Annual Parish Meeting

Minutes for the Annual Parish Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council to be held in Highfield Community Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 21st May, 2007.

Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr J Barrow (Vice Chairman), Mrs B Russell, Mrs V Keitch, A Luscombe, B Procter, Mrs M Boote (District Councillor), Mr R Boote(County Councillor), PC Vickery/PCSO Anning and six members of the public.
Apologies; Messrs. C Sumpter and M Stevens

1 Introduction of the Parish Councillors appointed at the recent uncontested local election, and the parish council officers appointed at the election of Officers held at the Annual General Meeting of The Parish Council on14th May, 2007 and appointment of Mr Geoffrey Sworder as chair for meeting.

The Chairman: Mr Geoffrey Sworder
The Vice Chairman: Mr John Barrow
Planning Committee: Mrs Vanetta Keitch, Mr Geoffrey Sworder, Mr Charles Sumpter
Tree Warden: Mr John Barrow
Footpaths Representatives: Mr John Barrow
Other Councillors with no particular appointment; Mrs Beth Russell, Mr Malcolm Stevens,
Mr Brendan Procter, Mr Andrew Luscombe
2 Minutes of previous meeting held on 15th May, 2006, were signed as a correct record of that meeting.

3 Reports
3.1 COMMUNITY POLICING - PC Vickery/PCSO Anning
Total reported crimes for the year 2005 - 2006 were 54. This has seen an increase in the year 2006 - 2007 to 66. This increase is largely due to the increase in criminal damage (22 to last years 16), 14 of which would appear to be linked to juveniles, although since the last incident to the Community Hall and the offenders being dealt with, we have not had any further problems (one person has been arrested so far and late patrols are seizing alcohol). Several of the thefts from motor vehicles have been aviation fuel from planes. There has been a drop in thefts from out buildings.
2003-04 2004-05 2005-6
Burglary dwelling 3 1 3
Burglary other 15 16 3
Theft of Motor vehicle 1 2 1
Theft from Motor vehicle 1 3 8
Fraud 1
Theft other 8 14 11
Criminal damage 6 13 22
Assaults 3 9 6
Obtain property by deception 1 7 0
Public disorder 1 0 2
Robbery 1
Drugs related 3 0 0
Drink & drive 1 0 0
Resist Arrest 1 0 0
Dog out of control 0 1 0
Vehicle interference 0 1 0
Unauthorised taking of M/V 0 2 0
Wasting Police time 2 0 0
Use telecom sys to cause alarm 0 1 0
Threat to destroy/damage property 0 1 0
Racially aggravated harassment 0 1 0
Possession of firearm without licence 0 0 1
Non crime - Domestic 1 3 3
Non crime – Child Protection 4 2 3
Cruelty to animal 0 0 1
TOTAL 51 77 72
Several garages have been approached to replace the community police transport. Inspector Gale will be coming to the parish council meeting in July to answer questions as a result of the parish council’s letter.
The police are also working on an initiative with the shop to promote the responsible purchasing of alcohol.
Mr Sworder thanked the police for their hard work once again this year.
3.2 PARISH COUNCILS YEAR – Geoffrey Sworder
Further to our recognition as a quality parish council, the District Council has offered to delegate tree and advertisement applications to each of the four councils who have achieved Quality Status. The District Council will make recommendation to the Parish Council for a final decision.

The Karting track has had two retrospective applications passed this year, one for the widening of the track and another for the car parking. The Environmental Department at EDDC is working hard to try and control the noise issue. A new Noise Abatement Notice may well be placed on the track.

There were 66 planning applications in total this year. EDDC has a new Head of Development Control Stephen Belli, who replaces John Milverton. It is hoped that he will remain more neutral than his predecessor.
3.3 YOUTH CLUB – Ann Barratt
Since the last Parish Council Annual Meeting the Youth Club has continued to thrive. Thank you once again to the Parish Council for all the support they give the Youth Club, it is very much appreciated and recognised as a vital part of the running and success of the club.
This time last year Jo was our Youth Leader leaving in the summer to start university. Before she left we had our Summer Trip ice skating at the Plymouth Pavilions which always proves a very popular activity. No broken bones … but a few blisters and bruised egos!
In September, with James as Youth Leader, our Thursday evenings continued with sporting activities, games, music and socialising.
Instead of a Christmas party the young people decided to have another trip to Plymouth. This time we really splashed out as we went swimming as well as skating! It was very much enjoyed by all concerned.
Despite the winter weather the weekly turn out remained good with a few new younger members joining before Easter.
James initiated applying for a grant for new equipment as much of ours was worse for wear. We had to match the grant amount. Amongst other items we bought a Eurohoc Set, basketballs, footballs, swing ball, snooker cues, table tennis bats and net, plus two goal posts that turned out to be slightly larger than we expected! Our thanks to Honiton Sports for their help and support.
We were asked to take part in a church service in St. Nicholas, Dunkeswell. Over a few weeks the young people were busy filming at Youth Club, Upottery, Luppitt, Sheldon and Dunkeswell churches. George edited the film and produced the finished piece which was seen by a full church on 29th April. Behind the scenes there was also much preparation with professional musicians, Paul Roberts and Tia, resulting in them performing during the service, with six Youth Club members and Charles Stevens. The rehearsals and the service were fun and a good experience but it has to be said that the food after the service really made the day!! Some of the young people had made some rather wonderful cakes and flapjacks … I was impressed. Others supported with their presence, everyone involved was a credit to the Youth Club.
Charles is currently the Youth Leader, the weather last week allowing him to take the group into the park for rounders, but not before we had walked around to view the Youth Club allotment! Many are keen to start digging and make up work and watering rotas.
As my gardening is even worse than my cooking, I'm pleased to know there are offers of help and guidance from other allotment folk, in particular one of our allotment neighbours, Lynne O'Brien. The young people have enthusiasm if not expertise so let's hope that can be nurtured and will blossom!
The Committee of young people has been growing up and moving on so we will soon be forming a new Committee. Jeff Marshall, Beth Russell, Pauline Harrington, Adele Watts and myself are now signatures for the account, thanks to them all for performing this duty and suffering what seemed like a ridiculous amount of red tape to achieve it!!
Future plans include acting, singing and reading in Upottery family service on 10th June and Dunkeswell on 18th November. A group have offered to help Anne Stevens with the trampoline at the fete this Bank Holiday Monday. The Sports field will be a big interest this summer, a special thanks to Mary Sworder for coming to Youth Club recently and sharing the plans and seeking ideas. All very exciting!
Maybe we shouldn't look forward to a large harvest from our allotment this year … but who knows …
Thanks again for all the support the young people have in this parish.

Mr Sworder thanked Mrs Barratt for all her work and asked how many young people attend. It is thought about 35 with young people who are over 18 still coming back as helpers. There are many new youngsters coming in and the group decided by secret ballot to allow year five children in to widen the membership last year. If there were more adults to take the responsibility, it would be possible to run a second youth club for younger children and a second night of the week.

3.4 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS/TREE WARDEN – John Barrow
There is still much litter being dropped on paths. It was explained that dogs must be kept under control on a public footpath. It was in a recent NFU article that they deem the only way a dog is truly under control when on a path through a field with stock in it would be to keep it on a lead. Mr Barrow urged people to contact him for an initial chat before submitting any tree applications; it may even save them submitting the application in some cases. Mrs Sworder asked that new maps be put up, both in the old and new parts of the village. Mr Barrow is to organise this as well as restocking the shop and garage with footpath guides.

Mr Sworder praised Mr Barrow for his excellent care of the footpaths.
3.5 PLANNING – Geoffrey Sworder
Applicants are welcome to contact Mr Sworder, Mr Sumpter or Mrs Keitch for any advice on planning matters.
3.6 NEW SPORTS FIELD/CHURCHILL PLAYGROUND/NEW CENTURY PARK – Mary Sworder
There has been some refurbishment of the Churchill Playground, there are still a few items outstanding from the safety report. New Century Park is still well used and it is regrettable that there has been some criminal damage this year. The DCP&LG are grateful to Mr Throgmorton for repairing the fence, unfortunately the sheds have been damaged considerably and they will need to be removed. There are no funds to replace them currently.

The sports field conveyance has not yet been finalised. The allotments will be protected from games by a 3m fence. There will be a BMX track, funding is being applied for by EDDC for a Multiuse sports area and a large grass sports area. The field will not be locked, but there will be gates. Thanks went to Mr and Mrs Russell and the parish council for all their support. A new planning application has been submitted.
3.7 ALLOTMENTS
The Allotments Association was formed a week ago and 30 plots have been allocated (6 half plots and 24 full plots). There is a waiting list already and the whole enterprise is a great success.
3.8 HALLS
Highfield Community Hall - Safety checks and compliance with legislation and vandalism have cost a great deal this year and the Parish Council were thanked for their financial support. Mr Throgmorton has also helped by making repairs after vandalism. The Youth Club have helped greatly in clearing stones outside the hall. A final plan for the area is still awaited, which may or may not include the hall.
3.9 FINANCE – Tracey Bell (clerk)
There is little change to our annual accounts, and very little to report. We have managed to retain a small reserve in order that projects can be cashflowed until grant funding can be reclaimed at the end of the project. Full accounts were circulated for the benefit of the public at the meeting.
3.10 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR – Marcelle Boote
The last elections were a great success for the Conservatives, with 43 representatives against 10 Liberal Democrat and 6 independent seats. Recycling and rural post offices are the largest issues for this year, along with communications both internal and external.

There is a new Code of Conduct from the Standards Board. EDDCs legal department is looking a this and as it is now more than seven years since Mrs Boote worked for Nigel Mansell and she is no longer chairman of the Planning Committee she hopes to be able to represent the Ward in any further Kart Circuit applications.
3.10 COUNTY COUNCILLOR – Roger Boote
A lady asked how Mrs Boote was going to address the issue of a footpath link as she promised in her campaign literature. Mr Boote answered on behalf of DCC – he said that funds were being directed to parishes which are represented by members of the leading party. Work on our roads will be reduced by 50% due to funding cuts. There will be more money put into youth work, but funding is a huge issue and conservatives are only given one or two committees each, whereas Lib Dems are given upto 17 committees which they are not attending.

Mr Barrow asked how earmarked funding could be addressed – Mr Boote confirmed that this was a system which may be ludicrous, but was very difficult to change, as it was from government and often Europe. Mr Boote said he could put the question of waste in Highways Department to the committee, but it would probably be the officer responding. It may be better directed going to our MP to take the question to parliament.

A reply has been received from Cllr John Smith regarding a new school, the letter offers no response, but says it will be part of a wider debate about our area. Mr Boote is to take a copy and ask for a better response at the next meeting.

4 Public Questions none

Next Parish Council Meetings: Planning Meeting 7- 8pm Monday 11th June 2007 in the Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 18th June, 2007 at 7.30pm in the Village H