DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 18th January 2010.
Present: Cllrs Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr J Barrow (Vice Chairman), Cllrs Mrs B Russell and Mrs V Keitch,
B Procter, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Paul Diviani,
District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton, PC Vickery 4783, PCSO Anning 30012 and members of the public.
Apologies: Mssrs M Stevens and C Sumpter
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 14th December 2009 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED
PLANNING
(http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx for full details)
EDDC consultation on designation of Airfield as a Conservation Area – contact awaited from Stephen Guy EDDC Principal Conservation Officer following his attendance at the last meeting. Mr. Procter referred to a letter from EDDC asking if it was correctly stated that Dunkeswell Parish Council were in favour of this. Mr. Sworder informed him that Mrs Bell had been asked to contact the council to retract this because, until they had heard from Mr. Guy, they were unable to vote on it either way. He will check with Mrs. Bell to make sure that this is done. Mrs. Keitch asked if the letter from Mr. Guy could be chased up.
Decisions (for information)
2.1.1 09/1851/FUL Land to the North of Old Highwood Farm – permission granted for conversion of barn to four units of holiday accommodation and owner/managers accommodation and formation of new vehicular access (renewal of permissions 04/P1737, 06/2103/FUL and 08/0582/VAR.
Applications (for comment – support or objection)
09/2486/FUL 25 Jenwood Road – erection of single storey extension and porch
COMMENTS: No objections
09/1906/FUL Orchard Cottage, Dunkeswell Abbey – Change of use of redundant barn to holiday cottage
COMMENTS: No objections
09/2465/OUT Highfield Community Hall Unit 6 Culme Way – Erection of four bungalows (revision of 07/2427/MFUL)
COMMENTS: No objections
09/2473/OUT Land Adjacent Ball Knapp, Powells Way – erection of six bungalows
COMMENTS: Refused as this proposal could not be commented on its own without the accompanying affordable housing application. The enclosed plan provided was incorrect as it did not correctly depict the applicants land.
Tree Applications (for decision)
2.4.1 09/2186/TRE 5 Walden Road – 13 beech trees reduce crowns by 3m, remove side branches where they encroach on neighbours trees, crown lift to 5m above ground level. Split decision: Permission granted to crown lift to give 4m clearance above garden, reduce by approximately 3.5m from growing tip: three 1st order branches growing from a height of 6m to the north west side of the canopy, one 1st order branch growing at a height of 7.5m on the north west side of the canopy and one 1st order branch growing at a height to 5.5m on the north side of the canopy. Permission refused to; reduce the crowns of 13 Beech trees by approximately 3m to lift the crowns by approximately 5m and to remove some side branches where they encroach on neighbours trees and remove deadwood.
Parish Plan –meeting rescheduled for Monday 1st February 2010 at 6pm in The Village Hall due to adverse weather conditions.
2.6 Structural review of local government in Devon: The Boundary Committee published its advice on 7 December and has proposed a single unitary authority for the current Devon county area. Representations can be made to the Secretary of State by 19 January 2010. Further details at
Devon structural review - Electoral Commission
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/all-reviews/south-west/devon/devon-structural-review
HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
3.1 to receive issues to report – Potholes throughout the village as a result of the recent weather. Nothing has yet been heard about traffic calming measures. Grit boxes were emptied because of a lack of salt. Mr. Procter suggested that salt could be stored within the Parish and distributed by a Parishioner. It was also suggested that an approach be made to EDDC to ask them to consider including Highfield when they grit as this is on a bus route and homeowners were put at risk. Mr Sworder will write.
Householders were not removing snow and ice from outside their properties as they felt they might be in breach of the law. Devon County Council will be asked to write to Parish Councils were householders stand on this.
Mr. Diviani told the council that a task group had been set up to look at service delivery of grit and salt and the provision of lengthsmen in local areas.
The meeting held at Combe Raleigh was positive as most topics were agreed on especially what was said about speed limits. Cllr Diviani will email Mr Sworder.
FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
Report from Mr Barrow – none given this time
P3 forms received for completion and return by 12th February 2010
ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning -3 crimes. Betweem 10th and 15th December a detached garage was broken into, 17th December shop-lifting was reported and a claim of false imprisonment was made for between 24th and 25th. No anti-social behaviour was reported
Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – Mr. Barrow reported that the trees were now all down and that Perrie Hale would be asked to replant ASAP.Goal Ends has been installed and waiting for dry weather to install exercise machines. Notice Board has been delivered. The spring on the gate is too strong and will be made self-closing. Major opening of field arranged for 20th February 2010
Halls –
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. The plan will be prepared for the meeting on 1st February . There was a suggestion is that snow wardens are reinstated (i.e. local farmers asked to clear lanes and it was asked whether this could this be paid for by Devon County?)
6.4 Proposed Bus Shelter Manleys Lane – clerk has obtained one quote, member of the parish council are invited to obtain further quotes from reputable tradesmen they have experience of locally. There was a lengthy discussion about the quote received. The council will wait for Mrs. Bell’s return and then discuss need.
Blackdown Health Living Centre – letter advising of the opening of the centre in early 2010. The centre will provide a day centre for the elderly, yout activities, education courses, a forget-me-not dementia café, fitness studio, primary care intervention, complementary therapies, health promotion, a meeting place for patient groups, parenting skills training and much more. The centre has the support of DCC, Devon Primary Care Trust, local GPs, Social Services etc. The BHLC are offering to come to your parish and speak about the work they will be doing (approximately 10 minutes).
FINANCE
7.1 Receipts - none
7.2 Cheque payments - Dunkeswell Parish News 2009 –2010 £220.00
BT sponsored kiosk at The Old Post Office (2010 year in advance) £345.00
(cheques for agreement)
Account balances –
P3 balance of funds - £0 Parish Account at 1/1/10 - £10909.95
Best Kept Village entry form for submission (preschool have been asked if they would like to produce a map).
Budget and Parish Precept 2010-11 Agreed based on the budget and forecast accounts supplied to set a
precept of £16,000 for 2010-11 (£2,000 for the bus shelter may not be required.)
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting was closed before questions from the public).
The only comment from the floor was that the bus shelter appeared to large for the site, out of keeping and too expensive.
The council thanked Mrs Davenport for standing in for Mrs Bell.
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: 8th February 2010 Planning Meeting 7 - 8pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council: 15th February 2010 Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
