Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present:
E Fortescue (Chairman), V Diment (Vice Chairman), S Johnson, C Richards, C Bailey, R Andrews, W Chapman, B Briscoe, J Bridle, B Cook, G Brierley, D Newson, I Gillespie, G Summers, D Newman, 3 members of the public and Tara Hansford, Dorset County Council.

1675 Apologies:
R Taylor and S Creed-Castle.

1676 Public Discussion Period:
The meeting was suspended for the public discussion period. Cllr Fortescue welcomed Tara Hansford of Dorset County Council to the meeting to talk about the Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan which she has written for consultation. Tara explained about the rights of way network and what information is in the document and what comments she wanted back from us so she can draw up a document outlining all the actions needed. A question and answer session followed. Cllr Fortescue thanked her for a very good document and thanked her for attending the meeting.

Yvonne Welch gave a report from Helen Mann of the National Trust as she wanted the Parish Council to have advance knowledge that the National Trust are to put charges on their car parks in the area, being Stonebarrow and Langdon Hill. This scheme will be managed by West Dorset District Council and charged at 40p per hour and £4.00 per day, this is to get revenue in to help pay for the management of the National Trust land and the Car Parks.

1677 Declarations of Interest:
The meeting was reopened. Cllr Richards declared an interest on the planning applications at Clouds Hill, Morcombelake and Spence Cottage, Wootton Fitzpaine.

1678 Resolution to Approve the Parish Council Minutes held on the 12th February 2007:
Subject to a minor typing mistake the minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Diment, seconded by Cllr Johnson, all agreed and signed.

1679 Actions Following the Last Meeting:
The Clerk reported that a letter to West Dorset District Council regarding deferring Befferlands Farm, Charmouth planning application was not needed as the application was withdrawn, she wrote to Tara Hansford of Dorset County Council inviting her to tonights meeting, she wrote to Dorset County Council and Connect regarding highway matters, she has written to Palmers regarding the Ship Inn Morcombelake but no reply as yet and finally she wrote to the Bopper Bus Organisation regarding monies put aside for them.

1680 Planning Applicants Presentation:
None.

1681 Planning:
Planning Applications to Consider:
Clouds Hill, Verriotts Lane, Morcombelake - Cllr Diment and Cllr Bailey looked at this application to erect an extension and carry out alterations. They could see no problems with this, Cllr Diment proposed to approve this application, all agreed.

Spence Cottage, Wootton Fitzpaine - Cllr Fortescue looked at this application to erect a hobby room in the garden. She could see no problems with this and proposed approval, all agreed.

Approval to Note:
Cross Farm, Berne Lane, Charmouth. Withdrawal to Note: Befferlands Farm, Berne Lane, Charmouth.

General to Note:
Shave Cross Inn, Marshwood, applications refused. Mast Site, Stonebarrow Lane, Charmouth, Site visit 13th March 2007. Reeds Barn Cottage, Axminster, no breach of planning.

1682 Reports:
Cllr Newson reported a quiet time coming up to the May elections. He did report that there will be 2 lifeguards from 10am to 6pm in the peak season on Charmouth Beach which for this year will be funded by the RNLI and West Dorset District Council, however next year looking at other ways of funding like the Parish Council and the private car park owner. He also reported that the lifeguards will also be watching the cliffs and warning beach users of the dangers.

Cllr Gillespie confirmed that the Council Tax for District Council will rise by 2.4%. He reported that the District Council pension was fully funded and that Phase 4 work at Church Beach, Lyme Regis will start soon as well as a new sea wall. He said that the new finance section, Westway, was working well and that name will be on all of our bills for the Council Tax. Finally he reported that he is carrying out a questionnaire on the Post Offices in his area and will let the Parish Council know the outcome of it, however, he said that the government is not taking into account that shops are integrated into Post Offices.

Cllr Summers reported that there is a Gambling Act coming into force very soon, around June 2007 which she will be dealing with like the Licensing Act of 2003. She reported that everyone who asks will have to be given a gambling licence but if there are problems it will be taken away after 6 months.

Cllr Brierley confirmed that the Council Tax for the County Council will rise by 4.69%, this is due to inflation and the rise of items such as pay increase, price increases such as transport and road repairs.

Cllr Fortescue reported for the Ancient Monuments Officer, Sylvia Creed-Castle. The exhibition for the 'Heritage of our Parishes' will take place on the 17th and 18th August 2008.

1683 Resolution to Put Forward Comments on the Rights of Way Consultation Document:
It was unanimously agreed that Mr Don Newman put forward his and Mr Mills' comprehensive comments on the questionnaire form to the Rights of Way section and that the Parish Council would follow up with their list in letter form.

1684 Resolution to Comment on Proposed Tree Work at Anvil Cottage, Whitchurch Canonicorum:
Cllr Richards reported that he could see no problems with the proposed tree work, he said it was a shame to fell the cherry tree but this had been damaged by ivy so needed to be removed. It was proposed by Cllr Richards to recommend all of the tree work, all agreed.

1685 Discussion/Comments on Reports from Councillor Fortescue:
Cllr Fortescue reported on the meetings which she had attended recently. She attended several Bridport Local Area Partnership meetings, affordable housing steering group meeting and a Commission for Rural Communities meeting at which she explained how our Parish Council operated.

1686 Reports:
Mr Don Newman reported that he had been sent on a training day with regards to rights of way. He also asked if the potholes, most of which are dangerous, in Crooked Lane, Whitchurch Canonicorum could be reported to Dorset County Council.

Cllr Bridle reported that the SID at Morcombelake had still not arrived and that the one at Miles Cross is not working. He also asked if the potholes on the A35 between Fulvens and Charmouth could be reported, again very dangerous.

Cllr Johnson reported that she had attended a Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall meeting and she has the minutes if anyone would like to read them, the next meeting is on the 18th April 2007. She reported that another grant of £5,000 is to be applied for soon. She reported that there is still lots of work to do and lots of fundraising coming up. New lockers have been installed, new doors and the bar area has nearly been completed.

Cllr Bridle reported that the James Hargreaves Community Hall will be closed soon for around 10 days to have its new kitchen fitted.

Cllr Fortescue reported that the new Community Planning Officer for the Bridport Local Area Partnership is Tessa Greenaway and she will be starting at the beginning of April 2007. She also reported that there is a Bridport Local Area Partnership assembly meeting coming up on the 15th March 2007 followed by a steering group meeting on the 19th April 2007.

Cllr Johnson reported highway problems at Stockham Bridge, Whitchurch Canonicorum with severe flooding again. Cllr Richards asked the Clerk to contact West Dorset District Council asking them to replace the manhole cover with a fixed manhole cover to stop it popping out every time it floods.

Cllr Bailey reported that the empty salt bin at Stoke Mandeville Farm, Whitchurch Canonicorum has been stolen. It was agreed that the Clerk contact the Police, get an incident number and claim on the Parish Council insurance for two salt bins.

Cllr Andrews reported that there are lots of potholes at Berne Lane, Charmouth and blocked gullies too. It was agreed that the Clerk report these matters on again.

Cllr Chapman reported that the drainage problem at Monkton Wyld has still not been sorted out, outstanding matter for years. It was agreed that the Clerk write about this problem and ask for a date when to be done.

Cllr Diment reported flooding again at Verriotts Lane, Morcombelake. He also reported that the owners of Hedgerows, Loves Lane, Morcombelake had requested a recycling box from West Dorset District Council and had been refused one. It was agreed that the Clerk write to West Dorset District Council and Cllr Fortescue take this matter up with the Bridport Local Area Partnership.

Cllr Bridle reported that Moores had left Morcombelake, mixed feelings in the area and thoughts on what the site will be used for in future.

Cllr Cook reported that there is a very overgrown hedge owned by British Telecom just off the A35 heading towards Ryall, it was agreed that the Clerk write to them requesting it to be cut back.

Cllr Richards asked if the Clerk could write a letter to Tim Heap thanking him for the work on the Parish Council web site, this was agreed.

Cllr Fortescue asked if all Councillors could continue to help find new Councillors for the May 2007 elections. Action: Clerk

1687 Finance:
Clerks Report/General Financial Matters - The Clerk asked 'Parish Meeting Chairmen' if they would like notices typed out for the forthcoming Parish Meetings If they would like notices/agendas the Clerk will type them and send them out as soon as possible. She also reported that Melanie Wright the caretaker at the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall has phoned to say that the spring on the playground gate has broken. It was agreed that Councillor Fortescue give Cllr Richards a spare one from Wootton Fitzpaine playground for him to fit on as soon as possible.

Cllr Richards queried if Cllr White was carrying out the weekly playground inspections at Whitchurch Canonicorum which should be done for insurance purposes. It was agreed that Cllr Richards asked Sally White if inspections were being carried out and asked for the inspection book ready for the new Council.

Payments:
Clerks Salary & Expenses, £328.38 - Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall, £16.00 - Computerfixit, £27.79 - XCalibre Communications Ltd, £11.69, unanimously agreed. Resolution to Approve Clerks Annual Salary and Expenses Increase: Scale Point 21 £313.94, Expenses £30.00, total monthly, £343.94, unanimously agreed.

Resolution to Agree a Finance Meeting Date:
It was unanimously agreed to arrange a meeting on Monday 26th March 2007 at 7.30pm. It was agreed that the Clerk contact the Village Halls to see who is available. Resolution to Discuss Citizens Advice Bureau Request for a Donation: Cllr Bridle proposed a £50.00 donation, seconded by Cllr Chapman, all agreed. Action: Clerk, Cllr Fortescue & Cllr Richards

1688 Correspondence:
Western Power Distribution, Quality Report - Symondsbury Parish Council, Notes on A35 Meeting - West Dorset District Council, Dog Control Orders - Bridport Local Area Partnership, Minutes - Dorset County Council, Extinguishment Order - James Hargreaves Community Hall, March Newsletter - Mr Geffers, Condition of Road in Monkton Wyld - Dorset County Council, Minerals Plan - DAPTC, Circular 03/07 - Life Education Centre, Application for Grant - Bopper Bus, List of Fundraising - NALC, Model Contract - Dorset County Council, Highway Matters.

1689 Items for Next Agenda:
Application for Grant for the Life Education Centre.

1690 Date of Next Meeting:
Monday 16th April 2007 at 7.300pm in the Whitchurch Canonicorum Village Hall.

1691 Close of Meeting: 10.00pm.