MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2003.

Present: Mrs Regan (Chairperson), Mr Matthews (Vice-Chairman), Mrs England MBE, Mrs Warburton, Mr Dennis, Mr Harrison. In attendance: Rear Admiral Pritchard CB, Mr Roberts, Miss Brown, Mr Coatsworth, D. Barnes (Clerk)

Mrs Regan began the meeting by congratulating Mr Harrison on his recent election to the Town Council.

1. APOLOGIES.

Mr Tett.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 8th September 2003 having been circulated to all members were accepted as a true record of the meeting and duly signed.

3. MATTERS ARISING.

None.

4. DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR.

At 7.05pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.15pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLOR, REAR ADMIRAL G. PRITCHARD CB.

The planning application for the Vodafone antennae in Walditch was refused by the delegated Officer prior to any committee consideration. WDDC is reviewing its Council Tax rates and an increase of £25 is possible. The admiral stressed that the District's rates would remain amongst the lowest in the County.

6. REPORTS BY OTHER WDDC COUNCILLORS PRESENT.

The Clerk read out Mr Tett's written report in which he advised that, for the public meeting concerning the sewage works, the parish council should arrange the format. The planning application for the Vodafone antennae in Walditch will be refused. WDDC is reviewing its Council Tax rates, which the local community will be asked to comment upon. An increase in excess of £15 is anticipated.
Mr Roberts also reported that, as refusal of the Vodafone mast planning application was decided upon at Officer level, there was no need to 'call-in' the matter, as he was prepared to do.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.

Mr Coatsworth asked for there to be representation from the parish council at the forthcoming Dorset Waste Forum, such is the seriousness of the matter of waste. He reported that the siting of the proposed waste transfer station at Symondsbury is an ideal choice of location. Regarding the Wessex Water Sewage works, he has been promised answers to his questions put to its General Manager regarding the emission of foul smells by the end of October. Mr Coatsworth is in correspondence with DCC officers regarding a crossing and bus stop(s) on Sea Road South and will advise on the outcome of a meeting held on 7th October between DCC and the Highways Agency as soon as possible.

8. PARISH ROOM.

Mrs Regan reported that she had been in contact with DAPTC and WDDC regarding the parish council's contribution to the refurbishment of the Bothenhampton Village Hall in respect of its proposed Parish Room. Both parties questioned the wisdom of the parish council borrowing up to £24,250 (subject to interest charges) when it had invested the sum of £23,040 with WDDC and has a precept surplus. Mrs Regan will put forward this topic for discussion at a future meeting.

9. SEWAGE WORKS PUBLIC MEETING.

It was confirmed that this will take place in Bridport Town Hall on Friday 14th November, commencing at 10.00am. Oliver Letwin M.P. will chair it and Bridport Mayor, Mr Ackermann will attend. Mrs Regan informed the meeting that the Secretary of the local golf club, Mr Riddler, will attend also, bringing with him the evidence he has amassed of golfers' objections to the smells over the course emitted from the nearby sewage works. Mrs Regan hoped that Mr Cleeves Palmer, of Palmers Brewery would speak at the meeting. In addition, the names of Mr Yates and Mrs England should be forwarded to Oliver Letwin's secretary, (as well as those of the relevant local authority/agency officers), to be called upon to speak if and when appropriate. Mrs England asked all councillors to encourage as many local people as possible to attend the meeting.

10. NEWSLETTER.

This has been distributed. A copy may be viewed on the parish council's website, www.bothenhampton.org.uk

11. PLANNING

A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/2003/1943: 20 Uplands, Walditch: Alteration of existing bungalow into two storey house & replace garage - No Comments, (following removal of balcony from plans).
1/W/2003/1891: Erect farm machinery implement store: Mrs Warburton will consider this application in more depth by 24th October.
1/W/2003/1838: 67 Gundry Road, Bothenhampton: Erection of conservatory - No Comments.
1/W/2003/1857: 65 Gundry Road, Bothenhampton: Erection of single storey extension - No Comments.
DCC: None

B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/2003/1042: Willowmead, Lansdowne Road, Bothenhampton - advice of a planning meeting on 9 October in which the application will be determined. Mr Harrison reported that he attended the meeting to reiterate the parish council's recommendations for refusal which had been submitted prior to it.
1/W/2003/1626: 55 Valley Road, Bothenhampton: erection of extension - Permission granted.
1/W/2003/1646 & 1/W/2003/1647: Ab Antiquo, Main Street, Bothenhampton: Erection of extension and two bay garage - Permission granted for planning and listed building consent.
1/W/2003/1644: Spring Farm, Duck Street, Bothenhampton: Demolish existing and erect new one - Permission granted.
Silver birch trees, Church End, Walditch: removal/reduction in height of these was approved on 10 September. DCC: None.
The Clerk read out a letter received from WDDC Development Services which explained that, in future, a specific date will be given for the submission of parish council comments, (which may allow for a longer consultation period) and the need for parish councils to submit only their corporate views.
The Clerk will redistribute a leaflet for councillors on planning considerations which was provided by DAPTC.
Mrs Regan invited the district councillors to inform the meeting that notices of planning applications may not continue to be posted in the local newspaper, to save money, which could be spent on another officer, to speed-up the processing of applications.

12. FINANCE

A] Statement of Account as at 30 September 2003.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.

B] Accounts for Payment.
Mrs Regan, expenses………….£4.40
Creeds Printers, newsletter……£35.00
SWEB, street lighting maint…..£303.03
Bothenhampton Church (churchyard maint)…….£450.00
Clerk's quarterly expenses…….£156.28
Clerk's salary (September)…….£242.33
Mr Matthews proposed these accounts should be paid. This was seconded by Mr Dennis and agreed by all of the other councillors.

C] Year-to-date Expenditure Against Budget.

The Clerk distributed a spreadsheet showing this information.

13. RESOLUTION RE: ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2001-2.

The Clerk presented the Annual Return and accompanying documentation to the council, which had been internally audited on 23 September 2003. In an unanimous vote, all councillors agreed that Mrs Regan and the Clerk should sign the Annual Return's Statement of Accounts and Statement of Assurance, which they duly did. The documentation will be forwarded to the external auditor by the Clerk between 22 and 24 November, as required.

14. NOTICE BOARD FOR LOWER WALDITCH.

Mrs Warburton reported that, having consulted with Mr Gough, the location for this board should be near the junction of Lower Walditch Lane and Howard Road. Mr Matthews proposed that the Clerk should obtain a price for the manufacture of this notice board from Mr D. Cracknell of 12 Manor Fields. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and agreed by all of the other councillors.
Mrs Warburton informed the meeting that the notice board in Crock Lane, though not belonging to the parish council, may be used by it, especially to display agendas on.

15. MOBILE LIBRARY.

Mrs Regan informed the meeting that Bothenhampton will be included on its route from April 2004. She will include it on the agenda of a meeting taking place nearer to the time, as parking may be an issue.

16. A35 PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.

Nothing to report. (See Mr Coatsworth's report).

17. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.

None.

18. VITAL VILLAGES.

Mr Harrison reported that the remaining £2,500 grant from the Countryside Agency is being applied for in order to complete this project.

19. FOOTPATHS & ROADS.

Nothing to report. The Clerk passed a letter from DCC regarding Parish Maintenance Units to Mr Harrison for his perusal and subsequent reporting to a later meeting.

20. STREET LIGHTING.

Nothing to report.

21. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH.

Mr Harrison reported that the new Mountjoy member, Mr Bolton, has distributed leaflets to local residents.

22. CONSERVATION & OPEN SPACES.

Nothing to report.

23. PLAY AREAS.

Walditch Village Play Area - Mr Matthews reported that he has applied for grants for the development of this area.

24. BRIDPORT REGENERATION AREA PARTNERSHIP.

Mrs England reported that this will soon be absorbed by the Bridport Community Initiative.

25. A35 COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE.

Nothing to report.

26. DAPTC.

The Clerk informed the council of DAPTC's AGM to be held on Saturday 18th October. Mrs England may attend.

27. CORRESPONDENCE.

WDDC: West Dorset District Profile: passed to Mrs Regan for circulation.
Advice of works to be carried out re flooding in Bothenhampton.
Minutes of recent Standards Committee meeting.
Information sheet re Small Grants for Sports scheme: passed to Mr Matthews.
Energy Awareness Day poster: previously advised to Mrs Regan.
Guidance for speaking at Development Control Committees.
DCC: The Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole Waste Local Plan: passed to Mrs Warburton.
Advice of meeting of Dorset Waste Forum on 17th October: passed to Mrs Warburton who may attend.
Driving skills course leaflet.
Road safety campaign poster: passed to Mrs Regan for display.
OTHER: Letter forwarded via Bridport Town Council from resident of Crock Lane re problems with access to her property, street lighting and bonfire regulations.
Bridport Area Partnership - invitation for parish councillors to meet candidates for vacant post of Community Development Officer.
Dorset Community Action - newsletter: passed to Mrs Regan.
Dorset AONB Partnership - management Plan 2004-9 - draft for consultation: passed to Mr Matthews.
Dorset Police Authority - recruitment of independent custody visitors: passed to Mr Harrison.
CPRE - Dorset Review newsletter: passed to Mr Harrison.
HLB AV Audit Plc (External Auditor) - Timescale for completion of Annual Return for 2002-3. The Clerk advised that this should be extended. Mrs Regan proposed this, Mr Matthews seconded it and all of the other councillors agreed. Institute of Groundsmanship - training course.
Nat West Bank - circular re on-line banking.
SLCC - conference re Quality Councils. Mrs Regan asked the Clerk to consider undertaking training in this respect. The Local Channel - circular re websites.
Walditch Village Hall - enquiry re notice board for the Hall. The councillors regretted that they were unable to tell the Village Hall Committee where the parish notice boards were purchased from, owing to the number of years that had passed since this had occurred.
The next monthly meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall on Monday, 10th November 2003 at 7.00pm.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9.00pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:

1. Growth of weeds etc in gutters, Lower Walditch and top of footpath along Hollow Way, Bothenhampton.
2. Cutting of grass in 'Cemetery Field' (Bridport Town Council's responsibility).
3. Parking in Bothenhampton.
4. Shortening duration of parish council meetings.