A Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
2 Police Report – A member of the public reported that an electric fencing unit had been stolen from a site in Duncannon Lane. A police report was received after the meeting in which PC Pearse sent his apologises and advised that there had been one crime reported that of criminal damage to two solar garden lamps in Barn Park. These were believed to have been smashed by two youths trespassing in a garden late at night.
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 17th September 2008
Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes – Page 333 - Cllr Bridge confirmed that she had been contacted by PC Pearse concerning parish community emergency planning coordinator. Cllr Bridge requested details of those who hold keys to both the school and village hall as both venues would be used in an event of a major emergency. Page 334 – Cllr Ellis reported that no action had been taken regarding the gully at Port Bridge. County Cllr Pennington agreed to look into the problem.
5 Chairman’s Report - The Chairman reported that he had seen a Government report dated 7th October concerning the Boundary Review in which our local MP Anthony Steen asked the Government to come clean with the County and advise that them that they had no money and to advise what exactly was going to happen. The chairman then welcomed the Chairman of South Hams District Council as a guest.
6 Reports from County and District Councillors – Cllr Rowe advised that as she had been away she did not have much to report. There will be a District budget meeting on Wednesday 12th November. There is a new tree protection act and forms are available from Polly Stone at South Hams. The Local Government Review is on going but funds are running out. Cllr Pennington reported that the County Council had not invested any money in Icelandic banks. South Hams however had. Cllr Pennington advised that at a recent meeting he had asked the Leader Cllr Greenslade how much had been spent on the Local Government review including officer time. He had suggested that this money could have been more usefully spent on essential services to council tax payers. Cllr Pennington advised that £ 103,000 had been spent from reserves. Cllr Pennington raised his concern over the Government’s “Contact Point” scheme which has cost £ 224 million. It is a data base which will contain details of every child under 18 and their parents. That equated to 11 million children. The details will be available to 330,000 workers in education, health, social care and voluntary sectors. With the current spate of ‘lost’ files this information could easily be found by others. Cllr Pennington reported that he had consulted with South West highways about the state of potholes in the parish.
7 Planning
The following planning applications were considered at a planning meeting held on 27th October:
1. Tides Reach – Amendment to application for new hipped roof to bay window. No objection
2. The Nook, - Extension to dwelling to form dining room. No Objection
Cllr Hunt did not attend the planning meeting and therefore took no part in any decision making.
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
1) Moonriver (formally The Buntings) – Extension to dwelling
2) Aish House – listed building consent for alterations to form sun room
3) Aish House – Alteration and addition to form sun room and terrace
4) Stone Croft – resubmission for erection of garage
Planning Applications refused by SHDC
None
Applications Withdrawn
1) Conway, Hoyle Lane – Erection of dwelling in front garden
8 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk
Cllr Robinson reported that details of the Commons Act 2006 had been received. A reply had been received from SHDC Chief Executive concerning village issues such as road sweeping, grass cutting and waste collection. Copies of this letter had been passed to the council members and a discussion took place. Cllr Robinson advised that he had met with Rob Harkness, South Hams new green space officer and had given him a tour of the parish. The council expressed their concern that these issues had been on going for many months and a further letter should be written. The Chairman of South Hams District Council advised that he would like a copy of the letter. A letter had been received from SHDC concerning residents parking permits. It was agreed that a copy of the advert should be placed on the Council notice board. A copy of the South Hams Local Development Framework concerning affordable home was passed to Cllr Bridge together with details of playground equipment. A letter had been received from Totnes CAB and it was unanimously agreed that £ 100.00 should be given as a donation. Cllr Robinson read out a letter received from a young parishioner who, together with his friends, had requested the provision of a skate boarding park. Although the parish council did not own suitable land it was agreed that a reply should be sent thanking him for his interest and explain that further consideration would be given if a suitable site and funding could be found.
9 Parish Plan The Chairman advised that a meeting had been held with the parish plan steering group and the draft plan had been discussed. Apart from some alterations and additions it had been agreed to go ahead with the printing of the final draft plan. The Chairman expressed thanks to all those who had worked so hard to get the plan to its final stage and requested that the council formally receive and support the parish plan. A vote was taken and with full agreement the plan was received. It would be reviewed on an annual basis at a council meeting.
10 Yalberton Valley Action Group From the floor Clive Hammett thanked the council for its support. He advised that over 350 parishioners had attended the recent meeting concerning the proposed new town and over 500 letters had been written to the Government. The action group are expecting details to be made public in December/January and are waiting with interest.
11 Hoyle Copse – Cllr Jones reported that the team had started work and had mowed the meadow. Further work in 2009 would include work on northern boundary, more coppicing with hazel, and restoration of south boundary wall, develop forest glades in thorn wood and clear the quarry floor and lime kiln, Cllr Robinson passed a Natural England funding form to Cllr Jones for completion. This form related to additional funding for other areas within the parish and it was agreed that this may be used for funding additional playground equipment if successful.
12 Stoke Gabriel website Cllr Robinson advised that the newly revamped website was up and running and the annual web hosting fee was now £ 41.07 compared with £ 140.86 last year. Thanks were given to Chris Mortimer of Blacksnow web design for his help in setting up the site. An invoice for £ 129.20, which included the annual fee, had been received. As there was a web site bank account with a balance of £ 430.00 Cllr Robinson suggested that this amount should be transferred to the main parish council account to cover this and other web site expenses. Cllrs Tarr and Jones proposed and seconded this motion and it was carried unanimously.
13 Highway and Hedgerow Matters Cllr Tarr advised that he had received further correspondence concerning yellow lines. He advised that Devon County Council were unable to assist in this matter as they had insufficient funding. Cllr Tarr advised that the contractors had cut and pruned the orchard hedge and the final grass cut would be carried out when weather permitted. Cllr Tarr advised that in some cases privately owned hedges were overgrown and caused problems for walkers. As the Parish Council is currently complaining to SHDC about their responsibilities he thought it prudent that landowners also kept their own hedges in good order. Cllr Tarr agreed to draft a notice for both the Parish magazine and notice boards. Cllr Lowe had concern over the dumper truck barriers at Byter Mill and also advised that the style and approximately 15 foot of Devon bank had been demolished and taken away adjacent to the public footpath in Hoyle Lane. Cllrs Tully and Jones agreed to meet with the landowner. Cllr Ellis advised that on recyclable bin collection days some rubbish was spread around the roads when it was windy. It was suggested that the refuse operatives should check that all bins are empty and all sacks are collected. On this point Cllr Robinson advised that recently two recyclable carts arrived in the village but failed to collect all the sacks. Sacks were seen to have been left outside Oaken at Flood Street and Yellands Field, Paignton Road. Cllr Lowe advised that there are number of Travis Perkins bags on the road behind the rear entrance to the Hotel. These were dangerous especially when walking at night as they were not lit. Cllr Robinson would advise PC Pearse accordingly. Cllr Rowe brought up the problem of dog mess which was becoming a major problem. Cllr Tarr agreed to add this item into his notice regarding hedge cutting.
14 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Bridge advised that she was putting together the emergency plan procedure. It would be a basic plan which would cover all emergencies. It was agreed that both the village hall and school would be used and that lists would be drawn up of all key holders, tractor owners and additional helpers. Cllr Rowe advised that members of the WI would be pleased to help. It was agreed that if necessary a helicopter could land in either the school field or the field adjoining Aish Road. Cllr Bridge advised that the trees near the swings in the playground needed lopping as they were a hazard. Cllr Jones agreed to speak to Ted Cole. From the floor Rebecca Gilmore advised that she had explored various avenues concerning updating some of the play equipment and safety issues. Whilst the equipment had passed an inspection it was generally agreed that some additional play equipment would be beneficial. It was agreed that Rebecca could follow up any fund raising opportunities and any funding received from Natural England could also be used. Cllr Johnson asked if there was any news regarding the development of Gabriel Court Hotel. Cllr Rowe advised that nothing had happened with the current application. Cllr Johnson advised that he thought the length of time it takes SHDC to reply and act to letters was unacceptable. Cllr Rowe advised that it should take no longer than five days. The Chairman of South Hams District Council asked if he should be advised of any delays in correspondence. Cllr Jones advised that the Parish benches were in need of re-staining. Cllr Jones advised that he had received further correspondence concerning the removal of the red telephone boxes within the Parish. The box situated in Church Walk had a preservation order, the others in Barn Park and Aish had not. There are a number of ways the boxes can remain – they could be purchased for £1 and the council would be responsible for maintaining it without the phone equipment or a box could be sponsored for £ 500.00 per year and the phone equipment would remain. SHDC were keen to keep boxes that had been listed with them but there was doubt about the box sited in Barn Park. At a request from Cllr Robinson Cllr Tarr asked that the finance committee meet to discuss the draft budgets and precept for next year. It was agreed that a meeting would be held and draft accounts would be prepared before the next parish council meeting. Cllr Tully advised that the annual village wassail would be held on 17th January 2009. Cllr Tully also thanked Clive Hammett and the Yalberton Valley Action group for their hard work in connection with both the re development of the valley and the proposed new town on the edge of our parish and Cllr Robinson for his work. The Chairman then invited the Chairman of South Hams District Council to say a few words. District Cllr Cane advised that the boundary committee review had already cost the District Council a vast amount of money but not as much as the County Council. The District had money invested in the Icelandic banks but were monitoring the situation. He apologised for the lack of response to letters and asked to be advised of any complaints. Cllr Cane confirmed that the District did take note of the Parish councils’ responses to planning matters but not always agreed with them. Finally he thanked the Chairman for inviting him to the meeting and again asked that if there were already problems he would be pleased to assist.
15) Accounts
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Tarr and seconded by Cllr Jones to make these payments:
Plandscape - Orchard hedge cutting £ 153.93
Stoke Gabriel Village Hall - Hall hire July and September £ 24.00
Eastleys Solicitors – Legal fees £ 753.65
Blacksnow – Web Site costs £ 129.20
Transfer of funds from web site account to parish account
(As agreed in item 12)
At a request from Cllr Tarr the Chairman advised that the legal fees were in connection with the resignation of the clerk
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.05pm
Next Meeting: Monday 24th November 2008 in the Village Hall