Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice-Chairman), A Bay, S Johnson, C Richards, B Briscoe, J Bridle, R Andrews, R Taylor, L Jenkins, S Creed-Castle and 4 members of the public.
Apologies: B Cook, W Chapman, P White, G Brierley and I Gillespie.

3981 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Richards declared an interest on St Christophers, Butt Lane, Ryall planning application.

3982 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 14th June 2004: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Diment, seconded by Cllr Briscoe, all agreed and signed.
3983 Matters Arising: The Clerk reported that her matters arising would come under correspondence, she also reported that the Environment Agencies booklet on obnoxious weeds is no longer produced. Cllr Johnson asked if the Environment Agency had been in contact regarding the mobile unit coming to Whitchurch Canonicorum Fete. The Clerk confirmed that they had not been in contact and that she would chase them tomorrow. Action: Clerk

3984 Finance: Clerks Report: The Clerk reported that the interest account is going well and on average bringing in between £6 and £7 per month. Publications Needed for Clerks Training and General Parish Council: The Clerk reported that she has now received her training pack and that she now needed a couple of books in order to help with the course. Cllr Taylor proposed that the Clerk order these books, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed. Sighting of Village Hall Accounts: Cllr Bridle believes that at least one Councillor from the Parish Council should see a copy of all three Village Hall accounts especially as the Parish Council give out grants to them which is the publics money. Cllr Fortescue handed the Clerk a copy of the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall accounts, James Hargreaves Community Hall accounts have already been given and it’s just the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall left to see. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Whitchurch Village Hall Committee requesting a copy as soon as possible so that the Finance Committee can review Village Hall grants for 2005, in September. Payments: Clerks Salary (June/July 2004), £258.59 – Clerks Salary (July/August 2004 Post Dated 9th August 2004), £258.59 – Petty Cash, £40.00 – Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £15.00 – Wootton Fitzpaine Parish Meeting, £9.00 – Mr Wright, £72.00 – Society Of Local Council Clerks, £40.00, proposed by Cllr Andrews, seconded by Cllr Bay, all agreed.

3985 Public Discussion: Mr Chambers explained the procedure of the auditing village hall accounts. Mrs Chambers asked if a litter bin could be placed in the bus shelter on the south side of the A35 near the Ship Inn Morcombelake. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to West Dorset District Council requesting a litter bin. Action: Clerk

3986 Planning: St Christophers, Butt Lane, Ryall – Cllr Diment and Cllr White looked at this application to erect a conservatory and install a new dormer window. Cllr Diment reported that there was no notice on the gate and neighbours said that they had not been informed of the work. However there were no objections and as long as the dormer window was made no bigger than on the plans, approval was recommended.

Lydeard, Shedbush Lane, Morcombelake: Cllr Bridle and Cllr Diment looked at this application to erect a replacement garage. There were no objections and approval was recommended. East & West Barn, Abbotts Wootton: Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to extend the use of holiday units to 12 months of the year. No objections and approval was recommended.

Frodsham Motors, Morcombelake: Cllr Bridle, Cllr Diment and Cllr White looked at this application to erect an extension to existing garage and form a parking area. Although Cllr Bridle objected to this application Cllr Diment and Cllr White recommended approval as previous applications had been approved by the Parish Council. Cllr Richards proposed, seconded by Cllr Taylor, all agreed. It was decided that the Parish Council should write to West Dorset District Council supporting this application and explaining how important the garage is to the local community. Cllr Richards proposed, seconded by Cllr Taylor, 8 votes in favour, Cllr Bridle abstained.

Cockwell Farm, Morcombelake: Cllr Diment and Cllr White looked at this application to erect an extension to the existing agricultural storage unit. There were no objections and approval was recommended.

Sunset, Taylors Lane, Morcombelake: Cllr Diment and Cllr White looked at this application to demolish existing porch and erect a single storey extension. There were no objections and approval was recommended.

Court Heath, Morcombelake: Cllr Diment and Cllr Taylor looked at this application to erect a garage/workshop. There were no objections and approval was recommended.

Planning Approvals received: Lydeard, Shedbush Lane, Morcombelake, Myrtle Cottage, Taylors Lane, Morcombelake and East and West Barn, Abbotts Wootton. Cllr Fortescue reported that Monkton Wyld Caravan Park appeal is to be heard on the 27th July 2004. She also reported that the Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine planning application is subject to a site meeting and then going to committee probably in August. She will attend the Planning Meeting along with Cllr Briscoe to talk on this application. The Parish Council will object on the grounds that the precedent of allowing those running small enterprises on the land to live on site will mean that many other people will be encouraged to do the same and the AONB will be blighted by polytunnels and new building. Finally the Clerk reported that the Georgies, Morcombelake planning application is going to committee in July and approval is recommended.

3987 Reports: Cllr Bridle reported that following a letter from Connect informing the Parish Council they could not find the sign at Morcombelake pointing in the wrong direction, he has replied to them and is now waiting for action. Cllr Bay reported that she will be attending a Bridport Area Partnership meeting in August. Cllr Andrews reported that he attended a Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall meeting on the 1st July 2004. Works are starting soon including having the floor taken up and replaced once it is thoroughly dry, heating system changed, ceiling changed to incorporate lighting and sound and decoration of the walls. Also discussed at the meeting was ways that users of the hall could look into getting grants. Cllr Taylor reported that the safety rail from Frodshams towards Moores Biscuit Factory in Morcombelake has now been replaced, however the Taylors Lane sign is still lying in the grass at Morcombelake. He also asked if a letter could be sent to Phil Kingdom thanking him for his co-operation and works on the A35 resurfacing which went extremely well, it was agreed that the Clerk send a letter. Action: Clerk

Cllr Diment reported some bad potholes near Newlands Camp Site, the Clerk will report these to Dorset County Council for action. Action: Clerk Cllr Briscoe reported that maintenance on Bridlepath 32/33 at Highgate is being carried out, holes being filled and it will soon be ready for use. She also reported on an article in the British Horse Society magazine about Stone Mastic Asphalt which is being used on our roads which is very dangerous to horses. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council asking them not to use this surface in the area as the Air Ambulance are going to many more equine accidents since this surface came into use. Action: Clerk

Cllr Bridle reported that the Stonebarrow Notice Board has been sited with the help of the Stonebarrow Residents Association. He also reported on the wild wedding party which took place in Stanton St Gabriel which led to numerous complaints and correspondence from the National Trust. Cllr Bay expressed her concern about local telephone boxes being taken away at Shaves Cross and Broadoak. Cllr Taylor said that if these boxes were not well used they were not viable and would be taken away.

Cllr Fortescue reported that she will be representing Char Valley Parish Council at the George Somers Day Parade on the 28th July 2004.


3988 Correspondence: Connect Road Operators, Various Highway Matters – West Dorset District Council, Performance Assessment Details – Charmouth Parish Council, Whisper Surface on A35 – DAPTC, Circular Nos 13/04 and 14/04 – Lyme Regis Twinning Association, Details on Annual Parade – Allianz Cornhill, Wootton Fitzpaine Playing Field – West Dorset District Council, Change of Name from Lydeard, Shedbush Lane, Morcombelake to Jasmine – Bridport Town Council, Bridport Area Partnership Progress and Proposals – National Trust, Wild Wedding at Stanton St Gabriel – Dorset Countryside, Wessex Ridgeway Project Newsletter – Dorset County Council, Appeal for Volunteers on Access Forum.


3889 Char Chat: Cllr Fortescue that the next edition of the Char Chat will be ready soon and sent out next week. She also reported that sponsorship of editions of the Char Chat had been suggested. This would mean that money might be available for every Char Chat to be sent to all residents by post, as the practice of putting them in Post Offices, Churches etc has not worked. It was agreed that that the Clerk contact the DAPTC to see what rules apply and how to manage possible sponsorship. Action: Clerk


3890 Completion of Notice Boards: The Clerk reported that the notice boards at Monkton Wyld and Stonebarrow Lane are now on site and paid for and it would be nice if a thank you letter could go to Chris Douglas, this was unanimously agreed. Cllr Bridle suggested that the Clerk write to the Stonebarrow Residents Association asking if they would kindly receive notices from the Parish Council and place them on the notice board, this was agreed also. Action: Clerk

3891 Ordering of a New Seat at Goodens Hill, Whitchurch Canonicorum: Cllr Richards reported that he does not believe that there is a need for another seat to be placed at the top of Goodens Hill, Whitchurch Canonicorum but he is willing to erect a small bench there with materials he has, free of charge. He believes that money put aside for a seat would be better spent elsewhere. However following the death of oldest resident and ex Parish Councillor of Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wilf Barnes it was agreed that a seat could be ordered in his memory. It was agreed that Cllr Johnson contact his family to see if they are in agreement with this, and to see what wording they would like on a plaque. Cllr Richards was asked to order a seat to the value of £270.00. Action: Cllr Johnson & Cllr Richards

3892 Salters Charity: Cllr Fortescue reported that another letter had been received about the charity. As the Parish Council had had no dealings with this charity for a long time it was agreed that the Clerk reply to this letter giving consent that the Churchwardens carry on the charity. Action: Clerk

3893 Resolution to Approve a Quality Status Sub Committee: Cllr Fortescue reported that as the Parish Council had voted to work towards Quality Status it would be a good idea to cut down time at meetings and appoint a sub committee to order the priorities for action and report on progress to the Council. It was agreed that the people on the committee should be, Cllr Fortescue, Cllr Diment, Cllr Bridle and Cllr Bay. All agreed.

3894 Resolution to Approve a Sub Committee for the Management of Wootton Fitzpaine Playing Field: Cllr Fortescue reported on this matter following a letter from Allianz Cornhill on insurance covering the Playing Field. It was unanimously agreed that this sub committee be the Wootton Fitzpaine Parish Meeting.
3895 Replacement Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Structure Plan: The Clerk reported that this document is circulating to all Councillors and a reply has to be back before the next Parish Council Meeting. She asked that if anyone does have any comments could she receive them before the 6th September 2004.

3896 Any Other Business: The Clerk reported that she has been in contact with Andy Lloyd regarding the Affordable Housing questionnaire. There has been a delay due to the Countryside Agency wording of the questionnaire but it should be with us soon. Cllr Fortescue reported that a Dorset Community Action questionnaire on a play strategy has been received and it was agreed that Cllr Fortescue reply on behalf of the Parish Council. Cllr Fortescue also reported that she will hopefully be attending a seminar for new Chairmen in August. Action: Cllr Fortescue

3897 Date of Next Meeting: 13th September 2004 at 7.30pm in the James Hargreaves Community Hall.

3898 Close of Meeting: 9.40pm.