Bothenhampton - Parish Council minutes for February 2006

MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WALDITCH ON MONDAY 13th MARCH 2006 AT 7 PM.

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

1. APOLOGIES.

Apologies were received from Bob Dennis - given Monday 13th February 2006.
Alan Stenning.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 13th February, were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.
A Confidential Minute, ( Item 15 Clerk's Pay & Conditions of Service), was also signed.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

Letter displayed on Parish Council Noticeboards:-

'Would you like to serve your community as a Parish Councillor?
Local residents, who live in the Parish of Bothenhampton and Walditch, are invited to become Parish Councillors by way of resolution and co-option.

The Parish Council carries out a vital role within local government, such as recommending acceptance or refusal of planning permission applications, provision and maintenance of play areas and equipment, street lighting, footpaths, and many other matters affecting the everyday lives of local residents in the community

. Meetings are in the evenings between 7p.m. and 9p.m. on the 2nd Monday of each month, except December, and alternate between Bothenhampton and Walditch Village Halls.

To find out more about being a Parish Councillor, please telephone (01308 424300), the Clerk to Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council, who will be pleased to arrange for a serving Councillor to have an informal discussion with you.

Christopher Dobbs,
Clerk to Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council.
Friday 24 February 2006.'

4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.10 pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.40 pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR WALDITCH.

Mark Roberts indicated the WDDC were planning to expand parking in Bridport - against Inspectors recommendations.
Defined development boundaries will possibly include Bothenhampton within Bridport. Consultation to take place shortly with Parish Council regarding land infill.

6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR BOTHENHAMPTON

David Tett also referred to consultation re Inspectors Report. Have sponsors for Crown Roundabout, but discussions are still proceeding with the Town Surveyor re siting of plaques and other planning details.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, RON COATSWORTH.

Ron Coatsworth outlined Inspectors Report not to extend Gore Cross Industrial Site. There are plenty of brownfield sites in Bridport area and Inspector suggests a further survey. Development at Crepe Farm encouraged by Inspector plus area beyond roundabout East of Town.

The Waste Local Plan is to be published in May recommending siting of Waste Transfer Station.

Also mentioned was the planned reorganisation of District and County Councils with legislation from Government by 2007. Elections of new authorities could take place in 2008 with shadow councils in post by 2009. Propose new authorities e.g. Bournemouth/Poole and Dorset, to be the two large County Authorities with Local Area Councils. Not sure what will happen to Parish Councils in the future. Likely to be no consultations, as precedent already shown by Government in Health re-organisation, which is reducing the number of Primary Care Trusts and enlarging Health Authority Regions.

8. PLANNING

A) Applications received from WDDC/DCC.

1/W/06/000306
The Oaks, Walditch Road, Walditch - not opposed.

1/W/06/000216.
58 Gundry Road, - Conservatory - not opposed.

1/W/06/000217
58 Gundry Road - 2 story dwelling - not opposed.

B) Decisions by WDDC/DCC

Approval of Planning Permission.

1/E/06/000095
4 Manor Fields - Erect Conservatory.

1/W/06/000130
13 Crock Lane - Erect dwelling with garage.

1/W/06/000436
7 Green Lane - Erect open store.

Refusal of Consent.

Application TP/06/00025 - reduce height of Poplar situated at rear of 2 Howard Close.

9. FINANCE

A] Finance Statement of Account as at 28th February 2006.. Total - Ł9,864.50.

B] Accounts for Payment.

776 Advert for Grass Cutting Quotes Ł84.60
777 Tax For January 2006. Ł88.62
778 Tax for February 2006-03-22 Ł88.62
779 Clerk's Salary less Tax, Jan/Feb. Ł628.42
780 Clerk's Expenses Ł67.31

10. CONFIDENTIAL ITEM

QUOTATIONS FOR GRASS CUTTING SERVICES (Considered as Confidential Item so placed at end of Meeting.)

A Confidential Minute will be handed directly to Councillors.

11. PARISH MATTERS.

Risk Assessment Report required by External Audit - to be placed on Agenda for 10th April Meeting. Action - Geoff Matthews.

Clerk's Contract x 3 Copies agreed and signed by Chairman.

12. CORRESPONDENCE

1. email re Chairman's Training suggest attend Update 25th April 2006.
2. Street Lighting. PFI Consultation. Action - Clerk.
3. Highways Agency re Crown Roundabout. Action - Clerk.
4. Lucy Chant email re Walditch Playground Equipment. Action - Clerk.
5. Improvements to the Development Control Process (Planning). Action - Clerk.

The next Meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall on Monday 10th April 2006 at 7.00 pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.00 pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

Robin Stapleton reported concern regarding a possible hard core crusher business being carried out at Blueberry Hill Farm, Walditch. The owners (various), of the 17 hectares site, have sought a number of applications to construct a 500 metre track and construct farm buildings. It would seem that the area is not being used as a farm.

Robin also outlined a scheme to deter Cold Calling, which may be set up by Homewatch/Dorset Trading Standards in near future. Walditch may be used as Pilot Village. Chris Legg at Dorset Trading Standards is likely to consult Parish Council about scheme.
Concern was expressed regarding the peculiar planting of replacement trees in Walditch Road. Action - Mark Roberts.

Mr D Davies commented that a planning agreement of providing screening for a sheep shed, which was constructed on Hyde Farm had not been carried out. Agreed to investigate - Action Clerk.

Although some hedges had been cut back in Lower Walditch Road, there were still some areas that need attention. - Action Clerk.

Drain in the Walditch Road, down from The Hyde, has been cleared but surface spoil was causing further blockage. Ron Coatsworth agreed to Action.

Report of possible commercial smoke pollution in Walditch. Concerned resident advised to contact Environmental Health WDDC.

A written request from Roger Ffooks, to set up a site meeting regarding Parked Vehicles - Old Church Lane/Long Lane was noted. - Action Clerk.

Gate to John Holt Play Area doesn't close - Action Geoff.