Present:  Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Miss E Bridge, Miss P Ellis, Dr. R Johnson, Mrs J. Lowe, Mr J Robinson, Capt. B Tarr. In attendance:  –District Cllr Rowe

 

                        The Council was given a presentation by Steve Prime from the South Devon Rural Housing Association. Mr Prime advised that the Association was a charity and probably one of South Devon’s best kept secrets which started over 50 years ago. It owned 200 properties in South Devon and catered for 60% of older residents and 40% for young families. The Association owns between 4 and 10 properties in villages on exception sites for local people including a residential care home in Dartington. Mr Prime explained that half an acre exception site would suffice and the houses would be made available for local people. Mr Prime acknowledged that Stoke Gabriel Parish was considering how it could progress and he offered to come back and talk to the Parish again in the future. The Chairman thanked Mr Prime for coming along to talk to the Council.

            1          Apologies. -  Mr I Jones, County Cllr Pennington

There had been four reported crimes during the month. A theft of a mirror glass from a parked and unattended motor vehicle on Paignton Road. The theft of a windscreen wiper from the same vehicle. Theft of an outboard motor taken from an inflatable dinghy on the pontoon. A burglary at the Castle Public House. A laptop was stolen with entry gained through an insecure rear window. PC Pearse reported that the Police was monitoring speeds in the village and advised that they were looking for volunteers to become members of a Community Speed Watch team. Finally PC Pearse advised that they had received several complaints concerning parking on pavements which was considered as Vehicle Obstruction. He advised that the Police would take a fair but firm action against drivers who park their vehicles on the pavement. Vehicles causing an unnecessary obstruction would first be issued with a warning and the vehicle details would be recorded. The driver would then be warned that a repetition of the breach of regulation may result in further action. Recently one vehicle has repeated this offence and has been issued with a fixed penalty notice. PC Pearse stated that wilful and unnecessary obstruction of the highway by a motor vehicle or trailer is an offence and will result in the issue of a “Fixed Penalty” ticket or the removal of the vehicle. Driving along a pavement can carry a fine of up to £ 1000, 00.

3          To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 26^th October 2009

            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 and District Councillors – District Cllr Rowe advised that she had attended a Councillors Code of Conduct Seminar something that would become regular. There had been a District Finance meeting at which it was agreed to write a letter to Jim Knight M.P. concerning Business rates. A delegation had since met with him in London and Mr Knight had also visited Dartmouth Town traders. There had been another planning seminar to keep up with L.D.F. and ways to improve the planning system for applicants, agents and planners. Work has been made on next year’s budget. 

7          Planning

The following planning applications were considered at a planning meeting held on 30^th November 2009 at which the following councillors were present: Hunt, Ellis, Bridge and Lowe. Cllr Robinson gave his apologies has he had to attend another meeting.

1)             Village Orchard - fell Ash tree. To await the decision of the tree warden. ( All Cllrs declared an interest)

2)          Highover, Hoyle Lane – Demolition and erection of replacement dwelling. A site meeting was   arranged for Wednesday 2^nd December at 2.00pm   

3)          Pool Cottage, Mill Hill – ground Floor extension. No objection

4)              Higher Well Nurseries -   Change of use of buildings. No objection but requested retrospective planning to be inserted

5)             Higher Well Nurseries -   Temporary siting of mobile home. A site meeting was arranged for Wednesday 2^nd December at 2.30pm

6)         Starlings, Hillfield -   Proposed dormers and internal alterations. No objection. ( Cllr. Ellis declared an interest)

7)         Russell Lea, Paignton Road – single garage and single storey rear extension. No objection

Planning Applications refused by SHDC - None

      None

Ongoing Applications – Midas Homes – Cllr Robinson, having met with the Area Planning officer earlier, invited David Kenyon to attend the meeting. Mr Kenyon advised the Council and those present that he wished to confirm that the application will notbe presented before the Committee at its meeting on 9th December. The reason for this is to allow Officers to arrange for a further independent review of the ecological related documentation to be carried out. He also stated that the Council has adopted the procedures set out on its website in that the 21 days notification period has been carried out following validation of the application. There is no statement on the website stating that such 21 days notification would take place upon receipt of any revised drawings and indeed there is no statutory obligation for the Council to re notify third parties of receipt of any revised drawings or documentation. From questions from both the Council and from the floor Mr Kenyon advised that SHDC would engage independent consultants to carry out an ecological review at their own expense. Also any letters or documents received prior to the next planned District meeting would be taken into account. Mr Kenyon also confirmed that if parishioners or the Council were not happy with the latest Traffic Survey report they should take the matter up with DCC Highways. From a question from Cllr Robinson Mr Kenyon confirmed that he would verbally advise his ward members at the meeting if it was confirmed that the Parish Council did not accept the Traffic Survey report. At the meeting, Mr Kenyon confirmed that in the spirit of goodwill and cooperation the Council would extend the period in which third parties could respond to the additional and revised documents and suggested a 21 days period as from the date of that meeting. 

9          Hoyle Copse – A report was read out in Cllr Jones absence. He advised that a small gang continued to make good progress and had cleared scrub and small trees to the south of the big beech tree towards the quarry. To encourage and remove competition for wild flowers they now strim the areas previously cleared. This is becoming a problem due to the size of the areas and Cllr Jones requested that the Council consider purchasing a strimmer for use in the copse and the village orchard. Cllr Jones thought the cost would be approximately £ 300.00. It was proposed by Cllr Tully and seconded by Cllr Tarr that a suitable strimmer should be purchased. This was agreed.

            10        Highway and Hedgerow Matters  - Cllr Tarr advised that he had been in correspondence with David Incoll, Chief Executive at SHDC concerning the state of the village. Mr Incoll had suggested a meeting to sort out the issues and try to progress further. It was agreed that Cllr Tarr and Cllr Robinson would arrange a meeting in the New Year. Cllr Tully mentioned the pilot scheme carried out at Stokenham where the local Parish Council became responsible for sweeping and cleaning their Parish with funds received from SHDC. A meeting has been arranged at Follaton House on 11^th January 2010 to discuss this idea further. Two delegates from each Parish Council could attend. Cllr Tarr advised that he had met with  Darren Cole concerning the growing number of potholes in and around the village. Cllr Tarr finally advised that progress had been made with village parking. Cllr Robinson advised that he had been in negotiations with DCC Highways and has a meeting with them on Tuesday morning. Cllr Bridge expressed concern over vehicles being parked in the village hall entrance close to the school fire exit gate. Cllr Tarr agreed to raise this at a meeting of the village hall committee. Cllr Lowe asked about the construction traffic in Flood Street .Cllr Robinson advised that he had written to the agents and read out a letter of reply which stated that smaller delivery lorries had been requested. Cllr Lowe advised that due to the vehicles the grass verge on the corner in Barn Park to Flood Street had been badly damaged. Cllr Ellis requested that a further letter be written to the owners of Rosemount Villa concerning the overhanging brambles on the wall. Cllr Ellis also advised that Fleet Mill Lane was being used as a race track by motor bike riders. Cllr Bridge added that Hoyle Lane was also being used. It was agreed to request that PC Pearse be advised and ask him to look into this issue.

11        Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Tarr had concerns about the re building of Kings Cottage in Paignton Road. Cllr Robinson read from the planning consent that although the Parish Council had originally raised objections planning permission had been given to cover the new extensions in oak board. It was felt that this did not fit in with the original C17 building. As it was stated on the Listed Building Consent Granted form that special regard to be given to preserving the building and any special features it was agreed that a letter be written to SHDC advising them of this Council’s concerns. From a point raised during the ten minute session Cllr Tully read out a letter received by the Football Club concerning relaying an electricity cable from the Club to Lembury Barn over private land. Cllr Ellis reminded the Council that the Devon bank had been removed from Lembury Barn and photographs would be submitted to SHDC. Cllr Robinson advised that Cllr Jones was progressing with the takeover of the telephone box in Aish.

 

 

It was proposed by Cllr Tarr and seconded by Cllr Hunt to make these payments:

 

Plandscape                  Hedge & grass Cut – October                                                            £ 231.97

Ian Jones                     Fillings for Fleet Mill Lane                                                     £    20.00

Citizens Advice Bureau Donation                                                                              £ 100.00

 

The Chairman advised that a letter had been written to the Area Planning Officer regarding the Parish Councils concerns over the latest survey reports received on behalf of Midas Homes Ltd. Despite the report given earlier by Mr Kenyon it was agreed that this letter should be sent and an additional letter be written to DCC Highways challenging the traffic survey report.

 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.20pm