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A meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 27th October 2003 at 7pm
Present: Mr R Tully (chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Mr I Jones, Mr B Tarr, Miss P Ellis,
Mr W Deval, Mr C Wigfall, Mrs R Rowe
1. Apologies: Mr N Hill
Ten Minutes were allowed for the public to put matters to the Council
Some residents expressed concern at the application to fell 24 trees at the Gabriel Court Hotel, and in particular the magnolia tree in the entrance forecourt.
Concern was expressed at the handling of the court case regarding the transfer of licence at the Gabriel Court Hotel. The Chairman pointed out that although the item had been recorded in the minutes of 30th June, the Council had underestimated the strength of feeling of the parishioners on the matter. The Council then reacted promptly to the objections by calling an emergency meeting so that the public could air their views, but could still find no valid objection to the application, as recorded in the minutes of 13th October 2003.
A member of the Boating Association asked why the questionnaire referred to by the representative from the Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority had not been circulated to the residents. Capt Tarr pointed out that the short time scale for meeting the deadline did not allow for discussion with the residents so he completed it on their behalf by the due date. It was noted that the Boating Association had received their own copy of the same questionnaire to complete.
2. Reports from County and District Councillors
District Councillor Mrs Rowe reported the following:
Budgets – South Hams Council are having a budget overhaul which will involve cuts in management jobs, closure of some public toilets, and cuts in other services. This is being put forward as an alternative to raising council tax.
Library – Devon County Council will be reviewing the library van service as this may not be cost effective.
Leisure Centres – changes are to be made in the running of leisure centres, which may be sold, or set up as charitable trusts.
3. Urgent Business brought forward at the discretion of the Chairman
PC John Hodgson gave his report:
· There have been two burglaries this year in Byter Mill Lane, possibly as a result of doors being left open. A caravan was stolen from Broadleigh Farm and there have been two burglaries of garden items from Waddeton Court. Two Indian Asians and one white man were seen in the vicinity and PC Hodgson appealed for any further information.
· Some damage has been caused by youths in the school grounds and PC Hodgson suggested supplying facilities, funds permitting, in consultation with the youths who choose not to join an organisation so that they have somewhere to go.
· There is still a problem with parking outside the school at drop-off and pick-up times and there will now be a recommendation to paint zig-zag lines on the grounds of road safety.
· The 20 mph speed limit is not being adhered to but PC Hodgson is making plans to enforce this by use of a speed gun.
4. Planning
Applications
1) Castle Inn – transfer of justices’ licence to new licensee. No objection.
2) 7 Kings Rydon Close – flat roofed extension to rear. No objection.
3) Dolphins, Vicarage Close – erection of rear conservatory, two storey extension and alterations to roof. No objection.
4) Broadleigh Farm proposed holiday rally 23rd July – 15th August 2004.
No objection.
5) 9 Rydon Acres – dormer roof extension. Application withdrawn.
6) Gabriel Court Hotel – application to fell 24 trees. A site meeting will be held on 29th October with Ross Kennerley, Tree & Wildlife Officer and David Lusty, Tree Warden to look at each tree individually.
Recent Applications not on agenda
7) Yarde Orchard – diseased trees to be replaced. Report from Tree Warden suggests all in order. The work has already been carried out.
8) 6 Kings Rydon Close – alterations and extensions to dwelling. Site meeting 29th October.
9) Hillmount, Hillfield – extension to dwelling. Two objections were read out, mainly expressing concern about the tree which has a preservation order. Site meeting 29th October with tree experts.
Applications approved by SHDC
1) Orchard Lees, Vicarage Road – erection of conservatory. Granted.
2) Boathouse Cottage, Sandridge – listed building consent for refurbishment. Granted.
3) Millcroft, Fleet Mill Lane – installation of glazing to part of rear gable. Granted.
4) Tree Cottage, Waddeton – listed building consent for internal alterations. Granted.
5) Cross Creek House – erection of garden store. Granted.
6) Rosemount, Paignton Road – listed building consent for internal alterations. Granted.
7) 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. Granted subject to conditions. This permission does not authorise any alterations/amendments to the agreed fencing adjoining nos. 3 & 4 Orchard Way.
Applications refused by SHDC
1) Little Paddocks, Aish Road appeal against refusal to grant outline planning permission for detached dwelling. Appeal dismissed.
River Cottage, Port Bridge – letter from SHDC stating there is no breach of planning control with regard to the extension to front of dwelling.
5.
Accounts
Transfer of funds to Chairman’s Fund – It was agreed to transfer £400 to the Chairman’s Fund, these funds to be used at the discretion of the Chairman. Proposed by Mr Tarr and seconded by Mrs Rowe.
Result of Audit 2002/03 – the External Auditor’s report was read out stating that no matters have come to their attention giving cause for concern.
Stoke Gabriel Website – Mr Wigfall and Mr Deval will open an account specifically for income and expenditure to the website.
Payment
of Accounts
Payment of the following was proposed by Mrs Hunt seconded by Mr Jones and agreed:
InFocus Learning – setting up website £104.97
R Teague – work in orchard £ 70.00
J Hamilton – clerk’s salary October 2003 £171.67
B Tarr – reimbursement of expenses from Chairman’s Fund £250.00
R Roper – maintenance £ 63.00
Torbay Council – copy of Modifications to Local Plan £ 20.00
6. Matters Raised by the Clerk
DEFRA – application form for grant. Mr Jones will make the application.
Sport England South West – Mr Deval will complete the questionnaire.
South Devon Carers’ Consortium – a get-together will be held on Monday 17th November at Kingsbridge.
Street Landscape and Play – brochure showing items of play equipment and street furniture.
Parochial Church Council – a letter has been received asking for an agreed annual sum. It was pointed out that the Parish Council had not agreed to make an annual donation but may consider helping to fund certain items as and when they occur. The clerk will write suggesting the PCC contact the Friends of Stoke Gabriel Church.
Litter bin, School Hill – a request has been made for a litter bin to be provided on a post in School Hill just up from the village hall. The Village Hall Committee will be asked if they can provide one.
Bench, Paignton Road – a letter has been received asking whether a bench can be provided at the foot of the steps alongside the war memorial. It was agreed that the Millenium Committe be asked to provide, fit and secure a bench, and that the Parish Council will thereafter maintain it.
7. Minutes of the last meetings
The minutes of the meeting of 23rd September 2003 were agreed and signed.
The minutes of the emergency special meeting of 13th October 2003 were agreed and signed.
8. Matters arising from the minutes
Meeting of 13th October – none.
Meeting of 23rd September:
Item 3 – Weed spraying still has not been carried out.
Item 9 - Recycling in Hillfield has now been sorted out.
CVS – their representative will speak at the meeting on 24th November.
Stoke Gabriel Website – Mr Wigfall reported that there have been 1100 visitors to the site and some money has been received for advertising. The Broadband campaign is going well and the service may be supplied in due course. It was suggested that residents without e-mail addresses may wish to use the website to send and receive e-mails.
Annual Footpath Inspection – all footpaths have now been inspected.
Miss Birch’s Wood – Mr Jones will write a report on his meeting with John Haywood from the Devon Wildlife Trust and will also arrange for three signs to be erected warning the public to enter at their own risk. The Chairman will contact Major Gillmore regarding possible access from his land. A future plan for the wood will need to be prepared, as well as health and safety issues and insurance.
Item 10 – Paignton Road – South Hams Council have agreed to meet with the owner regarding the protruding stone.
Item 11 – Former Poultry Farm – the Environmental Health Enforcement Officer was unable to locate the site. He will be put in touch with the complainant in order to gain access via his property.
9. Highway and Hedgerow Matters
Hoyle Lane – a “No Heavy Lorries” sign is needed at the top of Hoyle Lane at the Aish Road end.
Approach to Village – the Millenium Committee have offered to erect a “Welcome to Stoke Gabriel” sign opposite the Garden Centre. This will be made of granite, inscribed with a leaping salmon. Mrs Hunt will liaise with the planning officer.
Kings Rydon Close – pot holes have appeared on both sides of the road.
Paignton Road parking – several complaints have been received about vehicles parked on the pavement outside Burleigh House, causing motorists to drive on the wrong side of the road on a dangerous corner. The owner of the vehicles will be approached.
Aish Road – signs are needed warning motorists of horse riders in this area.
10. Matters raised by Councillors
Ramslade – no further developments regarding the field at Ramslade.
Stoke Gabriel School – proposed plans for three classrooms will be discussed at a site meeting on 4th November with DCC and SHDC.
Parish Magazine – the Parish Council noted the letter written to the magazine regarding “bored youngsters”. It was pointed out that for two years the Parish Council had worked in conjunction with the school to keep the field open to the public during school holidays. Members of the Council had opened, manned and closed the field for many hours each day on a rota basis, but because the facility was not used, the project was discontinued.
Date of next meeting
Monday 24th November 2003 at 7 pm in the Village Hall
The meeting closed at 9.40 pm
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