Allington Parish Council

Present Cllrs: PJ.Lathey. G. Stansfield. M&S Wrighton, I Gay, District Councillor A Alford. Susan Anders [Bridport Area Partnership] Mr A. Georgiou – Play Area Supervisor. Cathy Harvey – Ancient Monuments Officer. 2 members of the public. Cllr. T Gruitt entered the meeting at 7. 52pm.
The Clerk Mrs C. Stansfield recorded the minutes.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. Aplologies had been received from Cllr Norris. The Magna Housing Representatives also tendered their apologies.

2. Declarations of Interest. Cllrs Lathey & Stansfield declared an interest in the planning application for the Hospital Cllr Lathey is employed by the ambulance service and Cllr Stansfield is a retired member of the Hospital.
3. The Chairman asked Councillors if they had received and read the minutes and if they were a true record of the last meeting? ALL AGREED.

4. Matters arising. Use of the Communal Room. The clerk was told by telephone from Mr Pascal of Magna that the subject of closing or reviewing useage of the communal room was going before the board of trustees. After discussion council decided to ask the clerk to write to Magna expressing their concern over future use by residents of the communal room, also to enquire if other bodies could use the room as well as the council.

5. Public Participation. The manhole gully by the side of the play area in Cherry Tree is so light that the children take it off – report to Magna.

6. FINANCE. The letter on the Band D properties was read out to council. There were cheques to be approved for £55 WDDC planning application. £299 seat for Pymore. £150 West Bay Sea Angling Jetty.[see later in minutes] £50 petty cash. The account balance is:£4552.66 in saving account + £2181.34 in ordinary account.

7. Susan Anders gave a resume on her work and asked if every councillor had received her letter and attachments ALL HAD Cllr Lathey on behalf of the council asked about affordable housing, Ms Anders replied to council on the need for this. She was invited to the consultation meeting for the Cherry Tree Play Area equipment on Feb 24th 6-9pm.

8. Pymore Traffic Problem. The letter from Mr & Mrs Ward was read out in full. We had as yet received no word from the District or County Council to our request to a solution to this problem. District Councillor gave a report of the meeting and an update on events so far.

9. North Allington Stores. The Chairman gave an update on our complaint regarding this property and the many complaints we had received even though technically this is just out of our parish. All our concerns had been passed onto Bridport Town Council. As their border adjoins our parish boundary. Discussion ensued and several people commented about the post box which is in situ within the walls of a pillar outside the front door of the shop. A letter to go to Humberts the agents acting for Palmers requesting that the letter box remains as it is the only one in North Allington and vital for elderly people living nearby. A lot of complaints about vermin coming from the stores and causing distress to residents of adjacent houses in North Allington had been received and this would be passed onto Bridport T.C.

10. Resignation of Councillor. The Chairman told the council that he had received the resignation of Councillor Stanley Wrighton who, had served this council for many years. The resignation on health grounds to take effect before May Annual Meeting in order for the necessary advertisement to take place. Councillor Wrighton was thanked for the contributions he has given to the Council over the years he had served.

11. PLANNING. The Walled Garden West Mead. Council had received a letter from the Liciencing Department of the Planning at WDDC informing us that the residents of the Walled Garden known as West Mead Gardens. Emergency Services had been notified of this alteration.
Bridport Community Hospital 1/W/04/000135 The plans to construct 17 additional car parking spaces at the hospital was discussed at great length. The entire council agreed that the spaces as designated were facing the wrong way. Facing the way as per plans would only cause a major incident as anyone parking in them would DRIVE in and REVERSE out into the mainstream of traffic and thus get hit or hit someone else. There is the risk for the ones on the corner by the speed of larger vehicles coming up/down the road to cause an accident. There should be some method of slowing down vehicles. A chicaine was one idea mooted. Reversing the spaces so they were upward facing instead of down. On safety grounds the exit and entrance sign should state SLOW DOWN. Council agreed to reject the plans as they were at present.

12. Woodland Trust Lease Agreement. Each councillor had received a photo copy of the lease sent to us by the Woodland Trust. This lease was not wholly applicable to us. It was agreed by all councillors that the rent of £25 was interpreted as being a one off payment and litter clearing around the area was not clear. Clerk to ascertain the area. A sign for the play area to be required. The Woodland Trust are calling this part “Coopers Wood” but as yet they have not notified the Planning of this change of name. The planning application was filled in and signed b y Councillor Lathey.ALL AGREED. The District Council to be requested to put Children Playing sign to alert motorists. Cherry Tree play area. The holes in the play area will be filled in after March. There is no metal coming through the swing seats.

13. Ian Gay volunteered to be our rep at the DAPTC meetings with the Clerk whenever possible. The Boundary Commission details were read out by the Chairman and discussion ensued.

14. WEST BAY SEA ANGLING JETTY The letter and information was read out to the council and after discussion it was agreed to present the Mayor with a cheque. Council agreed on £150 this to be presented at our next meeting on March 23rd 2004. Cllr Lathey proposed £150 and Cllr Gruitt seconded this proposal. Council have the power to pay this under Section 144 of the L.G.A. Act 1972

15. We still have not heard nothing from Claire Pinder of DCC Ancients Monuments Dept. Cathy Harvey has given 3 months notice as our Officer because in the past year she heard nothing despite many efforts from Clerk to Ms Pinder. Our previous officer died whilst waiting over 18 months to hear from Ms Pinder. Council not satisfied at the non action from Ms Pinder.

16. The DAPTC circular leaflet was read out. WATAG correspondence again despite continually asking for them not to send us the minutes and agenda we are still receiving them. The clerk had received 64 items of correspondence since last meeting, plus many emails from Woodland Trust.

17. The clerk reminded council that we still heard nothing from Hughes Unit regarding the allotments and the payment in future being all theirs – letter to go again.

18. Cllr Gay asked about a building on Parsonage Road this is not in our parish but in Bridport Town Councils Area and it is not adjacent to our land. His concerns to be passed onto Bernard Paul.

19. The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and the meeting closed at 9 10pm