MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2007 AT 7P.M.
Present: Geoff Matthews (Vice Chairman), Bob Dennis, Colin Sparkes.. David Stubbs & Elizabeth Welch.
In attendance: Chris Dobbs (Clerk).
1. APOLOGIES.
Apologies were received from Audrey Pearson, Karl Wallace, Ron Coatsworth, Mark Roberts.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The Minutes of the previous Meeting of Bothenhampton and Walditch Parish Council held on Monday 8th October 2007, were accepted as a true record of the Meeting and duly signed by the Chairman.
3. MATTERS ARISING.
Co-option of new Parish Councillor - Peter Tobutt. Proposed by Geoff Matthews and seconded by David Stubbs.
Addendum to 9 Finance - Finance - a) Statement of Account as at 30th September 2007, (date changed by hand).
Addendum to 9 Finance - Cheque 901 £17.63, DCC Homewatch Sign - added to list by hand in October Minutes.
Approval of Meeting Dates for 2008 (to be distributed by January Meeting.).
4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
At 7.10 pm, the Meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their view on matters of local interest. At 7.20 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 commented that the detailed Planning Application relating to Land adjacent to Number 20 Mountjoy is
still within the consultation period. When the Case Officer has come to a view on the Application, both your
Council and I will be notified. However, with the Objections already received, it is more likely the Application
will go to the Planning Committee for determination.
Mountjoy School - should take about 2/3 years from outline planning permission.
Message from Karl Wallace - re Respite beds closure - hoping for 2 to remain.
6. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR FOR WALDITCH.
No Councillor present - Mark Roberts had given apologies.
7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR - RON COATSWORTH.
No Councillor present - Ron Coatsworth had given apologies.
8. PLANNING.
A) Applications received from WDDC/DCC.
1/D/07001833 - 58 Slades Green - install flue & erect chimney.
1/D/07/001807 - Manor Farmhouse, Walditch
TP/07/00318 - 10 Howard Close, - Consent Granted 30/10/07.
B) Decisions by WDDC/DCC etc.
1/D/07/001668 - Blossoms, Quarry Lane - Approval
CA/07/00295 - 23 Main Street - no objections
Letter from Kevin Perry re land at Bonscombe Lane, Walditch.
1/D/07/1720 - Land adjacent to 9 Mountjoy - likely to go to Committee.
1/W/06/001006 - Home Farm House, Bothenhampton - amendments approved.
9. FINANCE.
Finance a) Statement of Account as at 31 October 2007, £13,294.73..
b) Accounts for Payment
Less Outstanding Cheques:
907 Clerk's Salary £314.21
908 Clerk's Expenses 50.00
909 BDO Stoy Hayward 334.88
910 Cancelled - -
911 David Landscapes 310.49
All accounts listed were proposed for payment by Geoff. Matthews and seconded by Colin Sparkes, carried by Parish Council.
10. PARISH MATTERS.
10.1 Annual Return for the Year Ended 31/3/07, has been approved by Colin Sparkes, seconded by David Stubbs,
and accepted by the Parish Council.
10.2 Budget for 2008-09, was debated by Parish Councillors, and proposed by David Stubbs, and seconded by
Geoff Matthews, as a reasonable estimate of expenditure within the applied Precept of £17,483.
Action - Clerk to send Application for Precept to WDDC by Friday 14th December 2007.
10.3 Allotments - Colin Sparkes led the debate on the need for Allotment land in Bothenhampton, which was
supported by a letter from resident, Ralph Probert, and Parish Councillors present. While possible sites
were identified in the village, there was some concern that owners may be difficult to trace or reluctant
to have allotments on potentially valuable land.
Action - It was sgreed that Geoff. Matthews should write a letter to 'The Bridge'(to be placed in the
Bothenhampton section), to try and find landowners who may be willing to lease land in the future.
10.4 Flood Risk Management Report.
Action - Clerk to forward Report compiled by Colin Sparkes to WDDC.
10.5 First Dorset Credit Union Annual Report 2006, to Bob Dennis.
Action - Parish Council agreed that Grant of £250 to be ratified at next Meeting.
10.6 Survey of Highway Maintenance - Colin Sparkes agreed to be Parish
Councillor responsible for monitoring Highway Maintenance.
10.7 Maintenance Issues - Request to DCC for road markings and roadsite site
clearance to be carried out in Main Street, Bothenhampton.
10.8 CPRE eyes & ears - Roger Ffooks, Chairman of Bothenhampton Residents
Association, has agreed to continue monitoring all planning applications and keep CPRE informed of
developments which may threaten environmental issues.
10.9 Parish Councillors were informed of invitation to attend presentations of Draft
Conservation Area Appraisals for Bothenhampton & Walditch.
Action - Meeting to take place at County Hall, Dorchester on 20 November 2007.
10.10 - Finger Post Sign damaged on bank in Hollow Way. DCC have agreed to replace and meet costs.
Action - Arrangements to be made by Clerk, with invoice to be forwarded to DCC.
10.11 DAPTC - David Webb's retirement as Chief Executive to take place at the
End of December 2007.
10.12 CAB Bridport support request - Parish Council noted that financial support
had been given in March 2007.
Action - Request to be considered for next financial year.
10.13 Connecting Dorset - Clerk received IT equipment package in October, but is
still awaiting ISP connection.
10.14 John Gundry Play Area, Walditch - residents have reported that Play Area is
being used to exercise dogs.
Action - Clerk to request appropriate signage from DCC, and to request a
litter bin for Play Area (to be emptied by Volunteers).
10.15 Allowances for Town and Parish Councillors.
Action - has been viewed by Geoff Matthews.
10.16 Diversion of traffic from A35 into Walditch Village. A recent road accident
caused traffic to be diverted via Walditch village. This resulted in a complete blockage.
Action - Clerk to investigate Not Suitable for HGV sign.
11. CORRESPONDENCE
To be tabled as listed:-
11.1 Temporary Road Closure Crock Lane - Phase 2. (NB. Phase A completed ahead of schedule).
11.2 MAGNA - Questionnaire - Action - to be completed by Clerk.
11.3 Homewatch - Draft Guidelines (one set has been given to Anna Hillman).
Action - Another set for Trevor Gold - possible Co-ordinator.
11.4 Connecting Dorset Newsletter.
11.5 Weymouth Relief Road - email on possible effects on Council Tax. Action - to Elizabeth Welch.
11.6 Open Spaces Journal - Action - to be handed to Audrey Pearson before next Meeting.
11.7 CPRE Journal - Action - to be handed to Audrey Pearson before next Meeting.
11.8 LCR Journal
11.9 BLAP Surveys - Recycling and Young People*. Action - to Elizabeth Welch.
11.10 Notification of Standards Committee WDDC.
11.11 Clerks and Council Direct.
11.12 Dorset Fire and Rescue Service - Christmas Hazards in the Home Leaflet. Action - to be
displayed on Notice Boards.
11.13 Countryside Voice Journal.
The next Meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall on Monday 14 January 2008, commencing at 7.00 pm.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.50 p.m., with the Chairman
wishing all present a Merry Christmas.
MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.
Geoff Matthews raised the following matters:-
1. Reports of dog fouling in The John Gundry Play Area Walditch. Action - Clerk to arrange placement of signs.
2. An accident on A35 adjacent to Finch Lane caused traffic to be diverted through Walditch Village. Subsequently traffic
became blocked in Village. Action - Clerk to investigate unsuitable for HGV sign.
3. New Play area Sign in Bothenhampton - thought to be too large, but presently rotated to a more suitable position.
Roger Ffooks.
1. Understood that damage to finger post sign to be replaced at DCC expense. Action - See Minute 10.10.
2. Litter bin installed at Lych Gate entrance to Holy Trinity, Bothenhampton not as requested design specification. Roger has painted it dark grey to make less obtrusive. Emptying of bin to be carried out by Volunteers.
3. Requested Street Cleaning Schedule for Bothenhampton. Action - Clerk to contact Karl Wallace who has recently obtained copy of DCC schedule.
4. Informed Parish Council that closed Council Tip metal gate has been replaced by wooden farm gate. Has been informed that it is more user friendly. Site is presently being used for grazing. Roger will monitor the site. Comments were made regarding the safety to the public of equipment to burn off the escaping methane gas. Action - Clerk to investigate possibly siting of warning sign.