Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: A Bay (Chairman), D Richards (Vice-Chairman), C Richards, P White, S Johnson, R Cook, E Fortescue, W Chapman, R Andrews, Y Bridle, V Diment, B Briscoe, G Brierley, L Jenkins, S Creed-Castle, Connect Road Operators & Associates and 14 members of the public.

3749 Talk By Connect Road Operators: The Chairman introduced Connect Road Operators who came to talk on the impending roadworks on the A35 between Morcombelake and Charmouth. Andy Dean and Richard Shunter reported that the land/road in question is continuously moving and works need to be carried out. Records show that the road has been resurfaced 6 times over the last 20 years and the problem still exists. The work is to be undertaken in four stages – site investigation – drainage improvements – carriageway works – continuous monitoring. Site investigation will mean bore holes on the highway and on adjacent landowners land which will initially test strength of material around the movement and will also test for drainage. These will be in place for around 5 years to give continuous readings. Drainage improvements, which will include the culverts under the road to be maintained at regular intervals, CCTV surveys will also be carried out. Carriageway works, resurfacing will take place at off peak times but no major works similar to Chideock. Continuous monitoring will take place over many years to come and this will determine which works will take place over the next few years. The investigations start at the end of April 2003 and will take 6 weeks, drainage works will be in the Summer months and finally resurfacing in the Autumn. Connect are thoroughly aware of the SSSI’s in the area and they are liaising with authorities and landowners. With regards to compensation packages for landowners this will be a matter for their agents and Connect to sort out and it will be done as fairly as possible. Robin Barbour is acting as an Agent for Connect. It was also asked that if anyone knew of water supplies in the area, which could be affected please let Connect know. It was emphasised that if any problems occur with these works, i.e. contractors not acting responsibly, please contact Connect and they will be sorted out immediately as Connect want this project to go with as few problems as possible. The Chairman thanked Connect for coming to the meeting.

3750 Apologies: H Thomas and D Newson.

3751 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Fortescue on the payments under Finance and Cllr White on Whitchurch Village Hall.

3752 Minutes of the Last Meeting: Cllr Fortescue asked for 3740 to be amended, neighbours had recently been consulted and Cllr Johnson reported on 3738 farm should read far. The minutes were then acceptable, proposed by Cllr Briscoe, seconded by Cllr Fortescue, all agreed and signed.

3753 Matters Arising: Cllr Bridle reported that a letter has been received from Tim Westwood regarding a bus stop opposite Morcombelake Post Office and make a lay-by just to the east. Cllr Bridle read out the letter and said she was very pleased with the reply.

3754 Whitchurch Village Hall: Mr Wallace gave a talk on the progress of fund raising for the Village Hall so far. He also asked for the Parish Council to consider being a guarantor for a £25,000 mortgage which the Committee are considering to take out for repairs. The Chairman said due to the complex nature of this request the Parish Council needed more time to look into this matter. The Clerk reported that she had sought legal advice from the DAPTC and they advised the Parish Council not to be a guarantor as this is not in the Parish Councils powers and if repayments were not kept up it could come back to the Councillors and not the Parish Council.

3755 Finance: Cheques to be signed this month are:- Clerks Salary £237.10, Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall £15.00, HLB AV Audit £141.00, Creeds £50.50, Deanes £23.48, Mr Douglas £495.00 and Mrs E Fortescue £95.20, proposed by Cllr Chapman, seconded by Cllr Briscoe, all agreed.
The Clerk reported that the Annual Return of Accounts for the Year End March 2002 have been returned and that the Parish Council now has to accept them, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed.
The Clerk reported that from the 1st April 2003 her salary should increased to Scale Point 17, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed.
The Clerk reported that the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance have requested a donation, Cllr C Richards proposed a £50.00 donation, seconded by Cllr Fortescue, all agreed and cheque signed.
The Clerk read out a letter from Chideock Councillor Kate Geraghty outlining the new Leisure Bus proposed for the area. It was agreed in principle a good idea but more detail is needed and for the Finance Committee to talk about the £250 wanted from the Parish Council. It was agreed that the Clerk contact Kate Geraghty inviting her to come and talk to the Council. Action: Clerk

3756 Public Discussion: A resident of Morcombelake complained about the vegetation growing up through the new pavement between the Garage and the Bakery, it was agreed that the Clerk report this matter. Action: Clerk

3757 Planning: Stonebarrow House, Stanton St Gabriel – Cllr Diment and Cllr Bridle looked at this planning application. This application is similar to a previous application, which was approved, changing a sunroom to an extension for use as a bedroom. It was agreed to recommend approval although screening to the northern boundary was asked for.
Champernhayes Mill, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr D Richards and Cllr Fortescue looked at this retrospective planning application to retain partly erected building and convert to holiday accommodation. The Councillors reported that the original building had been totally demolished and a large dwelling put in its place with the appearance of a large executive home. The Councillors were handed conclusions on the findings of the Councillors all of which was agreed to and it was unanimously agreed to object to this planning application.
The Garage, Morcombelake – Cllr Diment and Cllr Bridle looked at this planning application to erect a building for recovery vehicles. Although concern for this building in an AONB was given Councillors were sensitive to the reasons for this building due to security. Cllr C Richards proposed approval, seconded by Cllr Chapman, all agreed except Cllr Bridle, Cllr Diment abstained. It was agreed that the condition of screening and light pollution be added to the comments. Planning approvals received:
Kings Orchards, Butt Lane, Ryall.

Planning Withdrawals received: Newlands Holiday Park, Whitchurch Canonicorum and 46 Penn Cottage, Wootton Fitzpaine.

3758 Reports: Cllr Brierley reported that the Parish Council will soon be consulted on the Boundary Review. The changes proposed are for this area to loose Stoke Abbott to Beaminster and then Symondsbury would be incorporated into this area, not much changing but will increase the area to an extra 1,000 people. He also reported that he abstained from voting on the Council Tax rise as he was upset by the 15.5% rise. He also reported that he is attending a meeting with Transport Manager to try and get them to use more local depots for fuel rather than going direct to petrol stations as this would save money. He finally reported that he has attended site meetings with regards to highway matters in the Lyme Regis and Chideock areas, he believes that one of these meetings would be beneficial to the Char Valley area.
Cllr Bridle reported from an A35 CI meeting that the study on the potential diversion of HGV’s will be started soon. She also reported that WATAG donations of £5 are due to be paid next month.
Cllr C Richards has had reported to him that there is a dead elm tree in the hedge near the Whitchurch Canonicorum Playing Field. It was agreed that Cllr Johnson ask the Committee about this and report that Cllr C Richards would be happy to carry out this work if insurance is there to cover him.
Action: Cllr Johnson
Cllr Chapman reported road flooding signs still in Monkton Wyld along with temporary road surface signs. The Clerk is to report these onto Dorset County Council and for locations they must see Cllr Chapman. Action: Clerk
Cllr Diment reported that there are around four springs in Pitmans Lane still running which need to be sorted out before the icy weather. The Clerk is to report this to Dorset County Council as the springs have made potholes in the lane. Action: Clerk
Cllr Johnson reported that as yet the edges of the road are still dangerous at Stockham Bridge, the Clerk is to report this again to Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk
Cllr D Richards reported that the edge deterioration had still not been done at Green Pitt Knapp, Wootton Fitzpaine, Clerk to report to Dorset County Council again. Action: Clerk
Cllr Fortescue reported that she has spoken to Reverend Fairbrother and the PCC would like a proper survey carried out regarding social housing and there needs to be a special group set up to carry this out.

3759 Correspondence: Information Commissioner, Freedom of Information Act acceptance – Whitchurch Village Hall Committee, Figures – DEFRA, Quality Parish Councils – Dorset County Council, Footpath Closure East of Charmouth – Dorset County Council, Bus Lay-by in Morcombelake – Dorset County Council, GM Report – West Dorset District Council, Prospect at Morcombelake now Topsy Turvey – West Dorset District Council, Housing Conference – DAPTC, Char Chat Congratulations – Dorset County Council, Highway Repairs – Dorset Community Action, Acceptance of Letter regarding 5% to James Hargreaves Community Hall – Portland Town Council, Meetings regarding Visitor Centres for Jurassic Coast.

3760 Parish Plan: Cllr Fortescue reported that everyone should have received the newsletters and it was agreed to write to Liz Daros and Trevor Chambers to thank them for all of their hard work. She also reported that the web site had won a Golden Web Award and it was agreed to write to Tim too thanking him for his work. She also reported that the Hedgerow Survey Handbook has been received but the District Council seem to want species counts so the groups may do walks rather than the actual study. Cllr Fortescue reported that the Action Plans have been done ready for people to look at and make comments/alterations. She finally reported that the Wootton 2000 book is coming together, the text is done just the illustrations to do now.

3761 Elections: The Chairman said thank you to the Councillors who are leaving at the 1st May 2003 Elections, Cllr Bridle and Cllr D Richards. She thanked them for all their work over the years. The Clerk confirmed that following the elections there will be two Councillors positions to fill which hopefully can be co-opted at the May meeting.

3700 Footpaths at Stanton St Gabriel and Charmouth: Cllr Bridle reported on this correspondence received and it was agreed to write back to Dorset County Council giving the Parish Councils approval.

3763 Any Other Business: The Chairman reported that Mr Bob Knight has reported to her that there is a Whitchurch Canonicorum War Memorial Fund which the Parish Council could take over and he could attend a meeting to discuss the fund.
The Chairman asked if there was a brochure on the Millennium Walk in Whitchurch Canonicorum, the Clerk said that a map and route was available but not in a brochure.
Cllr Fortescue reported that Mr Jenkins had kindly given her documents on e-gov which she said she would give to Tim Heap who is putting together the web site.
Cllr C Richards asked if the Parish Council had heard from the Womens Institute regarding the seat in Whitchurch Canonicorum, the Clerk said nothing had been heard and she would give Mrs Dufton a ring.

3764 Date of Next Meeting: Annual General Parish Council Meeting on the 12th May 2003 at 7.30pm in Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall.

3765 Close of Meeting: 10.25pm.