Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: A Bay (Chairman), D Richards (Vice-Chairman), C Richards, P White, S Johnson, E Fortescue, W Chapman, R Andrews, V Diment, H Thomas, D Newson, L Jenkins, S Creed-Castle, B Wallace, T Chambers, J Bridle and 5 members of the public.

Apologies: Y Bridle and G Brierley.

3720 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Diment declared an interest on the James Hargreaves Hall and Cllr Chapman declared an interest on the Monkton Wyld Farm planning application.

3721 Minutes of the Last Meeting: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr D Richards, all agreed and then signed.

3722 Matters Arising: Cllr Diment reported that at the last Annual Parish Meeting the Reverend Fairbrother said that perhaps the Church could find money for Mr Parkers piece of land. Cllr Fortescue said that Conservation Grants are available from West Dorset District Council for these projects.

3723 Finance: Cheques to be signed this month are:- Clerks Salary £237.10, Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall £11.25, Xcalibre £58.63, Deane Business Solutions £17.85, Mr Heap £150.00, Wootton Fitzpaine PCC £313.48, Wootton Fitzpaine Hall £6.00, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Briscoe, all agreed.
The Chairman reported that a letter has been received from Mr Wallace the Treasurer of the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall requesting an extra £1,295.00 towards the refurbishment of the hall, this would mean a total of £4,425.00 coming from the Parish Council in the next couple of years. It was proposed by Cllr Andrews, seconded by Cllr C Richards, all agreed that the Clerk write to the Village Hall Committee giving the Parish Councils support. Action: Clerk

3724 Public Discussion: Mr Bridle reported that the Councils minutes are incorrect as the top part of the field belonging to Mr Hedditch is not an SSSI, up to date maps show this. He also confirmed that if a car park was made in this area English Nature would not have a problem with this. He also reported that at High Bullen there is a SSSI and to take this into account if any planning is suggested nearby. Mr Bridle suggested that the current bus stop opposite the Post Office in Morcombelake be made into a general parking area and to make a new bus stop to the east of that. The area is owned by the Highways Agency and it was agreed that the Clerk write to them with a view to these changes.
Action: Clerk

3725 Planning: Newlands Holiday Park – Cllr Andrews and Cllr Chapman looked at this planning application to site 18 timber lodges and site 23 static caravans. Although the Councillors could see no problem with this application, due to the scale of it they believed it was appropriate to object to the application so the Planning Committee could look at it thoroughly. This application contravenes all of the planning policy and Cllr Fortescue said we should support the Local Plan. Cllr Thomas and Cllr Newson reported that they had already called this application in to be discussed.

Monkton Wyld Farm Caravan Park – Cllr D Richards and Cllr Fortescue looked at this planning application to site 28 static caravans. In their opinion this application should be objected to but following a vote it was agreed 5 to 4 to recommend approval. The applicant Mr Kewley spoke for the application, his aim is to maintain a small business and Cllr Andrews said that the present Local Plan ties small businesses.

Planning approvals received: Edgehill Cottage, Morcombelake, Villosa, Fishpond, Hill View, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Ryall Farm, Ryall and Bluebell Wood Cottage, Ryall. Appeal Refused received:- Brookfield, Whitchurch Canonicorum.

3726 Reports: Cllr Thomas reported that even though the Villosa Fishpond planning application says granted, the Planning Officer was not happy with the plans submitted. He imposed conditions that another set of plans are submitted. Cllr Thomas reported that the Brookfield Whitchurch Canonicorum planning appeal had been refused, the applicant said another dwelling was needed as he was getting infirm. There are no development boundaries within the whole of the Char Valley area.
He also reported that the Local Plan can be seen in the Arts Centre in Bridport on Wednesday 12th February 2003 between 11am and 7pm, do go along.

Cllr Thomas said he had called in the application to spend £400,000 on alterations on the District Council chamber. This may well go ahead but perhaps sharing the County chambers could be an option. Cllr Thomas said that minute number 3710 should read £120.00 extra on Band D and he said he would hand over to Cllr Newson regarding Council Tax as he is now on the Executive Committee.

Cllr Newson said firstly an enforcement notice is being served on Champerhayes Mill. He said that the Council Tax was going up by nearly 16%, this due to various matters including kerbside recycling, an extra refuse lorry and gang and bus passes going up. Job evaluations have taken place at a cost of £190,000 some salaries going up, some down, £44,000 for minor flood defence schemes, £137,000 for May Elections and pension funds for the District Council employees need to be topped up. He also reported that the Ramblers Association had opposed the proposed extinguishment of Footpath No 7.

Cllr C Richards reported that the Womens Institute bench at the top of Goodens Hill is broken and needs to be taken away. It was agreed that the Clerk write to them asking for permission to take it away. Action: Clerk

Cllr Johnson said that as yet not action at Stockham Bridge but Mr Rawles said it was in hand.

Cllr Briscoe said that the old notice board at Fishpond is very bad and the new one is needed desperately. The Clerk will write to Mr Douglas to chase the new one. Action: Clerk

Cllr Diment reported a large pothole at the bottom of Goose Knapp along with several small ones. He also reported a spring in the middle of the road near Green Close Farm.

Cllr D Richards reported that the carriageway adjacent to 1 and 2 East Burton at Merehay Lane is breaking up and that one reflective post needs replacing at Green Pitt Knapp and one needs realigning. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council with these matters. Action: Clerk

3727 Correspondence: West Dorset District Council, Countryside & Conservation Grant Scheme for 02/03 – DAPTC, New Chief Executive – Mr Pill, Reopening of Weymouth to Bridport Rail Link, it was agreed that the Clerk write to Mr Pill reporting that the study would not benefit the residents of the Char Valley area – Dorset Community Action, Entry form to Best Kept Village – West Dorset District Council, Details of May Elections – Bridport CAB, Thank you for donation – Whitchurch Canonicorum PCC, Thank you for donation – Dorset County Council, Details of new restrictions at household recycling centres – Connect Road Operators, Offer to attend meeting to discuss roadworks between Morcombelake and Charmouth, the Clerk is to write asking if they can attend the March meeting – Mr & Mrs Daters, Concerns regarding naming Goose Knapp Crooked Lane, the Clerk will write to the complainants explaining that the lane can be named either names – Ordnance Survey, Query for renewal of Licence, it was agreed to register for another year and ask Ordnance Survey if maps can be used on the web site – West Dorset District Council, Confirmation that Precept for 03/04 will be £11,295.00.

3728 Parish Plan: Cllr Fortescue said that the Action Plan was coming along slowly but a Hedgerow Group had been set up and Sylvia Creed-Castle is getting a group together to do with Heritage and Archaeological sites.

3729 The James Hargreaves Community Hall:- The Chairman reported that a letter had been received from the Committee requesting support for this venture. Mr Chambers spoke and said that it was support they needed as in the past they felt that The Council was not in support of this project. The points in the letter were read out and it was agreed that the Clerk write to the Committee with their whole hearted support for this project on the proviso that the parking problems are addressed.
Action: Clerk

3730 Council Tax Rise: The Chairman reported that a letter has been received from Dorset County Council with a copy letter to go to The Rt Hon Nick Raynsford regarding rise in Council Tax. It was agreed that the Clerk send a copy to all Councillors for them to send off to the MP expressing concerns on the Council Tax rise. Action: Clerk

3731 West Dorset District Council Local Plan Comments: The Chairman reported that she, Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Briscoe have looked in depth at the draft Local Plan and made comments. Cllr Thomas said that it was important to look at the development boundaries and name specific places.

3732 Any Other Business: Cllr C Richards reported that Mr Parker has asked him for quotes to tidy up the piece of land opposite Whitchurch Canonicorum Church.
Cllr Diment said regarding the James Hargreaves Hall burial ground boundary walls will need repairing and this will take a lot of money.
3733 Date of Next Meeting: 10th March 2003 at 7.30pm in Morcombelake URC Hall.

3734 Close of Meeting: 10.20pm