DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 19th November 2007.

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

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).

1.1 Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 15th October, 2007 to be signed as a correct record of that meeting. With one amendment - omission of minute as follows: 8.2 Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 (SI No 1159) – for adoption under S51(5) of the 2000 Act (copy attached for information). agreed to adopt the Model Code of Conduct in full including paragraph 12(2) and with no other changes.AGREED
2 PLANNING
2.1 Decisions (for information)
07/2555/FUL 11 Powells Way – permission granted for infill extension and garage conversion.
07/2624/FUL Garages. Culme Way – permission granted for erection of two dwellings
07/2432/FUL Linden Park – permission granted for replace existing conservatory with new
07/2388/FUL 9 Powells Way – permission granted for sub division of bungalow to form two self-contained bungalows and erection of porch and conservatory
07/1473/FUL Oaklea – permission granted for stable, track and out door ménage (with condition relating to 2.4mx 60m visibility splays and widened site access as requested)
07/2414/LBC Spring Cottage – permission granted to replace wheat reed thatch with water reed
07/2710/TRE 10 Whitebeam Grove – permission granted to reduce ash, branch & reduce two ash to ground level
07/2682/TRE 18 Kennedy Way – permission granted to reduce crown of one oak tree
2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
07/2649/FUL 2 The Laurels, Flightway – retention of polytunnel. Recommendation: REFUSAL As this is agricultural land approval of this application would amount to a change of use of the land as it is now being brought into the curtilage of the property, there is no access to this land apart from via the property. The parish Council do not want to see agricultural land lost to domestic use along this boundary as a precedent will be set for further areas already fenced to become cultivated gardens.
07/2896/FUL Tower Poultry Farm, Long lane – agricultural workers dwelling. The parish council heard from the owner of the land who explained they are concerned about the safety of their stock and also need to be onsite for stock welfare. Recommendation: APPROVAL provided true agricultural need can be proven for a dwelling onsite.
07/2864/OUT Oaklands – demolish existing bungalow and garage and erect two detached bungalows and five houses. (one letter of objection received). Mr Procter left the room before the discussion took place and the vote made, but first offered some reassurance that the concerns by the neighbours could easily be addressed by reworking the layout. Concern was expressed over the design of buildings which would be addressed when reserved matters are agreed.
Recommendation: APPROVAL although it would be preferable that this site contained three or four bungalows to remain in keeping with this area of the village rather than this scheme which is felt to be over development simply to follow government guidelines. 07/2875/FUL The Old Kennels, Stentwood – rear extension. Recommendation: APPROVAL
2.3 EDDC – Training Session on Tree and Advertising Applications to be held on 14th November 2007 – full training documents received. Chair, Mr Barrow and Clerk attended and information circulated to all councillors by email. Quality Parishes (including Dunkeswell) will start deciding applications as of 3rd December 2007. Mr Procter agreed to consider taking on signage.
2.4 07/02172/CLU Certificate of lawfulness for existing use of land for motor racing at Smeatharpe Stadium – Mid Devon District Council application (for information). There have also been complaints about noise and reckless driving of those attending the new Street Nights drag strip days at the stadium. (for information). Clerk to write to MDDC asking that drag racing be considered in the grant of any permission, although it is recognised that the current drag racing is possibly happening off the track and on the runway under a 14 day rule.
2.5 APPEALS
APP/U1105/A/07/2051986/NWF retention of pits areas on land to north east of circuit, Dunkeswell Kart Racing Circuit. Appeal against conditions set out in EDDCs decision notice when granting permission for the above. Conditions 1&2 are being contested. Written representations to the Planning Inspectorate by 10th December 2007. Written representations supporting the conditions will be sent from the Sheldon Action Group.

3 PARISH PLAN – draft revision for consideration and further suggestions and discussions at the next meeting.

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 19th November 2007: (for information)
April 2005 05/0993/FUL Land at Highfield – 26 open market units, Land off Powells Way - 19 affordable dwellings, community facilities recreational land off Liberator Way
May 2006 06/0969/FUL Highfield Community Hall
August 2006 06/2038/COU Sheldon Grange –cross country course
September 2007 07/2427/MFUL Highfield centre Culme Way – erection of ten bungalows.
07/2429/MFUL Land North of Powells Way – erection of 16 affordable dwellings.
07/2555/FUL 11 Powells Way – infill extension and garage conversion
07/1473/FUL Oaklea – Demolition of agricultural building replace with stable
October 2007 07/2427/MFUL Highfield centre Culme Way – erection of ten bungalows.
07/2429/MFUL Land North of Powells Way – erection of 16 affordable dwellings.
4 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
4.1 Potholes – three potholes in Green Lane and there is a problem with a sinking area of road further down due to a
sewer trench which was badly filled. There is a rattling manhole at the bottom of Percy Hill.
4.2 Clerk to ask highways to request WIMS cut back bushes from pavement on industrial estate from Country
Windows to the Museum.
5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
5.1 Report from Mr Barrow; There are some gates on order and there will be some small jobs done.
6 ENVIRONMENT
6.1 DCC – Minerals Core Strategy Issues and options consultation paper for comment. There will also be a consultation workshop held in Exeter on Tuesday 4th December 2007.
6.2 South West Water – Copy of special report ‘The New South West; Clean Sweep and Beyond’ together with feedback forms (or go online at www.southwestwater.co.uk/PR09 as parish councillors or individuals to give your feedback).
7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PCSO Anning – 15 crimes, Mrs Russell asked about access to the new sportsfield for emergency services.
7.2 Playgrounds/Sports field – Another stage of fencing being started this week and the footpath between Liberator Way and Blossom Hill is to be priced for chicanes to slow cyclists.
7.3 Halls – floors have been cleaned.
7.4 Housing needs survey – awaiting EDDC decision on affordable homes application 07/2429/MFUL
7.5 Allotments – are progressing well.
7.6 Public access computer – this is currently disconnected as the computer is to move to into the new shop extension, which may house further community facilities, service is to be resumed after Christmas. The shop will provide a phone line and broadband line.
7.7 Letter from the Bench Chairman of Central Devon Bench (of Lay Magistrates) offering links between the Lay
Magistracy and the community. The central Devon Bench has one hundred and fifty voluntary justices, using
their local knowledge and training to sentence local offenders appropriately in three courthouses (Exeter, Honiton and Cullompton) as well as family courts (in Exeter). The Bench Chairman offers to meet with the parish council to answer questions and help us understand the role of voluntary magistrates if required.
7.8 Youth Club – there have been up to 44 attendees at youth club recently this is presenting a space problem. It is wondered if lighting for the car parking area would be possible to extend the usable space. There may be a grant available for the lights and they would be in use between 7pm and 8.30pm one day a week and run by a generator. WIMS have been approached but have not yet returned the call. It was suggested that the old tennis courts may be taken over by the youth club and permanent lights installed, this would be a more contained area.
8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts –
Cheque payments - Cut and trim (invoices 8/07 & 16/07) grass cutting £65
Payment by direct debit - Clerk expenses September-November 2007 £242.63
(Cheques and direct debits for agreement). AGREED
Account balances - at 1/11/07 Paths Account £268.70
Parish Account £9876.26
8.2 EDDC – letter inviting three representatives of the parish council to an ‘Celebration of Parish Councils’ event at the Knowle on 23rd January 2008 at which there will be a keynote speaker on funding opportunities and awards for achievement and plans. Mr Sworder to complete forms.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public).
A gentleman expressed concern that EDDC have forgotten the Kart noise issues, Mr Sworder confirmed they are still very much in touch with Environmental Health regarding noise issues, who are being very helpful. Silencers are being designed for the leisure karts and these are being trialled at present.
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: 10th December 2007 7- 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council: 10th December 2007 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall