january2008

DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 21st January 2008.

Present: 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 Roger Boote,
District Councillor Mrs M Boote, PCSO Anning 30012 and 5 members of the public.
Apologies: Cllr Mr C Sumpter and 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 10th December, 2007 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED.

2 PLANNING

2.1 Decisions (for information)

2.1.1 07/2896/FUL Tower Poultry farm, Long lane – permission refused for agricultural workers dwelling

2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
2.2.1 07/3397/FUL 37 Tower Way – conservatory to rear. Recommendation: APPROVAL

2.2.2 07/3172/FUL Hill View Farm – single storey agricultural workers dwelling. The nursery itself has no agricultural tie, but there is a house already on the site. The parish council would like to support a well run and profitable business, but are concerned about a further dwelling on the site. If the horticultural site was already detached from the house this case would be more clear cut. As it stands we are unable to make a recommendation without site of the business plan and accounts. Recommendation: Deferred to EDDC for decision based on supporting business plan.

2.2.3 07/3445/TRE 15 Foxglove Close – fell 7 ash trees Recommendation: APPROVAL on condition hawthorn in proposed replanting scheme be replaced with mountain ash, hazel and field maple.

2.2.4 07/3417/FUL Dunkeswell Industrial Estate - aircraft storage shed. Recommendation: APPROVAL
2.2.5 07/3490/FUL 11 Louis Way – conservatory with brick wall. Recommendation: APPROVAL
2.2.6 07/3551/COU Garage Block, 3 The Laurels – change of use to office block. Recommendation: REFUSAL as these garages were built contingent to the residential development of the Laurels and should therefore not be allowed for conversion to industrial use, but remain as parking to keep residential parking off the highway. If this area is to be mixed residential and industrial consideration must be given to retaining its amenities and not over crowding residential elements with industrial development.
2.3 DCC – Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004/Article 5 Town and Country (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 – Consultation on new procedures for the validation of Planning Applications where the County Council:

proposes to develop its own land (including schools and buildings)
makes an application to develop land not in its ownership (including joint applications)
makes applications for waste developments
Comments on the Local List (which can be viewed at www.devon.gov.uk/planning-system/validation_consultation by 12 noon Monday 25th February 2008 to County Hall, Exeter or by email
2.4 The Mansell Raceway Kart Track has been issues with a Noise Abatement order on the 2nd January 2008 regarding noise limits on leisure karts and also limiting the race practices per year to 9 (in addition to 9 race meetings per year) not 52, this comes into force on the 28th February 2008, unless an appeal is made within 21 days, failure to observe this order would be a criminal offence.
2.5 DCC – Parish Presentations - Gypsies and Travellers (to include history, issues faced by the settled community & travellers and discussion). No presentation required.

2.6 Parish Plan –nothing to report

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 21st January 2008:    (for information)
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
07/2864/OUT Oaklands –two detached bungalows and five houses.
December 2007            07/3031/FUL Parachute Club, Dunkeswell Airfield –two portacabins/new building
07/3397/FUL 37 Tower Way – conservatory to rear
07/3334/COU Beechwood Farm, Long Lane – COU l/industrial/storage space.
4             HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
Quote received from Highways to install a 300mm Slow Down and 30mph flashing solar sign. This would be including a two year manufacturers guarantee and be a sign mounted on a pole which contains the rechargable battery cell £3370 (clerk has asked if this is including or excluding VAT and awaits reply). If the parish wished Highways to carry out maintenance and repair over three years it would cost approximately £3000, alternatively the parish council could carry out their own maintenance and insure the sign with Community First under our own insurance at a cost of approx £52 pa and would be covered for all risks. Agreed not to proceed at present.

Potholes; Stentwood – Gyspy Cross and Abbey to Madford bridge, and all of Bowerhayes Lane. Dangerous sign post – near Percy Farm a round warning double bend signs is lying on an angle.

5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

Report from Mr Barrow; following the footpaths conference at the beginning of December Mr Barrow is still awaiting a meeting regards solution for bridleway 12. If there is no word by the end of January then a letter will be drafted.

6 ENVIRONMENT
6.1 loEDDC – Anti-social Behaviour powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005

Document regarding proposals for comment by return (copy emailed to all councillors).
7            COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1            Community policing report – PCSO Anning – there were five crimes this month: a smashed window on a parked car, a shed fire (arson caused by nearby bonfire), theft of five metal gates from fields, a criminal damage to a padlock on the airfield, and a non crime vulnerable adult, concerns about an elderly female.
7.2            Playgrounds/Sports field – Ishbel Ramsey EDDC Play worker attended the meeting to discuss the MUGA and lottery funding that EDDC have obtained for this. They are offering from their successful lottery bid to lay 730 sq mtrs of tarmac and associated ground works with lining, (but no fencing, seating, paths or post holders). Works are to be discussed with the technical managers in February, tenders will go out for contractors (it is hoped that the same contractor will carry out works on all five MUGAs). Estimates for work will be drawn down quarterly as per the original funding application. As Lympstone and Dunkeswell have completed their youth consultation they will be the first sites completed. March – May 08 budget allows for events, June - August the site will be planned and tenders put out between August - September. First sites cannot be started until September – December 2008. All five surfaces must be open between March and May 2009 and launches and openings will be carried out. The sites must meet the needs of older children and young people, and provide ‘free’ play (not charged for and not allowing free choice of play). There may also be funding in the budget to allow several people in the village to be trained to carry out statutory inspections. It was hoped to have the site open in August, however the delay will allow for further funds to be raised by the Dunkeswell Childrens’ Play and Leisure Group for furniture and fixtures.
7.3        Halls – nothing to report
7.4        Housing needs survey – Andy Carmichael of EDDC has called to explain that the last application for 16 affordable homes has at the request of the District Council been resubmitted in two separate applications for 6 and 10 homes. This allows a linking of the 6 homes as the 40% affordable element to the Highfield road and Culme Way developments and 10 homes to be designated as exception site. The Housing Needs Survey now gives a recommendation of 20 affordable homes for Dunkeswell.
7.5            Allotments – Mrs Sworder reported there were no funds to erect the fence as yet.
7.6        Public access computer – to be reopened in March 2008 in the shop.
7.7        Best Kept Village – entry form 2008 for completion. Agreed to enter.
8            FINANCE
8.1            Receipts –                                none
Cheque payments -                none
Payment by direct debit - none
            Account balances - at 1/1/08   Paths Account £268.70   Parish Account £9568.63

8.2 Letter inviting three representatives of the parish council to a ‘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. Mr and Mrs Sworder to attend.
8.3        Parish Precept – for decision (budget attached) Agreed at £12500.
8.4            Communities and Local Government – Consultation on orders and regulations relating to the conduct of local   authority members in England. For comment by 15th February 2008.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public). none

Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: 11th February 2008 7 - 8pm Dunkeswell Village Hall

Parish Council: 18th February 2008 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall