Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 21^st June 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, PC Vickery 4783 and one member of the public.

Apologies:             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 10^th May 2010 were 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)

1. 10/0648/TRE Oakmead, Jenwood Road –DECISION: permission granted to 20% crown reduction, reshape and remove epicormic growth up to 4trs above ground level on one oak tree.

2.2            Applications (for comment – support or objection)

1. 10/0456/LBC Fancy Farm – conversion of barns to two units of holiday accommodation, including re roofing and external and internal alterations. COMMENTS: no objections
2. 10/1160/FUL Greenlands – construction of swimming pool enclosure including raised decking, balustrading and steps (retrospective). COMMENTS: it was requested that a condition be placed that the building be tied to the dwelling and restricted from residential dwelling or business use.

 

1. Enforcement

2.3.1            Rosemary Cottage – non-compliance with condition 3 on application 09/0801/FUL regarding garage roof. Three options given to remedial action and a three month period given to complete the works; 1 build pitched roof as per application,2 remove decking (retain horizontal timbers on front elevation as a form of pelmet to screen the flat roof behind or 3 dig out a trench to a minimum of 6ft wide and 6ft deep around rear of garage to prevent access to the area. (for information)

 

1. Parish Plan – around 240 questionnaires of the 800 were already back a week ago and more are still coming in.  The committee are still awaiting the opening of a bank account. The committee were praised for their work and the excellent campaign they are leading.

 

1. 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.  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.
   
2. Dunkeswell Kart Track – There have been meetings with the owners, Environmental Health and planners, an out of court settlement has been offered which extended the number of days allowed to 31 days total, this figure is still in dispute and no agreement has been met.  The noise levels in the noise abatement order have been agreed by the owners, but not as yet achieved. Other activities have been discussed.  If a settlement in not reached the hearing will go ahead on the 12^th July 2010.
   
3. Meeting with the new owners of the ex MOD Land on the Airfield – Cllr Sworder has met with the new owners of the ex MOD land and he is keen to assist with a bypass if it was ever agreed by DCC Highways.

 

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC

1. Traffic issues –it has been agreed by Devon County Council Highways to provide the parish council with the full printouts of speeds recorded by the meter in Honiton Road
2. Winter Highways Maintenance report  - DCC Environment Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee.   The report makes many useful recommendations and it has been to the committee for scrutiny and will now go on through the council for final approval. The document stresses that DCC Highways needs to be working with parishes who are best placed to be involved in an emergency situation. There were many issues raised such as that tar was used on the roads up until 1974 when bitumen was introduced, the two are not compatible and where they meet allows water in to freeze and blow the surface, this exasperates the problem of road maintenance and issues such as these need addressing. It is hoped a further report will be commissioned to look at all year maintenance and management issues such as lengthsman services etc. Cllr Sworder added that if Winsford salt was used it would not run off into water courses as it is ‘self thatching’.

 

FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

Report from Mr Barrow – all paths have had their summer cut, trim and tidy, footpath 13 has a route cut in the reed to mark where to walk.

 

ENVIRONMENT

 

COMMUNITY FACILITIES   

1. Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning six crimes, a theft of 600m of telephone cable stolen, insecure trailer stolen, theft of a driveway mirror, non dwelling burglary – caravan was stolen from farm building (this was recovered and someone is now on police bail), a juvenile female assaulted a care worker (charged to court), burglary was disturbed and noting taken on Flightway.
2. Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – annual inspection has been carried out and only minor issues were raised, these are all being dealt with. It was suggested that the Sportsfield should have a picnic area in one corner to encourage its use as family area. Making It Local has said their fund is now open to sports/village facilities applications. It was discussed that there has been an offer of assistance to kickstart the tennis club again if the courts can be refurbished. Cllr Russell has checked the groundworks grant expenditure with has an unspent balance of £317.21  there is a requirement for two more mats at a cost of £131.00 plus VAT – this was agreed and it was discussed that a mat in the gateway would also be useful.
3. Halls – no report this time
4. Emergency Plan – Mr Jones has been very busy and will be completing the plan before winter.
5. Blackdown Hills Community Plan – we are asked to think of our top five priorities – for discussion at next meeting.

 

FINANCE         

1. Funding -
2. Cheque payments – Tony Mogford Play inspections                                                       £170.38

DCP&LG (grass cutting/insurance)                                                £2009.00

Cut and Trim (grass cutting invs 17, 26, 30 & 44)                                    £145.00

Sportsfield maintenance           

J Barrow                                                                                    £120.00

J Howard                                                                                    £40.00

A Barrow                                                                                    £46.00

Footpaths maintenance           

J Barrow                                                                                    £165.00

J Howard                                                                                    £60.00

A Barrow                                                                                    £57.00

Parish Plan expenditure                                   

Dimonds - Printing, laminating                                                            £303.44

Sundry items for stall at fete reimbursed                                                £30.98
Two banners from Vistaprint                                                            £95.51                       
Raffle tickets for survey                                                                        £2.15
                                    (cheques agreed)

 

Account balances – Parish Account as at 1/6/10 - £13654.58 includes the following:

 

P3 balance of funds - £800   

Parish Plan SDF funds - £1500, plus £1500 pc match funding – balance after cheques paid £2450.02

 

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

Dates for next meetings –      

Parish Plan: 
12^th July 2010                7pm                                                                              Dunkeswell Village Hall

Planning Applications:   

19^th July 2010                7pm                                                                              Dunkeswell Village Hall

Parish Council:                        

19^th July 2010            Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm                                                             Dunkeswell Village Hall