MINUTES OF THE BOTHENHAMPTON & WALDITCH PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, BOTHENHAMPTON ON MONDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2005. Present: Mr Matthews, Mrs England, Mrs Regan, Mr Harrison, Mr Stubbs. In attendance: D. R. Barnes (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES.

Mr Stenning, Mr Dennis.

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 12th September 2005 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 7.06pm the meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to air their views on matters of local interest. At 7.23pm the meeting re-convened to complete the council's agenda, there being no further matters raised.

5. REPORT BY WDDC COUNCILLORS FOR BOTHENHAMPTON.

Rear Admiral Pritchard had nothing to report, but clarified a matter raised in the Democratic Half Hour, i.e. that roads adopted by a Local Authority are not necessarily owned by the Authority and that the extent of ground owned by housing developers and their customers is defined by the detailed plans encompassed within planning permissions granted. Mr Tett recommended speedy resolutions of land ownership/usage disputes, to avoid Possessory Title being invoked. Regarding 'The Crown roundabout', Mr Tett informed the meeting that Groves Nursery had been consulted over the possibility of landscaping it (and perhaps the 'East Road roundabout' as well). He pointed out that WDDC is starting to assess its budget for 2006-7 and the Council Tax for the district will be set in the February 2006 meeting.

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

Mr Roberts had nothing to report.

7. REPORT BY DCC COUNCILLOR, MR COATSWORTH.

Further to Admiral Pritchard's comments, Mr Coatsworth pointed out that each householder's deeds should show the extent of their ownership of land surrounding their property. Mr Coatsworth reported that the Health Scrutiny Committee had discussed the cost of providing taxis to carry West Dorset patients to and from radiotherapy treatment at Poole Hospital. The cost is no longer capped at £18 per day for up to two days per week. The actual cost is nearer £100; the service being subsidised by the Health Service already. The Strategic Health Authority have stated previously that the NHS is not obligated to provide transport for patients to attend treatment, but the Chief Executive of Poole Hospital has agreed to review the arrangements.

8. PLANNING.

A] Applications received from WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
1/W/05/001612 - 2 Wychside Close, Bothenhampton: Erection of Pvcu conservatory to the rear elevation: No comment.
1/W/05/001581 - Home Cot, Main Street, Bothenhampton: Erect single storey rear store extension: No comment.
1/W/05/001655 - 45 Manor Fields: Erect extension and carry out external alterations: No comment.
1/W/05/001493 - Land adjacent to 13 Crock lane: erect two storey attached town house: No comment.
1/W/05/001467 - 13 Crock Lane: Approval of reserved matters re 1/W/2004/2033 - Develop land by erection of 1No bungalow: Refusal recommended as proposed dwelling incorporates a staircase which bungalows do not require.
1/W/05/001795 - 13 Crock Lane: Make internal alterations to convert existing 3 flats to 2 flats: passed to Mr Dennis for comment.
DCC: None.
B] Decisions by WDDC/DCC:
WDDC:
None. Mrs England will ask a neighbouring resident whether the appeal against refusal of planning permission for development at 6 Valley Road has been heard.
DCC: None.

9. FINANCE

A] Statement of Account as at 30 September 2005.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the current position.
B] Accounts for Payment.
Clerk's salary (September)……...…………..…....……..£256.36
Clerk's quarterly expenses (July to September)………...£138.70
Walditch Village Hall (hire)……………………………..£15.00
Walditch Church (churchyard maintenance)……..……£550.00
Wicksteed Leisure (bench for Play Area)…………..….£326.95
Huck Nets (one set of goal posts for Play Area)……….£464.12
Bothenhampton Church (churchyard maintenance)……£900.00

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

10. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS.

Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance. Amount agreed………….£250.00
(Mrs England declared an interest)
Vitalise (formerly Winged Fellowship Trust)…………………£50.00

The councillors informed the meeting that any written request for additional grant towards the refurbishment of Bothenhampton Village Hall would be considered at the next meeting.

11. HANDYMAN.

The clerk was instructed to contact DAPTC to ascertain the correct procedure for employing a handyman/person, i.e. insurance, legal and employment conditions.

12. PARISH MATTERS.

Footpaths & Roads - The clerk referred to correspondence from DCC which advised on how to request a pedestrian crossing in a parish.
Street Lighting - Mr Harrison reported lantern no.8 on Footpath 20 near its junction with Lake Lane out of order.
Neighbourhood Watch - Mr Harrison informed the meeting of the next Crime Prevention Meeting on 27th October at Mountfield.
Play Areas - Mr Stubbs presented an estimate for installing the Millennium Bench at the Valley View Amenity Area and goalposts at the Cemetery Field Play Area. Total cost: £146.00. He proposed that the parish council pays for this work. This was seconded by Mrs Regan and agreed by all of the other councillors.
DAPTC - Mrs England apologised for her absence from the last meeting of the local branch of DAPTC; she may attend the AGM.
The clerk noted receipt of Chief Executive's Circular 13-05.
BLAP - Mrs England will be attending the next meeting. She referred to an additional £50,000 grant being available from WDDC for specific projects relating to the Vital Villages project.
Bridport Environment Group - Mr Matthews will be attending the next meeting.
Other - Mrs Regan reported the poor state of the roundabouts near The Crown pub and junction of East Road and Sea Road South. The clerk was instructed to contact Bridport Town Council to ascertain the position regarding what funding might be available or needed to improve these features. It was agreed that this matter should be included on the agenda for the next meeting. Mrs England reported that the foul smells from the Wessex Water sewage treatment works, which she reported at the last meeting, were apparently caused by a broken blade which is being replaced.

13. CORRESPONDENCE.

West Dorset partnership: Community Plan 2006-2010
DCC Social Services: "Caring matters" newsletter

14. CONFIDENTIAL ITEM.

The clerk announced his resignation. He leaves his post on 31 December 2005. He regretted the decision, based on workload from his main occupation. Mr Matthews kindly led the councillors in thanking the clerk for his contribution. He proposed that an advertisement should be placed in the "Bridport News" with replies to be sent to the Chairman for initial consideration. Mrs England proposed that a special meeting might have to be called in December to choose a candidate. These proposals were seconded by Mr Stubbs and agreed by all of the other councillors. Mrs England stated that all councillors should be given the opportunity of participating in the selection process.

The next meeting will be held in Bothenhampton Village Hall on Monday, November 14th 2005 at 7.00pm..

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 8.22pm.

MATTERS RAISED IN THE DEMOCRATIC HALF HOUR:

1. Bothenhampton Village Hall future additional grant application for refurbishments.
2. Grass cutting
3. Bothenhampton village sign
4. Goal posts for Cemetery Field Play Area
5. Fences/access/land ownership issues on Valley View estate.
6. Installation of Millennium Bench at Valley View Amenity Area.