A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Wednesday 14th December 2011 in the Village Hall
6 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt Miss P Ellis, Mr P. Fenwick, Mrs R. Garner, Mr I Jones Mr H. Rawlings and Mr J Robinson.
In Attendance District Cllr. R. Rowe
1 Apologies - Miss E Bridge, County Cllr Trevor Pennington,
2 Police Report – From a report received Cllr Tully advised that during November there were two assaults and criminal damage to a parked car on two occasions. All four issues were under investigation
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 24th October 2011
Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes – page 416. Discussion took place concerning an inclusion under item 10. This concerned an item raised during the ten minute session. It was agreed that this issue be included on next month’s agenda.
5 Chairman’s Report - The Chairman drew to the attention of the Cllrs the new advice received from Standards for England about blogging and the use of social networks in the light of a recent appeal case.
6 Reports from County & District Councillors District Cllr Rowe advised that the green light had been given to build a new town of Sherford for 5.500 new homes complete with all the services required to run a town which when complete will be the size of Totnes. Regular meeting are taking place with SHDC and West Devon Councils. 20 members from SHDC attended a meeting at Tavistock to discuss the economy of the South Devon area with speakers including Tim Jones and members of T.T. Totnes. An announcement has been made from central Government that money is tight and increases in Council Tax must be kept below 3.5% for 2012/13. Cllr Rowe advised that she made a tour of the SHDC Council offices meeting staff and taking their views on a variety of subjects and finding out how they felt about moving into new offices as there had been a complete re shuffle of offices and staff with one building being completely vacated. DCC staff will be moving into the vacated area. The new offices are now very much open plan. The staff appears to be happy with the new arrangements.
7 Reports from Sub-Committees Regarding Rowes Meadow development Cllr Fenwick advised that The Renewable Energy Strategy had been submitted and an excellent response had been provided by the low e group. This highlights major anomalies compared to a similar document submitted by Linden for a development at Avonwick where all 33 properties require solar panels to meet the 10% renewable target (compared to 14). He proposed we send a letter of support for the submission and express our concern to South Hams with respect to the anomalies in the reports. There had been a non material amendment for the orientation of plots 38, 40 and 4. Cllrs Fenwick and Robinson had reviewed plans and Cllr Fenwick had met with Mr & Mrs Aldridge who had no issue. A new planning application is not needed. The Ecology & Mitigation statement has been submitted but not yet uploaded on to the website. Cllrs Tully, Fenwick, Garner and Robinson had responded to an invitation by Graham Swiss and Debbie Holloway of South Hams to discuss Neighbourhood Planning. SHDC believe that Stoke Gabriel is protected by the DPD. They were very positive on this and that a Neighbourhood Plan for the village might invite additional unwanted development. They believe that the process is for those villages who want new development. Cllr Fenwick suggested that the right course of action is to provide a response to the consultation document (Dev Committee), wait for final adoption of the Localism Bill but commence work to update the Parish Plan so that the material can be used should the Council decide to go down the NP route in the future. Concerning the Stoke Gabriel CLT Cllr Fenwick advised that the presentation had been postponed due to resource issues and that one young couple pulled out following the last Council meeting. There were now only 4 households in the group which believed that the shortfall against DPD of Rowes Meadows could be filled by self build rather than a large development being brought forward. The group had advised that CLTs elsewhere are beginning to gain momentum. Unfortunately the offer of taking over the village flower beds had to be withdrawn due to diminishing numbers. Cllr Fenwick advised that he had met with Jayne Wooton the co-ordinator of Active Villages. The inputs so far were SGBA - Dingy Instructor course - contact Ben Johnson, Weightlifting - contact Boyd Rogers, Archery - Paignton Archers - no specific contact and goal posts for the school. Cllr Fenwick hoped that taster sessions for carpet bowls, table tennis, and Zumba body balance may be held.
Cllr Rawlings presented the meeting with notes of a proposal for the updated Parish website. It was agreed that Cllrs would advise Cllr Rawlings of any additional items they would like to see included. Cllr Rawlings advised that he would be in a position to formally propose an agreement at the next Council meeting and requested approval of using the services of Blacksnow whose fees would be in the region of £ 140.00. This was agreed by all. Cllr Rowe requested consideration to arrange training for those not used to computers especially use of internet and broadband. Cllr Rawlings agreed that he would look into this idea.
8 Planning
The following planning applications were considered at planning meeting held on 28th November 2011 at which the following councillors were present: Hunt, Ellis, Robinson and Bridge. Cllr Tully also attended.
1. Southlands, Millers Lane – extension and alterations to existing dwelling No objection
2. 11 Yonder Meadow - erection of green house No objection
3. Sunnyside, Flood Street – erection of timber storage shed No objection
4. Broadleigh Farm – erection of new dwelling, cider cellar and store No objection but condition that the new dwelling be tied to the business. Cllr Hunt left the room and did not take part in the decision making of this application
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC –
1. Home Farm, Waddeton – Construction of balcony
2. Highfield, Paignton Road – Erection of single storey extension
3. Rydon House, Paignton Road – Works to trees
Planning Applications refused by SHDC –
1. 4 Waddeton Cottages, Waddeton – alteration to planning consent to change style of roof
Applications Withdrawn – None
Appeals Received by SHDC – None
Ongoing Applications – The S 106 for the Gabriel Court has been signed off but no planning decision notice issued because of the change in guidance covering issues relating to bats. A request had been received to consider a possible application for the existing Gabriel Court building to be listed. Cllr Robinson read from a document received that it was possible to recommend a building for listing although if the building was under threat of demolition this was not a reason for listing. In order to apply information must be forwarded to English Heritage who will then carry out an assessment. It was agreed that contact should be made with them.
9 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk – Cllr Robinson advised that both he and Cllr Bridge had meet with DCC Highways and were now registered as snow wardens. The new gritting machine and a supply of salt had been delivered and were presently stored at Rowes Farm by kind permission of Phil Collings. During the summer months it will be stored at the T & J Builders yard under cover. Cllr Robinson had walked the village with the highways manager and had arranged for a number of salt bins to be relocated. All the bins were now full and a number of salt bags were in position around the village. A letter had been received from Totnes Citizens Advice Bureau requesting consideration for an annual donation. It was proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Jones that a donation of £ 150.00 should be made. This was agreed by all. Cllr Robinson read out a letter received from a local resident concerning the minutes of the October meeting and the fact that they had been picking apples from the orchard for many years for their own use, Discussion took place and it was agreed that the apples were for the use of the local cider maker who had been using the apples regularly for many years. The cider maker makes a regular contribution towards the cost of maintaining the orchard in consideration for the use of the apples. Cllrs agreed that this arrangement should continue and that a notice be put into the Parish Magazine in September advising Parishioners of the situation. It was agreed that Cllr Robinson should contact those who had offered to look after the village flower beds next year thanking them for their kind offers and to make arrangements with them including Plandscape who would look after the majority of the beds. Cllr Robinson raised his concerns over a request made in the ten minutes session over deleting an item included in the October minutes. Cllr Robinson suggested that it was most beneficial to have the 10 minute session as it encouraged Parishioners to be part of the meeting and gave them an opportunity to raise issues and concerns. If the Council was not able to respond to these issues at the meetings where they were raised delays would incur with making decisions. The item in question was the miss-spelt name of the Hoyle Copse benefactor which although had initially been raised in the ten minute session was referred to by Cllr Jones in the Hoyle Copse report. It was agreed to delete this reference from the minutes and discuss the situation at the meeting in January 2012. Cllr Ellis raised the Queens Jubilee celebrations and it was agreed that the Council would donate Jubilee mugs to all village school children next year and offer assistance with other organised activities.
10 Hoyle Copse – Cllr Jones advised that no work had been carried out recently due to the weather. He had had a very good turnout of volunteers this season with up to nine volunteers at times. Most of the work had been concentrated in the North West corner clearing scrub and small trees to clear round some rather fine mature beech and oaks which were not easily visible. The group had also exposed a good area of limestone quarry face. Cllr Jones requested agreement to enter the Copse in the Royal Forestry society Small Woodland Award competition which would be judged in May 2012. There was a class suited to our Copse and the entry fee would be £ 50.00 with a first prize of £ 1,000.00 and a second prize of £ 500.00. We would be entered into the South West Area which included Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. This proposal was agreed by all. The group had been planning the screen planting to be carried out at the south end of the meadow and selected the types of trees and shrubs needed taking on board the suggestion that the planting should not be high enough to obscure the distant views over the new houses. Field maple, Hawthorn, Hazel, Hornbeam and smaller shrubs will be used at the front and on the side spindle, wayfaring tress and dogwood would be used. This work should be carried out in January 2012. Cllr Jones advised the Council that some years ago a bench could not be installed beside the path field entrance to the Copse because the original owner had objected. The new owner has no objections to this and Cllr Jones proposed that this bench should be sited. The cost would be in the region of £ 350.00 to £ 400.00. This proposal was agreed by all.
11 Highway and Hedgerow Matters – Cllr Ellis raised concerns over the state of the verges in Barn Park and the damage caused by contractor’s vehicles. Cllr Robinson agreed to contact DCC Highways. The hedge opposite the garden centre needed cutting and Cllr Ellis would find out who owned it. Cllr Jones raised the question of parked lorries and cars on the corner of Longcombe Road and Totnes Road. Cllr Robinson asked if photographs could be provided so contact with the police could be made. Cllr Jones was also concerned with large rocks protruding from passing areas in Aish Road. Cllr Robinson advised that he and Cllr Bridge had net with the DCC Highways manager and John Hodgson concerning the parking outside the Village Stores. In principle DCC agreed that the bus stop area could be smaller and one possibly two loading bays could be provided for limited parking during shop opening times. DCC requested that the Council consider making a contribution towards the advertising cost and suggested that the removal of the yellow lines in the Barnhay and other parking issues could be included in the project to make the possible £ 700.00 cost more beneficial.
12 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Fenwick advised that he would write a report for the Parish Magazine concerning the Active Villages proposals.
13 Accounts
To confirm the 2012/2013 Annual Precept. It was proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Jones to keep the precept at £ 14,000.00 for 2012/2013. This was agreed by all.
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Jones and seconded by Cllr Hunt to make these payments:
J Robinson – Expenses £ 42.91
Plandscape – November grass and verge cutting £ 181.30
Plandscape – Orchard hedge cut £ 153.53
J. Robinson – Reimbursement of replacement computer £ 447.00
J. Robinson – reimbursement of replacement printer/ photocopier £ 66.40
J. Robinson – Ink cartridges and copy paper £ 25.80
Major Goodwin – Purchase of Parish Poppy Wreath £ 17.00
Linden Homes – Purchase of Access Strip £ 1.00
Stoke Gabriel Village Hall – Hall Hire x 2 £ 26.00
Totnes Citizens Advice Bureau – Annual Donation £ 150.00
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30pm
Next Meeting: Monday 30th January 2012 in the Village Hall.