Whitchurch Canonicorum, Wootton Fitzpaine and Stanton St. Gabriel Parishes

Present:
S Johnson (Chairman), K Mansbridge (Vice Chairman), K Tubb, S Creed-Castle, V Diment, P Ray, P Watt, C Parr, D Snook, C Sage, C Everidge, C Bailey, G Brierley, M Robinson, G Summers, J Bridle, E Fortescue, C Hughes and 7 members of the public.

1817 Apologies: No apologies for absence

1818 Meeting Suspended for Public Discussion Period:
The meeting was suspended for public discussion. John Bridle circulated a handout entitled 'How Green is CVPC' which raised points on the effects of social housing. The handout has been submitted to Char Chat in the hope it will be published. Mrs Fortescue spoke to the council regarding affordable housing in the area. She explained that when affordable housing is being planned within an area all residents are given the opportunity to express their views on the subject at scheduled meetings. Cllr Summers spoke about an upcoming seminar to be held at Kingston Maurward that will discuss land that may become available to be used for affordable housing.

1819 Declarations of Interest:
The meeting was re-opened. There were no declarations of interest. 1820 Resolution to Approve the Parish Council Minutes Held on the 19th November 2007: The minutes were agreed as acceptable, proposed by Cllr Diment, seconded by Cllr Mansbridge, all agreed.

1821 Actions Following Last Meeting:
The Clerk reported that a letter had been written to Andy Kirby to establish if there was any further information on the SID. At the time of the meeting no reply had been received. The Clerk emailed Cllr Brierley to ask him to contact Dorset County Council to chase the work following the highway inspection. Clerk telephoned West Dorset District Council to report the leaves at the Tizzards Knapp junction with the A35.

1822 Planning Applicants Presentation:
The owner of Southover, Morcombelake spoke about his planning application and expressed his views on the concerns put forward by the parish council and his neighbour.

1823 Planning:
Applications to Consider:
Shaves Cross Inn, Marshwood- adjoining parish council consultation - Cllr Johnson asked if anybody had any views on the application and it was agreed that the parish council would make no comments.

Applications to Note:
3 Carters Lane, Morcombelake - Cllr Parr and Cllr Diment looked at this application to erect a conservatory and had no objections. Approval was recommended.

Plenty House, Whitchurch Canonicorum - Cllr Tubb and Cllr Creed-Castle looked at this application. They concluded that provided there was no serious increase to the size of the buildings they could see no reason why the plans could not be approved.

Hope Cottage, Ryall - Cllr Parr and Cllr Diment looked at this application to remove a boundary hedge and replace it with a stone faced wall. They mentioned that the existing hedge would have some value as a shelter for birds but had little landscape value.

Southover, Morcombelake - Cllr Parr and Cllr Diment looked at this application to carry out alterations and erect an extension and had some concerns. They noted that the ridge of the extension was approx 6ft above the existing roof and not shown on the south elevation drawing, the glazed panel on the extension would cause reflective glare to traffic on the A35 and spoil from the development should be properly dealt with.

Approvals to Note:
Monkton Wyld Farm Caravan Park, Wootton Fitzpaine, Ash Cottage, Morcombelake, Higher Pound Farm, Wootton Fitzpaine. Refusals to Note: - Highcliffe Cottage, Whitchurch Canonicorum. Enforcement Notice to note: Land at Green Lane, Raymonds Hill, Monkton Wyld An enforcement notice was issued but has since been withdrawn.

Appeal to note:
Grandview Farm, Morcombelake - The appeal will be decided on at an enquiry to be held at Stratton House in Dorchester on 22nd January 2008.

1824 Reports:
Cllr Robinson explained that given the recent flooding it is important that all floods are reported to the Environment Agency. Cllr Bailey confirmed that no reports had yet been made but she now has the new telephone number and agreed that any future problems will be reported. It was also noted that the River Char has a history of flooding.

Cllr Robinson mentioned the appeal concerning Grandview Farm to be held in Dorchester. He also reported that following the planning refusal at Highcliffe Cottage a further application would be made at some point in the future.

Cllr Robinson went on to report that the governments regional support grant will be lower than expected, although the actual figure has not yet been announced. He also told the council that a meeting is to be held at the Blackdown Village Hall on Saturday 19th January at 7.30pm to discuss the first responders scheme and what their role involves.

Cllr Summers reported that there had been a polling station review, however Whitchurch Canonicorum's arrangements are to remain the same.

Cllr Brierley thanked Charlotte for all her help over the years as the Char Valley Parish Council clerk and wished her well for the future. He reported that Dorset County Council has announced an 11% increase to their grant and that due to this council tax rates will be substantially below 5% although the final figure is yet to be decided. He also reported that the Charmouth First Responder Scheme at Charmouth fire station is no longer going ahead. He told the council that the fire authority are offering people aged 70 yrs or over and single parents with a child under the age of 16 a free home safety check and two free fire alarms. He handed out some leaflets giving details about the scheme and how to apply. This includes a form to be completed and passed to the fire authority.

Cllr Creed-Castle spoke about her ancient monument work and that the exhibition due to be held in August has been postponed due to personal commitments but it should be able to be held next year.

Cllr Tubb spoke about Whitchurch Canonicorum village hall and reported that it is financially solvent. He mentioned that a plaque had been put up thanking various people and organisations. He also mentioned the upcoming farmhouse breakfast to be held in two weeks time.

Cllr Snook had nothing to report about Wootton Fitzpaine village hall or the DAPTC but she did have some more information on the clock and would report on it later in the meeting.

Cllr Watt spoke about the increasing activities being held at the James Hargreaves village hall, including a table tennis club, a music club and a monthly luncheon club to be held for people aged 70 yrs plus. She reported that the Christmas lunch was a success with 29 people attending. She also reported that the village hall roof is in need of refurbishment and that fund raising for this is ongoing.

Cllr Diment reported that there was still problems with the bus service in Morcombelake and that buses are not stopping outside Frodsham Motors. Cllr Diment said he would contact Mark Williams to make sure the drivers are aware that they need to stop here.

Mr Bridle referred to his earlier handout and reported that there is a broken footbridge 100 meters south of Norchard Farm. He has also noted that the damage to Boat 39 has not been repaired. He reported that there is a crack in the cliff below the lower section of the footpath to St Gabriels but as there is a notice to proceed at your own risk, the National Trust have stated that the footpath will remain open.

Mr Bridle also reported that Andy Kirby has stated that two SID's have been ordered by Connect and when they arrive they will be fitted at Kilmington and Morcombelake. He also noted that he had contacted Rob Murray about the widening at Muddyford Lane and Dorset County Council will be contacted to ask for action to be taken at the next Chideock council meeting.

Cllr Sage reported that Cllr Mansbridge and himself had visited Tempest House in connection with the recent planning application and had no objections to the plans. This will be brought up at the next meeting under 'Applications to note'.

Cllr Ray reported that mud from the roads in Whitchurch Canonicorum seems to be being dumped in the roadside hedges. He asked that the clerk write to Dorset County Council regarding this matter. Cllr Mansbridge reported that the stones from the driveway at Briggs Farm in Wootton Fitzpaine are falling into the public road. He requested that the clerk contact the highways department of Dorset County Council regarding this problem.

Cllr Tubb expressed his concerns over the comments made by Mr Bridle about the issue of affordable housing. Cllr Bailey suggested that Mrs Fortsecue reply to Mr Bridles letter directly. As yet nothing has been decided.

Cllr Creed-Castle reported in the absence of PC Forshaw that she had had a quad bike stolen from her property and expressed her concerns that it did not appear to be an opportunistic robbery, that the thief clearly knew that the bike was on the land. At this point Cllr Johnson reported that there had been other robberies within the area and that a suspicious vehicle had been seen. This has been reported to the police who will be making more frequent patrols of the area. Cllr Parr reported that she had noticed more rats in the area.

Cllr Diment reported that there was an increasing amount of debris outside the vacant Ship Inn. He asked the clerk to contact Palmers Brewery to report the matter.

Cllr Everidge asked about the crime watch scheme. Cllr Johnson reported that leaflets had been delivered around Whitchurch Canonicorum but nothing had been arranged to extend this to St Gabriels.

Cllr Snook reported that the problems with flooding and the blocked drains were an ongoing problem. Cllr Johnson produced some photographs of a police car becoming stranded in the recent floods and highlighted a problem at Gassons Lane, Whitchurch Canonicorum. It appears that part of the road is not protected by a barrier and had the vehicle been coming from a different direction it could easily have been swept off the road. She asked the clerk to write to Dorset County Council regarding this matter. Action: Clerk

1825 Update on Wootton Fitzpaine War Memorial Clock Works:
Cllr Snook reported that she had made further enquiries into the cost of repair to the War Memorial Clock. She had contacted the company carrying out the works to try to establish the cost of further works that may need to be done. The company have provided a more detailed estimate taking into consideration the possibility of extra work and the new figure is £4769.00 inc VAT. This figure does not include the hire of scaffolding. Cllr Snook reported that Caroline Scott from Dorset Community Action has been very helpful and has offered to assist in the completion of an application form to apply for a grant to help towards the cost. It was agreed that Cllr Snook look into the costing of hiring scaffolding and will proceed with the grant application. Action: Cllr Snook

1826 Consideration of a first responder scheme for the area:
Cllr Johnson asked the council if anybody was keen to take on the role of setting up a first responder scheme. After nobody volunteered it was decided that it would be brought up at the next parish meeting to see if anybody is willing to participate. She noted that it does not actually have to be organised by the parish council.

1827 Finance:
Clerks Report/General Matters: The Clerk had nothing to report.

Resolution for Payment Approvals:
Clerks Salary for January 2008, £285.04 - James Hargreaves Community Hall (hall hire), £12.00 - Petty Cash, £50.00 - Whitchurch Canonicorum PCC, £246.00 - Wootton Fitzpaine PCC, £246.00 - Fishpond PCC, £45.00 - Stanton PCC, £45.00 - James Hargreaves (URC Burial Ground), £45.00 - Monkton Wyld PCC, £214.00. Proposed by Cllr Diment, seconded by Cllr Tubb, all agreed.

1828 Correspondence:
West Dorset District Council, Appeal re Shaves Cross Inn - West Dorset District Council, withdrawal of appeal re Shaves Cross Inn - Dorset Countryside, Wessex Ridgeway News - Dorset Community Action, Dorset Village of the Year Competitions - West Dorset District Council, Full Register of Electors - Transportation Planning International, Community Transport feasibility study - James Hargreaves Community Hall, December Newsletter - Campaign to Protect Rural England, Fieldwork Newsletter - West Dorset District Council, Half year report on corporate performance 2007/08 - DAPTC, circular 14/07 - Allianz, change of clerks contact details - PC Forshaw, thank you for £50.00 donation - Dorset County Council, Temporary footpath closure (No.7) Whitchurch Canonicorum - James Hargreaves Community Hall, January Newsletter - Dorset County Council, Structural Maintenance Draft Programme - West Dorset District Council, Review of land drainage services.

1829 Items for Next Agenda: None.

1830 Any other business:
Cllr Everidge asked if the circulation of minutes to the general public was restricted. She was told that they are not restricted and that all requests for copies of the minutes have to go through the clerk. It was also noted that the minutes are made public on the website.

1831 Date of Next Meeting:
Monday 11th February 2008 at 7.30pm in the Wootton Fitzpaine Village Hall.

1832 Close of Meeting: 9.30pm.