BURTON BRADSTOCK PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 3^rd September 2008 at 7.30pm in the Reading Room, Burton Bradstock.

 

Present: Cllrs: E.Ripley, P.Toms, D.Venn, S.Pett, P.Dutton, D.Dixon, L.Comley, F.Moore (Clerk), C.Hughes (RFO), DCC Cllr: R.Coatsworth, and nine members of the public.

 

1. Apologies: Cllrs: A.Mackie, D.Batten.

 

2. Declarations of Interest:

There were no declarations of Interest.

 

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting, 2^nd July 2008:

The following amendments were made.

The removal of the figure 9 in the last sentence of Item 8.

The change of a comma to a semi colon in item 7.

The removal of the sentence’ as well as what had happened to the yellow line extensions at the junction of Barr Lane and Charles Road.

After the amendments the minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman as an accurate record.

 

4.Parish Clerks Report & Matters Arising:

• New Councillor: The Clerk was still investigating what needed to be done to appoint a new Councillor for the current vacancy.
• Child Protection Policy: This was now in place.
• Maintenance within the Village: A number of minor works had been allocated to a contractor to deal with, this included repairs in the play area, re erection of signs etc.

 

5. Correspondence:

• Bridport Medical Centre: A letter regarding use of the Village Hall for the annual Flu Vaccination Clinic. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact the District Nurse and offer the Reading Room as a venue.
• DAPTC: The Chief Executive’s Circular and details of Training Opportunities for Chairmen and also a seminar on Highways. Councillors to contact the Clerk if they are interested in attending.
• DCC Highways: Notification of a temporary 40mph speed limit on four locations on the B3157 between Burton Bradstock and Chickerell. This will remain in force for 18 months and could be extended.
• Letter from R.Boughton regarding Rabbit control in the Car park field:

After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk contact the individual concerned to ensure that the most humane way of removing the rabbits would be employed. This might mean the individual liaising with the RSPCA.

• Damage to Habitat along the River Bride.

A letter had been received expressing concern about how a field had been cut back along the river bank which could affect local wildlife. The local landowner had proved very difficult to identify. The Clerk had visited the location and the problem did not appear to be great, the banks were intact and the footpath was open and clear. The Clerk had contacted the Environment Agency and they had stated that they had been working cutting grass in fields in Burton Bradstock.

• Letters of Thanks: Letters of thanks have been received from Bridport & District Citizen’s Advice Bureau and St Mary’s Church for donations from the Parish Council.
• Shoreline Management Forum Meetings: A.Mackie has been representing the Parish Council at these meetings. A full report will be scheduled for a future meeting; however A.Mackie would like to bring to the attention of the Council that in 40 – 50 years the sea level could rise at Freshwater and at the Hive Beach, causing permanent flooding of part of the village.
• Digital Switchover: A letter has been received from D.Farwig, Digital UK Westcountry Switchover, stating that he was prepared to come and discuss the switchover with councillors and local residents. After discussion it was agreed to invite to Burton Bradstock to host an open day for local residents on the switchover. It was also agreed to inform K.Pett (DORBAG) about this event.
• Request from Playgroup: A request for financial assistance has been received from the Playgroup. A reply has been sent stating if they could provide some projected figures for the forthcoming year, their request would be looked considered at the next Finance meeting.
• Bride Valley News: A response has been sent to the BVN stating that the Parish Council had not yet made a grant to them this financial year but they will be considered in January 2009.

 

6. Community Operations Report:

D.Venn reported that the final date for the transfer of the Car park to the N.Trust would be Monday 6^th October 2008, and that the Parish Council would be terminating the sub lease for the café on 4^th April 2009. These details had been passed on to the Council’s solicitors for action.

The Clerk, P.Toms and S.Pett would be meeting with J.Meadows (N.Trust) at the Car park on Tuesday 9^th September at 10.00am to agree final required work.

D.Dixon reported that a newsletter asking people to join a N.Trust Working group for the village was now available in the Post Office. The Clerk to contact C.Richards (N.Trust) to ascertain why the Parish Council has not been informed about this working group.

D.Venn reported that the Council in conjunction with the Village Society had conducted interviews for the position of Sub Postmaster at Burton Bradstock. The quality of the applicants was very high, but they were able to recommend two applicants to the Post Office Ltd who will make the final decision. As yet there is no date set for the position to be filled.

The next Community Operations Committee Meeting will be on 16^th October 2008.

 

7. Planning & Development Report:

Meeting 7^th August 2008: The Clerk reported that there had been a presentation by ‘Frys’, reference a proposed development at manor House Farm. This could include 9 private houses, 5 affordable houses and 2 industrial areas. Drawings and designs were left with the committee for further investigation. As yet there has been no formal planning application made.

Approval has been granted for planning applications 1/D/08/001046 – Burton Cove, Shadrach, 1/D/08/000987 – 14 Norburton, 1/D/08/000883 -103 Southover, 1/D/08/000988 – Graston Farm.

There were no objections to the following planning applications: 1/D/08/001253 – Granary Cottage, 21 Shadrach. Replace existing timber windows on south elevation with new timber units (retrospective). 1/D/08/001234 – Land adjacent to Othona. Deviate 11KV overhead line as existing line is close to proposed building works. 1/D/08/001257 – Cliff Farm House, erect extension to feed store. 1/D/08/001250 – The Barton, Shipton Lane, erect agricultural barn and timber stable.

Planning Application 1/D/08/000994 – 61 Donkey Lane, refurbishment of cottage and internal and external alteration has been withdrawn.

Meeting 1^st September 2008.

Approval had been granted for planning applications 1/D/08/000986 – The Othona Community, 1/D/08/001253 – Granary Cottage, 21 Shadrach, and 1/D/08/001257 – Cliff Farm House.

There were no objections to 1/D/08/001405 – Bridec Melamine Boards, West Bay. Various works and amendments. (Adjoining Parish).

There were amendments to planning applications, 1/D/08/001406- Burton Cove, and 1/D/08/000485 – Burton Cliff Hotel.

Planning Application 1/D/08/001384 – 87 High St, erect conservatory has been withdrawn.

The Appeal APP/F1230/A/08/2069768. Plot above ‘Fourwinds’ has been dismissed.

 

8. Finance Committee Report:

S.Pett reported that the Finance Committee had not met since the last parish council meeting, but a meeting was scheduled for the 26^th September, 2008, when pay scales and back pay for staff will be resolved.

 

9.Finance:

The Chairman informed the Council of the resignation of the RFO, Claire Hughes, and thanked her for her stewardship of the accounts and wished her well with her new career. The Chairman also reported that the Clerk had agreed to take over the RFO position. Hours and duties were being reviewed as a result of the handing back of the Hive Beach Car Park and Café leases.

C.Hughes reported that the Council has now received the £9728, Section 106 money for the Mill Street development.

Bank mandates and access for Tel Banking would be updated at the next Finance Committee.

A letter authorising a transfer of £12,000 to the Savings Account was agreed.

The income for the car park is down due to the bad weather, but expenditure is also down. This area will be looked at in more depth at the next finance meeting, when the season is nearly over.

It was agreed that the Finance Committee would also look at methods of payments for certain bills and invoices that required immediate attention.

The following cheques were approved:

July 2008:

West Country Cleaning £115.00, WDDC £182.00, View from Publishing £94.00, Newsquest £565.41, EDF £28.04, Mr Pryke £3.50 Car Park Refund, F.Moore £612.54 Wages/Postage/Broadband, C.Hughes £264.11 Wages/Postage/BT, Mrs Stevens £27.00 Cleaning, M.Fearon £460.34 Wages, R.Edwards £229.10 Wages, G.Nicol £400.77 Wages, J.Pinker £462.10 Wages, L.Stubbings £80.04 Wages, L.King £112.76 Wages, K.Phillip £22.20 Wages, M.Cousins £113.16, Friends of BB Library £2,959.47, BB Canaries £250.00, WDDC £27.00, £462.00 Rates.

August 2008:

WDDC £250.25 Wheelie Bins, Maydown Farm £141.00 Grass Cutting, BT £170.24, F.Moore £619.66 Wages/Car Park/Postage/Stationary/PO Interviews, C.Hughes £191.50 Wages, M.Fearon £228.75 Wages, R.Edwards £213.39 Wages, G.Nicol £433.20 Wages, J.Pinker £444.00 Wages, L.Stubbings £27.60 Wages, L.King £91.08 Wages, K.Phillips £262.71 Wages, M.Cousins £126.96 Wages, Mrs Stevens £27.00 Cleaning, WDDC £27.00, £462.00 Rates, PWLB £27.89 Allotment Loan.

 

10. B3157 Road Safety Update:

S Pett reported that she had been invited as the representative of BB Parish Council to attend regular Board Meetings on the proposed improvements to the B3157. This had been in the form of lectures and information about maps road surfaces and driver behaviour. S.Pett expressed concern about the lack of discussion about pavements or pedestrians, particularly with reference to Burton Bradstock. A result of one meeting was that there would be a driving education courses set up, which would cost £15,000 which would come out of the money earmarked for road safety improvement. S.Pett came away from the meeting confused and very dissatisfied as to whether or not there was a commitment to the provision of a footpath in Burton Bradstock. In conjunction with DCC Cllr: R.Coatsworth, S.Pett lobbied all people involved with the overall project and we have received a commitment in writing that a footpath will be put in Burton Bradstock. S.Pett reported that there are still problems around the fact that we have not yet see any designs for the footpath, a timetable for implementation and a consultancy period with villagers, in addition there may be legal issues regarding who owns land in front of their properties etc. It was agreed to contact the Highways department to ascertain who owned specific bits of land.

The next meeting regarding this project is on the 10^th September at Portesham Village Hall. D.Dixon and S.Pett would be attending to represent the Parish Council.

After discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council would support and promote the driver education courses.

The Chairman recognised the frustrations that S.Pett had experienced, and thanked her for her excellent work to date, and encouraged her to keep on fighting for the benefit of the village.

 

11. Library Update:

The Clerk reported that there had been little progress to date. The library building has been listed since 1960 and B.Hynds is trying to ascertain what can be done and what cannot be done in terms of modifications. He is concerned that the listed aspect may impinge on insurance costs etc. there is a meeting with all service departments in early September, the objectives of this meeting are to go through all the bills currently associated with the Library, in order to identify, if possible, areas for economies. Volunteers for the library are starting training in October in order to be operative by November. It is hoped that the library will open on Saturdays.

 

12. Post Office Report:

This item was reported under item 6, Community Operations report.

13. Anti Social Behaviour in the Village:

The Clerk reported that the Council had received correspondence and contacts regarding anti social behaviour within the village. The Council had passed the complaints on to the Police but had re-iterated that individuals who see anti social behaviour or criminal activity should report it directly to the Police. Police visits have increased especially to the car parks area at Hive Beach, but Police resources are low and they can be easily diverted to other action. J.Grantham also stated that the best solution is to pick up the phone and call the Police. Homewatch is more of a preventative system rather than a response to direct vandalism. J.Grantham would be giving a report on Homewatch to the October Parish Council Meeting. Individual complaints about Cold Calling had been referred to Trading standards for action.

 

14. A.O.B.

• Website: D.Venn reported that he was interested in hearing from colleagues about what Parish Council details should be placed on the Village website. D.Dixon stated that he would look at examples of other Parish Council’s websites for comparison. Councillors to respond to D.Venn on this issue.
• Teenage Provision: D.Dixon reminded colleagues of a commitment to look at providing facilities for teenagers within the Parish. It was agreed to place this on the agenda of the next Community Operations Committee.

 

15. Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday 1^st October 2008.

 

16. Democratic Half Hour:

• B.James: The Drivers education courses are a good idea and should be supported. Could the Clerk contact the Burton Bradstock Garage? The Clerk agreed.
• J.Harding: Expressed concern about Parish Councils Agenda’s not being displayed and wrong details on minutes on the website. The Clerk to resolve these points.

In terms of Affordable Housing what steps is the Parish Council taking to ensure that local people have access to properties built in Burton Bradstock?

The Chairman responded that Magna Housing and the District Council check local criteria, award points and allocate properties; the Parish Council has no rights in this process. The only way the Parish Council could get involved is through Community Land Trusts.

J.Harding expressed concern regarding funding being allocated for Drivers Education.

• T.Coombe: Expressed concern that DCC could impose 40mph speed limits overnight, yet the village who had been working for years to achieve 20mph in the Village were getting nowhere.
• R.Coatsworth: Affordable housing projects with Parish Council involvement can be achieved; there were examples in Cerne Abbas and another locality in Dorset.

Bridport Police had recently issued a ‘Dispersal Order’, to try to combat anti social behaviour in various areas of the community.

R.Coatsworth supported the Councils decision to be involved with the driver education courses.

Shelters for young people are very positive venues.

• J.Grantham: There is a meeting with WDDC and DCC on 17^th September to hear the report on drainage through Gages lane, Shadrach and Grove Road.

Sewage issues were currently being addressed in Shipton Gorge, which could help at Burton Bradstock. S.Pett asked if the flooding in the garages in Barrowfield could be addressed as well.

• Concern was expressed that other animals would not be affected when the rabbits in the car park area are culled. Cars are parking in a dangerous manner near the toilets opposite the garage.

 

The meeting closed at 9.15pm.