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A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on

Monday 22^nd May 2006 at 7.50 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

12 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, Mr B Tarr, Mr C Wigfall

1          Apologies: PC John Hodgson

2          Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

The chairman called for nominations for these offices.  Miss Ellis nominated Mr Tully as chairman and Mrs Hunt as vice-chairman, and this was seconded by Mr Tarr. Both members agreed to accept these roles and were duly elected to serve for one year.

 3          Urgent Business brought forward by the Chairman – none

 4          Reports from County & District Councillors

Mrs Rowe reported the following:

SHDC new chairman – Cllr Brian Carson has been elected chairman and Cllr John Carter vice-chairman.

Reorganisation of District Councils – a White Paper will be out shortly.

Housing – a grant a £2.4 million is available for housing in the district, which will fulfill some housing needs, Stoke Gabriel being on the list for 2008.

Cllr Pennington gave the following report:

Prejudicial interests – Cllr Pennington is still pursuing this cause on behalf of councillors.

Grass cutting – Cllr Pennington is dealing with the issue of grass cutting and weed spraying in Stoke Gabriel, which is unsatisfactory and involves several different contractors.

 5          Planning

Mrs Rowe declared an interest and took no part in the discussions on planning.

1)  Downings Close, the Barnhay – demolition of bungalow and construction of two storey dwelling.  No objection

2)  Downings Close, the Barnhay – conservation consent for demolition of bungalow and construction of two storey dwelling.  No objection

3)  8 Mill Hill Court – erection of porch.  Objection

4)  14 Poundfield – erection of extension and free standing garage.  No objection

5)  Adams Orchard, Mill Hill – alterations to porch, rooflight, windows & landscaping.  No objection but this should be a retrospective application

6)  Post Office – advertisement consent for display of shop sign.  No objection

7)  Swallow Barns, Higher Well Farm – alteration of single doorway to double doors for store access and garage.  No objection

8)  Land adjacent to Dominoes, Byter Mill Lane – erection of new dwelling.  No objection

Applications Granted by SHDC

1)  Stonecroft, Hillfield – proposed hardstanding

2)  5 Long Rydon – alterations and extension to existing dwelling to form bedroom and garage

3)  Hirondelle, Aish Road – erection of porch

4)  7 Barn Park – extension to side of property, to provide new study with bathroom and bedroom over

5)  Tamberley, New Road – erection of detached dwelling

6)  Conway, Hoyle Lane – demolition of timber garage and rebuild

Applications Refused by SHDC

1)  4 Vicarage Grove – alteration and extension to dwelling

Applications Withdrawn

1)  5 Darton Grove – erection of dormer extension

2)  6 Darton Grove – erection of dormer extension and pitched roof over kitchen

Works to Trees

1)  Maisonette (Stoke Gabriel House), Duncannon Lane – surgery to horse chestnut.  No objection

2)  Waterside House, Byter Mill Lane – remove branches from stem of oak.  Objection on advice of Tree Warden.

 6          Accounts

Payment of Accounts

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

J Hamilton        – clerk’s salary & expenses                         £283.34

                        - postage                                                          £  11.01           £294.35

Staples             - office requisites                                                                      £  37.93

 7          Matters raised by the Clerk

Stoke Gabriel in Bloom – minutes of last meeting recieved.  They are also taking up the issue of grass cutting in the village and have asked for an extra cut before the judging of Britain in Bloom.

Sustainable Communities Bill – unfortunately no Stoke Gabriel Parish Councillors attended the meeting in Totnes, so no feedback was received.

Creating an Emergency Plan – the council are under the impression that this has been done. The clerk will investigate.

Weather Station – the clerk read a letter stating that the other organisations involved, FOSS and SGBA,  will be funding the project, therefore the council agreed to make a one-off setting up donation of £100.

Victim Support, Devon – a request for funding was declined by the council, as they felt the precept should directly benefit the parish.

AONB – Mr Jones showed interest in a forthcoming meeting.

Devon & Cornwall Police – liaison meeting taking place at Totnes on 24^th May.

Duncannon Footpath diversion – a formal diversion has been made, to which the council had no objection, as this is a long running issue.

Ningham, Fleet Mill Lane – a form will be returned the Traffic Commissioner regarding the council’s objection to a proposed Vehicle Operating Centre.

 8          Minutes of last meeting 24^th April 2006 – agreed and signed.

 9          Matters arising from the minutes

2 School Hill Cottages – the council are concerned that no reply has yet been received from SHDC regarding suspected breech of planning regulations.

Closure of Aish Road – the clerk will thank the Highways Dept for their speedy work in completing this stretch of road in half the time estimated. 

10        Highway & Hedgerow matters

Road sweeping – another letter will be sent to SHDC expressing the council’s dissatisfaction with this service.

Tree Warden – the clerk will send a letter to David Lusty thanking him for his volunteer work, which is much appreciated.

Wheelie bins – SHDC inspectors will check whether bins are causing obstruction to the highway. It was also pointed out that those who do not have access to wheeled bins may dispose of their garden waste in clear sacks on collection day.

Lembury Road – needs resurfacing.

School Hill – the drain outside the school entrance seems to be permanently blocked. Cllr Pennington will try to arrange a visit by the drain cleaning team.

Port Bridge – a report from the Bridge Officer states that the ivy is not damaging the stonework, but a careful eye will be kept on it.

 11        Matters raised by Councillors

Bottle Bank – no word has yet been received from SHDC about whether one can be sited in the parish.

Memorial seat – Mr David Richardson has kindly offered a seat in memory of his late wife Sylvia. The council are pleased to accept this, possibly to be erected at Hoyle Copse or near the millpond.

War memorial – some parts are unsafe and need the attention of a stonemason.  Quotes will be sought for repair work.

Japanese Knotweed – evidence has been found of this growing in the village, and the landowner concerned is aware and will take immediate action.

Website – 15000 visitors.

Parish Plan – following Mr Wigfall’s presentation at the Annual Meeting, it was agreed to take this further. The clerk has information which she will pass on.

Orchard – there was discussion as to whether some areas should be left to grow wild to preserve meadow flowers and wildlife habitats. It was agreed to continue to cut the main areas, and to leave some of the edges uncut, as at present.

Signs at Four Cross – some large advertising hoardings have appeared.  Advice will be sought from the planning department.

Chairman – the councillors thanked Mr Tully for his chairmanship, and he thanked the council for their co-operation.

 The meting closed at 9.45pm

Dates of Next Meetings

Monday 26^th June 2006 at 7pm in the Village Hall