e-mail
help
A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on
Monday 26th March 2007 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
71 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, Mr B Tarr, Mr C Wigfall
1 Apologies: Mrs R Rowe
2(a) Speaker – Nils White, Conservation Officer for South Hams Council gave a presentation on the Draft Stoke Gabriel Conservation Area Appraisal. Mr White explained how the document had been drawn up, including 200 questionnaires to certain households, and invited the public to put their views before the final document is produced. It is intended to represent what is special about the village, what needs to be conserved and what needs to be approved. An exhibition of the findings will be put in the church until the end of April, and is also on the council website, along with more questionnaires for those who did not receive one. The deadline for replies will be extended to 30th April.
2(b) Speaker – Dave Kenyon, Planning Officer for South Hams Council – Mr Kenyon answered questions from the public about the planning application by the Gabriel Court Hotel to erect 14 houses in the hotel garden. Issues raised included:
 | bats and slow-worms and the need for an ecological survey |
| drainage, water and flood risk assessment |
| the need for more than one parking space per unit |
| traffic issues and concern about access for emergency services |
| concern about street lighting and light pollution |
| safety issues such as too many steps and speed humps in the dark |
Mr Kenyon reported that there are inaccuracies in the statement produced by the developers and that he and his colleagues would be meeting to discuss it. Mr Kenyon agreed to attend the next Parish Council meeting on 30th April to report back with further information.
3 Urgent Business brought forward by the Chairman
Yalberton Valley – a reply has been received from Anthony Steen MP expressing his support and a wish to come and talk the parish council about the proposed development.
4 Reports by County and District Councillors
Cllr T Pennington reported the following:
Budgets – the increase in council tax will be 4.7%. The reduction in the highway maintenance budget is causing concern. The government revenue support grant for Devon is still £49 per person less than the national average.
Barn Park – no budget is available for this in the foreseeable future, bollards and reflectors being £500-£1000, although Cllr Pennington knows of a possible 50% funding source.
20mph Zone signage – minimum signage is recommended, which is already in place.
Coombe Shute – DCC will be asked whether the developer should pay for the damage to the road during construction work.
Mrs R Rowe – no report
5 Planning
Applications
1) Timberley Down, Paignton Road – resubmission of application for outline permission for erection of new dwelling. No objection.
2) The Paper Shop, Mill Hill – resubmission of application for change of use from mixed shop/residential to residential use. No objection.
3) Newman’s Barn, Aish – installation of conservation roof lights. No objection.
4) Greenacres – ground floor extension to north side of property and bay and balcony to south side. Mr Tully declared a personal interest. No objection.
5) Broadleigh Farm, Coombe House Lane – change of use of land to a 50 pitch 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. Mrs Hunt declared a personal interest and chose to leave the room while this item was being discussed. No objection.
6) Gabriel Court Hotel – alterations to Gabriel Court Hotel and erection of 14 new dwellings in existing grounds. Item deferred until after Dave Kenyon’s report on 30th April.
7) Unit 1 Victoria & Albert Inn, Coombe Shute – amendment to Unit 1 (revised footprint and increase in ridge height). Site visit planned for 29th March at 2pm.
Applications Granted by SHDC
1) Home Farm, Waddeton – erection of garage and store
2) Stoke Gabriel Cricket Club – erection of new building for changing facilities and retrospective application for storage sheds
3) 24 Kings Rydon Close – resubmission of application for construction of pitched roof on existing flat roof dormer
4) Quarry Barn, Lower Well Farm – temporary (winter) change of use of agricultural building to boat store
5) Ramslade Caravan Park, Paignton Road – relocation of B1 use into existing building and extension into whole building/demolition of building/new access to highway
Applications Refused by SHDC
1) Newman’s Barn, Aish – installation of conservation roof lights
6 Accounts
Payment of Accounts:
Payment of the following were proposed by Miss Ellis and seconded by Mr Hill:
Retrospective Payments for February 2007
J Hamilton – clerk’s salary & expenses Feb 07 £ 283.34
T Pook – works in orchard £ 30.00
I Jones – printing costs re Yalberton Valley £ 14.40
Stoke Gabriel M8s – 3rd instalment for hire of hall £ 60.00
Payments for March 2007
J Hamilton – clerk’s salary & expenses Mar 07 £ 283.34
Stoke Gabriel Cricket Club – donation towards building £1000.00
Staples – office requisites £ 75.55
Devon Playing Fields Association £ 15.00
Devon Association of Parish Councils (by direct debit) £ 209.00
7 Matters raised by the Clerk
Forthcoming elections– the clerk explained that the present council would disband on 3rd May as their term of office will have expired. If on 4th May there are more than 9 nominations for a new council there will be an election. The count and results will take place at Follaton House on 5th May.
Affordable Housing – South Hams Council want an enthusiastic group of people to join a forum on Affordable Housing. Emma Bridge and Kate Peakman agreed to take this on.
Parish Cluster Meetings – Miss Ellis agreed to complete a questionnaire about what councillors want from this group.
Development Control and Conservation User Group – there will be a meeting on 2nd April
Shelter – the council felt they could not meet their request for funding at this time.
Sherford Area Action Plan – Mrs Hunt will read through the document and reply if appropriate.
Police – a reply has been received to the issue of no police presence in the village, to the effect that it is receiving attention. It was agreed that the clerk should write again, pointing out that crime has increased since PC Hodgson left the parish.
Bus Stop – DCC say that putting barriers around the bus stop at Rydon Acres is not appropriate and would not prevent youngsters from playing ball games in the road.
Footpaths – Alan Pope, Footpaths Office for DCC, has completed his footpath inspection and expects remedial work to be completed by March.
Brown Wheeled Bin Liners – South Hams Council are selling compostable liners for caddies and brown bins. Call the recycling helpline on 861199.
Vicarage Road – DCC has added the proposed 6.0ft width restriction to their list of requests for 2007/08.
Aish – letter from DCC states that to install road humps would cost approx £30,000.
Budgets – the clerk will reply to a letter from a parishioner questioning how the council’s funds are spent. All of these matters are in hand.
Parish Councillor’s Guide Book – as the present copy is now out of date and much new legislation is not included, the clerk requested that the council purchase 10 new copies, one for each new councillor and one for the clerk, to coincide with the newly-formed council in May. It was agreed to only purchase 3 copies at a cost of £11.60 each.
8 Minutes of last meeting 29th January 2007
Item 7 Mobile Phone Mast. Amend 2nd para to read “The majority of the council agreed with the concern shown by the parents and teachers that the mast could possibly be dangerous”.
Subject to the above amendment the minutes were agreed and signed by the chairman as a true record.
9 Matters arising from the minutes
Calor Village of the Year – it was decided not to enter on this occasion.
Local Development Plan – councillors will keep an eye on Torbay encroaching on South Hams land.
10 Highway & Hedgerow matters
Orchard Maintenance – the clerk will write to three companies to obtain tenders for work for 2007/08: Ray Teague, C&M Garden Maintenance and Landscaping & Grounds.
Ramslade – concern was expressed about the damage to grass verge and fence. The council will keep an eye on this as work progresses. Mr Jones will draft a letter.
Four Cross – there is concern about the growing number of signs appearing on the fence, now 15, also the storage of gas, and retail sales taking place. The enforcement officer will be asked to investigate.
Hoyle Lane – greenery is blocking the main stile.
Aish Road – Mrs Hunt will contact the owner of the hedge at the Lembury Road end, which needs trimming.
11 Parish matters raised by Councillors
Traffic in Waddeton – the relocation of South Devon College has generated a traffic increase through Waddeton. The Highways Dept will be informed.
Yalberton Valley Action Group – the council agreed to support this group, who have already raised £1200 so far. It is the council’s intention to make a donation at some stage to pay for a professional detailed wildlife survey. Mr Tarr will place an item in the parish magazine asking for donations from parishioners, for which the clerk will open a new bank account.
Building works – work has already commenced on the contracts including the war memorial. The village sign is rotten beyond repair and Mr Jones will investigate the cost of a new one before making a decision as to whether to replace it.
Litter in orchard – litter is accumulating where youngsters gather in the evenings.
Website – 21500 visitors to date.
Computer Data – Mr Wigfall questioned whether the clerk backs up her data. She replied that she does this to an external source on a regular basis.
Parish Plan – the Steering Group has been formed, chaired by Mick Mercer. They have made an application for a grant from the CCD. The clerk will arrange for a separate bank account to be opened.
Barn Park – the residents have requested a seat to be positioned there. This will be arranged.
12 Dates of Next Meetings, including Annual Parish Meeting
Next Meeting
Monday 30th April 2007 at 7pm in the Village Hall
Mr Dave Kenyon will feed back information about the proposed Gabriel Court development
Annual Parish Meeting – Monday 21st May 2007 at 7pm in the Village Hall
The meeting closed at 10.00pm
Stoke Gabriel Website designed by NW