DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall
at 7.30pm, Monday 16th July 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, A Luscombe, Cllr B Procter, County Councillor
Mr Roger Boote,
PC Vickery 4783, PCSO Anning 30012 and members of the public.
Apologies: District Councillor Mrs M Boote
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 18th
June, 2007 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED
2 PLANNING
2.1 Decisions (for information)
07/0972/FUL 111 Tower Way – permission granted for two-storey extension
07/1243/TRE 18 Simcoe Way – permission granted to recoppice one oak and
3 ash stools
07/1165/FUL Unit 17 Flightway – permission refused for inclusion of living
accommodation
2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
07/1616/COU 1 The Laurels, Flightway – reposition two gates and fence
across highway and retention of works within highway. Recommendation: REFUSAL
as we have already suggested that this gate is brought back to the building
line in a previous application, but this is in fact even further out into the
neighbouring agricultural land.
07/1810/FUL 19 Tower Way – Conservatory. Recommendation: APPROVAL
2.3 East Devon District Council – Development control briefing for town
and parish councils proposed for 6-9pm on Tuesday 18th September 2007. £20
Agreed all councillors should attend unless they have prior engagemen
2.4 EDDC Statement of Community involvement – questionnaire for completion.
Mr Sworder to complete.
2.5 EDDC Local Development Framework (LDF) – Rural Areas/Villages facilities
Mapping - map enclosed for
correction and additions of any omitted local facilities (eg pubs). Mr Sworder
to complete.
Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 16th July 2007: (for information)
January 2004 04/P0078 British Light Aircraft Co. (awaiting highways new proposal)
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
October 2005 05/2721/FUL Brookside Farm – change of use to residential,
educational centre, activity equipment.
May 2006 06/0969/FUL Highfield Community Hall
August 2006 06/2038/COU Sheldon Grange –cross country course
November 2006 06/2607/FUL land rear of Culme Close – amendments to approved
scheme 4no. dwellings including conservatory to each unit and extension to plot
1
December 2006 06/3398/FUL Rosemary Cottage – two storey extension.
March 2007 07/0353/COU Garages at Culme Way –
April 2007 07/0723/FUL 38 Catalina Close – extend existing garage to form
store
07/0685/FUL The Old Kennels – extension to replace existing conservatory
06/2038/COU Equestrian Cross Country Course
May 2007 07/1167/FUL 3 Culme Close – erection of single storey dwelling
and parking
07/1231/FUL Garages Culme Way – alterations to planning permission 07/0353
June 2007 07/1307/COU 1 The Laurels – change of use from garage to office
07/1371 4 Jenwood Road –1.8m high close boarded fence in revised position
07/1325/COU Land at Liberator Way –allotments, BMX track, (MUGA), shelter
07/1473/FUL Oaklea –stable, track and out door ménage
07/0906/FUL Royal Oak Inn – new four bed dwelling with garage
07/1621/FUL/FUL Land adjacent Park Lane – erection of new straw storage
barn
4 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC Nothing to report
5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
5.1 Report from Mr Barrow. The footpath map has been taken for renovation.
6 ENVIRONMENT Nothing to report
7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PC Vickery – two crimes since June
– theft by employees and criminal damage to a motor vehicle (smashed windscreen).
Inspector Gale - On 14th March 2007 the parish council sent a letter to the
Chief Constable regarding the loss of PCSO transport. Inspector Gale attended
the meeting to discuss this issue. He is responsible for policing in rural east
devon which includes Honiton, Sidmouth, Seaton, Axminster and Ottery St Mary.
Although stationed at Sidmouth,he is moving his office to Honiton to be more
central and he is to focus on tailoring policing to meet peoples expectations
and work on rural area problems. This will be a balancing act between central
government requirements and local needs. Mrs Keitch asked about a new vehicle
for PCSOs – This is an issue for the whole area and the force has put
aside cash for PCSOs vehicles, but has to make cuts overall to vehicles, this
has put them in a difficult position and they have to manage things locally
as best they can until a solution is found. Cllr Boote asked about motorcycles
– these apparently count as one vehicle, therefore they will always try
and keep one car rather than one bike. This pressure is from government, parish
councils and individuals can approach government supporting the police and pointing
out that they must be given the tools to do their job. The cuts in PCSOs and
loss of vehicle has been felt greatly in the parishes and in the town. . It
was suggested by the councillors that each of the 17 parishes could join together
to purchase a car.
Mr Barrow asked about criminal damage. Most petty crimes happen very quickly
and without permanently manned cameras such as in Exeter it is very difficult
to detect, but making up 40% of crime in the area these crimes are something
that is to be tackled. Although it may take longer to get through on the 0845
number, 999 is best for ‘there and then’ incidents, but only if
you have good clear information and the crime is currently taking place. It
may take a little longer for attendance by an officer if the incident is prioritised
as less pressing than other calls received at the same time.
Mr Sworder explained that speeding traffic is still a problem here and although
this is not necessarily within the remit of the attending officers would they
like to comment. Inspector Gale explained that 20mph zones should be engineered
by DCC to slow traffic, and that in the 30mph zones the officers will attend
with the mobile unit and do their best. Television campaigns have been successful
in making speeding socially unacceptable, but Inspector Gale could offer no
immediate answer. Mr Sworder concluded that a fixed camera would be the only
long term solution. The police have Control Strategy crimes to target, and although
speeding is not within the five target areas (Class A drugs, dwelling burglaries,
violent crime,vehicle crime and criminal damage) it may be possible to still
address the issue under the banner of reassurance, but with resources cut this
is getting harder to do. The force now employs more staff than ever, but there
are now more national security issues leading to specialised teams to deal with
serious crime and other types of crime which need addressing than ever in years
past.The Chief Constable and the Chair of the Police Authority will be approached
on both matters.
7.2 Playgrounds – Safety Inspection was carried out report has been passed
to DCP&LG. Sheds are now removed. Agreed clerk to ask EDDC to empty bins
in New Century Park on an annual contract as the dog bins are currently emptied
(approximately £150 per year). AGREED
7.3.1 Sports field – EDDC have won their bid for £204,000 in Lottery
Play Monies, which includes funding for the all weather play surface in Dunkeswell.
Funds will not become available until September and a new post has been created
to manage the funds, this will start in September and Ishbel Ramsey will be
the contact. The BMX track has been delayed due to weather, but a fence and
another dog bin are desperately needed. Clerk to order dog bin. AGREED
7.4 Halls – EDDC review of Polling Station facilities for completion.
Returned.
7.5 Housing needs survey – A new exception site is being considered.
7.6 Allotments- water is now connected and funding is being sought for fencing.
7.7 School – Still no answer to our letter regarding a school, despite
numerous email reminders and promises. Cllr Boote to ask for a reply.
8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts – none
8.2 Cheque payments - none
Payment by direct debit - Virgin Broadband (Public Access Computer) monthly
£24.99
BT Quarterly payment (Public Access Computer) September, December, March and
June £32.99
(Cheques and direct debits for agreement).
Account balances - at 1/7/07 Paths Account £268.70 Parish Account £9181.54
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting was closed before questions from the
public).
A resident of Manleys Lane has had a response from Meg Booth DCC Highways who
after a culmination of events hopes the final adoption of Manley’s Lane
will be made by March 2008, as the process will still take a further seven months.
Mr Broad asked why the parish enters the Best Kept Village competition when people make no effort to tidy or keep up their properties. Mr Sworder explained that the competition was entered to give people the incentive to keep the village tidy and confirmed the criticism was perfectly valid, but no immediate solution could be offered. It was suggested a run of editorial in the parish magazine each spring to include a village litter pick.
A gentleman asked when Percy Hill and Chapel Hill will be resurfaced. No answer
is currently available as Highways still have a greatly restricted budget and
are only carrying out essential repairs at present.
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: Monday 13th August, 2007 7-8pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 20th August, 2007 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
