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A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on

Monday 28th November 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

38 members of the public were present

Present:            Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Mr W Deval, Mr N Hill,

Mr I Jones, Mrs R Rowe, Mr B Tarr, Mr C Wigfall

1          Apologies:  Miss P Ellis, Cllr T Pennington

 2          Speaker

Sue Southwell, Rural Housing Enabler, from the Community Council of Devon gave a presentation on Affordable Housing.  Sue explained that in order to demonstrate a need, a Housing Needs Survey must first be carried out.  The results would then be analysed and used as evidence of a need for housing.  Suitable land would be sought, normally outside the village, before plans were put forward for a small development of approximately ten housing units.  These would be available to probably 75% local people and 25% from outside the parish and would be for rent/shared ownership and hopefully kept affordable in perpetuity.  Sue Southwell, and David Kenyon, Planning Officer, then held a question and answer session from the public.

 3          Urgent Business Brought Forward by the Chairman

The Chairman wished Miss Pauline Ellis a speedy recovery following her illness, and relayed Miss Ellis’s thanks to everyone for the numerous cards she has received.

PC John Hodgson gave a short report that crime is down compared with last year, and that the Youth Issues Group, M8s, will be going ahead with the formation of a Youth Club on a trial basis.

 4          Reports from County & District Councillors

Cllr Pennington sent the following report:

Adult Education – a letter has been sent to the Secretary of State for Education requesting reinstatement of the £140 million cut in funding for adult education courses.

Council Tax from Second Homes – he and some other councillors are campaigning to have this money ring-fenced to finance social and low cost housing in the South Hams.

Unauthorised Encampments – a letter from the Chief Executive of DCC was circulated regarding protocol for gypsy and traveller camps, ensuring that all parties are treated fairly in the process.

Mrs Rowe reported the following:

A typical month – Mrs Rowe has been to over 20 meetings, some in the evening and some all day, and she explained what these were, and how they affect the parish.

 5          Planning

Mrs Rowe took no part in the discussions on planning.

Applications

1)  2 School Hill Cottages – erection of decked area on upper level of garden and steps for access. No objection but note should be taken of the privacy requirements of adjoining properties, and the safety aspect at No 2.

2)  The Boathouse, Yew Tree House, Mill Hill – retrospective application for removal of condition (c) planning permission 52/1968/87/3 (boathouse shall only be used as a boat store/store room) to allow use as an ancillary unit of accommodation to Yew Tree House. No objection.

3)  Wayside, Flood Street – erection of conservatory.  No objection.

4)  Elmcroft, Broadpath – amendment to application 52/0602/05/F – to allow slates on roof of dwelling to be fixed with slate hooks.  No objection.

5)  Starlings, Hillfield – demolition of existing single garage and erection of double garage. No objection.

6)  Pipers Bow, Byter Mill Lane – conversion of existing dwelling to form 2 dwellings including external alterations and extension.  No objection.

7)  3 Waddeton Cottages, Waddeton – erection of 2 storey extension and internal alterations.  No objection.

8)  River Cottage, Port Bridge – erection of garden shed.  No objection.

Works to Trees

1)  Southbank, Paignton Road – crown reduce/re-shape by 20% maximum 1 Liquidambar.  The Parish Council agreed to abide by the decision of the Tree Warden who recommends that a TPO be placed upon it.

Applications granted by SHDC

1) Green Ridges, Vicarage Road – alterations and extension to dwelling

 6          Accounts

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

            Payment of Accounts

            J Hamilton – clerk’s salary November 2005                                          £233.34

            Citizen’s Advice Bureau - donation                                                       £100.00

            Shaw & Sons – books                                                                          £  27.00

 Audit – conclusion of audit for 2004/05.  The result of the audit will be placed on the notice board for 14 days as directed by the Audit Commission.

 6          Matters raised by the clerk

Parish Councillors Guide – the two books ordered are now available to councillors

Road closure – School Hill will be closed on 20^th and 21^st December to install a new gas supply.

Leisure Centres – tenders have been received and a decision on the management of these should be made by March 2006.

Devon County Waste Local Plan – the chairman will read the documentation.

Totnes & Dartmouth Ring & Ride – the council felt unable to make a donation on this occasion.

Stoke Gabriel in Bloom – a comprehensive list of proposed tasks was sent, to which the council gave their approval. It was noted that the volunteers intend to try for a Gold award in 2006 and a meeting has been arranged with some parish councillors to discuss funding.  It was also noted that the Millenium Stone is looking much tidier than of late.

Parish Lengthsman Scheme – satisfaction cards were handed out so councillors can feed back to DCC on the effectiveness of the scheme.

Rydon Acres – although the council had intended to tidy up the entrance to Rydon Acres, a petition was received from several residents opposing such a scheme, preferring it instead to remain as it is.  However for insurance purposes the council will write to the Coast & Countryside Commission regarding health & safety issues.

Defra Orchard Grant - £82.50 has been received towards the upkeep of the orchard.

 7          Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 31^st October 2005 were approved and signed.

 8          Matters arising from the minutes

Stoke M8s Youth Group – Mr Tarr raised the question as to whether the parish council was paying for the wine and mince pies at the AGM on 5^th December but was assured that this was not the case.

Road sweeping – Mr Tarr met with Mr Steve Mason who agreed that the roads were a mess, but that the sweeping in Stoke Gabriel has been reduced to one afternoon a week. It was suggested that Mr Mason be invited to a parish council meeting.

Memorial tree – further to a request from a parishioner to plant a tree, it was agreed to plant an apple tree in the orchard.

Orchard apples – the apples are now picked and turned into cider.

 9          Highway & Hedgerow matters

Potholes – those outside V&A car park, Aish Road, Hoyle Lane and Broadley Lane need attention.

Flotsam on slipway – the Operations Team will be asked to clear it.

Bridges at Millpond – Mr Tully will obtain some sleepers to repair the bridges.

 10        Matters raised by Councillors

Website – 11,500 visitors.

Hoyle Copse – a JCB was used to remove rubbish, and the access road needs some work.  A Tree Surgeon will be hired for one day to deal with branches that form a health & safety hazard.  Due to the amount of ragwort growing in the meadow it was not possible to allow ponies to graze this year, but this is being addressed.  The council gave thanks to all the volunteers who regularly work hard to manage the wood and the meadow.

Memorial seat – this has been delivered and is ready for placement.

Affordable Housing – following the earlier session, the council agreed a programme of events: 1) the clerk will receive the forms and letters from Sue Southwell 2) the relevant documents will be signed and returned 3) Sue Southwell will deliver the packs in bulk to the clerk  4) volunteers will deliver the packs to every household in the parish  5)  the completed questionnaires will be returned in confidence to Sue Southwell  6)  An open meeting will be held on Tuesday 31^st January 2006 from 7-9pm in the Village Hall.  Those present will be Graham Swiss, Forward Planning Officer, Andy Fiske, Housing Officer, and Dave Kenyon, Planning Officer.

The meeting closed at 9.20pm

Next meetings

            Monday 9^th January 2006 at 7pm in the Village Hall