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Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes


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Parish Council Meeting 280: 14th June 2004 at Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall
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Present: E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), A Bay, S Johnson, P White, B Briscoe, J Bridle, R Andrews, G Brierley, I Gillespie, S Creed-Castle, L Jenkins and 6 members of the public.
Apologies: R Taylor, W Chapman, R Cook and C Richards.

3961 Emergency Item: Cllr Fortescue asked that an emergency item be placed on the agenda under Finance, a cheque for Mr Douglas of £690.00 for the notice boards, all agreed.
3962 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Johnson declared an interest in the planning approval for Cardsmill Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum.
3963 Minutes of the Parish Council held on the 10th May 2004: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Bay, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed and signed.

3964 Matters Arising: The Clerk reported that her matters would come under finance and correspondence.
3965 Finance:
Clerks Report: The Clerk had nothing to report.
Report on Finance Meeting: Cllr Fortescue reported that a Finance Meeting had taken place to discuss the letter from Adrian Stuart Finance Manager of West Dorset District Council regarding funding for Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall. The Parish Council has already voted not to make loans for any organisation and this remains the same in the Standing Orders. However nearer to the setting of the budget later in the year the subject of other ways to help village halls with funding will be discussed at length.
Approval and Signing of the Year Ended 31st March 2004 Accounts and the Statement of Accounts: The Accounts and Statement of Accounts were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Bridle, seconded by Cllr Bay, all agreed and signed by Cllr Fortescue and the Clerk.
Payments: Clerk Salary, £258.59 - Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, £30.00 - Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £15.00 - James Hargreaves Community Hall, £7.00 - Society of Local Council Clerks, £130.00 - Mr C Douglas, £690.00, proposed by Cllr Bridle, seconded by Cllr Andrews, all agreed.

3966 Public Discussion: Mr Jenkins made a general comment regarding planning procedures at West Dorset District Council. Miss Caddy raised her concerns on the Georgies planning application.


3967 Planning:
Myrtle Cottage, Taylors Lane, Morcombelake - Cllr Diment and Cllr White looked at this application to erect a garage/store. This new application, although smaller, is again not in keeping with the area and has generated four letters of objection. Refusal was recommended. Georgies, Main Road, Morcombelake - Cllr Bridle and Cllr Taylor looked at this retrospective application to erect a conservatory. As this application is part of a dispute between neighbours it was recommended that a site visit be carried out to determine the application. Planning Approvals received: Champernhayes Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine, Bellair Cottage, Charmouth and Cardsmill Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum. Planning Refusal received: Fernhill Hotel, Charmouth.

3968 Election of Parish Council Representative for the James Hargreaves Community Hall: Cllr Fortescue reported that Cllr Richards is prepared and willing to carry out this role for the Parish Council. Cllr Andrews proposed, seconded by Cllr Briscoe, all agreed. Mr Chambers confirmed that Cllr Richards was co-opted on at the AGM and he was pleased to have Cllr Richards onboard.

3969 Reports: Cllr Gillespie asked that all Parish Council correspondence to West Dorset District Council be copied to him along with the Georgies, Morcombelake planning comments. He reported that the Deputy Prime Ministers Office will be changing the rules on planning especially on where you can and can't build, social housing, building on brown field sites. He said that this item will be reported in the press but it is not an urgent situation at the moment.

Cllr Brierley reported that there should have been an oil-transfer-at-sea meeting today but this has been postponed until September. The new regulations are being drafted but there are not enough lawyers working on it. However there have been no transfers in this area this year but a light one will be carried out in Suffolk this month. Falmouth has been put forward for an ideal transfer area, more reports on this later in the year. Finally he reported that he has contacted Nigel Hyde regarding the Hyder report and received an unsatisfactory answer, no money available so why do you want the report. Cllr Brierley is not happy and feels its time for Oliver Letwin to be involved so this matter does not rest. Cllr Bridle has drafted a letter for Oliver Letwin and proposed to send it, seconded by Cllr Bay, all agreed that the Clerk send this off with a copy to Cllr Brierley. Cllr Brierley also reported that it would be worthwhile getting the speed monitor (SID) placed on the A35 at Morcombelake to get more evidence that a 30mph speed limit is needed. Mr Jenkins reported that Mr Roger Stribbling had said that a 30mph through Morcombelake was definitely needed. Action: Clerk

Cllr Bay reported on the Bridport Area Partnership meeting which she attended recently. She said Susan Anders gave an excellent report. At the meeting many items were discussed especially keeping information to a minimum to all Parish Councils, structure of the groups to help Parish Council matters, leaflets for the Melplash Show, various Parish Plans in various stages and leaflets from the Environment Agency on control of invasive weeds. Cllr Bay reported that there is a big gap in what Parish Councils concerns are and that with the Bridport Town Council and hoped that this would be addressed in the restructuring of groups. Susan Anders reported that she will be sending reports to all Parish Councillors across the whole area and the differing of issues between Town and Parish Councils will be discussed at a later date. However she asked that the Parish Council write in to the Bridport Area Partnership with issues for discussion at meetings.

Cllr Johnson reported that there have been two accidents between Cardsmill Farm and Whitchurch Canonicorum due to the overgrown hedges. Cllr Fortescue expressed her concerns over the management of the blue post areas with lack of cutting which is not helping with the management of the wild flowers and the safety element. It was agreed to keep this matter under review while the Dorset Wildlife Trust completes its survey. Cllr Johnson also reported that the subsidence near Cardsmill Farm has been marked for repair.

Cllr Diment reported that he was disappointed to see that the hatching on the A35 at Morcombelake had been replaced, this is very dangerous for cyclists. He also reported that the hedge between the Post Office and the Ship Inn at Morcombelake is very overgrown. Cllr Bridle gave a letter to the Clerk to send to Connect regarding the exact location of the overgrown hedge.

Finally Cllr Diment reported that the Leisure Bus is well used and has had very good feedback from a local lady. Action: Clerk

Cllr Briscoe reported that the bridge at Fishpond had been repaired.


3970 Correspondence: West Dorset District Council, Change of Name of Thorn Cottage to Thorn and Brigs Farm location in Wootton Fitzpaine - Dorset County Council, Children Warning Signs at Local Playgrounds - Dorset Community Action, Questionnaire on Childrens Activities - West Dorset District Council, European Parliamentary Election Notices - DAPTC, Circulars Nos 11/04 and 12/04 -Fishpond PCC, Thank you for Donation - Stonebarrow Residents Association, Appeal for Newlands Holiday Park and Whisper Surface on the A35 (Clerk to write to Connect regarding Surface and Cllr Fortescue to contact Charmouth Parish Council) - West Dorset District Council, Funding for Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall - West Dorset District Council, Tree Work at Goose Knapp Cottage, Whitchurch Canonicorum - Environment Agency, Mobile Exhibition Unit (Letter given to Cllr Johnson for Village Fete) - Taylors Lane Resident, Objection to Myrtle Cottage, Morcombelake Planning Application - Monkton Wyld PCC, Thank you for Donation - West Dorset District Council, Ash Tree at Crooch Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum - Dorset County Council, Repairs to Dodseye Bridge, Whitchurch Canonicorum - Lyme Regis Twinning Association, Honorary Town Crier (Letter to go to the Association) - CPRE, Fieldwork Newsletter - Dorset County Council, Community Strategy and Our Role in Dorset Document - West Dorset District Council, Care and Repair Brochures - Mr Anderson, Thank you for Donation - West Dorset District Council and Mr Parker, Update on Listed Wall in Whitchurch Canonicorum. Action: Clerk, Cllr Fortescue & Cllr Johnson

3971 Parish Plan: Cllr Fortescue reported that noxious and invasive weeds were still outstanding on the action list. It was agreed that the Clerk contact the Environment Agency to ask for more booklets on the subject. Mrs Chambers reported that the Hardown Society is asking for an earlier response to killing the weeds in the Hardown area. Action: Clerk

3972 Char Chat: Cllr Fortescue reported that the next edition of the Char Chat is being put together at the moment and this edition will be mailed to everyone. This edition will concentrate on Parish Meeting reports and diversification of farms and businesses in our area.

3973 Reports from May 2004 Parish Meetings: Cllr Bridle reported on the Stanton St Gabriel Parish Meeting. The items discussed were the National Trust, A35 traffic calming, Coastal Path update, oil transfers and other smaller concerns of attendees at the meeting.
Cllr Bay reported on the Whitchurch Canonicorum Parish Meeting.
Cllr Andrews acted as Chairman at the meeting which included a talk from Connect Road Operators on the work on the A35 at Morcombelake. The main topic for the evening was a talk by Andy Lloyd from West Dorset District Council on affordable housing which was very interesting.

Finally she reported that the Char Valley Trail has been shelved for the time being. Cllr Fortescue reported on the Wootton Fitzpaine Parish Meeting. The items discussed were the Best Kept Village Competition and planting of trees, a bunker for the playing field grass cuttings and the book on the history of Wootton Fitzpaine published by the Wootton 2000 Group which is now on sale. Mrs D. Snook is taking over the running of the Home Watch for Wootton. Cllr Fortescue asked the attendees about the Char Chat and the feedback was very positive.

3974 Update on Listed Wall in Whitchurch Canonicorum: Cllr Fortescue reported that letters have been received from West Dorset District Council and from Mr Parker saying that this matter is in hand. As yet no work has been carried out on site but the situation will be monitored.

3975 Speed Limit on the A35 and Hyder Report: Cllr Bridle said that this matter had now been dealt with previously during the meeting. Miss Caddy reported on the two recent accidents in Morcombelake. It was agreed to write to Connect to ask for A35 road closure traffic management plans to be made available to all the police units likely to attend an accident, as yet again there was chaos for four hours on Saturday 22nd May. The traffic diversions need to be made far back along the A35 and some system arranged for turning around cars that have been stopped on the A35 so that the Vale lanes do not become grid locked. Action: Clerk

3976 Stonebarrow Residents Association: Cllr Bridle reported that this newly formed group was invited to join with him to site the new notice board. This is now positioned on land within our parish at the bottom of Stonebarrow Lane. He also reported that the Residents Association had asked for details on Quiet Lanes and a whisper surface on the A35.

3977 Affordable Housing: Cllr Diment reported that he hopes the affordable housing survey will go to all households in the Parish of Whitchurch Canonicorum rather than just the village of Whitchurch Canonicorum. He also said that the Parish Council should contact neighbouring Parishes looking into their affordable housing matters and this could help with the transport issues for the area.

3978 Any Other Business: None.

3979 Date of Next Meeting: 19th July 2004 at 7.30pm in Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall.
3980 Close of Meeting: 9.50pm.


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