Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: A Bay (Chairman), E Fortescue (Vice-Chairman), C Richards, S Johnson, R Andrews, R Cook, B Briscoe, V Diment, R Taylor, D Newson, G Brierley, G Summers, S Creed-Castle, D & J Newman and 3 members of the public.
Andy Lloyd the Rural Housing Enabler from Dorset Community Action gave a presentation on affordable housing, which was followed by a question and answer session.
Cllr Bay asked if an emergency item could be placed on the agenda following planning to discuss bus stops at Morcombelake, all agreed.

3822 Apologies: Cllr Chapman, Cllr Bridle and Cllr Gillespie.

3823 Declarations of Interest: None.

3824 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 21st July 2003: The Clerk added Cllr Gillespie to members present at the meeting and then the minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Diment, all agreed and signed.

3825 Matters Arising: The Clerk reported that all of her actions would come under correspondence.

3826 Finance: Cheques to be signed this month are: Clerks salary August/September - £242.47, Petty Cash - £30.00, CPRE - £25.00, Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall - £22.50 and Morcombelake URC Hall - £14.00, proposed by Cllr Andrews, seconded by Cllr Fortescue, all agreed.

3827 Public Discussion: The public had nothing to discuss.

3828 Planning: Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to change cattle yard to livery yard. No problems could be seen with this application and approval was recommended. 2 Bowshot Farm, Monkton Wyld – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to erect a three storey extension. This application appears to be a completely separate house, concerns were raised regarding the sewerage disposal and it was recommended to object to this application. Monkton Wyld Caravan Park – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to site 28 static caravans. The Local Plan is supported by the Parish Council and it was recommended to refuse this as the previous application but would have no objections to an extension of the touring caravan area. Keepers Cottage, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to erect a single storey extension, approval was recommended. Church House, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Richards and Cllr White looked at this application to erect new front and rear porches. It was felt that this work would enhance the property and approval was recommended. Stubbs Bridge Land, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to erect an agricultural pole barn, approval was recommended. Cherry Cottage, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Richards and Cllr White looked at this application to erect a new garage, approval was recommended. Springfield, Ryall – Cllr Diment and Cllr Taylor looked at this application to erect a conservatory, approval was recommended. Newlands Holiday Park, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Andrews and Cllr Chapman looked at this application to site 18 timber lodges and 23 static caravans. Cllr Andrews said that this application is identical to the previous application and was to rearrange the whole site. Although he could see no problem with this application, businesses have to move forward, he believed that this application should have a site visit. It was proposed by Cllr Andrews, seconded by Cllr Richards all agreed that this application is objected to with a view to a site visit. Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue looked at this amended application to change double ridge roman tiles to natural slate, approval was recommended.

Planning approvals received: 2 Cockwell Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Castle View, Ryall – Greenings, Fishpond – Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine – Keepers Cottage, Wootton Fitzpaine – Church House, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cherry Cottage, Whitchurch Canonicorum – 1 Bowshot Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine. Planning refusal received: Wishover, Loves Lane, Morcombelake.
Planning withdrawals received: Land adj Spence Cottage, Wootton Fitzpaine - The Garage, Morcombelake.

3829 Bus Shelters at Morcombelake: Cllr Diment reported that he and Cllr Taylor had met Michelle Boon from Dorset County Council with regards to bus shelters at Morcombelake. He reported that two bus shelters had been requested, one near the Ship Inn and the other opposite the Church. The one opposite the Church would need a slab of which the Highways Agency has no finances at the moment to do so but one still could be erected, the one at the Ship Inn would need no slab. She is now after a decision from the Parish Council as to where to place the bus shelter and what design. Cllr Taylor proposed the site at the Ship Inn and the same design as the one at Chideock and the other site could be asked for at a later date, all agreed. It was agreed that the Clerk telephone Michelle Boon to confirm. Action: Clerk

3830 Reports: Cllr Newson reported that he will be attending a meeting on Tuesday 16th September 2003 solely on affordable housing.
Cllr Summers reported that she too will be attending that meeting and will report back on any further information. She also introduced herself and said that she could not attend all the Parish Council meetings but if she was needed to attend to let her know but two issues in the area which she had been involved in is the Newlands planning application and the coast path diversion.
Cllr Brierley firstly spoke on the public meeting which is to be held on the 26th September 2003 at 7pm in Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall with Oliver Letwin in attendance. This meeting is to talk about the A35 Morcombelake and any other safety related issues. He has invited many interested bodies, the Highways Agency will not be attending as it is for Connect to deal with and there seems to be an underlying problem between the Highways Agency and Connect which he will investigate, also invited are the Police who are too busy to attend. He also reported that new signs with yellow backgrounds will be erected within the next four weeks at Marshwood School. He also reported that he will be attending an emergency meeting on the 17th September 2003 to discuss Ship to Ship transfers in Lyme Bay. The Russians have been doing transfers 9 miles off the coast which could be the first of several transfers.
He finally thanked the Councillors for taking part in the tour of the road with the Highways Engineer who now knows what needs doing but he would like this tour to be an annual event.
Mr Newman reported that the Char Valley Trail has been fully walked by a group of walkers and again problems of the broken bridge between Stoke Mill Farm and New House Farm. He has reported it numerous times and it was agreed that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council also. He also reported that again maize is a problem at this time of year and that farmers need to be reminded of the responsibilities to clear paths but they are also planting right to the edge of fields which makes it impossible to walk there. Action: Clerk
Cllr Fortescue reported that the Bridport Area Partnership meeting has been postponed.
Cllr Richards reported that Mr Smith of Crouch Farm has reported the dangerous Ash tree to British Telecom but no positive response as yet from them. It was explained that if the tree was left and has the potential to damage the lines British Telecom will pay for its removal but if the owner takes away the tree and damages the lines he will have to pay costs. He also reported that he had read in a Council magazine that a Parish Councils web site cost over £2,700 and he believed that Mr Heap had done very well with the Char Valley web site.
Cllr Diment reported that he had read with interest that Shatcombe reservoir at Beaminster had had anti terrorist covers put on them.
Cllr Andrews commented on the lack of verge cutting along the lanes with blue posts. The Clerk reported that this should be carried out week commencing on the 15th September 2003 lasting for four weeks.
Cllr Cook reported that the sinks outside Hit N Miss had been removed.
Cllr Fortescue said that following the tour around the area with the Highways Engineer regarding work to be carried out she is worried that the County Council and District Council are not liaising together in order to get our road network up and running. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council expressing our concerns and a copy letter to West Dorset District Council. Action: Clerk

3831 Correspondence: West Dorset District Council, Update on Parish Council Members – DEFRA, Rural Standard 2003 – West Dorset District Council, Acknowledgement of Revision to Cllr Diments Register of Interests – Dorset County Council, Draft School Organisation Plan – HLB AV Audit, Local Council Briefing – Dorset County Council, Appeal for Volunteer Members on the Local Access Forum – Connect Road Operators, Work on Footpaths – Bopper Bus Organisation, Thank you for Donation – Dorset County Council, Bus Shelter Details – Dorset County Council and the Highways Agency, Pupils Crossing the A35 – West Dorset District Council, Countryside and Conservation Grant Scheme – DAPTC Circular No 19/03 and 20/03 – The Standards Board, Code of Conduct – Dorset Countryside, The Wessex Ridgeway Project – West Dorset District Council, Removal of Hedge at Wootton Fitzpaine – Dorset County Council, Archive Awareness Month – Dorset County Council, Parish Plans – Cllr Brierley, Public Meeting Details – Chalk and Cheese, Newsletter – CPRE, Visit to Winfrith – The Local Channel, Offer on Web Sites – DAPTC, Community Strategy – Dorset County Council, Seatbelt Campaign – West Dorset District Council, Draft Interim Supplementary Planning Guidance – Resident of Stonebarrow Lane, Objection to Newlands Planning Application – West Dorset District Council, Christmas and New Year Refuse Collection Details – Dorset County Council, Highway Matters.

3832 Parish Plan: Cllr Fortescue reported that ongoing work will hopefully be completed this week and then it will be off to the printers. A quote has been received from the printers and overall the Parish Plan will be completed under budget.

3833 Seat at the Top of Goodens Hill, Whitchurch Canonicorum: Cllr Richards asked if a seat to replace the old removed seat could be placed at the top of Goodens Hill. There have been a lot of walkers about this year and believes that a seat would be welcome, he is more than happy to keep the area strimmed. It was agreed to put this proposal to the Finance Committee and Cllr Richards handed to the Clerk a brochure on seating with a price list included.

3834 Resolution to Support Brown Tourism Signs for Whitchurch Canonicorum Church: Cllr Bay reported that it is hoped a Heritage/Visitor Centre will be formed in the south isle of the Church in the near future and the Rector would like some signs to advertise the Church. It was unanimously agreed to support this project.

3835 Rights of Way Response to Dorset County Council: This document has been circulated to all Councillors and Councillors responses with the guidance of Mr Newmans notes was agreed to be sent to back to Dorset County Council. The overall thoughts given to them was that walkers need to be reminded of the Countryside Code and that existing footpaths need to be maintained rather than spend money on new trails which may not be needed.

3836 Bonfire Awareness: Cllr Diment reported that on the Parish Plan questionnaire bonfires were named as nuisances many times and that a code of practice is needed. It was agreed to put an article in the next Char Chat.

3837 Mobile Library Review Questionnaire: The Clerk read through a questionnaire from Dorset County Council on the Mobile Library review and with the knowledge of the Parish Plan results it was filled in to help Dorset County Council review the service.

3838 Consultation Document on Indemnity of Councillors: This document has been circulated to all Councillors and it was agreed that it is a good document and that the Clerk should contact the DAPTC to see if our insurances cover all eventualities with regards to this subject. Action: Clerk

3839 Any Other Business: Cllr Diment asked about the Standing Orders and would this make our informal meetings more formal. The Clerk reported that they had to be adopted but would not make a difference to how the meetings are run.
The Clerk asked if the letters to various organisations regarding grants had to be sent out, it was agreed that they should in order for them to get their requests in before mid October 2003.
The Clerk asked if a date and time could be set for the next Finance Meeting and it was agreed for 2pm on Friday 17th October 2003 at Stoke Mill Farm, Broadoak.

3840 Date of Next Meeting: 13th October 2003 at 7.30pm in Morcombelake URC Hall.

3841 Close of Meeting: 10.55pm.