Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), A Bay, R Andrews, P White, C Richards, B Briscoe, J Bridle, R Taylor, I Gillespie, S Creed-Castle and 5 members of the public.

3992 Apologies for Absence: S Johnson, W Chapman, R Cook, G Brierley and L Jenkins.

3993 Code of Conduct: Cllr Fortescue reported that there is a document circulating on the Code of Conduct and asked if all Councillors could read it please.

3994 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Fortescue declared an interest on Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall which will be coming up under late payments in the Finance section and Cllr Andrews declared an interest in the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall payment under the Finance section.

3995 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 14th February 2005: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Taylor, all agreed and signed.

3996 Actions Following Last Meeting: The Clerk reported that she has given Oliver Letwins letter to all Councillors, reported overflowing recycling bins at the Five Bells Whitchurch Canonicorum to West Dorset Services, telephone numbers of Dorset County Council given to Cllr Briscoe, quotation letters for repairs to the Well House Whitchurch Canonicorum sent out, request for 20/30mph speed limit through villages sent to Dorset County Council which will be reported under correspondence, travellers at Charmouth Tunnel, letter sent to the Highways Agency which will be reported under correspondence and Nantes Solicitors have been contacted to write up a document for the Whitchurch Canonicorum playground lease. Cllr Fortescue reported that she went up to see Joyti Fernandes regarding the siting of a proposed barn at Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine and reported that the Parish Council will comment on this once a planning application had been received.

3997 Finance: Clerks Report: The Clerk reported that donation thank yous have been received from Wootton Fitzpaine, Stanton St Gabriel and Monkton Wyld Parochial Church Councils. She also reported that a request for 5% grant award has been received from Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall committee which will be put to the Finance Committee when they next meet. Payments: Clerks Salary, £265.74 – Petty Cash, £40.00 – Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £15.00 – Xcalibre, £11.69 – Deane Business Solutions, £27.82, proposed by Cllr Bridle, Cllr Andrews declared an interest, all agreed. Late Payment: Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, £500.00, Cllr Fortescue declared an interest, all agreed.

3998 Public Discussion: The owner of Heathlands Ship Knapp Morcombelake, reported that work being carried out at Greenacres, Ship Knapp, Morcombelake seemed to encroach onto National Trust land and that works may have damaged his water main. Cllr Richards reported that the National Trust are aware of these works but it was agreed that the Clerk contact the National Trust with a copy of the letter to the owner of Greenacres.

3999 Planning: Cllr Fortescue reported that there are no planning applications to discuss. Cllr Bay asked if the Clerk could contact West Dorset District Council regarding the neighbouring Parishes application for the Shave Cross Inn at Shave Cross. Action: Clerk

Planning approval received: Bay View, Morcombelake. Planning withdrawal received: Dodpen Farm, Fishpond Bottom Road.

4000 Reports: Mrs Creed-Castle the Ancient Monuments Officer reported that she had attended a training session arranged by Claire Pinder in January but nothing new learnt from the information already given, however it was a nice morning at the new Records Office and some old maps should be coming soon. The Countryside Stewardship Scheme was also discussed which this area seems to be aware of ahead of other areas. Cllr Bridle reported that he had e-mailed some rights of way information to Trevor Chambers relating to the action plans for the Char Chat, Trevor Chambers reported that he had not received this information so Cllr Bridle will give him a hard copy.

Cllr Bridle also reported that a WATAG meeting will take place next week and under discussion will be putting buses on to replace under used trains, he will also be reporting that the Number 31 bus does not always stop at Ship Knapp. Cllr Bay reported that she will be attending a Bridport Area Partnership meeting at the end of the month however she did not make it to the DAPTC meeting.

Cllr Andrews reported that he will be attending a Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall meeting during April.

Cllr Richards reported that the James Hargreaves Community Hall is continuing with the fundraising and raised over £200 at the Charmouth Jumble Sale. The Chapel has now been demolished, a doorway has been made, waterproofing the outside wall, old stage removed and internal walls being waterproofed. The hall should be opened ready for the Spring Flower Show and the next Parish Council meeting.

Cllr Fortescue reported that the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall AGM will be held on the 30th March 2005. In 2006 it’s the centenary of the hall so there will be renovations to the hall ready for the celebrations next year.

Cllr Richards reported that there is a shrub overhanging the carriageway belonging to Eagle Cottage Morcombelake which is dangerous to traffic, it was agreed that the Clerk write to the owners asking for it to be trimmed back/removed.

Cllr Diment asked if there was any progress on the Whitchurch Canonicorum Visitors Centre, Cllr Fortescue said that she would speak to Reverend Fairbrother on this matter. Cllr Diment also reported that the Sir George Somers plaque at the end of the Cobb at Lyme Regis is being eroded by salt water, it was agreed that Cllr Diment ask Richard Fox when he next sees him.

Finally Cllr Diment reported on the Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine planning appeal meeting which he attended with Cllr Bay. He said that it was two long days with lots of information given and the families living on the farm admitted openly that they bought the land and deliberately set up houses without permission. They admitted that they knew they would not get permission but they had to live and work on the land to pay off their loan. Those who spoke included: Mr Darren Rogers of West Dorset District Council, an agricultural expert and a barrister. Five Penny Farm owners questioned the experts’ advice and also said that snow and ice were a problem as no salt bins in the area, however Cllr Diment said that the Parish Council could supply one for the lane if necessary.

Affordable housing was mentioned and Andy Lloyd the Rural Housing Enabler Officer spoke as a witness for Five Penny Farm and gave figures for renting but did not mention the housing association houses in Wootton Fitzpaine. He also gave negative feedback on affordable housing in Whitchurch Canonicorum. Cllr Diment also reported that Jyoti Fernandes reported that Char Valley Parish Council had approved siting of a barn, Cllr Diment confirmed that the Parish Council had not. Charles Wild also spoke in favour of Five Penny Farm but had to hold back on some information because of his links with Bridport Town Council. He told the appeal hearing that Char Valley Parish Council was a Council of 12 Councillors who were not a party political group. Cllr Fortescue thanked Cllr Diment and Cllr Bay for going along. Action: Clerk. Cllr Fortescue & Cllr Diment Cllr Fortescue reported that there is a lot of work going on in the Monkton Wyld area in preparation for resurfacing and general repair work. She also reported that she had attended a Community Land Trust meeting in Bridport, which was very interesting. Trust land could be bought at non-development prices to be used for affordable housing or workshops.

4001 Correspondence: West Dorset District Council, Free Promotion of Events – Dorset For You Partnership, Web site details – The Standards Board, Code of Conduct for the Future – West Dorset District Council, Hire of Premises for Sale of Pet Animals – Dorset County Council, Acknowledgement of 20/30mph Speed Request – Highways Agency, Travellers at Charmouth Tunnel – Dorset County Council, Road Closure, Pound Lane, Monkton Wyld – DAPTC, Circular no 04-05 – DEFRA, Broadband to Rural Communities – Volunteer Centre, Volunteer Booths.

4002 Oliver Letwins Letter on the A35 Morcombelake: Cllr Bridle reported on the background of this matter and felt it should be left until after the forthcoming elections, however, Cllr Taylor said the letter from David Jameson was scandalous and that the matter should be followed up. The Clerk reported that a meeting is to take place on the 8th April 2005 with Oliver Letwin and other interested parties on all matters on the A35. It was agreed that Cllr Bridle and Cllr Taylor attend this meeting asking for continued action.
Action: Cllr Bridle & Cllr Taylor

4003 Review of Actions in Action Plan: Cllr Fortescue reported on the actions from the Action Plan following on from the village appraisal: social housing is under investigation; we need to look at old problems/concerns on planning applications and write to West Dorset District Council as the officers do not have time to attend our meetings; countryside and environment, some headway on obnoxious weeds and water courses information coming through; shops and post offices, to be discussed at the Whitchurch Canonicorum Parish Meeting; Rights of Way, no luck with this at the moment; public transport, lots of work on reduced fares for the over 60’s, leisure bus paid for, shelter in Morcombelake; roads, parish maintenance units working more efficiently than the old system; policing, support officers around in the area.

4004 Recycling Bins in Wootton Fitzpaine: Cllr Fortescue reported that as yet West Dorset does not have the separate kerbside collections for recycling. There is space in the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall car park for some recycling bins and the hall committee can find a suitable site. It was agreed that the Clerk contact West Dorset Services asking if there are any spare second hand bins which could be sited in Wootton Fitzpaine. Action Clerk

4005 Delivery of Char Chats: Cllr Fortescue reported that Martin Legg at Morcombelake Post Office had kindly offered to deliver some of the Char Chats with his paper round. This offer was greatly appreciated and the Parish Council would talk to him about which houses he could manage. Cllr Fortescue reported that the next Char Chat is ready for publication and this edition would be sent out by post and asked if the Clerk could order some envelopes and be prepared for petty cash for stamps. Action: Clerk

4006 Parish Meeting Dates: Cllr Bridle reported that the Stanton St Gabriel Parish Meeting is on the 16th May 2005 at 7.00pm in the James Hargreaves Community Hall. Cllr Andrews reported that the Whitchurch Canonicorum Parish Meeting is on the 23rd May 2005 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Cllr Fortescue reported that the Wootton Fitzpaine Parish Meeting is on the 14th April 2005 at 6.45pm in the Village Hall. The Clerk asked that if any notices were needed for the Parish Meetings, please to contact her.

4007 Quality Status Group: Cllr Fortescue reported that two documents were circulating, ‘Why Neighbours Matter’ and ‘Vibrant Local Leadership’ and that the Quality Status Group should meet to discuss them. It was agreed to meet to discuss them at the same time as reviewing the Standing Orders.

4008 Report on Tetra Mast, Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth: Cllr Bridle reported that the action group met planners in Dorchester during February and nothing can be done now until the company puts in a planning application.

4009 Finance Committee Meeting Date: Cllr Fortescue reported that a Finance meeting is needed to go through the last years expenses and to review the financial regulations which needs to be carried out on a yearly basis. The date agreed for the meeting is Thursday 7th April 2005 at 7.30pm, it was left to Cllr Fortescue to see if Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall is available for that date. Action: Cllr Fortescue

4010 Quality Status Working Group: Cllr Fortescue reported that a Quality Status Working Group meeting is needed to go through the consultation documents and the Standing Orders. The date agreed for the meeting is Monday 4th April 2005 at 2.00pm at Nutcombe Cottage, Wootton Fitzpaine.

4011 Items for the Next Agenda: Cllr Taylor asked if A35 footpath/cyclepath through Morcombelake could be put on the next agenda.

4012 Date of Next Meeting: 11th April 2005 at 7.30pm in the James Hargreaves Community Hall.

4013 Close Of Meeting: 8.40pm.