Bothenhampton & Walditch Parish Council is the parish authority for the two villages of Bothenhampton and Walditch they have a combined population of about  2500. The Parish Council has a full compliment of 9 Councillors

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Parish Council Elections are held every five years, the next Parish Councillor election will take place in May 2019.  If you wish to stand as a Parish Councillor please complete a nomination form which can be downloaded here.

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The Parish Council meets 10 times a year at the village halls of Bothenhampton and Walditch, there are also several sub-group meetings where a variety of council topics are discussed.

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The Parish Council provide a number of services to the two villages of Bothenhampton and Walditch and hold powers to provide and maintain services should they so wish.

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• Powers to provide and maintain allotments for cultivation (this is currently organised by Bridport Town Council

• Powers to provide and maintain monuments and memorials, including the maintenance of the grounds of the 3 churches in the parish.

• Powers to make bye-laws in regard to pleasure grounds, cycle parks and open spaces and burial grounds.

• Powers to provide and equip buildings for use of clubs having athletic, social or educational objectives, including contributing to the upkeep and maintenance of 2 village halls.

 

• Powers to spend money on various crime prevention measures.

• Provision of defibrillators.

• Powers to deal with ponds and ditches (via the Lengthsman).

• Provision of entertainment and support of the arts.

• Powers to repair and maintain public footpaths and bridleways (via the Lengthsman and Rangers).

• Allocation of grants to help local organisations support community development.

• Powers to acquire land and open spaces for the benefit of the public.

• Powers to prosecute and defend any legal proceedings in the interests of the inhabitants.  Power to take part in any public local inquiry.

• Provision of litter and dog bins.

• Provision and maintenance of play equipment.

• Powers to plant and maintain roadside verges.

• Provision and maintenance of public seats.

• Powers to erect signs which warn of dangers or announce a place name, or indicate a bus stop.

• Powers to contribute to, and encourage tourism.

• Powers to contribute financially to traffic calming schemes.

• Powers to spend money on community transport schemes.

• Powers to maintain the village green.

• Powers to maintain, repair, protect and adapt war memorials.

• Powers to issue fixed penalty fines for litter, graffiti, fly posting and dog offences.

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In relation to Highways:

• Powers to light roads and public places.

• Powers to provide parking places for vehicles, bicycles and motorcycles.

• Powers to enter into agreement as to dedication and widening.

• Consent of parish council required for ending maintenance of highway at public expense, or for stopping up or diversion of highway.

• Powers to provide traffic signs and other notices.

• Powers to plant trees along verges.

 

In relation to Planning:

• Local councils have a right to be consulted of any planning application affecting their area and to make comments which the planning authority must take into account.

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In relation to General Expenditure Powers:

• In any situation not covered by one of the specific powers described above a council may spend a limited amount of money on any purpose which in its opinion is of direct benefit to its area or to the inhabitants.

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A precept is set annually by the Parish Council being the “local” tax paid by local tax payers.  The precept is collected through the Council Tax by West Dorset District Council.  

 

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