A Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 31st January 2011 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
26 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Miss E. Bridge, Miss P Ellis, Mrs C. Hunt, Mr J Robinson, Capt. B Tarr. In attendance: County Cllr Pennington, District Cllr Rowe
1 Apologies. - D. R Johnson, Mr I Jones and Mrs J. Lowe
2 District Cllr Rowe introduced the Chairman of South Hams District Council, Cllr John Baverstock who gave an address. Cllr Baverstock advised that there were 60 Parishes in South Hams and he intended to visit them all during his year. During his working life Cllr Baverstock had been a policeman and because of this his main interest was with children and young people and he was concerned over the proposed budget cuts which would mean less money to fund the work carried out on behalf of young people. Cllr Baverstock advised that the Localism Bill was progressing through Parliament and it was important that the District and Parish Councils worked closely on decision making. Finally Cllr Baverstock thanked the Councillors for all their hard work explaining that it was unpaid and took up many hours of their time.
3 Police Report – In the absence of a police officer Cllr Robinson stated that a theft from a motor
vehicle had occurred during December. A purse which was in a handbag had been stolen from the
foot well of the car parked on a private driveway and a bank card had been used to withdraw
£ 300.00 in cash. Cllr Robinson advised that our new beat officer had started on 1st June 2010 but had
not attended a Parish Council meeting. It was proposed by Cllr Tarr and seconded by Cllr Ellis
that a letter should be written to Totnes Police station requesting that he attended the next meeting.
4 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 29th November 2010
Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
5 Matters arising from the Minutes –Cllr Tarr advised that the walk way under shore at the Mill pool had been repaired and wire attached to the footpath.
6 Chairman’s Report – The Chairman had nothing to report and handed over to Cllr Hunt who with District Cllr Rowe had attended a recent Parish Cluster meeting. Cllr Hunt advised that the meeting was well attended with the leader of South Hams District Council, the Chief Executive and other officers together with representatives from13 Parishes. Discussion took place on issues such as cuts in services, Local Development Framework, rural bus services, commercial shoots, ground maintenance delivery and working together with the District Council and other Parish Councils. It was confirmed that the District Council had been reimbursed 50% of the original deposit made to the Icelandic Bank and it was hoped that a further 90% would be eventually refunded. It had been suggested that work on the L.D.F. should have been delayed until after the May 2010 General Election which would provided an opportunity for the public to consider the proposals in more detail. Some representatives felt that the Princes Foundation should not have been used to undertake the consultative work for the L.D.F.
7 Reports from County and District Councillors – District Cllr Rowe advised that South Hams DC had been working on three issues namely 2011/2012 budgets, shared services and a review of senior management structure. Members had met with their working groups and £ 699,000.00 had already been saved through joint working, not filling vacant posts and from Parliament. Subject to the approval of the full Council it had been agreed not to increase South Hams D.C. share of the Council tax this year. Discussion over wheelie bin lids had taken place. Whilst the Council did not have a policy on bin lids the public were asked to ensure that lids were closed to enable the collecting machinery to operate successfully. The Council hoped to receive £ 129,000.00 from central Government for freezing the Council tax and
£ 100,000.00 for new homes grant which would give a balanced budget. With regard to shared services Cllr Rowe advised that much thought and consideration would be needed before the Council would consider a merger with West Devon where the Council tax averaged £ 192.00 per month, the highest District in Devon compared with South Hams at £ 135.00 per month the 3rd. lowest. Cllr Rowe advised that the results of the D.P.D. hearing would be available before the Parish Council met to consider the Midas planning application next Monday. Finally Cllr Row advised that D.C.C. intended to keep the local bus service in operation. County Cllr Pennington outlined the D.C.C. budgets for 2011/2012. He advised that the comprehensive spending review called for a 28% reduction over four years. The 2010/2011 budget totalled £ 539,699.00 which for 2011/12 would be reduced to £ 519,724.00. Children and young people budget would be reduced by 13% to £ 95,182.00, adult and community services by 5% to £ 205,463.00, environment, economy & culture, included bus concession is increased by 1% to £ 102,406.00, the office of the Chief Executive is decreased by 21% to £ 6714.00 and corporate resources by 8% to £ 32154.00. These figures are increased by capital financing £ 66,958.00 less interest on balances £ 1,001.00 plus contributions to or from reserves of £ 11848. The total of £ 519,724.00 will be raised from council tax grant £ 8102.00, revenue support grant £ 43816.00, non domestic rates £ 141,987.00 and council tax £ 325,819.00. Cllr Pennington advised that he hoped the D.C.C. share of the council tax would be frozen for the year. Cllr Pennington advised that he would be querying the schools grant, adult community services grant as the were items that he thought unnecessary expenditure such as trade union costs and consultation regarding school activities and administration costs regarding learning and art.
8 Planning
The following planning applications were considered at a planning meeting held on 31st January 2011 at which the following councillors were present: Hunt, Ellis, Bridge, Robinson and Tully.
1) Waterside House, Byter Mill – Re-design of previously approved entrance No objection
2) The Chalet, Hillfield – Detached garage with playroom over No objection but recommended that the garage be tied to the house. (Cllr Ellis declared an interest and took part in the decision making)
3) Redway, Coombe Shute – Demolish and replace existing conservatory No objection
4) 2 School Hill Cottages – Alterations and windows Application withdrawn
5) Oldwood House, Aish Road – Demolition of garage, erection of replacement with bedrooms over No objection
6) The Cider press, Higher Aish Barns – Amendment to planning consent 52/1928/02/F
No objection but recommended that the conditions be adhered to
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
1. Crownley, Lembury Road – Variation to planning application 52/2292/05/F
2. The Buntings, Duncannon Mead – Demolition and construction of dwelling
3. 4 Rydon Acres – Replace extent for alterations to roof`
4. Stoke Gabriel Cricket Club, Aish – replacement of cricket pavilion
5. Yarde Farm, Paignton Road – renewal of extant for previous application
Planning Applications refused by SHDC - Broadley, Broadley Lane – removal of agricultural tie on dwelling
Appeals Received by SHDC - None
Applications Withdrawn - 2 School Hill Cottages – Alterations and windows
Ongoing Applications - None
9 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk – Cllr Robinson handed a letter from the Royal British Legion to Cllr Ellis. Letter received from DCC regarding Education Transport Policy was read out. Devon Active Villages organisation has advised that Stoke Gabriel has been selected to be in phase 1 of the scheme to access sustainable sports opportunities within the community. A letter of thanks has been received from Totnes CAB for the Parish Councils recent donation. Cllr Robinson advised that he had been asked to confirm that the recent wassail event could be held in the orchard. It was agreed that in future the wassail committee should make a formal request to the Parish Council in November so the request can be agreed and minuted at a full Council meeting.
10 Hoyle Copse – In his absence a report was read out from Cllr Jones who advised that the village orchard was looking good and the path along the foreshore was now much improved and safer. The bill from T&J was rather more than he had estimated but the problem was contractors’ access to the foreshore which is difficult, slow and expensive and even getting materials down to the bottom of the orchard is not easy. The invoice showed that a lot of work was done on numerous items. One thing that may be a problem in the future is picnickers using the new picnic bench and dumping their rubbish around. Could the Parish Council consider asking SHDC to install a rubbish bin by the fence at the steps down to the Millpond?
Delivery of the 3 new apple trees had been delayed by the frozen ground but they should arrive soon. The Hoyle Copse gang had grown a little in numbers and are making good progress on improving the eastern path and removing lesser trees around the specimen trees that our Tree warden has located. During the
next month the gang will be working on the southern path and clearing around the lime kiln and quarry.
11 Highway and Hedgerow Matters - Cllr Ellis advised that the property known as Byter Mill House would come under the South Downs area as it was impossible to access the property from Stoke Gabriel via Byter Mill Lane. Cllr Tarr reported that there were large potholes in Flood Street. Cllr Tully reported that the potholes at Waddeton had now been filled. It was agreed to write to Darren Cole of DCC concerning the potholes. Cllr Robinson advised that Devon Highways had now replaced the drop kerbs in Aish Road. The parking regulations had now been completed and Cllr Robinson pointed out that parents were now parking on the yellow lines opposite the zig zag lines outside the school. He advised that South Hams would book the offenders. It was reported that drains were overflowing in School Hill and Cllr Robinson would e-mail Cllr Pennington with the exact locations. In her absence Cllr Lowe requested that the work carried out on the footpath from Byter Mill end of Millpond, along foreshore to slope up to the orchard, was looking really good. It had now been restored, resurfaced and the duckboards are now all covered in wire netting. Cllr Lowe wished to thank the contractors who carried out the work.
12 Matters raised by Councillors – Earlier in the meeting Rebecca Gillmore advised the Council that the new orchard play area was now open. The damaged turf had been repaired but needed time to bed in. There were one or two minor snags which would be attended to. Rebecca also advised that she had been successful in obtaining a grant of £ 3,500.00 to enhance the usage of the play area and orchard. This would take the form of workshops, yoga sessions and the purchase of a gazebo tent. Cllr Tully, on behalf of the Council, expressed his thanks to Rebecca for her efforts. Cllr Tarr produced a list of the present location of the grit bins. DCC had suggested that the bin at Stoke Hill could be moved to the War memorial as there were two bins in Stoke Hill. Cllr Tarr advised that because of the condition of this bin it would disintegrate if moved. The list would be passed to Cllr Pennington for action. Cllr Tarr advised that he was requesting quotes for the orchard maintenance for the coming year. Cllr Tully advised that a letter had been received from the River Dart Non Beneficiary Group who was concerned that many Parishes were un-represented. It was agreed to pass this letter to the Commodore of the Boating Association. Cllr Tully advised that he had attended a recent meeting concerning the Community Homes Trust which proposed to obtain land to self build a number of homes for low paid local villagers. The meeting had been well attended with 10 villagers showing an interest. Cllr Tully advised that another meeting would be held soon and the Council would be interested in hearing of future plans. Cllr Hunt advised that the local Beavers group would be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year and requested agreement for a fruit tree to be planted in the orchard. This was agreed by all. Cllr Bridge advised that the grant for school dinners was being withdrawn as the Jamie Oliver award was not being replaced. Cllr Rowe advised that a television had been dumped in Broadley Lane.
13 Accounts – Cllr Robinson advised that the proposal and agreement taken at the meeting held on 9th December 2010 to keep the 2011/2012 precept at £ 14,000.00 had been agreed. Cllr Robinson requested agreement to include an invoice received from T & J Builders 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 £ 143.93
J. Robinson annual allowance for use of house and
Motor vehicle (as agreed) £ 200.00
R.I. Jones – new bench for orchard £ 90.00
Dr. E.J. Lovesey – Two Orchard notice boards £ 170.00
T & J Builders – Work on walk way at the Mill pool £ 1497.60
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting closed at 8.55pm.