MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 12th May 2008 AT 7P.M.
Present: Robert Dennis (Vice Chair),Colin Sparkes, David Stubbs, Audrey Pearson, and Elizabeth Welch.
In attendance: Chris Dobbs (Clerk).
1. APOLOGIES.
1.1 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. Grant request for Village Hall project, or
a planning application adjacent to a Parish Councillors home.
1.2 Apologies were received from Mark Roberts, Peter Tobutt, and Karl Wallace.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The Minutes of the previous Meeting of Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held
on Monday 14th April 2008, were accepted as a true record of the Meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.
3. MATTERS ARISING.
3.1 Scripted amendment of Meeting venue from WALDITCH to BOTHENHAMPTON in main copy on file.
3.2 Parish Councillors noted Geoff Matthews letter of resignation dated 14/4/08, and
Minute10.17 April 2008. Action - Clerk to write to Geoff. thanking him for his outstanding
service to the local community over a considerable number of years.
3.3 Copies of Parish Plans to Colin Sparkes.
3.4 Question for County Councillor Ron Coatsworth from Colin Sparkes re waste from Churchyards.
4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
At 7.20 pm, the Meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their
view 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 COUNCILLOR FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.
David Tett had given a comprehensive Report to the previously held Annual Parish Meeting.
He added that West Dorset District Council were now looking at tourism with a view of being
prepared for the 2012 Olympics, and that the Standards Committee had discretionary powers
to consider complaints.
6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH.
Apologies had previously been given by Mark Roberts.
7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR - RON COATSWORTH.
Ron gave apologies for being late. The search for the new Waste Transfer Site is
ongoing and continues to be a choice between Gore Cross and Broomhill sites. Dorset
County Council should have a balanced budget in eighteen months time. Ron asked to
inform the Parish Council that District and County Councillors need to be aware of
any proposed changes to PC Meeting day and time changes. This proved to be rather a
speculative comment as no changes had been considered by the Parish Council.
Mountjoy School continues to be a problem regarding plans to build on a new site.
The Environmental Agency might give permission for the new School to be built on a flood
plain, but not thought to be likely. Although the ethos of the present School is exceptional,
there is a concern that a fall in the total numbers of pupils could bring about significant
changes in provision.
The Dorset Rocks, Schools Concert at The Royal Albert Hall, had been a spectacular success
and local Schools are to be congratulated for their contributions to the event.
Will investigate Colin Sparkes question re Churchyard waste.
8. PLANNING.
A) Applications received from WDDC/DCC.
1/D/08/000761 97 East Street, Bridport - Adjoining Parish - no corporate view given.
1/D/08/000435 Highmead, Lee Lane, Bridport - Adjoining Parish - amended plan.
1/D/08/000376 Land adjacent to no.9 Mountjoy - Amendment to Plan.
1/D/08/000733 7 Bowhayes - Erect garage - corporate view given.
1/D/08/000703 7 Howards Close - Erect extension - corporate view - opposed
1/D/08/000816 Church Hayes Farm - Change of use to touring caravan storage - corporate
view - opposed - PC considered raising public awareness.
B) Decisions by WDDC/DCC etc.
1/D/06/001412. Land adjacent to 9 Mountjoy - Approval.
9.FINANCE.
Finance a) Statement of Account as at 30 April 2008 - £5475.02
b) Accounts for Payment
938 Clerk's Expenses £87.30
939 Playdale Playgrounds Ltd. £3951.82
940 DAPTC 604.93
941 Bothenhampton Village Hall 900.00
942 Walditch Village Hall 450.00
943 CPRE 28.00
944 Clerk's Salary 314.21
945 Allianz Insurance 740.39
946 Roger Ffooks 40.00
947 John Bright 214.50
All accounts listed were proposed for payment by Colin Sparkes and seconded by
David Stubbs, carried by Parish Council.
10. PARISH MATTERS.
10.1 Parish Councillors noted comments by the 12 members of the public who attended
the Annual Parish Meeting earlier in the evening, and the 10 letters sent to the Clerk
on the development of John Holt Play Area. The Clerk described the Insurance conditions
if a skatepark were built, the main condition being the need to have a fence constructed
around the young childrens play equipment. Proposed by Bob Dennis, and seconded by David
Stubbs, not to accept any proposals for a skatepark as it was not really suitable for
such a small site and not a Bothenhampton facility at the present time. David Stubbs offered
to analyse letters, and Parish Councillors to review development needs of Play Area at the next
Meeting. Action - Clerk to write and explain decision to members of the public who sent letters
to the Annual Parish Meeting.
10.2 Fingerpost Replacement in Hollow Way - The post has now been replaced, and a claim is in
process of being processed by DCC
10.3 Internet provision for Village Halls - Connecting Dorset - Clerk had attended a Village Hall
Committee Meeting to encourage further consideration of the IT connection and equipment being
offered to Village Halls by the Connecting Dorset Scheme. The annual cost of ISP and BT connection
for Bothenhampton and Walditch would be approximately £600 a year, and Village Hall Committees
wished to be assured of an annual grant towards these costs. After some debate, Bob Dennis proposed
that Village Hall Committees could not be assured of a grant for IT connection as this would place
an annual increase in Precept. This view was seconded by Elizabeth Welch and carried by Councillors
present. No further action recommended.
10.4 Internal Audit Update - All documents to date are still with the auditor.
10.5 Clerk's Salary Review - to be reviewed at next Meeting.
10.6 Digital Projector for Parish Council - WDDC has offered the Parish Council a
Digital Projector for use on planning issues. Action - Clerk to investigate.
10.7 Conservation Appraisal of Bothenhampton - Action - Parish Councillors provided with documents.
10.8 Courses for Clerks/Councillors. Action - to inform Meeting each month.
10.9 Organisation of Planning Applications - Action - to next Meeting.
10.10 Bank Charges from 2/6/08 - Clerk to investigate.
10.11 Dorset Street Lighting P.F.I. - PC informed that EDF Energy have been bought out
by Scottish and Southern Energy(SSE) Group.
10.12 BT's proposals re Payphones - Action - Clerk has informed both Residents Association
Chairman that BT plans to remove Payphones in Bothenhampton and Walditch after July 2008.
Appeals can be made prior to that date.
Action - Clerk to place on Agenda for next |Meeting.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
To be tabled as listed.
11.1 Bus Timetables - to Church Noticeboard Area - Action - Colin Sparkes.
11.2 Housing Strategy - to Karl ?
11.3 DAPTC Newsletter distributed.
11.4 Conservation Documents for distribution.
11.5 Dorset Community Action.
11.6 Independent Custody Visitors.
11.7 Dorset Police Authority poster. Action - to Colin Sparkes.
The next Meeting will be held in Walditch Village Hall on Monday 9th June 2008, commencing at 7 pm.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9 p.m.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
Roger Ffooks - Asked if Planning Application 1/D/08/000816, to have Caravan Storage
Park at Church Hayes was being considered at forthcoming Meeting. Action - Assured
by Clerk that Application was on the Agenda.