DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes for the meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in Village Hall on Monday 15th March, 2004.

Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr A Guest (Vice Chairman), Mrs B Russell, Messrs J Barrow, M Stevens, B Procter, District Councillor Mrs M Boote, PC Anning and 6 members of the public.

1 Apologies: County Councillor Mr B Nicholson, Messrs C Sumpter, A Luscombe and PC Lea.

2 Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 16th February, 2004 were signed as a correct record of that meeting (proposed by Mr Barrow and seconded by Mr Russell).

3 PLANNING
EDDC Decisions (for information)
03/P3172 11 Simcoe Way - permission granted for conservatory
04/P0016 Ken Purkess Caravans - permission refused for storage/sales of caravans on agricultural field outside building limit.
03/P3136 Ball Knapp - permission refused for boundary fence.
03/P3087 1 Powell’s Way - permission granted for kitchen/workshop extension.
03/P3171 7 Tower Way - permission granted for conservatory.
03/P3181 10 Whitebeam Grove - permission granted for bay window.
02/P1038 Clubhouse Blossom Hill Site - permission granted change of use to warden’s dwelling/site facilities (revised scheme).
03/P3135 Ball Knapp - permission granted for changes to fenestration/porch/decking/tile hanging.
03/P3134 Ball Knapp - permission granted for change of use of garage to study/vehicular access
03/P1983 WIMS (UK) Ltd., Flightway - two industrial units (withdrawn)
03/P1983 WIMS Flightway - two industrial units (withdrawn)
03/P2203 Windrush - permission granted for replacement porch

4 Applications

4.1 04/P0078 British Light Aircraft Co. Ltd. - change of use - hangar from storage to assembly of aircraft/ extensions/alterations. Copy letter EDDC to BLA Ltd. asking for more detail of traffic flow, working hours and where labour will be attracted from. It was resolved to await further information as requested.

4.2 04/P0484 Dunkeswell Kart Racing Club - formation of extended track. Amendment to plan received 5/3/04. (Mr Procter and Mr Guest declared interests).Mr Guest explained that the application to lengthen the circuit would not vary the current conditions of how many karts may be on the track at one time or how many race days may be held each year. It may however lower noise levels by spreading out the pack of cars on the track and possibly prevent the club from being forced to exercise their current rights to use the track for public access on any day of the week, as this is the only other way they will have of raising funds. Mr Guest quoted from a letter regarding pro- karting dated October 1999 from Cllr Franklin to the Kart Club which said that the noise could barely be heard from Dunkeswell or Sheldon. Mrs Napier (Chairman of Sheldon Parish Meeting) spoke for the parish of Sheldon in that they felt there had been insufficient occasions of noise monitoring from Sheldon and that the quality of life was badly affected. Two representatives of the Kart Club told the meeting that they came to a meeting a year ago as they wished to open dialogue and still wish to come to some agreement. It was resolved that the clerk should arrange a meeting with the planner Glynn Thomas and the Environmental Health Department to discuss the application further before returning a recommendation.

4.3 04/P0428 Defence Estates - Building 166, Dunkeswell Airfield - fit three security doors. No objections, proposed for approval by Mr Barrow, seconded by Mr Stevens and unanimously agreed.

4.4 04/P0637 Air Westward Ltd., Dunkeswell Aerodrome - variation of time condition for submission of reserved matters. (Mr Procter and Mr Guest declared interests). No objections, proposed for approval by Mr Barrow, seconded by Mr Stevens and unanimously agreed.

5 Appeals
5.1 Mr Dare and Miss Moran 113 Tower Way - erection of conservatory, representations by 25th March 2004.
5.2 Mr S Gerry, Driver Training School - appeal dismissed. It was resolved that the clerk should to write to enforcement asking that now the appeal has been decided that action is taken immediately to enforce the return of the land to its former agricultural state (removal of bunds, tracks, buildings and litter). Also drawing the attention of the District Council to the Inspectors comments that noise monitoring taken in this case were ‘woefully inadequate and not sufficient to take an informed decision upon’, this being especially relevant in the light of the current application being made by the Kart Club, where the same may be said.

Mr Sworder reminded the council of the Shute Farm Hearing to be held on the 5th May 2004 at The Knowle.

6 Licences
6.1 EDDC Cinemas Act 1985 - application for occasional licence for Community Hall 27th March 3004 2pm - 10pm.
6.2 EDDC Licence to use community premises for entertainment - Community Hall - Annual renewal. No objections.

7 Enforcement
7.1 Satellite dishes - Enforcement have sent letters to 30 houses in Dunkeswell who have satellite dishes positioned towards the highway. Antennae (if over 15m in height, or on a wall or roof which fronts the road) do need planning permission in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. However, many of the dishes have been in place for more than four years so are exempt from enforcement action. If Enforcement, the Ward Member and Parish Council all agree, no action will be taken on the placement of these dishes on Highfield. The views of the Parish Council are now formally requested. It was resolved to return a recommendation that no action need be taken (by delegation not referred to committee), there are no planning objections and that no enforcement action should be taken.

(for information)
7.2 Copy letter to Turbury Farm asking for the submission of a planning application for the construction of steel building.

7.3 Copy letter to Brookside Farm asking that a retrospective permission is applied for in respect of alterations to the former milking parlour (which has been knocked down and rebuilt as a training room, toilet and shower block. Advice was also given that a permission would be necessary to rebuild the side walls and roof of the barn. It was noted that a new owner of the enterprise had emerged who is intending to operate a new system.

7.4 Copy letter to Ken Purkess Caravans - further to the refusal of the recent application enforcement action will be instigated should the breach of use not be remedied.

8 Parish Plan - Mr Sworder circulated a rearrangement of the plan for perusal, this will be completed and submitted next month for approval.

9 Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 15th March 2004 (for information):
October 2003 03/P2291 WIMS units 13 & 15 Flightway 03/P2407 WIMS Units 11, 11a & 12 Flightway
January 2004 04/P0078 British Light Aircraft Co.
February 2004 04/P0041 46 Louis Way - extension 04/T0003 46 Louis Way - reduce ash tree
04/0169 The Cedars - change of use of land/garage 04/P0356 4 Jenwood Road - conservatory.
10 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
10.1 Community Travel Plan - Further to the meeting with Gary Powell on 11th March 2004 to discuss the content of the draft CTP, the Parish Council have been asked to prioritise the first four schemes. PC Lea has arranged that permanent speed camera warning signs may be put up in Dunkeswell, the school bus pick up points are under negotiation and the speed visor sign will be returning shortly for a spell beside Procters Woodflakes. It was decided to place speed limit reductions, signing and advertising as the first priority (to include a one way sign for Post Office Hill), the second priority was for a solution to be found to issues on the top road between Manley’s Lane and Chapel Corner, with the (already scheduled) footpath on Percy Hill and ultimately the Bypass in fourth place. Clerk to confirm priorities to Mr Powell.

10.2 DCC - copy reply letters to Mr Hall, Mr Broad, Miss Gaunt and Mr and Mrs Pratt on subject of speed issues.
Plan of the work required at Percy Hill to alleviate excess water has been sent to Highways.

11 ENVIRONMENT
11.1 Additional bins - District Councillor Mrs Boote reported that she had had the usual positive response from Mr McLenan at Streetscene, but will await the delivery of the promised bins.
11.2 Right to Roam - maps have been received back for the final consultation, one area of land has been removed, but the Turbury and triangle of land at Gypsy Cross remain included. It was resolved that no further comment need be submitted.
11.3 Community Composting - Mr McCaig (Blackdown Hills Rural Partnership) is discussing with a company who are already composting cardboard on the industrial estate with a view to taking green waste. (for information)

12 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
12.1 PC Anning reported that although there had only been two crimes in the Parish in the last month (a burglary of tools and an attempted theft of a lorry) that people must still be vigilant as thefts of tools are still occurring in the area. He reminded the meeting that invisibly marking property was very important and that there is to be a neighbourhood watch meeting on 13th April 2004 at the Highfield Social Club for all to attend. (for information).

12.2 EDDC - The Council Tax budget has now been set at an increase of £5.69 per year to a Band D household from the District Council (overall Council Tax Payers in East Devon will receive bills £45 less than those in Mid Devon, and £35 less than West Devon). The rise is due to a £2.2 million shortfall in funding due to the Government increasing the number of services that the Council has to provide without providing the money to cover the costs. (for information).

13 FINANCE
13.1 EDDC - Rural Aid 2004/5 applications are invited by 10th May 2004 (maximum grant will be £4,000). Rural Aid 2003/4 finalised invoices are to be submitted for payment to be made before the year end (one invoice awaited). Ideas requested by the next meeting as to what may be claimed for.

13.2 A donation of £936 to DCP&LG, for grass cutting was agreed for 2004/5. It was also agreed that the Youth Club would be given free use of the Community Hall in the coming year. Clerk to confirm both in writing.

13.3 A letter has been agreed to DCP&LG (for use in obtaining grant funding) to confirm land ownership of the Churchill Playground, that the Parish Council are working with DCP&LG and enclosing a copy of our accounts and insurance cover.

13.4 Community Hall - It was resolved that as the running of the Community Hall has now become longer term arrangement, that Mr and Mrs Russell should be paid the sum of £50 per month for the care-taking, cleaning and administration of the hall. This sum is to be paid from the hall takings and in addition, be paid retrospectively for the past year. Mr Sworder thanked Mr and Mrs Russell for the good work they do in the Community Hall.

13.5 Receipts - P3 Grant (footpaths account) £845.00

13.6 Payments - ITA Ceilings (Village Hall lobby - Rural Aid 2003/4) £303.15
Bests of Honiton (Village Hall lobby - Rural Aid 2003/4) £264.92
M Grigg, Electrician (Village Hall lobby - Rural Aid 2003/4) £95.00
Clerk (remuneration August 2003 - February 2004) £1338.92 (PAYE was paid last month)
Clerk expenses January - March 2004 £122.57

13.7 Donations paid under Section 137, Local Government Act 1972
Devon Youth Association £15.00
Blackdown Support Group £50.00
Honiton Library Advice/Info Centre £50.00
Honiton Ring and Ride £25.00
ED Citizens Advice Bureau £50.00
Devon Victim Support £50.00 (TOTAL £2414.56)
Cheques proposed by Mr Procter, seconded by Mr Barrow and unanimously agreed.

13.8 Account balances - at 1/3/04 Paths Account £673.30 (£1518.30 after cheques paid/receipts)
Parish Account £976.90 (-£1437.66 after cheques paid)
(Approximately £900 invoices awaited for completion of Village Hall project, £5000 Rural Aid and £733.47 VAT to be reclaimed for year end, leaving true picture of account at year end approximately £3395.81credit in main account and £1518.30 in footpaths account.)

14 Questions from the Public
The meeting was closed at 9.40pm and the public were offered the opportunity to speak. (No questions)

Dates for next meetings – Annual Meeting of Parish Councils - Thursday 18th March 2004, 7pm at the Knowle
Planning Applications: Monday 19th April, 2004 7pm - 7.30pm - Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 19th April, 2004, 7.30pm - Village Hall