Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 17th August 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, B Procter, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Paul Diviani,
District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton and four members of the public.
Apologies: PC Vickery 4783, PCSO Anning 30012
All councillors were 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 20th July 2009 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED.
2 PLANNING
- Decisions (for information)
- 09/1183/TRE 35 Simcoe Way – permission granted to re-coppice one ash and four beech, 20% crown reduction to height and shape one ash and six beech.
- 09/1180/TRE 35 Simcoe Way – split decision – granted to coppice five hawthorns, crown reduce one ash 15%, coppice one ash and reduce main stem of beech 1m above bank, refused permission to fell one ash and coppice beech.
- 09/1126/TRE 7 Walden Road – split decision – permission granted to lift crown of one sycamore to 5m and reduction of ash, refusal to reduce height to 3m one ash and one sycamore
- 09/1242FUL 30 Manley’s Lane – permission granted for rear conservatory
- Applications (for comment – support or objection) none
- 09/1472/TRE land at Liberator Way – fell all but one ash and replant with more appropriate species. No comments returned as the parish council are the applicant
- Tree Applications (for decision)
- 09/1487/TRE 19 Potters Stile – reduce crowns by 3m of a group of ash and beech trees.
Decision; Grant consent with the following conditions:
- C01 The works hereby consented to shall be carried out within a period of two years from the date of this decision.
- C02 The works hereby consented to shall be carried out in accordance with British Standard 3998 1989 (Recommendations for Tree Work).
- C05 Pruning works shall be carried out in accordance with the following restrictions:
(i) Crown reduction and trimming should not reduce any part of the tree beyond the previous reduction points.
(ii) All reduction points to be at appropriate natural stops
Reasons: To ensure that the works are carried out within a reasonable period of time.
In the interests of amenity and to ensure the works are carried out in a satisfactory manner.
Parish Plan – meeting still to be arranged
Enforcement – copy letter to Unit 2 Flightway, following enforcement notice after appeal was dismissed there has been a site visit and the letter confirms that the containers would be permitted to be stored within the south east boundary fence and curtailage of the building, but not on the runway land to the north west.
Planning matters/applications pending consideration as at the 20th August 2009:(for information)
http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx for details
- HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
to receive issues to report – 30mph repeater sign at Percy Cross is still missing (the pole remains). Green Lane – Percy Cross to Marylea needs resurfacing there may also be drains collapsing under the road. Outside Stentwood and Hunters Cottage there are large potholes.
- DCC Letter – Mr Sworder wrote to County Councillor Stuart Hughes following the joint letter from him and Supt Swarbrick of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary supporting 20mph speed limits pointing out our problems with these limits and the refusal of the police to enforce them. Cllr Hughes visited Dunkeswell with Cllr Diviani and discussed with us the nature of the problem. The meeting was productive and further meetings have since taken place with other home owners and parish councils. A meeting is to be held with the Area Management of Highways to pursue progress. A letter will be written to Supt Swarbrick apprising him of our discussions.
- FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
- Report from Mr Barrow – the stone caging holding the bridge up on footpath 7 has been reinstated, as some children had been using the stones to build small ornamental features. The caging has now been secured with wire which should pose no risk to anyone provided they are not trying to empty the cages again. It was agreed that it was fortunate that the risk of flood was averted before an incident occurred.
- ENVIRONMENT
- Nominations are sought for a representative to sit on the Management Group of the Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership. Meetings are quarterly during the daytime and are to set policy for the Partnership as well as steering implementation of the BHAONB Partnership business plan. Nominations by 21st August 2009. It was agreed that we were well represented by having Cllr Diviani as Chairman of the AONB, Cllr Sworder as Vice-chairman and Cllr Buxton as a member of the management group
- Transition – Clerk attended the first meeting of the Blackdown Hills Transition Community and will report for the council, everyone is welcome to attend. Please ask clerk for details.
- Please inform clerk by 10th September if empty sandbags are required by any householders in the parish.
- There have been some calls to the parish council from concerned parishioners regarding the aerobatic training this week, Cllr Procter agreed the event was noisier than predicted, this was due to two of the aircraft who were to attend being impounded by customs and the team hiring two replacement planes which although within European Noise limits were far noisier planes than those which had been booked in. Cllr Procter did ensure that noise stopped completely during the Church service on Sunday as well as other times to restrict noise. After this trial event Cllr Procter has decided that this wont be repeated in future years.
- Kart Track – The appeal has been logged, but there is still no date for it to be re-heard. The designation of a new Conservation Area is also progressing.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning – no report sentPlaygrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – The parish council authorised the signing of the lease for the sportsfield. The lease was granted to include a sum of rent, but Mr Throgmorton has given his assurance that he will not ask for this sum, the parish council will write to WIMS accepting his assurance and also to the Allotments Association formalising the agreement and explaining that if we ever become obliged to pay rent that they may be asked for a contribution. A funding application has been submitted for £36,000 for further equipment.There is a problem with children leaving litter beside the bin rather than in it, as this can easily be chopped up in the mower and become a hazard. Mr Barrow noted people have been playing cricket and offered to cut an area tightly top make a pitch area.Halls – no report givenEmergency Plan –http://www.devon.gov.uk/model_plan.pdf Proposed Bus Shelter Manleys Lane – clerk to chase DCC response on visibility splay
South West Water overcharging of surface water fee – people have had rebates, some more than others, but it seems this should be on a case by case basis.
School – Cllr Diviani has procured a list of where primary school age children living in Dunkeswell are going to school – they are distributed widely and total 82. Although it is agreed that this is a large quantity, it is still a concern that the viability of other local schools may be affected if there was a school opened in Dunkeswell.
The EDDC LDF will include how provision for schools will be made and review funding for school provision. It was agreed that a meeting with representatives of the education authority was needed to discuss the options and Cllr Diviani would set this up. FINANCE
Cheque payments -
(Open Spaces Act 1906 ss9&10)
Cut and trim (inv’s 3079) £25.00
Tim Stevens (removal of overhanging bushes Chapel Hill) £150.00
Clerks expenses February –August £227.91
Clerks remuneration February –August £3192.56
(cheques agreed)
Account balances – P3 balance of funds - £313.70 Parish Account at 1/8/09 - £10893.70
- Clerk requests to be paid quarterly as opposed to twice yearly to enable her and the council to budget more efficiently. Agreed.
- Power of Well-being training sessions – none arranged as yet.
- EDDC Town & Parishes discussion group – Monday 14th September 200 6.30pm-8pm one representative invited – apology to be sent as this is the same night as our meeting.
- Clerk attended the DAPC Empowering Communities conference last month and DCC Town & Parish working group.
- Honiton town and parishes group - Change of date for next meeting from Wednesday 23rd September to Wednesday 30th September 2009 at 7pm.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting was closed before questions from the public).
A gentleman asked what the parish council thought would be behind the affordable houses – it was noted at the time that there was space behind, but it was confirmed no application has been received. Clerk to check with EDDC.
Another gentleman gave an update on Manleys Lane, DCC are still awaiting the approval of the Bondsman.
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: 7th September 2009 Ward Meeting 7.30pm Combe Raleigh Village Hall
Parish Council: 14th September 2009 Planning meeting 7pm and Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm Dunkeswell V/ Hall
