Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: A Bay (Chairman), E Fortescue (Vice Chairman), R Andrews, S Johnson, C Richards, V Diment, J Bridle, W Chapman, B Briscoe, B Cook, G Brierley, D Newson, I Gillespie, S Creed-Castle and 2 members of the public.

3924 Apologies: R Taylor, P White and L Jenkins.

3925 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Johnson declared an interest on Cardsmill Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum planning application and Cllr Cook declared an interest on Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine and Cardsmill Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum planning applications.

3926 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 8th March 2004: Cllr Chapman reported that Item 3914 should read Cllr Chapman and Item 3916 should read access rather than lay-by. The minutes were then agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Briscoe, seconded by Cllr Chapman, all agreed and signed.

3927 Matters Arising: The Clerk reported that her matters arising would be discussed under Finance and Correspondence.

3928 Finance: Clerk’s Report: The Clerk reported that as yet no confirmation from Lloyds Bank as to whether the new Interest Account has been opened, she will chase this during the week. Cllr Bay reported that the Countryside Agency has given their final instalment on the Village Plan, which falls short by £820.00, it was agreed to contact them to get the full amount paid which was promised. Action: Clerk

To Agree Clerk’s Salary Rise to Scale Point 18: The Clerk reported that this rise of around £16.00 a month is based on last years rates as the DAPTC have yet to confirm the agreed new hourly rate. The payment of Clerk’s back pay refers to last year’s money as the Clerk forgot to put in for her pay rise. This was proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed.

Payments: Clerk’s Salary, £258.59 – Clerk’s Back Pay for 2003/2004, £132.96 – Petty Cash, £40.00 – Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £15.00 – Creeds, (printing the newsletter) £53.03 – Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £1,750.00 – Morcombelake URC Hall, £2,800.00, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed.

To Consider Donations: The Bopper Bus, £350.00, proposed by Cllr Chapman, seconded by Cllr Fortescue, all agreed. Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, £50.00, proposed by Cllr Richards, seconded by Cllr Bay, all agreed. Bridport Citizens Advice Bureau, £50.00, proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Bay, all agreed. Marie Curie Cancer Care, it was agreed that the Parish Council only give to local charities providing services which could benefit all our ratepayers and not to national charities, although this a worthwhile cause. It was agreed that the Clerk write to them informing them of this. Action: Clerk

3929 Public Discussion: Cllr Gillespie reported that the finger post at Whitegates which directs you to Wootton Fitzpaine is missing. The Clerk will report this to Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk Mr Legg spoke on the unsatisfactory letter which he has received from West Dorset District Council regarding removal of a hedge at Crooch Farm at Whitchurch Canonicorum. He was concerned that if no action is taken then ancient hedges could be taken out and lost forever.

3930 Planning: 2 Bradpoles, Shedbush Lane, Morcombelake – Cllr Diment and Cllr Bridle looked at this application to erect a new conservatory. Although they were not happy with the design and possible maintenance problems in the future they could see no problem in principle and approval was recommended.

Five Penny Farm, Spence Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue, Cllr Chapman and Cllr Briscoe looked at this application for 2 timber cabins for agricultural workers’ dwellings, temporary for 3 years. It was agreed to object to this application as it was not considered that the enterprise required 24 hour occupancy of the land. There are more general concerns that larger farms are being divided into small holdings and the precedent is a concern in our AONB.

Bellair Cottage, Charmouth – Cllr Andrews looked at this listed building application to install balanced flues and make external alterations which included repairing the existing veranda. He could see no problems with this application and recommended approval.

East Lodge, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to construct a new vehicular access. A larger splay may be required and there were no objections to the removal of more macrocarpa trees, approval was recommended.

Fernhill Hotel, Lyme Road, Charmouth – Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to modify the landscaping scheme and to erect 3 bollard lights. Refusal was recommended as we do not agree that the banks dividing the car park should be removed. The planting and the banks would help to shield the lighting bollards to minimise light pollution to neighbours. Cardsmill Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Richards looked at this application to erect a straw store. Approval was recommended with the only comments being that the applicants allow trees in the southern hedge to mature to give natural landscaping to the area.

Champernhayes Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine – Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Chapman looked at this application to erect a barn and 3 polytunnels. It was agreed that this application is more appropriate than the previous application and approval was recommended. The siting is better visually, the barn roof is lower and the buildings appear as a group. The polytunnels need screening and hedges should be planted with the same species as the surrounding hedges.

Planning Approvals received: Windhover, Whitchurch Canonicorum, West Hill, Pitmans Lane, Morcombelake, Champernhayes Mill, Wootton Fitzpaine, Penn Cottage, Axminster Road, Charmouth and Westhay Cottage, Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth. Planning Withdrawal received: Myrtle Cottage, Taylors Lane, Morcombelake. Planning Decision Notice received: Cockwell Farm, Morcombelake.

3931 Reports: Cllr Gillespie reported that West Dorset District Council Tax went up £8 per household and they have promised not to change this for several years. Savings have been made in certain areas but it will not affect the Char Valley services. The West Dorset District Council AGM is on the 6th May 2004.

Cllr Brierley reported that the Clerk should have Parish Maintenance Unit worksheets and any maintenance issues should be put on these forms and sent in to Dorset County Council. On highway maintenance he reported that Bluntshay Lane will be resurfaced this year and that flooding in Verriotts Lane Morcombelake will be discussed at a meeting involving various departments from Dorset County Council. He also reported that the discussions on brown tourism signs for Whitchurch Canonicorum Church is still ongoing but looks unlikely that it will fit the criteria for these signs, however, if this is not the case signs of some description will be put in place. Finally he reported that Chideock has the Hyder Report but Morcombelake has still yet to arrive, he will chase this report and for the Parish Council to do so too. Action: Clerk

Cllr Fortescue reported that the Bridport Area Partnership, now named Bridport Community Planning meeting has been postponed. It was agreed that at the next meeting she will mention the matter of polytunnels and larger farms being split up into smaller ones. She also reported that she had attended the CPRE AGM along with Cllr Bay. She said it was a very depressing meeting on the subject of the AONB as once the Local Plan Review is adopted the regional planning will be dealt with by the Regional Assembly so it is a very uncertain future.

Cllr Richards reported on the latest figures of the Whitchurch Canonicorum Housing Survey which has been circulated. 70 sent out, 16 back saying yes they need housing, 10 back saying don’t need housing but would welcome it in the village and 2 to no housing in the village. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Andy Lloyd the Rural Housing Enabler Officer inviting him to the Whitchurch Canonicorum Parish Meeting for him to talk further on this subject to see what steps to take next. Action:

Clerk Cllr Johnson reported subsidence between Cardsmill Farm and Longleaze, Whitchurch Canonicorum, the Clerk will report this to Dorset County Council. She also reported that Mike Rawles from West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council are again looking into flooding at Stockham Bridge. Action: Clerk

Cllr Diment passed on Sue Warrens thanks for the bus shelter at Morcombelake. He also asked if enough Char Chats were being distributed around the area, Cllr Fortescue said she would check. Cllr Bridle reported that he had attended a WATAG meeting but apart from being short of funds he had nothing to report.

Cllr Fortescue thanked Trevor Chambers and Liz Daros for another very good edition of the Char Chat.

3932 Correspondence: Dorset AONB, Thank you for Comments – Dorset Community Action, Skate Park Talk – Dorset County Council, Loss of Wootton Fitzpaine Mobile Library – Mr Pullen, Salters Charity Details – DEFRA, Broadband to Rural Communities – Environmental Agency, Additions to the Main River Network – DAPTC, Circulars 07/04, 06/04 and 09/04 – Bridport Town Council, Date for Bridport Area Partnership Meeting – Ordnance Survey, Changes in Licensing – HLB AV Audit, Audit Briefing – West Dorset District Council, Code of Conduct Details – Dorset County Council, Highway Matters – Connect Road Operators, Details on Dates for Morcombelake Works – West Dorset District Council, Hedge Removal at Crooch Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Chideock Parish Council, Copy letter to Hyder Consulting – West Dorset District Council, Listed Building Status to Church House, Whitchurch Canonicorum – West Dorset District Council, Information on Affordable Housing.

3933 Parish Plan: Cllr Fortescue read through a list of outstanding actions on the Parish Plan list, this list was given to Cllr Bay to prioritise activities. From the list it was agreed that Cllr Diment find out more on the sewage works proposed at Charmouth and that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council asking for Children Playing signs on the roads at both ends of Whitchurch Canonicorum and Wootton Fitzpaine Playgrounds. Action: Cllr Bay, Cllr Diment & Clerk

3934 West Dorset District Council Revised Deposit Plan: This document is still circulating but it was agreed that the Clerk reply supporting the changes so far but also adding about policies for polytunnels and adding that softening of restrictions on public transport with regards to affordable housing. Action: Clerk

3935 Update on Parish Meeting Dates: Cllr Fortescue confirmed that Wootton Fitzpaine’s Parish Meeting is on the 20th May 2004 at 7pm in the Village Hall. Cllr Andrews suggested that Whitchurch Canonicorum Parish Meeting be provisionally booked for the 17th May 2004 in the Village Hall. Cllr Bridle reported that as yet no Parish Meeting for Stanton St Gabriel but he will look into it.

3936 Notice Boards for Stonebarrow Lane and Monkton Wyld: Cllr Bay reported that a new notice board is needed for Monkton Wyld as the old one is not repairable. It was proposed by Cllr Fortescue, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed that the Clerk contact Mr Douglas to order two new notice boards. Action: Clerk

3937 Any Other Business: Cllr Richards asked if prices could be got for a new bench at the top of Goodens Hill. It was agreed that the Clerk contact Verne Prison and West Dorset District Council and Cllr Richards would contact Bridport Town Council. Action: Cllr Richards & Clerk Cllr Johnson asked if there was any further news on the Char Valley Trail. Cllr Bay reported that nothing has been received and she will chase this matter. Action: Cllr Bay Cllr Bay reported that she has a booklet on Dorset Arts if anyone would like to have a look and Cllr Fortescue reported that for 5 second class stamps anyone can send for one direct.

3938 Date of Next Meeting: Annual General Meeting on the 10th May 2004 at 7.30pm in Morcombelake URC Hall.

3939 Close of Meeting: 10.25pm.