|
3925 Public Discussion:
Mr Perry from Stonebarrow Lane thanked the Parish Council for sending a letter to Dorset County Council regarding the Coastal Footpath Closure and asked if a reply had been received. Cllr Fortescue reported that a reply had been received this evening which did not fully answer the questions raised. The letter was given to Mr Perry to look at.
Mr Legg reported that as you come down Charmouth Bypass you can now see the roof of Westhay House at Stonebarrow Lane due to a number of trees being taken down. It was agreed that the Clerk write to West Dorset District Council expressing concerns on the amount of trees being taken down.
Mr Perry commented on the Charmouth Heritage Centre selling hammers in order for people to go fossil hunting along the coast and then climbing up the cliffs digging away and eroding the foundations of the local houses. Cllr Newson reported that the Heritage Centre is reviewing the situation of selling hammers.
3926 Planning:
Planning Approvals received: Frodsham Motors, Morcombelake and Dodpen Farm, Fishpond Bottom Road. Planning Acknowledgement received: Dodpen Farm, Fishpond Bottom Road. Planning Decision Notice received: Crabbs Bluntshay Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum.
3927 Report on Planning Committee Meeting/Procedures:
Cllr Diment as Chairman of the Planning Committee reported on the meeting. Cllr Diment confirmed that he had asked Cllr Taylor to be Vice Chairman and he had accepted. Two planning applications were discussed, East Barn, Lower Abbots Wootton Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine and Bonhayes Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum and both were recommended for refusal. It was also agreed to put forward further comments on the Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine planning appeal. At the Planning Meeting is was agreed that small minor planning applications would have three Councillors look at it and then delegate to the Clerk to respond to West Dorset District Council. If there are larger applications with objections then these will go to a full Planning Meeting to discuss. Cllr Diment also reported on new guidelines in our area on planning applications and in our area most applications will not go to full committee so it is important to give clear reasons for refusals if appropriate. Cllr Newson reported that the new guidelines are to speed up applications for West Dorset District Council to hit government targets, however a Ward Member can call an application to a full committee as long as it is within three weeks of registration.
3928 Alteration to Standing Orders on the Planning Section: It was proposed by Cllr Bridle, seconded by Cllr Diment, all agreed to change the Planning Standing Orders with the three bullet points on the draft minutes which outline the procedures which the Parish Council will take when dealing with planning applications.
3929 Mast at Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth:
Mr A Penman spoke on the mast at Stonebarrow Lane and expressed his concerns; he would like it removed permanently. Cllr Newson said a temporary mast could be erected only if it is an emergency, such as malfunction of a mast nearby and if the land is under the control of the company. West Dorset District Council is looking at this case and Cllr Newson will be updated next Thursday. Cllr Newson also reported that if a proper licence is held, the medical effects of Tetra masts may not be questioned under planning. Cllr Bay reported that the Bridport Area Partnership is concerned and is sending a letter to that effect.
3930 Reports: Cllr Newson reported that West Dorset District Council are contesting the Monkton Wyld Caravan Park planning appeal decision. He also reported that the Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine appeal could take up to 12 months to be heard. Finally he reported that West Dorset District Council have identified 10 sites for affordable housing which are under their control. Half of the sites are straightforward but the other half need to be looked into further. However, around 60 units are possible.
Cllr Bay reported on the Bridport Community Planning Meeting. The new procedures/protocol were adopted as planned, with a main steering group elected. Also discussed was another site for the Bridport Medical Centre, concerns over the proposed site for the Ambulance Station, concerns over the coast path closure and the closure of Bradpole Post Office.
Cllr Bay also reported that she attended the Cycleau Project seminar, which was about the Rivers Char and Axe. She said it was a fascinating day with workshops to give feedback on improving watercourses.
Cllr Bridle reported on a WATAG meeting that he attended. It was agreed at the meeting that the proposed Gore Cross Medical Centre should not get planning until the transport situation is sorted out. He also reported that there is £4 million in a pot for road improvements around the Vale, not including the A35 though. He also reported on lack of funding for the A35 at Morcombelake and agreed that a public meeting with Oliver Letwin on the 18th November 2004 should take place to further this matter.
Cllr Richards reported for the James Hargreaves Community Hall. He said that the Harvest Supper had taken place and raised £240, Tie Chi classes start on the 25th October 2004. Seven firms have quoted for the demolition work to the old Chapel, however the architects are asking for risk assessments to be carried out prior to demolition and final quotes are being received for replacement windows and heating in the Hall.
Cllr Richards also reported that he had been contacted by a lady in Whitchurch Canonicorum who may need to take two Oak trees down which do not have a preservation order, his advice was to contact the Tree Officer Ron Martin before they commenced the work.
Cllr Fortescue reported that a grant for the new roundabout at Wootton Fitzpaine Playground has been turned down and money has been taken out of the Wootton Village Hall fabric fund for the time being. It was agreed to discuss the Parish Council’s contribution at the Finance Meeting in October 2004
Cllr Taylor reported that the meeting with the highways department was a very good meeting. The workmen are going to come around and unblock the gullies, however there is going to be a separate meeting about flooding at Verriots Lane, Morcombelake. He also reported that Dorset County Council are now responsible for road sweeping. DCC are looking into the land query and the salt bin matter at Blacksmiths Cottage, Morcombelake.
Cllr Diment reported a large pothole at the junction of Pitmans Lane and Taylors Lane, Morcombelake. The Clerk will report this onto Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk
Cllr Andrews reported that the blue post verge cutting has just had its first cut of the year.
Cllr Chapman asked if all the salt bins could be filled up before the winter. He also reported on quad biking which took place west of Wootton Fitzpaine of which he had received complaints. It was very noisy, no one had been notified and Mill Lane seems to have been unofficially closed to the public. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the Rights of Way Section at Dorset County Council asking for their licensing laws and any information they have on this function. Action: Clerk
Cllr Chapman and Councillor Fortescue reported that they had also met up with Graham Laurie of the highways department and went around the area pointing out problems to be rectified. Elsdon Lane work had been carried out just before their meeting and Monkton Wyld and Charmouth Forest roads are going to be side verged and resurfaced in the next financial year. Cllr Fortescue reported that the Parish Maintenance Units are working well and the gullies and grips are kept clear and generally the Wootton Fitzpaine roads are in good shape. Cllr Bay reported that she missed the meeting and will give her report to the Clerk to send to Graham Laurie. Action: Cllr Bay
Cllr Bridle reported that the hedges belonging to Mr Harrington next to Knapp Cottage, Morcombelake need trimming back, as do the hedges opposite, which belong to Connect Road Operators. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the land owners requesting trimming. Action: Clerk Cllr Bridle also reported that the next Coast Path meeting will be held on the 25th October 2004 at 2pm in Dorchester, he will be attending.
3931 Correspondence:
Miss Diment, Heating and Lights in the James Hargreaves Community Hall – West Dorset District Council, Footpath 41 Wootton Fitzpaine – West Dorset District Council, Refuse Collection Dates – Mr & Mrs Tidy, Objection to Planning Application – Dorset County Council, Waste Forum Meeting – Stonebarrow Residents Association, Mast at Stonebarrow – West Dorset District Council, Supplementary Planning Guidance – Deputy Prime Ministers Office, Allotments Questionnaire – West Dorset District Council, Crime Audit – West Dorset District Council, Mast at Stonebarrow – Simon J Christopher, Change of Address – Dorset County Council, Coast Path Meeting – Dorset County Council, Local Waste Plan – West Dorset District Council, Planning Consultations – Dorset County Council, Closure of Stanton St Gabriel Footpath – Dorset County Council, Corporate Plan – DAPTC, Circular 18/04 and Meeting for Planning Consultations – Oliver Letwin, Date for Public Meeting – West Dorset District Council, Random Lodge – Dorset County Council, Parish Maintenance Units Information.
3932 Quality Status Working Party Report:
Cllr Fortescue reported that there are only two areas where we do not already meet the test for a Quality Council. To have a qualified Clerk, which is in the process of being done and also to write an Annual Report, which will be done in June 2005. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the DAPTC asking them what would be the consequences if we did not go for Quality Status and also ask for a copy of the Local Councils Charter. Cllr Fortescue finally reported that to remain an accredited Quality Council, councillors should try to find new recruits to stand for the 2007 elections. The Clerk will have to spend extra time over normal hours to put together all the information for Quality Status and this will have financial implications.
3933 Bopper Bus Thanks:
Cllr Fortescue asked if the Clerk could send a letter of thanks could go to Kate Geraghty for all her hard work on the Bopper Bus which benefits children in the Char Valley area, it was unanimously agreed to do this with a copy of the letter to Chideock Parish Council. Action: Clerk
3934 Time Changes for Parish Council Meetings:
Cllr Diment suggested a time change to 7pm for Parish Council meetings during the winter months to help Councillors who travel a fair way to meetings. It was unanimously agreed for November, January, February and March meetings, including other Committee Meetings to start at 7pm and summer months remain at a 7.30pm start.
3935 Land Required for Affordable Housing:
Cllr Fortescue asked all Councillors to keep a look out for land in the area which could be used for affordable housing. She reported that land at Whitchurch Canonicorum is being negotiated with Mr Rees and West Dorset District Council.
3936 Street Cleaning:
Cllr Diment reported that the Parish Council have powers and perhaps money could be set aside for functions such as street cleaning. It was agreed to look at this matter at the Finance Meeting.
3937 Lease on Whitchurch Canonicorum Playground:
Cllr Fortescue reported that a letter has been received from Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall Committee giving the go ahead for a lease on the playground. It was agreed for Cllr Fortescue to pursue this matter in November.
3938 Items for Next Agenda: Cllr Diment asked if the 2005 meeting dates could be made available for the November 2004 meeting.
3939 Date of Next Meeting: 15th November 2004 at 7.00pm in Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall.
3940 Close of Meeting: 10.00pm.
|