October 2009

Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm,
Monday 12th October 2009.Present:            Cllrs Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr J Barrow (Vice Chairman), Cllrs Mrs B Russell and Mrs V Keitch,
Mssrs M Stevens, C Sumpter, B Procter, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Paul Diviani
District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton, PCSO Anning 30012 and members of the public.
Apologies:         PC Vickery 4783.

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 14th September 2009 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED
2            PLANNING

Decisions (for information)

09/1472/TRE Land at Liberator Way - permission granted to fell all but one ash tree and replant with more appropriate species.
09/1663/FUL Valley View – permission granted for new agricultural building and extension to existing building.

Applications (for comment – support or objection)

09/1902/FUL Land at Higher Park Farm – multipurpose agricultural building. (phase A). Comments:
09/1904/FUL Land at Higher Park Farm – multipurpose agricultural building. (phase B). Comments:
09/1826/COU Brookside Farm – change of use for farmhouse only to residential dwelling. Comments: The parish council are concerned that the building retain the agricultural tie that it was built with in approx. 1987. It should not be allowed to revert to a residential house.

Tree Applications – EDDC review of the trial giving Quality parishes the opportunity to decide their advertisement and tree applications – Dunkeswell had no advertisements to decide in this period, and the full review of tree applications is still pending. Dunkeswell would like to continue with deciding tree applications, but share Dave Coleman’s view that we need to work together on streamlining procedure in order to alleviate officer workloads.
Minor amendments (for information)

2.4.1 08/0015/FUL & 08/0016/MFUL land at Powell’s Way – relocation of drive to plot 14 and realignment of the dwellings on plots 15 &16 have been approved by EDDC.

Parish Plan – meeting to be advertised for Monday 9th November 2009 in the Village Hall (concurrent with the Planning meeting at 7pm).
EDDC consultation on Interim Rural Departure Site Policy for Mixed Affordable and Open Market Housing. Comments by 30th October 2009. No comments to return.
EDDC Updated website for Planning Online – Further date offered 26th October 7-8.30pm)

GNS attended meeting on 30th September 2009 and was impressed by the design of new website but subsequently found it was not yet in operation. Letter also received informing parish councils that they will no longer receive paper copies of planning decision notices as of April 2010.
Planning matters/applications pending consideration as at the 14th September 2009:(for information)http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx for details

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC

to receive issues to report – none
Update on issues: Wolford Cross sinage is to be reviewed. Windgate Hill: Cllrs Diviani and Buxton have been looking at possible improvements to road safety. Manleys Lane: clerk has received an email from Steve Terelinck saying ‘I received the revised quote for the works on Wednesday (7/10/09) and have forwarded it to our legal department. They will now submit the quote to the bondsman and if they accept the quote the money should be released. The bondsman has the right to put the works out to tender. Hopefully this will not happen due to the shortfall in the amount of the bond and the cost of the works involved. I will contact you as soon as I hear from our legal team.’

FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

Report from Mr Barrow – the cutting and strimming has been finished, and the budget spent for the year. The parish council gave a vote of thanks to Mr Barrow and his helpers who have diligently given the footpaths excellent attention for many years now.

ENVIRONMENT – nothing to reportCOMMUNITY FACILITIES Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning 14/09/09 - 11/10/09 there were 10 crimes: four crimes were criminal damage to dwellings, ground floor windows smashed by throwing stones at them. Two local youths were dealt with and given a Police "Reprimand" and dealt with by "Restorative Justice" - they wrote an apology letter to each victim. Theft from Motor Vehicle - Overnight a Hackney Carriage Plate was stolen from a motor vehicle. Two non dwelling burglaries - entry gained to two secure units on the Industrial Estate and property stolen, and two thefts , a jet ski stolen from a compound on the Industrial Estate and an insecure trailer stolen from side of the road. These four crimes were committed the same night. In addition there was a criminal damage on the Industrial Estate where three windows were smashed on a mobile caravan, two males were arrested and charged to court.Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – Lottery funding has been agreed and the equipment will soon be installed. The lease has been signed but not been returned as yet. There is still no written assurance that rent will not be demanded, although there have been verbal assurances on many occasions. The parish council will write to Mr Throgmorton and thank him for his verbal assurance of waiving the rent every year. Although the parish council agreed that they were concerned with the arrangement, it was agreed that the solicitors would be further consulted and if this was all that could be done to secure the facility then the parish council would have to face any change should it occur (it was noted that the allotments, preschool and other community facilities have been leased on the same basis for many years). Trees along the hedge between the field and Catalina Close will be felled when the leaves are off and will be replaced by new trees along the footpath as part of the lottery funded development. The new tree planting will be done in conjunction with children from the village so as to encourage their ownership of them.Mr Barrow reported that he had met with some lads on the BMX track who had come from Honiton, they helped him understand the requirements of the riders with regard to the upkeep of the surface and gave much praise to the track and its excellent maintenance.
Halls – no report given this timeEmergency Plan –http://www.devon.gov.uk/model_plan.pdf – Mr Jones said there needed to be a separate meeting arranged with a group of interested people to work on the plan. The Parish Council agreed to form a sub committee with John Barrow as Chairman and Brendan Procter, Andrew Luscombe, Charles Sumpter and Richard Jones. Meeting to be arranged by Mr Jones.Proposed Bus Shelter Manleys Lane – no further news as yet, clerk to chase.BT Payphone Kiosk – BT is inviting you to adopt the kiosks at Abbey and at the old post office in the old village for £1 – the kiosks can then be used for other purposes, but the structure will be allowed to remain where it is, alternatively for £300 per year the parish council can keep the telephones connected and box maintained, by sponsoring the box (calls made were 9 & 114 in the last year respectively). Applications by 19th December 2009.