e-mail
help
A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Tuesday 23rd September 2003 at 7pm
Present: Mr. R Tully (chairman), Mrs. C Hunt, Mrs. R Rowe, Mr. I Jones, Mr. B Tarr,
Miss P Ellis, Mr. W Deval, Mr. C Wigfall, Mr. N Hill
1. Apologies: none, all present
2. Visit by Mr. Julian Distin, Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority
Mr Distin gave a report on the judicial review with regard to a mooring on St Peter’s Quay, the funding for the Dart Estuary Environmental Management (DEEM) and the proposals for the redevelopment of the site at Noss. He also explained the moorings policy for which the Council will shortly receive a questionnaire so that residents’ views may be taken into account.
Some discussion took place with regard to speed limits on the river between Dartmouth and Totnes and the amount of lighting required . Mr Distin stated that the speed limit is 6k with no wash and the lighting of channel buoys has caused some nuisance to residents living close to the water. The recommendation will be to replace the lights with reflective tape which will be more in keeping with the environment.
It was noted that the refuse bin on the slipway at Stoke Gabriel is constantly overflowing with refuse from sailing craft, and Mr Distin agreed to arrange for the bin to be emptied more frequently. Mr Brian Tarr is the riparian representative for the Stakeholder Group in the parish.
Ten minutes were allowed for the public to put matters to the Council.
Some residents of Orchard Way asked the Council to reconsider their decision regarding condition 18 on the development at Rowes Farm Barns. As the decision has already been made and the deadline for objections has passed, it was not possible for the Council to reconsider. It was pointed out that if a member of the public makes an objection to a planning application direct to South Hams Council, the Parish Council does not receive a copy of the objection. Therefore it would be prudent for objectors to pass a copy of their letter to the Parish Council in addition, so that the Parish Council is aware of any objections before making their decision.
3. Reports from County and District Councillors
District Councillor Mrs. Rowe reported the following:
Recycling – the new system involving the use of three coloured sacks is now operational
Dartmouth Leisure Centre – funding is now in place and the sports centre is expected to open by November 2004
Budgets – the new round of council budgets for 2004/05 is being discussed but in order to avoid raising council tax it may be necessary to make cuts in some services. A letter was sent to the County Council requesting that they review their structure in order to keep core costs down.
County Councillor Jonathan Hawkins reported the following:
Council tax on holidays homes
– Cllr Hawkins fully supports the Council on their views that this
should be doubled. At
present owners pay the full amount but this is ring-fenced and
councils receive a percentage for re-housing.
Recycling – those councils not co-operating will be fined, the fines being taken from council tax
County Hall are considering downsizing and deciding which officers are really necessary
Weed Spraying on the roads in Stoke Gabriel has not yet been carried out.
4. Urgent business brought forward at the discretion of the chairman
At this point in the meeting Jill Hamilton the new Parish Clerk signed a contract in the presence of the councillors.
5. Planning
Rowes Farm Barns, Aish Road – retrospective application to retain close boarded fence without complying with condition 18 of planning consent 9/52/1595/01/F.
No objection
6. Accounts
Payment of the following was proposed by Mr Tarr, seconded by Mrs Rowe and agreed:
Dudley Holmes – repair of notice board £15.00
Axworthy’s – stationery 1.98
SG Village Hall – hire of hall Jul-Sep 03 44.00
DAPC – fee for clerk’s training 30.00
Clerk’s salary Sept 03 – J Hamilton 171.67
Clerk’s salary etc Jul-Sept 03 – J Trant
Salary 515.00
Expenses 50.00
Postages etc 45.10
610.10
7. Matters raised by the Clerk
Various roads in Aish – a letter was received from Devon County Council and a press notice regarding a proposed 20mph speed limit order
Devon Association of Parish Councils – AGM to be held on 27th September 2003 in Exeter. Nominations required from members of Parish Councils to become members of the committee
Devon County Council Strategic Plan – booklets entitled “Working for a Better Devon” are held by the Clerk
Vision 2020 – meetings to be held by Totnes & District Community Strategy Group on the future of Totnes as a market town and local service centre
South Hams Local Plan/Local Development Framework – a letter was received explaining the significance of this for the South Hams
Table Tennis Table – South Hams District Council has a table tennis table which may hired for £10 a year
8. Minutes of the last meeting
p. 162 final paragraph – amend “Ashwell” to read “Aswell”. Subject to the above amendment the minutes were agreed and signed.
9. Matters arising from the minutes
Recycling – there has been some confusion in Hillfield where some residents had not received information and were still using green bins, and others have been instructed to carry sacks to the bottom of the road. This will hopefully have been resolved by the next collection.
CVS – as the representative will not be available to attend the October meeting the clerk will send a letter inviting him/her to the November meeting.
Stoke Gabriel Website – this is being constantly updated
Annual Footpath Inspection – only one path inspection remains to be carried out
Miss Birch’s Wood – there was some discussion as to where the best place might be, in agreement with the residents, for the proposed footpath to join Hoyle Lane. A site meeting has been arranged for 30th September with John Haywood from the Devon Wildlife Trust who is anxious to preserve the orchids growing nearby and to encourage wildlife. Some local residents have offered to contribute towards the cost of fencing, and it was agreed that the Council would make a contribution and investigate sources of outside funding. It was also suggested that the lime kilns in the wood should be listed.
Lorries on the road from Longcombe – there has been some tipping of building rubble in a field at the top of Parliament Hill. Cllr Hawkins will look into this.
Mill Pond – an inspection revealed that the material in question was slurry, not sewage. South West Water will instruct a contractor to prevent this happening again by turning the vent around.
10. Highway and Hedgerow Matters
Paignton Road – there is still some concern about the large stone protruding from the bank opposite the Lotus Pottery. Some cars have been damaged by it and the owner will be approached again.
Coombe House Lane – a water leak has been reported and is being dealt with.
Yalberton Road – the “No heavy lorries” sign opposite the quarry is obscured and needs to be uncovered. Cllr Hawkins will attend to this.
Aish Road – a pot hole has appeared in the road where the road turns left towards Aish. Cllr Hawkins will deal with this matter.
Fleet Mill Lane – the sign has now been replaced.
11.
Matters raised by Councillors
Former poultry farm – a complaint has been received that a field between Body Hayes Close and Duncannon Lane is being used for residential purposes. A letter will be sent to the Environmental Health Department.
Coombe House Lane – South Hams District Council were praised for their quick response in collecting rubbish which had been dumped by the roadside.
Britain in Bloom – the Council thanked all those involved in this year’s planting and congratulated them on the receipt of their well deserved Silver Gilt award.
South Downs Woods – after concern had been expressed about the large numbers of trees being felled in one spot, the owners have agreed to work in consultation with the Parish Council in future. The clearance will continue in the opposite direction, and some replanting is being carried out.
Resignation of Clerk – the chairman thanked Mrs. Janet Trant who has been the Parish Clerk for over twenty years for her loyal service to the council, and wished her well for the future.
Next meeting – Monday 27th October 2003 at 7pm
The meeting closed at 9pm
Stoke Gabriel Website designed by NW