DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 10th December 2007.

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, PCSO Anning 30012 and two members of the public.
Apologies: County Councillor Mr Roger Boote, District Councillor Mrs M Boote, 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).

1.1 Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 19th November, 2007 were signed as a correct record of that meeting

2 PLANNING
2.1 Decisions (for information)
07/2875/FUL The Old Kennels, Stentwood – permission granted for rear extension.
2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
2.2.1 07/3031/FUL Parachute Club, Dunkeswell Airfield – siting of two portacabins for use as shower blocks/toilets and erection of new building for parachute packing. New application awaited based on discussion with EDDC.

2.2.2 07/3397/FUL 37 Tower Way – conservatory to rear. To be inspected and recommendation given at next meeting.

2.2.3 07/3334/COU Beechwood Farm, Long Lane – change of use of an agricultural building to form one light industrial
unit and storage space. It is felt that Dunkeswell as a parish still has 22 acres of land designated as employment land in the local plan, therefore the parish council feel quite strongly that no more industrial land is required and especially at the expense of losing agricultural land and holdings. Recommendation: REFUSAL

2.3 Dunkeswell Kart Racing Club Appeal: Letter submitted from the jointly affected parishes (for information).
Planners and Mansells representatives have met and had informal discussions (which the Joint Action Group are asking for minutes from and have currently been refused). There is little known about the new building that is proposed at present, but when an application is on the table a meeting for parishes with the planners has been agreed. The new noise abatement order places limitations on activity, something that could also be done by approving a new building. The new order is very detailed and will limit the track to 9 Saturdays practice days per year. Any appeal against this would be dealt with in a magistrate’s court and would involve witnesses to the public nuisance of the noise.
2.4 Smeatharpe Stadium – Clerk to write asking for limitations to be placed on the activity of the stadium as part of
their current application for a certificate of lawfulness.
2.5 EDDC - questionnaire on the development control service – chairman to return by 20th December 2007.
2.6 Enforcement to be informed of polytunnel and other temporary buildings in the yard of 1 Flightway.

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 10th December 2007: (for information)
April 2005 05/0993/FUL Land at Highfield – 26 open market units, Land off Powells Way - 19 affordable dwellings, community facilities recreational land off Liberator Way
May 2006 06/0969/FUL Highfield Community Hall
August 2006 06/2038/COU Sheldon Grange –cross country course
September 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.
07/2555/FUL 11 Powells Way – infill extension and garage conversion
07/1473/FUL Oaklea – Demolition of agricultural building replace with stable
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.
November 2007 07/2649/FUL 2 the Laurels, Flightway – retention of polytunnel
07/2896/FUL Tower Poultry farm, Long lane – agricultural workers dwelling
07/2864/OUT Oaklands –two detached bungalows and five houses.
3 PARISH PLAN
A revised plan was distributed by Mr Sworder at the last meeting for initial response. This draft then needs to go out to consultation with the community, before it can be fed in to The Local Development Framework, ideally as Supplementary Planning Guidance. It was agreed to keep the plan as an agenda item in order to keep revising the aims each meeting.

4 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
Potholes - Green Lane one between Hillcrest and Marylea and one outside the gate of Marylea.
Flashing speed sign is not working yet again, although it has been here a few days.
A new speed campaign has been initiated by a local resident, which has gained much support.
Dunkeswell is not satisfied with the job the lengthsman did during the December visit, although he did work in Abbey he did not do work in other parts of the village that needed doing. Clerk to request a schedule of visits for 2008 and make clear that we feel the previous system worked far better.

5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
5.1 Nothing to report.

6 ENVIRONMENT

7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning – four crimes – one assault, one criminal damage, one non-crime domestic and one theft from a shop. Even in the terrible weather there have been burglaries to out buildings, so people must be vigilant.
7.2 Playgrounds/Sports field – EDDC play monies are being progressed. Ground was topped by Mr Barrow Chairman
thanked Mr Barrow and said that a formal tender will be put out for the cutting for 2008. BMX track is in need of general upkeep, Mr Barrow to give a quote for repair and to drain a corner that is puddling.
7.3 Halls – nothing to report
7.4 Housing needs survey – nothing to report
7.5 Allotments – Allotments Association has asked for progress report on fence between field and allotments, this will be looked at again by Mrs Russell. It was requested the Louis Way dog bin could be moved one lamp post. Mr Barrow to action when it is empty.
7.6 Public access computer – has been moved to the shop and will be open for use again then.
7.7 Best Kept Village – entry form 2008 for completion. Agreed to enter

8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts –
Cheque payments - A P Maynard (washing of bus shelters) £43.60
Dunkeswell Village Hall (rent for meetings Oct 06 – Sept 07 £268.00
Dunkeswell and Sheldon Parish News 2007 publish minutes £335.00
Dunkeswell Community Hall (BHPN Meeting hall hire) £20.00
Payment by direct debit - none
(CHEQUES AGREED).
Account balances - at 1/12/07 Paths Account £268.70
Parish Account £9568.63
8.2 Letter inviting three representatives of the parish council to an ‘Celebration of Parish Councils’ event at the
Knowle on 23rd January 2008 at which there will be a keynote speaker on funding opportunities and awards for
achievement and plans. GNS to complete and return.
8.3 Completion of Annual Audit 2007 – received.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public).
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: 14th January 2008 7- 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council: 21st January 2008 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall