DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL
Annual Report 2006 -7
1 The Parish Council Officers appointed at the election of Officers held at the Annual General Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council on 14th May, 2007 were as follows;
The Chairman: Mr Geoffrey Sworder
The Vice Chairman: Mr John Barrow
Planning Committee: Mr Geoffrey Sworder, Mr Charles Sumpter and Mrs Vanetta Keitch
Tree Warden: Mr John Barrow
Footpaths Representatives: Mr John Barrow
Other Councillors with no particular appointment; Mrs Beth Russell, Mr Malcolm Stevens,
Mr Brendan Procter, Mr Andrew Luscombe
2 COMMUNITY POLICING - PC Vickery/PCSO Anning
Total reported crimes for the year 2005 - 2006 were 54. This has seen an increase in the year 2006 - 2007 to 66. This increase is largely due to the increase in criminal damage (22 to last years 16), 14 of which would appear to be linked to juveniles, although since the last incident to the Community Hall and the offenders being dealt with, we have not had any further problems (one person has been arrested so far and late patrols are seizing alcohol). Several of the thefts from motor vehicles have been aviation fuel from planes. There has been a drop in thefts from out buildings.
|
2003-04 |
2004-05 |
2005-6 |
Burglary dwelling |
3 |
1 |
3 |
Burglary other |
15 |
16 |
3 |
Theft of Motor vehicle |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Theft from Motor vehicle |
1 |
3 |
8 |
Fraud |
|
|
1 |
Theft other |
8 |
14 |
11 |
Criminal damage |
6 |
13 |
22 |
Assaults |
3 |
9 |
6 |
Obtain property by deception |
1 |
7 |
0 |
Public disorder |
1 |
0 |
2 |
Robbery |
|
|
1 |
Drugs related |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Drink & drive |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Resist Arrest |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Dog out of control |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Vehicle interference |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Unauthorised taking of M/V |
0 |
2 |
0 |
Wasting Police time |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Use telecom sys to cause alarm |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Threat to destroy/damage property |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Racially aggravated harassment |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Possession of firearm without licence |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Non crime - Domestic |
1 |
3 |
3 |
Non crime – Child Protection |
4 |
2 |
3 |
Cruelty to animal |
0 |
0 |
1 |
TOTAL |
51 |
77 |
72 |
Several garages have been approached to replace the community police transport. Inspector Gale will be coming to the parish council meeting in July to answer questions as a result of the parish council’s letter.
The police are also working on an initiative with the shop to promote the responsible purchasing of alcohol.
3 PARISH COUNCILS YEAR
Meetings
The Parish Council have held 12 meetings and 12 planning meetings during the past year (two of which ran concurrently on the same evenings).
Planning
We have made recommendations to the District Council on 66 (up from 63 in 2005/6) planning applications and three appeals. These included the Controversial Dunkeswell Kart Club Applications.
A team of three parish councillors visit most of the applicants or sites before giving comment to the rest of the Council at planning meetings, recommendations are then discussed at the full Parish Council meetings on the third Monday of every month. The public are encouraged to attend these meetings should they wish to listen or express their opinions to the Parish Councillors.
Further to our recognition as a quality parish council, the District Council has offered to delegate tree and advertisement applications to each of the four councils who have achieved Quality Status. The District Council will make recommendation to the Parish Council for a final decision.
The Karting track has had two retrospective applications passed this year, one for the widening of the track and another for the car parking. The Environmental Department at EDDC is working hard to try and control the noise issue. A new Noise Abatement Notice may well be placed on the track.
EDDC has a new Head of Development Control Stephen Belli, who replaces John Milverton. It is hoped that he will remain more neutral than his predecessor.
Affordable Housing Survey
There was a questionnaire circulated in the Parish Magazine in order to assess the needs in the parish. This resulted in Magna Homes negotiating the purchase of land to build 10 affordable homes in Dunkeswell.
4 YOUTH CLUB – Ann Barratt
Since the last Parish Council Annual Meeting the Youth Club has continued to thrive. Thank you once again to the Parish Council for all the support they give the Youth Club, it is very much appreciated and recognised as a vital part of the running and success of the club.
This time last year Jo was our Youth Leader leaving in the summer to start university. Before she left we had our Summer Trip ice skating at the Plymouth Pavilions which always proves a very popular activity. No broken bones … but a few blisters and bruised egos!
In September, with James as Youth Leader, our Thursday evenings continued with sporting activities, games, music and socialising.
Instead of a Christmas party the young people decided to have another trip to Plymouth. This time we really splashed out as we went swimming as well as skating! It was very much enjoyed by all concerned.
Despite the winter weather the weekly turn out remained good with a few new younger members joining before Easter.
James initiated applying for a grant for new equipment as much of ours was worse for wear. We had to match the grant amount. Amongst other items we bought a Eurohoc Set, basketballs, footballs, swing ball, snooker cues, table tennis bats and net, plus two goal posts that turned out to be slightly larger than we expected! Our thanks to Honiton Sports for their help and support.
We were asked to take part in a church service in St. Nicholas, Dunkeswell. Over a few weeks the young people were busy filming at Youth Club, Upottery, Luppitt, Sheldon and Dunkeswell churches. George edited the film and produced the finished piece which was seen by a full church on 29th April. Behind the scenes there was also much preparation with professional musicians, Paul Roberts and Tia, resulting in them performing during the service, with six Youth Club members and Charles Stevens. The rehearsals and the service were fun and a good experience but it has to be said that the food after the service really made the day!! Some of the young people had made some rather wonderful cakes and flapjacks … I was impressed. Others supported with their presence, everyone involved was a credit to the Youth Club.
Charles is currently the Youth Leader, the weather last week allowing him to take the group into the park for rounders, but not before we had walked around to view the Youth Club allotment! Many are keen to start digging and make up work and watering rotas.
As my gardening is even worse than my cooking, I'm pleased to know there are offers of help and guidance from other allotment folk, in particular one of our allotment neighbours, Lynne O'Brien. The young people have enthusiasm if not expertise so let's hope that can be nurtured and will blossom!
The Committee of young people has been growing up and moving on so we will soon be forming a new Committee. Jeff Marshall, Beth Russell, Pauline Harrington, Adele Watts and myself are now signatures for the account, thanks to them all for performing this duty and suffering what seemed like a ridiculous amount of red tape to achieve it!!
Future plans include acting, singing and reading in Upottery family service on 10th June and Dunkeswell on 18th November. A group have offered to help Anne Stevens with the trampoline at the fete this Bank Holiday Monday. The Sports field will be a big interest this summer, a special thanks to Mary Sworder for coming to Youth Club recently and sharing the plans and seeking ideas. All very exciting!
Maybe we shouldn't look forward to a large harvest from our allotment this year … but who knows …
The Parish Council are very appreciative to Mrs Barratt for all her work to provide this vital facility.
5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS/TREE WARDEN
There is still much litter being dropped on paths. It was explained that dogs must be kept under control on a public footpath. It was in a recent NFU article that they deem the only was a dog is truly under control when on a path through a field with stock in it would be to keep it on a lead. Mr Barrow continues to urge people to contact him for an initial chat before submitting any tree applications; it may even save them submitting the application in some cases. Mrs Sworder asked that new maps be put up, both in the old and new parts of the village. Mr Barrow is to organise this as well as restocking the shop and garage with footpath guides.
6 NEW SPORTS FIELD/CHURCHILL PLAYGROUND/NEW CENTURY PARK /ALLOTMENTS
There has been some refurbishment of the Churchill Playground, there are still a few items outstanding from the safety report. New Century Park is still well used and it is regrettable that there has been some criminal damage this year. The DCP&LG are grateful to Mr Throgmorton for repairing the fence, unfortunately the sheds have been damaged considerably and they will need to be removed. There are no funds to replace them currently.
The sports field conveyance has not yet been finalised. The allotments field will be protected from games by a 3m fence. There will be a BMX track, funding is being applied for by EDDC for a Multiuse sports area and a large grass sports area. The field will not be locked, but there will be gates. Thanks went to Mr and Mrs Russell and the parish council for all their support. A new planning application has been submitted.
The Allotments Association was formed a week ago and 30 plots have been allocated (6 half plots and 24 full plots). There is a waiting list already and the whole enterprise is a great success.
Highfield Community Hall - Safety checks and compliance with legislation and vandalism have cost a great deal this year and the Parish Council were thanked for their financial support. Mr Throgmorton has also helped by making repairs after vandalism. The Youth Club have helped greatly in clearing stones outside the hall. A final plan for the area is still awaited, which may or may not include the hall.
All is running smoothly with little to report this year.
9 FINANCE
There is little to report other than our usual spending pattern. We have managed to retain a small reserve in order that projects can be cashflowed until grant funding can be reclaimed at the end of the project. Full accounts were circulated for the benefit of the public at the meeting.
Financial support was given to the Community Hall in order to keep it from closure and donations were made to several local charities which benefit our community as follows:
Under Section 137 Local Government Act 1972
Devon Youth Association £15
Blackdown Support Group £50
Honiton Library Advice/Info Centre £50
Honiton Ring and Ride £25
ED Citizens Advice Bureau £50
Devon Victim Support £50
Tracey Bell
Clerk to Dunkeswell Parish Council
21st May 2007
Contact details for your parish council are as follows:
GEOFFREY SWORDER – CHAIRMAN
Meadowbank, Dunkeswell, Devon EX14 4QJ
01404 891623
g.n.sworder@googlemail.com
JOHN BARROW (TREE WARDEN AND LENGTHSMAN CONTACT) - VICE CHAIRMAN
Marylea, Dunkeswell EX14 4RQ
01404 891676
VANETTA KEITCH
3 Highfield Road, Dunkeswell EX14 4XY
01404 891830
BETH RUSSELL
6 Rhodedendron Close, Dunkeswell EX14 4UT
01404 891531
MALCOLM STEVENS
Connetts Farm, Dunkeswell EX14 4QZ
01404 891684
CHARLES SUMPTER
Hunters Cottage, Dunkeswell EX14 4QZ
01404 891684
BRENDAN PROCTER
Devon and Somerset Flight training School, Dunkeswell Airfield EX14 4LG
01404 891643
ANDREW LUSCOMBE
Highwood Farm, Dunkeswell EX14 4QJ
01404 891612
TRACEY BELL (Clerk)
The Old Kennels, Stentwood EX14 4RW
01823 681138
info@theoldkennels.co.uk
