DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 15^th February 2010.

 

Present:          Cllrs Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr J Barrow (Vice Chairman), Cllrs Mrs B Russell and Mrs V Keitch, Mssrs M Stevens, B Procter, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Paul Diviani, District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton and seven members of the public.

Apologies:             Cllr C Sumpter 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 18^th January 2010 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED

2            PLANNING

2.1            Decisions (for information)

1. 09/2486/FUL 19 Jenwood Road – permission granted for single storey extension and porch.
2. 09/2429/FUL Supacat – permission granted for conversion of two industrial units to form offices, reception and display area, external balcony and staircase.

 

2.2            Applications (for comment – support or objection)

1. 09/2474/OUT Land north of Powells Way – erection of nine affordable bungalows (approval of access and layout. Comments: The parish council object to this application as there is no proven need for more than 16 affordable houses , if the council are minded to approve this application, it should only be with an agreement attached to improve the existing sewers to cope with the additional flow, as it is evident  quite often in wet weather that the existing system is overburdened and as such frequently blocks and overflows.

 

1. EDDC consultation on designation of Airfield as a Conservation Area – Letter received (see attached) outlining the advantages and disadvantages of the designation.  Much concern was expressed over the possible restrictions that it might impose on business owners on the industrial estate, every business was meant to have been written to, this has not been done. It was felt strongly that there needs to be an open consultation day held on the airfield. 

 

PD explained that conservation areas are normally designated to protect heritage, BP felt the building of importance were already protected by listing. PD agreed that a meeting for the businesses was important.  Planning Policy Statement 4 has just been released, CRC has already expressed concern that designation may restrict business. GS told the meeting that the parish council did not formally request the designation, but did express an interest in knowing the advantages and disadvantages. BB explained that Honiton has a Conservation Area, and it does not affect normal development of the small businesses within it.  What it would mean is that a row of ten shops on the high street could not be demolished to build a supermarket. There were concerns over elements of the proposal, such as buildings put forward as being of historic value, which might not be, and inaccuracies such as areas marked as new development  which aren’t.  It was agreed the parish council would respond saying there are inaccuracies and a proper consultation event with a senior planning officer is required to satisfy everyone affected and answer their questions, the deadline for response to the consultation should also be extended, to allow the parish plan responses including this topic to be collected.

1. Tree Applications (for decision) none
2. Parish Plan –meeting was rescheduled for Monday 1st February 2010 at 6pm in The Village Hall due to adverse weather conditions. The meeting was well attended and most of the initial questions have been distributed for collection shortly.  The next meeting will be 8^th March at 6pm in the Village Hall, where the results of the first questions will be analysed to form the basis of a wider scoping questionnaire. There will be a series of events to help facilitate discussion and this will culminate in a final published plan.

 

1. HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
1. To receive issues to report – road between Wolford Cross and Limers Cross is suffering severe subsidence, request for tar and chipping of new road surfaces through village and the C161 to protect them.
2. Manleys Lane is now being for adoption.
3. Reply from Inspector R Price Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to Mr Sworders letters regarding speed limits in Dunkeswell. The Constabulary has considered its position and will carry out some enforcement action within 20mph limits, including use of speed detection equipment, however they do not accept that enforcement is a replacement for engineered solutions to calm speeding. Clerk to copy to PCSO Anning and PC Vickery.

 

1. FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

Report from Mr Barrow – Annual report has been submitted, Mr Barrow is unhappy about the lack of communication from the new officer for our area.

 

1. ENVIRONMENT

 

1. COMMUNITY FACILITIES   
1. Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning – one domestic incident reported.
2. Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – Formal opening is 12.30pm on Saturday 20^th February by David Key.  The tree planting will be completed this week by Perrie Hale nurseries, there will be further planting on the open day. There will also be footballs given away to youngsters to encourage them to play on the new surface.  The spring on the gate has also been repaired. The large trees which needed felling are now down, the wood will be sold to cover the fuel, machinery and removal part of the cost, with the labour being paid for by the parish council.  The pamphlets were designed by the youth club.  There have been donations towards the sportsfield in the sum of one thousand pounds from Mr C Throgmorton and also of the footballs by Mr & Mrs Keitch Highfield stores.

Dunkeswell Childrens’ Play and Leisure Group have asked if the parish council would be happy to have the lease of New Century Park reassigned to the parish council as they already pay the annual costs and this would in fact save some funds as the park would be insured under the parish council insurance. If this was the case it could be that WIMS may consider the tennis courts being refurbished and leased to the parish council as well.     The New Century Park budget for 2010-11 was received in the sum of £2009.00                                         

1. Halls – no report this time
2. Emergency Plan –http://www.devon.gov.uk/model_plan.pdf . Clerk has questioned Community First Insurance, who in turn have checked with Zurich (our insurers) who advised ‘that volunteers, who would assist in an emergency, would be covered under the standard public liability of your insurance if they were to have an accident whilst assisting’.  Clerk has requested the exact wording and copy of schedule.
3. Proposed Bus Shelter Manleys Lane – to be kept on the agenda for future consideration.
4. Letter from a parishioner asking that in recognition of the fundraising efforts of the then Parishioners towards providing their '"Winston Churchill Playing Field", the Parish Council might consider honoring their success by reintroducing that name on any signage (please see attached history of the site supplied by Mr Jeff Marshall supporting this request. Agreed that this should be discussed at the next meeting when Mr Sumpter is back.
5. Report from Cllr Diviani (DCC) – is now chairman of the task group that is looking at the winter maintenance of the highways, there is a bid currently being considered for the improved broadband service to the whole of the Blackdown Hills, and Unitary Exeter is being fought by DCC.
1. FINANCE    
1. Receipts -             Groundworks UK (funding for MUGA)                                   £18,189.00

Westward Developments (towards MUGA)                        £1000.00

1. Cheque payments –

BT sponsored kiosk at The Old Post Office (2010 year in advance)            £345.00

Clerk Remuneration            November – February                         £1270.39

Clerk expenses November – February                                    £197.86

Extraordinary expenses (holiday cover)                                    £69.00

Dunkeswell Village Hall Hire 2009                                    £294.00

MUGA (from funding)

SMP                                                                                                 £21372.08

Mrs Russell reimburse laminating                                                £57.94

Dunkeswell Youth Club (flyers)                                                £135.00

 

Parish Plan expenses:

Printing four question survey                                                £100.04

Preschool donation for consultation                                    £50.00

Youth club donation for consultation                                    £50.00

 

                                    (cheques for agreement)

Account balances – Parish Account at 1/1/10 - £10909.95 includes the following:

 

P3 balance of funds - £0    Parish Plan SDF funds - £1399.96   

 

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

There is a problem with ice across Percy Hill – Mr Barrow replied that this is due to blocked culverts.

The clerk is to request deadlines for submitting lengthsman  problems before scheduled visit dates..

 

Dates for next meetings – 

Parish Plan: 
8th March 2010   6pm                                                                            Dunkeswell Village Hall

Planning Applications:          

8th March 2010   7.30 - 8pm                                                                Dunkeswell Village Hall

Parish Council:                   

15th March 2010   Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm                                   Dunkeswell Village Hall