april 2008

Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council to be held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 21st April 2008.

Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr J Barrow (Vice Chairman), Cllrs Mrs B Russell and Mrs V Keitch,
Mssrs Mr C Sumpter ,M Stevens, B Procter, A Luscombe, District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton,
PCSO Anning 30012 and no members of the public.
Apologies: PC Vickery 4783, County Councillor Mr Roger Boote,

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 17th March 2008 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. Agreed.

2 PLANNING

Decisions (for information)

07/3551/COU Garage Block, 3 The Laurels – permission granted for change of use to office block
07/3417/FUL Dunkeswell Industrial Estate - permission granted for aircraft storage shed
07/0372/FUL 38 Catalina Close - permission granted for conservatory
08/0389/FUL Royal Oak Inn - permission granted for new dwelling
07/2555/FUL 11 Powells Way – permission granted for infill extension and garage conversion
07/1473/FUL Oaklea – permission granted for demolition of agricultural building replace with stable

Applications (for recommendation)

08/0768/TRE 11 Potters Stile – reduce 8 beech trees and one ash to 3 metres. Recommendation: APPROVAL three small beech are leaning to the right and would be better removed, 6 beech should have crown removed by 50% (not 50% of entire tree), 1 beech at western end to be retained.

08/0769/TRE 12 Potters Stile – recoppice five ash trees. Recommendation: APPROVAL six ash to be coppiced and two hazel planted in their place.

08/0939/FUL Dunkeswell preschool – canopy over outdoor play area. Recommendation: APPROVAL

08/0965/FUL Tower Lane Poultry Farm – erection of farm managers dwelling. Recommendation: APPROVAL subject to satisfactory proof of long term agricultural need being established.

EDDC planning time scale for a Parish Council responses is 21 days and as part of their review they intend to be far stricter in not accepting late responses, therefore it will become imperative in the future that the planning committee make recommendation for later ratification at the meetings as outlined in the standing orders. The clerk will receive an email confirmation of any new application as soon as it is validated for the agenda, with a link to the application on the planning portal. The move is towards paper free and we must be aware that plans may need to be viewed online prior to meetings in the not too distant future.
Kart Track - two pre hearings have been held and a further two will be held in June, before the final hearing.
Smeatharpe Airfield – the stadium (in Mid Devon) has now been granted a Certificate of Lawful Use for 17 days, the further four portions of land have also individually been exercising their right to use their land for 14 days per year for motor sport. The District council may be using an article 4 direction under the Town and Country Planning Act to remove the permitted development – hence any use would need permission.

Parish Plan – nothing to report

Request from group of licensed travelling show people who urgently need a new site of 5-7 acres to incorporate 10 plots for residential use and repair of vehicles. The families are asking if the parish council might know of any suitable sites.

EDDC Development Control – customer service questionnaire results received which show considerable disatisfaction with the planning department.

EDDC – Local development Framework; Pre-submission Draft Statement of Community Involvement and Update on Production of Other Local Development Framework Documents. Consultation starts on 28th March 2008 for a six week period and comments must be received at the council offices by 5pm on 9th May 2008

Planning matters/applications pending consideration as at the 21st April 2008:            (for information)
            August 2006                06/2038/COU Sheldon Grange –cross country course
October 2007                 07/2427/MFUL Highfield centre Culme Way – erection of ten bungalows.
07/2429/MFUL Land North of Powells Way – erection of 16 affordable dwellings.
December 2007 07/3334/COU Beechwood Farm, Long Lane – COU l/industrial/storage space.
                        January 2008             07/3172/FUL Hill View Farm – single storey agricultural workers dwelling
            February 2008             08/0016/MFUL Land north of Powells Way –ten affordable dwellings
March 2008             08/0582/VAR Old Highwood Farm – application to vary condition 3 (units of accommodation shall be used for holiday purposes only) of permissions
06/2103/COU for one unit to be used as owners accommodation.
08/0576/COU Highfield Community Hall – change of use to form additional retail area and new community hall

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC

Clerk to pursue the hedge cutting on the Honiton road, from Langford Bridge to the top of Windgate Hill for the autumn.

FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

Nothing to report.

ENVIRONMENT

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning – three crimes - an Ebay transaction item sent prior to

payment and no payment subsequently made, burglary at Dunkeswell Abbey offenders apprehended and a decision was made rather than to charge with an offence for them to clear the mess they had made reimburse for damage and apologise for what they had done, and finally a burglary to business premises nothing stolen.
9.2 Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – Safety reports received from Tony Mogford Associates. Action will be taken to resolve the points raised.
9.3 Halls – New Community Hall is getting towards completion, the ceiling, lighting, sound system, heating and ventilation are installed, however the kitchen will be for the parish to find. Cllr Boote has said he would be pleased to contribute from his Locality Fund. A 15 year lease has been offered, but a 28 year lease is necessary in order to gain funding from most sources, so this has been requested and a reply is awaited.

Housing needs survey – Mr Sworder has spoken to Andy Carmicheal regards the further application for affordable homes which has not yet been submitted (an application for 10 homes has been received and a further six homes application should be submitted tied by a 106 Agreement to housing already built). The applications for affordable homes are awaiting the preparation of 106 agreements by WIMS' solicitors.
DCC – Local Involvement Network for Devon (LINk) began in April 2008 and provides people with a new way they can influence and have their say about health and social care services locally. Users, voluntary organisations, community groups and individuals living in Devon can join LINk. See www.devon.gov.uk/link
DCC – Primary Care Trust and Devon County Council recently undertook a joint strategic review of health and social care in Devon especially in regard to needs of the population and how social and healthcare is used. This has been used to inform a strategic framework for key priorities for the next five years see www.devon.gov.uk/the_way_ahead_v3.pdf profiles for Honiton are attached and each Devon towns profiles can be seen online at www.devon.gov.uk/JSNAprofiles feedback or questions are welcomed electronically or on the form supplied.
Anti Social Behaviour Act – are there any areas which Dunkeswell wish to have designated in the proposed dog ban areas/dog on lead orders? It was agreed to include New Century Park and the Sportsfield
East Devon District Council – Unitary local government in Devon. A brief update on the unitary responses is that EDDC has submitted a suggestion for four unitaries – east & mid Devon and part of Teignbridge and north Devon/Torridge. Plymouth and Torbay to expand. DCC have by contrast suggested a single unitary (excluding Plymouth and Torbay which will always remain unitary). The Boundaries Committee will announce a way forward in July for consultation.

10 FINANCE

10.1            Receipts –                    EDDC Precept – March 2008 – September 2008             £5987.00
10.2            Cheque payments -            Dunkeswell Childrens Play & Leisure Group (grant for play area maintenance) £1231.00
                                                Community First insurance                                              £601.24
                                                Tony Mogford Associates play inspections                    £170.36
                                                Jewson (BMX track repairs)                                     £286.47
                                                Cut and Trim                                                                  £25.00 (Cheques agreed).
Account balances - at 1/4/08                Parish Account £6216.34
Paths Account £700.70 (£50 was borrowed from DPC account as a bridging loan and returned)
10.3      Letters of thanks received from TRIP, Honiton Library and Blackdown Support Group for donations.

Ward Member – Cllr Bob Buxton was elected as Member for Dunkeswell Ward at the election on 3rd April 2008.

Accounts for authorisation, VAT return of £177.59, and Audit Commission Statement of Accounts to be signed.

            QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public). none
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications:             12th May 2008                      7 – 7.30pm             Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council:                         12th May 2008                      7.30pm                         Dunkeswell Village Hall

Annual Parish Meeting: 19th May 2008 7.30pm Community Hall