MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 12TH MAY 2003.
Present: Mr Matthews (Vice Chairman), Mrs England, Mr Harrison, Mrs Sawyer. In attendance: Rear Admiral Pritchard, Mr Tett, D. Barnes (Clerk)
1. APOLOGIES.
Mrs Regan, Mr Coatsworth, Mr Roberts.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 April 2003 having been circulated to all members were corrected in respect of item 3 (Mrs England is not in possession of the Rail Link information) and item 17 (Prof Eastham has retired from the Council, not resigned), then accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.
3. MATTERS ARISING.
Item 11 – Mr Harrison has suggested to WATAG that its Treasurer formally applies to the Council for a grant.
Item 9 – The Clerk read out replies received from WDDC and DCC regarding the possible mis-use of Bonscombe Lane, which state that the situation is being monitored as part of an enforcement investigation and the business concerned has been warned that it faces road repair bills.
Item 5 – County Electoral Review. DCC has written to the Council, requesting its views on the proposals by 28th May. Accordingly, the Clerk handed out copies of the letter and asked for any such views before then. The Councillors doubted whether these would be influential.
4. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR, REAR ADMIRAL PRITCHARD.
Admiral Pritchard had nothing to report that directly affected the Council. However, he informed the Councillors that during week commencing 12th May, the first meeting of the newly elected District Council would be held and that a comprehensive period of training of its Members will be taking place between now and the end of June.
5. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.
Due to his absence, there was no report given. However, the Clerk read out a letter from Mr Coatsworth which confirmed the County’s plans for revising its Divisions and informed the Parish Council of the inevitability of Footpath 14 being redesignated a byway, though he did intend to protest against this.
6. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
At 7.55pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 8.05pm the meeting re-convened to complete the Council’s agenda, there being no further matters raised.
7. WEST DORSET SPRING CLEAN.
Mr Matthews has now received the sacks required; Mrs England offered her help with the project; Mr Matthews requested additional assistance from the Parish’s residents associations.
8. BRIDPORT RAIL LINK.
References to the Weymouth to Bridport Rail Link should cease; the only possible scheme appears to be the West Bay to Bridport Rail Link, which Mr Matthews believed is unlikely to be built anyway. The Councillors confirmed that planning permission is already granted for this, a 2’6” narrow gauge railway.
9. MOBILE LIBRARY IN BOTHENHAMPTON.
The Clerk read out a response received from DCC, which stated that a review is underway to ascertain the demand for the mobile service throughout the county. The results are due to be made available between October 2003 and January 2004. Due to this review, only limited alterations were made to the mobile library’s schedules for this year and these do not include Bothenhampton. The Clerk was instructed to chase the matter up should nothing favourable be heard by October.
10. FLOODING IN BOTHENHAMPTON.
The Clerk read out a letter, circulated to the councillors with the agenda, stating WDDC’s proposed improvements to the drainage system in the village. The councillors instructed him to reply, requesting information about the course the water will take downstream, i.e. after it has been diverted around Manor Barn, as such information was not made clear in the correspondence and is significant. Broadly, the Council welcomed the proposals and has already offered to contribute to the cost – an amount is set aside within the Precept for this work.
11. DCC TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER FOR WALDITCH ROAD.
The Clerk was instructed to reconfirm the Council’s agreement with the proposal to designate the part of the road between East Road and the mini roundabout as a ‘No Waiting’ area (i.e. to have double yellow lines). The reasons given were ones of safety.
12. PLANNING
A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC.
WDDC –
1/W/2003/0702. Kalimera, Long Lane, Bothenhampton – erection of first floor terrace above parking area. No comment to return.
1/W/2003/0605. 20 East Road, Bridport – erection of two B2/B8 industrial units – No comment to return.
1/W/2003/0681. Kingshill, Westown Lane, Bothenhampton – erection of garage with room over – Permission should be denied on similar grounds as before, i.e. proximity to the high bank on Hollow Way and large size of structure.
1/W/2003/0717. Alterations to and conversion of garage into part of Montessori School – Mrs Sawyer will investigate further.
1/W/2003/0646. 4 Nordons, Crock Lane, Bothenhampton – erection of roof extension over garage. Mr Matthews will investigate further.
1/W/2003/0828. Three Corners, 2 Elwell, Bothenhampton – erection of conservatory – Mr Harrison will assess this.
DCC – None.
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC –
WDDC – The 50% reduction in height of an ash tree in the grounds of The Hyde Residential Home has been permitted.
DCC – None.
13. FINANCE
A] The Clerk informed the meeting of the current situation.
B] The following accounts were approved for payment:
Hire of Walditch Village Hall on 10th March: £15.00
Annual Council Allianz Cornhill Insurance policy: £255.05
Mrs England proposed that these accounts should be paid, this was
seconded by Mr Harrison and agreed by all of the other Councillors.
C] Presentation of information. The Clerk informed the meeting that he is preparing a spreadsheet which will show a comparison of the current year’s expenditure against budget and that this should be presentable by the next meeting.
14. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.
Winged Fellowship Trust. An application was received from this organisation, which receives no central government grant and provides short breaks for disabled people and their carers. Mrs Sawyer proposed that we send a donation of £50, this was seconded by Mr Harrison and agreed by all of the other Councillors.
AT THIS POINT, (8.45pm), MRS SAWYER LEFT THE MEETING.
15. VITAL VILLAGES.
Mr Harrison reported that the committee met earlier that day to discuss the final stages of the Village Design Statement and Parish Plan. Two public meetings were called, the first in Walditch Village Hall on 17th May between 10.00am and 1.00pm and the second at Bothenhampton Village Hall on 31st May also between 10.00am and 1.00pm. The purpose of these meetings is to give all parishioners the opportunity to give any final thoughts on the questionnaire and the Design Statement and Parish Plan. Mr Harrison stressed that attendance at these meetings is vital, as the committee will proceed to print each village’s brochure afterwards. The undertaking should be completed by mid-September 2003, he added.
16. FOOTPATHS & ROADS.
Footpath W5/22: This continues to be overgrown in places. Mr Harrison advised WDDC of this on 22nd April but has received no reply to date. He will follow the matter up.
Unclassified highway adjacent to “May Cottage”, “Landfall” and the Working Men’s Club: Mr Harrison advised the meeting to expect correspondence from the occupiers/users of any of these addresses regarding the issue of drivers using the entrance to the highway from main Street to park their cars on. All those concerned are pursuing the matter amicably.
One suggested solution is that the Council removes approximately five feet of the grass bank adjacent forming the edge of the highway and replaces it with a hard surface, suitable for parking vehicles on.
The owners of the properties are attempting to ascertain the extent of curtilages as appropriate.
Footpath W5/20: Although the surfacing of this path in 2002 was beneficial, weeds and brambles are now encroaching from each side, reducing its width. Mr Harrison wrote to WDDC about this on 22nd April but has received no reply as yet. He will chase the matter up.
Footpath 14: The Clerk read out a letter from DCC Councillor, Mr Coatsworth, in which he stated that he would protest against this footpath being redesignated as a byway, although the evidence seemed “overwhelming”. Mr Harrison and the other Councillors agreed that this redesignation should not be applied and the Council’s opposition to it is herein noted.
Valley Road & Coopers Drive, Bothenhampton – despite Mr Harrison’s report prior to April 2002, no action has been taken to improve these roads.
Salt/Grit Boxes: The yellow box at the junction of Chestnut Road and Burton Road has been empty since October 2002 and has become an unofficial waste bin. The Clerk will include reference to this box and those for Hollow Way and Lake Lane in his letter to WDDC on this matter.
17. STREET LIGHTING.
Nothing to report.
18. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH.
Nothing to report.
19. CONSERVATION & OPEN SPACES.
Nothing to report.
20. PLAY AREAS.
John Holt play Area: the parking restriction sign for this area has been erected.
Walditch Village Play Area: Mr Matthews reported that Mr Gundry allegedly threatened Western Power workmen when they arrived to dig the required trench and that they refuse to return without a police escort. Mr Matthews has the agreement Mr Gundry signed allowing access to the site, which he will pass to the Clerk, who will write to Mr Gundry, reminding him of it. The Councillors agreed to involve the Council’s solicitor if necessary, in order that he obtain an injunction enforcing the electricity supplier’s right to carry out necessary work. Mr Matthews will contact Western Power and ask them to confirm in writing exactly what happened. As far as grants for the area are concerned, Mr Matthews explained that the Hanson Trust does not award grants retrospectively, i.e. work cannot have commenced prior to a grant being given. However, grants are obtainable for final jobs, such as fencing and rotivating.
Cemetery Field: The Clerk informed the meeting that Prof Eastham had completed the tasks in respect of this Play Area, as stated in item 17 of the minutes of the monthly meeting of 7th April 2003 and that Bridport Town council has agreed to remove the lower level barbed wire from the perimeter fence. The lease is still unsigned as yet.
Valley View Amenity Area: The Clerk reminded the Councillors that, at their last meeting, it was agreed that a Councillor should be put forward for membership of a separate committee to be set up to improve this area. It was agreed that, with their other commitments, the present Councillors might struggle to devote sufficient time to the matter. However, it is hoped that there may be a number of people willing to be co-opted onto the Council shortly and that one of these would be in a good position to contribute in this way.
21. BRIDPORT REGENERATION AREA PARTNERSHIP.
Nothing to report.
22. DAPTC
The Clerk circulated a May 2003 newsletter
The Clerk circulated the Chief Executive’s circular ‘13/03’, which referred to the requirement of all Councillors to accept the Code of Conduct and detailed car expenses allowances payable in 2003-4.
The Clerk copied the minutes of the DAPTC meeting of 18th February and the agenda for its 15th May meeting to Mrs England.
Invitation to attend a Clerk’s seminar on 19 May. The Clerk explained that he could not attend but his wife, also a Parish Clerk in Dorset, would be attending and taking notes for him.
The Clerk circulated the Chief Executive’s circular ‘08/03’ in which various training programmes were referred to.
The Clerk noted the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting held on 8th March.
The Clerk referred to the Chief Executive’s circular ‘11/03’
which he announced his resignation and the availability of a
‘guide booklet’ for new Councillors, as from early May 2003,
one copy of which will be provided to each Parish Council.
23. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.
A] From WDDC:
A letter from the Monitoring Officer reminding all Councillors to submit a Declaration of Acceptance of Office Form to the Clerk soon after the election.
A letter from the Monitoring Officer informing Councillors that, after their retirement or resignation from the Council, their form of Registerable Interests will be removed from public display but kept for 12 months.
B] From DCC:
The DCC Corporate plan 2003-2004. This will be circulated to Mrs England in her capacity as the Bridport Regeneration representative.
“Listen In”, a newsletter from the Social Services Department.
C] From Others:
Open Spaces Society: A leaflet advertising a publication entitled “Our Common Land – the law and history of common land and village greens”.
Victim Support Dorset: An invitation to its AGM on 25th June at 4.40pm in the East Dorset District Council Chambers, Wimbourne.
CPRE: A letter and poster appealing to the Council to write to the Prime Minister to disallow airports from expanding.
Husson: Brochure advertising play area equipment.
Dorset Community Action: newsletter and letter from Andy Lloyd, introducing himself as the new Rural Housing Enabling Officer, whose role is to independently advise and support rural communities by providing them with affordable housing.
NALC: “Local Council Review” journal – to be circulated.
Shaw & Sons: A mailshot, advertising its brand of registers for keeping Parish Council/church records in.
The venue for the Annual Parish Meeting, to be held on 28th May 2003, was confirmed as Bothenhampton Village Hall. The next monthly meeting will be held in Walditch Village Hall on Monday, 9th June at 7.00pm.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.20pm.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:
Footpath 14: redesignation as a highway.
Footpath 22: Trees require cutting to avoid danger – Mr Harrison to investigate.
Restricted development boundaries in respect of the new highway (ex-Footpath 14).