Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), C Richards, S Johnson, C Bailey, R Andrews, P White, W Chapman, B Briscoe, R Taylor, D Newson, I Gillespie and 1 member of the public.

1465 Apologies: J Bridle, R Cook, S Creed-Castle and G Brierley.

1466 Public Discussion Period: The meeting was suspended for the public discussion period. Mrs Barbara Collins reported that despite four years of battling against the tetra mast it is now installed and fully operational on the Stonebarrow Lane site. Residents are still concerned for their families' health. She reported that all along, O2's preferred site was the Lyme Regis Golf Course but negotiations have now stopped and a tetra mast has been installed at Trinity Hill instead. She asked the Parish Council for their help in starting negotiations again to get the Stonebarrow mast removed. The councillors approved action to bring this matter up at the next Bridport Local Area Partnership meeting, to send a letter to the District Planners indicating the residents' feelings and to follow Cllr Gillespie's suggestion that a letter be sent to the County Council's Health Department as there is a new report on the health aspects of masts. Action: Clerk

1467 Declarations of Interest: The meeting was reopened. Cllr Richards declared an interest on St Christophers, Butt Lane, Ryall, planning application.

1468 Resolution to Approve the Parish Council Minutes held on the 9th January 2006: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Taylor, seconded by Cllr Chapman, all agreed and signed.

1469 Actions Following the Last Meeting: The Clerk reported that she arranged the planning, contacted Oliver Letwin regarding the A35, signed the Parish Council up to the Communities Bill, ordered the salt bin and reported all highway defects.

1470 Planning Applicants Presentation: None.

1471 Planning: Planning Applications to Consider: Paddocks Farm, Broadoak - Cllr Richards and Cllr White looked at this planning application to convert an agricultural barn into rural workshops. They could see no problems with this venture, a business making use of outbuildings and Cllr Richards proposed to recommend approval, all agreed.
St Christophers, Butt Lane, Ryall - Cllr Diment and Cllr Bailey looked at this retrospective application to erect a replacement garage/workshop and store. It has been completed and they thought it was a better design/build than the previous application which was also approved. Cllr Diment proposed to recommend approval, all agreed.
Shave Cross Inn, Marshwood - Cllr Richards and Cllr White looked at this application to erect an extension to the outbuildings to provide accommodation. There was a 7 for and 3 against to comment on this application and Cllr Richards recommended approval, 6 for, 2 against, 1 abstention.
Late Application: Guppys Barn, Spence Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine - Cllr Fortescue has this application to convert the barn into holiday accommodation. It was agreed that this change of use would be the only solution to retaining the barn but there are matters on access that need further consideration. Cllr Fortescue will go on site with Cllr Briscoe and return comments to the Clerk.
Approvals to Note: 3 Carters Lane, Morcombelake, Paddocks Farm, Broadoak, Peace Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum and Copse Gate Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum. Planning Refusal to Note: Dodpen Farm, Fishpond and The Ship Inn, Morcombelake.

1472 Discuss/Decide Next Step on the A35 Regarding Morcombelake: Cllr Taylor reported that the letter from the Highways Agency to Oliver Letwin was not a good enough response and did not answer any of the questions put to them. It was agreed that the Clerk contact Oliver Letwin again asking him to chase the HA again and for Cllr Fortescue to bring it up at the Bridport Local Area Partnership meeting. The Clerk also read out a report from Cllr Brierley on this matter and he will update the Parish Council at the March meeting. Action: Cllr Fortescue & Clerk

1473 Arrangements for Parish Meeting Dates: Cllr Fortescue reported that the Parish Meeting Dates need to be set for this year. She will find out when Wootton Fitzpaine's meeting will be and will report back at the March meeting. It was agreed that Cllr Taylor contact Cllr Bridle to see if he would kindly arrange the Stanton St Gabriel meeting and Cllr Andrews arrange the Whitchurch Canonicorum South and North parish meeting. Action: Cllr Fortescue, Cllr Taylor & Cllr Andrews

1474 Resolution to Accept a Quotation for the New Surface at Whitchurch Canonicorum Playground: The Clerk and Cllr Fortescue reported on the quotations received and that quotes were in the region of £10,000. It was agreed that the Clerk write to West Dorset District Council to ask their advice on what surface is most acceptable and then to try and get grants from West Dorset District Council and the Big Lottery Fund before we accept any quotation. Action: Clerk

1475 Arrangements for Weekly Inspections at the Whitchurch Canonicorum Playground: The Clerk reported that Mrs Wright would prefer not to do the weekly inspections on the playground and asked if anyone else would be interested in carrying this job out. Cllr White kindly agreed and took charge of the inspection book. Action: Cllr White

1476 Report on Mill Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine: Cllr Fortescue reported that the Trail Riders Fellowship have put in an application to open up this lane to all traffic. She reported that this lane is passable by bike but nothing bigger and for many years has never had wheeled traffic on it. Cllr Chapman reported that the footbridge on this lane is very narrow and four-wheeled traffic could never cross over it and that the area is a Site of Natural Conservation Interest. The Clerk read a report from Cllr Brierley on this matter asking what the Parish Council's thoughts were on this. Cllr Fortescue read out a letter from Dorset County Council which gives clear instructions on what comments to put in when the time comes.

1477 Reports: Cllr Newson reported that the recycling roadshows had taken place locally and around 40 people in Charmouth attended. He also reported that there have been problems with refuse collection in the area and he is looking into this matter. He also reported along with Cllr Gillespie that they have received the inspector's report on the draft plan but there is nothing much to report for this area.
There are problems with development boundaries in the area and this could mean bad news for affordable housing in our villages. This document will go to public debate in April and be finished by June when it becomes law.
Finally Cllr Gillespie reported that the District Council Tax will go up by 2.49% and this is set for this year and next year.
Cllr Fortescue reported that she attended the Sustainable Communities Bill meeting which was attended by around 500 people. It was a very interesting meeting and she believes that the Parish Council were right in supporting the principle of the bill.
Cllr Diment reported that free bus passes to the over 60s and all registered disabled are coming into force from the 1st April 2006. However, bus companies nationally are concerned that free bus passes could cause a cash flow which could lead to loss of routes.
Cllr Diment also reported that he is to produce an article for the Char Chat on WATAG issues.
Cllr Johnson reported that she has the minutes of the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall committee meeting if anyone would like to read them.
Items on the minutes show that an electrical bill is still outstanding but monies are available for this; heating system work started; fire alarm work ready to start and lots of fundraising coming up over the next few months.
Cllr Richards had nothing to report from the James Hargreaves Community Hall, however, he has said to Trevor Chambers that he has to stand down as Parish Council representative.
Cllr Fortescue reported that there are lots of Centenary functions coming up for the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall and monies raised will go towards lighting and stage lighting.
Cllr Fortescue reported that she has the draft community plan from the Bridport Local Area Partnership and will circulate this to all Councillors.
Cllr Taylor reported that the gullies are blocked on the A35 at Morcombelake.
Cllr Diment reported on the refuse collection problems at Morcombelake and asked if the Parish Council could send a letter commenting on lack of communication and the insistent customer services lady who would not accept that letters had not been sent to residents. Cllr Richards abstained, all other councillors agreed.
Cllr Richards reported that the potholes at Berne Lane Charmouth had still not been repaired and are very big.
Cllr Fortescue reported potholes at Westover Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine and near Elm Cottage, Wootton Fitzpaine.
Cllr Bailey reported potholes at Gassons Lane, Whitchurch Canonicorum and Newhouse Farm, Broadoak. Cllr Johnson reported that the scrub on Mrs Parker's land at Whitchurch Canonicorum had been cut.
Cllr Chapman reported that a sign directing traffic to Wootton Fitzpaine at White Gates crossroads is missing. It was agreed that Cllr Fortescue look into this matter. It was agreed that the Clerk report all these matters onto the relevant authorities. Action: Clerk

1478 Finance: Clerk's Report: Nothing to report.
Payments: Clerk's Salary & Expenses, £298.81 - Petty Cash, £40.00 - Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, £15.00 - James Hargreaves Community Hall, £8.00 - Deane Business Solutions, £22.90 - Glasdon UK Limited, £155.11 - XCalibre, £52.86 - Ordnance Survey, £55.81 - Burial Grounds grants: Whitchurch Canonicorum PCC, £235.00 - Wootton Fitzpaine PCC, £235.00 - Fishpond PCC, £42.00 - Stanton St Gabriel, £42.00 - James Hargreaves Community Hall, £42.00 - Monkton Wyld PCC, £204.00, proposed by Cllr Chapman, all agreed.

1479 Correspondence: Dorset County Council, Morcombelake Mobile Library Service - West Dorset District Council, Community Champion 2006 - DAPTC, Circulars 01-06 & 02-06 - West Dorset District Council, Standards Board Agenda - Dorset County Council, Highway Matters - West Dorset District Council, Planning Enforcement - Dorset Community Action, Best Kept Village of the Year 2006 - BDO Stoy Hayward, Change of Address - West Dorset District Council, Inspectors Report - West Dorset District Council, Spring Clean 2006 - CPRE, Campaign Against Litter - SWEBDAG, Survey Results - Connect Road Operators, Highway Matters - West Dorset District Council, Playground Inspection Results - Bridport Local Area Partnership, Agenda - Dorset County Council, Street Lighting Questionnaire, Mill Lane - Mr W. Taylor.

1480 Items for Next Agenda: A35 Morcombelake, Stonebarrow Mast and Parish Meeting Dates.

1481 Date of Next Meeting: 13th March 2006 at 7.30pm in the James Hargreaves Community Hall, Morcombelake.

1482 Close of Meeting: 10.20pm.