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A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 30th October 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
16 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Mr W Deval, Miss P Ellis,
Mr I Jones, Mrs R Rowe, Mr B Tarr, Mr C Wigfall
1 Apologies: Mr N Hill.
Mr Tully reported that the Clerk was on sick leave and wished her, on behalf of the Council, a speedy recovery. In her absence, Mr Wigfall would be taking the minutes for this meeting.
2 Urgent Business brought forward by the Chairman
The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, wished to congratulate Dr Neil Millward for all his work in setting up the Weather Station.
The Chairman read out a letter from the Stoke Gabriel Cricket Club regarding their new changing rooms. It was agreed that this was a worthwhile local cause. Mrs Rowe suggested that grant funds may be available from the Community Council of Devon, and it was also suggested that funds could be included in next years Precept.
Yalberton Valley – During the ’10 minutes session’ the Council were advised by concerned residents, that Torbay Councils’ Strategic Planners have a proposed plan to build over the entire Yalberton valley by constructing a new ‘sustainable Community’ of 1,000 households. Although the development would be outside the Parish boundary, it would inevitably have a direct and detrimental impact on the Parish and surrounding countryside area. The Chairman and the Council expressed their opposition to these proposals and will monitor them closely.
3 Reports from County & District Councillors
Mrs R Rowe reported the following:
Refuse collection – There had been some teething problems with the new collection system due to new duty rotas and drivers. Hopefully this should be sorted out shortly.
Leisure Centres – Tone Leisure should now be operating by Christmas.
Grant - the council has been awarded an £80,000.00 grant for sustainable Tourism, which they will use toward improving existing Tourist attractions and encouraging Green Tourist business within the South Hams.
Council Tax – South Hams were now busy looking at the provisions for next year.
Cllr Pennington reported the following:
Gypsy sites - Plymouth University have been commissioned by Devon CC to investigate a needs assessment on Gypsies and Travellers in Devon . Cost £60,000.00
Free Transport – A motion has been placed to extend Free Transport for over 60s to Train journeys with in Devon. He had tabled an amendment “that it be fully funded by Central Government”.
Finance reorganisation – A report is due shortly on a possible Local Government Finance reorganisation by Sir Michael Lyons. The County Council will oppose, as any changes are likely to significantly increase council tax.
Highways – The new contact is Brian George, based in Newton Abbot. Contact phone number 0845 155 1004 (CSC Roads & Transport)
4) Planning
Mrs Rowe declared an interest and took no part in discussions on planning.
Applications
1) Greenway House – Change of use from dwelling house with integral staff flat into two self-contained dwelling units and exhibition area; refurbishments of the main house, use of existing garden building as public toilets and erection of a temporary building to house historical collection during conversion/refurbishment works. – No Objection
2) Caravan Club, Ramslade – variation of condition 5 application 52/1399/05/CU in increase pitch Nos. from 147 to 155 – No Objection
3) 11 Kings Rydon Close – extension to dwelling– No Objection
4) Silver Springs, Paignton Road – amendment to approved application 0337 – to replace render finish with weatherboard– No Objection
5) Home Farm, Waddeton – alterations and extension to provide ancillary accommodation– No Objection
6) Field rear of 11 Yonder Meadow – erection of agricultural store. Objection – due to inappropriate size and construction (Velux Windows), also the proposed site was felt to be too close to Mapledene.
Applications granted by SHDC
1) Yarde Farm, Paignton Road – listed building consent for proposed entrance canopy
2) Yarde Farm, Paignton Road – demolition of existing garage, construction of new garage/storage area and widening of existing access
3) Yarde Farm, Paignton Road – listed building consent for 2) above
4) Dartside Quay, Galmpton – renewal of application 1012 for construction of slipway
5) Borrowdale, Mill Hill – new garden room and decked area
6) 3 Long Rydon – proposed block built shed
7) Victoria & Albert Inn – amendments to approved application 2059 (Subdivision of dwelling and amendments to existing elevation)
8) 4 Vicarage Grove – alterations and extension to dwelling
9) Glenhaven, Paignton Road – alterations and extension to dwelling (No. 1746)
10) Southlands, Vicarage Road – retrospective application for preservation of two wooden huts
11) 11 Kings Rydon close – extension to dwelling
12) Ramslade Caravan Club – demolition of existing toilet block and erection of new toilet block with ancillary works
Trees
1) Churchyard – fell one Cherry – No Objection
Other Issues
1) 1 Hillfield – information regarding Groundworks to garden – planning permission not required
5 Accounts
Payment of Accounts
Payment of the following accounts were proposed by Miss Ellis and seconded by Mr Deval:
J Hamilton – clerk’s salary & expenses Oct 06 £283.34
Bank balances:
Mr Wigfall reported the following:
Current Account £8453.99
Deposit Account £ 7.74
He also reported that the transfer of £2000 agreed last month had not been transferred; he had therefore today requested the bank to transfer that sum together with a further £3000 (approximating to the recently received Precept payment) to the Deposit account, subject to the council’s agreement that evening. The council agreed and confirmed his action unanimously. He also reported that the ‘Deposit’ account is a Business Call account and currently requires no notice to be given to transfer funds.
6 Matters raised by the Clerk
Parish Cluster Meeting – Miss Ellis and Mr Wigfall to attend
Stoke Gabriel in Bloom – they sent a letter advising the council of their intended planting at the war memorial and questioned the possibility of placing further benches there. They also raised their concern at the memorial’s poor state of repair.
Alzheimer’s Society – SHDC has drawn the council’s attention to a charity auction on 24th November at 7.30pm at The Royal Seven Stars, Totnes.
Natural England – a new public body has been set up
7 Minutes of last meeting 27th September 2006-11-01
Subject to the following amendments the minutes were accepted as a true record and they were duly signed by the chairman.
Item 8 -Trees – It was Miss Ellis who had spoken to the tree warden
Item 9 - Hoyle Lane should read Washborough
Item 10.Seats – amend word ‘donated’ to ‘bequeathed’.
Include – Letters to be sent to Jo Butler-Green and Margaret Parker thanking them for their litter collecting efforts at Waddeton.
Include - Mr Jones agreed not to raise his email at his moment in time, in view of the Chairman’s proposed discussions with the clerk.
8 Matters arising from the minutes
Apple Tree – Mr Pook still to take away, but difficulty with access due to church painter’s vehicles parked in Church Walk during the week
Odour from drains – there is still odour from the drains, but not as bad.
Trees –The Tree Warden, although in favour of forming a list of trees worthy of a TPO, feels that the Council’s time and efforts could be better spent elsewhere.
Barn Park – There is still confusion as to who ‘owns’ the land - Councillor Pennington to make further enquiries.
River Dart Non-Beneficiary Group – Following Mr Tarr’s resignation, it has been suggested that Mr. Roger Barron be appointed as the village representative. His local knowledge of the River and its environs would be most beneficial. He has agreed and will report back to the Council. All agreed.
9 Highway & Hedgerow matters
Benches – Miss Ellis had conducted a survey of all the existing benches and reported that several require attention. Her list is now with the clerk, and it will also be necessary to check our insurance as to the number covered. The bench outside the Paper Shop has been removed and is currently in their garage. There still are benches waiting to be placed in their proposed positions. Mr Hamment-Arnold requested, via Miss Ellis, that his benches be stored over winter and set in position next spring.
Barn Park – The Royal British Legion wish to place a seat there, but cannot do so until the matter of land ownership is decided.( See Item 8)
The Orchard – the state of the pathways and orchard in general is a cause for concern. The Pathways need resurfacing and the nettles etc. to be cut back. As a valuable Village asset, it should be maintained to a better standard. It was suggested that an advert be placed in the Parish Magazine to see if anyone is interested in forming an ‘Orchard working Party’.
Byter Mill Lane – The Sign is bent and needs renewing. Also a turning Bay sign is required on the Southdown road end
War Memorial - Concern over condition of the site. Mr Jones to investigate and was authorised to arrange a temporary repair, pending full works
Vicarage Road/School Hill – Several lorries have got stuck there recently. Steel posts to be put up to discourage lorries in this narrow part.
Millpond Foreshore. Although the sleepers have been obtained, they are still to be laid. There seems to be a difficulty in getting a local builder to do such a ‘small’ job.
In view of all the building/maintenance wok currently required i.e. Orchard paths, millpond foreshore, benches and War Memorial, it was felt that a builder be tasked to do all the works. Mr Jones will produce a ‘spec’ so that we can put the work out to tender.
Hoyle Copse – The meadow has now been cut – twice. An alternative plan has been drawn up for the new access ramp, but will require a mini digger to be hired to move the soil. As the neighbouring farmer will shortly be moving soil into that area, the Council authorised Mr Jones to hire a digger at the same time to do the works.
There have been instances of ‘gunfire’ being heard in the Copse and youths in camouflage clothing in the area. It is a provision that there be no ‘shooting’ in the area and Mr Jones agreed to put up signs to this effect.
Vandalism – Concerns were expressed about youths who are causing damage to trees and flower beds in the village, in addition to alleged damage to property. The Police need to be told, but people have had difficulty in getting through to the Police call centre. This should be brought to the attention of the new community officer when they attend a meeting.
Green Lanes – Gates have been placed on some Green Lanes which Horse riders find inconvenient.
10 Matters raised by Councillors
Church Tower -There is a proposal to put a mobile phone mast on the Church tower. This will come before the Council in the normal manner for planning.
Tax Discs – There is a spate of Car Tax discs being stolen. Tamper-proof licence holders can be obtained from the Police Station; cost £1.00.
Orchard – It was agreed that Mr Hunt could collect the apples. He will replace any trees which require renewing.
Precept 2007/8 –Preliminary budgets are being drawn up to assist in setting the forthcoming precept, and Councillors were requested to advise Mr Wigfall of any extraordinary funding requirements (such as a possible ‘fighting fund’ for the proposed development at Yalberton) so that the precept can be set at the November meeting. Initial calculations show that the precept will need to increase.
Website – 18940 visitors to date.
Parish Plan – It was agreed that Mr Wigfall should proceed on this and was authorised to incur costs for a preliminary public meeting.
The Chairman had received a letter of resignation from Mr N. Hill. It was proposed by Mr Tarr and seconded by Mr Deval that the Chairman decline this and ask Mr Hill to reconsider his action at this time. All agreed.
The chairman advised that he and Mrs Hunt were still to discus outstanding matters with the clerk, but, to date, had been unable to agree a suitable date with her.
The Chairman thanked Mr Wigfall for taking the minutes.
The meeting closed at 9.23pm
Next meeting:
Monday 27th November 2006 at 7pm in the village hall
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