Minutes for the meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in Village Hall on Monday 15th September, 2003.

Present: Mr G Sworder (Chairman), Mrs B Russell, Messrs J Barrow, M Stevens, C Sumpter, B Procter, A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr B Nicholson and 4 members of the public.
Apologies: Mr A Guest (Vice Chairman), District Councillor Mrs M Boote and PC Lea

Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 18th August, 2003 were signed as a correct record of that meeting (proposed by Mr Barrow and seconded by Mrs Russell).

PLANNING
Decisions -
03/1626 Lammasland - Permission refused for agricultural building as it would be a visual intrusion to the AONB and has no agricultural justification.

Applications -
03/P1983 WIMS (UK) Ltd., Flightway - two industrial units B1/B2/B8 use (light/general/warehouse).
03/P1984 WIMS (UK) Ltd., Flightway - 23 industrial units B1/B2/B8.
EDDC - copy letter requesting further information on the above. It was agreed to await the response before replying.
One objection letter received on the grounds of increased traffic flow and associated problems and requesting the developer be asked to finance a by pass for the village.

03/P2052 WIMS (UK) Ltd., Land adjoining Powell’s Way at Ball Knapp - detached garage and minor amendments including boundary fence treatment. Due to time restrictions this application has been returned with no objection to the revised hedges. However attention was drawn to the fact that the house has not been built to the drawings, in that there is now a passage from the house to the garage, the garage doors are bricked up and a double door and window have been fitted in the garage which are also not shown on the plan. EDDC have been asked to provide a response as to what will be done. Proposed by Mr Barrow seconded by Mr Sumpter and unanimously agreed.

03/P2131 Mr and Mrs Rosewell, Turbury Farm - two storey extension with new roof.
03/P2123 Mrs Rayner, 6 Catalina Close - conservatory to rear of property.
03/P2134 NTL, MOD transmitting station - installation of 3x4 stack dipole antennas on existing tower. Mr Guest gave his objections to this application in writing in his absence. These were founded on health issues as well as concerns over interference with the aircraft communication frequencies. Cllr. Nicholson said that in his own experience as a pilot, there would be no interference with radio communications from this installation and reported that Devon County Council have ruled that health grounds are not a legal objection to masts. Any action brought against these companies on health grounds would now result in the objector paying the legal costs. Mr Sworder added that this extension to the mast would be used for the emergency services to improve service in our area, the benefits of which may weight the decision, especially as the location was not central to the village. As these improvements are now government policy, it would be unlikely that any effect would come from opposing the antennas.

Due to time restrictions the above three applications have all been returned with no objection. Proposed by Mr Sumpter seconded by Mr Barrow and unanimously agreed.

03/P2203 Mr and Mrs Pescud, Windrush - replacement porch with pitched roof. There were no objections to this application, recommended for approval by Mr Sumpter, seconded by Mr Luscombe and unanimously agreed.

EDDC - copy letter from enforcement regarding the Ken Purkess site. As Mr Purkess has moved to Spain, his son now has the yard and a new letter has been sent out allowing 6 weeks for the removal of the caravans.

EDDC - Enforcement - letter in reply to ours of 6th August 2003, regarding a stop notice for the Driver Training. EDDC are not issuing the stop notice at this stage. Also advice of informal hearing at 10am on Tuesday 24th February 2004 at the Knowle

Licences -
EDDC - letter regarding Public Entertainments Licence for Air Centre - there was a meeting of the District Councils Licensing General Committee on 1st September 2003 at 9.30am at the Knowle, at which the application was granted as follows;- Monday - Wednesday 11am to 12 Midnight
Thursday - Saturday 11am to 2am
Sundays 12 noon to 12 Midnight
Conditional upon: CC TV being installed, operated and maintained to the satisfaction of the Chief Police Officer
Electronic automated counting device at entrance and exit as well as on all levels
Adequate control ensuring numbers allowed on premises are never exceeded
No entry to public after 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Noise limiter device being installed
Door staff on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8pm until 30 minutes after end of permitted hours
(employees to be registered with Doorsafe Southwest Committee and wearing ID badges)
Incident report register being kept
Licence is provisionally granted until the above criteria are satisfied. Restaurant and bar are covered by the terms of the licence. Cllr. Nicholson (who also sits on this committee) said that later hours were becoming more wide spread in East Devon and the grant of this licence reflected the policy of allowing a level playing field for all of the bars in the area.

EDDC - Copy letter enforcement regarding complaints about vehicle noise from the grounds until 1.30am on Saturday 9th August 2003. The Kart Club have stated that their gates were locked by 3.30pm on that day and that access may have been gained by a third party across the airfield. Mr Procter spoke of his own recent experiences with trespassers and it was agreed that PC Lea needed to be consulted on the matter. There were five cars reported on the runway today alone, meaning planes had to circle and could not come in to land. In addition, cars using the airfield at night are not only causing noise disturbance to Sheldon, but damage to property. Mr Procter said that much of the time (and money) spent in preparation for the forthcoming CAA inspection, sweeping the tarmac and repairing the drainage system had been vandalised by these intruders. Sheldon Parish Meeting have requested the support of Dunkeswell Parish Council at a meeting with EDDC Environment Department and Planners, regarding the Kart Club’s proposals (date for meeting awaited).

Village Plan - Mrs Russell reported on the results of survey from fete and morning outside shop. These mixed results will be presented to Gary Powell as the next step towards the Community Travel Plan and John Maidment EDDC, as part of the Village Plan. Mrs Russell is also continuing the traffic survey to support the results.

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 18th August 2003:
May 2002 02/P1038 Wardens dwelling Blossom Hill (revised)
July 2003 03/A0025 Abbeywood Farm - tractor store.
August 2003 03/P1860 43 Jenwood Road 03/P1878 Beech Croft
03/P1983 WIMS (UK) Ltd., Flightway - two industrial units
03/P1984 WIMS (UK) Ltd., Flightway - 23 industrial units 03/T0077 37 Simcoe Way

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
DCC - A request for waiting restrictions outside Manley’s Court has been received by DCC comments requested. Meeting to be arranged with Gary Powell to hear experts opinions, as those of the residents of Dunkeswell varied considerably, from no parking through the village to prevent accidents, to encouraging parking to slow traffic (also to report Community Transport Plan results).

ADAG - letter asking for support from Dunkeswell Parish Council in the campaign to duel the A303/30 between Honiton and Illminster. A representative of the council is invited to attend the meetings and it is requested that an enclosed letter be signed and returned and a donation to the group be considered. It was decided that the group were unlikely to be successful in their campaign and any spare funds would be best spent directly within the parish. Mr Sworder declared an interest that as a member of CPRE, their policy was against any dual carriageway within the Blackdown Hills AONB.

Letter Mr A Palmer asking the Parish Councils views on traffic speeding through the village and asking why a flashing speed reminder was placed at the industrial estate end of the village when the problem is worse on the Honiton approach. Clerk to reply and assure Mr Palmer of the Parish Councils on going endeavours against the speed problems.

Highways - have offered to fund the widening of the road at Wolford Lodge corner, Mr Luscombe has offered his land for free to improve the visibility and hopefully avoid any further accidents occurring. The Parish Council have been asked to pay the planning fee and also to make the applications to EDDC and the Environment Agency. Work will take place as soon as all of the paperwork is finalised. Mr Sworder has also had a site meeting with Mr Tucker of Highways to discuss the proposed improvements. Clerk awaits section plan to submit applications to EA and EDDC.

FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
Mr Barrow reported that Derek the previous Lengthsman is to be returning after ill-health and that the new gate was now installed at the southern end of Footpath 17.

ENVIRONMENT
EDDC Free Tree Scheme - applications for the parish to participate by Friday 26th September 2003. (Returned).

EDDC - Surface water flooding - sandbags are available on request (filled or unfilled to refurbish old sacks).

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

EDDC Children’s Play Grant Aid - Applications are invited for 2004-5 towards the cost of schemes which will provide opportunity for children’s play. Applications by 31st October 2003. Mr Sworder and Mrs Russell are to present ideas at the next meeting and submit the application for improvements to the Churchill Playground, which would need match funding.

Mrs Sworder also reported that she had discussed the possibilities of a multi play area by the Birdwatcher on land designated as a sports ground. Mr Pagett of EDDC will support the proposal for a multi-use sports area, funding will need to be sought, Mrs Sworder asked for the support of the Parish Council in her further pursuit of this idea. Proposed by Mr Sumpter, seconded by Mr Barrow and unanimously agreed.

Website - clerk has registered www.dunkeswell.net and will post minutes and other items of interest. There should be a few pages on line by the end of September. This could be extended to offer other organisations within the community webspace, or links, if it is felt that it would be of benefit.

Youth Club - The new programme commences this week and the Youth Club will be open for four hours weekly in the Community Hall. The financial support of the parish Council was requested in paying the rent for the hire of the hall, in the form of a donation. A donation of £500 was proposed by Mr Sumpter, seconded by Mr Procter and unanimously agreed.

FINANCE
AQA Certificate in Local Council Administration - fee for examination is £55 with training costing £180 (if taken). It was proposed by Mr Procter that the Clerk take the exam, this was seconded by Mrs Russell and unanimously agreed. Clerk to look at exam contents to decide if the training pack is a necessity or whether there is sufficient information in the handbook.

Receipts Precept (September - March) £5,000

Payments - T Crook (clerks expenses July - September) £166.14
Mr S Brewin (grass Cutting) £40.00
Dunkeswell Youth Club £500.00
Mr AL Barrow (Footpaths account) £40.00
Mr JL Barrow (Footpaths account) £104.60

Cheques proposed by Mr Luscombe, seconded by Mrs Russell and unanimously agreed.

Account balances - at 1/9/03 Paths Account £903.96
Parish Account £3211.00

Dates for next meetings – Planning Applications: Monday 13th October, 2003 7pm - 8pm - Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 20th October, 2003, 7.30pm - Village Hall

Ward Meeting; Monday 1st March 2004, 7.30pm