Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall on Monday 18th April  2011 at 7.30pm.

Present:            Cllrs Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr J Barrow (Vice Chairman), Cllrs Mrs B Russell and Mrs V Keitch, Mssrs M Stevens, B Procter, A Luscombe, District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton, PC Vickery 4783 and no members of the public.
Apologies: Cllr C Sumpter, County Councillor Mr Paul Diviani, PCSO Anning 30012

All councillors are politely reminded of their obligation to declare interests under the Code of Conduct.
In making decisions the Parish Council recognise their statutory duties provided for in Section 11A(2) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 (National Parks) and Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (AONBs) that in exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land, they shall have regard to their purposes (ie conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities by the public).

1.1       Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 21st March 2011 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED.
1.2       Retiring councillors -The chairman wished it to be minuted how valued and appreciated the input of Cllrs Malcolm Stevens and Charles Sumpter have been over the past years as they have chosen not to stand at the current election, this was agreed by the whole council.  Cllr Stevens had served for over forty years, and Cllr Sumpter for ten, as well as being clerk to the parish council for many years prior to that.

2          PLANNING

(http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx )

none

11/0698/TRE 63 Jenwood Road - T1, Beech - Remove crossing/rubbing branches and selected small branches from the north side of the tree, T2 and T3 Ash - Coppice, T4, Ash - Fell, T7 - T10, Beech - Remove crossing and rubbing branches and selected small branches from the west side of the trees, T11 and T12 Beech - Fell. DECISION: Approval with conditions

11/0699/TRE 21 Walcott Way - Reduce crowns by 25% of 11 Ash trees (T1-8, 10,11,13), Fell 2 Ash trees (T9 & T12) DECISION: Approval with conditions

 

      FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

      Report from Cllr Barrow – strimming will start soon

 

      ENVIRONMENT

      DCC Letter advising the parish council of the Devon Tithe Map Project and Tithe Apportionment

Transcription by volunteers.  Devon Records Office has digitalised all the Devon tithe maps (c1840) and is looking for volunteers to transcribe the 1840 apportionments for each parish. These are fascinating bits of historical information about each plot of land, its use, owner, tenant and historical name. This will all go online and be open to the general public to see.  Assuming no one has already done this in the parish, the information will be supplied on disc and a volunteer would be asked to spend a few days entering it into an excel spread sheet. Instructions will be supplied. See www.devon.gov.uk/dro_tithe_map_project.pdf or contact devrec@devon.gov.uk if you would like to volunteer.

5.2       EDDC letter - Cardboard recycling facilities may be made available locally where would we have in the parish that might be suitable for siting a bank? The Throgmorton Hall carpark was suggested subject to the owners approval, as it is quite central, has easy access.
5.3       Streetlighting – Cllr Stevens reported that there was an issue with street lighting in the old village not coming on in the morning as it is meant to.  Clerk to report.

      COMMUNITY FACILITIES   

 

FINANCE      

DCC Locality Budget (gritter)                                                 £1000.00

DP&LG grass cutting and insurance                                      £2231.50
DALC membership fee 2011/12                                             £321.21
Central Design Ceramics Ltd (mugs)                                     £1199.10
Blackdown Buildings (shelter)                                                £900.00
Blackdown Buildings (shelter)                                                £1374.00
Colin Barrow (Base for shelter)                                              £319.80
John Barrow (conrete base of new shelter)                           £84.00
J Barrow (work to BMX track/field)                                        £51.00
J Howard (work to BMX track/field)                                       £36.00
Ken Abraham (interanal Audit 2011)                                      £190.00
(cheques agreed)                                            (£60 paid as paid £130 already)
                                   
Account balances – Parish Account at 1/3/11 - £7862.76 includes the following:

P3 balance of funds - £800.00   

7.4       PAYE – Clerks have now to be paid employees for the council, this requires you to conform with pay and working regulations.  It is felt that all of these are currently complied with, with the exception of paid holiday (minimum of 5.6 weeks per year) as the clerk doesn’t work set hours and is paid for the hours worked.  Council made their annual review of clerks pay/hours and expenses at this meeting and it was agreed to continue on flexible hours and the same terms.
7.6       To receive the 2010/11 accounts and Annual Governance Statement for approval.  Approved.
7.7       Letters of thanks received from TRIP, preschool and Honiton Library
7.8       VAT reclaim in the sum of £791.02 has been submitted (for information)

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public).None

Dates for next meetings –     
9th May 2011   Planning Meeting 7pm and Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm      Dunkeswell Village Hall
16th May 2011 Annual Parish Meeting 7.30pm                                                          Throgmorton Hall