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 A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on

Monday 23rd May 2005 at 7.15 pm

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

 4 members of the public were present

Present:            Mr R Tully (chairman), Mr W Deval, Miss P Ellis,Mrs R Rowe, Mr B Tarr, Mr C Wigfall

1          `Apologies – Mrs C Hunt, Mr I Jones, Mr N Hill, PC J Hodgson

 2          Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

Miss Ellis proposed that Mr Tully be Chairman and that Mrs Hunt be Vice Chairman for another year.  This was seconded by Mr Tarr.  All in favour.

 3          Urgent business brought forward by the Chairman

The Chairman welcomed County Cllr Trevor Pennington and congratulated him on his election.  He also praised Cllr Jonathan Hawkins, who now operates in a different area, for the work he has done on behalf of Stoke Gabriel over the years.

PC John Hodgson could not be present, so the Chairman read his report:

 4          Reports from County and District Councillors

Mrs Rowe reported the following:

Recycling – another new scheme will start in August using wheeled bins and bags.  SHDC will bring a roadshow to the village hall to explain the scheme.  It was noted that different councils have different schemes (eg Teignbridge use boxes) and councillors enquired whether all using the same scheme would reduce the cost.  Mrs Rowe will look into this and report back.

Noise Action Week – this is an attempt to reduce the noise of motorcycles, barking dogs and loud music.

 Cllr Pennington reported the following:

Meetings – owing to a clash with Marldon parish, he will only be able to attend alternate meetings at Stoke Gabriel.

Waste – the county council is the disposing authority and has no power to enforce how districts collect their waste. In areas where wheeled bins are being used, there has been no evidence of unpleasant smell where they are only being emptied fortnightly.

Barking dogs – a new act of Parliament will allow authorities to issue Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) on the dog owners.

Devon County Council – this is now Liberal Democrat controlled, comprising 33 LibDem, 23 Cons, 4 Lab

& 2 Ind.

 5          Planning

Mrs Rowe took no part in discussions about planning.

Applications

1)  Aishcombe House, Aish – listed building consent for erection of lean-to glass greenhouse.  No objection.

2)  Aishcombe House, Aish – erection of lean-to glass greenhouse.  No objection.

3) Sandridge Park – retrospective listed building consent for internal and external alterations.  No objection. 

Applications granted by SHDC

1)  Old Stoke Farm, Paignton Road – amendments to approved plans (change of use from workshops to provide nine houses)

2)  Tamberley, New Road – outline application for erection of dwelling

Tree Preservation Order

1)  Mill House, Mill Hill.  The council had no observations to make.

Applications withdrawn

1)  Newman’s Barn, Bowhay Farm, Aish

6          Accounts

            Payment of Accounts

Payment of the following was proposed by Miss Ellis and seconded by Mr Wigfall:

            J Hamilton – clerk’s salary May 2005                                      £233.34

            Stoke Gabriel in Bloom                                                             £150.00

            CHF Fencing                                                                               £414.89

7          Matters raised by the clerk

AONB – the annual open forum will be held on 23^rd June at Malborough

Millpond area – a letter has been received from a parishioner regarding the state of the plank bridges and ownership of the land between Broadpath and the orchard.  The parish council do not own the land but has taken it upon itself to make it safe by maintaining the bridges, but as far as is known, it is not officially a public right of way.  A site meeting will be held and Mrs Rowe will investigate sources of funding.

Potholes at Port Hill – these have now been filled.

Street Sweeping – SHDC have replied to the clerk’s letter stating that the Tuesday hand sweep will continue.

Victim Support – this charity has asked for donations to help their work for victims of crime, but the Parish Council felt they were not able to help at this time.

Cherry Trees at Rydon Acres – SHDC are looking into putting a preservation order on the trees, but the owner of the land is unknown.

Community Police – the Police Authority have not yet commented on the alleged reduction of the service, but have passed the letter on to the Chief Inspector.

Youth Issues Group – Jill Hamilton, Bill Deval and John Hodgson have been attending meetings to set up this group, along with other members of the community.  A Youth Consultation will take place at the Scout Hut on the evening of 17^th June to which young people aged 10 to 17 will be invited, to give their views on what facilities they wish to see for young people in Stoke Gabriel.  There will be a free barbecue and prize draw.

 8          Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 25^th April 2005 were agreed and signed.

 9          Matters arising from the minutes

Internet access – Mr Deval pointed out that he had mentioned possible community internet access in the village.  Funding is available to provide computers if a suitable location could be found, and the Post Office was put forward as a possible venue.

 10        Highway & Hedgerow Matters

Grass cutting – there is confusion as to which contractors cut which verges, and by whom they are employed.  A letter will be sent to the Operations Manager to clarify the situation.

Road sweeping – the standard of sweeping has declined and SHDC will be invited to walk the route with councillors, who will point out the areas of concern.

Church Orchard – the gardener will be asked to trim the nut bush and hawthorn, to remove two other trees and replant new ones.

Water tap on Mill Quay – a former councillor has been maintaining this for a number of years but is no longer able to do so.  The SGBA will be asked if they will take on this task.

Coombe House Lane – a lorry slipped into an unseen ditch, which has now been highlighted with reflective posts.

Signs opposite Lavender Hill Nursery – DCC highways have still not moved the 30mph signs forward as requested.  Cllr Pennington will look into this.

11        Matters raised by Councillors

Hoyle Copse – the fencing of the new right of way has been completed at a cost of £414.89, of which 50% will eventually be reimbursed through a grant.  Due to a mower breakdown the meadow will not be cut again until after the flowers have seeded, probably in August.  There has been an increase in the number of Common Spotted Orchids in the quarry area, a Common Twyblade Orchid has been found for the first time and the Pyramidal Orchids in the meadow will flower next month.

Land at Millpond – Mr Deval has been looking into the possibility of a small piece of raised land at the end of the millpond being used as a picnic area.  The owner will be contacted to seek permission for it to be cleared of brambles and a seat erected.

Website – 8120 visitors to date.  The leaflet will be printed in a week or two.

Devon in Touch Roadshow – 7^th June in church House car park.  Mr Tarr will be meeting the co-ordinator on 1^st June.

Devon Life magazine – the June issue should include an article on Stoke Gabriel.

6 Kings Rydon Close – there is some concern that the building has not been erected according to the plans.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm

Next Meetings:

Monday 27^th June 2005 at 7pm in the Village Hall

Monday 25^th July 2005 at 7pm in the Primary School Hall