Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: A Bay, E Fortescue, C Richards, P White, S Johnson, R Cook, R Andrews, V Diment,
R Taylor, J Bridle, D Newson, I Gillespie, G Brierley and 10 members of the public.

3766 Declarations of Acceptance of Office and Register of Interests: Cllr Bay, Cllr Fortescue,
Cllr Richards, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Cook, Cllr Andrews, Cllr Diment, Cllr Taylor and Cllr Bridle all signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. The Clerk asked the two new Councillors, Cllr Taylor and Cllr Bridle to fill in their Register of Interests form and if any previous Councillors had to amend their Register of Interests to let the Clerk know as soon as possible.

3767 Election and Declaration of Acceptance of Office of A Chairperson: Cllr Fortescue proposed Cllr Bay, seconded by Cllr Johnson, all agreed. Cllr Bay then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office form.

3768 Election of A Vice Chairperson: Cllr Bay proposed Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Taylor, all agreed.

3769 Co-Option of Councillors: Two candidates stood for co-option for the Whitchurch Canonicorum South Ward, Mr White a previous Councillor and Mrs Dyson. Following a secret vote by the Councillors it was voted 7 to 2 that Mr White be co-opted for the Whitchurch Canonicorum South ward area. He then signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office form. The Chairman reported that only one person has come forward for the Wootton Fitzpaine area, Mrs Briscoe, a previous Councillor, she was co-opted and will sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office at the June 2003 meeting along with Cllr Chapman who could not attend the meeting tonight.

3770 Election of Members to Committees and Appointment of Representatives:
(a) Finance - Cllr Bay, Cllr Fortescue, Cllr Andrews, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Taylor and Cllr Bridle.
(b) Rights of Way - Mr & Mrs Newman for the Whitchurch Canonicorum area and Cllr & Mrs Bridle for the Stanton St Gabriel area. The Wootton Fitzpaine representative remains vacant at the moment.
(c) Trees - Cllr Richards.
(d) Transport - Cllr Bridle.
(e) DAPTC – Cllr Chapman and Cllr Andrews.
(f) Village Halls – Cllr Johnson for the Whitchurch Canonicorum Hall and Cllr Taylor for The James Hargreaves Community Hall. The Wootton Fitzpaine Hall representative remains vacant at the moment.
(g) Ancient Monuments – Mrs Creed-Castle
(h) Planning Areas – Planning applications will be given to one representative from each area and they will then liaise with another Councillor nearby. Wootton Fitzpaine area Cllr Fortescue, Whitchurch Canonicorum South area Cllr Diment, Whitchurch Canonicorum North area Cllr Richards and Stanton St Gabriel area Cllr Bridle.
(i) Bridport Area Partnership: Cllr Fortescue.

3771 Apologies: Cllr Chapman, Cllr Briscoe, L Jenkins, S Creed-Castle and G Summers.

3772 Declarations of Interest: None declared.

3773 Signing of the Last Annual Parish Council Meeting: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Andrews, all agreed.

3774 Matters Arising: No matters arising.

3775 Finance: Cheques to be signed this month are:- Clerks Salary April/May 2003 £237.10, Petty Cash
£30.00, WATAG £5.00, Allianz Cornhill £776.12, DAPTC £200.08, Fishponds PCC £20.00, Monkton Wyld PCC£136.00, Stanton St Gabriel PCC £16.25, Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall £11.25, Morcombelake URC Hall £7.00, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed.

3776 Whitchurch Canonicorum War Memorial Fund: Cllr Bay reported that she has spoken to Mr Knight with regards to the Whitchurch Canonicorum War Memorial Fund, the Trustees would like to pass the fund over to the Parish Council. All Councillors were happy with this and it was agreed that the Clerk write to Mr Knight informing him of this.

3777 Public Discussion: Mr Newman asked if the Parish Council was aware that there was slight damage to the plinth of the Whitchurch Canonicorum War Memorial. He also reported that with regards to Trustees of Charities there is a very useful booklet on this subject from the Charities Office at Taunton which the Clerk could obtain. He finally asked if he and Mr Hawkins were needed to carry out the internal audit on the Parish Council accounts, the Clerk reported that Mr Christopher now carries out the internal audits.

3778 Planning: West View, Morcombelake – Cllr Diment and Cllr Cook looked at this application to demolish the existing bungalow and erect a two storey replacement dwelling, the owners also spoke on their application. It was agreed to object to this application asking for a site inspection as three neighbours have objected mainly due to being overlooked. Concerns were also raised on the drainage issue but the owners assured the Council that this matter was in hand. Blackmore Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Richards and Cllr Johnson looked at this application to erect a conservatory and extension. They reported that no objections have been received. It was agreed to recommend approval. St Anthonys Cottage, Morcombelake – Cllr Diment and Cllr Cook looked at this application to erect a two storey extension. It was agreed to object to this application as it seems to be over development in the area, and extension on another extension, perhaps the cottage turning into two properties. Proposed by Cllr Diment, seconded by Cllr Fortescue, all agreed, Cllr Richards abstained. Greenings, Fishponds – Cllr Bay and Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to demolish a barn and erect a studio and convert a barn to holiday accommodation. They reported that many neighbours have objected to this application which will be used as a commercial business. It was agreed to object to this application as new buildings in this area are not appropriate. Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Chapman looked at this application to convert a barn into two holiday units. Cllr Fortescue reported that no objections have been received and that the drainage system could cope with extra use as there will be a new septic tank put on the land. Although Cllr Fortescue believed that holiday accommodation has reached saturation point it was agreed to recommend approval. 2 Cockwell Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Richards and Cllr Johnson looked at this application to erect a porch. They reported no objections and recommended approval. Cockwell Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Richards and Cllr Johnson looked at this application to install four rooflights. Again no objections were received and they recommended approval.

3779 Reports: Cllr Newson introduced Cllr Gillespie who has been elected to serve the Marshwood Vale area as a WDDC Councillor. He also reported on planning matters regarding demolition of buildings prior to planning permission, he also reported that the Local Plan will be adopted in 2005. He finally reported that he is no longer on the Western Area Planning Committee. There will be seven new members on the District Council.

Cllr Gillespie thanked the Parish Council for inviting him to the meeting and also reported that he is also no longer on the Western Area Planning Committee too. He also gave a talk on planning from a Parish Council point of view and how to express the Parish Councils concerns.

Cllr Brierley (DCC) passed around a wish list to the Councillors with regards to traffic calming in Morcombelake. He and Cllr Bridle have handed this list around to people affected by the A35 through Morcombelake. Cllr Bridle reported that 33 signatories have been received so far but will keep the Parish Council updated on the response and people’s thoughts. Cllr Brierley reported that he personally will work to get some action on these points and it was agreed that the Clerk write to Cllr Brierley giving him the full support of the Parish Council. Cllr Fortescue expressed her concerns saying that this should have been done through the Parish Council as all these items are being dealt with through the Village Plan.

Cllr Johnson reported from the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall meeting that fundraising was still going very well with more events planned. She said that work is to start on the hall at the beginning of June and would hopefully be finished in time for August Bank Holiday with a Grand Opening in September.

Cllr Andrews reported that the next DAPTC meeting will be held on Thursday 15th May 2003 Wootton Fitzpaine.

Cllr Taylor reported that the purchase of The James Hargreaves Community Hall was going well and in the hands of their Solicitors. They have got 2/3 of the purchase cost and they are going to have a £5,000 mortgage.

Cllr Fortescue reported that she has spoken to Kate Geraghty and the Leisure Bus scheme is going well; grants have been approved. At the moment lots of children have expressed interest so it is proposed that one week the younger children will use the bus and the next week the older children will use the bus but two co-ordinators are needed from this area to help with this scheme.

Cllr White reported that Mr Dale Wright has spoken to him with regards to the Whitchurch Canonicorum Playing Ground. Children are placing stones on the slide and sliding down on them and scratching the slides. It was agreed to keep an eye on the situation.

Cllr Taylor reported that all the surface water drains are blocked in the Loves Lane, Gibbs Lane and Verriotts Lane areas, they have not been cleared for years. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council. He also reported that the bench outside the Ship Inn near the bus stop is dangerous, falling apart. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the Women’s Institute asking if we can remove it, if so Cllr Richards will remove it. Action: Clerk

Cllr Bridle reported that Mr Green of Morcombelake has approached him regarding Japanese Knotweed. Cllr Bridle gave the Clerk literature which Mr Green had given to him.

Cllr Bay asked if the matter regarding the sinks at Hit N Miss could be resurrected, the Clerk will contact Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk

3780 Correspondence: West Dorset District Council, Election Literature and Register of Interests Literature – Dorset Community Action, Introducing the Rural Housing Enabler – CPRE, Literature on Expanding Airports – Women’s Institute, Removal of Seat at Whitchurch Canonicorum – Open Spaces Society, Our Common Land leaflet – DAPTC Circulars on Clerks Seminars, Car Allowances and Code of Conduct – Dorset Air Ambulance, Thank you for Donation – Lyme Regis Twinning Association, Annual Sir George Somers Day – Mr Thomas, Japanese Knotweed Problem in Morcombelake – West Dorset District Council, E-mails regarding Loans for Village Halls. It was decided that this matter will be looked into at the next Finance Meeting and reported back to the next Parish Council Meeting.

3781 Parish Plan: Cllr Fortescue reported that the next step is to get the action plans written up, a sub committee is needed. Cllr Taylor, Cllr Bridle and Cllr Diment offered their help on this matter.

3782 Letters of Appreciation to Outgoing Councillors: Cllr Bay reported that she has received a telephone call from Howard Thomas expressing his thanks to the Parish Council. It was unanimously agreed to write to Mr Thomas, Mr Richards and Mrs Bridle thanking them for all of their hard work over the years.

3783 Any Other Business: The Clerk asked if all the Councillors could give her their e-mail addresses to put on file.
Cllr Bay reported that the Whitchurch Canonicorum Annual Parish Meeting needs to be held in May so a date needs to be fixed with as many Councillors from the Whitchurch Canonicorum area attending as possible.

3784 Date of Next Meeting: 9th June 2003 at 7.30pm at Morcombelake URC Hall.

3785 Close of Meeting: 9.45pm.