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A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 31st October 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
18 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Mr W Deval, Mrs R Rowe,
Mr B Tarr, Mr C Wigfall
1 Apologies – Miss P Ellis, Mr N Hill, Mr I Jones
2 Urgent business brought forward by the Chairman
PC John Hodgson’s Report – crime in the village is low at present, although some wine grapes have been stolen from a garden. PC Hodgson is still trying to get some of the yellow lines removed, to allow on-road parking in certain areas, but this is a lengthy process. He is still hopeful that the youth issues group M8s will become established.
Feedback from SHDC budget consultation meeting – Mr Wigfall attended the presentation on how budgets are calculated. Delegates working in groups were asked to prioritise services, and social housing, toilets and street cleaning were considered some of the main priorities.
3 Reports from County & District Councillors
Cllr Pennington reported the following:
Education – DCC have set up a Small Schools Working Party as some schools in Devon have less than 20 pupils and are not cost effective. The government has cut funding to the Learning & Skills Council for adult education courses resulting in some courses not running. This has affected those with learning disabilities and poor social skills.
Social Housing – DCC has proposed that the extra revenue obtained from council tax on second homes should be spread across the county, not just South Hams. Cllr Pennington will attend a meeting on 10th November at SHDC to campaign for the funds to remain in the South Hams to pay for social housing.
Mrs Rowe reported the following:
The SHDC Customer Service Team has gone live. This is a major development, the council offices are now open 5 days a week from 8am-5pm.
Energy Tips – a new publication, the cost of which is covered by advertising.
Leisure Centres – new consultations have taken place and it is hoped to transfer them to a trust at the end of 2006.
4 Planning
Mrs Rowe took no part in the discussions on planning.
Applications
1) Broadleigh Farm, Coombe House Lane – proposed holiday rally 21st July-13th August 2006. Both Mrs Hunt and Mrs Rowe declared a personal interest. No objection.
2) Pipers Bow, 1 Clay Park, Byter Mill Lane – conversion of existing dwelling to form 2 dwellings including extension, alteration & balcony. No objection. This application has subsequently been withdrawn.
3) Stonecroft, Hillfield – siting of caravan during demolition and rebuild of property. Letter from South Hams Council confirms that planning permission is not required.
4) Badgers Retreat, Orchard Close, Paignton Road – erection of detached dwelling. Site meeting arranged for 2nd November.
5) Green Ridges, Vicarage Road – alterations and extension. No objection.
Applications approved by SHDC
1) Rosemount Orchard – erection of garden room extension
Works to Trees
1) Kinghurst, Paignton Road – crown reduce maple by 15% max. Agreed to abide by Tree Warden’s decision.
2) Trees in vicinity of Hr Aish Farm – TPO served. No objection.
3) Trees at Aish – TPO 1984 revoked. No objection.
4) Southbank, Paignton Road – various works. Agreed to abide by Tree Warden’s decision.
5) Ash tree Hillfield/Paignton Road – decision not to confirm TPO. This tree has now been cut down so TPO is not relevant
Application withdrawn
1) Pipers Bow, 1 Clay Park, Byter Mill Lane – conversion of existing dwelling to form 2 dwellings including extension, alteration & balcony
5 Accounts
Payment of Accounts
Payment of the following accounts were proposed by Mr Deval and seconded by Mr Wigfall:
J Hamilton – clerk’s salary October 2005 £233.34
Village Hall - rental Apr-Sept £ 66.00
G Cowling – repairs to war memorial £ 25.00
6 Matters raised by the clerk
Tor Homes Gardens Competition – it was noted that the joint winner of the Best Individual Garden is from Stoke Gabriel, and that another Stoke Gabriel garden was also featured on the poster. The parish council congratulated the owners on their success.
Village fetes and signs on highways – DCC still say that unauthorised signs which are seen or reported have to be removed
Stoke Gabriel in Bloom – a letter has been received outlining some of the work proposed for the coming year, including tidying the “welcome” sign and the millenium stone area. The council had no objection.
Carnival – Pam Wigfall has stood down from organising the carnival. The council expressed their gratitude for her work and offered their support to anyone who feels they could take on the task.
South Hams Magazine – the clerk has received a preview copy of this publication, which will be circulated to all households, businesses, public buildings, town and parish councils in the district.
Parish Cluster meetings – representatives are invited to attend a meeting at Harbertonford on 29th November. There were no volunteers to attend.
South Hams Citizens Advice Bureau – it was agreed to send a donation of £100.
Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority – information regarding a meeting was passed to Mr Tarr.
Village Wassail – the Friends of Stoke School asked for use of the orchard on the night of 21st January 2006 for the annual Wassail. No objection.
The Good Councillor’s Guide – the clerk pointed out this publication but all councillors said they already had a copy.
The Parish Councillor’s Guide – it was agreed to purchase two copies of this book at £13.50 a copy.
7 Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 26th September 2005 were confirmed and signed.
8 Matters arising from the minutes
Brambles at Paignton Road – Mr Deval has cut the overhanging brambles near the paper shop and a contractor will tidy the rest of the hedge.
Whitehill brochure – Mr Deval has spoken to the new owners who have agreed to include information about Stoke Gabriel in their forthcoming brochure.
Benches – the bench at Duncannon Lane has been reinstated. Another one is due to be reinstated at the end of November.
Public toilets – SHDC have erected two wooden posts outside to prevent parking.
Ham Lane – chippings have been tipped as requested and SHDC will roll them down.
9 Highways and Hedgerows
Memorial tree – a request has been made to plant a tree in memory of a relative who has died. Mr Hunt will liaise with the family to suggest an apple tree and a plaque.
He will also attend to some of the trees in the orchard.
Road sweeping and weed clearance – a letter will be written to SHDC stating that the council are dissatisfied with the work. Cllr Pennington will be asked to take on this cause.
10 Matters raised by councillors
Lane at Aish – a query was raised as to whether it had been necessary to resurface a lane at Aish opposite Hoyle Lane. It was agreed that it is a public highway and therefore part of DCC’s ongoing work to reinstate worn tarmac.
Hoyle Copse – Mr Jones and Tree Warden Mr Lusty attended a course on hedge laying and coppicing arranged by the Devon Wildlife Trust. Permission was granted for a JCB to enter Hoyle Copse for one day to clear rubbish and transport filling material for the access track. A tree surgeon will be hired for one day, and regular volunteers will clear and dispose of the cut timber.
Website – 11,000 visitors to date.
Rydon Acres – the council are of the opinion that the raised stones are an eyesore as well as a health and safety risk. It was suggested that the stones and paving slabs be completely removed and that residents, particularly those who live in Rydon Acres, be asked to come up with suggestions for refurbishing the area. Some parishioners have already requesting seating.
Village Orchard – permission was given to Mr Hunt to use the apples to make cider. In return, he will plant two new trees.
Affordable Housing – following discussion during the ten-minute session, it was agreed to set out the procedure and send it to the spokesperson for the group. A model housing survey questionnaire will be obtained and sent to all parish councillors for their comments, with a view to circulating it in the new year. Sue Southwell, Rural Housing Enabler, will be invited to the next parish council meeting to give a presentation and answer questions.
The meeting closed at 9.10pm
Next Meeting:
Monday 28th November 2005 at 7pm in the Village Hall
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