Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: A Bay (Chairman), E Fortescue (Vice-Chairman), R Andrews, P White, R Cook, W Chapman, B Briscoe, V Diment, R Taylor, J Bridle, L Jenkins, D Newman, D Hyde and 7 members of the public.
Demelza Hyde of Dorset Countryside gave a presentation on the Wessex Ridgeway project, this was followed by a question and answer session.
Cllr Bay asked for two emergency items to be placed on the agenda under the Finance Section. Cheques to be authorised for Mr Kitcher and Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, all agreed.

3857 Apologies: C Richards, S Johnson, G Brierley, D Newson, G Summers, P Mills and S Creed-Castle.
3858 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Fortescue declared an interest on payment of cheques and Cllr White declared and interest on Wishover planning application.

3859 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 13th October 2003: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr White, all agreed and signed.

3860 Matters Arising from the Minutes: Cllr Fortescue reported that the appointment of a new Community Partnership Development Officer for the Bridport Area Partnership had taken place.

3861 Finance: Cheques to be signed this month are: Clerks Salary & Postage October/November 2003, £246.44 - Clerks Salary November/December 2003, £242.47 (Post Dated) - Petty Cash, £40.00 - Morcombelake URC Hall, £17.00 - Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, £15.00 - Deane Business Solutions, £42.15 - Mrs E Fortescue, £308.00 - Creeds The Printers, £524.50 - Mr T Heap, £330.00 – Mr L Kitcher, £408.00 and Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £11.25, proposed by Cllr Taylor, seconded by Cllr Briscoe, all agreed. The Clerk circulated estimated figures recommended by the Finance Committee Meeting to all Councillors with regards to setting the Precept for 2004/2005. It was proposed by Cllr Bridle, seconded by Cllr Fortescue and all agreed to set the Precept at £11,750.00.

3862 Public Discussion: Mr Newman asked on behalf of the Whitchurch Canonicorum Parochial Church Council if there was any news on the brown tourism signs. This matter has been left with Cllr Brierley to chase and it was agreed that the Clerk contact him to see what action has been taken. Action: Clerk Mr Newman also asked what was happening with the piece of land belonging to Mr Parker opposite Whitchurch Canonicorum Church. Cllr White reported that Mr Parker had cut back the overhanging trees but it was agreed that the Clerk write to West Dorset District Council chasing the matter of the listed wall.
Action: Clerk
Finally Mr Newman reported that the Millennium Walk leaflet is still being worked on and will be available soon.
Mr Walther said that he was attending the meeting to answer any questions on the planning application at Champernhayes, Wootton Fitzpaine. Cllr Fortescue asked questions to clarify the situation.
Mrs Joyce commented that she thought the Char Chat was excellent and that purchasing Mr Parkers land to make a ‘Marshwood Garden’ would be a good idea.

3863 Planning: Wishover, Loves Lane, Morcombelake – Cllr Bay and Cllr Bridle looked at this application to erect a first floor extension and link above the existing garage. It was generally felt that compared to the previous applications the visual appearance was significantly reduced and it was agreed to recommend approval. Westhay Cottage, Stonebarrow Lane – Cllr Bridle and Cllr Diment looked at this application to add a breakfast room to the works already taking place on site. It was agreed that comments to West Dorset District Council should say that the Planning Officer needs to look carefully at the size of this overall development. Champernhayes Mill, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue looked at this planning application to retain existing building for forestry use. Following a long discussion on this application it was agreed to comment to West Dorset District Council on the issues of:- the site is a designated SNCI, the track and site is unsuitable for a large business, the building still has the appearance of a large house, the site is subject to an enforcement appeal and its difficult to judge an application until that matter has been resolved and work is already taking place so it should be a retrospective planning application. However there were no objections to forestry use if the building height was reduced to look like a barn/workshop instead of a large house. Planning approvals received:- Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine and Monkton Wyld Farm, Monkton Wyld. Planning refusals received:- Monkton Wyld Caravan Park, Monkton Wyld and Newlands Holiday Park, Whitchurch Canonicorum. Planning acknowledgement received:- Bonhays Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum.

3864 Reports: Cllr Bay gave a report on the AONB Annual Forum which she attended on the 12th November 2003. The Forum included talks on farming and the ways it is changing along with building styles and planning issues. Cllr Fortescue reported on the meeting with Hyder Consulting regarding safety issues on the A35 at Morcombelake. The meeting covered all issues on the Action Plan and more, some matters are already in hand with more to follow. Cllr Andrews attended a Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall meeting. At this meeting it was stated that £96,000 had been raised for the refurbishment which included monies from West Dorset District Council, Parish Council and donations from residents so the mortgageis in progress. It was reported that a 40% rise on hall bookings and the caretakers house was needed once refubishment had taken place. Cllr Taylor reported that differences had been resolved regarding the buying of the Morcombelake URC Hall and hopes that the purchase of the freehold of the Hall will be finalised soon. Cllr Diment reported that leaves are causing problems at the junction of The Green and Tizzards Knapp and he has reported this to Clarence. He also reported that the telephone box near Blacksmiths Cottage at Morcombelake is to be removed by request of the new owners as it is attached to their property. It was agreed that the Clerk write to British Telecom asking if the telephone box could be placed in the area rather than lose the amenity forever. Action: Clerk Cllr Taylor said it was nice to see that maintenance on the local roads was taking place. He also asked what was happening to the surveying and the maintenance of the road at Fulvens in Morcombelake on the A35. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Andy Dean of Connect Road Operators asking for an update on the situation. Action: Clerk Cllr Chapman said that no highway maintenance was being carried out in the Monkton Wyld area but Cllr Fortescue said that the maintenance unit was around the Wootton Fitzpaine area.

3865 Correspondence: Interlogging, Information on Wooden Bus Shelters – West Dorset District Council, Precept 2004/2005 Form – Dorset AONB, Annual Forum Invite – Dorset Countryside, Broken Footbridge at Broadoak – Miss Caddy, Various Matters at Morcombelake – West Dorset District Council, Enforement Issues at Wootton Fitzpaine and Fishpond – Rail Passengers Committee, Questionnaire – Dorset County Council, Order for Bus Shelter at Morcombelake – DAPTC, Circular 22/03 – West Dorset District Council, Tree Preservation Order for Bay View, Morcombelake – Hyder Consulting, Minutes of the Meeting – Gravity, Playground Equipment – West Dorset District Council, Revised Refuse Collection – West Dorset District Council, Community Plan and Corporate Plan – Highways Agency, Thank you for Action Plan – West Dorset District Council, Allowances for Parish Councillors.

3866 Parish Plan: Cllr Fortescue reported that the document has been sent out with some actions already taking place. There are lots of copies left over and it was agreed that copies be given to local schools, libraries and tourist information centres. She also reported that comments on the document have been received, some good some not so good. It is also on the web site. This work was done by Tim Heap for a much reduced fee. It was agreed to write to Tim on thanking him for his work on the web site which is getting lots of hits. It was also agreed that Cllr Fortescue write to Simon Thompson of the Dorset Community Action thanking him for his help. Action: Cllr Fortescue & Clerk

3867 Dorset County Council Local Waste Plan, 1st Deposit: The document has circulated to all Councillors but there were no comments to send off.

3868 Playground at Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall: The Clerk explained that this item has been raised by the Village Hall Committee following their request for a mortgage. An agreement on the terms of the playground has never been finalised between the Committee and the Parish Council and for legal reasons should be. After taking advice from the DAPTC it was agreed that the Parish Council would not wish to hand over responsibility of this facility to the Village Hall Committee but to try and lease the land from the Village Hall Committee. It was agreed that the Clerk write to them with this suggestion.
Action: Clerk

3869 Footpath Officer for Wootton Fitzpaine: Cllr Fortescue reported that Mr Peter Mills has kindly offered to carry out this post. He has been writing reports on footpaths for years but has now offered to officially fill the post.
3870 Salt Bin for Merehay Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine: Cllr Bay reported that a request for a salt bin at Merehay Lane had been received a while ago and Cllr Fortescue reported that Sutton Hastoe has given permission for one on their land. It was all agreed that the Clerk order a salt bin. Action: Clerk

3871 Any Other Business: None

3872 Date of Next Meeting: 12th January 2003 at 7.30pm in Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall.

3873 Close of Meeting: 10.35pm.