DUNKESWELL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes for the Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 19th September 2005.

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

1 Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 19th August, 2005 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. Proposed by Mr Barrow, seconded by Mr Procter and unanimously agreed.

2 PLANNING
2.1 EDDC Decisions - (for information)
05/1733/FUL 2 Powells Way – permission granted for conservatory.
05/0473/TRE 36 Louis Way – permission granted to remove 12 ash trees
05/0510/AGR Higher Park Farm – permission granted for agricultural access and track
05/1499/FUL Valley View – permission granted for extension to agricultural building
05/0815/COU Court Barton (barns at) – permission refused for conversion to two new units
05/2065/FUL Abbey Mill Farm – permission granted for renewal of permission storage barn
05/1444/CPE Woodside – permission granted for certificate of lawful use

Applications - (for recommendation)
05/2218/FUL Blossom Hill Park, Louis Way – building for pool/leisure facilities, mobile home for warden and car parking. Proposed for recommendation to approve by Mr Barrow, seconded by Mr Sumpter and unanimously agreed.
05/2293/FUL Mrs Day, 51 Jenwood Road – conservatory. One letter of objection received, mainly regarding access and right of way (which is not a planning consideration and would not be affected by the proposal). Proposed for recommendation to approve by Mr Barrow, seconded by Mrs Russell and unanimously agreed.
05/2063/FUL Mr Fisher, Westerhope Farm, Long Lane – retention of residential flat with two new windows and garage. After some discussion it was proposed by Mr Guest that this application be recommended for refusal on the grounds that the Parish Council do not support the principle of living accommodation within industrial areas. Seconded by Mrs Russell and unanimously agreed.

Outstanding planning matters/applications as at the 19th September 2005: (for information)
January 2004 04/P0078 British Light Aircraft Co. (awaiting highways new proposal)
March 2005 05/0540/FUL Dunkeswell Kart Racing Club – formation of extended track
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
August 2005 05/2099/FUL Land at Highfield Road – Four dwellings
05/2125/FUL Abbeywood farm – conversion of barns to three holiday units

4 HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
Community Speed Watch report – this continues with more volunteers required a full report is to be sent to the Parish magazine by the co-ordinator Fiona Wilkinson.

Mr Barrow asked that Highways and Combe Raleigh Parish Council be contacted again regarding the angle of hedge trimming on Windgate Hill.

5 FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
Report from Mr Barrow – noting to report

6 ENVIRONMENT
Bins – three bins have been agreed by Streetscene for the New Century Park, Clerk to contact again re broken bin outside the Preschool. Delivery awaited.

7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES
7.1 Community policing report – PC Vickery reported that there had been 8 crimes between the 1st August – 18th September 2005. There had been one criminal damage to a vacant house, a garden fence and a motor vehicle, a break-in on Flightway, three burglaries to outbuildings and a domestic which has been charged to court. There was also a ‘no crime’ which was a double report of the last offence. In addition HM Customs and Excise was in attendance at the industrial estate over the use of red diesel in motor vehicles.

A meeting was held last week at Halls Engineering who have now employed a security guard seven nights a week and are looking for other businesses to contribute to his payment thereby making this a sustainable privately funded venture completely within local control. This local initiative is completely supported by the police. Any interested parties should contact Halls Engineering direct.
7.2 Playground safety inspections – works to be carried out - funding is still being sought for a new surface under the swing area.
7.3 Sports field – nothing to report
7.4 Halls – it was agreed that the Community Speedwatch voluntary group should be allowed free use of the Community Hall for a meeting.

8 FINANCE
8.1 Receipts – Rural Aid 2004/5 (village hall rear extension) £2500.00
EDDC Precept September 2005 – March 2006 £5125.00
8.2 Cheque payments -
Payment by direct debit - Virgin Broadband (Public Access Computer) £24.99
BT quarterly payment (Public Access Computer) £31.49
(Cheques and direct debits proposed for agreement by Mr Barrow, seconded by Mr Guest and unanimously agreed).

8.3 Community Council of Devon – earlier this year Dunkeswell Parish Council took part in a survey of outdoor play and sport equipment. We were randomly selected and have won a prize draw of £200 to spend on outdoor play/sport equipment.

Account balances - at 1/9/05 Paths Account £525.79
Parish Account £4691.56

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public)
PC Vickery was asked to watch school drop off and pick up points and see if they may be made safer (it was acknowledged that the new arrangement now means that there are no children waiting on the main road which is better, but they are still very near the junction of Highfield road). Pc Anning is to see the parents of children who are persistently playing in the Green lane junction to Highfield Road as it is felt that they may be in danger from traffic turning in to the road.

Mr Broad asked why the Parish Council did not ensure that Wellsteps was better maintained. Mr Sworder replied that DCC Highways were responsible for cutting the area, whilst other maintenance was purely voluntary by parish councillors and others. Mr Sumpter said he was still hoping to get some help with the renovation of the bench and the clerk explained that the first cut was missed by request to ensure the Daffodils were not cut, while the second cut was missed by mistake, with the team returning on request and finding that a neighbour had cut the area. Mr Sworder reiterated the importance of DCC keeping this on their schedule and it not falling back to the Parish to finance. Clerk to contact Highways and see why the area was not cut two weeks ago in the usual round.

Mr Broad asked why the new pavement ended abruptly before the entrance to the pub. Mr Sumpter explained that the owners of the pub would have to pay for this if it was to be done, and it was not highways responsibility. Mr Broad also asked the Parish Council to contact the developer or site manager of Flightway and request that they no longer tip garden rubbish and grass cuttings in to the hedge on Abbey Road. Agreed.

Dates for next meetings – Planning Applications: Monday 10th October, 2005 7pm - 7.30pm - Village Hall
Parish Council: Monday 17th October, 2005 7.30pm - Village Hall