MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WALDITCH MONDAY 8TH MARCH 2004.
Present: Mrs Regan (Chairperson), Mr Matthews, Mrs England MBE,
Mrs Warburton, Mr Dennis. In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)
1. APOLOGIES.
Mr Harrison, Mr Roberts.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 9th February 2004 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING.
Item 15 - Vital Villages. Mr Harrison had also distributed brochures in the Coopers Drive, North Hill and Chestnut Avenue areas.
4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
At 7.04pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.21pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.
5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR, REAR ADMIRAL G. PRITCHARD CB.
Admiral Pritchard had nothing to report.
6. REPORTS BY OTHER WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.
Mr Tett reported that written representations regarding the planning appeal by Vodafone for the permanent mast at The Hyde, Walditch, must be submitted in duplicate by 29th March.
He informed the meeting that the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 has now become law. The District Council has powers to take action against those applying graffiti or fly posters. Mr Tett offered to share the information he has about the Act with anyone who requests it. In response to a question from Mr Dennis, Mr Tett asked Admiral Pritchard to explain how the Act might be policed. The Admiral informed the meeting that perpetrators need to be "caught in the act" and WDDC will require their names and addresses so that they can, in the first instance, write to them, warning them of the possibility of fines being imposed should their behaviour continue. In practice, Admiral Pritchard felt that, whilst witnesses are prepared to report such people, they tend to be unwilling to testify in court, for fear of reprisals.
7. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH, MR ROBERTS.
As Mr Roberts was absent from the meeting, no report was given.
8. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.
Mr Coatsworth reported that Bridleway 25's conversion to a Byway is lawful, as a recent court case ruled that, where there are vehicle rights established, even though they are not exercised, a route must be designated a Byway. He believed that this did seem inappropriate in the case of Bridleway 25, especially as there are no proposals to change anything "on the ground", merely to alter the descriptions on maps. The planning process would need to be gone through by any prospective developer and this is prohibitive, also the practicality of opening-up the Byway to traffic would be very difficult.
The proposed waste transfer station on Burton Road is not being pursued by Sita at the currently, as DCC has decided to give itself more time to consider it, in response to WDDC's comments at the recent planning committee meeting. Mr Dennis asked for a timescale on this; Mr Coatsworth had not been advised of one.
Mr Coatsworth informed the meeting that the matter of a bus stop and a crossing point on Sea Road South is still ongoing.
9. PROPOSED WASTE TRANSFER STATION, BURTON ROAD.
Mrs Regan and Mrs England reported that Mrs England attended a meeting of the action group formed to campaign against this proposal. The meeting was well-attended and proceeded on the basis that the planning application would be successful, in order for the group to be fully prepared for all eventualities. They have obtained the services of a lawyer and an ex-Officer of DCC to assist them and campaign leaflets are being distributed. The deadline for written representations has been extended, as DCC has postponed its decision on the application. The parish council was asked to provide the group with a copy of the minutes of its meeting in 2001 in which the original planning application was considered and rejected. Mrs Regan pointed out that, as no amendments have been submitted to the original application, the parish council has not been provided with a copy of the application and was not required to make further representations. However, she will be writing to DCC to repeat the parish council's objection to the proposed development and to the local group to inform its members of the parish council's support. All councillors agreed with this course of action.
10. PARKING AT JUNCTION OF OLD CHURCH ROAD & LONG LANE, BOTHENHAMPTON.
The clerk read out the advice he had received from DAPTC regarding the council's eligibility to erect a "No Parking in this Area" sign. He will investigate further with the appropriate authorities.
11. PRECEPT 2004-5
As requested, Mr Matthews and the clerk reviewed the level of Precept applicable for 2004-5. Mr Matthews informed the meeting that, in previous years, the Precept had fallen and any surplus had now been fully used-up. Since the Precept was agreed in the December meeting, the drainage work for the John Holt Play Area has now become unnecessary, therefore the £5,000 allocated in the Precept for this work is unlikely to be used. Mr Matthews further pointed out that receipt of grant money for Play Areas is becoming rare and the three Play Areas which the council has now adopted are very expensive to create/maintain, hence the need for large amounts of money in the precept for them. In conclusion, there could not have been any significant reduction in the Precept for 2004-5.
12. PROPOSED UPGRADING OF BRIDLEWAY 25 TO BYWAY.
It was felt that Mr Coatsworth's report on this subject was comprehensive. Supportive replies will be sent to letters received objecting to any possibility of development along the Byway or its being opened to traffic.
13. QUIET LANES INITIATIVE.
The clerk will write to CPRE, indicating that the most appropriate lane for designation as a Quiet Lane is Lower Walditch Lane.
14. ALLOWANCES FOR PARISH COUNCILLORS
The information provided by the clerk had not yet been fully circulated to councillors. The file was passed to Mr Matthews for his perusal. The new regulations contained therein were noted.
15. WEST DORSET SPRING CLEAN.
The clerk referred to correspondence from DAPTC in which the insurance provision for volunteers was clarified. Mr Matthews, who had been sent a copy of it by the clerk, proposed that the council still should not recruit volunteers for the Spring Clean, as the insurance implications remained prohibitive. All of the other councillors agreed.
16. WEST BAY SEA ANGLING JETTY.
Having read the information circulated to councillors at the last meeting, Mrs England proposed that the council should support the project, especially as it would assist the disabled and younger residents of the area to fish at West Bay. A £100 grant was proposed, which was seconded by Mr Matthews and agreed by all of the other councillors. It was noted that this sum is only payable should 'parallel' funding be obtained by the group. The clerk was instructed to send a letter of support to them.
17. NEWSLETTER.
Mrs Regan asked the other councillors whether she should produce a further newsletter: they all agreed that she should.
18. PLANNING.
A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/03/000954 - Erection of mast and antennae, ground based equipment and ancillaries within 1.8 m high steel mesh fence, Hyde Plantation, Walditch Road, Walditch: Planning Appeal. Mrs Regan reported to the meeting that, in comparison to the 'temporary' mast erected nearby, the mast originally proposed (i.e. under 000954) would be far less of an eyesore. Her understanding is that this view is shared by some local residents. She pointed out that Vodafone is legally required to provide a telephone service and therefore needs to erect a mast to do so. Mrs Regan proposed that, providing the mast is made to the minimum possible height and is disguised as a tree, the original application should now be supported in favour of tolerating the imposition of the temporary mast, which is totally inappropriate for the area. Mr Matthews seconded this and all of the other councillors agreed.
1/W/03/002460 - 87 Gundry Road, Bridport (amended application- install two dormer windows with pitched roofs instead of flat ones): No Comment.
1/W/04/000177: 6 Bowhayes - Erection of Conservatory: No comment.
1/W/04/00090: Corner Cottage, Walditch Road, Walditch - Erection of rear single storey extension & internal alterations: No comment.
1/W/04/000270 - 21 Uplands, Walditch: Erection of conservatory: No comment.
1/W/04/000254 - Lyndhurst, Sea Road South: Erect single storey extension: No comment.
1/W/04/000218 - Wych Links, Wych Hill: Erect extensions & carry out alterations: Passed to Mrs England for comment.
1/W/04/000379 - 1 Elwell, Crock Lane: Erection of conservatory: Passed to Mrs Regan for comment.
DCC: None
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/03/002492 - 1 Beverley, Walditch Road, Walditch: Conversion to two self-contained flats: Permission granted.
1/W/04/000090 - Corner Cottage, Walditch: Erection of conservatory: Permission granted.
1/W/04/000316 - Kingshill, Westown, Bothenhampton: Erection of replacement garage: Refusal recommended for the same reasons as last time the application was submitted: structure is too large, inappropriate for the area and may affect drainage.
DCC: None.
19. FINANCE
A] Statement of Account as at 29 February 2004.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (February)..……………..…….....£242.33
HLB AV Audit Plc (2001-2 Audit)……………..£141.00
Mrs Regan proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mrs England and agreed by all of the other councillors.
20. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.
None.
21. VITAL VILLAGES.
Mrs Regan thanked everyone concerned for their hard work in distributing the brochures for Bothenhampton. (Mrs England asked for more copies). The brochure for Walditch is almost at the printers and will be distributed by members of the Walditch residents associations, which were thanked for this. WDDC had questioned the Bothenhampton document; Mrs Regan reported that the queries were now resolved.
22. PARISH MATTERS.
Footpaths & Roads - Mr Matthews reported that outside 6, The Green, Walditch, there appears to be a water main leak. DCC Highways Department to be notified. The clerk read out a letter from Hyder Consulting, appointed by the Highways Agency to carry out a study along the A35 trunk road where it comprises East Road Bridport, including the East Road/Sea Road South island, to address issues such as safety, severance and accessibility. The council's comments are requested. Mrs Regan had received a letter regarding the crossing on the A35 Sea Road South, but it did not seem to make sense, containing geographical errors: she will obtain clarification. The clerk announced to the meeting that the temporary closure of Crock Lane at its junction with Pasture Way is scheduled to last for another week. Mrs Regan informed the meeting that the positioning of the two new salt/grit bins is causing disagreement: this will be discussed at the next meeting if unresolved. Mrs Regan will thank Mr McDonald for repairing the noticeboard on Pasture Way at no charge.
Street Lighting - The clerk read out a letter/quotation from DCC for replacing seven lighting columns. Following a brief discussion, the councillors instructed the clerk to clarify which authority is responsible for the columns, as this is thought to have been DCC, not the parish council.
Neighbourhood Watch - Mrs Regan reported that she is hoping to organise a meeting of all local co-ordinators prior to a forthcoming parish council meeting.
Play Areas - The Clerk reported that the draft Licence for the 'Cemetery Play Area' in Lower Walditch has been amended by the Diocese of Salisbury and will now be forwarded to the solicitor for redrafting and for signature by BTC. Mrs Regan reported that the protective surface over the John Holt Play Area has been fire-damaged by vandals: Mrs Warburton will
inform her of the supplier's details in order that they may be contacted to repair it.
BCI - Mrs England attended its recent meeting, in which the improving the Jellyfields area was discussed and the refurbishment of Bothenhampton Village Hall - fundraising in the village is ongoing.
DAPTC - Mrs England attended its recent meeting. The following matters were discussed:
Rural Development Agency - grants are available for the setting-up of new businesses.
The next Waste Forum is on 22 April.
Changes to assessing planning applications: councils may need to provide reasons for approval as well as disapproval.
Any news from parishes is requested for inclusion in the DAPTC newsletter.
Councillors' Register of Interests need to be regularly updated.
A decision on the parish council hosting a DAPTC meeting in August/September is needed by 27th May.
23. CORRESPONDENCE.
WDDC: Draft Housing strategy for consultation (with Mrs Regan); advice of litter bin being placed on Walditch Road in April for trial period; Revised Deposit Plan for consultation: objections required by 26 April; advice from Monitoring Officer re councillors speaking publicly about matters of personal interest and registering membership of Freemasons and political party council associations; advice of adoption of Interim Supplementary Planning Guidance: Affordable Housing.
DCC: Advice that mobile library service will not call at Bothenhampton, following a review, due to the close proximity of a static library; advice of next meeting of Dorset Waste Forum, 22nd April at Milton Abbas; notification of withdrawal of bus subsidies: main local routes affected: Bridport - Swyre - Dorchester on Wednesdays; forms for completion re Parish Maintenance Units; promotion of "Carsharedorset.com".
Central Government: Advice re Standards Board rulings.
DAPTC: Table of Parochial Fees.
Countryside Agency: "Vital Villages Update".
CPRE: "Countryside Voice".
DCA: "Community News".
NALC: "Local Council Review".
24. CONFIDENTIAL ITEM.
A discussion took place regarding which parish councillors would be prepared to put themselves forward for election as Chairperson for 2004-5.
The next meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall at 7.00pm on Monday,April 5th.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.00pm.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
1. Road sweeping: Parish Maintenance Units
2. Bridleway 25: conversion to Byway.
3. Walditch Village Green
4. Farm plastic waste along Walditch Road
5. Lower Walditch Lane: obstructed pavements
6. Walditch Village Play Area
7. Jellyfields area.