Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 20th July 2009.
Present: Cllrs Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr J Barrow (Vice Chairman), Cllrs Mrs B Russell and Mrs V Keitch,
Mssrs M Stevens, C Sumpter, B Procter, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Paul Diviani,
District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton, PCSO Anning 30012 and 2 members of the public.
Apologies: PC Vickery 4783
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 15th June 2009 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED
2 PLANNING
- Decisions (for information)
- 09/0436/FUL Tower Lane Poultry Unit – permission granted for farm managers dwelling.
- 09/0974/LBC Summerlands – permission granted to re-felt and baton roof of lower lean-to and replace existing slates.
- 09/0801/FUL retrospective permission granted for demolition of existing single garage, reduction in site levels and construction of new double garage.
- 09/0859/FUL The Old Forge (land to south) – renewal of permission 05/2475/FUL granted for detached dwelling.
- Applications (for comment – support or objection)
- 09/0994/FUL Highfield Community Hall – change of use of part of building to residential units, Mrs Keitch declared an interest and left the room as a member of the hall committee. COMMENTS: no objection
- 09/1242/FUL 30 Manley's Lane – rear conservatory COMMENTS: no objection
- 09/1258/COU Royal Oak - change of use from public house to dwelling COMMENTS: the parish councils view remains unchanged that they would not like to lose this valuable community facility. Other nearby establishments are profiting as this one has in the past.
- Tree Applications (for decision) - none
2.4 EDDC copy letter Enforcement to 2 Flightway – further to the dismissal of appeal against decision to refuse application 08/0204/FUL the owners are now requested to remove the mobile home and storage containers from the land behind the unit.
- Parish Plan – meeting to be arranged
- East Devon Communities Emergency Planning Workshops – Cllr Sworder and Mr Jones attended the recent workshop – this was a useful meeting and a new emergency plan will be produced.
- Copy letter Kate Little EDDC Head of Planning to Communities and Local Government – EDDC agrees with the view of many of its parish councils that the system of retrospective planning applications effectively allows a two tier system of applying for planning permission. Those who don’t bother to apply but build first and take the risk are seen to be effectively ‘thumbing their nose’ at the planning system. Whilst it is not technically unlawful to apply for retrospective permission, EDDC propose to review their planning fees to double the charge for retrospective applications as a form of penalty. Response awaited from C&LG
Planning matters/applications pending consideration as at the 20th July 2009:(for information)
http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx for details
- HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
- to receive issues to report – none
- Letter received following meeting between Mr Sworder, Charles Sumpter, Peter Hayman and Steve Tucker (both DCC Highways). Mr Hayman confirms that there will be further responses from other members of his department and enclosed an organisational chart for Highways. He also requested details of a meeting he had with Phil Collins of Highways to discuss traffic calming in 2006 as Paul Wilson was not aware of the meeting.
A response was received from highways that the footpath link and the HGV by-pass could only be provided by section 106 agreements attached to new development. We had responded that the footpath had always been on the highways list of projects although it had never reached the top and that the by-pass was needed without development, of which there would never be enough. We had also asked for a better response to any forthcoming application from Mansell's raceway as previously highways had been less than helpful. A response to our points was awaited. Manleys lane is still with the legal department, the Percy Hill bridge will be repaired in September, It was agreed to ask Lester Wilmington from DCC to come to a meeting and speak about a bypass route. Peter Barnes will be approached to meet and discuss possibilities for traffic calming.
- Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, section 14 (c25 Windgate Hill, Combe Raleigh) order 2009 temporary prohibition of through traffic. Monday 10 - Friday 21 August 2009 for additional information contact: south west highways telephone: 01404821500
- FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
- Report from Mr Barrow – The recent P3 footpaths meeting was encouraging in as much as they hope to keep the scheme running as it has been, but hopefully improve communication.
- ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITY FACILITIES Community policing report – PCSO Anning six crimes; theft of hosepipe from front garden, forced entry at local business, entry to secure compound and small container taken, entry to commercial premises and cash stolen, parked car had windows smashed and hole cut in chain link fencing then bricks removed in an attempt to take a safe from a commercial premises.Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – Final application for funding is being submitted shortly, the lease is still not complete. The parish Council has written a letter of support. Clerk has checked with EDDC and the Forestry Commission and we do not need a felling licence for the trees which need attention along the hedge line, as it is a public open space (we will still need a planning permission from EDDC as the trees carry TPOs). The replanting scheme is to be in a slightly different location on the field and a grant is being sought via the tree section at EDDC- the forms for this had been sent to us very late for submission to London, but they would be sent in with an explanation that the delay was due to the District Council.Halls – The Village hall has sent their thanks for the recent grant towards their insurance.Emergency Plan –http://www.devon.gov.uk/model_plan.pdf Mr Jones and Cllr Sworder attended a recent meeting and a draft plan is being prepared by Mr Jones. Proposed Bus Shelter Manleys Lane – clerk has been investigating options and regulations and suggested on that basis a stone semi circle under the hedge may be a more aesthetically pleasing and cheaper alternative – she was asked to cost up the idea. Sustainable Communities Act - www.eastdevon.gov.uk/sustainablecommunitiesact If you can think of an idea that would improve the sustainability of your local community ( that can be in economic, social, environmental wellbeing terms) - proposals must require action from central government, such as a change in legislation, a transfer of responsibilities from one public body to another, a new national policy, or to change or strengthen an existing policy - any proposal must be of specific relevance to communities in East Devon. The EDDC group had met to consider proposals from all quarters and had agreed to send in a proposal to support affordable housing.
- South West Water overcharging of surface water fee – this issue continues in the hands of the community council for water.
- Mr Sworder asked Cllr Diviani to arrange a meeting about a school for Dunkeswell preferably with Christine Channon who is the lead County Councillor for education.
- It was agreed that Cut and Trim should be instructed to cut wellsteps in between Highways cuts to keep it tidy.
FINANCE 7.1 Grants – It was agreed earlier in the year to fund £1150 toward Youth Club hall rentals for the coming year, Mrs Barratt has now confirmed the extra sessions are taking place and that it would be easiest to make a direct grant to the YC rather than pay the hall directly – for agreement.
7.1.1 Cheque payments - (Open Spaces Act 1906 ss9&10)
Cut and trim (inv’s 1869 & 2969) £65.00
Cut and trim (inv 1379) £25.00
Plug Socket (Website Hosting renewal 2009) £28.74
DAPC (membership 2009 -10) £305.00
Audit Commission fee 2009 £155.25
Dunkeswell Youth Club (Grant) £1150.00
Tony Mogford Associates (play inspections) £166.75
(cheques agreed)
Account balances –
P3 balance of funds - £313.70 Parish Account at 1/7/09 - £13128.21
- Honiton Town Council – GNS had attended meeting on 25th June where schemes for improvement of the New Street junction and parking/taxi ranks in High Street had been displayed.
- Power of Well-being training session 22nd June at Honiton with Lesley Smith – councillors are thanked for attending this training and the clerk has certificates for the councillors. We are very nearly at our 80% trained Cllrs Keitch and Luscombe agreed to take the training if a suitable event can be found.
- Completion of Annual Audit - report has been received – under 2008 Practitioners Guidance depreciation is not applicable for local councils – therefore we must change our system to register assets at new value (or insurance/replacement value) and use a proxy cost for items where new value isn’t known. Where the asset is land or not insured a value estimated by the council based on external advice should be applied.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting was closed before questions from the public). None
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: 10th August 2009 Planning Meeting 7 - 8pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council: 17th August 2009 Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
