A Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 28th February 2011 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
7 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, Mrs J. Lowe, Mr J Robinson, Capt. B Tarr. In attendance: District Cllr Rowe
1 Apologies. - County Cllr Pennington
2 Police Report – PSCO Paula Frain attended the meeting and reported that 10 sheds and outhouses had been broken into recently. Three had had items stolen. A vehicle had been vandalised three times and there had been regular requests for any scrap metal to be taken away. Paula reminded those present that it was important to contact the police as soon as anything suspicious occurred and if possible to take the registration number of any vehicles and a description of those involved.
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meetings on 31st January 2011 and 7th February 2011.
These were taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes –None.
5 Chairman’s Report – The Chairman advised that he had received an update on proposed development at White Rock where there could be 350 new houses and similar number of work units extending along Long Road and around the existing roundabout. There were already many empty units. The old Nortel building would be converted into houses in the form of flats. The previously agreed tree planting was still awaited. Cllr Tully urged all that the proposals should be monitored carefully.
6 Reports from County and District Councillors – District Cllr Rowe thanked Cllr Robinson for his reports concerning the DPD investigation and the decision made by the Parish Council which appeared in the March issue of the Stoke Gabriel News. Cllr Rowe advised that the District Council had passed the budget without any difficulties and that there would be no increases across all parts of the council tax this year. The DPD document was adopted at a full Council meeting and Cllr Rowe and three other members voted against it. During the year Cllr Rowe had a £ 1,000.00 to spend on community grant funding and £ 550.00 had been given to the local scouts and further grants to the young footballers coaching and the pre School cookery classes.
7 Planning
The following planning applications were considered at a planning meeting held on 28th February 2011 at which the following councillors were present: Hunt, Ellis, Bridge, Robinson and Lowe.
1) Old Mill Cottage, Mill Hill – Conversion of redundant barn to residence Objection Out of keeping with neighbouring properties and concern over vehicular access. To request a site meeting with the Case officer and DCC Highways Engineer
2) Mrs Gees Teashop, Paignton Road – Change of use to residential accommodation No Objection
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
1. Redway, Coombe Shute – demolish and replace conservatory
2. Broadley – removal of agricultural tie
3. Aish Cross House, Aish – Conversion of garden store to form a holiday cottage
Planning Applications refused by SHDC - The Chalet, Hillfield – detached garage with play room
Appeals Received by SHDC - None
Applications Withdrawn - None
Ongoing Applications – From an issue raised during the ten minute session concerning the state of the wall bordering Paignton road and the Gabriel Court Hotel it was agreed that a letter should be written to both the owners and DCC Highways requesting safety checks as it appears that the stone wall is bulging. Concerning a planning application for conversion of a barn at The Cider Press, Higher Aish Barns, Aish it was agreed that the information given to the planning sub committee at its meeting held last month was misleading and a site meeting with the Case Officer should be arranged. It was also agreed that a response should be made by the Parish Council to an article published in the Totnes Times concerning remarks made by District leader John Tucker.
8 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk – Cllr Robinson advised that a letter had been received from the PCC requesting permission to use the orchard in connection with a proposed Church fete due to be held in May. It was agreed that the Parish Council had no objection to this but requested that no charge should be made to those entering Church Walk. A letter had been received from South Hams Devon Active Villages programme concerning sports opportunities. It was agreed to invite the Co-ordinator to the AGM in May to give a presentation. Cllr Robinson advised that Coombe House Lane would be closed on Saturday 7th May 2011 between 4.00pm and 7.30pm for a road running race.
9 Hoyle Copse – Cllr. Jones reported that during the past weeks as weather had permitted, work had been completed on improvements to the eastern path and then concentrated on removing brambles and scrub that was encroaching on the western edge of the wild flower meadow. This work should be completed this week and include a new entrance to the wooded area created.
Following an email received complaining about various aspects of the work carried in Hoyle Copse Cllr Jones responded as follows.
Fires. It is not possible to establish a fire, burn all the brash and then extinguish it in the 2 hours or so that the group work so members are designated to attend the fires in the afternoon to turn it in and check all is well. It was accepted that on January 21st this may not have happened due to the weather and people on holiday.
Tree Felling Cllr Jones stated that trees are only felled for the following reasons and read from a report from the Village Tree Warden: Trees that are considered dangerous, dead, diseased or dying and present a health and safety risk. Trees have been removed to provide good clear paths for example along the eastern path during the past 6 months. The best specimen trees in the Copse have been recorded and haloing is being carried out around them. These are mainly mature oak, ash and beech and haloing is the removal of lesser tress and growth around them to enhance their wellbeing by removing competition for light, water and space. This also allows the specimen trees to be visual more attractive and easily observed. Coppicing of mainly hazel which helps to restore the wood as it was in its productive days. This also creates the correct habitat for many birds and dormice and encourages the flora, especially bluebells. Following advice received for the Devon Wild Life Trust trees have been removed to create ‘woodland glades’. This is done to allow more light to reach the under story and soil to encourage biodiversity.
Advice and Guidance. It was pointed out that the group of volunteers possess considerable knowledge and experience in flora, fauna, woodland management and habitat preservation and improvement. He detailed the specialities of some the individuals concerned but said that advice has always been sought from organisations such the Devon Wildlife Trust, the Countryside Rangers of SHDC, the Archaeologist of the County Environment of DCC and the Devon Agricultural Society. Regarding the planting of beech saplings, is was pointed out that only 16 had been planted over the past 8 years and these were obtained from within the wood and not imported. Should these create a problem or change the nature of the wood in the long term future they could easily be removed. It was accepted that the western footpath is not up to the standard of the other footpaths and could present difficulties for some walkers. A little work has been carried out here but it is not considered a priority as there is a good alternative route along the adjacent Hoyle Lane. The complainant stated that many parishioners had complained about the management of the copse and removal of trees but Cllr Jones said that in the 8 years since he has led the group of volunteers only four complaints had been made to him but a considerable number of very kind and encouraging comments had been received. The suggestion to put detailed reports in the Parish News would be restricted by the amount of space available but could be pursued by the new Council after the May election. Cllr Jones also advised that three new trees had been planted in the orchard and the peoples Trust for Endangered Species are carrying out a survey of traditional orchards for English Nature. A new contract for the adoption of the Aish telephone box had been arranged. Cllr Tully thanked Cllr Jones and Richard Hunt for their work in the orchard and especially the planting of new apple trees.
10 Highway and Hedgerow Matters - Cllr Tarr requested a letter be written to Torbay DC regarding the state of the Yalberton Road leading to Sainsbury’s. Cllr Ellis reported that there were potholes at the top of Port Hill towards Galmpton and the hedge rows along Broad path required cutting. Cllr Ellis agreed to speak to the owners. Cllr Jones advised that the hedge row in Aish Road leading to Coombe House Lane also required cutting. Cllr Johnson advised that the 20 mile speed sign at Rydon Cross was covered by a tree and could not easily be seen.
11 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Tarr advised that he had received notice of a small increase in the grass cutting contract for the forthcoming year. The new price would be £ 86.06 plus VAT. Cllr Tarr proposed that this should be accepted and with Cllr Lowe seconding it was agreed with all in favour. Cllr Robinson advised about the proposed DCC cuts and that the grass cutting at the entrance to the village would be decreased. It was agreed to ask the grass contractors for a price to include these areas. Cllr Tarr reminded the meeting that after the elections it was most important that newly elected members should attend the first Parish Council meeting to sign their declaration forms to avoid what happened four years ago Cllr Tarr advised the meeting of the new Government proposals regarding Parish Clerks and the fact that they would have to be employed by the Parish Council who would be responsible for the wages, PAYE and NIC and to provide a pension scheme. Cllr Hunt advised that Richard Hunt would supply two of the trees planted in the orchard and the third tree would be paid for by the Beaver group. Cllr Jones agreed to arrange for plaques in memory of Bill Weekes and Ted Cole. Cllr Bridge raised the issue concerning a bottle bank. It was agreed that this would be looked into and Cllr Hunt advised that a bottle bank could be sited at Broadleigh farm. Cllr Ellis requested that a “no dog” sign be placed on the entrance to the new play area.
12 Accounts –Cllr Robinson requested agreement to include an invoice received from British Telecom regarding the adoption of the Aish phone box to be included in the list of accounts to be paid. This was agreed.
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Tarr and seconded by Cllr Hunt to make these payments:
J Robinson – Expenses £ 61.06
British Telecom – adoption of Aish phone box £ 1.00
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting closed at 8.35pm.