MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STRETE PARISH COUNCIL

HELD AT STRETE PARISH HALL ON THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2007 AT 7.30 PM

1663     Present; Cllr Pound (Chairman), Cllrs Buckler, Crawford, Goldring, Howell, Phillips, District Cllr Longrigg, Mrs Phillips (Clerk).

 1664     Apologies;  were received from Cllr Wills and County Cllr Brazil.

 1665     To approve minutes of previous meeting;  The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 18 January 2007 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

 1666     To note Declarations of Interest;  none were declared.

 1667     To deal with Matters Arising from the minutes of the previous meeting;

             An update on possible new bank accounts was given by the clerk, it would seem that changing to a       different bank for the deposit account only would produce on average an extra £50 per year, but       transferring monies between two banks would not be without problems.  This coupled with the fact       that at present we have a higher balance than we normally would, because of building up funds for        the fence replacement in the playpark, and so does not make the change seem worthwhile.  We have     one more building society to investigate.

             DCC have assured the PC that they will assume responsibility for the bank behind the proposed           Dartmouth bound bus stop.

             The clerk has written to both BT and the Listings authority to request the telephone box be reverted            to a cash apparatus and to award the box listed status to ensure its future.  We await replies.

             The clerk has approached the Football Foundation regarding providing odd sized goalposts under    their grant scheme, which was met with a favourable reply.  One of the companies listed as approved           suppliers are to provide a quote, which of course the PC would have to pay half the costs of, as the grant can only provide one half.  We await the costings.

 1668     Agenda Items

             There were none.

 1669     Planning Matters

             There was one new planning application;

             54/0128/07/F     Mr G Unwin, 4 The Plat – extension to lounge, kitchen and bedroom.  A site visit will be arranged.

             There was one planning consent;

             54/2330/06/F     Mrs S Joy, 10 Crestway – erection of PVCu conservatory to the side of the property.

             There was one planning refusal appeal;

             54/1872/06/CU  Mr D Blackbourn, Frogwell – change of use of studio over garage to B&B accommodation ancillary to main dwelling.  The PC’s original comments will still pertain.

 1670     Accounts;

             Cheque 870       £16.00              Parish Hall – hall hire

            Cheque 871       £169.99                        clerk’s salary

            Cheque 872       £65.00              SLCC membership

             The SLCC membership will be appraised following the end of this coming year’s membership.  At         present, the clerk feels the membership has been worthwhile for the past year.

            1671     Correspondence;

       Mr & Mrs Kendall                     re; Hollocombe

      Mr & Mrs Williams                    re; Hollocombe

      Mr Hollis                                  re; Hillside

      SHDC                                      planning application 4 The Plat

      Victim Support                          grant appeal

      SHDC                                      members allowances

      “                                              consultation on amendments on model code of conduct

      DAPC                                      transforming public services in Devon

            Audit Commission                     appointment of external auditor

            DCC                                         contingency planning for future breach of A379

            SH Strategic Partnership agenda for community partnership forum

            SD AONB                                newsletter

            SHDC                                      planning appeal – Frogwell

            WRVS                                      donation thanks

            Strete WI                                  re; best kept village competition

            SLCC                                       mins & agenda 9.3.07

            SHDC                                      LDF core strategy

            SHDC                                      re; 2 Severns Cottages

            DCC                                         Highway Management

            SHDC                                      mins & agenda 8.2.07

            “                                              elections

            “                                              mins Exectutive meeting 25.1.07

            “                                              planning consent 10 Crestway

            Totnes & Dartmouth Ring & Ride donation thanks

            SH CAB                                               “

            MCTi                                       grant appeal      

 1672     Matters to be Raised;

              Cllr Longrigg reported that DEFRA has granted £250,000 for the Slapton Line, should repairs             become necessary again.   There is to be a reappraisal of street cleaning following SHDC’s refusal to           purchase new machines to carry out the work.

            The question of whether to make a donation to the MCTi will be raised at next month’s meeting.

             DCC have supplied comprehensive contingency plans, should the Slapton Line be breached once     more.  These include draft road diversions and signage, which the PC have been asked to comment           on.  These details and maps will be passed round the Councillors and replies have been requested to      be channelled via Cllr Wills, who can then make comment on them at the March Coleridge Meeting,         where DCC will be present for that purpose.

             The WI have forwarded details received on the Best Kept Village Competition.  It was discussed and    decided not to take this any further.

             The Clerk reported on a verbal reply from Inspector Paul Morgan to the effect that he was surprised           we have had no police presence or reports since November 2005.  He promised to investigate and   reply to the clerk but so far this has not been received.  It was discussed and decided to write again to             Inspector Morgan stating that contrary to comments received, crime is happening both in and around     the village and we would like to be appraised with a report.  Crime in Strete has recently even been      reported on the front page of the Chronicle.

            It is known that tyres were slashed on a car in Strete Gate car park on Boxing Day, but the owner did          not report this to the police, as it was felt that nothing would be done.

             Cllr Crawford reported on the successful exhibition held in the Guildhall in Dartmouth by the MCTi, which was well attended.  The MCTi are to reproduce mini exhibitions, which can travel to the             villages and Strete is to be included.  Cllr Crawford is to organise.

             It was reported that the footpath to Fuge has been ploughed up and to date, has not been reinstated          within the statutory 14 days.  Cllr Howell is to report this to the Footpath Ranger to investigate and   request its reinstatement if appropriate.

             Cllr Howell felt that a First Aid course, if held in the village, would be well attended.  Cllr Pound is           to look into the matter and give further details to the clerk.

            The Ambulance service was discussed again and Cllr Goldring has further information which will be   handed to Cllr Howell.

 1673     The date of the next meeting is confirmed as Thursday 15 March 2007 at 7.30pm.  The date of the        April meeting will have to be changed by one week as it falls in the school Easter holidays and the        clerk will be on holiday.  It was therefore decided to hold the meeting on 12 April.

1674     The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.05 pm.

            _____________________________

            Chairman               15 March 2007