A Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 18th April 2011 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
9 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Miss E. Bridge, Miss P Ellis, Mrs C. Hunt, D. R Johnson, Mr I Jones, Mr J Robinson, Capt. B Tarr. In attendance: District Cllr Rowe
1 Apologies. - Mrs J. Lowe,
2 Police Report – No police report was received. It was agreed that a letter should be written.
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meetings on 28th March 2011
These were taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes – Cllr Ellis advised that the owners of the hedge along Broad Path had pruned it and visibility was much improved.
5 Chairman’s Report – The Chairman reported that he and other Cllrs had attended the White Rock presentation. There are major concerns as to whether the existing roads into and out of the Parish could cope with the increased traffic. Torbay had carried out a full transport assessment but this did not include the surrounding country lanes. Other concerns such as additional surface water, drainage and visual impact were discussed. The Chairman urged that the comments form should be completed and submitted to Torbay Council. Cllr Jones asked whether South Hams DC had been invited to respond and Cllr Rowe advised that she would become involved but a letter should be written to Alan Robinson at South Hams DC. Copies of the forms would be available from Cllr Robinson and a copy would be posted on the Council notice board. Cllr Tully advised that earlier in the evening a presentation of a local painting had been made to Rebecca Gilmore in recognition of her involvement and hard work in overseeing the construction of the new play area in the village orchard. Finally Cllr Tully thanked Cllrs Lowe, Johnson and Tarr who were not seeking re-election or their support and hard work over the last four years
6 Reports from County and District Councillors – District Cllr Rowe advised that there was no news from SHDC and the last meeting before the election would be held on Wednesday.
7 Planning
The following planning application was considered at a planning meeting held on 18th April 2011 at which the following councillors were present: Hunt, Ellis, Bridge and Robinson...
1) 12 Orchard Way – removal of Leylandi hedge and erect a 2m fence No objection
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
1. Stoke Court, Paignton Road – Change of use from tea shop to dwelling
2. Rowes Farm, Aish Road – erection of 43 dwellings
Planning Applications refused by SHDC –
- Old Mill Cottage, Mill Hill – conversion of redundant workshop
Appeals Received by SHDC - None
Applications Withdrawn - None
Ongoing Applications – From an issue raised during the ten minute session concerns were raised over the work carried out on the Devon Bank and surrounding hedge rows adjacent to the Rowes Farm site. On reading the planning conditions it was seen that under item 14 no hedgerow clearance shall be undertaken during the bird breeding season (1st March to the 15th September) unless a detailed survey immediately beforehand by a competent ecologist indicated that no nesting birds are present. It was agreed that a letter be written to the Case Officer with copies to DEFRA and the local Member of Parliament.
8 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk – Cllr Robinson advised that he had received the minutes of a recent meeting of the Stoke Gabriel in Bloom group. Notification of Review of South Hams Statement of Community Involvement had been received. This called for Parishioners to contact South Hams DC with their ideas and feedback about community involvement in the planning process. A copy of this letter showing the contact web address would be posted on the Council notice board. Details of the 10k race on Saturday 7th May were advised to the Council. Cllr Robinson advised that the village Parish Plan domain web page is up for renewal and requested agreement that the Council should bear the cost of £ 44.44 for the coming year. Cllr Tarr proposed that the Council should become responsible for this and Cllr Hunt seconded with all in favour.
9 Hoyle Copse – Cllr. Jones reported that the winter work had finished and good progress had been made. The gang would now take a short break before repairing the dry stone wall and steps on the eastern boundary. Cllr Jones had designed a notice showing a plan of the Copse and requested that this should be prepared and implemented. Cllr Jones thought the total cost for three such notices would be £ 262.00 and Cllr Tarr proposed that this amount should be earmarked. Cllr Ellis seconded with all in favour. Cllr Jones advised that the Council were now the proud owners of the Aish telephone box.
10 Highway and Hedgerow Matters - Cllr Ellis advised that the potholes have been repaired along Waddeton Road but not at Port hill. Cllr Robinson reported that he had walked along the Mill Pond foreshore and the wooden barrier previously reported by Cllr Bridge appeared to be satisfactory. Cllr Hunt reported that there were still potholes in Coombe House Lane and the road leading to Yalberton still had not repaired. District Cllr Rowe advised that the hedge and surrounding area at the bottom of Kings Rydon Close required cutting back. Cllr Robinson advised that he had asked the Stoke Gabriel in Bloom group to carry out this task and that they had agreed. Cllr Robinson advised that from agreement at the last Council meeting a new waste bin had been ordered and will be sited near the new picnic area in the orchard. The cost would be £ 74.44 but no additional cost for emptying the bin would be incurred. Cllr Robinson advised that Plandscape had agreed to include the various grass verges when they carry out their monthly grass cut of the orchard. It had been noticed that South Hams DC had already cut the verges. It was agreed that a letter be written to them requesting that they did not continue to cut the verges but to reimburse this Council for the amount they have to pay.
11 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Ellis reported that she and Cllr Robinson had attended a meeting with Liam Reading at Follaton House concerning affordable homes. Cllr Ellis advised that the affordable units at Rowes Farm would all be offered to local people if they were on the housing list and had sufficient points. If there were insufficient takers they would be offered to others on the list. Cllr Ellis stressed that it was most important that those wishing to have an affordable home should put their names on the list. Cllr Bridge raised concern that glasses and cups had been found in the play area. Also both adults and children were climbing the stone wall by the telephone box to gain access to the play area. Cllr Jones agreed to look into this and arrange for a sign to be erected. Cllr Johnson asked if a reply had been received to the letter sent to District Cllr Tucker concerning his remarks in a local newspaper. No reply had been received and Cllr Rowe agreed to chase it up. Cllr Jones advised that the plaques in memory of both Bill Weekes and Ted Cole had been placed in the orchard. It was agreed that the cost of these plaques should be included in item 12 of the agenda. The sculpture would be in place on Tuesday morning. Cllr Hunt thanked the Chairman for his support and hard work during the last four years. This was applauded by the Council members. Cllr Tarr read out a leaving statement in which he advised that after 12 years as a Parish Councillor he was rather saddened by the apparent current attitude towards certain Councillors. Highs saw his direct involvement as a School Governor representing the Parish Council with the School’s expansion. Lows saw the extreme and unproven aggravations from the past clerk and the frustrations when dealing specifically with Devon’s highways department. Cllr Tarr said that is was unfortunate that certain Councillors were currently being targeted with unnecessary and perpetual criticisms and that a return to the dark days appeared to be back and this had moved him to not stand again. Cllr Tarr always felt that if one feels that things are so wrong then it is incumbent upon those individuals to become members and correct things from within, and not perpetually carp from the sidelines. The Chairman thanked Cllr Tarr and wished his thanks to all Cllrs for the work they had carried out during the last four years.
12 Accounts – Cllr Robinson advised that the Annual Account form had been received and asked if it was the Councils wish that he prepared accounts and pass them to the Internal Auditor. This was agreed.
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Hunt and seconded by Cllr Tarr to make these payments:
J Robinson – Expenses £ 89.47
Royal British Legion – birthday present £ 50.00
R.I. Jones – plaques for orchard £ 92.00
The date of the next Council meeting would be 16th May which would precede the A.G.M.
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting closed at 8.20pm.