Minutes for the Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 16th January 2006.

Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr A Guest (Vice Chairman), Mrs B Russell, Messrs J Barrow, M Stevens, B Procter, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Roger Boote, District Councillor Mrs M Boote, PCSO Anning and five members of the public.
Apologies: Mr C Sumpter and PC Vickery.

1 Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 12th December, 2005 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED

2 PLANNING
2.1 Decisions (for information)
05/2894/FUL Caravan 2, Lammasland – permission refused for two bedroom chalet dwelling
05/2863/FUL 1 Kennedy Way – permission granted to remove bank and erect a 1.8m high wall
05/2979/FUL 16 Le Marchant Close – permission granted to erect single storey rear extension
05/3139/TRE 17 Potters Stile – permission granted to reduce height of trees

2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
05/0540/FUL Dunkeswell Kart Club, Airfield – formation of extended track, reply sent as deadline enforced by EDDC, recommendation to approve subject to conditions suggested by Sheldon Parish Council. The concerns raised by Sheldon were noise and light pollution, widening and use times of the track and acoustic monitoring and control barriers. Cllr M Boote explained that as she used to work for Mr Mansell who now has an interest in the club she would be leaving all meetings where any further applications were to be discussed at District level.
Recommendation: APPROVAL (subject to supporting Sheldons conditions)

06/0011/FUL Blossom Hill Park - 1.8m perimeter fence. The Parish Council are concerned that the height is excessive next to a highway, but as it is chain link and not close boarded ask if this negates the usual rule.
Recommendation: APPROVAL

06/0094/FUL Land adjacent Flightway – improved visibility including footpath to existing road. Parish Council do not feel there is any need for the proposed entrance, object on safety grounds to a further entrance and suggest that any footpath would be of more benefit to users of the Kart Club if it was on the other side of the road and inside the hedge line, for safety and aesthetic reason. Mr Guest abstained as his view was in favour of a footpath, but against a new entrance. Recommendation: REFUSAL

06/0051/CPE Westerhope Units, Long Lane - use as dwelling. This residential part of the property was sold off, therefore there has never been an official use of the office building in its own right for residential use.
Recommendation: REFUSAL
2.3 EDDC Enforcement
Land at Westerhope – Enforcement Notice (copy EDDC). Notice issued requiring landowner to cease using the building on the land for residential purposes on 9th December 2005 will take effect on 13th January 2006 requiring landowner to comply within six months of that date.
22 Azalea Close – Copy letter to owner confirming no permission is required for removal of their bank, but if they change the position of the fence permission may be required in this instance.
Windwhistle Farm – Enforcement inspection visit booked for 17th January.

2.4 EDDC - reply to query raised by Parish Council as to policy on removal of banks and hedges. The planning authorities preference is to retain these wherever possible and appropriate, however they may usually be removed without consent under Town and Country (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 the removal of banks is permitted unless there is as specific condition relating to retention of hedges or banks on a previous planning permission, either for the individual dwelling or group of dwellings. The erection of a wall or fence then becomes a separate issue dependant on height and proximity to roads and boundaries.

2.5 EDDC – website now allows viewing of status of planning applications (www.eastdevon.gov.uk) as well as the planning history of dwellings.

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 21st November 2005: (for information)
January 2004 04/P0078 British Light Aircraft Co. (awaiting highways new proposal)
March 2005 05/0540/FUL Dunkeswell Kart Racing Club – formation of extended track
April 2005 05/0993/FUL Land at Highfield – 26 open market units, Land off Powells Way - 19 affordable dwellings, community facilities recreational land off Liberator Way
October 2005 05/2475/FUL The Old Forge – new dwelling.
05/2721/FUL Brookside Farm – change of use to residential, educational centre, activity equipment.
November 2005 05/2721/FUL Brookside Farm – change of use to residential educational centre
05/2979/FUL 16 Le Marchant Close – single storey rear extension
December 2005 05/0540/FUL Dunkeswell Kart Club, Airfield – formation of extended track
05/3197/FUL 2 Liberator Way – single storey porch
05/2475/FUL The Old Forge – revised drawings
05/3220/FUL Unit 18F Flightway – construction of live/work unit
05/3222/FUL Unit 18C Flightway – construction of live/work unit
05/3233/MFUL Powells Way – sixteen dwellings and new vehicular access
05/3224/FUL Unit 18 H Flightway - construction of live/work unit

4 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
4.1 Royal Oak pavement – email from Meg Booth, she is currently costing the works and will be in touch soon. As
the land transfer would become an expensive legal exercise, the suggestion from Highways is that if a letter granting use of the land from the owner could be issued, this would be a quicker and cheaper process. Clerk to approach the owner.

4.2 Manleys Lane resurfacing – Cllr R Boote is to request a written summary of the exact situation with the bond. Clerk to ask Hastoe to approach DCC and ask for progress on the matter.

4.3 Community Speed Watch/speed control measures – two new members have joined the patrol, still awaiting Highways speed detection cables.

4.4 Lengthsman – has now been and Mr Barrow thanked Mr Luscombe for his assistance in getting the earth from the ditch clearance moved.

4.5 Road sweep was requested and carried out two days later on Highfield and Highways have been alerted to the Manleys Lane sign removal.

4.6 Several street lights were reported to be out of action – one in the old village and one in Louis Way are to be reported (the clerk reminded the meeting that only streetlights bearing a Highways number are in their ownership and therefore maintenance, all others are in private ownership). Lamps can only be reported quoting their number.

4.7 Cllr R Boote to request action on potholes surrounding service hatches for SWW at Quinains and BT outside the old police house.

5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
Mr Barrow reported that all forms for the year-end and footpaths inspections are now complete. Mr Barrow expressed his thanks to Nick Owen for his co-operation in helping with drainage on footpaths on his land.

6 ENVIRONMENT
6.1 DCC – 5 Abbey Road, flooding issues – nothing to report at present, Cllr R Boote to chase

7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PCSO Anning – three reported crimes since last report. One wasting police time (by faking a car theft), one drink driver and one attempted theft from an industrial unit (this was spotted by a resident of the live work units and the police attended immediately). Business watch are still recruiting members on the estate and the presence of the patrol is having an effect, the more who join the cheaper it becomes for all. The juvenile who was shoplifting from the Spar has been charged and will appear in court later this month. After the recent accident on the main road there will be further information soon.
7.2 Playground safety inspections – nothing to report
7.3 Sports field – The meeting was shown a video from the youth club about the new play area. There was much support for the idea and it was agreed the project will reap benefits when land and funding can be secured.
7.4 Halls – additional funds were required towards buildings insurance of £250. AGREED
7.5 As of 1st January 2006, East Devon District Council's former Leisure team is transferring to a new charitable Trust - Leisure East Devon Ltd. New contact details are as follows: David Pagett, Chief Executive, Leisure East Devon Ltd., Bicton College, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton EX9 7BY e-mail:dpagett@ledleisure.co.uk Telephone: 01395 562439

8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts –
Cheque from Dunkeswell Village Hall Committee funds raised towards purchase of new tables £630.00

8.2 Cheque payments - Mr C Barrow (Footpaths Account) £94.00
Mr J Barrow (Footpaths Account) £272.00
FRM Building Supplies (Footpaths Account) £40.42
Dunkeswell Community Hall (donation) £250.00

Payment by direct debit - Virgin Broadband (Public Access Computer) £24.99
Cheques and direct debits AGREED

8.3 Honiton Tourist Information Centre is requesting the financial support of the parishes who are served by it. It was felt that there was little direct benefit to the parishioners apart from businesses and that they should donate.

8.4 Precept and donations for 2006-2007 for agreement (see enclosed copy). It was proposed to raise the precept by £300 to £10550 in order to allow some expenditure on village maintenance, and make the same donations as last year. AGREED

8.4 Community Council of Devon – earlier this year Dunkeswell Parish Council took part in a survey of outdoor play
and sport equipment. We were randomly selected and have won a prize draw of £200 to spend on outdoor play equipment.

Account balances - at 1/1/06 Paths Account £525.79
Parish Account £4740.38

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting was closed before questions from the public).

A gentleman asked that the Parish Council stop homeowners on the main road through the old village leaving their dustbins out all the time. He asked that the Hastoe houses be tidied up, the sand bin on Mill Lane is up righted and also people start to take more pride in the village. In addition he complained about the lack of footpath link between the parts of the village.

Dates for next meetings – Planning Applications: Monday 13th February, 2006 7pm – 8pm - Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 20th February, 2006 7.30pm - Village Hall
EDDC Annual Parish Councils Meeting Wednesday 29th March 2006