STRETE PARISH COUNCIL

Clerk:  Mrs Andrea Phillips

Squire’s End,  1 Hyne Town,  Strete,  Dartmouth,  TQ6 0RT

a_phillips@onetel.com      01803 770786      ,

 

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STRETE PARISH COUNCIL

HELD IN STRETE PARISH HALL ON THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2007 AT 7.30 P.M.

PRESENT

Cllr Simon Buckler (Chairman)                              Cllr Tony Crawford

Cllr Ian Cumberlidge                                             Cllr Kate Gill

Cllr Pam Wills

Cllr Julian Brazil (County Councillor – Kingsbridge & Stokenham Ward)

Mr Mike Friend (Project Leader, Public Transport Group, Dartmouth & District MCTi)

Mrs Andrea Phillips (Clerk)

APOLOGIES

Cllr Val Phillips                                                     Cllr Vicky Tanner-Tremaine

OPEN FORUM

Mr Mike Friend attended to discuss and make comment regarding the Parish Council’s reply to item regarding Devon County Council’s Draft Bus Information Strategy 2006 – 2011.

The order of the agenda was amended at the meeting but the minutes remain in the advertised order.

1786  MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 16 AUGUST 2007

The above minutes were agreed by all present and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

1787  DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None declared at this point.

1788  COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

There is to be a judicial review concerning Exeter City Council’s unitary bid. 

A report was sent to Devon County Council (DCC) Executive regarding funding for schools.  Devon is ranked as 144th lowest out of 150 for funding across the area.  Each registered child brings an income to their school and Devon’s funding is £377 less per pupil per annum than the average local authority funding.  There is to be a meeting with the Minister for South West, Ben Bradshaw, concerning this.

There is to be a Highways and Traffic Orders Committee meeting regarding speeding along the A379.  This is to be held at Quay House, Kingsbridge on 21.09.07 at 9.30.a.m. 

DCC is to put forward a proposal to spend £350,000 on road widening in places from Totnes Cross to Dartmouth to ease the passage of large delivery lorries to Dartmouth.  Cllr Julian Brazil is objecting to the proposal as the supermarkets are only to contribute £100,000 towards this sum with DCC subsidising the remainder.

1789  DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

In Cllr Ian Longrigg’s absence, this item was dispensed with.

1790  DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL’S DRAFT BUS INFORMATION STRATEGY 2006 - 2011

Following a discussion with Mr Mike Friend during the Open Forum, it was agreed the Parish Council would be submitting a favourable reply to DCC’s consultation document.

1791  SOUTH HAMS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (LDF)

Due to a family bereavement, the Parish Councillor concerned was unable to consider the DPD documents further, which would have enabled the Parish Council (PC) to make comments.  Therefore, it was agreed by all present that the Chairman should write to South Hams District Council (SHDC) thanking them for keeping the file open but saying that we are unable to give any further responses at this time.

1792  PROPOSED PLAY PARK OPENING PARTY

Cllr Kate Gill has confirmed that under the terms of the PC’s lease agreement, it is possible to hold a BBQ.  It was therefore agreed by all present that Mrs Emma Rhodes and Miss Anna Strong would be given permission to hold a celebration BBQ and that the Clerk is to write to them to confirm the time and date that the BBQ may be held with conditions that the Park must be left clean and tidy and they be respectful of the neighbours.

1793  INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL PLAY PARK PICNIC TABLE

As a gesture of goodwill, Playdale Playgrounds Ltd supplied a brand new table, in lieu of repairing the damaged article, as well as supplying parts needed to repair the damaged table, thus providing us with an additional table.  A site for this second table needs to be agreed.  Following a Play Park site visit by three councillors, it was felt that there was insufficient room to install an additional table without encroaching onto the football pitch.  It was agreed by all present to search for an alternative installation site within the Parish.  The Tannen Land was suggested and Cllr Pam Wills is to investigate the possibilities.  In the meantime, the safekeeping of the second table needs to be assured and Cllr Kate Gill is to ask Mrs Emma Rhodes if it needs to be safely housed pending a decision on its installation site.

1794  DEVON ASOCIATION OF PARISH COUNCILS’ AGM – 29.09.07

An invitation to the above event has been received.  Following discussion, it was agreed that as a committee member, Cllr Tony Crawford will be attending but there were no other applicants.

1795  SOUTH HAMS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FORUM – 02.10.07

Following discussion, it was accepted that no Parish Councillors wished to take part in this event.

1796  COMMUNITY COUNCIL OF DEVON ANNUAL CONFERRENCE - 17.10.07

Following discussion, it was agreed that the Chairman will try to attend at a cost of £25 but this was not definite.

1797  SHDC BUDGET CONSULTATION MEETING – 29.10.07

Following discussion, Parish Councillors are to let the Clerk know if they wish to attend.

1798  AFFORDABLE VILLAGE HOUSING SEMINAR – 02.11.07

Following discussion, it was accepted that no Parish Councillors were able to attend but the Clerk is to apply for the relevant information sheets.

1799  FEASIBILITY AND VIABILITY OF POTENTIAL PARISH PROJECTS

·         Reinstating ‘Postman’s Path’ through Tannen Land – having earlier read the management agreement document, it was agreed to write to DCC and request permission to further investigate this project.  It was noted that the PC only had the management agreement from DCC for a term of 21 years which is due to expire in 2010.

·         Providing a seat for SW Coast Path – the landowner has given permission to go ahead with this project and Cllr Pam Wills is to organise.  The seat design is to be rustic, with supports being created from whole trunks and a bench type slatted seat fixed to the top.

·         Restoring redundant building in the Church car park – Cllr Kate Gill has spoken to the Devon Association of Parish Councils regarding possible grants available and when she has firm information to hand, she will approach the Church with funding possibilities for them to consider.

·         Introducing an ‘Article 4.2 Direction’ in the village Conservation Area – Cllr Simon Buckler reported that the officer responsible for such procedures, Nils White, has now left SDHC.  It is believed that the Conservation Area Appraisal, which was carried out in the village some months ago, contains a proposal to include Article 4.2 Direction.  This Appraisal will soon be presented to the PC as a Consultation Document before being made public, at which time a decision whether or not to proceed with a recommendation for an Article 4.2 Direction can be made.

·         An audit of street lighting – this is to be carried forward.

          The meeting was closed for a refreshment break.

          The meeting was reconvened.

1800  DARTMOUTH AND DISTRICT MCTi REPORT

A meeting was held on 10th September following some doubts on the proposed Sainsbury’s site in Dartmouth but all would appear to be on track.  Sainsbury’s recently carried out a questionnaire session in Dartmouth to ascertain what services local residents wanted to have within the store.  The ground works are due to commence in October and Sainsbury’s plan to have the store open by summer 2008.

A £1,000 grant has been given to the MCTi from Dartmouth Town Council.

1801  TREE WARDEN REPORT

There were no activities to report.

1802  PARISH REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS

Cllr Kate Gill read out a report regarding the Play Park.  She is to contact Mrs Emma Rhodes to see if the park equipment installation has been completed and therefore eligible for final payment to the installer and handover to the PC.

Cllr Pam Wills and the Clerk gave an update on the overgrowth adjacent to Glen Cottage.  The Clerk is obtaining quotes for the clearing of the brambles and ivy in order to expose the wall for DCC to carry out maintenance work.  Also quotes are being sought for the regular grass clearing around the seven benches within the Parish and Tannen Land wellhead for which the PC is responsible.  It is to be noted that a wildlife protection order affecting the visibility splay at the end of Vicarage Lane where it joins the A379 prohibits its cutting from May 1 to and September 30.

Cllr Simon Buckler reported on Strete Sands and is in contact with Robin Toogood (South Devon AONB).  SHDC have been contacted regarding the bins, dilapidated signage and beach cleaning in general.  Nick Binnie (Slapton Field Centre) oversees the beach stewardship which is in operation for 14 weeks during the summer season.  Overnight camping on the sands is against the law and can cause littering and despoiling of the area.  The provision for overnight parking at the Strete Gate car parks does nothing to alleviate this problem and requires further discussion and possible action.  Cllr Simon Buckler is to liaise with the parties involved in this regard.

Strete Parish website maintenance is to be passed over from Mr Ian Phillips to Cllr Simon Buckler.  The Council wished to thank Mr Ian Phillips for the tremendous work and hours he has put into the site on their behalf over the past 4 years.

1803  BUS SHELTER MAINTENANCE WORKS PROGRESS REPORT

The Clerk has invited quotes for the bus shelter maintenance.  The job specification and quote document is to be placed on the village noticeboards.

1804  PLANNING AND PLANNING MATTERS

Applications to be considered at this meeting:

·                54/1764/07/F, Retrospective application for installation of domestic Calor gas underground tank, 20 Start Bay Park, Strete, Dartmouth, TQ6 0RY.  Following a site visit, there were no objections.

Cllr Pam Wills declared a personal interest on the following item at this point, due to her position as Chairman on the Parish Hall Committee and withdrew from the meeting.

·                54/1850/07/F, Application Affecting the Setting of a Conservation Area, resubmission of application 54/1399/07/F for improvement to access and facilities, Strete Parish Hall, Hyne Town Road, Strete, Dartmouth, TQ6 0RW.  Following a site visit, the application was discussed in full.  An independent Disability Consultant was invited to accompany the Parish Councillors on their site visit and a report of her observations prepared and submitted to the PC.  In the light of the Consultant’s report, the PC feel the current planning application does not fully meet the DDA requirements inasmuch as the proposed access ramp does not provide equality of access and this could be open to challenge.  Furthermore, the PC feels that a long term action plan should be in place to meet other areas of the DDA requirements.  For example: provision of disabled access to the ‘Doctor’s Surgery’, a hearing loop for the hearing impaired, improved lighting for the visually impaired.  The PC voted 3:1 in favour of recommending refusal of the application and to append the Disability Consultant’s report to their submission

Planning permission granted:

·                54/0640/07/F, 14 Crestway – resubmission of application 54/1824/06/F for retrospective installation of heat pump with acoustic enclosure and boundary rendered wall.  It was noted that there are three conditions attached: permission is granted for a period of 12 months, the acoustic enclosure must be installed by 10th November 2007, the heat pump must be serviced by 10th November 2007 and certificate of service approval submitted to SDHC.

Planning permission refused:

·                none

1805  FINANCE

The Clerk advised bank balances as follows:

Current Account:                                                                                                                    £6,537.32

Reserve Account:                                                                                                                   £7,489.67

0898       Strete Parish Hall – July & August:                                                                                £50.13

0899       Andrea Phillips – Clerk’s salary:                                                                                  £169.99

0900       NewNet plc – domain registration                                                                                  £17.63

It was agreed by all present to authorise payments as enumerated above.

Cllr Tony Crawford left the meeting.

1806  CHRISTMAS TREE

Following a discussion on the above, it was fully agreed to once again obtain a Christmas Tree, possibly by a charity donation as has been the case in recent years, to be placed outside Cobbler’s Well, with kind permission of Mrs Mel Hegenbarth.  Cllr Kate Gill to organise, Cllrs Buckler and Cumberlidge to erect tree.  Cllrs Kate Gill and Pam Wills are to investigate replacement lighting and a decision will be made next month.  A second tree was discussed to possibly be placed by the village pump but no decision was made.

1807    POINTS OF INFORMATION

·                Clerks & Councils Direct - magazine

·                Community Council of Devon - Village Green quarterly newsletter

·                DAPC - subscriptions rate

·                DAPC – training events

·                DCC – DevonTalk

·                Local Council Review

·                SHDC – agenda and minutes

·                SHDC - Executive Forward Plan

·                SHDC - minutes of the Executive meeting, 6 September 2007

·                SHDC - quarterly magazine

·                Slapton Line Advisory Forum – meeting, 6 December 2007

·                Society of Local Council Clerks – minutes, 8 June 2007

·                Society of Local Council Clerks – The Clerk newsletter

·                South Hams CVS - Voluntary Vine bi-monthly newsletter

1808    CORRESPONDENCE          

·                Letter from member of parish noting faulty play park equipment

1809    REPORTS

·                The Clerk reported that the SHDC Planning Enforcement Officer is still awaiting the lighting schedules from the electrician regarding Matts Point and no further action has been taken.  SHDC Planning Officer Dean Kinsella has replied to Cllr Simon Buckler, concerning the mooring of a pontoon off Matts Point, to say that it is viewed as a temporary structure and therefore does not need planning permission.  It is understood by SDHC that the pontoon is to be removed by the end of September by the owner.

·                The Clerk has heard from English Heritage to the effect that they are now considering the application to list the telephone box in Strete.

·                It was reported by Neighbourhood Watch that there are bogus callers in the South West and we should all be vigilant.

·                CPSO Ashley Hawkes reported to Cllr Simon Buckler, who enquired that the PC read in a local newspaper of damage to a car occurring in the village and had not heard it from the Police.  CPSO Hawkes replied that in this instance it was a domestic incident and therefore not in the public interest to make it more widely known.

·                Cllrs Simon Buckler and Pam Wills reported on a meeting they attended chaired by James Spencer, Community Officer for the Slapton Line Group.

·                Cllr Simon Buckler, reported on a Focus Group Meeting attended by himself and Cllrs Kate Gill and Vicky Tanner-Tremaine on the subject of affordable housing and the LDF at SHDC.

·                A joint meeting was held with the Parish Hall Committee and the Parish Council concerning the parish hall planning application.

1810  THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

will be on 18 October 2007 at 7.30 p.m. in Strete Parish Hall.

1811  THE MEETING was closed

at 10.44 p.m.

Signed:                                                                                                                  Cllr Simon Buckler (Chairman)

Dated:  18 October 2007