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NB The wording of these minutes was amended at the meeting on 24th April and the amended minutes will be posted on the website at a later date.
A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 27th March 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
9 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Miss P Ellis, Mr N Hill,
Mrs R Rowe, Mr B Tarr, Mr C Wigfall
1 Apologies: Mr W Deval, Mr I Jones, Cllr T Pennington, PC John Hodgson
2 Urgent Business brought forward by the Chairman
PC Hodgson sent the following report:
Changes in the Police Force may affect the level of service provided by PC Hodgson.
Vandalism – there is a worrying trend of petty damage to notice boards, street signs and street furniture. This comes in the form of smashed glass, breaking wooden frames and graffiti, and PC Hodgson is disappointed that the young people responsible do not have more pride in the village. He urges parents to know where their sons or daughters are, as he will have no choice but to prosecute and they will have a criminal record.
M8s – the youth club members are enthusiastic and ideas have been put forward for future activities.
Neighbourhood Watch – more co-ordinators are being enlisted.
Parking – highways have agreed to review parking in the village in 2006/07.
Stoke Gabriel in Bloom representatives attended to give the following report:
Meeting with Parish Councillors – this took place in November 2005, at which they agreed a list of activities for the forthcoming year.
Rydon Acres – a proposed plan was circulated to nearby residents, which revealed that nobody wanted the stones removed, and one did not want the cherry trees removed. At the February 2006 Parish Council meeting the plan was studied and no fault was found with the proposed plantings.
Some discussion took place as to why the cherry trees were removed, when the Parish Council had specifically asked for them to stay, and were in the process of having a Tree Preservation Order put on them. This had been held up by South Hams Council because the owner of the land could not be located. The Stoke Gabriel in Bloom reps stated that they had commissioned a report from a tree surgeon, who recommended that the trees should be felled, along with a report from Britain in Bloom who stated that the village was more likely to win the competition if the trees were not there. In conclusion Mr Tully said that it was unfortunate that the trees had gone, but the only course of action was to draw a line under the incident and move on.
3 Reports from County & District Councillors
Cllr Pennington sent the following report:
School Transport in Devon – previously children ceased entitlement to free transport if between they live 2 & 3 miles from school, at 8years old, but this will now be extended up to 11-years-olds.
Budget restraints – there will be a moratorium on all applications for new Street Orders for 2006/07
Highways - £770,000 for Highway and Transport improvements will be available for 2006/07, with borrowing approval for £30million for new highway capital expenditure.
Mrs Rowe reported the following:
Council changes – a review is being carried out by central government to reorganise County and District Councils. The present 4 Devon districts may amalgamate into 1 large council. A White Paper is expected in June.
Local Government strike – to take place on 28th March, which may affect some local services.
Leisure Centres – a decision on the control of these should be made on 6th April.
4 Planning
Mrs Rowe declared an interest and took no part in discussions on planning.
Applications
1) Silver Springs, Paignton Road – alterations & extension to dwelling. No objection
2) Paper Shop, Mill Hill – change of use from shop to residential dwelling. No objection.
3) Northam, School Hill – alterations & extension to roof and new detached garage. No objection, subject to building regulations being met.
4) Tamberley, New Road – erection of detached dwelling & new double garage. No objection.
5) Wickendon, Byter Mill Lane – alterations & extension to provide 1st floor bedroom. No objection.
6) Broadleigh Farm – proposed holiday rally. Mrs Hunt declared an interest and took no part in the discussion. No objection.
7) 8 Body Hayes Close – erection of extension to rear to form additional accommodation. No objection.
8) 5 Darton Grove – erection of dormer extension. No objection.
9) 6 Darton Grove – erection of dormer extension & pitched roof over kitchen. No objection.
10) Hirondelle, Aish Road – erection of porch. No objection.
11) 4 Vicarage Grove – alterations & extensions to dwelling. No objection.
12) 5 Long Rydon – alterations & extension to existing dwelling to form bedroom and garage. No objection.
13) Stonecroft, Hillfield – proposed hardstanding. Miss Ellis declared an interest and took no part in discussions. No objection, subject to the engagement of a professional survey to meet necessary requirements for underpinning the proposed retaining wall.
14) 7 Barn Park – extension. No objection.
Applications granted by SHDC
1) Stonecroft, Hillfield – erection of dormer extension & pitched roof over kitchen
Trees
1) Duncannon Cottage - Grant of consent to fell 9 sycamore & 2 ash.
5 Payment of Accounts
Payment of the following was proposed by Mr Tarr and seconded by Mrs Hunt:
J Hamilton - clerk’s salary Jan 06 £233.34
- quarterly expenses Jan-Mar 06 £ 50.00 £283.34
Devon Playing Fields Association - subscription £ 15.00
I Jones - Reimbursements:
Glendinning Ltd – concrete for Hoyle Copse £ 11.82
Southern Timber Ltd – hinges, catches, bolts £ 30.64
Southern Timber Ltd – gates for Hoyle Copse £ 96.36
Southern Timber Ltd – fence at Rydon Cross £245.34 £384.16
J Taylor, SG in Bloom – paint etc for bus shelter £ 67.06
Stoke Gabriel in Bloom - grant for planting 2006 £150.00
- entry to Britain in Bloom £ 18.00 £168.00
K&T Pook – work on trees £ 25.00
The Red Slipper - printer £ 89.98
- website expenses £ 42.23 £132.21
Mr Tarr noted that an amount of between £100-£200 had been allocated to the fencing of the bus shelter area, although this cost had been considerably exceeded without further reference to the council. The clerk pointed out that she is the Finance Officer and that, unless previously arranged, all bills should some to her to be paid. Mr Wigfall queried whether bills could be paid by BACS, and will look into this.
Detailed budgeting of precept
Mr Wigfall, representing the newly-formed Finance Committee, produced a spreadsheet of expenses for the forthcoming year, and explained that there were large expenses in relation to the management of Hoyle Copse, but that the major expenses would be recovered through grants.
The clerk queried why her salary was still below the recommended Clerks’ Salary Scale in line with other clerks, and after much discussion Mr Tully stated that “it would not be fair to the parishioners” to pay the clerk any more than she is paid at present, but that it is the council’s intention to put her on the pay scale at April 2007. The clerk also queried why her expenses will be reduced by £80 a year from April, and explained that both her predecessors had not had a rate so low since 1984. After discussion it was agreed to reinstate the expenses to £200 a year. Mr Wigfall has obtained a printer/scanner/copier for the clerk’s use, to replace the old photocopier. He has also obtained a rebuilt computer which is specifically for parish council work and owned by the parish council, but the clerk explained that this could not be connected to the internet in a private house without further expense, as her own computer is being used for that purpose at present, at her own expense. She will look into how much it would cost to connect a second machine.
6 Matters raised by the Clerk
Training meeting – the clerk attended a training meeting at Follaton House, which focussed on clerks’ pay and conditions, quality councils, new planning laws and changes in the members’ Code of Conduct. Feedback has been circulated to councillors. The event was free of charge.
Landslip at Tor Park Road – Torbay Council state that the offending rocks have been removed.
7 Minutes of last meeting 27th February 2006 - agreed and signed
8 Matters arising from the minutes
Dog fouling – the dog warden had not been available, the clerk will keep trying.
Seats – these are in the process of being placed at Hoyle Copse and Waddeton.
Trees – Mr Tarr will liaise with Mr Lusty to identify trees in the parish considered worthy of a Tree Preservation Order.
9 Highway & Hedgerow matters
Highway parking – photographs were sent to the council of various large vehicles parked at the bus stop end of Aish Road. As the vehicles are parked on a public highway the owners are not committing an offence, and it is the Parish Council’s policy to reduce the number of double yellow lines in the village to create on-road parking.
Horse riders – a resident has written a complaint about a riding school using the pavement to avoid parked cars. The council is not aware of the existence of a riding school in the parish.
Barn Park – the grass verges have become damaged by large lorries driving over them and depositing mud on the pavements. This item will be put on the agenda for the next Parish Meeting with a view to asking for the area to be tarmaced and providing parking bays for residents.
State of highway from Lower Well to Waddeton Court – this needs attention.
Road signs – two signs at Rydon Cross have been uprooted by vandals.
Port Bridge – highways will be contacted regarding the ivy breaking up the top of the bridge.
Seats – the seat formerly at Broadpath will be reinstated, along with a new one at The Yeolands.
10 Matters raised by Councillors
Hoyle Copse – letters have been received about the “private” signs erected by a landowner near Hoyle Copse. Mr Tully and Mr Jones will form a reply.
Rydon Acres – Mr Wigfall offered to contact the Land Registry about ownership of the paved area.
Website – 13,725 visitors.
Devon County Council – some councillors observed that a considerable sum of money has been spent on a new logo.
The meeting closed at 9.00pm
Next Meetings
Parish Council Meeting Monday 24th April 2006 at 7pm in The Village Hall
Annual Parish Meeting Monday 22nd May 2006 at 7pm in The Village Hall
This will be followed immediately by a Parish Council Meeting
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