Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present:  A Bay (Chairman), D Richards (Vice-Chairman), C Richards, P White, E Fortescue, W Chapman, R Cook, R Andrews, Y Bridle, V Diment, G Brierley, D Newson, L Jenkins and 2 members of the public.

Apologies: S Johnson, B Briscoe and H Thomas.

3704 Declarations of Interest:  Cllr White and Cllr C Richards declared an interest on the Edgehill Cottage, Morcombelake planning application.

3705 Minutes of the Last Meeting:  The Clerk said that on Item 3693 with regards to parking problems at the James Hargreaves Community Hall, there should be added 'and better than at Eype' and also Item 3695 should state that Mr Penny offered 'a site for a Village Hall'.  Cllr Bridle said on Item 3698 The Route Management Strategy taken out and A35 CI added.  Cllr Diment added that on Item 3694 it should say an unlocked car park rather than a locked. The Minutes were then agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Andrews, seconded by Cllr Fortescue, all agreed and then signed.

3706 Matters Arising:  None.

3707 Finance:  Cheques to be signed this month are:-  Clerks Salary and Expenses £253.38, Petty Cash £30.00, Dorset County Council £11.75, Morcombelake URC Hall £7.00, Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall £15.00 and Whitchurch Canonicorum PCC £211.00, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr D Richards, all agreed.  The Clerk reported that a letter has been received from Bridport Citizens Advice Bureau requesting financial assistance, Cllr Fortescue proposed and seconded by Cllr Chapman that the Parish Council donate £50.00, all agreed.

3708 Public Discussion:  Mr Wallace spoke on behalf of the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall Committee.  He said that more problems had occurred with regards to funding.  £88,000 is now needed to refurbish the kitchen, put the new extension on for disabled toilets and now the whole of the floor needs to be replaced within the next 5 years.  Mr Wallace asked if the Parish Council could contribute an extra £1,925.00 on top of the £2,500 already budgeted for towards this project bringing the total from the Parish Council £4,450.00.  Cllr Bay said that this request will be put on the February 2003 agenda and that a written reply would be forwarded to him before the 19^th February 2003.

Mr Threlfall-Eyres, the owner of Bluebell Wood Cottage, Ryall spoke regarding his planning applications for Bluebell Wood Cottage.  He confirmed that he had a site visit with the Chief Planning Officer who advised him on resubmitting his applications.  The applications consist of an extension, double garage, timber shed and animal shelter, which will hopefully be acceptable to everyone.

3708 Planning:  Bluebell Wood Cottage, Ryall - Cllr C Richards and Cllr White looked at this application to erect an extension, double garage, timber shed and animal shed.  They said that the extension had been considerably reduced in size and more appropriate.  They could see no problems with any of the works proposed and recommended approval.  Kings Orchard, Butts Lane, Ryall - Cllr C Richards and Cllr White looked at this application to demolish a bungalow and replace with a two storey dwelling.  They said that this dwelling is far too large for the site and recommended refusal.  Edgehill Cottage, Morcombelake - Cllr Bay and Cllr Andrews looked at this application for a first floor extension.  They could see no problems and recommended approval.  Hill View, Whitchurch Canonicorum - Cllr C Richards and Cllr White looked at this application to erect a two storey extension and garage.  They could see no problems with this application, no objections from neighbours and recommended approval.  Villosa, Fishponds - Cllr Briscoe looked at this application to erect an extension and make internal alterations.  There were no objections from neighbours and she recommended approval.  Ryall Farm, Ryall - Cllr Bridle and Cllr Diment looked at this application to erect a two storey extension.  The only comment from Cllr Diment was that the French windows and balcony spoilt the overall appearance but they agreed to recommend approval.  Planning approvals received: The Limes, Wootton Fitzpaine and The Gables, Wootton Fitzpaine.  Planning refusal received: Wishover, Loves Lane, Morcombelake.

3709 Review of Proposed Car Parking Arrangements at Morcombelake:  Cllr C Richards reported that the suggestion of a car park in Mr Hedditchs field would not work as the field has an SSSI on it.  Cllr Diment reported that he was disappointed that this would not be a village car park and that this matter had been going on for years with correspondence on file but nothing has ever happened. 

Cllr Fortescue said that the Village Survey showed that there was a need for a village car park and a Morcombelake URC Hall car park so the two matters should be dealt with separately.  She also stated that it would not be fair for tax payers in the whole area to continue paying year after year for a car park for Morcombelake, perhaps a one off grant could be given to help.  It was agreed that the Parish Council would not get involved with contacting landowners but the Parish Council could contact West Dorset District Council once suitable land was found.

3710 Reports:  The Clerk read out a report from Cllr Thomas.  Cllr Thomas reported that he chose not to call in for further discussion the Wishover, Morcombelake planning application refusal, he was happy with the Officers decision.  He has however called in the decision to spend money on the West Dorset District Council Offices at Dorchester, this will be discussed on Thursday 16^th January 2003 at 12noon at Dorchester. 

Cllr Newson reported that comments on the Local Plan have to be in by the 17^th March 2003 and by all means put comments in it regarding the issue of a car park at Morcombelake.  He also reported that there should be more news on the Champernhayes proposed planning application this week.

Cllr Brierley reported that as yet no news on the Firemans strike but this area is covered by retained Firemen so not too much disruption in the area.  He also reported that correspondence is going to be sent asking if West Dorset District Council would use the Dorset County Council Chambers to save huge amounts of money.  He also reported that there is a shortfall of £12 million and Council Tax could rise by 16%, which means £20.00 extra for a Band D property.  He stressed that things were not going to be easy.  He also reported that the roads were bad during the cold weather and that a suggestion of property owners have deposits of salt to place on roads as and when.  He will contact the people who deal with these matters.

Cllr Bridle reported that she attended a WATAG meeting on the 20^th November 2002 and 'grumbles' were put to the train representative.  She also reported that Cllr Thomas will be attending a Bridport Area Partnership meeting soon.  Cllr Fortescue reported that two papers were written for the Bridport Area Partnership meeting, supporting the 31 bus route and requesting the taxi voucher scheme which seemed to be the favourable option.  Cllr Bridle also reported that she is circulating the National Trust Management Plan to all Councillors.

Cllr D Richards reported on correspondence he had received from Dorset County Council regarding the extinguishment of part of Footpath No 7 by Mr & Mrs Jones of Hogchester Farm, Charmouth.  Cllr D Richards and Cllr Fortescue could see no problem as this footpath is little used and ends at a dangerous point.  Footpath No 8 is an alternative route which is acceptable.  Cllr D Richards proposed and Cllr Fortescue seconded for the Clerk to send a report to Dorset County Council.

Cllr C Richards reported that tree work was to be carried out at Champernhayes Mill, Wootton Fitzpaine.  He also reported that he had contacted Ron Martin the Tree Officer at West Dorset District Council and there are no free small trees available from the Council anymore.

Cllr Bridle reported potholes and edge deterioration at Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth.

Cllr Diment reported that the drains are too high at Cockwell following the drainage scheme, water was running around the drains.  He also asked if a letter could be sent to the Highways Agency/Connect asking if any works were planned on the section of road between Morcombelake and Charmouth as they road is subsiding badly.

Cllr Fortescue reported that Merehay Lane was icy due to the drains being blocked to the top with grit.

She also reported fly tipping at the old Tunnel at Westover Hill.  She finally reported that there are numerous potholes and edge deterioration around the Wootton Fitzpaine area.

Cllr Chapman also reported numerous potholes and edge deterioration in the Monkton Wyld area.

Cllr D Richards reported again potholes at Green Pitt Knapp.

Cllr Bay reported on behalf of Cllr Johnson that there are potholes and edge deterioration at Stockham Bridge, Whitchurch Canonicorum.

It was also reported that there are numerous potholes at Long Lane, Fishponds.  It was agreed that the Clerk write to the various authorities regarding these problems and a copy send to Cllr Brierley. Action: Clerk
 

3712 Village Plan:  A copy of the draft web site page and newsletter were passed around to all Councillors, who thought they were very good.  Cllr Fortescue reported that Tim Heap is doing the web site, he is putting basic information on it and then updating as and when, it was thought that the approved minutes could also been shown on the site.  The site should cost around £30.00 per year to run.  The newsletter will be produced around two times per year.  The first newsletter will be sent to every elector costing around £120.00 with the printing costs included, from then on perhaps people could have it e-mail to them or any other method of delivery.  The newsletter is called Char Chat at the moment but a competition could be arranged in the first edition for people to come up with a good name for it in the future.  Cllr D Richards proposed and Cllr Bridle seconded that £120.00 be spent on the first edition. 

Cllr Fortescue proposed and Cllr C Richards seconded that the web site be named charvalleypc.co.uk.

3713 Adoption of Freedom of Information Act:  This document has been circulated to all Councillors.  Cllr Fortescue proposed, Cllr Andrews seconded, all agreed that the Parish Council adopt the Freedom of Information Act.

3714 Whitchurch Canonicorum Street Name Plates: The Clerk reported from Cllr Thomas that an observation had been received from a resident regarding no Goose Knapp sign and perhaps Crooked Lane sign could say Crooked Lane/Goose Knapp.  Cllr C Richards believed that the street name plates were sufficient and that a letter of thanks should go to West Dorset District Council.  Action: Clerk

3715 Conservation Area at Whitchurch Canonicorum:  Cllr C Richards reported that he had spoken to Mr Parker and that he would not be prepared to sell his land to the Parish Council for anything less than £10,000.  Cllr Andrews proposed, Cllr C Richards seconded that the Clerk write a letter asking Mr Parker asking him to tidy up this piece of land and to repair the wall, all agreed.  Cllr Fortescue said that if that fails then pass it to the Listed Buildings Officer. Action: Clerk

3716 Notice Board at Stonebarrow Lane:  The Clerk reported that a letter has been received from Charmouth Parish Council saying that they would not contribute £250.00 towards a new notice board as they felt it was too much money.  It was agreed that the Clerk write back asking them if Char Valley could on their own place a notice board in their area and if they knew of anyone who could make a notice board cheaper.  Action: Clerk

3717 Any Other Business:  Cllr Fortescue reported that the Local Plan document is for all Councillors to look at and to put any recommendations forward to West Dorset District Council on forms supplied.

Cllr D Richards proposed to look into getting a salt bin positioned at the bottom of Merehay Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine, before next winter Cllr Fortescue seconded, all agreed.  Cllr D Richards said that Sutton Hastoe Housing Association are agreeable to having it sited on their land.  Cllr C Richards will be looking into a new type of salt/grit used in car parks to see if it would be useable on badly iced areas in the Parish. Action: Cllr C Richards

3718 Date of Next Meeting: 10th February 2003 at 7.30pm in Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall.

3719 Close of Meeting:  10.30pm.