Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 18th August 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, County Councillor Mr Roger Boote,
PCSO Anning 30012 and one member of the public.
Apologies:         District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton, PC Vickery 4783.

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 21st July 2008 were signed as a correct record of that meeting.

2            PLANNING

08/1784/TRE 5 Bluebell Road – permission granted to reduce crown by 10% and crown clean one oak.

08/2053/COU St Nicholas Church - change of use to form extension to graveyard.
Recommendation: APPROVAL (Mr Sumpter left the room for the discussion and vote as he is the applicant).  Clerk to request a fee reduction as this is a parish application.

none

 

Planning matters/applications pending consideration as at the 18th August 2008:            (for information)                                October 2007               07/2427/MFUL Highfield centre Culme Way – erection of ten bungalows.
December 2007 07/3334/COU Beechwood Farm, Long Lane – COU l/industrial/storage space.
            February 2008             08/0016/MFUL Land north of Powells Way – ten affordable dwelling
June 2008                 08/1298/TRE 11 Potters Stile – trees
08/0999/FUL Abbey Mill Farm, Dunkeswell Abbey – conversion of barn
July 2008                 08/0015/FUL Land north of Powells Way – six affordable dwellings
http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx for details

Mr Barrow reported that the bus company has made an objection regards Windgate Hill trimming (number 8920007).
There will be a two week closure 1st – 12th September 2008 from Percy Hill to Chapel Corner.

Mr Barrow reported that strimming has been done on most paths.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES   

Community policing report – PCSO Anning – no crimes to report

Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – Land transfer is in progress, with some access issues still being negotiated. The Uffculme Environmental grant offer towards fencing has been confirmed and the agreement of the allotment Association is awaited before fencing can be ordered. Mr Barrow has repaired the BMX track, cut the grass and sprayed weeds.

Halls – further correspondence has been received from WIMS and a 28-year lease will be finalised shortly. There are some issues currently being corrected (drains, hatch and fire exits). It was confirmed that there will be a constitution put in place both for the organisation of the committee and for securing funding.

Housing – Letter received from Hastoe Housing Association asking the Parish Council if they are aware of any families in need of local rented accommodation and asking us to refer them to the Housing Register at EDDC as there is a two bedroomed house at Manley’s Lane, which will shortly become vacant. Clerk to email westcountry@hastoe.com refer to Sue Southwell at the CCD as she held 20 names from the housing need survey.

• Draft Proposal for a Unitary Government for Devon. On the 7th July 2008 the Government published their draft proposal on which comments are now invited.  The proposal is for a Devon Unitary Authority comprising the existing County with no changes to Plymouth or Torbay. The full draft can be seen at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/all-reviews/south-west/devon/devon-structural-review . Representations can be made by email via the above link or in writing to the Review Officer, Devon review, The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HW. There was much discussion once again on this topic and the latest information available.  For discussion and final comment at the September meeting (following the ward meeting at which there will also be further opportunity for debate).
• Dog bins/bins – are being monitored by the manager of Streetscene following complaints and if dog bins are too full they can be emptied more often.

 

8            FINANCE         

• Receipts –                    Westward Developments (grant for fire escape signs at new hall)            £1000.00
• Cheque payments -            Mr Barrow (footpaths account)                                   £75.00

Mr Howard (footpaths account)                                    £32.00
Mr Barrow (maintenance of the BMX track)            £163.89
Mr Howard (maintenance of the BMX track)            £40.00
Clerk remuneration February – August 2008             £1619.18
Clerk Expenses June – August 2008                         £187.84
Cut and Trim                                                            £40.00

New Hall

Delta South West                                                £26.98
AP Maynard                                                            £378.25
Homebase                                                            £105.30
A P Maynard                                                            £332.08
                                                (Cheques agreed).

Account balances - at 1/8/08            Paths Account                                                 £547.70
                                                                    Parish Account                                                £11580.86

            New hall fund – at 18/9/08 total spend including above payments             £3349.56(ex VAT)
                                                            Balance of funds available                        £3050.44 (in parish account above)

• WARD MEETING – Dunkeswell Village Hall 1st September 2008
• EDDC Annual Parish Councils Meeting – Wednesday 27th August 2008 6pm at the Knowle.  There will also be Blackdown Hills producers offering food samples and sales during the break! Mr Sworder and Mr Sumpter to attend.
• SW Life Long Learning Network/ DAPC Questionnaire for completion. All collected and returned.
• Community Council of Devon – free workshops – as our quality parish council status is soon due for renewal councillors must think about competency in any areas they need help and training be organised or found.
• Land Registry Office – Campaign to get all parish councils to voluntarily register the ownership of their land

            QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public).

Dates for next meetings –      

Planning Applications:              8th September 2008                        7 – 8pm                        Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council:                         15th September 2008                        7.30pm                         Dunkeswell Village Hall

27th August 2008 - EDDC Annual town and parish council meeting
1st SEPTEMBER 2008 WARD MEETING – DUNKESWELL VILLAGE HALL