Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 15th October 2007.

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

1.1 Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 17th September, 2007 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED.

2 PLANNING
2.1 Decisions (for information)
07/2301/TRE 3 Bluebell Road – permission granted to remove two first order branches and reduce one
07/2104/TRE 5 Bluebell Road – permission refused to reduce height of oak
07/2105/TRE 15 Bluebell Road – permission granted to reduce and reshape ash and oak
07/1881/FUL Dunkeswell Aerodrome – permission granted for approval of reserved matters
07/2310/TRE 4 Powells Way - permission granted to fell one ash, raise crowns of all ash and beech
07/2303/TRE 6 Louis Way – (split decision) permission granted to coppice two ash trees, permission refused to fell two ash trees
07/2246/FUL Sheldon grange – Permission granted for farmhouse alterations and extension/increase to garden
07/2395/FUL 5 Bluebell Road – Permission granted for rear extension
07/2208/FUL 16 Louis Way – permission granted for first floor extension

2.2 Applications (for recommendation)
07/2427/MFUL Highfield centre Culme Way – erection of ten bungalows. A proposal for a Section 106 Agreement drafted by the applicant has also been received. Recommendation: APPROVAL with legal agreement relating to affordable homes and there must be suitable access given to the New Century Park for services and emergency vehicles. As part of the 106 Agreement traffic calming islands for Highfield Road should also be considered to slow the increasing bulk of traffic.

07/2429/MFUL Land North of Powells Way – erection of 16 affordable dwellings. Recommendation: APPROVAL

07/2555/FUL 11 Powells Way – infill extension and garage conversion. Recommendation: APPROVAL however the parish council are concerned that this may set a precedent for conversion of garages which would result in loss of parking in an area which suffers from night road congestion.

07/2414/LBC Spring Cottage – replace wheat reed thatch with water reed. Recommendation: APPROVAL

07/2624/FUL Garages. Culme Way – erection of two dwellings. Recommendation: APPROVAL

07/2682/TRE 18 Kennedy Way – reduce crown of one oak tree. Recommendation: REFUSAL This application states that the applicant is the owner of the tree, however this is incorrect. There are three branches overhanging the lawn which can be trimmed to balance the tree, however this tree does not need to be topped under any circumstances, it is sound tree and no danger to the house.

07/2710/TRE 10 Whitebeam Grove – reduce ash by 1/3 and reduce one branch, reduce two ash to ground level.
Recommendation: APPROVAL the ash which is to be reduced needs no more than 10% reduction not 1/3rd.

2.3 East Devon Local Development Framework Workshops – Creating Quality Places and Quality Spaces. Significant changes in the planning system are to be brought in by Government, consequently EDDC is producing an East Devon Local Development Framework (LDF) which will supersede the Local Plan and requires a clear vision for the District. The Core Strategy will set out the broad strategic objectives and policies for the district (including future land use such as housing required by the RSS). Parishes are to be asked for their views on such issues as how they wish their parish/locality/district to develop over the next 20 years. Workshop on the LDF to be held at EDDC 6-8pm on 10th October 2007. Agreed to update the Parish Plan for inclusion.

2.4 ENFORCEMENT
Copy letters from EDDC to 2 The Laurels and Parachute Club Building asking for removal of temporary structures on both sites.
2.5 The Parish Council will take over decision making regards tree applications from EDDC on 3rd December 2008. This will be under a system administrated by EDDC, where their officers pass recommendation to us for decision.
2.6 Woodbury Park has been sold, it is not known if the Kart track was sold as part of the larger business. Information has been received from EDDC Legal Department that they have written to Dunkeswell Kart Circuit as there has been a breach of the conditions relating to kart racing. The race held on Sunday 9th September 2007 exceeded their nine Sunday limit in a year, and telling them to reply with information on how they intend to ensure there are no further breaches of their conditions.

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 20th October 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
June 2007 07/1473/FUL Oaklea –stable, track and out door ménage
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.
07/2388/FUL 9 Powells Way – sub division of bungalow to form two self-contained bungalows and erection of porch and conservatory
07/2432/FUL Linden Park – replace existing conservatory with new
07/2555/FUL 11 Powells Way – infill extension and garage conversion
07/1473/FUL Oaklea – Demolition of agricultural building replace with stable
3 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
Two large potholes in Green lane, triangular manhole by old police house is sinking (SWW?), there are three manhole covers missing down Mill Lane (a dog fell down one).
5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
Nothing to report
6 ENVIRONMENT
6.1 South West Water continues not to respond regards the pumping of sewage over load at the treatment plant.
7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PC Vickery/PCSO Anning – There were three crimes; 9 oak trees were stolen, there was a theft of a plastic visor from a motor vehicle and a criminal damage to a five bar gate. Mr Sworder asked about comments made by the Police over Mays Farm: Temporary Event Notice event which happened during August, it has been reported that MDDC ignored police objections in granting the licence. It was suggested writing to the Officers in charge of licensing at Middlemoor, Tiverton and also the licensing authority at MDDC. Clerk to write.
7.2 Playgrounds/Sports field – New Century park bins to be collected from this week. Uffculme Environmental grant has been confirmed towards fencing the new sportsfield (The Parish Councils contribution will be £250), this will cover the fence around the park, but not the allotments as only half the grant has been given.
7.3 Halls – nothing to report
7.4 Housing needs survey – nothing to report
7.5 Allotments – no minutes of meetings have been copied to the Parish Council as yet, it seems there are still some uncultivated allotments, and a waiting list.
7.6 EDDC – maroons available if required for Sunday 11th November two minutes silence. None required.

8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts – Refund from EDDC (out of goodwill) for those councillors who did not
attend Planning Training Event in September £70.00
Cheque payments - Cut and Trim 2697 £40.00
Payment by direct debit - Virgin Broadband (Public Access Computer) monthly £24.99
BT Quarterly payment (Public Access Computer) September,
December, March and June £32.99
(Cheques agreed).
Account balances - at 1/10/07 Paths Account £268.70
Parish Account £9924.59
8.2 Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 (SI No 1159) – for adoption (copy attached for
your information). AGREED TO ADOPT THE NEW CODE IN FULL.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting was closed before questions from the public).
A lady asked about litter bins in the village and alcohol containers being dropped, as well as speed calming for Highfield Estate. It was explained that this had been investigated by Highways, but they don’t have the funds to carry out the work.
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications: 12th November 2007 7-8pm Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council: 19th November 2007 7.30pm Dunkeswell Village Hall