A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 30th January 2012 in the Village Hall
7 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt Miss E Bridge, Miss P Ellis, Mr P. Fenwick, Mr I Jones Mr H. Rawlings and Mr J Robinson.
In Attendance County Cllr Trevor Pennington,
1 Apologies - Mrs R. Garner, District Cllr. R. Rowe
2 Police Report – No report received. Cllr Robinson advised that the previously reported accident at Longcombe cross between an ambulance and a vehicle was not caused by parked vehicles at the junction with Totnes/ Paignton Road. The new non emergency telephone number for Devon and Cornwall Police is now 101. Cllr Pennington agreed to speak to Berry Pomeroy concerning parking at Longcombe Cross.
3 To confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 14th December 2011
Taken as read and signed by the Chairman,
4 Matters arising from the Minutes – It was agreed that issues raised during the ten minute session could be brought into the agenda if the Chairman thought it would be useful. The Chairman would request that the relevant Cllr would answer the issue under an appropriate agenda item.
5 Chairman’s Report - The Chairman had nothing to report other than the items on the agenda.
6 Reports from County & District Councillors –County Cllr Pennington advised that the population of Devon was 750,000 and the gross budget was £ 103m. Since November 2009 1700 Council jobs had been shed mainly due to retirement and voluntary redundancies and £ 45m in savings had made in 2011/12. £ 40m had to be saved in 2012/13. The audit Commission has shown Devon as a first class case study in meaningful change. There had been a £10m reduction in management and admin costs. There were three other budgets that had received attention. The Place and Corporate budgets had been reduced and the people budget would rise by £4.5m. If the County Council pegs the Council tax it will be eligible for a grant from Central Government. If the Council tax is raised by more than 3.5% then this would trigger a referendum. From a report received from District Cllr Rowe Cllr Robinson advised that there would be a full Council meeting on 9th February when the contents of the budget would be revealed. It was thought that there will be an increase of Council tax of around 3%.
7 Reports from Sub-Committees Cllr Fenwick advised that the Linden response to inputs on the ‘Renewables Strategy’ should be available on Wednesday 1st February and the Non material amendment for the orientation of plots 38, 40 and 41 – had been agreed. The Ecology & Mitigation statement was discussed with Linden Homes and Planning last week. Formal input will follow. Inputs from immediate residents will be acted on. Action on arsenic contamination in NW corner is typical and in line with Industry / H& S requirements. Regarding the Neighbourhood Plan the Parish Council had provided a response to the consultation document as agreed. The Parish Council had also provided input to Torbay Council regarding the proposed White Rock Housing development. The Active Villages initiative is now gathering pace and the SGBA, school any programs WI, Scouts and Beavers, weightlifting, taster for table tennis subject to room for storage, maybe body balance. The local school had also requested the provision of metal goal posts. Cllr Fenwick advised that he was considering holding a Development Committee Meeting prior to the next PC meeting and any inputs from the public for agenda items could be sent to him. Cllr Rawlings advised that the new updated web site should be ready by the March Parish Council meeting. Cllr Rawlings was asked to source broadband costs at the village hall.
8 Planning The following planning application was considered at a planning meeting held on 30th January 2012 at which the following councillors were present: Hunt, Ellis, Robinson and Bridge. Sandridge Park, Waddeton – construction of swimming pool No objection
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC –
1. Sunnyside, Flood Street – erection of shed to side and rear
2. The Red Slipper, NKA “Emmas”, Paignton Road – Change of use to tea room
Planning Applications refused by SHDC – None
Applications Withdrawn – None
Appeals Received by SHDC – None
Ongoing Applications –Cllr Robinson confirmed that a letter had been written to the English Heritage concerning the possibility of having the Gabriel Court listed. Cllr Robinson advised that he had discovered that King William111stayed his first night on British soil at Hill House, now the Gabriel Court when his ship was blown off course by a storm and landed at Brixham in 1689 and Sir Walter Raleigh’s navigator John Davies also spent his first night on English soil at the Gabriel Court when they returned from the Americas. The then owner John Churchward and John Davies spent the evening at Hill House enjoying the “tobacco plant” and it is considered that this was the first time smoking took place in Europe.
9 Items raised on behalf of the Clerk – Cllr Robinson advised a thank you letter had been received from Totnes Citizens Advice Bureau for our annual donation of £ 150.00. County Cllr Pennington advised that as the Bureau needed urgent funding DCC was to make them a grant of £ 40k and SHDC £ 10k. Cllr Tully read out a further letter received from a local resident concerning picking apples from the orchard for their own use. Discussion took place and it was agreed that this would be considered. Cllr Jones agreed to write a piece for the July Parish magazine advising that picking of apples was to be only for personal use. Cllr Robinson advised that he had had a good response from those who had offered to look after the village flower beds next year and was now meeting with Plandscape who would look after the majority of the beds. Cllr Jones requested information concerning the no waiting sign at the village bus stop. Cllr Robinson advised that he had been in discussion with DCC Highways who had agreed to move the sign onto the property adjacent to the bus stop with the owner’s agreement. The sign was moved on Tuesday morning 31st January. From a point raised from the floor Cllr Robinson confirmed that he had met with the affordable housing manager at SHDC who advised that although a number of local people were on the housing list not one had accrued sufficient points to qualify for affordable housing. There was the possibility to purchase a property on a rent and buy scheme and those interested should contact Deborah Sharpe at Tor Homes.
10 Hoyle Copse – From a point raised from the floor the Chairman asked Cllr Jones to advise to the letter and telephone call suggesting that there were concerns about areas of what seem to be total clearance and the affect this must be having on wildlife and also areas cleared in previous years have been overtaken by brambles. The area in the North West, recently cleared, has involved the removal of several mature trees. Cllr Jones was concerned and shocked by the comments made and advised that within the group they had the experience of a tree warden and volunteer members of the National Trust experienced in woodland management. Cllr Jones explained that clearance of some areas has been carried out on the recommendation of the Devon Wildlife Trust and the judges from Devon County Show Woodland Section. These recommendations were to improve the biodiversity of the woodland floor by allowing in more light and have generally been very successful. Clearance around selected mature tress known as hallowing has been carried out to enable these trees to grow on unimpeded and without competition for food and water from lesser trees such as Ash. The group were also advised to carry out extensive coppicing of the hazel areas to allow the hazel to regenerate. This work requires that the Ash which are gradually taking over the copse to be removed. The work that was planned for a 7 year rotation but has not proceeded as fast as intended and the immediate results of coppicing did receive adverse comments. This is something that will need to be attended to in the future but not included in any immediate plans. In the NW corner the only mature trees removed were 3 or 4 semi mature Ash and a diseased Beech which was threatening the OH electricity line that passes through the wood. Since this clearance the mature Oaks can be appreciated together with a very attractive rock face and all the comments Cllr Jones had received, with one exception, have been most positive and encouraging. Regarding the growth of brambles in some of the previously cleared areas, this is an ongoing problem and work on this started by strimming 2 weeks ago and will be continuing during the next month. There are no plans for clearing any further areas apart from the 4 Ash trees in the hedge bank near the large Beech where the Aish Road access comes in. This has to be done as the trees threaten the OH lines leading to Hoyle Cottages and they also encroach into the Beech tree. Work in the coming years will be more of a maintenance nature as the prime objectives of improving access, increasing biodiversity, to care for the good, mature trees, clearing and protecting the quarry floor and lime kiln have been achieved. The Chairman thanked Cllr Jones and reminded the meeting that two years ago the Copse had won a major competition. This year they planned to enter a further national competition.
11 Highway and Hedgerow Matters – Cllr Ellis raised concerns over dog waste being left in bags in and around hedges and on the side of the road. It had also been noted that owners were not cleaning up after their dogs in other areas around the village especially Hoyle Copse. SHDC would be requested to site a new bin near the Aish Road entrance. An article would also be written for the Parish Magazine. Cllr Ellis also reminded the meeting that hedge rows should be cut back before the end of March and requested that this work should take place at Lembury Lane, Four Cross and on the Paignton Road. Concerns were raised about speeding in the village especially young mothers on the school run. It was agreed to contact Totnes Police and arrange for a team to be trained to use the speed gun. Cllr Pennington advised that such a gun could be purchased for £ 500.00 and training be given. Cllr Rawlings suggested that some of the parents could be trained and that the word would soon get out that measures were being taken. Cllr Hunt again raised concerns over the state of the Yalberton Road and requested a further letter be written to Torbay Council. Cllr Fenwick had received a complaint about the clearance of trees and bushes in the old V & A car park. Cllr Robinson advised that he had visited the site when the work had been carried out and confirmed that the majority of what had been removed was dead and ivy covered. He had received a number of good responses after the work had been completed from local residents. Regarding the proposed loading and unloading bays outside the village shop Cllr Robinson asked Cllr Pennington to assist in this matter and would formally write to him.
12 Matters raised by Councillors – Cllr Ellis asked for further information concerning the proposed increased bus service to Totnes. Cllr Robinson would write to Tanya Vickers of Bob the Bus. Cllr Bridge was concerned about the future of our PSCO Paula Frain as the police were forced to make cut backs. It was agreed to seek support from the other Parishes that Paula patrols and write to the Police about the concerns. Cllr Rawlings requested further advice about the Yalberton Valley proposals and Cllr Fenwick agreed to add this to the agenda for the next Development Control meeting. Cllr Jones advised that a new bench would be installed at the Hoyle Lane entrance to Hoyle Copse. Cllr Robinson advised that £ 500.50 had been received in memory of a local resident which would be put towards an additional bench in the orchard. Cllr Jones was asked to source costs and contact Trevor Sedgbeer.
13 Accounts
To agree the following payment of accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Ellis and seconded by Cllr Bridge to make these payments:
J Robinson – Expenses £ 57.30
J. Robinson – Reimbursement of replacement laminator £ 125.00
J. Robinson annual allowance for use of house and
Motor vehicle (as agreed) £ 200.00
DCC – Salt grittier and accessories (including VAT) £ 1599.60
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.35pm
Next Meeting: Monday 27th February 2012 in the Village Hall.