PRESENT: Cllrs P. Lathey (Chairman), M.A. Wrighton, D. Hitt, I. Gay, Don McAlister (Cherry Tree Play Area Supervisor), Paul Bowditch (Woodland Trust Play Area Supervisor), 2 members of the public. Miss A Hull recorded the minutes.
1. APOLOGIES: Apologies were received from Cllr. Alford, Cllr. K. Hitt and Cllr. T. Gruitt.
2. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS INTERESTS: There were none to declare.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: The Chairman asked if everyone had both received and read the minutes of the last meeting, if so, were they a true record. ALL AGREED. The minutes were duly signed and dated.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THOSE MINUTES: We have received a reply letter from DCC regarding concerns about overhanging trees in Allington Gardens. They will be inspecting the trees concerned. Since this letter they have emailed the Clerk to say that they feel that the trees are not a problem. Clerk re-informed them of Council's concerns.
Regarding the A35 Initiatives, Cllr. Lathey has met with CONNECT who have informed him that they are looking at moving some signs and cutting back some trees. They are awaiting the okay from Highways. They have also not ruled out a roundabout on the bypass as yet.
5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
a) The children riding motorbikes around the area is still an issue. Resident Keith Alner had informed the Bridport News about this and an article was then written and appeared in the Bridport News.
b) The drain in Hospital Lane is still blocked despite having informed the relevant authorities some time ago. Clerk to chase up as there is a history of flooding in this area in the winter months!
c) There is a people carrier/caravan parked around Allington with people sleeping in it. Clerk was asked to contact Highways to see what, if anything, could be done about it.
6. FINANCE REPORT: The account balance was read out to Councillors and as usual all books were on the table for any member of the public to read.
a) The balance of the ordinary account now stands at £8,563.12. The savings at £4,030.39. Money paid out since the last meeting is: £177.10 to Viking Direct for stationery (toner, laminating pouches etc). Cllr. Lathey had previously agreed that this could be ordered. All cheques signed tonight will come out of the money left in the account. Money paid into the accounts is £5.06 in Interest on current account.
b) The following cheques were authorised by the council: Clerk's wages (for past month) £188, SLCC annual subscription £65.
7. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
Ref: TP/06/00289 - 2 Lodge Lane, Bridport. This has been approved.
Ref: 1/W/06/001936 - Car Park to rear of Nos 202 - 250 Orchard Avenue, Bridport. An addition had been sent to the Council regarding this to show the landing window on the houses which had been missed off the previous plans. This was not felt to be a concern.
Ref: TP/06/00335 - 32 West Mead To raise the crowns of 3 sycamore trees by 7 metres.
Ref: TP/06/00332 - 15 West MeadTo reduce two limbs of one oak tree by 1.5m that are growing towards the house.
In respect of both of these applications the Council felt that they should be declined as there is ongoing concern about the trees in West Mead. The trees all have Preservation Orders on them and were there before the houses were built. Our concerns were expressed at the time of building the development that these trees should be protected. This issue needs to be seriously looked at as more houses will put in for planning to do this in the future. Therefore the Council, proposed by Cllr. Lathey and seconded by Cllr. Wrighton, objected. It was also agreed that the Clerk should write a letter to WDDC regarding the development and our concerns as a whole.
8. CHERRY TREE PLAY AREA REPORT: Mr McAlister reported that there was general rubbish in the area. He also informed the Council that it was hard to check the play area during the week as it was dark when he left for work and dark when he got back therefore he was only able to check at weekends.
9. WOODLAND TRUST PLAY AREA: Mr Bowditch reported that it is generally fine. However he has had to tie the nuts back up a couple of times. He has received an email from Valerie Staley from the Woodland Trust saying that contractors will be starting in the next 2 weeks to do some digging out, weather permitting.
10. CORRESPONDENCE: 3 items of correspondence had been received:
Letter from WDDC re mobile phone operators rollout plans 2006/2007
Local Councils Update
DCC Dorset Minerals and Waste Development Framework.
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The date of the next meeting will be 9 January 2007.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting and wished them all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Meeting closed at 8.15pm.
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