Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present:
E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), A Bay, W Chapman, J Bridle, C Richards, P White, S Johnson, S Creed-Castle, L Jenkins and 6 members of the public.

Apologies: R Taylor, R Andrews, R Cook, G Brierley, I Gillespie and D Newson.

3941 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Bay declared an interest on Stoke Mill Farm, Broadoak planning application, Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Richards declared non prejudicial interests on Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall and the James Hargreaves Community Hall items.

3942 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 11th October 2004: Subject to a minor alteration the minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Diment, all agreed and signed.

3943 Actions Following Last Meeting:
The Clerk reported that her actions will be discussed under correspondence. Cllr Fortescue reported that a Finance Meeting had taken place and will be discussed later on in the meeting.

3944 Summary of Results on Affordable Housing Questionnaire:
Mr Andy Lloyd, Rural Housing Enabler Officer reported on the results of the affordable housing questionnaire. He said that there had been a very good response with 75% in favour of affordable housing, 18 people needing housing, 2 needing housing outside the Parish, 16 needing housing within the Parish. Finally Mrs Anne Harries of Hastoe Housing Association gave a talk on how affordable housing works. Cllr Fortescue thanked Andy Lloyd and Anne Harries for coming to the meeting and reported that it was now a matter for searching for suitable land as land which had been offered recently is not considered suitable by the Planning Officers. Andy Lloyd agreed to write a small article for the Char Chat newsletter requesting more information and missing information from prospective candidates for affordable housing.

3945 Finance: Clerks Report:
The Clerk reported that a statement has been received from Creative Solutions requesting payment for the signs which have been lost in the post, Cllr Fortescue reported that she would chase this matter. Action: Cllr Fortescue Report on October 2004 Finance Meeting: Cllr Fortescue reported that a Finance Meeting had taken place to look at the budget for 2005/2006. The Parish Council then went through all proposed expenditure. To Agree the Precept for 2005/2006: It was proposed by Cllr Diment, seconded by Cllr Bridle, all agreed that the Precept for 2005/2006 be £10,860.00. This precept is lower than the previous year due to predicted unused funds from 2004/2005. Payments: Clerks Salary, £265.74 – Clerks Salary, £265.74 (Post dated 13th December 2004) – Petty Cash, £20.00 – Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £15.00 – Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, £14.00 – Whitchurch Canonicorum Playgroup donation, £75.00 – Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall donation, £300.00 – Mr Kitcher, £425.00 – Mr Heap, £260.00. The Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall payment was proposed by Cllr Richards, all agreed, Cllr Fortescue abstained. All other payments were proposed by Cllr Diment, all agreed. The Parish Council Meeting was then closed for the public discussion.

3946 Public Discussion:
Mrs Barbara Collins spoke on behalf of the Stonebarrow Residents Association regarding the Tetra Mast at Stonebarrow Lane. Firstly she thanked the Parish Council for their support on this matter. The Tetra Mast is in-situ along with a diesel generator which has been causing a great noise but is being dealt with by the environmental health department and being resolved. Base stations have been erected at the Stonebarrow Lane site and British Telecom came on site yesterday (Sunday). Following protests they withdrew from site without carrying out any work. The legality of the site is still under investigation. A meeting will take place on Wednesday and a report on this will be made at the next Parish Council Meeting in January 2005. Mr and Mrs Taylor from Copse Gate Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum spoke on their planning application which will be discussed later on in the meeting. They spoke on what they wanted to do on site as many of the architects notes which had been given to West Dorset District Council did not come through to the Parish Council. They asked if there were any questions on the planning application please ask later on in the meeting. The Parish Council Meeting was then reopened.

3947 Planning:
Dodpen Farm, Fishpond Bottom Road – Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Briscoe looked at this application to erect an open fronted general purpose building to house agricultural implements. The only concern was that the application did not show where the soakaway for the rainwater will be provided, however no other problems and approval was recommended. Stoke Mill Farm, Broadoak – Cllr Bay left the meeting. Cllr Richards and Cllr White looked at this application to erect three stables. There were no problems and approval was recommended. Cllr Bay returned to the meeting. Hope Cottage, Ryall – Cllr Diment, Cllr Taylor and Cllr Bridle looked at this application to erect extensions. There were no problems and approval was recommended. Wisteria Cottage, Morcombelake – Cllr Diment, Cllr Taylor and Cllr Bridle looked at this application to demolish a conservatory and erect a single storey extension. There were no problems and approval was recommended. Nettlemoor Farm, Fishpond Bottom Road – Cllr Richards and Cllr White looked at this application to amend the roof pitch from the previous application. There were no problems and approval was recommended. Copse Gate Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum – Cllr Richards and Cllr White looked at this application to demolish existing dwelling and erect new dwelling, re-arrangement of agricultural buildings, to erect barn/cow shed, erect one polytunnel and construct new vehicular access. Cllr Richards reported that the applicants had agreed to keep oak trees near the new access, the polytunnel was within the garden area and the proposed dwelling was a good development. Cllr Bridle expressed his concerns on the polytunnels growing in number, the applicants assured the Parish Council that only one would exist. It was agreed to recommend approval with a comment on the polytunnels not growing in number. James Hargreaves Community Hall – Cllr Diment, Cllr Bay and Cllr Chapman looked at this application for change of use from church hall to community hall, carry out internal alterations, erect a single storey extension and construct a new pedestrian access. Concerns were raised on the steps and the disabled access, they are not in keeping with the area and the steps could be dangerous as they go out towards the road. Also concerns on the small size of the septic tank. Cllr Bridle proposed to support this application with the proviso that the safety of the steps and the ramp is checked out, all agreed except Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Diment objected, Cllr Bay abstained. Planning withdrawal received: Bonhayes Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum. Planning approval received: Nettlemoor Farm, Fishpond Bottom Road. Planning appeal decision received: Newlands Holiday Park, Charmouth. Planning amendment received: East Barn, Abbotts Wootton.

3948 Reports:
Cllr Fortescue gave a report on behalf of Cllr Brierley. He was concerned that on bonfire night in Whitchurch, firework rockets were landing around his thatched roof due to the wind direction and this must not be allowed to happen again, please take more care next year. Cllr White reported that he will pass this onto the committee involved. Action: Cllr White
Cllr Bridle reported that he had attended a meeting in Dorchester regarding the Coastal Path closure and the suggestion of Dorset County Council buying land and renting it back to the Golf Course, the results will be in soon. He also reported that a path at St Gabriels will probably be built to the west of the previous path and this should be more accessible for older people too. He also reported on the issues to be discussed at the meeting with Oliver Letwin on the 18th November 2004. The Parish Council will be asking for a pedestrian crossing and a speed indication device (SID).
Cllr Diment reported on the DAPTC/West Dorset District Council meeting he attended on the new planning system. He reported that the meeting discussed the planning procedures and David Webb from the DAPTC hopes that there may be some extra training in the future.
Cllr Johnson reported on the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall meeting. Matters discussed were the improvements which are ongoing, the new floor which will be laid between Christmas and the New Year, dance coming up, Christmas Bingo and the annual breakfast event. The Parish Council’s letter was noted but was not discussed at length, however the Committee said that meetings which have taken place are building committee meetings and that the Parish Council’s representatives would be invited to only two meetings a year.
Mr Chambers reported on the James Hargreaves Community Hall. He said that on the 5th November 2004 an open meeting to talk to neighbours on the hall application had taken place which was worthwhile, he also reported that a Barn Dance will be taking place on the 4th December 2004 in Charmouth.
Cllr Fortescue asked any Councillors who would like to be involved with the Char Chat, to please volunteer. The Char Chat is at present produced by the voluntary work of three residents and two councillors. We are very grateful to Elizabeth Daros and Trevor Chambers who do all the production and editing work.
Cllr Chapman reported that the sign at Monkton Wyld Cross is still missing, the Clerk will report this again. Action: Clerk
Cllr Diment reported that a planning application for Verriotts Lane, Morcombelake may come in during the Christmas break and it will probably need a planning meeting, as it is quite a large scheme.

3949 Correspondence:
Angela Charles/Oliver Letwin, Change of Time for Morcombelake Meeting – Dorset County Council, Funding to Support Community Strategy – St John Ambulance, Annual Report – The Countryside Agency, Registered Common Land – West Dorset District Council, Repairs to Well House, Whitchcurch Canonicorum – Connect Road Operators, A35 Hedges and Verges – Mr Perry, South West Coast Path – DAPTC, Circular Nos 19/04 & 20/04 - West Dorset District Council, Dorchester Transport Exhibition – DAPTC, Quality Status – West Dorset District Council, Bridleway 21 Wootton Fitzpaine – West Dorset District Council, Registering Freemasonry Interests – Officer of Deputy Prime Minister, New Ethical Framework Regulations – West Dorset District Council, Wall near Candida House, Whitchurch Canonicorum –Mr & Mrs Cowley, Objection to Tetra Mast at Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth – West Dorset District Council, Planning Control at Random Lodge, Morcombelake.

3950 Tetra Mast at Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth: Cllr Fortescue reported that the Parish Council was keeping in touch with the Residents’ Association. She also reported that they have a very good web site at www.stamp.clara.co.uk, which gives details about the mast and a diary of meetings. It was agreed to leave this matter and not to pursue any other lines of contact until the Parish Council had feedback on a meeting due to take place soon. However, it was agreed that if there were any problems during the Christmas break the Parish Council would write to West Dorset District Council.

3951 Japanese Knotweed Infestation at Pitmans Lane, Taylors Lane and Sun Lane, Morcombelake:
Cllr Bridle produced a brochure which he has received from a contractor who deals with the eradication of Japanese Knotweed. Mr Dave Green explained the problems that he is having with the lack of co-operation/action from Dorset County Council, the problem is getting worse and a half effort of spraying this year has done nothing to help get rid of the problem. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council giving them the brochure and asking them for action, this letter would be copied to Mr Dave Green for the Hardown Society. Action: Clerk

3952 Code of Conduct Consultation Document: There were no comments to send in on this document.

3953 Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Site Transport Strategy, Supplementary Consultation Document: Cllr Bridle reported that the Clerk had sent him the paperwork and a floppy disk and he has put down his views ready to send off, but if anyone else has any comments please add to them to it. It was agreed that the Clerk send these comments off. Action: Clerk
3954 Meeting Dates 2005: Cllr Fortescue reported that Parish Council meeting dates for 2005 had been circulated to all Councillors and other interested parties.

3955 Items for the Next Agenda: Cllr Fortescue reported that Parish Meeting dates will be discussed at the January 2005 meeting.

3956 Date of Next Meeting: 10th January 2005 at 7.00pm in the James Hargreaves Community Hall, however, this could change if the hall is going through its demolition phase. It was agreed that the Clerk contact Mrs Rosebrook nearer the time to check, and if hiring the hall is not possible it will be held in the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall.

3957 Close of Meeting: 9.50pm.