DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes for the Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 17th October 2005.

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

1 Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 19th September, 2005 were signed as a correct record of that meeting with one amendment that Andrew Luscombe gave apologies for absence and was not in attendance at the meeting.

2 PLANNING
2.1 Decisions (for information)
05/2065/FUL Abbey Mill Farm – permission granted for renewal of permission storage barn
05/2099/FUL Land at Highfield Road – permission granted for four dwellings
05/2125/FUL Abbeywood farm – permission granted for conversion of barns to three holiday units.
05/2293/FUL 51 Jenwood Road – permission granted for conservatory
200505/2218/FUL Blossom Hill Park, Louis Way – permission granted for pool/ mobile home for warden

2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
05/2498/FUL Westerhope Farm, Long Lane – Demolition and reconstruction of dwelling. Recommendation to approve with comment that the Parish Council rely on the District Council to ensure that any agricultural tie is maintained or restored.
05/2475/FUL The Old Forge – new dwelling. Recommendation to refuse although the Parish Council do not object to the principle of a small thatched cottage or bungalow on this site, it is felt that the designed submitted would dominate the site, be out of keeping with the listed buildings it neighbours, and exclude light unreasonably from Garden Cottage.
05/2655/FUL land at Culme Way – four dwellings and facilities for bowling and tennis clubs/extension to community facilities. Recommendation to refuse. Although the number, style and arrangement of dwellings are more acceptable, the parish council are concerned that this is the second in a succession of four dwelling applications which has now been submitted. This appears to be a conscious effort to avoid the requirement to provide affordable housing which only applies to a development of more than five houses. In addition the Parish Council are not prepared to accept the new plan proposed for the Community Hall. The existing hall requires a false ceiling and the earlier proposal (05/0993) which was acceptable was for a second floor over the toilet and kitchen areas and there is no need for the additional hall space allocated, although the additional toilet and storage facilities would be welcomed as either an external extension or as shown on the plan.
05/2647/FUL Unit 18e Flightway – construction of live/work unit. Recommendation to refuse as the Parish Council object to the principle of work/live units within the industrial estate.
05/2651/FUL Unit 18i Flightway - construction of live/work unit. Recommendation to refuse as the Parish Council object to the principle of work/live units within the industrial estate.
05/2630/TRE 9 Bluebell Road – prune two ash trees. Recommendation to approve the side branches may be lopped, although there should be no significant reduction to the height.
05/2696/FUL 22 Louis Way – single storey extension. Recommendation to approve.
05/2721/FUL Brookside Farm – change of use to residential, educational centre, activity equipment. To be discussed at the next meeting.
2.3 Enforcement –
Windwhistle caravan has now been removed from the site and the land no longer has any residential occupation.
2.4 East Devon Local Plan Inquiry – replies to representations made affecting Dunkeswell as follows:
Site DK106 Boundary of Land at Industrial Boundary on Marcus Road – revision of plan to amend boundary as suggested by the parish council.
Site DK100 Boundary of land at industrial estate to south should be amended to include area.
Policy APX01 Number of houses at Highfield based on original plan and as plan states ‘over 400’ it is felt that adjustment would not substantially add to the plan.
2.5 Appeals;
APP/U1105/C/2001445 6 Powells Way Appeal succeeds in part and the enforcement notice is upheld as corrected and varied, but requires lowering of the fence adjacent to the vacant plot and removal of the fence along the access to Ball Knapp.
Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 17th October 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
September 2005 05/2063/FUL Westerhope Farm, Long Lane – retention of residential flat

4 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
Traffic order Tower Way – in consultation.
? Well stepsStephen Tucker has spoken to SWH and it seems that there has been a change of personnel on the grass cutting gang, during the change over the plans for a number of sites around East Devon got lost. He has been assured that the new gang have now been issued with this site.
? Stentwood potholes are to be filled shortly.
? Windgate hill - a few years ago a special road closure was arranged so that all landowners on Windgate Hill could sort out their hedges, ST is in the process of doing this again. The date this will happen is yet unknown.
? Manleys Lane – broken sign reported. Mr Boote to get a full update on the progress of the bond to complete the road and inform clerk.
Community Speed Watch report – figures are awaited, but these are being collated to lobby D&C Police on their enforcement policy.

5 TREE WARDEN, FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
Mr Barrow reported that his place was confirmed on two workshops at the forthcoming event, ‘Trees and the Law’ and ‘Pests and Diseases’ and invited the council to pass any relevant questions to him to pose at the workshops on behalf of the parish council.

6 ENVIRONMENT
6.1 EDDC – Surface water flooding – sandbags for order by 31st October 2005. Mr Sumpter to check if required.
Royal British Legion two minute silence – maroons for order if required. None required.
6.2 DCC – 5 Abbey Road, flooding issues – a site meeting was held on 22nd September 2005 and as a result DCC is arranging for a jetter to clean the drain and the district council arranging a camera survey. DCC have also agreed to investigate the possibility of reshaping part of the road above the property to take surface water though the large cross drain under the road, thus limiting the amount of water arriving at Abbey Road. Mr Sumpter continues to pressurise Mr Grigg at EDDC and Ms Booth at DCC Highways for the repair to be completed.
6.3 Street lamp bulb at Culme Way cutting – clerk has asked WIMS if they would replace the bulb as the lamp is as yet unadopted by Connect.

7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PC Vickery reported that there have been seven crimes reported since the last meeting; a burglary on Marcus Road, shoplifting, burglary to a garage, three break ins on Flightway, and one affray. In addition, PC Vickery has addressed the problems of school bus pick ups direct with children, bus drivers and parents which is having an affect. There have also been meetings in preparation for the 2006 Airshow and plans are now being made.
7.2 Playground safety inspections – works to be carried out – nothing to report.
7.3 Sports field – nothing to report.
7.4 Halls – Mrs Russell explained that there were repairs needed to the boiler and the oil tank was to be refilled causing a predicted shortfall in the account and requiring a donation in the region of £500. This was agreed.
7.5 EDDC – Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, sections 12&13 Alcohol consumption in public places designation orders consultation process. Parishes are invited to make representation to the District Council as to the appropriateness of making designation orders throughout East Devon under the above act. Areas in Sidmouth and Exmouth are currently covered under byelaws and will come under the new act in September 2006, other problem areas should be identified now. Agreed that no action is required in the Parish of Dunkeswell.
7.6 EDDC – Housing Stock Options Appraisal - information for retention.

8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts – none
8.2 Cheque payments - Clerk expenses (July, August, September 2005) £119.07
Audit Commission (2004/5) £141.00
Cut and Trim (August 2005) £45.00
Payment by direct debit - Virgin Broadband (Public Access Computer) £24.99
(Cheques and direct debits agreed).
8.3 Precept – EDDC have warned that due to budget pressures, (especially the introduction of free bus passes for the over 60s) that it may be possible for Parishes to raise their precept requests to cover the shortfall. It is not possible for the District Council to raise their precept request as they may be capped, but there is no restriction on Parish Councils. To remain on agenda for discussion at the next meeting.

8.3 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/sport equipment.
8.4 Completion of Annual Audit 2004/5 received.
Account balances - at 1/10/05 Paths Account £525.79
Parish Account £6370.23

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public). None.
Dates for next meetings – Planning Applications: Monday 14th November, 2005 7pm - 8pm - Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 21st November, 2005 7.30pm - Village Hall
EDDC Annual Parish Councils Meeting Wednesday 29th March 2006