july2010

Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 19^th July 2010.

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, and one member of the public.

Apologies: 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 Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 21^st June 2010 to be signed as a correct record of that meeting.

2 PLANNING

(http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx )

2.1 Decisions (for information)

None

2.2 Applications (for comment – support or objection)

None

Parish Plan – approximately 400 household questionnaires have been returned, this will then be broken down into the number of people to ascertain how many parishioners have taken part. There are many additional comments and the analysis should be done within the next month. The next stage will be to start writing the plan, with its topics, aims and objectives and target dates.
Conservation Area – parish council to make recommendation to the District Council on the proposed Conservation Area based on the benefits explained at the April consultation meeting. It was to be noted that the parish council did in fact request that a consultation be carried out in respect of the Airfield becoming a Conservation Area – this was minuted in March 2001, Cllr Andy Guest proposed the action and it was unanimously agreed that EDDC and English Heritage be contacted with a request that the Airfield be considered as a Conservation Area. As of last meeting Cllr Keitch had checked with the Standards Board rules that she could take part in a discussion, as her brother in law has a business on the Airfield however it was not felt that it would affect him more than anyone else. Cllrs Procter and Stevens declared an interest and left the room as they have business premises within the proposed Conservation Area. On balance the Conservation Area as designated in the current draft has not gained the wide support of parishioners as of all consultations to date, no particular additional benefit is apparent from the proposal beyond the protection that is already afforded by the AONB designation. In its current format, this scheme as presented is not felt appropriate at the current time. It was unanimously agreed that a letter should be drafted by the chairman in detailed response to issues raised in the consultation document. The parish council would be open to receiving a revised document in the future. The Chairman has produced a letter to be sent in response to the consultation. It was agreed to omit suggestions as to what might be a better plan and simply reject the draft as it stands. A gentleman asked that the parish plan survey results be awaited before the response is sent and that the outcome is used to inform the response. This was agreed.
Dunkeswell Kart Track – the kart club have signed an agreement (out of court settlement) rather than go to the appeal hearing. In summary instead of 52 Saturdays, they can now use the track on 9 Saturdays with race meetings, plus 9 in the summer and 6 Saturdays out of season ie two per month for three months in the winter (the last two weekends in the month). They are also obliged to silence the leisure karts in order to lower the sound levels so they are inaudible in Sheldon. There are to be no sprints or driver training, the only use can be 8 silenced leisure karts on the track at any one time and the race days, no other use.
Affordable Homes – next batch has been allocated, there will also be shared ownership homes available for release in September.

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC

To receive issues to report – there is a portion of the tarmac which was laid several years ago outside Procters Woodflakes that is breaking up and looks a different quality to the rest (possibly one load was a different quality?), the road edge to the left as you come down Percy Hill is degrading, and the drain at the top still evades the running water and needs a camber to ensure it serves its purpose. A triangular drain cover outside police house is sunken and not marked for repair as others are for repair due to the cycle race route. There are several 30mph signs needing attention – top of Percy Hill has been turned round, the two at the airfield and one in Mill Lane have been changed to read 80mph. There is a hedge from Park Farm entrance to Higher Musgrove (Shepherds Valley?) which badly needs trimming back and is forcing traffic off the tarmac of the carriageway.

DCC – Street Lighting: part-night lighting policy – DCC is in its second year of a three year phased introduction of ‘part-night’ lighting in residential areas across Devon in order to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs. A leaflet is supplied with more information, parish councils, police and county councillors are being consulted but not residents individually, (although they can submit their comments via a parish or county councillor). Lighting points on the supplied map in yellow will remain on all night as will lights on A and B roads, other lights will be switched on between dusk and 12:30am and again from 5:30am until dawn, rather than all-night long. Maps supplied for comment. This scheme received the full backing of the parish council.

FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

Report from Mr Barrow – complaint to be made to Hemyock that they aren’t maintaining their side of FP 13 below Mackham Farm.

ENVIRONMENT

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Community policing report – PC Vickery – theft of pedal cycle from park, this was recovered six days later from within the parish. Burglary for secure unit on Marcus Road and quantity of tools stolen.
Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – a tree came down on to the sportsfield, but has been cleared. An application has been made to ‘Making it Local’ for a shelter, two recycled plastic picnic tables, fixed barbeque, more waste bins, a strimmer, practice cricket net, and two football goals. This would be 70% funding, and would leave the balance of 30% to be found from other sources. Cllr Buxton explained a new scheme linked to the diamond jubilee that would attract further funding if the field could be put in trust for 100 yrs. Mr Throgmorton has generously offered to support Mrs Keitch in leading the renovation of the tennis courts and establishing a club, Mrs Keitch hopes to make the tennis courts accessible for all and not charge a high annual membership fee, but run them on a ‘pay-as–you-go’ basis. Peter Quinain Hardwood have generously donated a new oak post for the Churchill Playground as part of the repairs.
Halls – no reports this time
Emergency Plan –
Exeter City Council – are running a recession Impact Campaign in response to the recent downturn in the economy, they are keen to encourage households that have experienced or are expecting a change in circumstances to look at self help options that are available and to make contact with housing departments early in order to prevent them losing their homes. See www.devonhomechoice.co.uk for more info.
2011 Census – assistance with achieving a high response rate is needed by EDDC – the parish are asked to consider if a place can be set up in each parish with internet access for one week where a computer and a volunteer can be placed to help people complete the survey online.
Blackdown Hills Community Plan – response form for completion – we are asked to name our top 5 priorities as listed in our parish plan. Chairman to complete.

FINANCE

Funding -
Cheque payments – Plugsocket (website) £29.36

Cut and Trim (grass cutting invs) £40.00

Audit Commission 2009/10 £470.00
(cheques agreed)

Account balances – Parish Account at 1/7/10 - £13654.58 includes the following:

P3 balance of funds - £800

Parish Plan SDF funds - £1399.96, plus £1500 pc match funding = total £2899.96

7.3 Audit Commission – Completion of Annual Audit Intermediate audit carried out based on 5% sample, there were two issues for correction in future years: Insurance: any depreciation written into the accounts in past years must be added back in and added to the assets section 1 box 9, as well as the mower, computer, printer and cabinet. Formal Minutes: The council must formally minute its review of the insurance renewal (minuting its decision to self insure any assets not covered by the main policy), it must also formally minute its review and update of the standing orders and financial regulations annually.

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

Dates for next meetings –

Planning Applications:

16^th August 2010 7 – 7.30 pm Dunkeswell Village Hall

Parish Council: