Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), C Richards, S Johnson, R Cook, W Chapman, B Briscoe, R Taylor, D Newson, G Brierley and S Creed-Castle. Cllr Fortescue reported the death of retired Councillor Ted Ward. Cllr Fortescue reported that he was a good Councillor who served for a long time.

1443 Apologies: J Bridle, C Bailey and R Andrews.

1444 Public Discussion Period: The meeting was suspended for the public discussion period however, no public were present.

1445 Declarations of Interest: The meeting was reopened. There were no declarations of interest.

1446 Resolution to approve the Parish Council Minutes held on the 21st November 2005: Cllr Johnson reported that on item 1436 the AGM should read 'on the 24th November' and Cllr Taylor reported that on item 1429 Cuthay Farmhouse, Whitchurch Canonicorum should read 'recommend refusal'. Subject to these amendments, the minutes were agreed as acceptable, unanimously agreed.

1447 Actions Following the Last Meeting: The Clerk reported that she has written to all parties involved in the Well House, Whitchurch Canonicorum work, sent consultation comments into the West Dorset Partnership, wrote to the South West Coast Path team thanking them for their work and wrote to Dorset County Council regarding highway matters. Cllr Fortescue reported that she had attended a West Dorset Partnership workshop on the Draft Community Plan and also a Bridport Local Area Partnership workshop on the Statement of Community Involvement consultation document. Cllr Taylor reported that he has not had chance to do any further work on the continuing A35 matter. 1448 Planning Applicants Presentation: None.

1449 Planning: Planning Applications to Consider:

Cllr Fortescue reported that four planning applications had been received in the last couple of days which are too late to discuss at tonight's meeting. It was agreed that the Clerk arrange a planning meeting on Monday 23rd January 2006 at 7.30pm in the James Hargreaves Community Hall, Morcombelake. Action: Clerk

Planning Applications to Note:
Dodpen Stables, Fishpond - Cllr Fortescue reported that she looked at this application to convert a store into a holiday cottage with Cllr Chapman and Cllr Briscoe. The concerns raised were that the cottage would be further development in a quiet area, more traffic along the lanes, private water supply insufficient, and this is the only suitable building for future staff accommodation. Refusal was recommended. Paddocks Farm, Broadoak - Cllr Richards reported that he looked at these applications to erect extensions, carry out alterations and install replacement windows and double glazing with Cllr White. There were no problems and approval was recommended. 3 Carters Lane, Morcombelake - Cllr Diment looked at this application to demolish shed and erect a garage with Cllr Taylor. There were no problems and approval was recommended.

Approvals to Note:
Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine, Little Candida, Whitchurch Canonicorum, Brigs Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine, Five Penny Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine and Shell Cottage, Ryall.

Refusals to Note:
Dodpen Farm, Fishpond and Cuthay Farmhouse, Whitchurch Canonicorum.

Planning Acknowledgement:
Higher Wyld Farm, Monkton Wyld.

1450 Follow up Information and the Next Step on the A35 Meeting Regarding Morcombelake: Cllr Taylor reported that Oliver Letwin had wanted the Highways Agency's decisions in writing and asked if the Clerk could e-mail to ask if he had them in writing and if not, to chase them up. Cllr Brierley reported that Oliver Letwin feels that the whole situation is a mess with the Highways Agency and the Regional Assembly passing the buck. He is on a members group for the Olympics in 2012 and this is an issue that they might be interested in. Any queries on the A35 should to the Regional Assembly but there are no directly elected members and he does not know who the representatives are for Dorset. However, he reported that he will be meeting Olive Letwin in January and will report back on the meeting. If we cannot get a solution any other way, the next step may be getting the media involved. Action: Clerk

1451 Comments on the Sustainable Communities Bill Document: Cllr Fortescue reported that by now this document should have been seen by all Councillors and there is a public meeting which will be held on the 2nd February 2006 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in Bridport Town Hall where anyone can go and listen to speakers including Huge Fearnley-Whittingstall and Oliver Letwin. Cllr Fortescue reported that this is an important document and an important issue for our area as it could help rural communities and local towns. Cllr Diment believes that the bill will be discussed in parliament in November 2006 but he was disappointed in the Bridport News which said that the bill was all about cloning towns, this is not the case. It was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council sign up to this bill and it was agreed that the Clerk send in the Parish Council details. Action: Clerk

1452 Request for a Replacement Salt Bin at Monkton Wyld: This request has come from Mr Clive Sage of Wild Meadow Farm, Monkton Wyld as the old salt bin has been demolished over the years by the hedge cutters. It was unanimously agreed to purchase a cheaper salt bin, a yellow plastic one and get it delivered to Cllr Richards so that he can deliver it on site. Action: Clerk

1453 Update on Affordable Housing for Whitchurch Canonicorum: Cllr Fortescue reported on the latest information. There has been a meeting to introduce the trustees of some suitable land in Whitchurch to Anne Harries of Hastoe Housing Association. The Parish Council are not involved in negotiations over land, only over the provision of housing. At present Hastoe Housing Association are drawing up plans for a possible development. Once this has been completed, in March or April 2006, there will be a public exhibition in the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall for everyone interested to come and have a look, give their opinions and ask questions. After this a planning application can then be considered.

1454 Report on the New Planning System - West Dorset Local Development Framework: Cllr Fortescue reported on the documents that have been circulated about the new planning system that is about to be implemented. The Parish Council will have a chance to comment at every stage and Cllr Fortescue feels that it is vital that the Parish Council are involved and provide feedback from our local area.

1455 Report on the Bridport Local Area Partnership and Char Valley Response to the Draft Statement Of Community Involvement (1st Stage of the New Planning System): Cllr Fortescue had looked through the Statement of Community Involvement during December and provided a report back to WDDC. She had also attended a BLAP Working Group to examine the SCI in detail. If anyone would like to see the report sent in from CVPC, a copy is with the Clerk.

1456 Resolution to Set Up a Char Valley Working Group to Examine the Best Way for Char Valley to Respond in Future: Cllr Fortescue reported that it was important that the Parish Council respond to these documents and that it was not right that just her comments are put forward even if some of the answers are in our Action Plan. It was agreed that a Working Party be set up. Interested councillors were: Cllr, Fortescue, Cllr Diment, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Bailey and Cllr Briscoe and it may be that other people not on the Parish Council would be interested to join in on the process. Cllr Fortescue reported that one of the first steps would be to make Parish audits of each of our three parishes.

1457 Report on the West Dorset Partnership Draft Community Plan Workshop Held on the 6th December 2005: Cllr Fortescue reported on a workshop held to discuss the Partnership Draft Community Plan which was a very inadequate document with lots of bland statements but few planned actions. The Workshop was held to decide on the actions and to sort out the draft document. Cllr Fortescue sat in on two groups; the Affordable Housing Group had some positive feedback on rural housing and made suggestions which CVPC could support; the Local Prosperity Group strongly supported the setting up of a skills training centre in the Bridport area so that youngsters would not have to travel to Weymouth, Dorchester or Yeovil areas.

1458 Date for Quality Status Committee Meeting: Cllr Fortescue said that it perhaps would be better to wait for Cllr Bridle to return before a meeting is arranged so it was agreed to put this item on the March 2006 agenda. Action: Clerk

1459 Reports: Cllr Newson reported that the kerbside collection service would soon be starting and that there will be a roadshow in Whitchurch on 18th January. He also reported that the threat of closure of the Lower Sea Lane, Charmouth toilets has now been lifted and the toilets will not close. They will be refurbished soon and a charge to use them may be imposed. He also reported that the car park in Lower Sea Lane is hardly used out of season and the top part may be used for affordable housing. Finally he reported that it was Council Tax calculation time and that it was looking very good from the District Council's view on increases. Cllr Brierley reported that the Fire Authority, of which he is a member, have found that they are members of 145 'partnerships', which needs sorting out. He also reported that the County Council are looking into how many they belong to too. Mrs Creed-Castle reported that at long last she has been invited to a meeting at Dorchester with Claire Pinder, she hopes that when she attends this meeting she may get all the documents she has been requesting. Cllr Johnson reported that the Farmhouse Breakfast is on the 29th January 2006 at the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall. Cllr Richards reported tree work at Bay View, Morcombelake which has been authorised by the Tree Officer. Cllr Diment reported on matters from the WATAG meeting. Dorset County Council spoke on the draft Local Transport Plan, number two. The subject of free bus passes for the over 60s was discussed which has yet to be confirmed by the government. Cllr Diment said that he will write an article for the Char Chat on WATAG and advised people to check the amended bus timetables which may no coincide with the times of the trains Cllr Diment reported that the drainage works at Verriotts Lane, Morcombelake are very effective. He also reported that several private hedges overhanging the road are in need of trimming and it was agreed to give the Clerk a list to send to Dorset County Council asking them to send out hedge cutting notices to the householders. Finally he reported that the bench near the Ship Inn, Morcombelake has broken again. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the WI asking if Mr Hughes could repair it again, if not Cllr Richards could remove it and the Parish Council budget for a new one in the future. Cllr Cook reported that fir trees are to be removed on Hardown Hill. Cllr Richards reported flooding at Berne Lane, Charmouth which comes off the A35, he also reported flooding again on the A35 around 500 yards below the metal gates at Morcombelake, it was agreed that the Clerk write to Connect Road Operators about these two matters. Cllr Briscoe reported edge deterioration at Long Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine which has not been helped with inches of slurry on the road at times. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council and Mr John Norman about the problems. She also reported that neighbours are becoming concerned about the development at Nettlemoor, Fishpond which they say looks larger than the original plans. It was agreed that the Clerk write to the Enforcement Officer requesting him to look into the matter. Cllr Chapman reported that the pipe work on the lane near his farm had still had not been carried out after months of waiting. He also reported flooding on the A35 on the dual carriageway in the dip westbound near the Monkton Wyld turning. It was agreed that the Clerk report both these matters. Cllr Fortescue reported on an article in the Bridport News on grant available for rural area activities. She also reported on a Flood Warden newsletter which the Parish Council is now receiving. Action: Clerk

1460 Finance: Clerks Report/General Matters: The Clerk reported that she is to attend a DAPTC Seminar and talk about the Parish Councils Finance System and the CiLCA training is still going well.

Payments: Clerks Salary & Expenses, £298.81 - Petty Cash (Retrospective for Char Chat), £50.00 - Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, £14.00 - Creeds, £53.03 - Deane Business Solutions, £23.48, proposed by Cllr Diment, seconded by Cllr Briscoe, all agreed.

1461 Correspondence: WRVS, Fundraising Details - West Dorset District Council, Half Year Report - Somerset County Council, Consultation Document - DAPTC, Circulars No 16-05 & 17-05 - Environment Agency, Flood Newsletter - Dorset County Council, Highway Matters - West Dorset District Council, Kerbside Recycling Roadshows - Bridport Local Area Partnership, Minutes - Mrs Power, Right to Roam Query - Office of Deputy Prime Minster, Standards of Conduct - Local Works, Sustainable Communities Bill.

1462 Items for Next Agenda: A35 Morcombelake, Burial Grounds Payments and Whitchurch Canonicorum Playground Surface.

1463 Date of Next Meeting: 13th February 2006 at 7.30pm in the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall.

1464 Close of Meeting: 9.35pm.