Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: V Diment (Acting Chairman), C Richards, R Andrews, C Bailey, W Chapman, J Bridle, R Taylor, G Brierley, S Creed-Castle and 4 members of the public.

1409 Apologies: E Fortescue, S Johnson, R Cook and L Jenkins.

1410 Public Discussion Period: The meeting was suspended for the public discussion period however, no one had any matters to discuss.

1411 Declarations of Interest: The meeting was re-opened. Cllr Bailey declared an interest on the St Richard, Loves Lane, Morcombelake planning application.

1412 Resolution to Approve the Parish Council Minutes held on the 12th September 2005: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Chapman, unanimously agreed and signed.

1413 Actions Following the Last Meeting: The Clerk read out a list of the actions that she had carried out and that some items would come up under correspondence.

1414 Planning Applicants Presentation: None.

1415 Planning:
Planning Applications to Consider: Land North of Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth: Cllr Diment reported that this application to erect a telecommunications mast has now been formally withdrawn and no comments are needed at this time. However, if this application is needed again this site could be an alternative site. The Clerk reported that a resolution to send a letter to West Dorset District Council regarding the alternative site at Lyme Regis Golf Club will be put to the Parish Council at the November 2005 meeting.

St Richard, Loves Lane, Morcombelake: Cllr Taylor reported on this application to demolish existing bungalow and erect replacement dwelling which he and Cllr Diment looked at. He reported that this application is very much like the previous application the only alteration being the lantern light taken away and reflective glass used on the large window. The causes for concern are the size of the building which should be classed as a new build rather than replacing existing as it has been moved off the original footprint and much larger than the original footprint, that a cesspit is not adequate for a larger house and that a site meeting is needed. Refusal was recommended on these grounds, proposed by Cllr Diment, 3 for, 3 against and 1 abstention, Cllr Diment had the casting vote and voted for recommending refusal.

Planning Applications to Note: Dodpen Stables, Dodpen Farm, Fishpond – Site residential caravan, approval recommended.

Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine – Erect sheep/livestock house, approval recommended.

Planning Approvals received: Monkton Wyld Farm, Monkton Wyld and Mast Site, Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth. Planning Acknowledgement received: Wyld Meadow Farm, Monkton Wyld.

1416 Salt Bins: Cllr Richards reported that he had placed this item on the agenda to ask if there were any salt bins needed so they could be considered at the next Finance Meeting for the 2006/2007 budget. Cllr Diment reported that one is needed at the junction of Taylors Lane and Pitmans Lane at Morcombelake. Cllr Bailey reported that one is needed on the corner at Mandeville Stoke Farm and Oselhayes at Whitchurch Canonicorum. It was agreed that the Clerk put these to the Finance Committee Meeting. Action: Clerk

1417 Circulation Booklet on Reclaiming our Rural Roads: Cllr Diment reported that this booklet is still circulating with the Councillors and that some sections will be published in the next issue of the Char Chat. He reported that a lot of the booklet is irrelevant however, the country lanes section is very relevant to the area and worth reading. Cllr Bridle asked if the Clerk could contact Mrs Rigby of the Three Counties Horse Society to see if she has a copy of the booklet. Action: Clerk

1418 Reports: Cllr Brierley reported that the new footpath at St Gabriels has now been cut and being used unofficially. Enquiries are being made regarding the public liability so it may be that the footpath will become a permissive footpath to avoid this. He reported that he will contact the Dorset County Council rangers and get them to place a public notice when the footpath is officially open. Finally he asked if the Clerk could send a letter to Mr Tony Mackle at the Highways Department at County Hall inviting him to the meeting with Oliver Letwin regarding the A35. Action: Clerk

Cllr Taylor reported that the meeting regarding the A35 with Oliver Letwin will take place on Friday 21st October 2005 at 6.30pm in the James Hargreaves Community Hall, Morcombelake. Cllr Andrews reported that he had attended a Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall meeting recently.

The bank balance is looking healthy at the moment however, there are lots of costs coming up soon, electrics, new tables and the mortgage interest to be paid. Once all of those are paid then more fundraising is needed just to break even. Fundraising and other means of funding is very important just to keep the halls breaking even. He finally reported that fundraising events coming up are a Victorian buffet and the joint dance with the James Hargreaves Community Hall. Trevor Chambers reported on behalf of Cllr Richards on the James Hargreaves Community Hall at Morcombelake. They have applied to the Awards for All and Dorset Community Action for grants and have written to the Parish Council asking for funding for the year 2006/2007. He reported on fundraising events a quiz evening and the harvest supper. He finally reported that rewiring of the hall had started however, the electrician has had an accident on site and was badly injured so it is hoped that the rewiring will be finished in the next few weeks.

Cllr Taylor reported that he had attended the recent highways visit but he felt that no work had been carried out from last years visit and that things are getting worse rather than improving. He reported that Verriotts Lane is still a problem with water flowing down it, Star Lane sign has now been put up and that he is sending his apologies for the November 2005 meeting as he is on holiday. Cllr Bailey reported that the work on the bridge at Watery Lane, Whitchurch Canonicorum will now take place around August 2006.

Cllr Diment reported an item of behalf of Cllr Fortescue regarding street cleaning which is carried out by West Dorset District Council on Dorset County Council roads. It was agreed that the Clerk to write a letter to West Dorset District Council expressing concerns over lack of street cleaning in the area. Action: Clerk

Cllr Diment reported that the Japanese Knotweed around the Hardown area is looking very sick so hopefully the treatments given to it this year is working well. He also reported on the campaign for sustainable communities bill which will be introduced to parliament in November 2006. Oliver Letwin is supporting this bill and he is going to hold a local meeting in the future however, in the meantime the Parish Council will discuss the document at the November 2005 meeting.

1419 Finance: Clerks Report/General Financial Matters: The Clerk reported that the bank accounts are working well and balance looking healthy. She also reported that she has been awarded NALCs Clerks Training Bursary Fund of a value of £200.00. Payments: Clerks Salary and Expenses for October 2005, £298.81 – Petty Cash, £40.00 – Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £30.00 – Deane Business Solutions, £23.48, proposed by Cllr Andrews, unanimously agreed.

1420 Correspondence: Dorset AONB, Funding Available – Mr Combes, Thank you for Help – Dorset County Council, Rural Services Survey 2005 – West Dorset District Council, Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine – Dorset County Council, Dorset History Centre Open Day – Bopper Bus, Thank you for Donation – Dorset County Council, School Transport – Oliver Letwin, Meeting Regarding A35 – West Dorset District Council, Christmas and New Year Refuse Collections – West Dorset Partnership, Community Plan 2006 to 2010 – Dorset County Council, Highway Matters – Connect Road Operators, Flooding on the A35 at Morcombelake – NALC, Confirmation of Clerks Training Bursary Fund – DAPTC, Circular 13-05 – Dorset Countryside, Community Pack.

1420 Items for Next Agenda: None.

1421 Date of Next Meeting: Monday 21st November 2005 at 7.30pm in the James Hargreaves Community Hall, Morcombelake.

1422 Close Of Meeting: 8.55pm.