Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present: E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), R Andrews, S Johnson, B Briscoe, J Bridle, S Creed-Castle and 3 members of the public.

1483 Apologies: R Taylor, C Richards, P White, W Chapman, C Bailey, G Brierley and I Gillespie. Cllr Fortescue welcomed Cllr John Bridle back to the meetings.

1484 Public Discussion Period: The meeting was suspended for the public discussion period. Miss Diment reported that hedge trimmings are being left by the side of the road and asked whose responsibility it was to clear it up. Cllr Fortescue reported it was the landowners responsibility and said that the Clerk would write to West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council informing them of this ongoing problem. She also said that an article on this problem could be put in the September edition of the Char Chat. Cllr Bridle asked if the letter could include problems with punctures and thorns in horses hooves. Action: Clerk

1485 Declarations of Interest: The meeting was reopened. There were no declarations of interest.

1486 Resolution to Approve the Parish Council Minutes held on the 13th February 2006: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Johnson, seconded by Cllr Briscoe, all agreed and signed.

1487 Actions Following the Last Meeting: The Clerk reported that she has written to Dorset County Council and West Dorset District Council regarding the Tetra mast at Stonebarrow Lane and they have confirmed that there is no new health legislation on masts. She has also wrote to Oliver Letwin regarding the A35 at Morcombelake and he is chasing the Highways Agency but a letter has been received from the Highways Agency and they are not going to carry out any safety measures in Morcombelake. She also wrote to West Dorset District Council regarding the playground surface at Whitchurch Canonicorum and they have confirmed fors and againsts each safety surface and will not commit to one type. Finally she has written to Connect Road Operators, West Dorset District Council and Dorset County Council about various highway matters. The Clerk also asked for confirmation on the Parish Meeting Dates so she could give the dates to the Char Chat editors, Whitchurch Canonicorum is on the 24th April, Wootton Fitzpaine is on the 19th April and Stanton St Gabriel is on the 22nd May.

1488 Planning Applicants Presentation: None.

1489 Planning:
Planning Applications to Consider: Greenings, Fishpond - Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Briscoe looked at this application to alter a redundant building and erect a single storey extension for a study and library. There were no objections and it was unanimously agreed to recommend approval.
Lyme Regis Golf Club, Timber Hill, Lyme Regis - Cllr Fortescue looked at this adjoining parish planning application to erect a single storey timber clad golf driving range with small office, store and to extend the car park. It was unanimously agreed to thank the District Council for sending us this adjoining parish application and comment that the Parish Council have no adverse comments.
Dodpen Stables, Wootton Fitzpaine - Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to convert the existing store to a holiday cottage. She reported that this application is very similar to the one which was refused earlier this year. It was unanimously agreed to object to this application on the same grounds as the previous one.

Planning Applications to Note:
Guppy Barn, Wootton Fitzpaine - Cllr Fortescue and Cllr Briscoe looked at this application to convert redundant building to a holiday unit. It was agreed to recommend approval subject to the roof lights being installed on the back of the roof rather than the front.
Belle Vue, Luscombe Well Road, Ryall - Cllr Diment and Cllr Taylor looked at this application to demolish a dwelling and erect a chalet bungalow. Concerns were raised on the building in a sensitive area which was completely out of character to the area, extended footprint and concerns over the amount of digging immediately adjacent to Right of Way in a greensand area. Refusal was recommended.
Hinkhams Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum - The Clerk reported for Cllr Richards and Cllr White who looked at this application to erect an agricultural building for storage of farm machinery. They could see no problems and approval was recommended.

Planning Approvals to Note: Newlands Motel, Charmouth, St Christophers, Butt Lane, Ryall and Cobblestones, Berne Lane, Charmouth.

1490 Resolution to Arrange a Date for the Next Quality Status Meeting: Cllr Fortescue reported that due to Cllr Bailey being absent it was not appropriate to set a date for the meeting tonight. However she will telephone Cllr Bailey, get a date and time and contact the other Councillors and Clerk. Action: Clerk

1491 To Note Information on the Whitchurch Canonicorum Housing Consultation: Cllr Fortescue reported that the consultation day on the proposed housing will be on the 30th March 2006 from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. There will be a letter sent to everyone in the Whitchurch Canonicorum Parish asking them to attend to have a look at maps and details of how housing associations work. Cllr Fortescue reported that Cllr Johnson has kindly offered to do refreshments and Anthea Bay has offered to help on the day too.

1492 Suggestion on Whitchurch Canonicorum Playground Surface: Cllr Fortescue reported that this item was requested on the agenda by Cllr Richards who is absent from the meeting. It was agreed to put this item on the April 2006 agenda to discuss.

1493 Information on Bridport Local Area Partnership Assembly: Cllr Fortescue circulated details on this subject to all Councillors. She reported that the meeting is all about what the organisation do and who they can help. The meeting is on the 16th March 2006 at 6.30 to 8.30pm at Bridport United Church.

1494 Resolution to Support the CPRE Litter Campaign: Cllr Fortescue reported that a letter has been received from the CPRE and the Clerk has acknowledged it. She said that Trevor Chambers has placed an article in the Char Chat on this increasing problem. Cllr Bridle reported that there are litter pickers on the A35 towards Poole who do a good job. Cllr Diment reported lots of litter on the main Charmouth road. It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk write to the CPRE supporting their concerns and that our first action is putting an article in the Char Chat and voicing our concerns over the safety of litter pickers. Mrs Chambers asked if litter bins could be placed on the A35 Morcombelake and it was agreed that the Clerk write to West Dorset District Council asking them for some. It was suggested that perhaps hedge cuttings could be classed as litter and that the CPRE could look into this matter as well. Action: Clerk

1495 Resolution to Remove and Dispose of Bench at The Ship Inn, Morcombelake: The Clerk reported that she has received a letter from the Womens Institute asking for Councillor Richards to dismantle and dispose of the damaged bench. It was unanimously agreed for Cllr Richards to carry this out. Action: Clerk

1496 Reports: Cllr Andrews read out items from the agenda from the last Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall committee meeting. Mr Trevor Chambers reported that work should begin this month on the kitchen and toilets on the James Hargreaves Community Hall. He also reported that they have been awarded a £5,000 grant from the Awards for All which will help towards the kitchen and toilet work. He also reported damage to the guttering which was done by a high sided vehicle which did not stop and this may be subject to an insurance claim. Finally he reported on the new chairs for the hall which he would like to thank Les and Audrey Smith of Crooch Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum for their generosity. Cllr Fortescue reported on the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall AGM which mainly focused on the Centenary events for this year. Cllr Diment reported on WATAG but said that nothing had been discussed which affected the Char Valley area. Mrs Creed-Castle reported that she is still hoping to attend a course at Dorchester with Claire Pinder but as yet no date has been fixed. She has been in the post of Ancient Monuments Officer for years now and still no guidance on the job has been given. Cllr Bridle reported that he has reported potholes in Muddyford Lane to Clarence. Cllr Briscoe reported a large pothole on the B3165 between Lamberts Castle and the Fishpond turn. She also reported that Long Lane, Fishpond is very wet. Cllr Johnson reported that she has had a complaint on why did it take three men to deliver the recycling boxes in the area. Cllr Diment reported that in certain areas in Morcombelake residents will not be getting a recycling box due to the small lanes. It was agreed that the Clerk write to West Dorset District Council asking for a list of who will not receive a box and ask if a reduction of Council Tax would be appropriate. Cllr Diment also reported that the notice board backing on the James Hargreaves Hall notice board is very bad and needs replacing. He also reported that the A35 Morcombelake will be closed on Saturday for one night and finally he reported large potholes on the A3052 near Lyme Regis Golf Course. Cllr Fortescue reported potholes along Westover Lane, Wootton Fitzpaine and that the road is breaking up through the village towards Charmouth. It was agreed that the Clerk write to Dorset County Council asking if this road is subject to resurfacing next year. Action: Clerk

1497 Finance: Clerks Report/General Financial Matters: The Clerk reported that the Parish Council have around £5,000 in the account and that the year end accounts will be put together very soon. Payments: Clerks Salary & Expenses, £298.81 - Petty Cash, £50.00 - James Hargreaves Community Hall, £8.00 - Deane Business Solutions, £12.71 - Mr Wright, £99.00, unanimously agreed. Request from WRVS for Donation: It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk write to WRVS asking them what services benefit our people in the Char Valley area. Resolution to Arrange a Date for a Finance Meeting: It was unanimously agreed that this could be missed and that the Quality Status meeting should look at the Financial Regulations and Standing Orders. Resolution to Order Char Chat Envelopes: It was unanimously agreed that the Clerk order a box of envelopes. Resolution to Contact the Stonebarrow Residents Association Regarding the 'Sherborne Turf' £100: Cllr Fortescue reported that this money is still in the account and it was unanimously agreed to write to the Association asking if and what they would like the money spent on. Resolution to Agree Clerks Annual Salary and Expenses Increase: It was unanimously agreed that the Clerks Salary rise to Scale Point 20, £302.88 per month with expenses at £25.50 per month. Cllr Fortescue asked if the Clerk could contact the Inland Revenue and the DAPTC with regards to the new Clerks Gratuity/Pension. Action: Clerk

1498 Correspondence: Dorset County Council, Highway Matters - West Dorset District Council, Improvements to the Development Control Process - Dorset County Council, Library Timetables - DAPTC, Circular No 03-06 - West Dorset District Council, Playground Surfaces - West Dorset District Council, Refuse Collections - Environment Agency, Flood Warden Newsletter - Connect Road Operators, Highway Matters - West Dorset District Council, Planning Enforcement - Bridport Local Area Partnership, Assembly Details - Dorset County Council, Data Request - Oliver Letwin, Acknowledgement to Mast Letter - Monkton Wyld PCC, Thank you for Donation - Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall, Lease Details - Connect Road Operators, Road Closure - Highways Agency, A35 Morcombelake - Fishpond PCC, Thank you for Donation.

1499 Items for the Next Agenda: Playground Lease for Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall and Playground Surface for Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall.

1500 Date of Next Meeting: 10th April 2006 at 7.30pm in the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall.

1501 Close of Meeting: 9.30pm.