Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 20th April 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, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Roger Boote,
District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton, PC Vickery 4783, PCSO Anning 30012 and four members of the public.
Apologies:         Cllr B Procter

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            Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 16th March 2009 to be signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED

2            PLANNING

• Decisions (for information)
• 09/0318/FUL Land adjoining CJ Keitch on Dunkeswell Airfield – use of land for brick cutting and stationing of containers for self-storage hire. Refused as containers being stacked two high across extent of site would introduce a incongruous form of development whose height would be inappropriate and harmful to the open landscape of this part of the airfield which is situated in the AONB (policies CO3 & CO6, D1 & EN1).
• 09/0561/FUL Unit 3 Flightway – permission granted for new light industrial building
  
• Applications (for comment – support or objection)

2.2.1            09/0318/FUL Land adjoining CJ Keitch on Dunkeswell Airfield – use of land for brick cutting and stationing of containers for self-storage hire. Comments: The Parish Council objected to the proposed activity of brick cutting on several grounds; The machinery noise is at 106dB unacceptably high (you will be well aware of noise abatement orders already being enforced in the direct locality) and if more than one machine is ever in operation this would increase the problem even further.  In addition we are concerned that the movement of bricks/containers to and from the site will add to the already heavy industrial traffic load, both access roads to the airfield are through villages which do not have pavements in many places and have cottages bordering directly onto the roads, and metal containers are notorious for their noise whilst being transported. Although the applicant states all cutting will be wet, and dust will not be an issue, it will eventually dry out and there will be airborne dust carried from the site, which is unacceptably close to residential accommodation and other businesses. Finally, being sited on this high and visible ridge, which is in the heart of the AONB landscape We feel it to be unnecessarily obstructive to allow stacking of unsightly storage containers two high in a yard situation. Although there are buildings of similar proportions nearby they do not carry the same visual impact as a selection of moveable containers.

• 09/0561/FUL Unit 3 Flightway – new light industrial building Comments: The Parish Council supported this 

application but clerk to investigate why the application has been passed before comments. This is not acceptable
and Cllr Buxton to take this up with the planning department.

• 09/0418/FUL The Old Forge - formation of secondary access Comments: The Parish Council supported this application
• 09/0417/LBC The Old Forge – replacement windows Comments: The Parish Council supported this application but felt that although strictly correct that making a dwelling put in single glazed windows to replace wooden double glazed windows that have been in situ for many years was not an item that was worthy of enforcement in this instance.
• 09/0492/OUT Beechwood Farm - replacement dwelling Comments: The Parish Council supported this application provided that the new building retains the current agriculturally tied status.
• 09/0741/FUL Little Tencery – Single storey side and rear extensions and front porch. Comments: The Parish Council supported this application
• 09/0677/COU Royal Oak Inn – Change of use from a public house to a dwelling Comments: The Parish Council objected to this application as this is an important village amenity and it felt that this should not be lost to a development site.
• 09/0664/COU Dunkeswell DCSA Uniter Building  - change of use of former MOD communications centre to training facility. Comments: The Parish Council supported this application provided the airfield have been consulted over height restrictions, and that the neighbouring property Slade Farm could be protected from loosing their privacy by lowering the poles at that end.
• 09/0705/FUL Droughtwell Farm, Sheldon (adjoining parish) – formation of vehicular access and erection of free range broiler house (building1) Comments: The Parish Council made no comment on this application
• Tree Applications (for decision)
  09/0618/TRE 43 Jenwood Road - reduce height of one beech by 20% and reduce remaining crown via thinning

            by 20%, also coppice two further beech. Decision: to be decided when officers report is received.

• Parish Plan Update – the Parish Council has been granted £1500 towards the cost of the parish plan by the Blackdown Hills Sustainable Development Fund, this can be increased if we agree to include a Village Design Statement. Agreed to combine the planning meeting with a parish plan meeting.

 

• Bus shelters to be provided as part of the section 106 agreement WIMS development:

‘Queensbury Arun Steel & Polycarbonate Cantilever barrel top, half enclosed (635mm) at both ends, short flag mast for bus stop sign, painted green with seating and with solar lighting, to be placed to the back of the footway, would be your preferred choice. I have suggested the have half closed to allow easy passage for pedestrians, the footway width is only 1.9m and this will leave approx 1.265m, giving adequate room for pedestrians and pushchairs. 
If you require just one shelter on the east side of Highfield Road, I will understand, as a shelter to the reciprocal bus stop on the other side of the road (west) would mar the outlook from the abutting bungalow. Kerb raising for low level bus access would be done as a matter of course at both bus stops. AGREED to adopt both bus stops.

• Boundary Committee for England – Structural Review of Devon; Further Draft Proposals. Further draft proposals for unitary local government for comment by 14th May 2009. For full details http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/all-reviews/south-west/devon/devon-structural-review comments already made will still be taken into account. Communication from EDDC and DCC received for perusal.
• Airfield Conservation Area – EDDC consultation is planned.
• Email from Stephen Belli, EDDC – in order to carry out a review of how things have gone so far in terms of the parishes determining tree and advertising applications he would like our comments to feed in as well as to know if we wish to continue dealing with these applications. It was resolved that the parish council did wish to continue dealing with tree and advertising applications.

Planning matters/applications pending consideration as at the 20th April 2009:(for information)        
http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx for details


• HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC

3.1        Cllr Boote is to arrange a meeting with Highways to discuss the state of repair


• FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS – nothing to report
• ENVIRONMENT nothing to report
  

COMMUNITY FACILITIES   

          Community policing report – PC Vickery CSO Anning – five crimes; Possession of Cannabis - Dunkeswell

Airfield - Stopcheck of a motor vehicle and driver found in possession of illegal drug. Criminal Damage -Highfield Estate -  Wooden gate damaged on entrance to rear garden of dwelling house. Criminal Damage - Highfield Estate - CCTV camera damaged. Two offenders have been identified and enquiries continuing. Burglary Other - Marcus Road - Overnight commercial premises broken into and property stolen. Theft of Motor Vehicle - Road between Honiton/Dunkeswell motor vehicle was left secure and unattended in a lay-by and later stolen.

          Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – lease still awaited, Mr Barrow sprayed and topped the sports field

      Halls – nothing to report

•         Emergency Plan –http://www.devon.gov.uk/model_plan.pdf
•       Bus Shelter Manleys Lane – the land owner has been asked to suggest a shelter from a brochure and is invited   

            to make a proposal on the parish council using the corner of his land for the shelter.

•         Emergency plan – Mr Jones has been working on the emergency plan and this will be pooled at a separate  

              meeting.

•       South West Water – have been billing people on Highfield for rainwater disposal whereas the whole

            estate actually drains to its own off-system storm water drain.  It was resolved that the Parish Council write on 
behalf of the Parishioners to request that the whole estate be reimbursed for their over payment.
6.8        Notice boards – it was agreed that we should be looking at replacements for the current boards.  For
              discussion at the next meeting. The shop are also thinking of a community diary to advertise local events.

7             FINANCE         

7.1            Receipts –                    DCC – BHAONB Sustainable Development Fund            £1500.00
DCC – P3 Footpaths grant                                                 £545.00
EDDC – Precept March – September 2009                         £6000.00
Cheque payments -            D Garrod (repair notice board)                                         £25.00
Community First Insurance                                                 £624.26
(Open Spaces Act 1906 ss9&10)
DCP&LG grass cutting and maintenance grant                        £1955.00
Cut and trim (invoice 1209)                                                £25.00
Cut and Trim (invoice 3039)                                                £25.00
(Litter Act 1983 s6(2))
EDDC Dog Bins emptying                                                £345.00
(LGA1972 s 175)
SLCC (clerks CiLCA 2008 s7submission fee)                        £15.00

Cheques agreed.

Account balances –
P3 balance of funds - Feb balance: £208.70, less £285 payments March plus £545.00 grant for 2009 = £468.70
                                                     Parish Account at 1/4/09                                   £10316.25

•       6th April 2009 WARD MEETING – SHELDON VILLAGE HALL – minutes circulated.
•       To receive Accounts and Annual Governance Statement for agreement
•       VAT reclaim was submitted for 2008-9 of £997.42 this has now been received

            Letters of thanks for donations received from; TRIP, East Devon Citizens Advice Bureau, Honiton Library
            and Honiton Mobile Library.
7.5        Quality Parish Council Status has been reapplied for and the clerk has submitted supplementary section to her   CiLCA 2008 qualification (section 7) to enable the parish to use the Power of Well-being.  All councillors are now required to attend a training course on the power in order that we may activate it.

•       Anne Barratt came to the meeting to speak with the parish council on a proposal for starting a younger youth club

group, this would increase the hall rental by half an hour per session and would benefit greatly from a grant from the parish council.  For discussion.  The parish council was in full agreement that they wanted to support the youth club and the excellent voluntary work Ann does, I was resolved that the parish council would donate the full amount of extra rental (£1150).  To be discussed how this was to be paid (direct to the hall or to the youth club).

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public).
Dates for next meetings –      
Planning Applications:  11th May 2009            Planning Meeting 7–7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council:                                                 and Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm
   18th May 2009                        7.30pm Annual Parish Meeting Community Hall