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A Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
2 Police Report – PC Pearse sent his apologises but advised that there were no reported crimes in March.
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 31st March 2008
Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes – None
5 Chairman’s Report - The Chairman requested that item 7 of the agenda be combined with this item and reported that he and District Counsellor Rowe had attended a Boundary Committee review meeting at Marldon on 2nd April. The following Parishes were also represented: Ashprington, Berry Pomery, Broadhempston, Coffinswell, Cornworthy, Dartmouth, Kingskerswell, Kingswear, Littlehempston, Marldon, Ogwell, Staverton and Totnes. The meeting was advised what the Boundary Committee had been asked to do and that it was independent from the Government. Alan Robinson, Strategic Director of South Hams gave an in depth report and it was agreed by a vote with 28 in favour, 12 abstentions and none against that the South Devon Consortium of Rural Parishes and Town Councils gives its outline support to the principle of a Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary as the preferred option for submission to the Boundary Committee. It was also agreed by way of a vote with 38 in favour, 2 abstentions and none against that the consortium deplored the short time scale provided for Parish Councils to be involved in the concept stage of the structure review. Much discussion took place with fears that Parishes like Stoke Gabriel would be lost to an urban authority which had no experience of the countryside and the beauty of South Hams. The Chairman also advised that he had attended a second meeting at Ivybridge Town Hall on 10th April which had been attended by members of Devon County Council who had advised that they were looking at the whole of Devon as a viable pattern, The Parish Council agreed that an open village meeting should be held in July when members of South Hams and Torbay District Councils would be invited to address the meeting.
6 Reports from County & District Councillors
County Counsellor Pennington sent his apologies and District Cllr Rowe advised that South Hams District Council has approved an outline planning application by developers to build 5,500 new dwellings at Sherford on the western edge of the district. This would include schools, health centre and community parks. Cllr Rowe passed to the meeting a copy of the South Devon and Dartmoor Concept which would posted on the Parish notice board.
7 Boundary Commission Review It was agreed that this item be combined with the Chairman’s report.
8 Planning
52/00674/08/F Sandridge Park - Construction of pool house No Objection ( Cllr. Ellis declared an interest)
52/0645/08/F Four Cross Units, Paignton Road – renew application for storage of max. 50 leisure craft No Objection – with following conditions: Craft must be able to be towed by Land Rover or suitable towing vehicle and must be on a trailer. Craft must be no longer than 30ft. The security lighting must not shine on highway or be able to distract road users.
52/0722/08/TCA Mill House, Mill Lane – crown reduce 1 willow tree To accept the findings of the tree warden. SHDC planning should look at this as the applicant does not own the trees in question which are in a neighbouring garden
52/2428/07/TCA Mrs G’s Tea Room – reconsider tree preservation order Accept the findings of the tree warden. However we feel that initial pruning would be possible and review in six months to consider felling and a replacement decorative tree in replacement
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Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
Crosse House, Mill Hill – Rooms & gable window
3 Long Rydon - Extension to dwelling
Danebury, Byter Mill - Replacement front porch & flue
Coombe View, Broad Path – Alterations & extension to dwelling
Stoke Gabriel Football Club – New clubhouse & facilities
Planning Applications refused by SHDC
Hillside Cottage, Coombe Shute – Alterations & Extensions to dwelling
Applications Withdrawn
None
The meeting was advised that an appeal by the applicant for permission to demolish and rebuild an existing dwelling at Stonecroft, Hillfield would be heard by an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State at the Council Offices, Follaton House on Tuesday 24th June 2008, commencing at 10.00am.
9 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk
Cllr Robinson advised that he and other Counsellors had received complaints about the obstructions in Paignton Road while a dwelling is being constructed at Badgers Retreat. Letters and photographs had been sent to South Hams but the problems still remain. With the summer visitors soon to arrive major congestion would occur and Cllr Rowe suggested that a notice be put on the board advising that if the road is blocked a telephone call to the police should be made. The number to ring is 0845 2777444. It was also suggested that the contractors be asked to advise the police before deliveries are made so police road diversion signs can be put in place. A request from Mr Roger Hunt was made to the council that he have permission to gather the fallen apples from the Church orchard and that he would supply two new trees next year. It was agreed by all but a request was made that an additional tree be planted as no trees were supplied last year. Cllr Robinson advised that the annual inspection of the Play Park and equipment had been carried out in January 2008 and the equipment and surfaces had all passed the inspection. Cllr Bridge advised that she had received a report dated 2006 detailing faults and work required. As work had been carried out since this report it was agreed that no further work was necessary at this time. Further inspections may be carried out if SHDC were able to give a grant to update some equipment. It was agreed that the Parish Council Annual meeting would be held on Monday 19th May 2008 followed by the monthly Parish Council meeting. Cllr Robinson advised that the annual parish accounts were due to be produced. A draft set of accounts would be passed to the internal auditor prior to submission to the Audit Commission.
10 Parish Plan – A report was read out advising that the results of the questionnaire had arrived. There will be results open days on Friday 9th May between 7.00 and 10.00pm and Saturday 10th May between 9.00am and 12.00noon.
11 Yalberton Valley Action Group – Clive Hammett advised progress was slow. He had had a meeting with the mayor of Torbay who had advised that there could now be 20,000 new houses built but not necessarily in Yalberton Valley. Other areas considered were Kingskerswell or Long Road. A report had been prepared but not made public.
12 Hoyle Copse – Cllr Ian Jones advised that action had slowed down recently due to bird nesting. However further work would soon continue with the removal of ragwort from the meadow. 13 Highway and Hedgerow Matters – Cllr Ellis raised the fact that the road outside Waddeton Cottages was in a bad state. Cllr Jones advised that Coombe House Lane was also in a bad state. The Britain in Bloom committee had been upset that the grass had been cut thus cutting the daffodils. Cllr Rowe advised that the dog warden had been monitoring the problem and that it had improved. Cllr Tarr advised that village road sweeping was now non-existent. Cllr Rowe agreed to take the matter up. Cllr Tarr also advised that he had made arrangements with John Halliday of Devon Highways to have a meeting regarding the yellow lines. Cllr Lowe advised that the Washbrooke area of Hoyle lane had been blocked with shrubbery. Cllr Jones agreed to write to the landowner
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14 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Jones advised that a questionnaire had been completed regarding the types of trees in and around the village and that a book about trees had been given. It was agreed that this book should be presented to Ted Cole of the village horticultural society with a letter of thanks for the work he and his team had carried out.
16) Accounts
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Tarr and seconded by Cllr Jones to make these payments:
Jill Hamilton - Additional payment £ 123.00
South Hams District Council – Election expenses July £ 1574.10
South Hams District Council – Election Expenses May £ 978.27
Devon Playing Fields Subscription £ 15.00
Devon Association of Parish Councils Subscription £ 216.00
Plandscape – Orchard grass cutting – March £ 88.13
Stoke Gabriel Village Hall – Hall hire £ 48.00
It was agreed to pay the above with the exception of the election expenses. Cllr Robinson would write to South Hams requesting that these expenses are explained.
To agree the following Annual payments
It was agreed to pay the annual Allianz Insurance of £ 766.79 at the next meeting.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.30pm
Next Meeting: Monday 19th May 2008 following the Annual meeting in the Village Hall