Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present:
E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), A Bay, J Bridle, C Richards, S Johnson, R Andrews, B Briscoe, I Gillespie, G Brierley and 3 members of the public.

Apologies: R Taylor, W Chapman and R Cook.

3959 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Richards declared an interest on the James Hargreaves Community Hall planning application.

3960 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 15th November 2004: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Bay, all agreed and signed.

3961 Actions Following Last Meeting: The Clerk reported that the subject of Japanese Knotweed will come up under correspondence and the consultation document on the World Heritage Site has been sent off. Cllr Fortescue reported that a Planning Meeting was held in December to discuss various planning applications.

3962 Finance: Clerks Report: The Clerk had nothing to report.
Payments: Clerks Salary, £265.74 – Petty Cash, £40.00 – Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, £14.00 – Creeds the Printers, £53.03 – Deane Business Solutions, £37.22 – Creative Solutions, £48.18 (retrospective) – Petty Cash, £105.00 (retrospective) – James Hargreaves Community Hall, £7.00 (late payment), proposed by Cllr Bridle, all agreed. Request for Donation from The Samaritans: Cllr Richards proposed a donation of £20.00, seconded by Cllr Diment, all agreed. Ordering of Salt Bin: Cllr Fortescue reported that money has been put aside in the 2004/2005 budget for a salt bin near Hillside Home at Ryall. It was agreed that the Clerk order the salt bin and have it delivered to Cllr Richards. Action: Clerk Ordering of Seat: Cllr Fortescue reported that £300 has been put aside in the 2004/2005 budget for a seat and it was agreed to have this in memory of Wilf Barnes. It was agreed that Cllr Johnson contact the family regarding a plaque and also contact the Church Wardens to find a suitable site for the seat. It was agreed that Cllr Richards order this seat from Verne Prison Enterprises. Action: Cllrs Johnson & Richards

3963 Public Discussion: Nothing to discuss.

3964 Planning: Dodpen Farm, Fishpond Bottom Road – Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Briscoe looked at this revised planning application to erect an open fronted store to house farm machinery. It was agreed that this was an improvement on the first application and approval was recommended. Creehay, Fishpond Bottom – Cllr Richards, Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Briscoe looked at this application to erect a two storey extension and conservatory. This application is a change to previous consent and it was agreed to recommend approval. James Hargreaves Community Hall, Morcombelake – Cllr Diment reported that all previous points raised had been addressed in this new application, ramp at the rear, steps at the front and also an enlarged septic tank. It was unanimously agreed that approval is recommended. Cllr Diment asked if a planning condition could be asked for with regards to dedicated disabled space with occasional dropping off point, this was voted 4 to 2 against. Cllr Bridle expressed his concerns over this condition as he said it would give the Hall neighbours a cause for complaint in the future. The entrance gateway to the disabled space has an awkward return on the wall on the east end. It was recommended that the gateway should be angled, without the return on the wall, to make it easier to turn in and out of the parking space, it was voted 4 to 2 to add it to the planning comments. Cllr Diment asked if the gateway into the graveyard form the lane was going to remain, Mr Chambers said that it would. Planning approvals received: East Barn, Lower Abbots Wootton Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine, Hope Cottage, Ryall, Wisteria Cottage, Taylors Lane, Morcombelake, Stoke Mill Farm, Broadoak and The Old Telephone Exchange, Carters Lane, Morcombelake. Planning refusal received: Copse Gate Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum.
Planning withdrawals received: Dodpen Farm, Fishpond Bottom Road and James Hargreaves Community Hall. Planning acknowledgement received: Five Penny Farm, Spence Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine. Planning appeal received: Five Penny Farm, Spence Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine.
Late Planning Matter: Cllr Fortescue reported that a report has been given to Cllr Briscoe regarding a large track being created on Nettlemoor Farm, Fishpond Bottom Road which does not seem to have been part of their recent planning applications. It was agreed that the Clerk write to West Dorset District Council asking them to investigate this matter. Action: Clerk

3965 Reports: Cllr Gillespie reported that the Parish Council are right to query the track at Nettlemoor Farm, Fishpond bottom Road, the application said that the planning application/consent was for family use only. He also reported that the rise in Council Tax this year for West Dorset District Council looks between 6 and 7% which means around £7 or £8. He also reported on the new licensing laws which will affect Village Halls. Finally he reported that there will be a meeting at Stonebarrow Lodge at Stonebarrow Lane on the 19th January 2005 regarding the Tetra Mast, report to follow at next months meeting. Cllr Brierley reported that the Dorset County Council Council Tax rise will be around 3 or 4% which is the lowest for a long time. He also reported that he had attended a meeting with Dave Green of the Hardown Society and Ian Hewitt of the Dorset Works Organisation regarding Japanese Knotweed. The Dorset Works Organisation had totally failed last year and that this year he is very hopeful that it will be fully eradicated with sprays in March/April and then again in May/June. Finally he reported that Mr Simon Christopher has lost a cat due to someone speeding through the village and asked if a 20mph limit could be put through the village. Although he knows this could not be policed he asked for the Parish Council’s consideration on this matter. Cllr Richards reported that he has spoken to Rob of the National Trust and the owner of Stonebarrow House has taken some of their land, cut down trees and destroyed banks. This is being investigated along with involvement from English Nature. Mr Chambers then reported on behalf of Cllr Richards that demolition of the Chapel at Morcombelake has been completed with 3 feet of rubble and an excavator all that is left on site. They have kept within the footprint, contractors worked well with the neighbours and it has gone well. There are now 4 to 6 weeks of work to do, removing half the rubble, making good the back of the hall and waterproofing, a wall may well need to be under pinned. Fundraising is still going strong, Barn Dance in December, stall at the late night shopping in Bridport, Christmas pop in and Treasure Hunt. Cllr Bay asked if Cllr Richards could have a look at the leaning tree on Goodens Hill, Whitchurch Canonicorum, she believes that it could be leaning even more than usual. Action:
Cllr Richards Cllr Bridle reported that WATAG are continuing looking into the Medical Centre siting and the transport to it, he also reported that they are looking at train and bus time changes with a view to integrating local transport.
Cllr Bay reported that she had attended a Bridport Area Partnership meeting in December, the next one is in March. Two letters have gone from the Bridport Area Partnership, one to Dorset County Council regarding the Coast Path and the other one regarding the Tetra Mast at Stonebarrow Lane. They are also concerned about the proposed new Health Centre in Bridport, lack of television coverage in this area and the proposed waste transfer site at Bradpole. Cllr Bay is very encouraged that the Bridport Area Partnership is taking up issues that are relevant to this area. She finally reported that she attended a DAPTC meeting in December and they are sending out a letter to the Coast Forum asking that nearby Parish Councils are included in the consultations. Cllr Diment reported that there are blocked drains at The Green in Morcombelake, the leaves had not been swept up and this has blocked the drains. The Clerk will report this to Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk Cllr Richards reported many potholes in Berne Lane Charmouth, the Clerk will also report these onto Dorset County Council. Action: Clerk
Cllr Bay asked if the Clerk could look on an old planning application and see if a pond at Blackmore Farm at Whitchurch Canonicorum had ever been given planning permission. Action: Clerk Cllr Johnson reported that she has seen plans regarding work at Stockham Bridge at Whitchurch Canonicorum which includes cleaning out the river and drains in the area. Cllr Bridle reported overgrown bushes on the footpath between the Post Office and the Ship Inn on the south side of the A35, it was agreed that the Clerk report this to Connect. Action: Clerk Cllr Fortescue asked the Clerk to send a letter to Kevin Cheleda of Dorset County Council expressing the Parish Council’s concern at lack of flood prevention work following the site visits made to the area, it was agreed to do this with a copy to Cllr Brierley. Action: Clerk

3966 Correspondence: Various Objections to the Tetra Mast at Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth – The Standards Board, Various Booklets on Regulations – Whitchurch Village Hall, Reply to Parish Councils Letter – Dorset Community Action, Housing Needs Survey Results – DAPTC, Circular Nos 21/04, 22/04, 23/04 and 01/05 - West Dorset District Council, Performance Plan 2004 – Dorset County Council, Mobile Library Services – Swings and Slides Maintenance, Service Information – West Dorset District Council, Register of Electors – Environment Agency, Newsletter – Dorset County Council, Health Fellowships – Mrs Joyce/Dorset County Council, Land at Whitchurch Bridge – Dorset County Council, Reply to Parish Councils Letter regarding Japanese Knotweed – Dorset County Council, Council Tax Meetings – Porter Dodson, Licensing Laws – Dorset Community Action, Talking Play Events and Best Kept Village Competition – Oliver Letwin, Reply to Parish Councils Letter regarding the A35 at Morcombelake.

3967 Proposed Vehicle Weighing Platform West of Charmouth: Cllr Fortescue reported that she has been contacted by Kate Geraghty of Chideock Parish Council who is trying to get over-laden and defective lorries turned back before they reach Chideock. She has asked if the Parish Councillors could consider a site for a weighing platform. Cllr Fortescue thought that a site might be found near the turning to Monkton Wyld Caravan Park. Other suggestions from Cllr Bay were for the lay-by at Penn and the old Charmouth Road Tunnel. Cllr Bridle thought it was not necessary but if a farmer could make a little money that would be OK. Cllr Richards said that companies have their own axle weighing so these weighing platforms are not needed. It was agreed that Cllr Fortescue call Kate Geraghty with the Parish Councils views. Action: Cllr Fortescue

3968 Parish Meetings 2005: Cllr Fortescue asked that dates for the Annual Parish Meeting be arranged by their respective members, Cllr Bridle Stanton St Gabriel, Cllr Fortescue Wootton Fitzpaine and Cllrs Bay and Andrews for Whitchurch Canonicorum. Could all dates be arranged and given to the Clerk and the Char Chat editors before the end of March. Also if any notices etc are needed please contact the Clerk. Action: Cllrs Bridle, Fortescue, Bay & Andrews

3969 Items for Next Agenda: The Clerk reported that Parochial Church Council payments will be paid at the February Meeting. Cllr Bridle asked that the Tetra Mast at Stonebarrow Lane be added to the agenda items.

3970 Date of Next Meeting: 14th February 2005 at 7.00pm in the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall.

3971 Close of Meeting: 9.00pm.