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A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on

Monday 26th September 2005 at 7.00 pm in the Village Hall

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

2 members of the public were present 

Present:            Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Mr W Deval, Miss P Ellis,

Mr N Hill, Mr I Jones, Mr B Tarr, Mr C Wigfall 

1          Apologies – Mrs R Rowe, Cllr T Pennington 

2          Urgent business brought forward by the Chairman

Pc John Hodgson’s report – 3 notice boards have been smashed, possibly accidentally by young people playing football in the car parks.  PC Hodgson hopes that when Stoke M8s youth group is running, that these petty crimes may stop.  There have also been some burglaries.  More complaints have been received about cars being parked outside the school gate at the beginning and end of the school day, making it dangerous for children to cross the road.  PC Hodgson will take up the issue of having zig-zag lines painted on the road to prevent this occurring.

Meeting between chairman and clerk – the chairman reported on various issues discussed with the clerk, including verbal abuse and disorderly conduct towards the clerk by some councillors at previous meetings. He suggested that a separate meeting could be held to debate these points. 

3          Reports from County and District Councillors

Mrs Rowe was at another meeting.

Cllr Pennington was attending another meeting in connection with traveller camps. 

4          Planning

Applications

1)  Ramslade Caravan Club – change of use of existing field to allow use as caravan pitches, upgrade and refurbishment of existing caravan pitches and ancillary works to roads.  Mrs Hunt declared an interest.  No objection.

2)  Ramslade Caravan Club – erection of new toilet blocks, conversion of existing wardens accommodation into 2 holiday apartments, alterations to existing garage, new service points and ancillary works to existing site roads, foul drainage works and demolition of existing toilet block.  Mrs Hunt declared an interest.  No objection.

3)  Rosemount Orchard, Paignton Road – erection of garden room extension.  No objection.

4)  Four Cross Garden Centre, Paignton Road – change of use of land for storage of leisure craft.  Mrs Hunt declared an interest.  Objection.

5)  Pipers Bow, Byter Mill Lane – conversion of existing dwelling to 2 dwellings including extension, alterations and balcony.  A site meeting will be held on 30^th September. 

Works to Trees

1)  Fell 1 mimosa at Old Stoke Farm, Paignton Road.  No objection. 

Applications granted by SHDC

1)  Old Orchard Barn, Maddicks Orchard – alterations to provide pitched roof over existing flat roof

2)  Dart View, Coombe House Lane – extension and alterations to property

3)  Dominoes, Byter Mill Lane – outline planning permission for erection of dwelling

4)  Four Cross Garden Centre – relocation of boat storage and display area

5)  Alicia, Flood Street – erection of summer house

6)  The Croft, Vicarage Road – construction of new porch

7)  Meadow Lodge, Duncannon Mead – insertion of flue for wood burning stove

8)  Stonecroft, Hillfield – demolition and rebuilding of existing dwelling

9)  Ramslade Caravan Club – formation of new vehicular entrance on to highway, alterations to existing entrance and creation of parking and late arrival area

10) Ramslade Caravan Club – change of use of existing field to allow use as caravan pitches, upgrade and refurbishment of existing caravan pitches and ancillary works to roads

11) Ramslade Caravan Club – erection of new toilet blocks, conversion of existing wardens accommodation into 2 holiday apartments, alterations to existing garage, new service points and ancillary works to existing site roads, foul drainage works and demolition of existing toilet block

Applications withdrawn

1)  Downings Close, The Barnhay – demolition of bungalow and construction of 2-storey house

2)  Downings Close, The Barnhay – conservation area consent for above 

Appeal Decision

1)  Tullys Mead Farm – appeal against refusal to grant permission for retrospective application for change of use to B2 (general industry).  Appeal dismissed

5          Accounts

            Bank balances: Current A/c £2292.08                         Deposit A/c £7.57

                                     Nat Savings £4676.41                          Website A/c £250.00

            Payment of Accounts

Payment of the following accounts were proposed by Mr Hill and seconded by Miss Ellis:

            J Hamilton        – clerk’s salary August 2005                 £233.34

                                    - postage                                                    £    9.39         £242.73

            J Hamilton        - clerk’s salary September 2005           £233.34

                                    - quarterly expenses Jul-Sept                   £  50.00         £283.34

            Staples             - office requisites                                                             £  20.47

            Village Hall       - rental for Harbour Stakeholders                                  £  11.00

            InFocus Learning – website expenses                                                    £  46.91 

6          Matters raised by the clerk

Heritage Walk – the clerk has been in touch with the owner, who states that it is a permissive footpath, not a right of way, but that he has no objection to persons walking there at present, but he could chose to close it at any time.

Building repairs and maintenance service – South Hams Council have an in-house team of masons, carpenters and other tradesmen whose services can be offered to parish councils if required.

Unofficial signs on highways – Devon County Council has written to request that any signs placed on highways to advertise fetes, carnivals etc should only be erected 3 days before the event, and removed 2 days after.  The parish council thought this unreasonable, and will write to suggest that 2 weeks before would be more appropriate.

Bottle bank – South Hams Council are looking into the possibility of siting a bottle bank on land at Broadleigh Farm, as kindly offered by Mr and Mrs Hunt.

Land at Mill Quay – Mr Lugg has confirmed in writing that he is willing to allow the parish council to clear a piece of his land and site a bench for public use, on condition that the ownership remains in his name and that the council would be responsible for clearing rubbish and maintaining the seat.  A letter of thanks will be sent to Mr Lugg.

Stoke Gabriel in Bloom – they have asked the parish council whether they can ask residents to disguise their wheelie bins, or enforce putting them out of sight, but this is outside the parish council’s powers.  The water bowser, partly financed by the parish council, has been left unused out in the open so Mr Tully offered to store it on his property.  The Millenium Stone is unattended and looks untidy, and the Leaping Salmon stone is being obscured by the plants surrounding it.  Stoke Gabriel in Bloom will be asked to attend to these matters.

Defra Orchard Grant – Mr Jones will make an application for an annual grant. 

7          Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 25^th July 2005 were confirmed and signed. 

8          Matters arising from the minutes

Tap at Mill Quay – it has been established that the Dart Harbour Authority pay the bill to South West Water.  The Boating Association will be instructed how to turn off the supply for repairs.

Internet Cafe – only one enquiry had been received, so the scheme will not be viable.

War memorial – Miss Ellis will liaise with the contractor about fixing the cracks. 

9          Highways and Hedgerows

Footpath Inspection – most footpaths inspected by councillors were satisfactory, apart from a few minor problems which the clerk will report to SHDC.  The path to Galmpton Creek has a safety issue with steps and a steep drop and permission of the landowner may be needed to move a stile.  Part of the footpath at Hillfield was diverted some years ago and at the request of a landowner a meeting has been arranged with the Footpath Officer to establish where the official path runs.

Byter Mill Lane – some overhanging brambles are causing concern and the owner will be asked to cut them.  Also advice will be sought as to whether planning permission is needed for a tall fence at another property.

Castle Inn – the landlady will be asked to clear an unsightly wall at the rear.

School Hill – arrangements will be made to cut the hedge near the paper shop. 

10        Matters raised by Councillors

Ham Lane – Mr Tully will liaise with DCC Highways to tip some loose chippings in the lane to allow access for farm vehicles.

Public toilets  - although SHDC had agreed to erect a post to prevent parking in this area, this has not materialised.

Benches – the one missing from Duncannon Lane has still not been re-instated.  The council agreed to accept another bench with an inscription in memory of a former resident, and to site this in the orchard.

Whitehill Country Park – the council were disappointed to note that no mention of Stoke Gabriel has been made in their brochure.  Mr Deval will liaise with the owner with a view to adding it next time it is printed.

Website – 10700 visitors so far.  A donation of £100 will be given from the proceeds of the carnival, and it is the intention that clubs and societies of the village can advertise free of charge.

Devon Wildilfe Trust – Mr Jones attended a meeting about managing land for conservation and has also met with Mr Collings with a view to planting a corner of his field as woodland.

Hoyle Copse – the volunteers will be starting their work again shortly.

Beating the Bounds – a suggestion was made that this could become a regular event, as carried out in some other parishes.  A group may be formed in Spring 2006 to walk the parish boundary.

Dart Harbour Stakeholder Group – Mr Tarr, as Riparian representative for the parish council, pointed out that Capt White and Julian Distin would be speaking at a meeting on 6^th October. 

11        Next Meeting  

Monday 31^st October 2005 in the Village Hall