Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: A Bay (Chairman), E Fortescue (Vice Chairman), R Andrews, S Johnson, C Richards, P White, R Cook, W Chapman, B Briscoe, V Diment, R Taylor, J Bridle, G Brierley, I Gillespie, L Jenkins and 2 members of the public.

3874 Apologies:

3875 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Fortescue declared an interest on her Village Plan invoice under the Finance Section and Cllr Chapman declared an interest on 2 Shellacre, Monkton Wyld planning application.

3876 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 17th November 2003: Subject to one spelling amendment the minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Taylor, all agreed and signed.

3877 Matters Arising: The Clerk reported on her actions from the minutes that; Cllr Brierley is looking into brown tourism signs, West Dorset District Council are further looking into Mr Parkers wall at Whitchurch Canonicorum, the British Telecom telephone box at Morcombelake is going to be removed permanently, Andy Dean from Connect Road Operators has replied to our letter regarding maintenance at Fulvens, Parish Plan thanks have been sent off, the proposed Whitchurch Canonicorum Playground agreement is with the Charities Commission and the salt bin at Wootton Fitzpaine has been delivered and installed.

3878 Finance: Clerks Report – The Clerk reported that there is £10,000 in the Bank Account. She also reported that the bank account is no longer a Treasurers Account as Lloyds TSB have now stopped them, so the Clerk is to meet up with the Manager next week to arrange an account which suits the needs of the Parish Council. Finally she reported that an invoice has been received from Mr Wright for strimming of the Whitchurch Canonicorum Playground but it also includes the felling of a tree. It was agreed that the extra sum of £30.00 be paid although this was not the responsibility of the Parish Council and that a letter to that effect be sent to Mr Wright. Action: Clerk Payments- Cheques to be paid this month are:- Clerks Salary, £242.47- Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £11.25 and Wybone Limited, £203.07, proposed by Cllr Chapman, seconded by Cllr Andrews, all agreed. Cllr Fortescue Invoice for Village Plan Work – Cllr Fortescue left the meeting. Cllr Bay reported that an invoice from Cllr Fortescue for £851.88 had been received for all of her work on the Village Plan. It was proposed by Cllr Richards, seconded by Cllr Bridle and all agreed that Cllr Fortescue be paid this money which was coming out of Countryside Agency money rather than the Precept next month. It was unanimously agreed that if it had not have been for Cllr Fortescues hard work then there would be no Parish Plan. Cllr Fortescue rejoined the meeting.
Resolution to Adopt the Parish Councils Financial Regulations and Standing Orders – The Clerk explained that all Councillors should have seen a draft copy of these documents and subject to the resolution that the Parish Council will not take out loans or guarantee loans and that a Chairmanship should last only for three consecutive years that was the only two amendment to the document. It was proposed to adopt these documents by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed. The Clerk will give each Councillor a copy for their files. Action: Clerk

3879 Public Discussion: The public had nothing to discuss.

3880 Planning: Bluebell Wood Cottage, Ryall – Cllr Diment and Cllr Taylor looked at this application to erect a polytunnel. Refusal for this application was recommended as it will be placed in a sensitive area, on a right to roam area, would be best placed in the curtilage of their own cottage and three objections had been received. 2 Shellacre, Monkton Wyld – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to erect a lean to conservatory and recommended approval as there were no problems. Cothayes, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Richards looked at this application to erect a barn and recommended approval as there were no problems. Frodsham Motors, Morcombelake – Cllr Bridle and Cllr Richards looked at this application to erect an extension to the existing garage. Approval was recommended although extra screening would be preferable. Heartsease, Morcombelake – Cllr Diment and Cllr Bay looked at this retrospective application to erect a sun deck and install a calor gas container. Refusal for this application was recommended due to the privacy taken away from near neighbours but there were no problems with the calor gas container. Bowshot Farm, Monkton Wyld – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to erect a two storey extension. This is the seconded application for this site and is a much better design than the previous one. Although the extension will create a large building the design is much more sensitive and approval was recommended.

Champernhayes Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Chapman looked at this application to erect an agricultural barn and 3 polytunnels. This area is part of Spence Farm which was sold off in lots and the new owner is going to grow organic vegetables and would like to plant an orchard. Although there were no objections to this application in principal, there were issues which need to be addressed before the proposal could be approved. Visual impact on the area in an AONB, lack of water supply and washing and toilet facilities, blind entrance off of the property onto the narrow lane, roof of the barn to be dark green or black, barn constructed at the lower end of the field, hedge near electricity grid wires, footpath running through field and hedges to be planted with the same species as existing hedge and with holly too. Nettlemore Farm, Fishpond – Cllr Richards and Cllr Briscoe looked at this application to erect a replacement garden chalet. It was recommended to refuse this application and for the planning authority to have a site visit as concerns to the size of the structure were raised. Planning approvals received – Wishover, Loves Lane, Morcombelake and Kings Orchard, Butt Lane, Ryall. Planning withdrawal received – Westhay Cottage, Stonebarrow Lane. Planning appeals received – Champernhayes Mill, Monkton Wyld and Monkton Wyld Caravan Park, Monkton Wyld.

3881 Reports: Cllr Gillespie reported that the District Council are setting their Council Tax rates and the expected rise will be around 8%. Meetings are going to take place to see where cuts can be made but again central government is giving Councils extra work to do but less and less money in grant. A meeting is going to take place this week regarding Council Tax on second homes which it is expected that they will pay 90% and money raised will go towards affordable housing. He also reported that with regards to planning and farming issues it is possible for a mobile home to be placed on land and then 6 years later apply for a house if the need can be proved but he reported that he will look into the agricultural/horticultural issue.

Action: Cllr Gillespie Cllr Brierley reported that the bus shelter at Morcombelake will be in place during the week of the 26th January 2004. He has also spoken to the Highways Agency regarding brown tourism signs and he will have an answer at the next meeting. He also reported that there is a public meeting at Colfox School at 6.30pm on the 29th January 2004 regarding Council Tax and it looks as though the County Council rise will be around 7%. Finally he reported that due to the rain various flooding matters has come to his attention but the flooding problem at Blaneys in Whitchurch Canonicorum seems to have been resolved following the recent works. Cllr Fortescue reported that she had attended the Bridport Area Partnership Meeting which had a talk on the sea angling jetty at West Bay and how well it was used and that funding was needed, a talk on the Dorset Food Partnership which had its headquarters in Bridport and talks on the Community Planning. The Bridport Area Partnership have been sent a copy of the Char Valley Parish Plan. A Plan for Bridport Town will be undertaken in the near future. She also reported that we have had feedback from the National Trust regarding the Village Plan and had a successful meeting with them. She has also heard from Dorset Police and they would also like a meeting with Parish Council representatives and also Homewatch co-ordinators. Finally she reported that almost half of the actions from the Village Plan had already been carried out.

Cllr Johnson reported that the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall kitchen will be completed by the 26th January 2004. Also noted at this stage of the meeting that Cllr Andrews will join Cllr Johnson in being a Parish Council representative for the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the Committee informing them of this and asking for the representatives to be invited to all meetings. She also reported that a car rally is around the area soon. Action: Clerk Cllr Taylor reported that the A35 was awash with water coming off the lanes following the rain during the last few days. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Kevin Cheleda of Dorset County Council informing them of this and asking for action before any cold weather appears. It was also agreed to chase Connect Road Operators on the lack of maintenance on the section of footpath between Frodshams and the Biscuit Factory. Action: Clerk

Cllr Diment also reported flooding in the Pitmans Lane/Taylors Lane, Morcombelake area and asked if a salt bin could be budgeted for next year for the area most affected by flooding/ice.

Cllr Bridle reported that he had attended a Coastal Path Action Group and that a compulsory purchase order needs to be put on some land and this means that the Coastal Path may not be properly useable for another two years. He also reported that he attended a WATAG meeting and encouraged anyone with a ½ price bus pass to use the X53 route.

Cllr Chapman reported that the sign post at Monkton Wyld cross is still broken, it was agreed that the Clerk write to Kevin Cheleda, Dorset County Council. He also reported that the notice board legs in Monkton Wyld have rotted, Cllr White agreed to look at this problem. Action: Clerk & Cllr White Cllr Andrews reported some serious potholes and a blocked gully near the Dolphins Caravan Park in Berne Lane, the Clerk will again write to Kevin Cheleda. Action: Clerk Cllr Richards reported a gully had collapsed near Edgehill, Whitchurch Canonicorum but it is believed that this repair will be carried out when they resurface the road. He also asked if the Clerk could write to Mr Smith of Crouch Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum asking if he could attend to a dangerous overhanging tree in his boundary hedge which is in danger of falling into the road and talking telephone lines down with it.

3882 Correspondence: The National Trust, Feedback on Village Plan – Dorset Countryside, Welcoming Wootton Fitzpaine Rights of Way Officer – Hastoe Housing Association, Invite to Open Day – Dorset County Council, Road Closure for Green Pitt Knapp, Wootton Fitzpaine – West Dorset District Council, Survey of Built and Natural Environment for Stanton St Gabriel Area – Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, Thank you for 2004/2005 Funding – West Dorset District Council, Register of Electors – West Dorset District Council, Mr Parkers Listed Wall – West Dorset CPRE, Quiet Lanes Meeting – DEFRA, Equine Issues – DAPTC, Circulars 23/03, 24/03 and 25/03 – Connect Road Operators, Work on the A35 at Fulvens – Dorset Countryside, Wessex Ridgeway Report – Dorset Community Action, Best Kept Village Competition – Dorset County Council, School Organisation Plan – West Dorset District Council, Diversion Order for Footpaths 7 and 8 at Wootton Fitzpaine – West Dorset District Council, Tree Preservation Order for Bay View, Morcombelake – Dorset County Council, Road Closure for Tizzards Knapp, Whitchurch Canonicorum – CPRE, Help on Countryside Planning Issues – Dorset Police, Feedback on Village Plan – Audit Commission, Questionnaire on District Councils.

3883 Parish Meetings 2004: Cllr Bay reported that due to the misunderstanding/lack of Parish Meetings for 2003 it was agreed to start early in organising this years Parish Meetings. It was agreed that Cllr Fortescue look after the Wootton Fitzpaine area, Cllr Bridle arrange the Stanton St Gabriel area and Whitchurch Canonicorum South and North be amalgamated into one meeting and this will be arranged by Cllr Andrews. Meetings must take place in May. Action: Cllr Fortescue, Cllr Bridle & Cllr Andrews

3884 Stonebarrow Lane Notice Board: Cllr Bay reported that this project could now go ahead as funding would be soon available for this notice board. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the owners of the Beech tree at the bottom of Stonebarrow Lane, Mr and Mrs Gorfin asking permission to place the notice board there. Cllr Bridle offered to liaise with the owners too. Action: Clerk & Cllr Bridle

3885 Tree Work at the Junction of Goose Knapp, Whitchurch Canonicorum: Cllr Richards reported that while out and around Whitchurch Canonicorum he was approached by the owner of Windhover to have the Oak tree cut back while the electricity was off and work being carried out to nearby trees. Cllr Richards gave permission for the work to go ahead and a bill for £82.25 has now been received. Cllr Fortescue proposed that this one off invoice be paid next month, seconded by Cllr Chapman, all agreed.

3886 Use of Farmland In Wootton Fitzpaine: Cllr Fortescue read out a statement which she and Cllr Chapman had put together, discussing, concerns about the division of farms into tiny small holdings leading to the demand for more agricultural buildings and polytunnels within the AONB area, and the possible future demand for more housing in the open countryside. It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk send this letter to Mr David Evans at West Dorset District Council Planning Department. Action: Clerk

3887 Parish Housing Needs Survey: Cllr Richards spoke on a housing needs questionnaire which he has produced. It was agreed that Cllr Fortescue supply labels and the Clerk would put the questionnaire on headed paper and supply envelopes. It was left for Cllr Richards to give these questionnaires to whoever he thinks needs local affordable housing in the Whitchurch Canonicorum area. Action: Cllr Richards,Cllr Fortescue & Clerk

3888 DAPTC Correspondence: The Councillors were shown a letter from the DAPTC on guaranteeing of loans and a letter from West Dorset District Council regarding loans for Community purposes which should clear up matters of which Parish Councils can and can’t do. It was agreed that the Clerk send copies of these letters to the local Village Halls. Action: Clerk

3889 Any Other Business: There was no other business to discuss.

3890 Date of Next Meeting: 9th February 2004 at 7.30pm in Morcombelake URC Hall.

3891 Close of Meeting: 11.20pm.