e-mail

    help

A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on

Monday 19^th January 2004 at 7 pm

Ten minutes were allowed at the beginning of the meeting for members of the public to put matters to the Council

20 members of the public were present

 Present:            Mr R Tully (chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Mr N Hill, Mr B Tarr,

Mrs R Rowe, Mr I Jones, Mr C Wigfall, Miss P Ellis, Mr W Deval

1            Apologies         PC John Hodgson, Cllr J Hawkins

 2            Speaker – Mr Douglas Nicol from the Gabriel Court Hotel gave a short presentation of his plans for the proposed development of the hotel site.  There followed a question and answer session in which members of the public and councillors expressed concern at the possible increase in traffic around the village, the detrimental effect that demolition of the stone wall and a wide entrance would have on the general appearance of the village, light pollution, possible flooding and public safety issues.  Mr Nicol answered these questions accordingly.  Many of those present also expressed their desire for Mr Nicol’s business to be a success because it would have a knock-on effect for the rest of the businesses in Stoke Gabriel.  The Chairman thanked Mr Nicol for taking the time to attend the meeting.

 3          Urgent Business brought forward by the Chairman – none

 4          Report from District Councillor

            Mrs Rowe reported the following:

Council Tax – although the council has tried to keep rates as low as possible, it may be necessary to make an increase of more than 6%.  Mrs Rowe has a booklet showing how council tax is calculated

Closure of Public Toilets – if the public toilet in Stoke Gabriel is closed, it may be necessary to ask some businesses to open their facilities to the public, e.g. pubs and restaurants

South Hams District Council has been shortlisted for Beacon status and Mrs Rowe will be representing them in London on 2^nd February to put their case in Westminster

Speed limit signs – thanks go to Cllr Jonathan Hawkins who arranged for the signs to be erected in Aish.  Reports from residents show that motorists in general are heeding the signs

5            Planning

Applications

Mrs Rowe declared a personal interest and chose not to vote because she would be representing South Hams Council at a later date.  She exercised her right to take part in the discussion.

1) Stable Cottage, Stoke Hill – enlargement of access.  No objection.

2) Gabriel Court Hotel – demolition of garage.  No objection.

- partial demolition of boundary wall.  Objection.  The council objected by a majority vote because they felt that this would be detrimental to the area and that the proposed project could be carried out within the confines of the wall.

- new vehicular access and car park.  Objection.  The council objected by a majority vote because they felt that the entrance would be too wide and unnecessary, and would generate extra traffic around the village in what are already narrow roads.

 Applications approved by SHDC

1) 9 Rydon Acres – dormer roof extension.  Approved.

 Applications refused by SHDC

1) Little Paddocks, Aish Road – removal of condition 2, permission for use as a separate dwelling.  Refused on appeal.  The applicant has now appealed to the Secretary of State.

6            Accounts

Payment of the following were proposed by Mr Wigfall and seconded by Mr Jones:

            J Hamilton – clerk’s salary January 04                     £171.67

                               - postages & expenses                           £  21.93

                                                                                                                           £193.60

            Village Hall rental                                                                                  £  44.00

            CAB donation                                                                                        £  70.00

 7          Matters raised by the Clerk

Removal of public payphone – following the letter sent by the Parish Council to BT protesting against the removal of the payphone at Barn Park, BT has decided to allow the phone to remain until further notice.  This may be reviewed at a later date.

Allowances for Councillors – letter from South Hams Council recommending that Parish Councillors should not be paid allowances as this would erode the voluntary element of the role.  Stoke Gabriel parish councillors had already decided not to accept allowances.

South Hams CVS – letter thanking the council for their donation

Totnes & Dartmouth Ring & Ride – letter thanking the council for their donation

Mechanical sweeper – letter from SHDC regarding the mechanical sweeper.  This has already been operating in the village, as requested.

Kings Rydon Close – letter received from residents regarding parking problems and inability to drive into their own driveways.  The matter will be referred to PC Hodgson.

Devon & Cornwall Police – liaison meeting on Tuesday 27^th January at 7.30pm at Ivybridge Community College.  Everyone welcome.

Grass cutting – Mr Teague submitted his costing for the grass cutting for the coming year.  The council accepted his quote.

Castle Inn – notification of transfer of licence to new licensees.

Council Tax – letter from South Hams Council showing how council tax base was calculated for 2003/04.

Parish Council election – bill received from SHDC regarding an election on 1^st May 2003.  As no election took place at that time the clerk will write back to SHDC.

 8          Minutes of last meeting – 15^th December 2003

Amendment: Item 3 Budget – amend to read “if the council tax rises by no more than 6%”.  Subject to this amendment, the minutes were agreed and signed.

 9          Matters arising from the minutes

Ramslade – planning permission is not required for change of use to dog walking field.

Seat at Rydon Cross – the contractor has been asked to remove the broken seat.  The council is already in possession of the new seat with which to replace it.

Flooding in Stoke Road – Torbay Council has advised that the blocked gully outside Brook Cottage has now been cleared and that flooding should not re-occur.

10            Highway and Hedgerow matters

Coombe House Lane – Torbay Council will be contacted regarding the blocked gully at the Whitehill end.

Long Road – Torbay Council will be contacted regarding overgrown hedges.

Ramslade – South Hams Council will be contacted regarding overgrown hedges

Paignton Road – overgrown hedges between Yellands Field and Four Cross.  The owner will be asked to trim them.

New Road – Mr Jones will deal with the blocked gully alongside the orchard.

 11        Matters raised by Councillors

Hillfield - an ash tree which is the subject of a Tree Preservation Order has had boughs cut from it.  This will be reported to the tree officer at South Hams Council.

Fireworks – complaints have been received about fireworks being released late at night, other than on Guy Fawkes night and New Year’s eve.  The council will seek further advice.

Street Lighting – a request was received from a resident to provide street lighting.  At a previous public meeting this has been discussed and the public voted overwhelmingly against having lighting.  Specified lighting at strategic points is not allowed, and the council are concerned about light pollution.  Individual property owners may be approached to ask them to provide outside lights.

Miss Birch’s Wood – Mr Jones gave an update on the work being carried out.  A local solicitor will be approached to formalise the access to the site.

 The meeting closed at 9pm

Date of Next Meeting