BURTON BRADSTOCK PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 2^nd November 2011 at 7.30pm in the Reading Room, Burton Bradstock.

 

Present: Cllrs: G.Moody, D.Batten, D.Dixon, K.Delves, F.Moore (Clerk), DCC Cllr. R.Coatsworth, WDDC Cllr. J.Russell, and four members of the public.

 

1. Apologies: Cllr. D.Venn.

 

2. Declarations of Interest: There were no Declarations of Interest.

 

3. Minutes of the previous Meeting 5^th October 2011:

The minutes of the previous meeting 5^th October 2011 were approved and signed as a true record by the Chairman.

 

4. Matters Arising, Parish Clerk’s Report & Correspondence:

Matters Arising:

• Parish Councillor Vacancy: Details of the vacancy due to the resignation of N.Bowles, will be placed on the Parish Council notice boards.
• Local Plan Consultation: The next meeting will take place on the 24^th November between 4pm - 7pm at Colfox School.
• Reading Room Door: We are still awaiting a quote to ease the Reading Room door and to insert a letterbox and cage.
• Flu Clinics: 54 people from the Bridport practice received injections on the 12^th October. The Portersham patients will have a surgery on the 3^rd November between 2pm – 3pm.
• Allotment Update: A meeting to finalise all aspects of Allotment issues will take place on Tuesday 8^th November at 10.00am at Southover. This will include Cllr. Dixon, the Clerk and representatives of the Allotment Society. G.Adderley thanked the Council for completing the repairs to the Allotment Wall.

   Action Cllr.Dixon & Clerk.

• Play area Update: The Clerk had previously circulated quotes from Hags and Alvian Ltd. Alvian had also conducted their annual inspection on the 18^th October and details were shown to Councillors. It was agreed to use Alvian Ltd for repairs to the surfacing under the roundabout and the large swing area. The Clerk to clarify with contractors the details regarding replacement swing seats, chains etc and to purchase the cheaper ones. There was discussion regarding other repairs and it was agreed to meet at the play area at 9.00am on Tuesday 8^th November to look at other areas mentioned in the two quotes and the Annual Inspection Report.                                     Action Cllrs & Clerk.

Cllr. Moody reported that the Clerk would undertake the range of minor work to be done at the play area at his hourly rate, probably spending up to 1 day per week until completion. The Clerk would schedule out the work and report weekly or fortnightly to Cllr. Moody on progress and time taken. The Clerk would purchase materials for this work as advised by Alvian and hire equipment as necessary.

                                                                        Action Cllr Moody & Clerk.

 

• Clerk at Reading Room: Cllr Moody also reported that from 8^th November the Clerk would be available on a regular basis in or near the Reading Room between the hours of 9am – 11am to transact regular Parish Council business. The effectiveness of this would be monitored.
• Flood Warden Seminar: Cllr Delves stated that he had attended the seminar earlier today and would be presenting a report for the next Parish Council meeting.

Correspondence:

Details of correspondence received prior to the agenda being posted have been circulated and are attached to the minutes.

• Olympic Torch Relay. Details of the possible relay through Dorset on the 12^th July 2012 will not be available until after the 7^th November 2011.
• Seagull Problem. The Council felt that it was the responsibility of local people to try to stop the problem of seagulls by refraining from feeding them. The Clerk to prepare a statement for the BVN and to contact Bridport Town Council for advice possible drafting.                                                            Action Clerk.
• Road Safety on the B3157 Comments: The Clerk reported that he had received some comments regarding the road safety works that have been done on the B3157. It was agreed to précis these comments and circulate to Councillors before the next Parish Council meeting.                                 Action Clerk.

 

5. Democratic Quarter Hour:

• R.Coatsworth: reported on the potential reduction of DCC Day Care Services and Vocational Services and the possible reduction of some facilities at Bridport Hospital. No decision has yet been made regarding these items and a petition is in circulation against the potential cut backs. It appears that the final piece of the jigsaw is nearly in place regarding the purchase of Burton Bradstock Library; only a few details need to be confirmed. Cllr. Coatsworth gave details of a proposed new system of collection and disposing of rubbish/waste. This would be going to Council in January for possible implementation in either 2013/2014. It was agreed that the Clerk contact DCC and ask for details of this proposal so that the Council could debate the issue.                                        Action Clerk.
• B.James: Expressed concern about flooding near Bridge Stores Cottage. It was stated that Mr Comley was aware of this matter. The Chairman in a response to B.James stated that it was the policy of the Council to send cards of condolence in respect of the death of past councillors only and not of their spouses.
• D.Edwards: Expressed concern that new discussions on the Library Lease could affect or delay current positions and relationships. Cllr Moody did not feel that it would have any adverse effect on the outcome apart from the time taken to enter into the lease etc. The Clerk stated that he would enquire with WDDC Planning Enforcement Officers as to the position of the large notice in Church Street.                                                  Action Clerk.

 

6. Finance & General Purposes Report. 2012/2013 Draft Budget.

Details of the November Financial Report and the Draft Budget for 2012/2013 had been circulated by the RFO to Councillors prior to the meeting. Cllr Batten highlighted the details. All cheques had been authorised in accordance with the necessary internal controls.

It was formally agreed to accept the draft budget which meant that there would be no increase in the 2012/2013 precept.

Thanks were recorded to J.Hill (RFO) for her excellent work and stewardship of the Council’s Financial Affairs.

 

7. Planning:

Consultation:

1/D/11/001607 – Big Sky, 13 Beach Road. Demolish single storey extension to west & construct new west & east extensions. Internal & external alterations. It is difficult to object to this application because of the size of next door No.12 Beach Road, but the Council are of the view that it constitutes an overdevelopment of the site by its sheer scale and mass.

1/D/11/001590 – Hive Beach Café. Erect awning to external dining area. Object to permanent site, because of the visual impact on the site in terms of the initial character of the café, but would support a winter only usage, with clear enforcement monitoring.

1/D/11/001586 – 3 Beachcombers, West Bay. Erect garden room extension. The Council objects to this application on the grounds that it is still a massive over development of the site, and will overlook adjacent properties. This application should be looked at with Planning Application 1/D/11/001585.

1/D/11/001586 – 3 Beachcombers, West Bay. Erect garage & turning area with hard landscaping. The Council objects to this application on the grounds that it is still a massive over development of the site and will overlook adjacent properties. This application should be looked at with Planning Application 1/D/11/001586.

1/D/11/001589 – Chiltern, Shipton Lane. Single storey extension incorporating existing garage & new conservatory. No Objections.

1/D/11/001133 – 87 Bridge Cottage Stores.High Street. Retain use of part of B&B to self contained unit. The Council objects to this application as the change of use from business to dwelling accommodation, goes against the Parish Plan concept in terms of reducing local business’s and potential local employment. The Clerk to contact the Planning Officer to enquire if the application was for the premises to be converted into more for private dwellings in a single application would the policy of requiring a proportion of affordable housing (Section 106) apply. If this is the case then further objections in respect of the avoidance of affordable housing contributions through the current “creeping”/ piecemeal redevelopment of the premises would be made to WDDC.                                                      Action Clerk.

Approval:

1/D/11/001469 – St Brides, Coast Road. Refurbishment and small extension to an existing property, further to approved planning application 1/D/11/000539.

Tree Reports:

The following tree reports were all approved by WDDC:

CA/11/00299 – Darby House.

CA/11/00320 – Little Orchard, Annings Lane.

CA/11/00315 – 1 Mill Terrace.

Enforcement: Cllr Dixon to pursue issues regarding 44 Darby Lane. Action Cllr Dixon.

 

8. A.O.B.

• Diamond Jubilee: Cllr Batten reported back on the events taking place over four days to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The Parish Council have been asked to run a Beach B-B-Q type of event at the Hive Beach. Cllr Batten would also be speaking to S.Attrill on this matter. The next Committee meeting is on the 27^th November 2011.
• Cllr. Dixon: Stated that he had been contacted by the BB school to request the supply of grit as some of the school’s grit had been used by others last winter. Councillor Moody noted that there were other private grit bins in the Parish and that the school’s bin and other private bins should be filled independently of the PC’s grit supply from DCC. The Clerk to let Cllr Dixon have details regarding contacts for grit from DCC Highways. The Dumping along Shipton Lane and Bennetts Hill Lane has been reported.
• Memorial Seat: The Clerk reported that he had received a request for a seat/plaque to be placed in the playing field by the daughters of Lt Commander Breon Desbordes. It was felt that a Forestry Standard Picnic Bench with anchoring and a small maintenance fee would be the way forward for this application. The Clerk to ascertain costs etc and contact the applicant.

 

9. Date of Next Meeting: 7^th December. This would be followed by seasonal refreshments.

 

10. Democratic Quarter Hour:

• Cllr.J.Russell: With regard to 87 Bridge Cottage stores, any development should be of a comprehensive nature rather than piecemeal.

 

11. Formal resolution to exclude the public and press in order to discuss in confidence employment contracts of staff: This was proposed by Cllr Moody and seconded by Cllr Dixon. The resolution was formally accepted.

 

12. Empoyment Contracts of Staff:

The formal changes to the contract for the RFO were formally approved by the Council.

Cllr Moody stated that positive discussions had taken place with the Clerk and that a draft contract of employment would be circulated to councillors after a few final details were clarified.                               Action: Councillor Moody

 

The meeting closed at 9.40pm.