Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: E Fortescue (Vice-Chair) – Chairing the Meeting, C Richards, S Johnson, R Andrews, R Cook, W Chapman, B Briscoe, V Diment, R Taylor, J Bridle, D Newson, G Brierley, S Creed-Castle, L Jenkins and 2 members of the public.

3786 Declaration of Acceptance of Office and Register of Interests of Winston Chapman and Barbara Briscoe: Winston Chapman and Barbara Briscoe signed their Declaration of Acceptance of Office forms and confirmed that their interests remained the same.

3787 Apologies: Cllr Bay, Cllr White, Cllr Gillespie and Brian Wallace.

3788 Declarations of Interest: Although not present at the meeting Cllr White wanted his interest in the discussion on the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall noted.

3789 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 14th April 2003: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Diment, seconded by Cllr Andrews, all agreed and signed.

3790 Matters Arising: Cllr Chapman reported that the road signs have still not been collected by Dorset County Council, the Clerk will report this to them again. Action: Clerk

3791 Talk by Bob Ashington from Dorset County Council Regarding the Char Valley Trail: Bob Ashington gave a talk followed by a question and answer session on the new Char Valley Trail which follows existing Rights of Way from Charmouth to Pilsdon Hill, around 10 miles. This path will be upgraded with better furniture and waymarking along they way which will hopefully attract more visitors inland. He is contacting various parties involved on this project including Parish Councils and landowners but he stressed that he would like local knowledge from anyone, to accommodate everyone’s needs, especially farmers. Subject to funding, this 5 to 6 year project will be advertised mainly with leaflets distributed locally. Cllr Fortescue thanked him for his time in explaining this project.

3792 Brian Wallace, Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall – Update on Progress: The Clerk reported on behalf of Mr Wallace. Although absent from the meeting Mr Wallace says this subject has had to be deferred to another date. He is very grateful for the forthcoming £2,500 but the additional request for £1,112.00 should not be required as Lois Rose is applying for a second grant on the halls behalf.

3793 Finance: Cheques to be signed this month are:- Clerks Salary £242.47, Morcombelake URC Hall Hire £20.00, Wootton Fitzpaine Parish Meeting Hall Hire £13.00, Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall Hire for Parish Meeting £11.25, Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall Grant £2,500.00, Chris Douglas New Notice Board £425.00, proposed by Cllr Diment, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Mr Chris Douglas thanking him for the new notice board at Fishpond and all of the work that he has carried out to the notice boards. Action: Clerk
Cllr Richards, proposed a £40.00 contribution towards the upkeep of the graveyard at the Morcombelake URC, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed.

3794 Public Discussion: The public had nothing to discuss.

3795 Planning: Creehay Cottage, Fishpond – Cllr Richards and Cllr Briscoe looked at this application to erect a garage, extension and conservatory. They reported that this application replaced the previous application which, included a swimming pool. There have been no objections from neighbours and this development will not been seen, the only comment was a concern regarding light pollution. It was agreed to recommend this application. A discussion was held regarding the wording on comments back to West Dorset District Council but it was agreed to use recommend approval or object or other wording considered suitable to the particular application by parish councillors. Hinkhams, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Fortescue asked if Cllr Brierley could leave the room while his application was discussed. Cllr Richards looked at this application to erect a Lean-to Conservatory. The neighbours have no objections except for the light pollution issue and again this development cannot be seen by anyone. It was agreed to recommend approval. Cllr Brierley rejoined the meeting.
Planning approval received:- Stonebarrow House, Stanton St Gabriel. Planning refusals received:- Monkton Wyld Caravan Park, Monkton Wyld and St Anthonys Cottage, Morcombelake. Planning acknowledgment received:- Stubbs Bridge Lane, Wootton Fiztpaine.

3796 Reports: Cllr Newson reported that there will be a supplementary planning guidance document available in a month or two which will cover issues like affordable housing until the Local Plan has been adopted. Adopting the Local Plan could take a while as around 4,000 objections have been received to look through.

Cllr Brierley reported that Mandeville Stoke Farm lane has collapsed in places probably due to large lorries using it. However a meeting is taking place with himself, the farm owners and the Highways Department to discuss repair work. He also suggested that a representative from the Parish Council join him with the Highways Department to go around the whole of the Parish Councils area to pick out all the areas needing attention, it was agreed to furnish Cllr Brierley with a name to do this soon. He finally reported that there have been 112 names put forward with regards to the 30mph speed limit and traffic calming measures along Morcombelake. He has spoken to Traffic Management at Dorset County Council who are very positive, Oliver Letwin is to be included in all negotiations and a public meeting will take place soon, but he is still waiting for a satisfactory response from the Highways Agency.

Cllr Andrews reported that he along with Cllr Chapman attended a DAPTC meeting held in Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall. Mr Tim Badman of Dorset County Council spoke at that meeting regarding oil, pollution and Ship to Ship Transfers in Lyme Bay.

Cllr Taylor reported that a meeting had been held today negotiating options with regards to purchasing the Morcombelake URC Hall and hopefully it should be purchased in around 6 weeks time.

Cllr Bridle reported that Howard Thomas has resigned as Chairman to WATAG so another Chairman will be elected at the next meeting. He also reported that WATAG is widening its interests to all types of transport and road conditions.

Cllr Richards reported work to a Cypress tree at Bellair, Charmouth to reduce the canopy.

Cllr Fortescue reported on a Housing seminar which she attended. The subjects discussed were affordable housing, looking at local income against house prices; housing needs, looking into the WDDC Housing Survey results; homelessness; and the maintenance of private property where the owners had difficulty in finding money for essential repairs.

Cllr Taylor commented on the Safer Routes to School leaflet which is circulating. He proposed that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council with regards to School Children crossing the road on the A35 which is very dangerous, all agreed. Cllr Briscoe also commented on the same problem at Marshwood School, Cllr Brierley said that he is proposing that a 30mph limit with school signs be put through Marshwood. Action: Clerk

Cllr Diment reported that Lelandi are overhanging the grass service strip and the pavement belonging to Mr Palmer at Ship Cottage Morcombelake. The Clerk will write to the owners asking if they could trim the offending branches back. He also reported that the new gullies on the Tizzards Knapp road have started to give away, the Clerk will report this to Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk

Cllr Richards asked if any decision has been made on the dangerous WI seat outside the Ship Inn at Morcombelake and did the Council want him to dispose of it. It was agreed that Cllr Diment do a repair to make it safe and then finances would be discussed to see if the Parish Council have enough money to replace it. Action: Cllr Diment

Cllr Bridle spoke on the Right to Roam maps which have been received by the Parish Council recently.
It was agreed to place a notice on the notice boards of the areas which are affected informing members of the public that maps are viewable, Cllr Bridle will hold the Stanton St Gabriel maps and Cllr Briscoe the Fishpond area maps. Whitchurch Canonicorum maps have yet to arrive but the Clerk will chase this. Action: Clerk

Cllr Fortescue reported that the gates along Bridleway 3 along the Catherston Leweston/Wootton Fitzpaine boundary, round Conegar Hill to Bakers Cross cannot be opened by riders. Cllr Briscoe said that she would be in contact with the Rights of Way Section and she would mention these matters. Action: Cllr Briscoe
She also reported that the signposts at Wootton Cross and Monkton Wyld Cross are missing, the Clerk will report this onto Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk
She also expressed her concerns with regards to the proposed Char Valley Trail when several other trails are available in this area. She finally reported that she is negotiating with several different owners of land between Knapp Farm and Guppy at Wootton Fitzpaine, where the existing Footpath 26, might be able to be made into a permissive bridleway. This would allow children and adults to ride up to Charmouth Forest and around other bridlepaths without riding on the roads, and it could be closed if gates were left open or it proved unworkable. The Rights of Way Section are keen on these schemes but landowners do have to pay for gates etc but the Parish Council could always be approached for financial help if the owners are willing to allow it.

3797 Correspondence: Dorset Countryside, Char Valley Trail Project – DEFRA, Good Councillors Guide – Dorset County Council, Highway Repairs – DAPTC, Good Councillors Guide – DAPTC, New Chief Executive and Register of Interests – West Dorset District Council, Planning Meeting regarding Champernhayes Mill – West Dorset District Council, Planning Dates – Fishpond PCC, Thank you for Donation – West Dorset District Council, Register of Interests Confirmation – West Dorset District Council, Local Plan Supports/Objections – DAPTC, Welcome to Councillors Meeting – Dorset County Council, Safer Routes to School Newsletter – Monkton Wyld PCC, Thank you for Donation – SERCO, Site Confirmation of Traffic Monitoring Survey – Dorset AONB Co-ordinator, Workshop Dates – Hastoe Housing Association, Vacancy at Merehayfield Cottages, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Brierley to Highways Agency, Traffic Calming in Morcombelake – The Countryside Agency, Right to Roam Maps.

3798 Parish Plan: Cllr Fortescue reported that an action plan meeting had taken place with herself, Cllr Taylor, Cllr Diment, Cllr Bay, Cllr Briscoe, Cllr Bridle, Lynn Jenkins, Sue Herman and Penny Watt. At this meeting the group sorted out a formal plan which will follow one similar to the Loders Village Plan. The plan will include 250-300 words by various people on their particular area including illustrative photographs. The next meeting will take place on the 24th June at 7.30pm in Morcombelake URC Hall.

3799 Parish Meeting Reports: Cllr Andrews chaired the Whitchurch Canonicorum Parish Meeting held on the 29th May 2003 and read out a report on items discussed. Items discussed were brown tourist signs for the Church, the War Memorial, future works in a Conservation area, the area of ground opposite the War Memorial, Millennium Village Walk, local housing and the Millennium Tapestry.
Cllr Fortescue read out the Wootton Fitzpaine Parish Meeting report. The items discussed at the meeting were the Best Kept Village Competition, a book on the history of Wootton Fitzpaine called The Living Countryside, the Playing Field Committee and what maintenance is going to take place there and various sign posts around the area in need of attention.

3800 Parish Ward Meeting Procedures: Cllr Bridle expressed his concerns on the lack of format on the Parish Meetings procedures. It was agreed that 6 months before the next round of Parish Meetings in May 2004, the Parish Council will discuss this matter so that next year the meeting groups are decided and dates given so that much more notice is given for the meetings.

3801 Any Other Business: Cllr Andrews asked about the Parish Council’s views on the Whitchurch Canonicorum Hall and financing it. Cllr Fortescue said that this matter should be discussed first at a Finance Meeting to sort out whether the Council wanted in principle, to be guarantors for loans or to take loans out on behalf of any community group within their area. All councillors could then vote on a Standing Order motion after which they could consider within that framework, how to address any particular requests such as the one from Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall Trustees.
Cllr Chapman thanked Cllr Fortescue for Chairing the Meeting.

3802 Date of Next Meeting: Monday 21st July 2003 at 7.30pm at Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall.

3803 Close Of Meeting: 9.55pm.