Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: A Bay (Chairman), E Fortescue (Vice Chairman), R Andrews, S Johnson, C Richards, R Cook, V Diment, R Taylor, J Bridle, G Brierley, D Newson, D Newman, S Creed-Castle, L Jenkins and 15 members of the public.

3892 Apologies: B Briscoe, W Chapman, P White and I Gillespie.

3893 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Taylor declared an interest as a Parish Council representative for the Morcombelake URC Hall, Cllr Fortescue declared an interest under the Finance Section and no prejudicial interest as a Parish Council representative for the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, Cllr Andrews declared an interest as a Parish Council representative for the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall as did Cllr Johnson.

3894 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 12th January 2004: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Taylor, all agreed and signed.

3895 Matters Arising: The Clerk reported on her actions from the minutes that: She has written to Mr Wright regarding extra money on invoice, giving copies of the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations to all Councillors, written to Whitchurch Canonicorum Hall Committee regarding the Parish Council representatives, written to Dorset County Council regarding flooding but no reply as yet, written to Connect regarding outstanding work at Morcombelake and the reply is under correspondence, written to Mr & Mrs Gorfin regarding a notice board at the bottom of Stonebarrow Lane but due to the house being on the market the Parish Council can contact them again in May, written to West Dorset District Council regarding use of farmland and the reply is under correspondence, Parish Survey needs questionnaire on headed paper given to Cllr Richards and DAPTC correspondence sent to the local Village Halls.

3896 Finance: Clerks Report: The Clerk reported that she has been to see Lloyds TSB regarding changing the bank account to give us interest following the discontinuation of the Treasurers Account. At the meeting with the Bank and the Clerk it was suggested to keep the money in an account without interest but it was agreed that the Clerk return to the bank to try and get an account with interest, if they have no suitable account it was agreed to look elsewhere. Action: Clerk Payments: Cheques to be paid this month are:- Clerks Salary, £242.47 - Morcombelake URC Hall, £7.00 - Petty Cash, £40.00 - Mr Wright, £147.00 - Mr Welch, £82.25 - Thurning Graphics, £851.89 - XCalibre, £46.94 - Wootton Fitzpaine PCC, £262.03 - Deane Business Solutions, £17.47, proposed by Cllr Bridle, seconded by Cllr Diment, all agreed. To Consider Request from Whitchurch, Morcombelake and Ryall Village Hall for the Parish Council to Provide a £25,000 Mortgage: Mr Brian Wallace the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee gave a presentation. Cllr Andrews proposed that the Council should take the request forward to a Finance Committee Meeting, seconded by Cllr Johnson. This motion was defeated 5 votes to 4. Cllr Fortescue said that she was very disappointed at the way in which the matter had been handled by West Dorset District Council, which had led to misunderstanding and ill feeling. She proposed that the Council should write to West Dorset District Council making this point. Seconded by Cllr Bridle and all agreed. Action: Clerk

3897 Public Discussion: Mrs Sally White informed the Council why her husband Cllr Paul White had not attended the meeting, this was due to the agenda item on the Whitchurch, Morcombelake and Ryall Village Hall. She also informed the Council that Cllr White won the contract of the work at the Village Hall fairly and that questions on money were not appropriate. The Parish Council were sorry that Cllr White felt awkward and that he was an outstanding Councillor for the Parish Council. Mr Newman commented on the Village Hall request and that now there is security within the cottage adjoining it. Miss Diment reported that she has been flooded several times over the Christmas/New Year period and that the gullies are so blocked around the lanes of Morcombelake. Cllr Brierley said that he will chase Dorset County Council and get the jetters into the area. Cllr Fortescue said that the lack of sweeping by West Dorset District Council did not help the matter. Action: Cllr Brierley Mr Jenkins reported that the gullies are being cleared on the A35. Mr Chambers asked when the Morcombelake bus shelter is going to be erected, Cllr Brierley said that he has spoken to Michelle Boon and it has been ordered and it’s on its way but as yet no firm date.
Abby a resident of Monkton Wyld Court expressed her concerns on the comments on Monkton Wyld Court in the Village Plan. The residents felt that they were misrepresented and that people on the outside did not really understand their ideals, however she thanked Cllr Fortescue for the letter of apology. Abby was invited to write an article on Monkton Wyld Court which could be published in the June edition of the Char Chat.

3898 Planning: Greenacres, Morcombelake - Cllr Diment and Cllr Bridle looked at this application to erect a replacement dwelling. Approval was recommended although concerns were raised with regards to a modern sewerage system needed and that the retaining wall is showing signs of cracking and land slippage could occur if excavations were taking place. 7 Thistlegate Cottages, Axminster Road, Charmouth - Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Chapman looked at this application to erect a detached garage. There were no problems with this proposal and approval was recommended. Champernhayes Mill, Wootton Fitzpaine - Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to retain existing building for forestry use. It was agreed to recommend approval providing that the building is used as a store and not to work timber. Westhay Cottage, Stonebarrow Lane - Cllr Diment and Cllr Bridle spoke on this application to erect extension to form breakfast area to the kitchen. It was agreed to object to this application and to uphold West Dorset District Councils previous decision to refuse it and the owners getting relief on Condition 4. Planning approvals received - Bowshot Farm, Monkton Wyld and Cothayes, Whitchurch Canonicorum. Planning refusal received - Bluebell Wood Cottage, Ryall. Planning withdrawal received - Champernhayes Mill, Wootton Fitzpaine.

3899 Reports: Cllr Newson said that he would make enquiries on road sweeping for the area. He suggested that the Parish Council wait until at least May to contact West Dorset District Council with regards to the Village Hall mortgage enquiry as the Finance Section are very busy with Council Tax matters. He also reported that the many changes has been made to the first deposit Local Plan and that the document will be back out for consultation soon. Finally he reported that the latest Council Tax rise for West Dorset District Council is in the region of 8% but that’s not the final figure. Cllr Brierley gave the Clerk a set of forms for the brown tourist signs for the Whitchurch Canonicorum Church. He said that its Dorset County Councils responsibility and fill the forms in and send it to them to consider. He reported that the Charmouth Library is not closing and that funding has been found elsewhere to keep it going. But he did report that Wootton Fitzpaine has lost the mobile library stop. Finally he reported that the Dorset County Council Council Tax rise will be around 4.9% but the Fire Authority looks like a rise of 21%. Cllr Taylor reported on flooding at St Gabriels Cottage and Cllr Brierley said that work was in hand to resolve this problem and he believes that claims forms have been sent to the owner. Cllr Taylor also reported that the Star Lane street name plate at Frodshams end has rotted and needs replacing, the Clerk will report this to West Dorset District Council. Action: Clerk

Finally Cllr Taylor said that contracts on the James Hargreaves Hall are being looked at and the purchase will take place soon. A Planning Officer has been to look at the building and it was suggested that the Parish Council could put in the planning application for the James Hargreaves Hall. Cllr Fortescue reported that this cannot be done as it was not the Parish Councils planning application and a similar one at Whitchurch Canonicorum had been turned down by the Parish Council. Cllr Johnson reported that between Cardsmill Farm and Stockham Bridge, Gassons Lane, Whitchurch Canonicorum there is a grate which is banging in the middle of the road along with various potholes in the vicinity. The Clerk will report these matters onto Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk She also reported that over 230 meals were served up at the Breakfast in Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall on the 1st February 2004. Cllr Fortescue reported that Bridport Town Council are asking for support on the West Bay Sea Angling Jetty at West Bay. It was agreed that the Clerk write a letter of support but at the moment no monies were available. Action: Clerk Cllr Diment has received a comment from a resident of Morcombelake saying that they miss the telephone box on The Green for lighting purposes. Cllr Taylor said that he would ask at the next Committee Meeting if a light could be installed during the refurbishment of the James Hargreaves Hall. Action: Cllr Taylor

Cllr Andrews reported that there is a vacancy on the DAPTC Executive Committee. He said that this vacancy could be shared with Chideock Parish Council so if anyone is interested liaise with all parties. Cllr Bridle reported that he has written an article for the Char Chat on the Axe Valley and West Dorset Ring and Ride. He asked if a letter could be sent regarding the closure of the Coast footpath east of Charmouth, this was agreed and the Clerk will send it to the Chief Executive of Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk Cllr Richards reported that the street name plate at the junction of Goodens Hill and Berne Lane has been damaged beyond repair, the Clerk will write to West Dorset District Council. Action: Clerk

3900 Correspondence: Lyme Regis/St George Twinning Association, Church Service at Whitchurch Canonicorum Church - West Dorset District Council, Sports Newsletter - Dorset County Council, Carriageway Resurfacing at Whitchurch Canonicorum - Dorset Archives Service, Confirmation of Archiving Material - West Dorset District Council, How To Make A Complaint Leaflet - Dorset County Council, Council Tax Meeting Date - DAPTC, Circular 1/04 - The Boundary Committee, Draft Recommendations - Bridport Town Council, Community Planning Partnership - West Dorset District Council, Use of Farmland in Wootton Fitzpaine - Connect Road Operators, Work on Morcombelake Footpath - West Dorset District Council, Spring Clean 2004 - West Dorset District Council, Confirmation of Precept - West Dorset District Council, Development Control Meeting Details - Dorset County Council, Closure of Coastal Footpath - West Dorset District Council, Reply Regarding Listed Wall in Whitchurch Canonicorum and Planning Officer to Attend Parish Council Meeting - The Dorset Milestoners, Details of Organisation - Mr Parr, Blocked Gully at Ryall - Miss Diment, Flooding at Morcombelake - Dorset Police, Questionnaire on Community Support Officers - Dorset Arts Week Association, Details of Arts Week.

3901 Parish Plan: Cllr Bay reported on a meeting which took place at the beginning of February with Parish Council representatives and local Homewatch co-ordinators which resulted from the Parish Plan queries on Policing of the area. Bridport Section Commander, Inspector Jenkins explained that at the moment staffing levels are very low but the new flexible work patterns have enabled the service standards to be maintained. Bridport Police Station is open from 9am to 8pm and that should be your first call for non emergency reports. He also explained that Community Support Officers are in the area to assist as well as the Police helicopter. He also said that feedback from Homewatch is vital, gave security tips and reassured everyone that Dorset was one of the safest places to live.

3902 Quiet Lanes: Cllr Fortescue reported on a CPRE meeting she had attended on quiet lanes. There is a long document on this subject which everyone is welcome to look at which explains the scheme on how to slow traffic down on minor rural roads. Cllr Fortescue suggested that at a later date the Parish Council invite Richard Nicholls to talk on this matter.

3903 DAPTC Circular on Grants for Community Buildings: Cllr Taylor commented on a DAPTC circular received on grants for community buildings and that the Parish Council should support this scheme. It was agreed that the Clerk write a letter of support to the Dorset Village Halls Association. Action: Clerk

3904 Proposed Closure of Charmouth Library: This matter was not discussed as Cllr Brierley had previously confirmed no closure during Reports.

3905 Any Other Business: Cllr Taylor suggested that perhaps the Parish Council might consider giving a lump sum to Village Halls every year for their running costs.
3906 Date of Next Meeting: 8th March 2004 at 7.30pm in Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall.

3907 Close of Meeting: 10.30pm.