Annual Parish Meeting

Minutes for the Annual Parish Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in Dunkeswell Community Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 16th May, 2005.

Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr A Guest (Vice Chairman), Mrs B Russell, Messrs. J Barrow,
A Luscombe, PC Lea, PCSO Anning and 11 members of the public.

Apologies; Messrs. B Procter, Mr C Sumpter, M Stevens, Mrs M Boote (District Councillor), Mr R Boote (County Councillor).

1 Introduction of the Parish Council Officers appointed at the election of Officers held at the Annual General Meeting of The Parish Council on 9th May, 2005 and appointment of chair for meeting.

The Chairman: Mr Geoffrey Sworder
The Vice Chairman: Mr Andy Guest
Planning Committee: Mr Sworder, Mr Charles Sumpter, Mr Andy Guest
Tree Warden: Mr John Barrow
Footpaths Representatives: Mr John Barrow
Transport and Traffic Representative: Mr Andy Guest

Other Councillors with no particular appointment; Mrs Beth Russell, Mr Malcolm Stevens,
Mr Procter, Mr Luscombe.
2 Minutes of previous meeting held on 20th May, 2004, were signed as a correct record of that meeting.

3 Reports
3.1 COMMUNITY POLICING - PC Lea
Reported crimes in Dunkeswell in financial years were:
2003-4: 46
2004-5: 78
In percentage terms, that represents a 69.5% increase, obviously of some concern as to exactly where the rises were and what sort of crimes were on the increase.
A full, analytical breakdown has been made by plotting offences on a map and the following conclusions reached:
• An increase at the new Flightway Industrial estate and Highfield residential estate
• Burglary to dwellings was down but burglary to non-dwelling premises was up.
• Drug offences were also down.
• The big rises were in Criminal damage, assault, fraud/deception and non-specific theft

Currently, there is a “positive arrest” policy for domestic violence within Devon & Cornwall Police, which, effectively, means that, where any evidence of an arrestable offence exists, then an arrest will be made, with or without the victim willing to give evidence. That may account for a rise in recorded violent crime but on-street muggings are not a problem in Dunkeswell!

Business Watch, a form of Neighbourhood Watch, is still in its infancy and, unfortunately, has been ineffective in reducing reported crime on the industrial estate.

Reported crime in general on the Highfield estate is of low-value theft and damage. At both the industrial estate and Highfield estate there has been a deliberate policy by local police to engage more closely with the residents and commercial population. That may have had the effect of increased confidence to approach the police and report incidents which have a criminal aspect and which, under the Home Office crime recording standards, must be recorded.

It is believed that the indigenous population, young and old, are overwhelmingly law-abiding citizens and that the majority of crime, especially that of higher value/more serious nature is committed by travelling criminals who are non-resident in the Parish.

The rise of reported crime by 32 crimes is undoubtedly not welcomed within the Parish and, certainly, not by the local Police. Trends and patterns of crime are erratic; however, methods of reducing this level of offending are currently being worked on. While the figures are unwelcome, rest assured that every effort would be made in an attempt to redress this situation.

The trial of a voluntary community speed watch is to start towards the end of May with eight parishioners being trained to operate the speed monitoring equipment safely and effectively. The property marking campaign run last year was very successful and has continued, this will be re-advertised in August. PC Lea congratulated the Parish Council on its achievements this year and thanked the community and the Parish council for all their help. Both PC Lea and PCSO Anning commented on how pleasing it was for them to work with a community who welcomed them so openly.

3.2 PARISH COUNCILS YEAR – Geoffrey Sworder
The most significant landmarks this year have been the ratification of the Parish Plan by East Devon District Council, the achievement of Quality Parish Council Status (Dunkeswell is the smallest parish in East Devon to achieve this award, with only Sidmouth and Exmouth already holding the status). This Quality Status empowers the Parish to draw down powers from the District Council by agreement – ie Planning, Tree Preservation Orders and so forth. Although East Devon District Council are not keen on releasing these as yet we will persist. It has been an interesting and valuable year.

3.3 YOUTH CLUB – Ann Barratt
The parish council supports and subsidises the Youth Club, by use of the hall for free, Boyds have donated money for an air hockey table this year as well as The Royal Oak donating money which the children are also fundraising to match by holding a musical evening in May. There are currently 26 members (ranging in age from 4 – 21 years), plus a paid youth leader voted in by the children. Dunkeswells youth club is run by the children themselves, who make their own rules (which are often much tougher than those the adults may have chosen!). In addition the volunteer A Level grade older teenagers were praised for their sevice to the club. In the past year trips were organised to Plymouth (for iceskating and swimming, Upottery (to the church, pub for skittles and playing field) and Crealy Park. The Club made Samaritan Purse Boxes and made a knitted blanket which they sent to Romania. There has been a grant for £500 awarded to the group to work on a video project which entails employing a company for four days to make a video. Mr Sworder thanked Ann Barratt for her key role in organising the Youth Club.

3.4 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS/TREE WARDEN
Devon County Council Walkers’ Association started a programme two years ago to upgrade all footpaths in Devon and make them more accessible. Their target was 90% open by 2006, they have already achieved 92%. In the parish of Dunkeswell under the Parish Paths Partnership (or P3 Programme as it is known), Mr Barrow has installed 9 gates where there were stiles, two stiles in place of rails and two bridges have been given non slip coverings, there has been surface work and the usual strimming and maintenance.

Indigenous trees in close proximity to houses on the Highfield Estate remain a growing problem – the blanket Tree preservation order should ideally be lifted and the trees reassessed, EDDC still remain under funded to do this, but do listen to the local advice given by the Parish Tree Warden.

Reverend Nick Wall asked if the Quality Status would give the Parish Council more voice in these matters, Mr Sworder said we hoped that we would be able to take over several powers from them, as well as having more say. Revd. Wall also asked who had awarded the Status, and it was explained that the scheme was initiated by the Countryside Agency on behalf of the Government.

3.5 PLANNING
to include:
WIMS proposal to alter existing plans for the Highfield car park area/Community Hall and Playgroup and affordable housing
The first application for this scheme was approved last year, this included demolishing the hall and building a new one on land by the Birdwatcher. This land was subsequently sold with the Blossom Hill caravan site and so a new application submitted. This was first refused on the grounds that no affordable homes were included, the EDDC policy is for a minimum of 40% affordable homes in any large scale application. The third and current application included 19 affordable homes on the ‘dog walking area’. There is no information as yet as to whether this will be granted or not. There has been some public bias against a sports field which has been offered as part of the application. Homes will be built by WIMS and handed over to a housing association to offer on a shared equity or rented basis to eligible families. The price is to be £110,000 per dwelling, this is achievable as land can only be valued at just over the agricultural rate. The Parish Council agree in principle but have some reservations on the design and layout which is currently in terraces. People who live in Dunkeswell, or have strong family ties would be eligible to apply for these, but must already be on the waiting list with EDDC.

Dunkeswell Kart Club’s proposal to extend their track
The longstanding issue of noise levels, particularly affecting Sheldon, has been brought to the forefront by the recent applications to extend the track. The Club feel this will reduce the noise levels by spacing the karts out as they go around the track. EDDC have recently taken noise reading in Sheldon and discovered that even the current noise is exceeding the permitted level. The Club has lodged an appeal against non determination on its second application which will not be heard for approximately one year. The Club have agreed to trial a tyre wall in the interim, which will mean an application to move the pit lane and then noise levels will need to be measured over the summer months . The Parish Council feel that although our parish is not as directly affected by the noise, we should remain sympathetic to Sheldon. A gentleman asked why the karts could not be silenced, and it was explained by Mr Barrow that it would need to be introduced as a standard across the sport as by modifying the kart in this way the engine manufacturers warranty would be invalidated. Over the last five years engine levels and noise levels at the club have decreased each year with new legislation.

Live/work development on Flightway Industrial estate
Four units have permission, the rest have been built without gaining the correct permission, and one is currently at appeal.

3.6 NEW SPORTS FIELD/CHURCHILL PLAYGROUND/NEW CENTURY PARK – Mary Sworder
Both the Churchill and New Century Park playgrounds are very well used, and the Dunkeswell Childrens’ Play and Leisure Group are very grateful that the parish Council now pays for the insurance and grass cutting. All the equipment is well used, with new balancing equipment being fitted recently in the Churchill playground and plans afoot to replace the play bark surfaces with wet pour and grass matting, it is hoped funds for this can be raised through Rural Aid this coming year. WIMS are in the process of conveying the new Sports field to the Parish Council, and plans are being made in consultation with the children what equipment should be installed. There is a quiz night being held shortly to raise funds. There have been some problems lately with wire fencing being cut in the New Century Park Playground, but this fence would be replaced as part of the new development so has been temporarily mended.

3.7 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC/LITTER PICKING – Andy Guest
The Parish Council remains concerned that children are being picked up by the school buses on the main road, and continues to request a move of the pick up point to within the estate. The footpath link between the old and new parts of the village remains priority. Although it was first on the list for 2006 Highways funding, this position has now been relegated to second after a proposed cycle lane in Sidmouth. Mr Guest is to organise a petition from the parish to EDDC and Highways holding them responsible should an accident occur as the roads are not suitable for the quantity of commercial traffic. The current situation being that as along as Highways do not object to further traffic, EDDC feel obliged to permit further industrial development. The speed limits have now been dropped to 20mph through the village, and action is being taken to enforce this through the community speed watch and possibly the Blackdown Hills Rural Partnership ‘Safe Lanes’ initiative.
Dunkeswell Volunteer Litter Pickers are currently dormant and looking for volunteers or may organise a one day event within the village to clear litter. The village is once again entered in the ‘Best kept Village’ competition.

3.8 HALLS
The Dunkeswell Community Hall is currently on a short lease to the Parish Council, and the Village Hall is owned by the Parish Council, and managed very successfully by a committee. The Community Hall is still used by the Youth Club and the Garden Society, for elections, parties and quizzes, the Preschool Bingo has now moved venue. All annual heating, lighting, fire and electrical checks are completed, but the refurbishment will hopefully attract more bookings and allow the hall to do better than breakeven.

3.9 FINANCE – Tracey Bell
£2,500 of Rural Aid was granted for works to the Village Hall including a disabled rear access and new lobby, these will be completed shortly. £1046 was granted from Devon County Council to supply a public access computer which has been put to good use in its site in the Chip Shop, the Parish council are very grateful for this and hope it will be a sustainable feature. It is hoped that the award of Quality Parish Status will lead to further funding opportunities for projects such as the sports field and for the parish council to provide services to the community that are currently handled by the district council. Rev. Wall asked whether a refurbishment of the Community Hall was possible in the interim, this would however be difficult to procure funds for being just a six month lease. The question of dog bins was raised, and although the parish council was prepared to fund the emptying of these, it had not been possible to attract a service provider for just three bins in our location. Mr Sworder concluded that only a few pounds of each households council tax was given to the parish council as a precept and we hoped that the community would agree that this has been very well spent this year on providing items for the direct local benefit of the community.

4 Public Questions
The clerk was asked to complain about the speed that school buses are driving through the village.

Next Parish Council Meetings: Planning Meeting 7- 8pm Monday 13th June 2005 in the Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 20th June, 2005 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall