A Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
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2 Police Report – PC Pearse sent his apologises but advised that there were no reported crimes in either May or June.
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 19th May 2008
Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes – None
5 Chairman’s Report - The Chairman had nothing to report other than those items to be discussed on the agenda.
6 Reports from County & District Councillors
District Cllr Rowe advised that the Boundary Commission second stage draft proposals will be published on 7th July 2008. No indications have been made. South Hams District Council Strategic Director will advise of the proposals at the open meeting on 14th July in the village hall. Further Post Office closures had been announced although many in the South Hams including ours were safe at present. Cllr Rowe urged parishioners to use the bus as much as possible in order to keep the service. With the increasing problems with fuel and costs Cllr Rowe asked that alternative energy sources be considered. County Councillor Pennington advised that he had written letters to the local paper concerning the Boundary reviews but these had not been published. If the draft proposals show that Stoke Gabriel will become part of Torbay Cllr Pennington advised that he would push for a referendum and it was therefore very important that residents have their say. Cllr Pennington advised that he was pushing Devon Highways to repair various roads in the village.
7 Boundary Commission Review The Chairman advised that the open meeting would be held on 14th July in the village hall at 7.00pm and hoped that many residents would attend.
8 Planning
The following planning applications were considered at a planning meeting held on 18th June:
52/1030/08/F Coombe View, Broad Path - Alterations & Extension – No Objection
52/0938/08/F 7 Clay Park - Replace decking - Objection. Unacceptable loss of privacy to and overlooking neighbouring property and unacceptable detriment to amenities of the occupiers of the neighbouring property. Recommendation: 1.4 metre deck at the existing level with a 1 metre gap between the end of the deck and the boundary fence. This would alleviate any concerns regarding privacy and impact.
52/0907/08/F Four Cross Units, Paignton Road – Sale of liquid
Petroleum – Deferment The planning officer has requested that we defer making any recommendation until he has received replies to his letters.
52/1094/08/F South Downs, Overcreek – Replacement of conservatory - No Objection
The following planning applications were considered at the meeting:
52/1174/08/F Tides Reach, Mill Hill – Amendment to planning approval change type of roof membrane - No Objection
52/0799/08/F East Farm, Waddeton – Erection of agricultural building to store corn. This application was in the name of Mr G. Tully. Cllrs R. Tully and C. Hunt both declared an interest and left the meeting while the remaining councillors discussed the application No Objection
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
1) Four Cross Units – Storage of maximum 50 leisure craft
2) Sandridge Park – Alterations to North Wing and Listed building consent
3) Fairways, Vicarage Road – Alterations and extension to dwelling
4) Tamberley, Duncannon lane – Extensions to dwelling
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Planning Applications refused by SHDC
None
Applications Withdrawn
Tanglewood, Vicarage Road – Erection of bungalow
The meeting was advised that a planning application had been received by Manaten Investments Ltd for the erection of 9 new dwellings at the Gabriel Court. This application would be discussed at the next council meeting.
9 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk
Details of the digital switchover had been received and posted on the village notice boards. Cllr Robinson read out a letter received from the village carnival committee which advised that there would be a charge for closing the road between the old paper shop and the post office during the evening of the procession and an additional charge for the erection of bunting. These charges had been levied by Devon County Council and would range between £ 50.00 to £ 160.00 for the road closure and £ 100.00 for the bunting licence. The meeting showed their surprise and disgust by this and District Cllr Pennington agreed to investigate it. After discussion Cllr Tarr proposed that if there were additional costs applied the council should assist with a donation of £ 150.00. This was seconded by Cllr Hunt and agreed unanimously. The chairman read out a letter from the Totnes Town Bus Company advising that they intended to replace ‘Bob’ with ‘Bob’ mark two in ten months time. The service was well used by locals who wished to travel to Totnes on a Friday however additional funding was required. It was agreed to write to the bus company and to discuss the matter later in the year. Cllr Robinson advised that the annual parish accounts had been examined by the internal auditor and were now ready to be submitted to the audit commission together with the audit report. Cllr Tarr proposed that the report should be agreed and signed by the chairman and Cllr Robinson. This was seconded by Cllr Johnson.
10 Parish Plan – Mick Mercer advised that the 1st draft would be ready by the end of the month and a meeting would be held with the council in early September.
11 Yalberton Valley Action Group – No report received.
12 Hoyle Copse – Cllr Ian Jones advised that de-weeding had taken place. Normally an Orchid count took place but this year it proved impossible as there were over one thousand specimens. Cllr Jones had been contacted by the local press regarding Fairies at the bottom of the copse. As it was not April 1st a report and pictures were expected to be published in the local newspapers. Cllr Tully advised that the missing cup won at the County Show had been found. Cllr Robinson passed a Countryside stewardship scheme document to Cllr Jones.
13 Highway and Hedgerow Matters – Cllr Tarr advised that he had met with John Halliday from Devon Highways concerning village parking. It was agreed that Cllr Tarr should continue his dialogue with Mr Halliday. Cllr Robinson read out a reply from South Hams regarding additional grass cutting. South Hams could not assist due to their budget. It was agreed that a letter would be written requesting that they give the council the amount they pay for the existing six cuts per year and the council would arrange for additional grass cutting. It was noted that some new apple trees in the orchard were being damaged by the ties cutting into the trunks. Ted Cole would be contacted. Cllr Bridge raised concern about the parking of vehicles at Longcombe Cross. A letter would be written to the local PCSO. All Cllrs raised questions regarding the state of the roads, curbs and cleanliness of the village. Sweeping and spraying was not being carried out in many areas and Body Hayes Close, Flood Street and many other roads were in a poor state. Cllr Pennington agreed to take the matter up with Devon County and the situation would be monitored. Cllr Tarr suggested that both South Hams and Devon County Councils were failing in their duties but could still make charges for road closures and erection of carnival bunting. Consideration might have to be given to employing a village cleaner. Cllr Jones brought to the attention of the council a letter received from a resident in New Road concerning continuing damage to walls in Vicarage Road. This was passed to Cllr Pennington for action. Cllr Rowe agreed to contact the dog warden over the lack of a dog bin in the orchard. Cllr Jones advised that he had written to the landowner regarding the Washbrooke area of Hoyle lane which had been blocked with shrubbery. Following a question raised by Cllr Ellis the chairman read a reply from Devon Highways who advised that the road bridge at Port Bridge was safe and did not need a weight restriction notice. Cllr Robinson advised that the no parking signs were due to be erected at South Downs in the near future.
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14 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Ellis requested advice regarding an additional burial site. Cllr Pennington advised that the council should first find a suitable site. Once a site had been agreed there would be the possibility of receiving a grant. Cllr Lowe pointed out that a large board advertising a future event had been tied to the village sign at Rydon Cross. It was agreed that this should not be encouraged. Cllr Lowe suggested that in future at the Annual Parish meeting each organisation could be encouraged to give a short report on their activities.
15) Accounts
Cllr Robinson advised that after the following payments were made £ 5495.45 was held in the current account. £ 56.05 was held in the deposit account.
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Bridge to make these payments:
Plandscape - Orchard grass cutting April and May £ 179.78
Red Slipper - Website hosting fees six months 70.43
To agree the following Annual payments
None.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.00pm
Next Meeting: Monday 14th July 2008 following the Boundary Committee open meeting in the Village Hall