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The First Annual Meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 21st May 2007 at 8.00 pm in the Village Hall
16 members of the public were present
Present: Mr R Tully (Chairman), Mrs C Hunt, Miss E Bridge, Miss P Ellis,
Dr R Johnson, Mr I Jones, Mr J Robinson, Mr B Tarr
1 Apologies: The Chairman brought an apology from Mr C Wigfall (abroad)
2 To Elect Chairman and Vice-Chair
It was proposed that Mr Tully be Chairman and by a majority vote Mr Tully was duly elected Chairman for one year.
It was proposed that Mrs Hunt be Vice-Chair, and by a majority vote Mrs Hunt was duly elected Vice-Chair for one year.
3 Councillors to sign forms of Acceptance of Office and Undertaking to Observe the Authority’s Code of Conduct – the elected members present signed their forms in the presence of the Proper Officer of the Council (the clerk).
Forms for General Notice of Registrable Interests were handed out to councillors with instruction to return them to the Monitoring Officer by 31st May 2007.
4 To consider formation of committees
The council agreed that the Planning Committee should comprise Mrs Hunt (chair), Miss Ellis, Mr Robinson and Miss Bridge.
The council agreed that the Finance Committee should comprise Mr Tarr, Mr Jones and one other.
>The meeting then adjourned for 10 minutes for members of the public to put matters to the council.<
5 Minutes of the last meeting 30th April 2007
Amend item 11 Foreshore to read “will voluntarily cut.....in the Autumn”.
Subject to the above amendment the minutes were signed by the chairman as a true record.
6 Matters arising from the minutes
Sign at Duncannon footpath – the clerk has written to the residents and has received one verbal reply but it is not known whether the sign has been removed.
7 Reports from County and District Councillors
Mrs R Rowe reported the following:
South Hams Council – the new chairman is John Carter and the new leader is John Tucker.
Mrs Rowe’s duties – these include being appointed Chairman of Environment Policy Development Group, member of Development Control Committee, member of Audit Committee, council’s representative on the AONB Committee, joint Chair of DEEM Dart (Estuary Environmental Management Steering Committee), Joint Chair of SHDC Tourism Forum. Mrs Rowe is also willing to act as liaison for the Parish Council on river issues.
Gabriel Court Hotel – the planning application is not acceptable in its present form; a meeting will be held with the applicants and a revised plan put forward. Mrs Rowe will enquire whether a representative of the parish council may be present at the meeting.
Cllr T Pennington reported the following:
Potholes – the roads will be repaired in the near future.
Road at Coombe Shute – inspection by the Highways Dept revealed no visible damage.
8 Planning
To consider the following Applications
1) 7 Long Rydon – extension to dwelling. No objection.
2) 12 Yonder Meadow – demolition and erection of new dwelling with new detached garage. No objection.
3) 7 Mapledene Close – lounge and hall extension to dwelling and extension to garage to provide garden store. No objection.
Planning Applications Granted by SHDC
1) Broadleigh Farm – change of use of land to a 50 pitch rally caravan site, erection of new amenities building, conversion of 50 pitch rally caravan site to a 50 pitch touring caravan site and creation of caravan storage area
Trees
Miss Ellis declared an interest in these applications.
1) Stoke Gabriel Churchyard – pollard 1 Ash, cut native species on western boundary to 1.5-2m. No objection.
2) Downings Close, The Barnhay – pollard 3 oaks and fell 1 yew. Await Tree Warden’s report.
9 Accounts
Payment of Accounts
Payment of the following were proposed by Mr Tarr and seconded by Mrs Hunt:
J Hamilton - salary + expenses May 2007 £380.10
- postages etc £ 23.39 £403.49
SLCC - postage charge for books £5.95
To complete mandate forms for existing and new bank accounts – the clerk explained that two new Bank Accounts were to be opened: The Parish Plan – it was agreed that the signatories be Mr Tarr, Mrs Hunt, Mr Jones and Dr Johnson: and Yalberton Valley Action Fund – it was agreed that the signatories be Miss Ellis, Mr Robinson and Miss Bridge. All newly-elected councillors will complete the forms for the existing accounts over the next few days and present their ID at the bank if required. It was agreed to retain the present format of two signatories for each transaction.
Audit – the clerk explained that she had not been able to proceed with the audit because Mr Wigfall had retained the accounts books for several weeks, and she was concerned about meeting the deadlines. It was agreed that Ian Potham be appointed Internal Auditor. Following the first audit the accounts will be sent to the Audit Commission.
10 Items raised by the Clerk
Draft Licensing Policy – Mr Tully agreed to complete a questionnaire.
AONB – Miss Ellis and Mr Robinson will attend a meeting on 20th June at Dartmouth if available to do so.
Goods Vehicle (Licensing of Operators) Act – a public enquiry will be held on 1st June in Totnes regarding Ningham, Fleet Mill Lane. Representative(s) of the parish council may attend.
New Councillor Training – an event will be held in Totnes on 13th June.
Street Naming – the new development in Coombe Shute has officially been named by SHDC as 1-4 The V&A, Coombe Shute.
Rydon Acres – a letter has been received from a resident of Rydon Acres expressing dissatisfaction at the building and planting work by Stoke Gabriel in Bloom. It was agreed to write to Stoke Gabriel in Bloom asking them not to continue until SHDC and the parish council have discussed the issue.
11 Highway and Hedgerow Matters
Recycling Bins – some new bins have appeared outside the notice boards at the Church House Inn car park, making it difficult to reach the boards.
Yonder Meadow – the condition of the road surface will be reported to Highways.
12 Parish Matters raised by Councillors
Standing Orders – the clerk will pass on some model council Standing Orders to Mr Tarr who will look through them and report back.
Repair work – the parish council notice board has been temporarily removed for repair and the other signs and the millpond footpath bridges are in the process of renovation.
Orchard – Mr Tarr has been liaising with Plandscape on the grass cutting and considers that they have done a good job.
Planning – some observations were made about the short time some councillors have to inspect plans at meetings, and that perhaps a new system should be introduced. It was pointed out that all planning applications may be viewed on the internet.
Outbuildings – the clerk will pass on to the Enforcement Officer information about sheds being erected in front gardens.
13 Dates of next meetings
Monday 25th June 2007 (Mr Jones submitted his apologies- away)
Monday 23rd July 2007
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