A Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 4th January 2010 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
15 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Miss E Bridge, Miss P Ellis, Dr. R Johnson, Mr I Jones Mrs J. Lowe, Mr J Robinson, In attendance: – County Cllr Pennington, District Cllr Rowe
The Council was given a presentation by Rebecca Gilmore on progress regarding the funding for improvements to the orchard and play area. Rebecca showed plans of two possible options and asked for support from the Council and those parishioners attending the meeting. Everyone was in agreement and signed the form indicating that option one was the preferred choice. Rebecca confirmed that the funding would be used to replace the existing play equipment as within the next two years it would be deemed unsafe and to enhance the village orchard with some additional benches, signage to show the types of trees in the orchard and improvements to the paths and other areas. Rebecca thanked the council and members of the public for their support. The Chairman thanked Rebecca for all her hard work with this venture
1 Apologies. - Mrs C Hunt, Capt. B Tarr.
2 Police Report – In his absence Cllr Robinson read out the crime report received from PC Pearse.
There had been two reported crimes during the month. The theft of eight garden gnomes from a garden in Pound Field overnight from 9th and 10th December 2009. Begging/Confidence tricksters committing fraud. An unknown male knocked at a front door in Church Walk and engaged the occupier in conversation about bereavement and asked for money to enable him to get to London. The occupier gave the man £ 50.00 on the promise of it being repaid. PC Pearse advised that similar reports had been received all over the Country and locally in Devon. The advice was not to hand over money and if one felt intimidated or threatened to call the police.
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 30th November 2009
Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes – None
5 Continuation of Acting Parish Clerk’s responsibilities - The Chairman advised that Cllr Robinson had been carrying out the role of acting Clerk to the Council. Cllr Tully emphasised that Cllr Robinson had been elected as a Councillor first and foremost but had agreed to take on a duel role
The Chairman advised that the council was very happy with the way Cllr Robinson carried out the duties. 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.
6 Chairman’s Report – The Chairman had nothing to report other than those items to be discussed on the agenda.
7 Reports from County and District Councillors – County Cllr Pennington advised that he had been in contact with Darren Cole regarding the road repairs. Mr Cole had agreed to contact Cllr Tarr. The Boundary Committee had now proposed that Devon becomes a county unitary authority with no changes to the boundaries of Plymouth or Torbay. Cllr Pennington advised that Devon County Council had opposed this proposal and it had been noted that if there was a change of Government it would be thrown out. Finally Cllr Pennington advised that there would be cuts to the budget for 2010/2011 and redundancies at County Hall. He expected the DCC council tax to be increased by approximately 2%. District Cllr Rowe advised that she had nothing to report.
8 Planning
The following planning applications were considered at a planning meeting held on 4th January 2010 at which the following councillors were present: Ellis, Bridge, Lowe and Robinson.
1) Sweet Chestnut , Byter Mill Lane – Crown Sweet Chestnut - No objection
2) Sandridge House – Amendment of application for porch – No objection
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
1. Stoke Gabriel Baptist Chapel – Installation of chairlift
2. South Hams Garden Centre – Erection of one shed and poly tunnel on allotment plot
3. Parish Council - Removal of Ash Tree in village orchard
Planning Applications refused by SHDC - None
Appeals Received by SHDC - None
Applications Withdrawn
None
Ongoing Applications – Midas Homes – Cllr Robinson advised that the proposal would be heard at the forthcoming Development Control Committee on 13th January and the meeting will start at 10am. The morning session will include three applications. Rowes Farm is the second application and an indicative start time of 11am has been given. Discussion on this application will not begin before 11am. Cllr Rowe suggested that members of the public should get there early to ensure entry and preparation if the first item finished early. The agenda and case officer’s recommendations would be available from Wednesday 6th January 2010. Cllr Robinson advised that two planning applications had been held over from the last meeting to carry out site inspections. Members of the planning committee and full council attended the meetings and the decision to support the applications for Highover, Hoyle Lane for demolition and rebuild of a dwelling and Higher Well Nurseries for siting of a caravan for family use was agreed by a majority vote.
9 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk – Cllr Robinson referred to a letter received from the Boundary Commission confirming the advice given by Cllr Pennington. It was agreed that a letter be written confirming the decisions previously made by the Council. A letter had been received from SHDC concerning the play area insurance. Cllr Robinson explained that the play equipment is inspected annually by SHDC but from 2010/2011 a charge of £ 100.00 would be levied for this service. From a question raised by Cllr Bridge it was agreed that an inspection was necessary for insurance purposes and it was agreed to advise SHDC of the Council’s acceptance of this charge. Advice had been received of a road closure for urgent works to be carried out by South West Water. The road from Rosemount Villa, Paignton Road to the edge of Hillside, Stoke Hill would be closed between 16th and 19th February 2010. A letter had been received from the owners of Stoke House apologising for the waste bins being left outside the property. They confirmed that arrangements had been put in place and the bins would now be kept behind the garden wall. A further letter would be written to the owners of Rosemount Villa concerning the state of their stone wall.
10 Web Site – Cllr Jones advised that he had been looking at other Parish websites and thought that the village website could be improved. Cllr Jones proposed that he could look into ways of updating the current website. This was seconded by Cllr Tully with all in favour. Cllr Jones agreed to make a report at the next meeting.
11 Hoyle Copse – Cllr Jones advised that at this time of year there was not much work being carried out. He thanked the Council for agreeing at the last meeting to purchase a new strimmer for use in the Copse and village orchard.
12 Highway and Hedgerow Matters - Cllr Robinson advised that he and Cllr Tarr would be attending a meeting next Monday at Follaton House concerning the pilot scheme carried out at Stokenham and the idea of the Parish taking responsibility of the cleaning and other services from the District Council. After that meeting another meeting would be arranged to meet Chris Lucas of SHDC concerning these and other issues. Cllr Robinson reported that public consultations notice would be publicised concerning the changes of parking regulations in the village. Cllr Bridge reported that many car drivers were booked during the evening of the late night shopping event in the village when three SHDC traffic wardens were on duty. The wardens were also on duty over the Christmas period. This was discussed and it was agreed that this action was totally unacceptable. Cllr Jones advised that at long last DCC Highways had accepted that there was a problem with potholes in Coombe House Lane as they had erected “ Uneven Road” signs at the beginning of the lane.. Cllr Bridge reported that some of the salt bins had been removed and those that remained were empty. It was agreed that Cllrs would advise Cllr Robinson where the bins should be sited and he would send a list to Cllr Pennington who would arrange for them to be re-sited and filled. Cllr Lowe reported that Coombe Shute was now very dangerous. This matter would be discussed when Darren Cole contacts Cllr Tarr. Cllr Lowe also advised the Council that the security lights at Four Cross were on all night causing problems for drivers approaching the village and affecting the atmosphere with light pollution. It was agreed that a letter be written to SHDC. A number of young trees in the orchard had lost their protective skirts and had been damaged. Cllr Jones reported that he had dealt with this and thanked Cllr Lowe for pointing out the matter. Finally Cllr Lowe advised that the bridge walkway from the car park to the path alongside the Mill Pool required repair. It was agreed to ask Dudley Holmes to oversee this work. Cllr Ellis requested that Cllr Pennington noted the problem with the growing number of potholes within the Parish.
13 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Jones requested support for the idea of a cycle/footpath between the village and Totnes. It was agreed that Cllr Jones should write to the Director of Environment at DCC. Permission had been received from SHDC to take down the Ash tree in the orchard. Cllr Jones advised that the cost would be in the region of £ 400.00. If agreed he would arrange for this to be carried out on condition that those engaged in the work could have the wood.
14) Accounts –
Appointment of new external auditor. Cllr Robinson advised that a new external auditor had been appointed by the Audit Commission.
To agree Precept for 2010/2011. Cllr Tarr, as Chairman of the finance committee, had asked for agreement to keep the Precept for 2010/2011 the same as previous years. It was proposed by Cllr Johnson and seconded by Cllr Ellis that the precept for Stoke Gabriel should be £ 14,000 for 2010/2011. This was agreed unanimously.
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Lowe to make these payments:
J. Robinson – post/stationery October – December 2009 £ 82.51
J. Robinson annual allowance for use of house and
Motor vehicle (as agreed) £ 200.00
R.I. Jones – New padlock for gate at Hoyle Copse £ 9.78
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.35pm
Next Meeting: Monday 22nd February 2010 in the Village Hall
It was agreed to review this date if it was thought necessary to arrange a meeting at an earlier date.