MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL. MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, WALDITCH, ON MONDAY 8 MARCH 2010 AT 7 P.M.
Present:David Stubbs(Chair for Meeting), Audrey Pearson, Debbie Jack, Pennie Jones, Colin Sparkes,Peter Tobutt, & Elizabeth Welch - 7 Members present.
In attendance: Chris Dobbs (Clerk).
106. DECLARATION OF INTEREST.
106.1 - To remind Parish Councillors of the need to make a Declaration of Interest on any Agenda items where personal or prejudicial interest may arise. E.g. This may be a Grant request for a Village Hall Project, or a Planning Application adjacent to a Parish Councillor's home.
106.2 - The Chairman will withdraw from leading the PLANNING AGENDA, as he is a member of WDDC Development Control Committee, and this part of the Meeting is to be led by the Vice Chairman, or a Parish Councillor nominated by the Chairman.
106.3 - Parish Councillor Debbie Jack presently working for DCC Planning - Regulation 3 + large School extensions/inc. farms & County owned buildings - this should not affect her giving a view on PC received WDDC/DCC Planning Applications.
107. APOLOGIES.
107.1 There were apologies from - Karl Wallace(Chair), & Bob Dennis(Vice Chair).
108. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The Minutes of the previous Meeting of Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held on Monday 8 February 2010, were accepted as a true record of the Meeting and duly signed by the Chairman for the Meeting, David Stubbs.
109. MATTERS ARISING.
109.1 Numbering of Minutes from May 2009. Minutes to be numbered sequentially i.e. May - 1 to 11, June - 12 to 22, July - 23 to 33, August - 34 to45, September - 46 to 57, October - 58 to 69, November - 70 to 81, January 2010 - 82 to 93, February 94 to 105,March 106 - 117 & April 118 - 129. This is following the advice of the Internal Auditor, and creates a unique set of Minutes for each month in the year.
109.1 - Audrey Pearson reported that two of footpath concerns noted at the last Meeting had now been addressed, with two more to go !
110. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
At 7.05 p.m. the Meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their view on matters of local interest. At 7.21 p.m. the Meeting re-convened to complete the Council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.
111. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.
David Tett gave the following comments to the Meeting :-
David ratified the 1% increase in Council Tax by WDDC, and asked if a Planning Application had been received for Ambrose Cottage, 66 Crock Lane - Clerk indicated that no Application had yet been received - NB - arrived Tuesday 9 March 2010
112. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH
Mark Roberts - had little to add as forthcoming Election seems to have caused the cancellation of WDDC meetings. Spoke about developments in the Pathfinder Project with WDDC, Weymouth & Portland, and Purbeck Councils - e.g. looking for common policy with regard to refuse collection - Government promoting fortnightly collections but WDDC presently committed to weekly collections -
113.REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR - RON COATSWORTH.
Ron Coatsworth - gave apologies for arriving late to the Meeting - confirmed that DCC Council Tax increase would be 2.97%(under the limit of 3%) - DCC are experiencing cash flow problems !
Extreme weather conditions have not been kind to roads - £1M Capital Money put into repair budget - new machine in action which speeds up repairs and recycles waste materials - many motorists feeling stress re claims for damage to vehicles - advised to complain to DCC in writing and keep record of complaint.
Mentioned plans to organize collection of waste on County Basis - this could mean fortnightly collections and the general use of the ubiquitous and variously colored Refuse Bins for each household. Ron was aware that both initiatives would be very unpopular, particularly with electors living in Flats and terraced properties. Advised from the floor that certain streets, e.g. South Street could be environmentally and aesthetically compromised with such a universal policy - would also create Health & Safety Implications - e.g. full Bin causes severe injury to pedestrian !
114.* PLANNING AGENDA - BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL.
a) Applications received from WDDC/DC :-
1/D/10/000098 - 17 - 19 Main Street - New Garden Room - Colin Sparkes to investigate and report to next Meeting - Action - Corporate View to recommend Approval.
1/D/10/000170 - Bridport & West Golf Club - Green keepers workshop & facilities - Corporate View to recommend Approval.
1/D/10/000163 - 67 Burton Road - Adjoining Parish - replace porch with conservatory - Corporate View to recommend Approval.
b) Decisions by WDDC/DCC etc.
1/D/10/000010 - Butterfly Bungalow, Lake Lane - external alterations to roof - Approval, dated - 23 February 2010.
1/D/10/000063 - 36 Maple Gardens, Bridport - single storey extn. - Approval, dated - 23 February 2010
115. FINANCE AGENDA - BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL.
Receipts - none
i) Statement of Current Account as at 28 February 2010 - £7451.64
ii) Accounts for Payment
Less outstanding cheques as listed :-
1068 Roger Ffooks( Walditch NB glass&door repair) - £68.89
1069 Clive's Handyman Services(Walditch NB renovation) - £79.49
1070 C T Dobbs - Feb. Salary - £379.08
1071 C T Dobbs - Feb. Expenses - £55.36
1072 DAPTC - Chairman/Clerk Course - £20.00
1073 Bothenhampton Village Hall - £24.00
Total £626.82
Balance £6824.82
Proposed for payment by Colin Sparkes, seconded by Audrey Pearson, and carried
by all Parish Councillors present.
116. * PARISH MATTERS AGENDA -
n.b. All items to be introduced by Clerk unless specified on Agenda.
Reminded PC of Parish Matters Arising from last Meeting :-
There were no matters from the Floor at the February Meeting
116.1 - Jellyfields & Wanderwell LNR - Resolution re ownership by PC - see Minute 104.3, dated 8 February 2010 - Action - PC Resolution to decline offer from WDDC - see copy of e mail which reads :-
- To j.tawse@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
- After considerable debate, Bothenhampton & Walditch Parish Council have a number of concerns with regard to transferring ownership of Jellyfields & Wanderwell LNR's from WDDC to BWPC. The main concern was lack of information about what would be required in the way of management and ownership responsibilities from a Parish Council, with no professional experience to call upon within the framework of their organization. So every Legal enquiry, Insurance arrangement, Risk Assessment, Health & Safety issue, and Maintenance & Development decision, would need to be made by lay Parish Councillors with no Officer back up from a highly professional service as found in West Dorset District Council. Parish Council ownership could be fraught with difficulties and the majority present at their Meeting on Monday 8 March 2010, saw no advantage in taking on such a responsibility.
- The resolution made at the Meeting of Bothenhampton & Walditch Parish Council on Monday 8 March 2010, is to decline the invitation to take over the ownership of Jellyfields & Wanderwell LNR's from West Dorset District Council.
116.2 - Lengthsman's Scheme - PC to consider their Corporate View at this Meeting - see Minute 104.4, dated 8 February 2010 - Action - PC made majority decision to join Lengthsman's Scheme on a one year trial basis - e mail sent to BTC Clerk reads :-
At their monthly Meeting on Mondays 8 March 2010, the Parish Councillors present decided to apply to join Bridport Area Lengthman's Scheme on a trial basis of one year in the first instant. The Parish Council will be prepared to match funding offered by Symondsbury of £1500, and would like to join the discussions on the detail of operation before the Scheme is in place. While this was a majority decision, there are members who are doubtful of viability for Bothenhampton & Walditch, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns with you as soon as convenient. Best wishes, Chris Dobbs.
116.3 - Undergrounding of low voltage power lines in the Dorset AONB - nominations to AONB team by 12 March 2010 - n.b. Could Parish Councillors be aware of overhead power lines in Bothenhampton & Walditch - map will be available at Meeting - Action - Clerk instructed to request that both Walditch & Bothenhampton are considered for future undergrounding of low voltage power lines.
116.4 - Proposed Bridport Conservation Area boundary extension, including Bridport Cemetery, which is in Bothenhampton & Walditch Parish Boundary - consultation period from the 3 May to the 30 June 2010 - Information Day at Bridport Arts Centre on Friday 4 June 2010 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Action - Debbie Jack agreed to consider plans & attend Information Day.
116.5 - The Dorset Village of the Year Competition 2010 - completed forms by 14 April 2010 - Action - entry details to Pennie Jones.
116.6 - West Dorset Spring Clean 1-30 April 2010 - suggested date - Saturday 17 April 2010 - Action - Saturday 17 April 2010 is agreed date - Karl & Audrey to co-ordinate Bothenhampton, & Peter at Walditch.
116.7 - Walditch Sycamore Avenue - concern expressed at lack of action following letter sent in September 2009 - Action - further copy of letter sent to Simon Ludgate(Principal Enforcement Officer WDDC) - copy to Debbie Jack.
116.8 - Bridport TLC - to April Meeting -
116.9 - Walditch Footpaths - request for No Litter notices - Action - Clerk to investigate the availability of notices.
Parish Matters from the Floor - To be placed on the Agenda for the next Meeting.
For the April 2010 Meeting - Bridport TLC - requested by - Karl Wallace
Allotments - Colin Sparkes
Play Areas Update - Pennie Jones
Walditch Road maintenance - Peter Tobutt
117. CORRESPONDENCE - to be tabled at Meeting.
117.1 - Open Spaces - to Audrey Pearson
117.2 - Caring Matters - copy to David Stubbs
117.3 - Dorset Police Authority - Custody Visitors - to Pennie Jones
117.4 - BDO - Audit Briefing - for Clerk
117.5 - Thank you letters - for filing
117.6 - Community Information Fair - to Colin Sparkes
117.7 - POPP - to David Stubbs
117.8 - DAPTC Newsletter - distributed to Parish Councillors.
The next Meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall on Monday 12 April 2010 at7.00 p.m.
There being no further business to discuss, the Meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
Nb - These notes are attached to the Minutes of the Parish Council held on Monday 8 March 2010.
There were questions asked about Jellyfields LNR, regarding the recent work carried at the site and the planned future for any further development. The Clerk commented that the Parish Council had Jellyfields LNR on the Agenda for Parish Matters - 116.1 - Jellyfields & Wanderwell LNR - Resolution re ownership considered - 8/3/10.
Robin Stapleton commented that 1 - Walditch Sycamore Avenue was sadly neglected with 6 trees in poor condition and in need of attention, and it would again be too late for any planting. Debbie Jack asked if a reply had been received from the detailed e mail sent to WDDC some months ago - Clerk was requested to investigate the matter and request a written reply in time for the next Meeting - e mail sent - 22/3/10.
2 - There was a request for the shrubs on the Walditch Village Green to be cut back prior to the Spring growth - Clerk to Action - David Landscapes contacted on 24/3/10, & requested to carry out work as soon as practically possible.
A Walditch resident expressed concern about the following points:-
1 - Mud and water on the Walditch Road at The Hyde end of the entrance into the Village and adjacent to the Real Tennis Court building. This problem had been followed up by the Parish Council about a year ago, but to date no work has been carried out. Clerk to follow up concerns with DCC Highways - further enquiries made by Clerk 24/3/10 - for Parish Matters at next Meeting on 12/4/10.
2 - At the entrance to Walditch via Firch Lane there is regularly a build up of water/ mud on the road surface - Clerk to Action with DCC - Report ref. 342821 made 24/3/10
3 - There are potholes in the pavement adjacent to the A35 and the Hanover Housing development. Walditch resident concerned about safety of elderly Hanover Residents using the pavement outside the properties. There is also a bus stop close by to the area of concern - Clerk to Action with DCC - Report ref. 342823 made 24/3/10
4 - Concern that from October 2009, the Pelican Crossing timing sequence seems to be favoring the motorist Clerk to Action with A35 Connect - Senior Technician noted Report, but indicated that no other complaints had been made -