19th February from DCC copy of which had been sent out with this agenda concerning this matter, the contents of which were noted.

8 WEST DORSET 2003-2008 TOURISM TOGETHER PLAN

The Clerk referred to the letter dated 14 February 2003 from the WDCC copy of which had been sent out with the agenda concerning this matter, the contents of which were noted.

9 WEST DORSET SPRING CLEAN 1-30 APRIL 2003

The Clerk referred to the letter dated 5 February 2003 from WDCC copy of which had been sent out with the agenda concerning this matter, the contents of which were noted.

10 WEYMOUTH TO BRIDPORT RAIL LINK REOPENING

The Clerk referred to the letter dated 18 January 2003 from a Mr R. Pill copy of which had been sent out with the agenda concerning this matter. Following a short discussion on this matter it was agreed that further information should be requested.

11 THE BOUNDARY COMMITTEE FOR ENGLAND - PERIODIC ELECTORAL REVIEW OF DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL

The Clerk referred to the letter dated 4 February 2003 from The Boundary Commission the contents of which were noted.

12 PLANNING

  1. Applications received from WDDC; None
  2. Decisions by WDDC;
  3. Applications received from DCC, none.
  4. Decisions by DCC, none.

Other planning matters; application for certificate of lawful use, Cherrywood Farm Cottage, Walditch. Acknowledgement of application for erection of steel framed agricultural storage bay, Cherrywood Farm Walditch.

Withdrawn applications;

13 FINANCE

[a] The Clerk informed the meeting of the current situation.

The following accounts were approved for payment.
[1] Professor Eastham out of pocket expenses for Feb/March 2003 £12.35
[2] Mrs.Regan expenses for March 2003 £21.00
[3] Hire of Bothenhampton Village Hall on 13 January and 13 February 2003 £25.00.
[4] DCC Street Lighting Maintenance June 2002 to June 2003 £530.88.
[5] DCC replacement of lamps etc. £300.84.
[6] MC Farnham Salary for March 2003 £203.54 plus office expenses for the quarter £119.98.

Mr Matthews proposed that these accounts should be paid; this was seconded by Mr Harrison and agreed by all the other Councillors.

14 REQUESTS FOR GRANTS

None

15 VITAL VILLAGES

Mr Harrison reported the committees next meeting will be on the 21 March 2003 and confirmed that it is hoped that the results of the questionnaires will be available shortly.

16 FOOTPATHS & ROADS

Nothing to report

17 STREET LIGHTING

Mr.Matthews reported that even following the work to lighting column No 8 in Main Street it is still not working.

18 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Mr.Harrison informed the meeting that he, along with Mrs Regan attended the official launch of the police community support officers for the western division on the 21 February 2003 at Dorchester Police Station.

19 CONSERVATION & OPEN SPACES

Nothing to report

20 PLAY AREAS

[A] Mr Matthews reported that the Walditch Residents Association is to have a competition to name the new play area. In the meantime he is in ongoing negotiations with Mr Gudfay concerning access to the area for grass cutting machinery etc.

[B] Mrs Regan reported that the ivy has been taken off the inside of the boundary wall.

[C] Professor Eastham reported that he had received a copy of the faculty from Salisbury and the Clerk reported that he had written back to Bridport Town Council confirming agreement to the condition and that the Town Council should now be drawing up the formal agreement.

21 BRIDPORT REGENERATION AREA PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS

Professor Eastham reported that he had attended the last meeting held on the 4 March 2003 and confirmed that following months of meetings it would appear that these had moved full circle and the Bridport Town Clerk is to develop a new coherent framework to deal with all the previous matters which had been looked at separately. The next meeting is to be held on the 20 May 2003 starting at 2.15 pm.

22 DAPTC

Mr Matthews reported that the last quarterly meeting had been held at Bridport Town Hall. Matters raised included the growing GM Crops in Dorset and the use of Lyme Bay as a safe haven in times of emergencies by oil tankers.

The following circulars have been received;
04/03 Table of Parochial Fees
05/03 Royal Garden Party 2003
06/03 Elections 1 May 2003.
The Clerk handed out the February 2003 Newsletter. He also reported two circulars received, one giving details of the new chief executive of DAPTC and the other on the electoral commission. Plus a copy of the executive committee minutes of their meeting held on the 7 December 2003, inaugural meeting of the Society for Local Council Clerks - Dorset Branch.

23 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

[a] From DCC; None
[b] From WDDC; letter dated 12 February 2003 tree surgery to a sycamore to rear of 18 Howard Close, permission granted. Copy of letter to Mr and Mrs Matthews, 6 Manor Barn dated 3 March 2003 concerning flooding of properties in Manor Barn. Notice of Annual Housing Conference to be held on the 13 May 2003.
[c] Others; Letter dated 10 February 2003 from Treasurer of Holy Trinity Church concerning a grant towards the upkeep of church burial ground. Letter dated February 2003 from DEFRA concerning the current Entertainment Licensing Bill. Copy of letter dated 3 February 2003 from Bridport Town Council concerning the Royal Charter Celebration to be held between 4 and 6 July 2003, letter sent to residents near Asker Meadows.

24 CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

 [a] Appointment of new Parish Clerk.

Mrs Regan registered her interest and took no part in this matter. Mrs England raised her non-inclusion on the subcommittee and wanted her complaint to be noted.
Professor Eastham reported to the meeting that interviews had taken place on the 3 March 2003 to appoint a new Parish Clerk. A subcommittee to consider the applications and make a recommendation had been set up by Professor Eastham at the request of the Parish Council Chairman Mrs J. Regan, who wished to have no involvement in the process due to her connection with one of the applicants. The subcommittee was made up of Professor Eastham [Subcommittee Chairman], Mr T. Harrison and Mr G. Matthews. Mrs Sawyer was also a member of the subcommittee, but it had been left to her whether she felt capable of attending. The two applicants Mr B. Regan of Bothenhampton and Mr D. Barnes of South Perrott [but employed inBridportt] met in turn with the subcommittee. Both applicants were given copies of the job description as published by DAPTC. After careful consideration, the subcommittee decided unanimously to recommend to the Parish Council the appointment of Mr Dudley Barnes as Parish Clerk, effective from 1 April 2003 at SCP 19 [hourly rate £7.989].
Professor Eastham proposed that Mr Dudley be appointed as Clerk this was seconded by Mr Matthews and agreed by all the other Councillors.

[b] Payment of back pay to current Clerk
The Clerk presented to the meeting details of pay increases that he had not received since 1999. These increases had been verified by Professor Eastham and are as follows:-

2000/01..............................£167.44
2001/02..............................£350.27
1/4/02 - 30/9/02...................£273.36
1/10/02 - 31/3/03.................£288.11
Total Under Payment ..........£1079.18

Following a short discussion on this matter it was proposed by Mrs England that this under payment should be made. This was seconded by Mr Matthews and agreed by all the other Councillors.

There being no further business for discussion the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR

 [1] Bridport area development plan
[2] Hedge laying Lower Walditch
[3] Local Parish Council elections
[4] Hollow Way Footpath overgrown
[5] Open Space (Jelly fields) tree branches dumped.