Present:  Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Miss P Ellis, Mr I Jones, Mrs J. Lowe, Mr J Robinson, Mr B Tarr. In attendance: District Cllr Rowe

1          Apologies – Miss E Bridge Dr. R. Johnson, District Cllr Pennington.

3          To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 19^th January 2009

            Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,

4          Matters arising from the Minutes – Page 343 - Cllr Tully requested that his congratulations be recorded regarding the outstanding Ofsted report received by the school.

5          Chairman’s Report – The Chairman advised that he had received a report from the Boundary Committee dated 12 February suggesting that to meet the Secretary of State's revised deadline of 15 July, and avoid this issue during the pre-election period of the County Council and European elections in June, the Boundary Committee intends to publish draft proposals on 19 March and receive representations on them until 14 May 2009. Cllr Rowe advised that it was possible that SHDC views may be ignored but suggested that if the Conservative party win the next election they would not pursue the reorganisation.

6          Continuation of Acting Parish Clerk’s responsibilities – The Chairman advised that Cllr Robinson had carried out the role of acting Clerk to the Council for twelve months. Cllr Tully emphasised that Cllr Robinson had been elected as a Councillor first and foremost but had agreed to take on a duel role after the previous Clerk had resigned. Cllr Tarr advised that the council was very happy with the way Cllr Robinson carried out the duties and also advised that this action had saved the Parish some £5,000.00 and had brought the finances back in line. He then proposed that Cllr Robinson should be asked to continue. This was seconded by Cllr Hunt and agreed unanimously. Cllr Robinson advised that it was important to note that he had been elected to carry out his duties as a Councillor but as he enjoyed the dual role agreed to continue as acting Clerk. The Chairman thanked him for all his hard work carried out on behalf of the Council.  

7          Reports from County and District Councillors – In Cllr Pennington’s absence the Chairman read a report advising that he had taken up all the highway issues discussed at the January meeting and asked if these were still on going to advise him accordingly. Cllr Pennington also advised that it was likely that the County Council tax for 2009/10 would rise by 2.9%. Both the District and Parish precepts would remain the same as last year. Cllr Rowe reported that she did not have anything to add to this or the Chairman’s reports.

8          Planning

The following planning applications were considered at a planning meeting held on 23^rd February 2009 at which the following councillors were present: Hunt, Robinson, Ellis and Lowe

1)       Rydon House, Paignton Road – Crown one Horse Chestnut over highway        No objection

  2)    Little Orchard Barn, Waddeton Court – Installation of oil tank                        No objection           

  3)    Kings Cottage, Paignton Road – Listed Building consent for alterations           Objection

 4)    Kings Cottage, Paignton Road -   Demolition of existing extensions and                                                                    replacement with new extensions and alterations                                Objection

 5)    Crownley, Lembury Road - Variation of condition to allow retention of                                                                              Dutch barn                                                                    No objection          

  6)    The Old Vicarage – Resubmission to erect a dwelling   Site meeting arranged for 25^th February

  7)   Four Cross Units -   Resubmission to erect light industrial units                         Objection

   8)   13 Body Hayes Road – Extension to dwelling and small boat storage               No objection

1)      None

9          Items raised on behalf of the Clerk – No correspondence received

10        Parish Plan Implementation Group - No report was received.

12        Hoyle Copse – Cllr Jones reported that the western side boundary had been improved and the eastern side had been cleared. Some additional beech trees had been planted. A Natural England grant claim had been successful and the sum of £ 770.00 would be used to improve and enhance the Parish orchard. Cllr Tarr requested that some work now could be carried out on the old hawthorn hedge adjoining the scout hut land and some additional seats could be sited. The Chairman thanked Cllr Jones and his hard working gang for all they do in the village.

 13       Stoke Gabriel Burial Site Cllr Jones advised that he had met with Cllr Ellis and discussed the situation. Cllr Jones reported that the lower graveyard at the Church had been in use for some 56 years and would be full in 12 to 15 years time at the current average death rate. When this graveyard is full the Church will not be responsible for future burial sites and it will become the responsibility of the Parish Council. The Parish Council is not legally required to provide a new cemetery and should it be decided not to provide facilities then burials would have to take place at Totnes, Torbay or elsewhere. This was considered not to be acceptable to the majority of Parishioners and spaces at other sites will be full in the very near future. Should the Council decide to provide a new site within the Parish then the Council would be responsible for administration including recording the burials, charging fees to cover costs, applying rules to control the type of gravestones and the future maintenance of the site. Rules would also be required to define who may or may not be buried there. Assuming the death rate and proportion of cremations continue at the current rate then a half acre plot would last for about 50 years and an acre plot about 100 years. It was agreed that Cllrs Jones and Ellis should continue and seek alternative arrangements.

14        Highway and Hedgerow Matters Cllr Robinson advised that a letter had been written to the PCC concerning the re-instatement of a gate to the orchard. It had been noted on the deeds that the wall was owned by the Church but the Council were willing to pay and arrange for the new gate. Cllr Robinson will write again to the PCC to obtain agreement. Cllr Ellis expressed concern over the number of large potholes which have appeared since the bad winter weather. On this point Cllr Hunt advised that Coombe House Lane was in a bad state with some of the lane falling into the ditches. Also the road between White Hill and Collaton was in a bad state of repair. Cllr Lowe advised that there had been an avalanche at the Mill Pool resulting in part of the bank from the graveyard falling onto the beach area. Cllr Tarr suggested that some of the trees required coppicing. Cllr Ellis agreed to raise the matter at the next PCC meeting and Cllr Robinson would advise the secretary. Cllr Jones raised the question over road closures instigated by Devon Highways especially the one north of Totnes which advises a road closure. In fact this road is open during the day but closed overnight and because of the incorrect information is causing problems for road users. Cllr Tarr advised that the road gritter entered the village during the bad weather but turned right at Rydon Cross into Aish Road thus not preparing the village roads. Cllr Tarr also advised that water was gushing out over the drains in School Hill. The water board had been advised. Cllr Tully advised that there was a water leak at The Holt which had also been reported to South West Water. Also on the Waddeton road a 30 mph sign was correctly placed on one side of the road but on the other there was just a blank white sign.

15        Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Tarr advised that the village hall would be celebrating its 50^th birthday this year. There will be a get together in the hall on 21^st March between 10.00am and noon when nibbles would be provided and a cake presented to a village hall committee member who had served on that committee from the start. Cllr Jones advised that the new slipway built and supplied by the SGBA and sited by the wreck of ‘The Glory’ would be officially opened in March. Two signs would be erected one advising the opening of the slipway and another giving a brief history of the wreck. It was agreed that the cost of the signs be split between the Council and the boating Association. Cllr Tarr requested that due to the spring bank holiday the date of the A.G.M. should be moved to Tuesday 19^th May. This was agreed.

 

 

There were no payments to be made.

 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.20pm