Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: A Bay (Chairman), E Fortescue (Vice Chairman), C Richards, R Andrews, P White, B Briscoe,
V Diment, R Taylor, J Bridle, G Brierley, I Gillespie, S Creed-Castle, L Jenkins and 4 members of the public.

3842 Apologies: S Johnson, R Cook, W Chapman and G Summers.

3843 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Fortescue declared an interest on payment of cheques in the Finance Section.

3844 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 15th September 2003: The minutes were agreed
as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Taylor, seconded by Cllr Andrews, all agreed and signed.

3845 Matters Arising: The Clerk reported that she carried out all of her actions on the minutes but as yet no reply to any of them. Cllr Bay reported that Church House, Whitchurch Canonicorum is pending listed building status and that the Planning Department had been notified of this. Cllr Bay also asked if the Christmas refuge collection had been placed on all the notice boards, the Clerk confirmed that they have.

3846 Finance: The Clerk reported that HLB AV Audit has carried out and completed the External Audit for Year Ended 31st March 2003. The only observation made was that any expenditure needs to be authorised and recorded in the minutes. The Annual Return and comments were accepted by the Council, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Briscoe, all agreed. Cheques to be signed this month are: Clerks Salary September/October - £242.47, Morcombelake URC Hall - £7.00, Mrs Fortescue - £32.32 and HLB AV Audit - £141.00, proposed by Cllr Andrews, seconded by Cllr Diment, all agreed.

3847 Public Discussion: The public had nothing to discuss.

3848 Planning: Kings Orchard, Butts Lane, Ryall – Cllr Diment and Cllr Cook looked at this application to erect a garage/store room with loft area over it. It was agreed to object to this application asking for a site visit and due to concerns on it being intrusive to the area, question on change of use of land and if approval is given that the garage should be tied to the house and not sold off as a separate dwelling.
Planning approvals received: Stubbs Bridge Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine – Springfield, Ryall – West View, Morcombelake. Planning refusal received: 2 Bowshot Farm, Monkton Wyld.
Cllr Fortescue asked if any correspondence has been received regarding the enforcement work at Champernhayes Mill, Wootton Fitzpaine. The Clerk reported nothing had been received and she would write to West Dorset District Council asking for confirmation. Action: Clerk

3849 Reports: Cllr Gillespie reported that the District Council are looking into the complaints of noisy dogs on Hardown Hill and he will report back later with any update. He also reported that the District and County Councils are developing a financial 5 year plan, they are looking into all their services and looking to see if too much money is being spent on certain services or not enough and then adjusting them accordingly. Finally he reported that the Local Council Tax will be set February 2004 and that Central Government money available will be known in December 2003 but he would like to speak to the Parish Councils Finance Committee to go through these figures.
Cllr Brierley reported on the Ship to Ship transfers in Lyme Bay. He reported that transfers by the Russians which normally took place in the Baltic had now increased considerably in Lyme Bay and that between March and August 2003 22 ships were in the area, 15 in August alone transferring 300,000 tonnes of oil, the local Councils were not informed of this and meetings are now taking place following those transfers. Cllr Brierley hoped that legislation on these transfers will be in place soon. Finally Cllr Brierley reported that following the Public Meeting on the A35 he has received a letter from Connect which should be copied to the Parish Council with details of all works to be carried out through Morcombelake. Safety audits will be carried out and it is hoped that a quiet surface will be laid through Morcombelake in Autumn 2004.
Cllr Fortescue reported that the Bridport Area Partnership have invited Parish Councils to talk to the applicants for the post of Community Partnership Development Officer who attend for interviews. She is happy to go and has asked for a copy of the job description.
Cllr Diment commented that the proposed brown tourist signs for the visitors centre in Whitchurch Canonicorum Church need to be placed in and around the lanes and not just on the A35. He also reported that he saw for the first time the Ring and Ride bus around Pitmans Lane, Morcombelake. Finally he reported on an article in the Bridport News regarding the decking at Heartsease, Morcombelake. The owners did not get planning permission, it was refused and an appeal on this has been upheld due to neighbours loss of privacy.
Cllr Fortescue reported that as yet no correspondence/forms have been received from Connect with regards to the brown tourist signs for the visitors centre in Whitchurch Canonicorum Church. Cllr Brierley kindly offered to look into this matter and liaise with Reverend Fairbrother. Action: Cllr Brierley
Cllr Briscoe reported that usual problems with potholes in the Fishpond area and hoped that they would be dealt with in time.
Cllr Richards reported that tree work to an Oak tree at Fernhill Hotel was in Charmouth Parish Councils area but he did contact the Tree Officer and he was not aware of any proposed work. The Oak has been trimmed very heavily.

3850 Correspondence: Dorset County Council, Wootton Fitzpaine road closure – Dorset Police, Recruitment of Independent Custody Visitors – Residents of Stonebarrow Lane, Two objections to Newlands Holiday Park planning application – West Dorset District Council, Tree work at Cothayes, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Dorset County Council, First Deposit of Waste Local Plan – West Dorset District Council, Tree work at Windhover, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Dorset County Council, Parish Maintenance Units – West Dorset District Council, Whitchurch Canonicorum Playground Inspection. Cllr Richards confirmed he had looked for the protruding nail and could not find it. – Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership, Consultation Document – James Hargreaves Community Hall, Request for Donation – DAPTC, Circular No 21/03 – West Dorset District Council, Consultation with Parish and Town Councils – West Dorset District Council, Grants for Sports – Mrs Collins and Stonebarrow Lane Residents, Complaint regarding Condition of Lane – West Dorset District Council, Planning Acknowledgement for barn at Cothayes, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Mr Welch, Work to trees at Cothayes, Whitchurch Canonicorum. Cllr Fortescue reported that she will contact Mr David Brooks to see who owns the Oak tree at Goose Knapp in order that maintenance can be carried out at a later date, the Clerk will write to Mr Welch to that effect. Action: Cllr Fortescue/Clerk

3851 Parish Plan: Cllr Fortescue reported that the Parish Plan is with Creeds the Printers and should be ready the last week in October 2003. Printing of the Parish Plan is just under £500 and the whole project has been carried out under budget although another outlay will be Tim Heap putting the Parish Plan on the website but that has to be sorted out at a later date. Cllr Fortescue finally reported that the Parish Plan will be posted which will be quite an expense but this will include the latest edition of the Char Chat.

3852 Draft Community Strategy for Dorset: This document is circulating but it was unanimously agreed that the Parish Plan should be sent to the group at Dorset County Council for them to go through and to note all the comments relevant to the Community Strategy. Action: Clerk

3853 Draft Management Plan for Dorsets Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: The Clerk handed a copy of this document to all Councillors. It was agreed that the Councillors read the document and send any comments back to the Clerk by Wednesday 5th November 2003.

3854 Any Other Business: Cllr Bay reminded the Finance Committee of the Finance Meeting on Friday 17th October 2003 at 2pm at Stoke Mill Farm, Broadoak. She also reminded Councillors of the meeting with Hyder at Morcombelake URC Hall on Thursday 16th October 2003 at 3pm. Finally she drew the Councillors attention to the Chalk and Cheese Newsletter which is circulating and perhaps a representative from the Parish Council could attend some of their meetings.
The Clerk reported that Ms Demelza Hyde from Dorset County Council will be attending the November 2003 meeting to discuss the Wessex Ridgeway project. She also reported that the 2004 meeting dates will be out soon and the April 2004 will be a week late due to Easter.
Cllr Fortescue asked if the Councillors list on the Notice Boards could be laminated as the plastic sleeves are getting tatty. Cllr Richards said that laminating machines are quite cheap and perhaps the Parish Council could purchase one.
Cllr Andrews asked Cllr Richards if he had spoken to Mr Parker recently about his plot of land and wall. Cllr Richards reported that he had not but will in the next few days. Action: Cllr Richards
Mr Jenkins reported that a hedge along a footpath had been stripped of sloes recently.

3855 Date of Next Meeting: 17th November 2003 at 7.30pm in Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall.

3856 Close of Meeting: 9.05pm.