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A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on

Monday 9^th January 2006 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

4 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, Mrs R Rowe (from 7.35pm), Mr B Tarr,

Mr C Wigfall

1          Apologies:  Cllr T Pennington, PC John Hodgson

2          Urgent business brought forward by the Chairman

Pc Hodgson sent the following report:

Reported crimes in the parish have increased in the past year, but nothing to worry too much about.  A review is being carried out of Neighbourhood Watch and flyers will be distributed to those roads which do not have a co-ordinator.

Stoke M8s is aiming to launch a youth club in the village shortly.

Changes in Policing – the Force mobile phone service has been withdrawn but PC Hodgson has his own mobile phone for work, 07811 648707.

3          Reports from County and District Councillors

Cllr Pennington, who chairs Marldon Parish Council on the first Monday of each month, apologised for his absence and sent the following report:

County Council budget – the council is currently facing a “black hole” of around £15million and Revenue Support Grant (prov) is disappointing at £50 per head of population less than our neighbouring councils.  A delegation to see the Minister will try to obtain an increase, but if not successful then savings will need to be made, most likely in highways and social services.

Chief Executive of DCC – Phil Norrey took up this post from 1^st January.

Affordable Housing – Cllr Pennington is still pressing for council tax on second homes to be used for affordable housing within the South Hams.

Mrs Rowe reported the following:

Primary Care Trust – these will be reduced to 2 rather than 6 in order to save £700,000. There will be fewer districts e.g. South Hams and Teignbridge may work together.  This may take place in 2007/08.

Leisure Centres – they are promoting gym lessons, to be sponsored by businesses.

4          Planning

Mrs Rowe took no part in the discussions on planning.

Miss Ellis declared a personal interest in items 6 & 7 (Stonecroft) and took no part in discussion on these items,

Applications

1)  Four Cross Garden Centre – re-siting of portable toilet.  Objection.

2)  Cross Creek House, Sandridge – change of use of land from grassland to garden.  No objection.

3)  Higher East Cornworthy – variation of permission (change of use of barn to allow storage for boats) to allow car & trailer parking and change of Use of land for creation of river access track, slipway and compound.  No objection.

4)  1 Barn Park – erection of dwelling.  No objection.

5)  Badgers Retreat, Orchard Close, Paignton Road – resubmission of application for erection of dwelling.  Objection.

6)  Stonecroft, Hillfield – removal of condition 5 (obscure glazing) to allow side windows serving the kitchen and dining room of Granny Flat to be clear glass. Site meeting to be held.

7)  Stonecroft, Hillfield – resubmission of application for demolition and rebuilding of existing dwelling.  Site meeting to be held to discuss proposed new dormer window.

Applications Granted by SHDC

1)  Four Cross Garden Centre – change of use of land for storage of leisure craft. It was noted that this is for 2 years only and that several conditions are attached.

2)  Wayside, Flood Street – erection of conservatory

3)  Starlings, Hillfield – demolition of existing single garage and erection of double garage

4)  Yew Tree House, Mill Hill – retrospective application for removal of condition (boathouse shall only be used as a boat store/storeroom) to allow use as an ancillary unit of accommodation to Yew Tree House

5)  Elmcroft, Broadpath – amendment to application, to allow slates on roof of dwelling to be fixed with slate hooks

6)  Pipers Bow, Byter Mill Lane – conversion of existing dwelling to form 2 dwellings including external alterations and extension

7)  River Cottage, Port Bridge – erection of garden shed

Applications Refused by SHDC

1)  2 School Hill Cottages – erection of decked area on the upper level of the garden and steps for access

Applications Withdrawn

1)  Badgers Retreat, Orchard Close, Paignton Road – erection of detached dwelling.  A new application has been submitted as above

2)  3 Waddeton Cottages, Waddeton – erection of 2 storey extension and internal alterations

Works to Trees

1)  Duncannon Cottage, Duncannon Lane – works to trees with TPO. The council agreed to abide by the decision of the Tree Warden

2)  Southbank, Paignton road – various works (ref 1942).  Notification from SHDC to undertake works as stated.

Other Planning Issues

1)  Stonecroft, Hillfield – notification of intention to apply to change conditions re glazing of windows in obscure glass, i.e. change to clear glass. A formal application has now been received as above.

5          Accounts

Payment of Accounts

Payment of the following accounts were proposed by Mrs Hunt and seconded by Mr Jones:

            J Hamilton        - clerk’s salary Dec 05             £233.34

                                    - quarterly expenses Oct-Dec 05          £  50.00

                                    - postages & expenses                          £  14.11           £297.45

            Staples – office requisites                                                                      £  15.06

            Audit Commission – audit fees                                                  £141.00

            SLCC subscription                                                                               £  69.00

The clerk explained that the audit fees are for the Audit Commission to authorise the spending for the previous year, a legal requirement for all councils, for which an administration fee is paid.  Some councillors thought this an unnecessary expense, and instructed the clerk to write to Anthony Steen MP to complain about the cost.

To set the precept for 2006/07

The clerk and all members of the public were asked to leave the room while this item was being discussed.

The precept for 2006/07 was set at £7100.

The clerk’s salary will be raised from £2800 to £3200 per annum, a 14% increase and her expenses reduced from £200 to £120 per annum from 1^st April 2006. The council will provide the clerk with a computer and photocopier for parish use and make steps to put the clerk on the pay scale.  At the council’s next meeting the budget for 2006/07 will be discussed as a separate item.

6          Matters raised by the Clerk

Hoyle Copse – a letter was received from the residents of Hoyle Cottages regarding boundaries and fencing, to which the council will reply.

SHDC Budget Meeting  with Town and Parish Councils – no councillors showed any interest in attending this meeting.

Countryside Stewardship – the council had asked Defra to include the meadow at Hoyle Copse in the grant, which Defra will consider for 2007/08.

Stoke Gabriel in Bloom – following a meeting between the committee and several councillors, a plan of action was drawn up and diagrams produced of proposed work for the coming year.  Approval was given to clear scrub at the Mill Quay in order to erect a new seat.  The SHDC Health & Safety Officer will be contacted regarding the paved area at Rydon Cross.

7          Minutes of last meeting – agreed and signed

8          Matters arising from the minutes

Rural Housing – Sue Southwell has just returned from holiday so results of the survey are not yet available.  She and other officers will give a presentation in the Village Hall on 31^st January.

Memorial tree – this has been purchased and will be sited shortly.

9          Highway & Hedgerow matters

Hedgerows – the owners of the hedges along Paignton Road near the campsites will be asked to trim them.

Digging along highway – Mr Tarr offered to meet with the highways department to show them the mess along Paignton Road where the sewers are being repaired, including the damage to grass verges and danger to traffic and pedestrians.

Weed killing – this has still not been carried out.

10        Matters raised by Councillors

Fly tipping – this is increasing, with rubbish being dumped in gateways.

Website – 12,250 visitors.  Regrettably Mr Wigfall has had to close the message board owing to the continuing presence of spam.

V & A car park – cars are being dumped there again.  One of the councillors will ask the owner of the cars to remove them.

Enforcements – the clerk will contact the Enforcement Officer regarding progress on certain on-going enforcement matters.

 Parish Housing Meeting Tuesday 31^st January – this will take place in the Village Hall at 7.00pm with speakers from South Hams District Council.  Officers in attendance will be Sue Southwell, Rural Housing Enabler, Graham Swiss, Forward Planning Officer, Andrew Fisk & Dave Kenyon, Housing Officers.

The meeting closed at 9.20pm

Next Parish Council Meeting