Clerk: Mrs Andrea Phillips
1 Hyne Town, Strete, Dartmouth TQ6 0RT
clerk@strete.org.uk 01803 770786 www.strete.org.uk
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF STRETE PARISH COUNCIL (PC)
HELD IN STRETE PARISH HALL ON THURSDAY 17 JANUARY 2013 AT 7.30 P.M.
PRESENT
Cllr Tony Crawford, Chairman (TC) Cllr Ian Cumberlidge (IC)
Cllr Kate Gill, Vice-Chairman (KG) Cllr Malcolm Hollis (MH)
Cllr David Rothwell (DR) Cllr Jeff Scanlan (JS)
Cllr Bryan Seymour (BS)
Cllr Julian Brazil, County Councillor, Kingsbridge & Stokenham Ward (JB)
Cllr Richard Foss, District Councillor, Skerries Ward (RF)
Mrs Andrea Phillips – Clerk
Three members of the public
OPEN FORUM
TC opened the meeting by welcoming back MH following his illness.
No matters were raised.
SB submitted a crime report in her absence and stated that the future policing levels as reported in the Chronicle were yet to be confirmed officially.
0113/1 APOLOGIES
PCSO Sam Broad (SB) Devon & Cornwall Constabulary
0113/2 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None were declared.
It was unanimously agreed that all councillors of Strete Parish Council, in perpetuity until rescinded, would be granted a blanket dispensation to speak and vote on the budget and the setting of the annual precept application.
0113/3 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 20 DECEMBER 2012
It was agreed to make the following changes: 1212/08 JS refurbished 3 Parish Council benches and two others, MH refurbished the remaining two PC benches and 1212/6 StreteWise report: the remaining four issues will only go to subscribers. The remainder of the above minutes were AGREED as a true and correct record and were signed by the Chairman.
0113/5 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
RF reported on the budget setting at SHDC which was problematic, all three scrutiny panels met and there is a £480k shortfall, various options were presented. There is a possibility that next year, around 15 lesser used public toilets may be closed over the winter period and there will definitely be cuts to services due to funding cuts. It has been suggested also that PC precepts may be capped but some services will be devolved during that time which will make PC budgeting difficult. Some PCs are raising precepts this year in order to be prepared for this extra and unknown (at this time) expenditure. Council tax will rise by some 3.5% resulting in an extra £4.83 pa per Band D property.
There is to be a big South West Coast Path Association sponsored walk in April and May 2103 with the Strete section on Tuesday 16th April which will be walked by Jonathan Dimbleby. They are hoping to raise a total of £250k to fund improvements and groups and individuals are being asked to register to take part. Some parts of the coastal footpath have suffered land falls recently due to the extreme weather patterns; one badly affected part locally is near Lannacombe, above Ivy Cove.
0113/4 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
JB reported that budget cuts will also affect DCC services locally including grass cutting and lengthsman duties. The clerk was asked to report a large pothole just past Manor Farm. Two others reported last month were dealt with promptly. Any parishioner can report a pothole or any road defect on DCC’s website http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/transportroads/roads/road_maintenance.htm and listing the problem by town, road or postcode if it is known. KG raised the problem locally when very poor diversion signs are put out following road closures, the most recent being a burst water main again in Frogmore which resulted in the buses being cancelled and no traffic was able to pass through. It said in Dartmouth and Kingsbridge that the road was closed but not at what point, so it is very difficult to plan any journeys as drivers are not aware how far they can go. JB has asked DCC for a full report on this closure and there is a possibility that fines maybe levied against SWW for their part in this. JB also advised to precept for some extra grass cutting on highways. He also suggested that some preventative checking on any known flooding blackspots could also be helpful. He confirmed that it is likely that some public toilets will close part of the year and it may well be that if the Strete Gate ones were affected, the PC could take this service over, but with costs being suggested at anything like £10-£30per day, this would be unlikely.
0113/6 REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES
To receive reports from councillors on their attendance at meetings or reports:
StreteWise - stretewise@gmail.com www.stretewise.co.uk – MH produced balance sheet accounts for 2012 showing income and expenditure. 2013 budgets show a small surplus at year end with two issues being distributed to all homes in the parish due in part to lower print costs. This also includes the website costs.0113/7 TREE WARDEN REPORT
IC has been unable to find out who marked the Ash in the Tannen Land and it remains untouched.
0113/8 PARISH REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS
Traffic & Highways: (JS) potholes are gradually being seen to but many still remain in the area. The mechanical sweeper has been through the village. Concerning a complaint from a parishioner about the A379 roadside weeds, the landowner is to do their side and the top of the wall leaving Highways to deal with the road edges.
Litter Bins, Street Litter: (DR) nothing to report.
Play Park: (KG)
Update on grants and goal posts, to consider the purchase of same if appropriate.KG has received the goalpost catalogue and the clerk reported that no grants are available for goal posts, but in the course of enquiring received an offer from SHDC who have one surplus 5-a-side goal post that they are willing to install. The PC agreed this was a good offer at no cost and with so few children using the park, this would be sufficient. It appears that some bungalows bordering the park have removed their boundary fences and have planted right up to the park fence. This will be looked at in conjunction with the new fencing as planting has destroyed the old fence and any growth needs to be removed away from a new fence to avoid future damage.
To discuss and approve repairs and associated costs of climbing nets.SHDC have now sourced three pricing options for the damaged cargo net holdings. Following discussion and viability, it was agreed to go ahead with the repair option priced at £400. The clerk will arrange for this with SHDC.
Public Rights of Way: (IC) – nothing to report.
Strete Sands, Strete Gate, Pilchard’s Cove: (IC & KG) The car park has been strimmed and there has been a large land slip just below Old Hill.
Tannen Land (Community Area) & Dog Waste Bin: (BS) – the field remains very boggy and a suggestion was received to put some shingle around the kissing gate to level off the entrance and prevent large puddles. It was agreed that this was a good idea.
To discuss update on Solicitors for Management Agreement with associated costs and receive any comments on draft agreement.It was agreed that the Appendix 2 needs to be removed completely as this still referred to previous proposed changes involving the reinstatement of the Postman’s Path and separating the field into two sections, both of which are not now to be included. It was agreed by all to request the Solicitor to make his recommendations to DCC including the above.
Milestones & benches: (MH) nothing to report.
PC Website www.strete.org.uk & PC email clerk@strete.org.uk : (Editor – Clerk) – nothing to report.0113/9 PLANNING & PLANNING MATTERS
New applications to be considered by the PC at this meeting:
54/0044/13/F Antrim, Strete, TQ6 0RH – Renewal of extant planning permission 54/1923/09/F Householder application for alterations to bungalow to create two storey dwelling. – Planning Officer Mr Ed Brown – it was agreed to raise no objections.
54/2522/12/F Hartley Cottage, Strete, TQ6 0RU – Householder application for a loft conversion – application affecting the setting of a Listed building – application affecting a Conservation Area – Planning Officer Mr Chris Mitchell – resubmission of previous application with updated drawings. Although these drawings improved the rear of the dwelling, the PC was unanimous in objecting on the following grounds.
Visual effect of the changes - this site is in a Conservation Area, an AONB and is adjacent to a Listed property, see below.
Extent of overlooking into property opposite and overpowering of adjoining property and Listed properties to the rear.
Addition of a front porch on unclear boundaries will overpower the front of the adjoining property and cause loss of light to both properties. Previously requested boundary maps were not supplied.
Surrounding properties have lodged objections.The conservation area components map (http://www.southhams.gov.uk/streteappraisal_web.pdf refers to Hartley Cottage as being unlisted but with a positive impact. The consequence of the realignment of the roof above the party wall will be to create a step in the inner valley gutter and cause an intrusion into the roof construction above the adjoining property to enable the raising of the party wall. This proposed change to a building in a conservation area, albeit one of low architectural merit in its own right, will disrupt the balance of this part of the conservation area by forming an unusually high wall above windows and a curious step in a roof over a pair of semi-detached cottages. It is a feature of cottage design that the roof sits and overhangs immediately above the windows of the upper floor. This proposed change will undoubtedly vary that character. The Conservation Area Appraisal of 2009 states that: Some repairs and maintenance have also been carried out in an unsympathetic way showing no respect for the building vernacular. The Parish Council has contributed towards retaining the rural character that still exists at Strete and they continue to monitor many aspects that have a direct bearing on the character of the conservation area. We believe that approval of this application would be included in the former and directly conflict with the latter part of that statement. The Parish Council is concerned that a change such as that proposed would erode the character of this part of the village and an approval would send entirely the wrong message and set an unfortunate precedent for dealing with future planning applications within the conservation area. The changes to Hartley Cottage are not necessary to make the accommodation sustainable, are not required by public policy, and no public benefit derives from the proposed changes. The changes to create living accommodation within a roof void (that has not previously formed living accommodation) would have a detrimental effect upon the pair of cottages. If a Conservation Area is intended to conserve the old buildings in the heart of this village, the changes proposed would damage the appearance of the group of cottages. Conservation Areas are areas that should be preserved or enhanced, due to their special qualities and character and are special because of the appearance of groups of buildings and spaces seen together, rather than because of individual buildings. We believe that the proposed changes to this period cottage would erode the special qualities of the area because of the change in the appearance of one of a group of buildings.
54/0068/13/F Farm buildings at Higher Burlestone Farm, Burlestone, Dartmouth TQ6 0LW - to solid cover (roof) over part of existing yard - planning officer Jenny Draper - the Parish Council don't wish to raise any objections.
54/2929/12/AG Lower Fuge Farm, Fuge, Strete TQ6 0LL – agricultural determination for prior notification of agricultural farm machinery store. This development comes under permitted development and consent is not required. Therefore the PC is not required to reply and the details are just to be noted.Applications brought forward from a previous meeting:
54/2596/12/F The Manor, Strete, TQ6 0RR – Householder application for building of new storage shed and associated works – Planning Officer Mrs Jenny Draper – New drawings were received for this application which remove the rooflights, thereby negating light pollution, the PC were very pleased to see this improvement but would still recommend the following with no objections. The site is adjacent to the SSSI land and the space between the proposed storage barn and the boundary is fairly tight, and contains a banked area with a drop of circa 4'. In order to ensure the stability of this banked area with SSSI land it was suggested that the building be moved 2-3m east which would also provide an area for tree planting/screening at the top half of the proposed barn where there is currently none. Such screening to remain in perpetuity. The Storage barn is to remain for the purposes of vehicle storage throughout its life and shall not be used for any commercial or industrial activity. SHDC DECISION NOTICES RECEIVED
Applications GRANTED:
NoneApplications REFUSED:
NoneApplications WITHDRAWN:
None0113/10 FINANCE
The Clerk supplied the Chairman with the bank balances as follows:
Current Account opening balance £9,356.37
Cheques to be approved for signature:
1197 Strete Parish Hall – hall hire £21.00
1198 Andrea Phillips – Clerk’s salary £207.81
1199 Ed Parr Ferris – Think Nature - strimming £131.25
1200 C J Dayment – hedgecutting for the PC and parishioners £362.40
1201 SLCC – annual subscription £75.00
1202 Saunders Signs – Strete Gate sign £48.00
1203 B Seymour – flag pole & flags etc., £270.60
Closing Balance £8,240.31
Petty Cash opening balance – plus Xmas tree donations (53.00) £55.94
i) The PC was very grateful to receive the kind donations given for the Xmas tree which was organised by Monica and Andrew Pound. The tree this year was very kindly donated to the parish by Simon & Kirsten Matthews. It would appear though that the lights have broken and it may be necessary to purchase a new set for next year.
Reserve Account opening balance - unchanged £10,244.41
ii) To discuss and agree the coming year’s precept application. – MH produced a budget forecast which would include possible expenses for the coming year. Added to this sum is a nominal amount to put towards extra grass cutting costs which are likely to be needed plus a small inflationary increase. Extra Tannen Land costs of husbandry, fencing and legal costs etc., will be mainly offset by the dowry DCC are to pass to the PC in the sum of £2,000. Still to be paid by the PC are the play park repairs, play park fencing repairs and the noticeboard repairs. Thus the precept application will be in the sum of £7756.00. This was agreed by all.
The flag pole and flags have been received and will be installed by BS.
It was proposed and AGREED by all present to authorise payments as enumerated above.
0113/11 POINTS OF INFORMATION
The following items will be available in the mail bag to be circulated.
The Clerk – SLCC magazine
Junk Mail – publication
South Hams Society - newsletter
Water Future – SWW publication 0113/12 CORRESPONDENCE
Boundary Commission – notification of electoral review of the South Hams
South Hams CAB – donation thanks
St Michaels Church – donation thanks0113/13 REPORTS
It was noted that the apparent long-term parking of two large camper vans was causing some concern in the village for various reasons. They are unsightly and do not appear to belong to parishioners. The land they are parked on belongs to the Parish Hall and they are to write to the owners asking for them to be removed. They obstruct the vision of cars exiting the parish hall car park and the church car park and are taking up residents spaces, forcing them to park in the church car park, which is understandably not allowed on Sundays and when services are held.
TC reported that Dartmouth Town Council were having their annual dinner and had issued invitations for Strete councillors to join them at a cost of £28 per head. The invitation was declined.
0113/14 THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2013 IN STRETE PARISH HALL at 7.30PM.
THE MEETING WAS CLOSED at 10.05 p.m.
Signed: .......................................................................................................................................... Cllr Tony Crawford (Chairman)
Dated: 21 FEBRUARY 2013