A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on

Monday 28th February 2005 at 7.00 pm

Ten minutes were allowed at the beginning of the meeting for members of the public to put matters to the Council

 10 members of the public were present

Present:            Mr R Tully (chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Mr W Deval, Miss P Ellis,

Mr I Jones, Mrs Rowe, Mr C Wigfall

1          Apologies – Mr N Hill, Mr B Tarr

 2          Speakers – Mr Tony Bradley and Mr Rob Clements gave a presentation on behalf of the RNLI and the need for an inshore lifeboat at Dartmouth.  Their aim is to reach 90% of casualties within 30 minutes, and statistics for 2003 show 8901 launches, of which 1032 were in the South West, and 44 lives were saved.  They also aim to improve lifesaving cover by establishing more lifeboat stations.  It is hoped to build a purpose-built station in Coronation Park, Dartmouth, near the higher ferry and to provide a D class fully inflatable boat 15ft long capable of 20 knots.  Dartmouth has been chosen because it has the population to support it and a large number of people on call would be able to get there very quickly.

3          Urgent business brought forward by the chairman – none

 4          Reports from County and District Councillors

Cllr Hawkins reported the following:

He has been in touch with Tricia Date, Headteacher of Stoke Gabriel Primary School and is pleased to report that the move to the new extension will take place in the Easter holidays.  Cllr Hawkins praised Devon County Council for their part in funding the new building.

The new Flavel Centre in Dartmouth is now open.  The community centre has a library which has attracted 1000 new members, a meeting room, cinema and auditorium.

Devon County Council’s council tax is one of the lowest in the country, priorities being Social Services, education and highway maintenance.

Mrs Rowe reported the following:

South Hams Council has set the council tax at the 3^rd lowest in the county.

Village precepts have been kept as low as possible to avoid raising the council tax, and Mrs Rowe was pleased that the increase in Stoke Gabriel’s precept had been kept to a minimum.

Reconstructed staffing at South Hams council has produced a new service management team and a call centre which should make enquires easier and more efficient.

The new wheeled refuse bins are being used in the Dartmouth area.  Stoke Gabriel should be converting in Autumn 2005, but there is still no system for collecting glass.

 5          Planning

Mrs Rowe, in her role as District Councillor, declared an interest and left the room while all planning issues were being discussed.

Applications

1)  Four Cross Garden Centre – change of use of building to class B1 (Business), B2 (General Industrial) and B8 (Storage). No objection, although concerns were expressed about the speed of traffic on the main road near a narrow entrance.

2)  Burleigh, Paignton Road – conservation area consent for demolition of boundary wall.  No objection.

3)  Burleigh, Paignton Road – creation of off-road parking space and alteration to pedestrian access.  No objection.

4)  Stonecroft, Hillfield – demolition of existing dwelling and construction of a new dwelling.  Miss Ellis declared a personal interest and left the room while this item was being discussed.  A site meeting had been held (Miss Ellis was not present).  No objection, but the council were concerned about over-development of the site and the visual impact.

5)  22 Poundfield – conversion of roof space and insertion of dormer window.  No objection.

Applications approved by SHDC

1)  Southlands, Vicarage Road – amendments to approved plans for erection of dwelling and double garage

2)  Ramslade, Stoke Road – siting of portakabin to provide disabled persons toilet/shower room

3)  Four Cross Garden Centre – change of use of building to Class B1 (Business), B2 (General Industrial) and B8 (Storage)

Other planning issues

1)  Application by SGBA for a summer pontoon at Mill Point. Dr Matt Halkes, Commodore of Stoke Gabriel Boating Association, explained the issues involved.  This is now being presented as a temporary structure.  No objection.  Although this is not a planning issue at this stage, Mrs Rowe chose to abstain in case it transpires that planning is required at a later date.

6          Accounts

Payment of Accounts

Payment of the following accounts were proposed by Mrs Hunt and seconded by Mrs Rowe:

            J Hamilton –     clerks salary arrears Sep-Jan                £308.34

                                          clerks salary Feb 05                             £233.34           £541.68

            SG Village Hall rent Nov-Feb                                                                      £  44.00

7          Matters raised by the clerk

Stagecoach – following rumours about the bus service 25 being stopped, the clerk had written to Stagecoach.  They state that there is no plan to withdraw the service at the present time.

Royal Garden Party – Mr Richard Tully has been nominated to enter the ballot for an invitation to the Royal Garden Party on 21^st July 2005.

Road Signs – Devon County Council has ordered an “Unsuitable for HGVs” sign for the end of Yalberton Road.

Orchard Play Area – South Hams Council has carried out an inspection of the play equipment and found it to be in order.

Laurel Tree near Public Toilets – the chairman had asked the clerk to write to the South Hams Council Operations Team to ask why a laurel tree and a stone wall had been removed from near the rear entrance to the Gabriel Court Hotel.  The reply stated that the tree was decayed, and it was also to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour in toilets.  The council were shown photographs of a large car which has been parking in the space thus created by the absence of the tree.  The clerk will write another letter enquiring on whose instructions the tree was removed, and why the parish council were not informed.

Defra – letter informing parish councils of new powers to issue fixed penalty notices for litter, dog control, graffiti and fly posting.

Trees at Rydon Acres – Ross Kennerley, Landscape & Recreation Manager, is investigating the condition of the cherry trees.  It is noted that residents of Rydon Acres have planted some more trees in that area.

Community Service Award – The Rotary Club of Totnes, via the Totnes Times, will be seeking “unsung community heroes or heroines” to nominate for awards.  Some names were put forward by the council.

Grass cutting – the gardener has submitted his prices for 2005, which were accepted by the council.

8          Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th January 2005 were agreed and signed.

9          Matters arising from the minutes

Scrap cars – no news has been received from the enforcement officer.

Recycling bins at Whitehill – the clerk will write to Torbay Council to clarify whether they are for public use.

Clerk’s salary – the clerk reiterated a request made in January that she would like a written explanation as to why she is being paid at more that £2 an hour less than the lowest point on the clerks’ salary scale.

Hoyle Copse – a letter from nearby residents, Miss Kummer and Miss van Kummer, about paths and fencing was discussed.  Members of the council will meet with the ladies to formalise the boundary, but it is not the council’s intention to fence off their part of the land.

10        Highway and Hedgerow matters

Aish  - it was noted that the “Slow” sign painted on the road at Aish had resulted in a reduction in traffic speed.

Kings Rydon Close – since the pruning of bushes has been carried out on the corner, a number of scrap tyres have been revealed underneath.  These will be removed.

11 Matters raised by councillors

Website – Mr Wigfall reported that a request had been received from the Milestone Society that the parish may wish to look after 4 excellent milestones in the parish which may date from the 19^th century.  Miss Ellis was able to advise where these are located.

Mr Wigfall is producing a leaflet, a draft copy of which was shown, to guide visitors around the parish showing businesses and places of interest.  It was agreed to fund the cost of the first print run of 5000 copies at a cost of £500, but to seek sponsorship from local businesses.  Mr Wigfall has plans to produce a similar leaflet for footpaths at a later date.  The sale of these would be used to top up the cost of the website.

Memorial seat – a former resident has requested that a bench be sited in memory of her late husband.  A suitable site will be found.

Fly posting – whilst the council did not object to posters being pinned in appropriate places, they request that they be taken down again after the event, otherwise the village becomes scruffy with wet and torn out-of-date posters.  The organisation posting them should be responsible for removing them.

Flood Street – it was noted that a large building has appeared in the grounds of No 2.  Advice will be sought from the planning officer as to whether permission is required.

Coombe House Lane – building materials are being dumped in a field at the Aish end.  The enforcement officer will be informed.

Youth Issues Group – Mr Deval reported on the first meeting of the group, as yet un-named, which has been formed by Kate Legum, Community Mediator, in conjunction with PC John Hodgson.  The issues discussed were providing young people with facilities for meeting, sport etc, engaging the young people in the discussions, and possibly providing a new building at a later date.  The next meeting of this group will be on 7^th April and the parish council agreed to fund the hire of the village hall.

Caravan in Aish Road – the enforcement officer will be asked to investigate.

Community Orchard – Mr Hunt will shortly be planting some new trees.

The meeting closed at 10.00pm

Next Meetings

Monday 21^st March 2005 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall

Monday 25^th April 2005 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall