DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 15th June 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 one member 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 11th May 2009 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED with one amendment that Cllr Buxton was present.
1.2 Introduction of the new County Councillor for Dunkeswell – Cllr Paul Diviani was successful in gaining the seat at the elections on 4th June 2009. Our thanks to Roger Boote who has served our community for the last term. Cllr Sworder listed several ongoing items for attention by Cllr Diviani, including Highways, a school, footpath between old and new parts of the village and other items.
2 PLANNING
Decisions (for information)
09/0741/FUL Little Tencery – permission granted for single storey side and rear extension
09/0677/COU Royal Oak – permission refused for change of use of public house to dwelling.
09/0664/COU Uniter Building - permission granted for change of use of former MOD building to training facility.
08/3069/FUL Oaklands - permission granted for two chalet bungalows and associated access
09/0861/FUL Little Tencery – permission granted for replacement garage
09/0845/FUL Hooked Rise Farm – permission granted for siting of four steel containers for the storage of fireworks.
Applications (for comment – support or objection)
09/0801/FUL Rosemary Cottage – retrospective application for demolition of existing single garage, reduction in site levels and construction of new double garage with deck over (amended plan)
COMMENTS: The Parish Council have no objections to this application.09/0974/LBC Summerlands – re-felt and batten roof of lower lean-to and replace existing slates. COMMENTS: The Parish Council have no objections to this application.
09/0859/FUL The Old Forge – erection of detached dwelling (renewal of existing permission 05/2475/FUL) COMMENTS: The Parish Council have no objections to this application.
Tree Applications (for decision)
09/1126/TRE 7 Walden Road – reduce height to three metres of one sycamore and one ash. DECISION: The Parish Council agreed to grant permission for this work.
09/1180/TRE 35 Simcoe Way – re coppice five hawthorn, 2 ash and one beech
09/1183/TRE 37 Simcoe Way – re coppice one ash and four beech, 20% crown reduction to height and shape crowns of one ash and six beech. DECISION: The Parish Council agreed to grant permission for this work
Appeal Decision – APP/U1105/C/09/2093544 Land at rear of Unit 2 Flightway – appeal dismissed and enforcement notice upheld. For information.
Parish Plan – meeting to be arranged shortly with interested people to discuss consultation events.
East Devon Communities Emergency Planning Workshops –a choice of time slots during the day and evening of Wednesday 1st July 2009, each of 2 hrs duration and between 12 noon and 8.30pm at Escot House. Contact your local Environment Agency Flood incident Management Team on 01392 316212 or email Andrew.mcdowall@environment-agency.gov.uk to book. This is being run in partnership with EDDC, DCC. Up to two representatives from each parish may attend. Please tell the clerk who will be attending.
Planning matters/applications pending consideration as at the 15th June 2009:(for information)
http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx for details
HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
to receive issues to report – bridge on Percy Hill remains unrepaired.
Cyclic maintenance was carried out recently to a very low standard on Highfield Estate, grass was left blocking drains, there were areas missed and the grass was so long it has been left with high strips. Road-sides were satisfactorily. It was discussed that the parish would like to look at taking over the contract again.
FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
Report from Mr Barrow – Mr Barrow has been carrying out usual maintenance and also been speaking to the BHS representative about the new bridleway.
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 DCC Footpath 18 – Temporary Prohibition of Pedestrians from Monday 1st June 2009 – Monday 30th November 2009. No alternative route- closure due to lack of footbridge.
ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITY FACILITIES Community policing report –PCSO Anning – four crimes three linked to one address at Dunkeswell Abbey (criminal damage, common assault and further criminal damage), the fourth was a criminal damage to a fencePlaygrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – Sportsfield contract is taking a long time to agree, but funding applications are progressing well to put goal ends on the MUGA tarmac, there will be three exercise machines for adults and children, and there will be tree planting in the southwest corner, also to extend the row of trees along the footpath behind Catalina Close and a notice board. Mr Barrow is preparing a planning application for various tree works to existing trees, and it was agreed the parish council should submit this and also provide a letter of support for the funding applications. It was agreed that the parish council would be the accountable body for the application and would own the equipment, so it would be correct to claim the VAT back on the purchases, so the grant could be calculated without VAT. It may be that the District Council may be able to fund 50 trees as part of the match funding.Halls – no report this time Emergency Plan –http://www.devon.gov.uk/model_plan.pdf – chair and Mr Jones to attend short workshop (see 2.7).Proposed Bus Shelter Manleys Lane – adjourned to next meeting.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 - your proposal must be of specific relevance to communities in East Devon. It was suggested that Lengthsman contract control and employment could be an item which could be passed to parish level. See www.localworks.org for a simplified version.6.7 South West Water overcharging of surface water fee – SWW have now written to everyone on the estate with a form to apply for the reduction. There was some criticism of the method which was by brown envelope ‘to the occupier’ which may have ended up in most peoples recycling. There has been no movement on the refund of past payments which they appear to be sticking to their rules on.
7 FINANCEGrant requests – The village hall committee have asked if the parish council would be prepared to grant their
insurance annually as the owners of the building. The cost is approximately £545 per annum (the additional sum for fireworks night is approximately £90. Agreed to make an annual donation equivalent to the cost (£635 this year).
7.2 Cheque payments - (Open Spaces Act 1906 ss9&10)
Cut and trim (inv 11509) £40.00
Clerk expenses February – May 2009 £197.61
National Association of Local Councils Quality renewal £57.50
Dunkeswell Village Hall Insurance grant £635.00
J Barrow (strimming, topping, spraying sportsfield) £127.00
J Barrow (footpaths) £65.00
J Howard (footpaths) £80.00
(cheques agreed)
Account balances – P3 balance of funds - £468.70 Parish Account at 1/6/09 - £14368.82
Honiton Town Council – advance notice of meeting of Town and Parishes 25th June 2009. Items requested for agenda, Chairman to attend.
Dunkeswell has been reaccredited as a Quality Parish Council, clerk has been successful in gaining the additional section 7 of the AQA qualification in order that we can use the Power of Wellbeing. Councillors are required to take certificated training in order that we can use the Power. Honiton Town Council are hosting a training session on 22nd June at 6.30pm with Lesley Smith. All councillors were politely requested to attend (Cllrs Keitch, Sumpter, Russell, Luscombe and Barrow agreed to attend).
QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public). none
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: 13th July 2009 Planning Meeting 7 - 8pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council: 20th July 2009 Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
