29 January 2007

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A meeting of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council was held on

Monday 29^th January 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

Members of the Yalberton Valley Action Group gave an update on the situation.  Their architect is working with the Torbay planners on possible ways forward and they are optimistic at this stage.  Their complaint to Torbay council on the way in which the plans were presented is still being investigated. Anthony Steen MP has been very supportive.  The group is to continue their fundraising, which at present stands at £800, with a walk led by writer Brian Carter on Sunday 11^th February.

19 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

2          Urgent Business brought forward by the Chairman – none

3          Reports by County and District Councillors

Cllr T Pennington reported the following:

Educational Conference – Cllr Pennington represented Devon County Council at a conference which discussed improving standards in schools and more vocational training for young people.

Budget – Devon’s proposed Government revenue support grant is between £30 and £40 per head of population less than other authorities.

Government White Paper – Devon is supporting the agreement to retain the two-tier system of District and County Councils, but Exeter will petition for unitary status.  The White Paper also proposes examination of the Standards Board for England, especially with regard to prejudicial interests by councillors.

Mrs R Rowe reported the following:

Budget – if Exeter becomes a unitary authority this may leave a large shortfall in Devon’s budget in two years’ time.  Council tax is due to increase by 3.9%

Slapton to Torcross – a Defra grant has been received to repair the road which was closed for some time, affecting tourism and trade.

Leisure Centres – Tone Leisure took over on 1^st December.

4          Planning

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

Applications

1)  Newmans Barn, Aish – installation of conservation roof lights. No objection.

2)  Swallow Barns, Higher Well Farm – conversion to one dwelling.  No objection.

3)  15 The Yeolands – single storey extension to rear and side of dwelling.  No objection.

4)  Timberley Down, New Road – outline permission for the erection of new dwelling.  No objection.

5)  Adams Orchard, Mill Hill – erection of satellite dish.  No objection.

6)  Cricket Club, Hoyle Lane – erection of new building for changing facilities and retrospective application for storage sheds.  No objection.

7)  Home Farm, Waddeton – erection of garage and store.  No objection.

8)  24 Kings Rydon – resubmission of application for construction of pitched roof on existing flat roof dormer. Mrs Rowe declared a personal interest.  No objection.

9)  Ramslade, Paignton Road – relocation of B1 use into existing building and extension into whole building/demolition of building/new access to highway. Mrs Hunt declared a personal interest.  No objection.

10) Quarry Barn, Lower Well Farm – temporary (winter) change of use of agricultural building to boat store. Mr Tully declared a personal interest.  No objection.

11) Victoria & Albert Inn, Coombe Shute – resubmission of application for amendments to approved application (alterations to approved unit 1).  No objection.

Applications Granted by SHDC

1)  Greenacres, Sandridge – bedroom extension to north side and glazed bay and balcony to south side of dwelling

2)  Home Farm, Waddeton – alterations and extension to provide ancillary accommodation

3)  Oakridge, Stoke Hill – alterations and extension to existing dwelling to include works to retaining walls

4)  Field at SX85225758, Broad Path = erection of polytunnel

5)  Field at rear of 11 Yonder Meadow – erection of agricultural store

6)  15 the Yeolands – single storey extension to rear and side of dwelling.

Applications withdrawn

1)  24 Kings Rydon Close – pitched roof to existing dormer (since resubmitted as above)

Trees

1)  South Bank, Paignton Road – exemption for works to fell Yew Tree. Agreed by SHDC.

2)  Dominoes, Byter Mill Lane – TPO served

5          Accounts

Payment of Accounts

Payment of the following accounts were proposed by Mrs Rowe and seconded by Mrs Hunt:

Retrospective payments for December:

J Hamilton – clerk’s salary & expenses Dec 06                                     £283.34

C Wigfall – website hosting expenses                                                    £101.37

SLCC membership fee                                                                         £  65.00

South Hams CAB – donation                                                                            £100.00

PCC – donation towards upkeep of churchyard                                                £515.00

Staples – office requisites                                                                                  £  26.18

Payments for January:

J Hamilton – clerk’s salary & expenses Jan 07              £283.34

                        - postage                                                          £  14.90           £298.24

Village Hall – hire charge Oct-Dec 06                                                   £  33.00

6          To consider Tenders for work in the parish

It was agreed to award the contract for repairs to the war memorial, works in the orchard and public benches to Darren Roche Builders Ltd at a cost of £5901.54 and that of repairing the mill pond footpath and village signs to T & J Building and Contracting at a cost of £1525.12, both figures excluding VAT.

7          To consider proposed mobile phone mast

Following statements made during the public ten-minute session, the council also had several other letters and petitions brought to their attention, the majority being against the proposal.  The council noted that as the scheme was in its early stages and they are not qualified to express any scientific view, that they would err on the side of caution and wait until after the public meeting on 15^th February before expressing an opinion.

8          Matters raised by the Clerk

Road closure – it was reported that New Road will be closed from 20^th-22^nd March (note: this has since been brought forward to 19^th –21st February)

Stoke Gabriel M8s – the youth club thanked the Parish Council for their contribution to the hire of the hall and extended an invitation to all councillors to drop in to any of their sessions.

CAB – a letter of thanks was received for the council’s donation.

Local Development Plan to 2016 – Mr Tully will study the documents.

Calor Village of the Year – Mr Wigfall will look into the criteria for this competition and report back.

South Hams Community Partnership Forum – a meeting will take place on 5^th March at Totnes Civic Hall.

9          Minutes of last meeting 27^th November 2006

Item 1 final para: amend to read “The chairman stated that several members of Stoke Gabriel Parish Council had received correspondence from the Standards Board for England.  The nature of the allegations is under investigation.”

Subject to the above amendment the minutes were agreed and signed as a true record.

10        Matters arising from the minutes

Roads needing attention – the work has already started in Fleet Mill Lane; it was agreed to ask for two posts and two signs to be erected at the end of Vicarage Road and to apply for a Traffic Regulation Order; speeding through Aish is still at an unacceptable level but DCC say this is not a priority.

11        Highway & Hedgerow matters

Annual Footpath Inspection – feedback from councillors on the state of some of the paths will be reported to the appropriate officer.  It was suggested that the footpath officer may be able to meet with councillors to walk all the footpaths and see for himself what needs to be done.

Potholes were reported in Flood Street and Aish Road.

Kings Rydon Close – the road surface needs repairing.

Barn Park – Cllr Pennington will be asked to obtain the cost of providing lay byes and posts to prevent the grass from being churned up, with the possibility of the Parish Council match funding DCC funds from the precept.

Speed limit – Cllr Pennington will be asked to arrange for more 20mph signs to be erected.

Byter Mill Lane – the road name sign has disappeared.

Graffiti – this is increasing and will be reported to the police.

Road sweeping – Mr Tarr has been liaising with the authority and the mechanical sweeper came in September and December.

Damaged stile – the stile in Paignton Road has been inspected and will be repaired within a few days.

Handrail Paignton Road/ The Barnhay – Mr Tarr will arrange with the handyman to have this repaired.

12        Parish matters raised by Councillors

Police – it was agreed to write to Devon & Cornwall Constabulary complaining of the lack of police presence in the village since the departure of the community policeman.

Yalberton Valley – it was agreed that any possible fundraising activity by the parish council should be left for the new council to decide after May 2007.

Website – 20661 visitors.

Parish Plan – following Mr Wigfall’s presentation and subsequent meeting, a steering committee is being formed to take the project forward.

13        Date of Next Meeting

Monday 26^th March 2007 at 7pm in the Village Hall