A Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 24th November 2008 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
3 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Miss E Bridge, Miss P Ellis, Dr. R. Johnson, Mr I Jones, Mr J Robinson, Mr B Tarr
1 Apologies – Mrs J Lowe
2 Police Report – Prior to PC Pearse’s arrival the meeting was advised that a small portable CD player had been stolen from a vehicle parked in Aish Road. The item was clearly on display and the door lock had been forced. The public were advised to ensure that nothing is left on view. Cllr Robinson advised that he had met with PCSO Paula Frain. It transpired that Paula was only able to visit the village on a Friday as she was able to travel on the Totnes bus. It was agreed that this was not good enough and a letter should be written to the Chief Constable advising that Paula had eight rural parishes to visit and not having transport was unacceptable. PC Pearse then joined the meeting and this point was put to him. PC Pearse agreed that the situation was a difficult one but advised that one in five vehicles were not being replaced which meant that PCSO s were unable to have their own transport. PC Pearse advised that two other crimes occurred during November being a domestic dispute which resulted in a male being arrested and charged on three counts and a break in at a property in Coombe Shute that was being renovated. A number of tools were stolen.
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 27th October 2008
Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes – Page 337 - Cllr Tarr advised that a report would be in the December Parish Magazine concerning privately owned hedges. Notices would also be placed on the notice boards. Cllr Jones advised that he had applied for a grant from Natural England for works in the orchard. Page 338 – Cllr Jones advised that the phone box in Church Walk is listed and not in danger. The box in Barn Park is not on BT’s list for removal at this time. The box in Aish is on their list to be removed but SHDC have objected and removal is delayed.
5 Chairman’s Report – The Chairman had nothing to report other than those items to be discussed on the agenda.
6 Reports from County and District Councillors – Cllr Rowe raised the question of the altered parking regulations in School Hill. The meeting was advised that e-mails had been sent to John Halliday, Ian Hosking and Gary Powell of Devon County Council requesting on whose authority the changes were made and if they were in fact legal. Cllr Rowe advised that it was district Budget time and South Hams District Council were awaiting advice on the amount they could expect from Central Government next year.
7 Planning
The following planning applications were considered at a planning meeting held on 24th November at which the following councillors were present: Hunt, Robinson, Ellis and Bridge
1) 4 Barn Park– Extensions & alterations to create additional dwelling No objection by majority. Cllr Bridge voted against the application
2) S.G. Football Club – Erection of new club house No Objection
3) Field off Broad Path – Continuation of use of poly tunnel No Objection (Cllr Robinson declared an interest and did not take part in any decision making)
4) Waddeton Court – Listed Building Consent No Objection
5) Waddeton Court – Alterations and restoration of existing garage No Objection
6) The Old Vicarage – Erection of new dwelling on land No Objection
Cllr Lowe did not attend the planning meeting and therefore took no part in any decision making.
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
1) Highfield, Paignton Road – Erection of single storey extension
2) 7 Clay Park – reduction in depth of decking and erection of privacy screen
3) Tides Reach, Mill Hill – Amendment to application for new hipped slate roof to bay windows
Planning Applications refused by SHDC
1) The Hayes, Vicarage Road – Listed building consent for 1st floor alterations and garden fence
Applications Withdrawn
1) None
8 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk
Cllr Robinson read out a letter from ’Bob the Bus’ advising that a new bus was being purchased in February 2009 and that funding was required. It was proposed by Cllr Tarr and seconded by Cllr Robinson that a donation of £ 100.00 should be made. This was agreed unanimously. A letter received from Stoke Gabriel in Bloom was read out advising details of the recent best kept village competition. Stoke Gabriel gained second place, one better than last year. The judges did however comment on the state of the notice boards erected within the Church House car park and it was agreed that letters be written to those organisations requesting them to keep their boards tidy and up to date. At a request from the Hon. Secretary it was proposed by Cllr Tarr and seconded by Cllr Jones to make the annual donation of £ 250.00 to Stoke Gabriel in Bloom to go towards the cost of florally enhancing the village. At a request from South Hams District Council it was agreed to confirm the council’s view regarding the Boundary Committee’s proposals.
9 Parish Plan Cllr Bridge advised that nearly 100 parishioners attended the launch held on Saturday 22nd November and many signed up to become involved in action groups under all the sub headings. The steering group has now been disbanded and a new group called the Parish Plan Implementation Group has been formed under the chairmanship of Clive Wigfall. It was agreed to source names of those who should receive a full glossy edition of the parish plan.
10 Yalberton Valley Action Group No report was received.
11 Hoyle Copse – Cllr Jones reported that work is proceeding on the ‘forest glade’ in the thorn wood.
12 Stoke Gabriel website Cllr Robinson advised that the web site bank account has now been closed and the balance of £ 430.00 transferred to the main parish council account. It was agreed that Cllr Robinson could engage the services of the web masters for assistance if required.
13 Highway and Hedgerow Matters From a point raised by Cllr Lowe at the last meeting Cllr Ellis advised that she had investigated the removal of the style and approximately 15 foot of Devon bank adjacent to the public footpath in Hoyle Lane and advised that the owner had carried out the work correctly. The original style was unsafe and a number of walkers had found it difficult to use. The new entry was now safer and enabled the disabled to enjoy access. It was agreed to write a letter to the landowner thanking him for his concern and work on the improvements carried out. Cllr Tarr advised that he had walked the village with Chris Lucas, environmental officer, Ian Hosking, dog warden and Cllr Robinson and discussed the problems concerning street cleaning, rubbish collection and rubbish bins. The Cllrs were advised that rubbish bins were now dual purpose bins for both general rubbish and dog waste and suitable stickers would be displayed on the bins. A new bin would be placed at the entrance to the play area and the two old bins would be removed. Chris Lucas agreed to contact Devon County Council over other issues and report back to the council in due course. Cllr Hunt advised that Coombe House Lane had flooded during the recent heavy rain this being caused by the blocked drains and gullys due to the amount of leaves. Cllr Jones expressed concern over the size of the potholes outside Rowes Farm in Aish. Cllr Bridge advised that the wall adjoining Lembury Road and Aish Road had been damaged. Cllr Bridge would give details to Cllr Robinson so a letter could be written to the owner. Cllr Bridge expressed concern regarding the waste bins that were permanently left outside Stoke House. This appeared to result from the fact that the owners did not live there regularly and it was agreed that a letter would be written to them. From a point raised at the last meeting by Cllr Lowe concerning a number of Travis Perkins bags on the road behind the rear entrance to the hotel Cllr Robinson advised that PC Pearse confirmed that the bags did not require lights and were not considered a hazard.
14 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Ellis expressed concern that no action had been taken over the sourcing of a new village burial site. She thought that is was a very important issue and Cllr Jones proposed that a sub committee should be formed. This was agreed and Cllrs Ellis, Jones and Tully would look into the various options. Cllr Johnson advised that two dogs were again using the alley from The Barn hay to Church Walk to enter the orchard unsupervised. Cllr Johnson asked if a gate could be erected at the entrance in the wall and it was agreed to write to the Church council for advice. Cllr Hunt advised that the bench having been repaired had now been re sited in Duncannon Lane. Cllr Tarr advised that the finance committee had met to discuss the Parish Councils accounts and circulated a copy. This item would be placed on the meeting for January when a decision would be made concerning the parish precept for next year. Cllr Ellis raised the question of the blocked gully at Port Bridge and potholes in
Waddeton Road. District Cllr Pennington advised that the pothole repair was in hand and would advise DCC about the gully. It was reported that a fence on Byter Mill Lane had been broken and Cllr Bridge would advise so a letter could be written to the owner. The chairman advised that the annual village wassail would take place in the village orchard on Saturday 17th January2009.
15) Accounts– Cllr Robinson advised that the annual audit had been completed and the return certified. A Notice of Conclusion of Audit would be posted on the council notice board for a period of 14 days.
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Bridge to make these payments:
South Hams Citizens Advice Bureau - Donation £ 100.00
Audit Commission – Annual audit fee £ 158.63
Major Ron Goodwin – Poppy Wreath £ 17.50
J. Robinson – post/stationery 6 months + annual allowance for
use of house and motor vehicle (as agreed) £ 270.90
Stoke Gabriel in Bloom – Donation £ 250.00
Bob the Bus – Donation £ 100.00
It was proposed by Cllr Tarr and seconded by Cllr Hunt to make the following payments on behalf of the Parish Plan Committee:
AC Print – Printing £ 360.00
M. Mercer – Launch expenses £ 50.97
M. Mercer – Launch Expenses £ 63.66
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.0pm
Next Meeting: Monday 19th January 2009 in the Village Hall