Bothenhampton - Parish Council minutes for November 2005

MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2005.

Present: Mr Stenning (Chairman), Mr Matthews, Mrs England, Mr Harrison, Mr Stubbs, Mr Dennis. In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk).

1. APOLOGIES.

Mrs Regan, Mr Tett.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10th October 2005 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

Item 4: Village sign for Bothenhampton. The clerk reported that he had contacted the Chief Executive of Dorset County Council to raise the matter of the stolen sign and was awaiting a reply.
Item 12: Mr Harrison reported that street lamp no.8 in Lake Lane was now operational.

4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.10pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.17pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

As the district councillors were absent from the meeting, there was nothing to report.

6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH, MR ROBERTS.

As Mr Roberts was absent from the meeting, there was nothing to report.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.

Mr Coatsworth informed the meeting that he, too, had chased up the replacement of the Bothenhampton village sign as well. Regarding the 2012 Olympic Games, he reported that accommodation in Weymouth and Portland will be at a premium and the wider county will be affected in that a Weymouth relief road is planned. High quality, sustainable, hot school meals will be available in all primary schools in the county by 2008. Mr Coatsworth reported that the South West is still the healthiest region of the UK but other regions are catching up. A current issue is childhood obesity where children appear well informed but do not always act upon the advice given.

8. PLANNING.

A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/05/001839 - Change of use from Motessori Nursery School to domestic dwelling, Lynchets, East Road: Applicant used original plans for school and amended them resulting in a confused application; notes attached to plan appear to be partly from the application for the school and partly from the application for conversion to a dwelling; there appears to be no provision for bedrooms or detail of the proposed velux roof lights in the loft space, an area assumed to be for bedroom accommodation, but no staircase is shown on the plans. Recommendation is to refuse the application unless the planning officer can clarify as required.
1/W/05/001795 - 13 Crock Lane: Make internal alterations to convert existing 3 flats to 2 flats: No comment.
1/W/05/001937 - 13 Crock Lane: Erect dwelling with garage: No comment.
1/W/05/001493 - Land adjacent to 13 Crock Lane (amended plan re erection of two storey attached town house): No comment.
1/W/05/002084 - Hazel Mead, 22 Elwell: Erect first floor extension and dormer window and carry out internal alterations: passed to Mr Stubbs for comment.
1/W/05/001854 - Carey Cottage, Walditch Road, Walditch: site new connection of gas service pipe: No comment.
1/W/05/001998 - 45 Slades Green: Demolish existing single storey extension and erect replacement single storey extension: passed to Mr Harrison for comment.
DCC: None.
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/05/001581 - Home Cot, Main Street, Bothenhampton: Erect single storey rear store extension: Approval given.
1/W/05/001655 - 45 Manor Fields: Erect extension and carry out external alterations: Approval given.
1/W/05/001612: 2 Wychside Close, Bothenhampton: Erect white PVCU conservatory to rear elevation: Approval given.
1/W/05/001493 - Land adjacent to 13 Crock Lane: Erect two storey town house: Approval given.
1/W/05/001795 - 13 Crock Lane: Make internal alterations to convert 3 flats to 2: Approval given.
1/W/05/001467 - 13 Crock Lane: Approval of reserved matters (1/W/2004/2033): develop land by the erection of one bungalow: Application withdrawn.
DCC: None.
Mrs England informed the meeting that the appeal against refusal of planning permission for a dwelling at 6 Valley Road had failed.
Re: Walditch Residents Association's letter to Mr Perry, Planning Enforcement Officer of WDDC regarding lack of action over alleged contravention of planning regulations in respect of sheep shed screening on land near The Hyde, Walditch and activities carried out in Bonscombe Lane.
The clerk was instructed to write to Mr Perry in support of Walditch residents Association. This was proposed by Mr Matthews, seconded by Mr Stenning and agreed by all of the other councillors.
Trees: 8 South Lawns, Bothenhampton: to pollard one Norway Maple: Approval given.

9. FINANCE

A] Statement of Account as at 31 October 2005.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (October)ЕЕЕ...ЕЕЕЕ..Е....ЕЕ..г256.36
Accounts & Audit Services (internal audit 04-05)ЕЕЕ.г95.00
C E Green Property Maintenance
(installation of Millennium Bench & goalposts
in Lower Walditch)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ...г138.89
David Landscapes (grass cutting)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕ.г310.49
SWEB (street lighting energy)ЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕЕг316.72
Bothenhampton Village Hall (hire)ЕЕЕЕЕ..ЕЕЕ.г36.00
Bridport News (advertisement for clerk)ЕЕЕЕЕ.Е.г64.39
Bridport Environment Group (annual membership)ЕЕ..г5.00

Mr Matthews proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mr Stenning and approved by all of the other councillors.

10. APPROVAL OF ANNUAL ACCOUNTS, 2004-5

The clerk presented the Annual Return to the council, which was proposed as satisfactory and recommended for submission to the external auditor by Mr Stenning; this was seconded by Mr Matthews and approved by all of the other councillors.

11. BUDGET/PRECEPT 2006-7

The clerk presented two spreadsheets to the councillors which detailed expenditure against budget for 2005-6 as at 31/10/05, a projection of expenditure between 1/11/05 and 31/03/06, a suggested budget for 2006-7, a projected bank balance as at 31/03/06 and therefore a suggested Precept for 2006-7. He pointed out that WDDC would prefer a decision in December, but the councillors decided to defer this until the January 2006 meeting. Note: refer to item 13 below before setting budget for 2006-7.

12. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.

Bothenhampton Village Hall (refurbishment): After a discussion, initiated by Mr Stubbs, the councillors agreed to increase the existing grant of г225 by г500 and to consider further funding nearer to the end of the current financial year, when total grant expenditure against budget can be assessed. This was proposed by Mr Matthews, seconded by Mrs England and approved by all of the other councillors.

13. HANDYMAN.

The clerk reported that he was awaiting a reply from DAPTC to ascertain the correct procedure for employing a handyman/person, i.e. insurance, legal and employment conditions. It was agreed to carry forward this matter to the next meeting. Note: there is no provision for the cost of this employee in the suggested budget for 2006-7.

14. TRAFFIC ROUNDABOUTS.

As Mrs Regan was absent from the meeting, it was decided to defer this matter until the next meeting. The clerk read out a reply from the Town Clerk that stated that "Еnot everyone shares the view that the two roundabouts are 'very poor'Е" and that the matter was on the agenda for the next meeting of the Town Council's Finance & General Purposes Committee. Mr Harrison informed the meeting that this was to take place on 16th November 2005.

15. PARISH MATTERS.

During Parish matters, Mr Dennis excused himself from the meeting, prior to the second matter discussed on 'Footpaths & Roads'.
Street Lighting - Mrs England again asked whether the clerk had been informed of the date for the replacement of lighting columns in Manor Fields, as these were supposed to be in a dangerous condition. The clerk replied that he had still not received confirmation from DCC and that the new clerk might be more successful in obtaining a start date for the works from DCC.
Footpaths & Roads - The clerk referred to a letter from a resident of Manor Fields in which a request was made for a crossing point/island to be placed on East Road (A35) near to the bus stop at the old 'Toll House'. After a discussion, the councillors suggested that the resident writes to Connect and WATAG to further this request.
The clerk referred to a letter received from Bothenhampton Residents Association, which included a copy of a petition, signed by 27 residents, which requested a 'No Parking' sign to be positioned at the corner of Old Church Road and Long Lane, Bothenhampton. At previous meetings, discussions have taken place regarding the request for such a petition by Bridport Police, which apparently increases the chance of a 'No Parking' sign being positioned by the County Council. Mrs England proposed that DCC is requested to provide and fix such a sign; this was seconded by Mr Matthews and agreed by all of the other councillors.
DAPTC - Mrs England reported on its AGM, which she attended. A variety of resolutions were passed, (see forthcoming newsletter). The clerk noted receipt of Chief Executive's Circular 14-05 & 15-05 in which reference was made to DCC's Legal Services Department offering to give advice to parish councils on the important matter of attempts by certain groups (eg off-road motoring clubs) to upgrade bridleways to byways open to all traffic.
Bridport Environment Group - Mr Matthews reported that 'activity days' at Bothenhampton Nature Reserve are organised for 11th December and 22nd January at 10.30am- all welcome.
Other - Mr Gough was asked to arrange for the repair of the parish notice board in Pasture Way, Bothenhampton, perhaps using 'metaposts' (see Mr Matthews). This was proposed by Mr Matthews, seconded by Mrs England and agreed by all of the other councillors.

16. CLERK.

Mr Stenning proposed that the matter of a replacement clerk should be a Confidential item and be discussed after the public part of the meeting had ended. This was seconded by Mr Stenning and agreed by all of the other councillors.

17. CORRESPONDENCE

. WATAG - 17th November - DCC representative will explain the new Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 to a public meeting.
DCC - "Plans & Progress 2005"
CPRE - "Dorset Review Autumn 2005"
DCC - "Planning for Minerals & Waste"

The next meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall on Monday, January 9th 2006 at 7.00pm.

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.46pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:

1. Bothenhampton village sign - "to be erected w/c 21 November".
2. Goal posts at Cemetery Field Play Area being erected 19th November.
3. Hedgerows surrounding Cemetery Field Play Area.
4. Gate to John Holt Play Area.
5. Parish noticeboard, Pasture Way.