DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL
Dunkeswell Annual Report 2011
PARISH COUNCILS YEAR – Chairman – it has been a productive year with the council maintaining and adding to the community facilities, and the parish plan committee making such an excellent job of consulting every household and business in the parish to produce a published plan that we can all be proud of. We have dealt with planning matters and decided our tree applications as well as renewed our Quality Status successfully. My thanks go to all parish councillors past and present for their excellent work at what can often be a frustrating and thankless task. Also thanks to the Parish Plan Team and our District and County Councillors, local police who support us so well and all the volunteers, committees and other people in our community that work hard to make Dunkeswell a special place to live in.
PLANNING - During the last year the planning committee has been VK, CS & GNS, Charles Sumpter has stepped down after many years excellent service on the parish council and DD is now of the initial planning inspection team. The parish Plan team were thanked for producing an excellent document based on what parishioners asked for in the course of various consultations and various questionnaires.
The chairman thanked the plan committee and said that one item in the plan has already been achieved with was last winters gritting trial.
Mr Sworder added that this is only the beginning, and with the Localism Bill being debated currently in government, this plan makes a statement that this parish knows what it wants to achieve and intends to pursue its aims. Cllr Sworder added that there is also a Blackdown Hills Plan being produced which brings together the aims and priorities of all the parish plans in the hills. Currently driving speeds and housing have been identified as highest common priority. This is inline with a government proposal for Neighbourhood Plans which we will no doubt hear more about shortly.
PARISH PLAN REPORT - Mr Pete Barker
As Chairman of the PPC, I have been asked to present a brief report of the work of the Committee culminating in the publication of the Dunkeswell Parish Plan 2011, which was distributed to all households in the parish at the beginning of May.
Following a public meeting early last year organised by Dunkeswell Parish Council, a dozen or so members of the parish volunteered to form the Parish Plan Committee. Officers were elected and subsequently a Subcommittee was formed to carry out the bulk of the practical tasks involved in producing the Parish Plan. The full Committee met at regular intervals to discuss progress and results and consider next steps.
The process of producing the Parish Plan involved first of all circulating an initial survey consisting of four general, open-ended questions. The questionnaire forms were delivered by hand to all households and the majority of businesses in the village and collected in the same way a week or so later. The responses obtained were meticulously analysed thanks to the IT and statistical skills of the Subcommittee members.
From the findings of the first survey, a more detailed survey questionnaire was produced addressing all the issues raised and comprising 38 questions – some multi-choice, others requiring a straight yes/no answer. Because of the importance of ensuring a significant and representative response to this main survey, a lot of thought and work was put into how the survey should be publicised, distributed and collected. Striking and imaginative banners and posters were displayed around the village, a display stand was set up at the Village Fete, a raffle with cash prizes was organised as an incentive to complete and return the questionnaires, and a collection point was set up at Highfield Stores. All of that undoubtedly helped to achieve the return rate of roughly 46% based on official population figures. To clarify any misunderstanding that may have arisen due to recent exchanges of correspondence, the proportion of people completing the survey is not calculated simply from the number of questionnaires distributed and returned or the number of households they were distributed to. Clearly, households may consist of one or more persons. Therefore, each questionnaire provided space for up to 5 people to complete it, and additional questionnaires could be obtained if households comprised more than 5 people. Thus while 348 questionnaires were returned, 746 people actually completed the survey. That figure was not, as one correspondent has implied, obtained by simply multiplying the number of questionnaires by the number of people living in a household. It represents the true number of real persons who gave real answers to the questions in the survey.
There then again followed a process of detailed mathematical analysis of the responses as the basis for producing the written Parish Plan. As, of course, the 2011 Parish Plan is not the first such plan to be produced for Dunkeswell but also, at least in part, a revision and update of earlier plans, the process of producing it also involved referring to and incorporating previous plans of action. The written document finally produced also included an explanatory introduction and features on the history and character of the community of Dunkeswell.
When it came to producing and distributing the document, the original plan to circulate a plain text document to all households and print only a small number of full colour versions for official publicity purposes was changed when it became clear that it would cost no more to print a full colour brochure for every household.
Once again, many hours’ skilled creative and IT work on the part of the Subcommittee went into the design and production of that brochure. It was ultimately distributed together with the May issue of the Parish Magazine by Anne Stevens’ team of distributors.
Altogether, then, the whole process had taken just over a year to complete – which was well within the timescale originally envisaged.
The production of the Parish Plan was financed by a grant of £3,000 from European funding, of which by careful budgeting, only just over £2,000 has been spent, leaving a balance of £865.10 for the ongoing work of the PPC. The precise breakdown of the figures will be available in the Treasurer’s report to the PPC later this month.
The Parish Plan Committee will meet once more this year to conclude the business of the 2011 Parish Plan and then reconvene in 12 months’ time to review the progress of the Action Plan and the document as a whole. In the intervening period, ad hoc meetings may be called if and when any issues relating to the Parish Plan arise or are brought to its attention. Members of the Subcommittee also intend to look at possibilities for upgrading the Dunkeswell website or at the very least placing the Parish Plan on the site in PDF format so that it can be downloaded by anyone interested. A web copy will also be offered to EDDC for their site.
In conclusion I would like to place on record my thanks for the efforts, all entirely voluntary, of the members of the Parish Plan Committee, the Subcommittee, the survey and magazine distributors, the Chairman and Clerk of the Parish Council for their help and guidance and anyone else who offered assistance in any way whatsoever. I think we can all be proud of the final result.
FINANCE – Tracey Bell (clerk) – that the accounts were unexceptional and that money has been well spent and good value has been obtained with much voluntary input. Questions were invited, and if any arise from reading the accounts that were handed out please feel free to ask the clerk.
SPORTS FIELD/CHURCHILL PLAYGROUND/NEW CENTURY PARK – Beth Russell/Mary Sworder There has been grant money obtained this year that has supplied a shelter, strimmer, football nets, seating and cricket net.
ALLOTMENTS – Mr Sworder reported that the allotments are going well and an application is being put in for a row of sheds.
COMMUNITY POLICING REPORT - PCSO Anning reported that there were 50 CRIMES 2010 – 2011
50 Crimes – 2009/10 59 Crimes – 2008/09 63 Crimes – 2007/08 62 Crimes – 2006/07
3 x farm premises
1 x private garage
Of these 13, 5 had nothing stolen
Rotavator, cheque book from insecure car
8 x other locations – phone lines, trailer, roadside mirror,
Mobile phone, scaffolding, cash box in phone box.
2 x motor vehicles – quad bike and VW caddy from farms
1 x theft from vehicle – rucksack stolen from insecure car
3 x shoplifting – magazines, chocolate & food – all caught
Of these 6 have been detected and offenders dealt with.
Possession of items.
1 x Industrial estate – offenders dealt with by RJ and
Damage paid for
Consent 1 x vehicle advertised for sale
4 x Juvenile residential care home
3 x other – 2 linked to trespass
Summary
Other
We worked with the other agencies to cover a wider range of possible offences.
VOSA can deal with defective vehicles, including larger commercial vehicles and trailers.
The Environment Agency deal with licences in connection with the haulage of goods, particularly scrap.
Road Fuels were dipping for red diesel.
The operations proved to be successful and will be carried out again in the future.
Mrs Pym asked why there was so many speed checks in the village, it was confirmed that as a result of the PACT consultations speeding was identified as the priority for the village. It was questioned why the 20mph limit was not enforced in the old village, and it was explained that enforcement was an issue due to D&C police policy.
A gentleman asked about long vehicles being parked on the main Highfield Road. It was confirmed that there was no law against this, and that in a 20mph zone traffic should be travelling slowly enough to stop and allow cars. This is in effect a natural chicane and so slows traffic. It was discussed whether permanent traffic calming would be possible, but there were arguments for and against (traffic is slower, but noise increases due to braking and bumps, or swerving and braking). The debate continued for some time regarding speed and the possibility of a bypass.
YOUTH CLUB REPORT – Anne Barratt
We opened in the old hall in 2003 and have grown and developed a great deal since then. Our Youth Club has been as busy as ever over the past year. We have over a hundred young people on our register with an average attendance being 45 to 50 members each week. We have an even mix of males and females. Dunkeswell is blessed with lively, active young people. Youth Club buzzes on Thursday evenings.
We have Pool, Table Tennis, Badminton, Arts and Crafts, Board games, Cards, and the tuck shop run by the young
people. Special events this last year have included a Talent Show, (with Charlie making a good Simon Cowell!) And our
Christmas Party with magician Sean Moon.
Empowering young people to have ownership of their club and to make a difference to how it runs, we encourage the
young people to come up with ideas, to organise and see through projects themselves. For example, Andrew organised
our second Talent Show and others organised a successful fancy dress evening in October.
Our four young volunteers are Megan, Michaela, Helen and Vincent who support and help the weekly running of the
club.Paul and Tia bring more than their musical talents to youth club. Their daughter Christina is now two and a
favourite with everyone … her sister, Leala, was born last week and will be visiting us in a couple of weeks.
Throughout the year we have participated in several church services with our members singing, reading and acting. We did the Christingle service in Upottery this year, thanks to all those who have volunteered and represented Youth Club so well.
George supports the church services with his technology and filming talents. And he is never short of a quirky game at Youth Club to entertain us. Jo comes straight from work to make the 6.30p.m. session, she sets up activities, tables, and games, transforming the Throgmorton Community Hall into a hive of activity.
Young people who were first Youth Club members, then young Volunteers, are now in their twenties and still giving their own time to further the Youth Club experience with their personalities and funny ways! Their support is very much appreciated.
Jo leads our 6.30 p.m. youth session, for those from Year 3 and 4, it is well supported and is proving a good grounding for the main Youth Club session from 7.30p.m. to 9p.m. We are also having more of those over 13 yrs old staying on until 9.30p.m.
Charlie's arrival at 7.30p.m is always eagerly awaited especially during this term as he takes those who wish to go to the park for football, rounders and outdoor activities. Ava comes at 9p.m. and helps us clear and pack up. She always has a smile and a willing pair of hands in the fairy liquid!
Our thanks go to everyone who gives so willingly to support our Youth Club. I believe we have something very special here. We are extremely grateful to the Parish Council for recognising and supporting all that we do here on our Thursday evenings. Thank you everyone.
FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS/TREE WARDEN REPORT – John Barrow – the P3 Scheme continues as it has from the outset, John Howard was thanked for his help. Parishioners were urged to contact Mr Barrow for friendly advice on trees which have TPOs in the parish. The P3 spending is stretched to ensure paths remain open and walkable. Mr Barrow invited questions.
DISTRICT COUNCILLORs REPORT – Cllr Bob Buxton
Speaking as your District Councillor, I feel this has been a successful year with very little negativity to report.
There have been relatively few problems on the planning front with most local applications being for small extensions or tree pruning. The former have usually been approved, sometimes with minor alterations to plans, whilst your own Tree Officer, John Barrow, has used his vast experience to help manage the latter.
The first phase of affordable housing in Powells Way has almost been completed and the second phase is under way. The quality of these houses is exceptional and they are some of the best that I have seen.
I have not received so many complaints about uncut verges this year. Although this is a county matter, I always pass on the complaints to the relevant personnel at County Hall and they respond promptly.
I look forward to the coming year and the Localism Bill which will come with it. This will give us the opportunity to press for a Dunkeswell bypass utilising some of the old airfield, thus reducing the number of HGVs using the old village and the amount of damage which they cause to the fabric of the village.
We will also be able to press our demands for a primary school for Dunkeswell. Some of you may not know, but over 100 children are transported by bus, coach or car out of Dunkeswell and back every school day.
There may well be other projects which you would like to pursue in the coming year. If so, please ring me and I shall be very happy to offer my support if I can.
Thank you all for your co-operation and support during the past year and for returning me unopposed at the election. I look forward to working with and for you over the next four years.
COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT – Cllr Paul Diviani
“It’s the economy, stupid!” attributed to Bill Clinton’s campaign of 1992, has dominated our thoughts over the past few years. Whatever the causes of the financial mess, we are all affected. Despite the localism agenda, the impact of Central on Local government remains a key driver. At Devon County, we are stripping £54.6M off our costs. There is no increase in Council Tax. We always planned to be a frugal council, but when you cut substantially into a reducing tax base, there is considerable pain. Led from the front by John Hart, the Members and Officers have delivered a strategic budget scenario for the next 2 years so there should be no inherent surprises. Nevertheless, it represents a 26% cut over the next 2 years which is in line with the Coalition Government’s efforts to rebalance the spending they inherited and reduce the dire level of debt. Wherever possible, we have protected front-line services for the most vulnerable and the major savings are coming from a slimmed down, heavily restructured Officer base.
Apart from the obvious pain in-house, there are serious repercussions for the various partnership activities we undertake. In the Blackdown Hills, for example, where Defra (75% Partner) has cut our core funding by 5.4% pa, the 26% cuts to core costs over 2 years by DCC (the host body) for example will reduce DCC’s share of funding from 4.7% to 3.5% - not great sums in themselves, but Devon’s action are likely to have a knock-on effect with the other Partners whose action will be replicated by Defra. 60% of our core costs are our five female staff of whom three are part-time. Part of our project costs are used to fund our “Making it local” (MiL) team – £2.4M European funding we won with the East Devon AONB. No-one would want to see that funding stream jeopardised – Members are all local volunteers (Big Society!) and localised projects include Yarcombe Jubilee Hall and Chardstock Play area, and further afield with Axminster Heritage Centre, Colyton’s Reece Strawbridge Centre, Dalwood Community Shop, Otter Brewery Interpretation Centre and Escot’s Red Squirrel Project to name but a few. Central Government is highly supportive of the AONBs, but when the Local Authorities are so constrained to protect their own services – particularly to the vulnerable in society – then it behoves us to secure other funding sources. It does seem incredible that organisations which create very substantial added value – up to ten times as much as the MiL contribution – should be put in jeopardy by the dysfunctional salami-slicing of budgets. Anyone have any bright ideas?!
As Chairman of DAWRRC (Devon Authorities Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee – since you ask!), East Devon will be hitting the headlines. The District is now fully covered from a recycling collection viewpoint and we fully expect that when the next figures are released, Devon will move into number one position in the country for recycling – a magnificent achievement through your recycling efforts! Whilst I endeavour to get to as many Parish Council meetings as possible, the volume of meetings I attend sometimes restricts the personal appearances but I have excellent electronic communications with my Parish Councils and for example, have spent a considerable amount of time on Windgate Hill, working behind the scenes on winter highway maintenance following last June’s Scrutiny Committee Report which I chaired and using the Locality Budget to assist The Tale Vale Community Theatre, Littletown Primary School, Awliscombe Parish Hall, Upottery Playing Fields Association, Sheldon Playground, Stockland Hall car park, Kerswell Community notice board and the Citizens Advice Bureau. We will have an enhanced Locality Budget of both capital and revenue and I’ll learn more about the new applicabilities at the end of this Month.
This is coming to you earlier than usual as some of my Parish Councils have brought forward their Annual Parish Meetings because of the impending elections.
Tracey Bell
Clerk to Dunkeswell Parish Council 24th May 2011
Contact details for your parish council are as follows:
JOHN BARROW (TREE WARDEN AND LENGTHSMAN CONTACT) - CHAIRMAN
Marylea, Dunkeswell EX14 4RQ
01404 891676
GEOFFREY SWORDER – VICE CHAIRMAN
Meadowbank, Dunkeswell, Devon EX14 4QJ
01404 891623
g.n.sworder@googlemail.com
VANETTA KEITCH
3 Highfield Road, Dunkeswell EX14 4XY
01404 891830
BETH RUSSELL
6 Rhodedendron Close, Dunkeswell EX14 4UT
01404 891531
BRENDAN PROCTER
Devon and Somerset Flight training School, Dunkeswell Airfield EX14 4LG
01404 891643
ANDREW LUSCOMBE
Highwood Farm, Dunkeswell EX14 4QJ
01404 891612
PHILIP STEVENS
Bowerhayes Farm, Dunkeswell EX14 4RN
01404 891369
DONNA DELAMAIN
Hillview Nursey , Dunkeswell EX14 4SZ
01404 891376
TRACEY BELL (Clerk)
The Old Kennels, Stentwood EX14 4RW
01823 681138
info@theoldkennels.co.uk
