A Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 25th October 2010 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
17 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Miss P Ellis, D. R Johnson, Mr I Jones,
Mrs J. Lowe, Mr J Robinson, Capt. B Tarr. In attendance: County Cllr Pennington,
1 Apologies. - District Cllr Rowe
2 Police Report – Cllr Robinson stated that a report had not been received.
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 27th September 2010
Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes – From a point raised during the public session there was concern that last months minutes were not accurate. Cllr Robinson agreed that an item concerning confirmation that a report would be submitted for inclusion in the November issue of the Parish magazine had not been included in the minutes although a report had been prepared. No other items not minuted were raised. Referring to item 7 Cllr Lowe pointed out that she had declared an interest on the application concerning Myrtle Cottage. Referring to item 8 Cllr Ellis advised that Cllr Bridge had attended a recent emergency plan meting at Glaze brook House Hotel not Follaton House as recorded. Cllr Lowe was concerned that the repair to the wooden planking on the walkway around the Mill Pool had not yet been repaired as minuted under item 10. It was agreed to chase up Dudley Holmes.
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 – Apologies had been received from Cllr Rowe and no report had been submitted. County Cllr Pennington advised that due to Government savings the County grant would produce savings of 25% over the next four years. The present budget of £ 878 million would be cut by £ 219 million which equated to £ 54 million each year. Cllr Pennington passed round a summary of the present costs and pointed out that areas such as library services, public transport, school buses and highway maintenance would be looked at carefully. He pointed out that there were some tough choices to make but the County Council would be forced to cut their present budget. Having attended a recent meeting of the Policy and Resources committee Cllr Pennington advised that there was a policy concerning tree safety and that known dangerous trees would be attended to within 24 hours and urgent tree work within 6 months. He urged members of the public to report any trees in need of work. The Department of Transport had granted DCC an extra £ 3.6 million to repairs roads damaged during last winters bad weather. Cllr Pennington reported that over 70,000 potholes had been repaired since the start of the year.
7 Planning
The following planning applications were considered at a planning meeting held on 25th October 2010 at which the following councillors were present: Ellis, Lowe and Robinson. Cllr Tully as chairman also attended the meeting.
1) Bowhay, Aish – alteration of hip and ridge roof No objection
2) Long Hay, Paignton Road – Crown reduce tulip tree No objection
3) Stoke Gabriel Cricket Club – replacement pavilion No objection
(Cllr Robinson declared an interest and took no part in the decision)
4) Old Mill Cottage, Mill Hill – conversion of workshop to holiday accommodation Objection – Access onto a very busy lane especially in the summer months, disturbance of protected trees, a similar application made in 1985 for access was made and rejected by South Hams Planning.
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
1. 1 School Cottages – retrospective alterations to garden and patio
2. Holly Cottage, Hoile Lane – erection of bungalow in front garden
3. 4 The Yeolands – sky dish to rear wall
4. Myrtle Cottage, Flood Street – loft conversion of dormers
Planning Applications refused by SHDC - None
Appeals Received by SHDC - None
Applications Withdrawn - None
Ongoing Applications Cllr Robinson advised that the examination of the Site Allocations Development Plan Documents for the South Hams District Council in connection with the Local Development Framework is fixed for November where the Inspector will consider whether the documents including the allocation of 140 houses for the village meet the criteria for soundness before they can be formally adopted by SHDC. The opening day is 2nd November at which Peter Fenwick will speak on behalf of the local residents. The Chairman will also speak advising the Inspector that our Parish Council has not been consulted in accordance with the SHDC adopted statement of community involvement document dated June 2006. Cllr Robinson pointed out that all relevant documents and papers received had been forwarded to all Cllrs. Cllr Robinson also reminded the meeting that the Forward Planning Officer had attended the last two May Open Parish Council meetings at which he emphasised that the Parish would be fully consulted from the beginning. It was agreed that this was not the case. Cllr Pennington advised that many of his local Parishes had not been consulted either including Marldon. Cllr Tully advised that the only meeting that the Council had been made aware of was a cluster meeting held in October 2009 which he had attended. Cllr Pennington stated that Home Choice now held the housing list not South Hams District Council and this list included the personal circumstances of those on the list. Cllr Pennington also questioned the Highways Authority over their reluctance to carry out traffic surveys at Marldon and in the village. Cllr Tully reminded the meeting that although a Parish Plan had been prepared and submitted to South Hams District Council the views of the Parishioners had been ignored. The Chairman invited Peter Fenwick to speak from the floor. Mr Fenwick advised that the first day would cover the Basis for the Overall Approach of the DPDs in the morning and the afternoon session would cover the Overview of the Allocations. On the 11th November Rural Areas would be discussed covering the three proposed sites in Stoke Gabriel. The venue has been changed to the Council Chamber and Peter urged residents to attend. He also suggested that it would be beneficial for him to meet with Cllr Pennington and residents of Marldon to discuss their views. This was agreed. The Chairman invited Robin Kimmerling to speak from the floor. Mr Kimmerling questioned the housing need and pointed out that in accordance with SHDC’s own regulations in an Area of Outstanding Beauty 100% of homes should be affordable. Cllr Robinson was asked if he was aware as to why only part of Aish Road had been resurfaced. He advised that the first the Council knew was when he had received a notice of road closure and suggested that Devon Highways had a mind of their own. The Chairman invited Tony Langdon to speak from the floor. Mr Langdon advised that he was so concerned that he contacted Devon Highways and advised them that it had been a waste of time and money carrying out the work as in a few months time the road could be dug up again to accommodate possible additional work in connection with the development at Rowes Farm. Mr Langdon advised that Devon Highways were totally unconcerned.
8 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk – Cllr Robinson advised that playground and orchard work was programmed to be completed in time for the grand opening on Saturday 30th October. The new fence around the play area had been erected and work would continue during the week. Rebecca Gillmore sought permission to put up some bunting along Church Walk and on the trees in the play area. This was agreed. The local school children had been asked to suggest possible names for the new wooden play boat and a list of proposed names and been given to Cllr Robinson. Having discussed the names on the list Cllr Robinson proposed that the boat should be called The Glory after the name of the old Glory which still laid in the creek and the connection it had with formers pupils at the school. This was seconded by Cllr Tully and agreed with all in favour. The Chairman invited Mr Lowe to speak from the floor. Mr Lowe expressed concern over the cost and amount of equipment installed. Cllr Tully read from the costing sheet and advised the amount of each item and the costs of installation which he pointed out were paid for from outside funding grants and the project had not cost the Parish anything. Cllr Tully also pointed out that Rebecca Gillmore had worked on the project for over two years and proposed that a vote of thanks be recorded to her. This was agreed unanimously. Cllr Lowe asked when the signage on the gate in Coombe Shute would be enhanced has she had requested this work a number of times. Cllr Jones advised that is was probable that there was insufficient money left in the contract but the Parish Council could cover the costs. Cllr Lowe was requested to obtain costs for the work including the gate from Church Walk and submit to the next meeting. Cllr Robinson passed a booklet received from South Hams District Council titled “Know your District” which listed important items concerning our area including housing, the number of residents and other useful information to the Chairman. Cllr Tully passed the booklet to Robin Kimmerling for his perusal
9 Hoyle Copse – Cllr Jones advised work had started again at the Copse commencing with the mowing of the wild flower meadow. He advised that an advert would be placed in the Parish Magazine asking for volunteers to join the gang as the present members were not getting any younger. Cllr Jones also advised that the gang had tidied up some apple trees and surrounding areas in the orchard prior to the opening of the new play area. Cllr Tully asked that a vote of thanks be recorded for the hard work carried out by the gang of helpers.
10 Highway and Hedgerow Matters - Cllr Ellis reported that there were a number of potholes at Waddeton Pool and Vicarage Road near the Garth. Cllr Ellis proposed that a gift may be given to Rebecca Gillmore in recognition of all her hard work. Cllr Tully advised that the school wished to do something similar but we should consider rewarding her in some way perhaps at a later date. Cllr Tarr advised that he had completed the grit bin list and had passed this to Cllr Pennington. There were originally six sites on the list but he had increased this to ten. Cllr Robinson advised that he had received a reply to his letter from DCC concerning the state of the verges in Barn Park and the lack of slopes on the new pavements on Aish Road. DCC advised that an order to their contractors had been placed and the repair work to the verges and replacement of verge marker posts would be carried out in this financial year. Regarding the dropped curbs in Aish Road the Highway Engineer advised that there were no dropped curbs prior to work recently carried out. The Highways Officers had agreed to budget this for next year if the Council felt this would be beneficial to local residents. It was agreed that this should be done and Cllr Robinson to write to confirm the wishes of this Council. Cllr Robinson stated that he had been advised that work on the new parking regulations would start during the week commencing 25th October
11 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Ellis formally invited the Chairman to attend the Remembrance Day parade on 14th November and lay the poppy wreath on behalf of the Parish Council. Cllr Ellis advised that she had visited the Scout hut and seen the excellent improvements made. At the last meeting it was agreed that a plaque in memory of Bill Weekes would be placed in the orchard. Cllr Ellis advised that the family had approved this idea and the wording for the plaque which would be placed on a new tree had been agreed. Cllr Ellis requested that a letter be written to the owners of Rosemount asking them to tidy up their wall before the Remembrance Day parade. As a number of letters had been written previously without response it was agreed that Cllr Tully would call on the owners personally to request their assistance with this issue. Cllr Jones reminded the meeting that in past years Devon Highways were invited to attend our Annual Parish Council meeting to discuss allocation of funds for road works in the Parish but they always failed to attend. Cllr Pennington agreed to see if he could get them to attend in the future. Cllr Robinson advised that he and Cllr Bridge had meet with the Affordable Housing manager at SHDC. Two important issues came out of that meeting. It was agreed that South Hams would incorporate an additional choice of affordable homes that of the choice to rent with the option to buy at a later date. The two current choices are either to rent or buy. The District Council were keen to supply affordable housing in the community and also to bring back in to use some of the long term empty homes which have been identified. Cllr Robinson advised that he had learnt that South Hams consider the amount required to buy an affordable home to be about £ 240,000. Cllr Robinson advised that a formal membership pack had been received from the CPRE group along with the Parish Council’s membership card.
12) Accounts –
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Lowe to make these payments:
Stoke Gabriel Village Hall – Hall hire £ 12.00
J Robinson – Expenses £ 48.54
Next Meeting: Monday 29th November 2010 in the Village Hall
The Chairman stated that he was concerned by the attitude of a member of the public during the ten minute sessions and advised that the Council was very happy with the way Cllr Robinson carried out the task of acting Clerk. This dual role had many advantages especially that all information was collated in one place and passed to other Cllrs and also the saving of some £ 8,000 to £ 10,000 each year on salary payments. The Chairman also pointed out that he, Cllr Robinson and all members of the Council carried out their duties to the best of their ability.
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting closed at 8.35pm