Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council to be held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 16th June 2008.

Present:            Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mr J Barrow (Vice Chairman), Cllrs Mrs B Russell,
Mssrs Mr C Sumpter, M Stevens, B Procter, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Roger Boote,
District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton, PC Vickery 4783, and three members of the public.
Apologies:         Mrs V Keitch PCSO Anning 30012

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            Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 12th May 2008 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED.
2            PLANNING

• Decisions (for information)

06/2038/COU Sheldon Grange – permission granted for change of use of agricultural land to cross country course (with conditions as follows: the sole access shall be from existing access on southern extremity, all tannoy systems must be inaudible at the boundary of the site at all times & the systems must be managed to prevent noise escape due to adverse weather conditions & no more than 9 competitions shall be held in one year in the interests of highway safety and the natural beauty of the AONB).
08/0965/FUL Tower Lane Poultry Farm – permission refused for agricultural workers dwelling. (Reasons; site is within 2 miles of suitable alternative accommodation in Dunkeswell, there was no proven need for a worker onsite, creation of additional traffic and the application fails to make adequate provision for open space to meet the needs of the development).
08/0939/FUL Dunkeswell preschool – permission granted for canopy outdoor play area.
07/3172/OUT Hill View Farm – permission granted for single storey agricultural workers dwelling
08/1107/FUL 24 Walcott Way – permission granted for erection of two-storey side extension
08/1298/TRE 11 Potters Stile – permission granted for 20% reduction in crown height of one beech tree, 3-5m height reduction of 9 beech trees, coppice to bank level 5 ash trees.
08/1179/TRE 1 Bluebell Road - permission granted to fell two ash trees

• Applications (for recommendation)

08/1298/TRE 11 Potters Stile – 20% reduction in crown height of one beech tree, 3-5m height reduction of 9 beech trees, coppice to bank level 5 ash trees. Recommendation: APPROVAL
08/1262/FUL Higher Musgrove, Dunkeswell Abbey – enclose existing balcony, conversion of loft including dormer window, conversion of garage to kitchen with utility extension, double garage extension and partition between proposed dining room and family room. Recommendation: APPROVAL
08/0999/FUL Abbey Mill Farm, Dunkeswell Abbey – conversion of barn to dwelling (renewal of permission 03/P1022). Recommendation: APPROVAL
08/1207/FUL Lower Burnsome House, Dunkeswell Abbey – Alterations to existing bedroom/carport to form annex. Recommendation: APPROVAL
08/2427/FUL Highfield Centre – amended access plan received. No objections.

2.3            Enforcement

Westerhope Units - copy letter to owner following visit, occupant is in breach of condition 2 of permission 04/P1061 in storing baled tyres outside building – requested that permission is sought for change of condition or condition is adhered to.
2.4            Environmental Health
Westerhope Units - following visit it has been established that the same tyre company are operating without the correct waste management permit.

• Local Development Framework - Evidence base retail needs and town centre health check report is now completed and provides an overview of trends within the retail sector, identifies expenditure generated within the district, provides and overview of retailing across key settlements in East Devon and will inform future planning policy. Document can be seen in full at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/planning-ldf_evidence_base
• Ministry of Defence – meeting for all interested parties regarding land on and to the south of the Airfield which is to be offered back to original owners at market value under Crichel Down Rules. There is some uncertainty as to whether the land will be offered back in its entirety or whether the airfield area is to be treated separately as might be the listed buildings. There are many interested parties. The planners have discussed potential use of buildings and confirmed that residential use would not be permitted, but light industrial and agricultural uses might be.

Planning matters/applications pending consideration as at the 16th June 2008:            (for information)                                October 2007                07/2427/MFUL Highfield centre Culme Way – erection of ten bungalows.
December 2007 07/3334/COU Beechwood Farm, Long Lane – COU l/industrial/storage space.
            February 2008             08/0016/MFUL Land north of Powells Way – ten affordable dwelling
http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx for details

• HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC

Clerk to report tree canopy over Manleys Lane for attention when road is closed.

Potholes; large areas on left between Percy Cross and police house and also before Turbury Cross on Long lane under beech trees.

• FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

Mr Barrow reported that all paths have had their first cut.

• ENVIRONMENT

EDDC Tree officer – David Coleman held a walk around the parish and talked about protected trees.  He also suggested a planting scheme in the new sports ground, together with some replacement planting.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES   

9.1            Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning – seven crimes – two theft from motor vehicles (diesel), assault, theft of land rover, criminal damage (arrest made), criminal damage (scratched car) and a vehicle interference where an attempt was made to enter a lorry.
9.2            Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – Mr Luscombe offered to investigate fencing options and costs.
9.3        Halls – Community Hall – money has been granted from both Mr Throgmorton and Cllr Bootes Locality fund, but the hall has yet to be signed off by building control, it has been agreed not to accept a lease until a copy of the final certificate is seen and the works are to current regulations. Also agreed that the electricity bills must be apportioned as long as the hall is still being used by WIMS workers. Mr Sworder to reply to WIMS.

• Housing needs survey – nothing to report.
• Library visits – The library would be keen to offer help in establishing a coffee morning/book group event to coincide with their Wednesday visit and would be grateful of the new community hall opened to use the loos. If anyone is interested in initiating this group the contacts are Carol Ackroyd 01392 385919 for an adult book group or Lesley Salter for a youth group 01392 380561. An annual donation specifically to the mobile element of the library would be possible and very welcome.
• Western Power Distribution – Stakeholder consultation 2010-2015 business plan for response by 25th July 08.

10            FINANCE         

10.1            Receipts –                    Mr Carl Throgmorton (for the fitting of the kitchen at the new community hall)      £3000
                                                DCC (donation to fitting of the new hall from Cllr Roger Bootes locality fund)            £2000
                                                Private donation to new hall (name and address supplied)                                   £400
10.2            Cheque payments -            Cut and trim (grass cutting) invoice 15580                                                   £25.00
                                                Cut and trim (grass cutting) invoice 4608                                                                 £25.00
                                                Community Hall – hire for APM                                                                                    £15.00
                                                J Barrow – maintenance of playing field                                                                   £140.00
J Howard – maintenance of playing field                                                              £78.00
                                                Delta Southwest Ltd – plumbing supplies new hall                                           £422.01
                                                Plumbcentre Honiton (Wolseley) – fitting new hall                                                £140.39
                                                Homebase – bit, plugs, screws – new hall                                                       £12.67
                                                Homebase – bit, plugs, screws – new hall                                                       £11.97
                                                Devon County Council - Procurement services – equipment for new hall                        £98.98
                                                J Barrow – FOOTPATHS ACCOUNT P3 work                                                    £188.00
                                                (Cheques agreed).
Account balances - at 1/6/08            Paths Account £700.70   Parish Account £11347.71.34

• Mr Carl Throgmorton has given funds for the fitting of the kitchen at the new community hall rather than completing it in a manner which may not be suitable. Cllr Roger Boote has also supported the hall generously from his locality fund in the sum of £2000.
• Letters of thanks for donations from Devon Youth and Citizens Advice Bureau
• Internal Audit has been completed with no comments.
• Southwest Life Long Learning Conference the Role of Town and Parish Councils – free conference 10am-4pm  Tuesday 15th July 2008 at Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, Exeter (includes lunch and refreshments).  Included will be the Governments current thinking for the Southwest and how town and parish councils fit into the picture, and unitary implications.
• EDDC letter explaining forthcoming changes in the planning system procedure – all parishes must now have email addresses to receive notice of applications.  Redundant hardware is available from EDDC to help enable parish councils to use new technology, and funding may be available in the future to assist the purchase of projectors for planning applications to be shown at meetings, as paper versions may soon be a thing of the past. Decision notices will no longer be posted to parish councils, clerks will be expected to check the EDDC website for these.
• DCC – six funds are being released to enable community projects from proceeds of the sale of Exeter Airport.

            QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting was closed before questions from the public).
A gentleman asked about the possibility of purchasing the new hall rather than leasing it. Another gentleman asked whether there would be funds to purchase new chairs for the new hall, it was confirmed funding would be sought for these.
Dates for next meetings –      
Planning Applications:              14th July 2008                      7 – 8pm                        Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council:                         21st July 2008                      7.30pm                         Dunkeswell Village Hall