september 2008

Minutes for a Meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, Monday 15th September 2008.

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, and 4 members of the public.
Apologies: A Luscombe, County Councillor Mr Roger Boote, District Councillor Mr Bob Buxton, PC Vickery 4783,
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 18th August 2008 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED.
2            PLANNING

Decisions (for information)

08/1729/OUT Quinain Hardwoods, Marcus Road – permission granted for nine terraced starter units and additional detached unit for B1, B2 & B8 use.

Applications (for recommendation)
Permitted Development

Extension to agricultural building Old Highwood Farm – no comments to return.

Tree Applications (for decision)

09/2296/TRE 6 Louis Way – coppice two ash and reduce two ash. Decision: APPROVAL

County Matter Planning Application (for comments)

5/7 Westerhope Units – change of use from B1, B2 & B8 to Sui Generis consisting of tyres, metal, textiles, polythene and wood using baling, shredding and screening methods, and weighbridge for proposed uses only.
Recommendation: further information awaited regarding highways response, then recommendation will be made by the planning sub committee within the deadline.

ENFORCEMENT

EDDC copy letter to Little Tubury, Long Lane regarding retrospective permission for garage.
Smeatharpe Airfield – update from the Action Group – Mid and East Devon Councils have agreed to treat the whole area as one planning unit and so the 14 day rule will apply to the site as a whole, they have also put a noise abatement order on the site.

Planning matters/applications pending consideration as at the 15th September 2008:(for information)                   October 2007             07/2427/MFUL Highfield centre Culme Way – erection of ten bungalows.
December 2007 07/3334/COU Beechwood Farm, Long Lane – COU l/industrial/storage space.
            February 2008             08/0016/MFUL Land north of Powells Way – ten affordable dwelling
June 2008                 08/1298/TRE 11 Potters Stile – trees
08/0999/FUL Abbey Mill Farm, Dunkeswell Abbey – conversion of barn
July 2008                 08/0015/FUL Land north of Powells Way – six affordable dwellings
http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx for details

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC

Resurfacing of main road with spring boxes and new concrete gulleys is now complete, the road still awaits the marking team and a programme of remedial work has been agreed between the residents in Mill Lane and Steve Tucker, which include reinstatement of ditches, verges, top soiling, grass seeding. There will be a final sweep and all potholes will be filled. The Parish Council wished to express their thanks both to Highways for their hard work and to the residents of Mill Lane for their patience while works were completed. The new dressing should now be good for a further three to five years. It was suggested that if this closure needed to be made again that they could possibly make the system one way, the diversion needs to give names of villages and the closure should have said ‘access to Highfield Road’ and the closure should have given road closed and open times (ie closed 8.30-5pm).
Clerk to request a dead end sign for Manleys Lane and brown signs to Dunkeswell Airfield at Honiton, Limers Cross, Percy Cross and by the Chapel. Agreed.

FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

Mr Barrow reported that we have been offered road planings in January, it is proposed to lay these on footpaths 4 & 5. There are trees which are displacing the structure of the drainage pipe and becoming unsafe which will be removed by the owner before hand.

ENVIRONMENT

Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Strategy 2009 –2014 – consultation draft for comment by 30th September 2008.

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Community policing report – PC Vickery – six crimes since the last meeting; theft fro motor vehicle (diesel), criminal damage to greenhouse, drink driver, burglary to commercial building, false representation (bank card stolen and used), commercial premises attempted break in.

Playgrounds/Sports field/ Allotments – A fence agreement has been reached with a third being paid by the Allotment Association, DCP&LG and the parish council (including a grant from Uffculme Environmental).

Halls – The kitchen is almost completed and the drains connected, the hatch between the kitchen and the hall has been replaced by a motorised fireproof hatch. The building control completion certificate is awaited, in order that the lease can be received. Devon Association of Renewable Energy (DARE) is writing a report for the renewables which can be installed under government funding.

Mr and Mrs Pym have been building a stage ready for a two-night show in November – The stage conforms to all heath and safety/building regulations as far as she is aware, and all paint and textiles will be fire retardant. It is hoped to recoup the cost (currently at Mr & Mrs Pyms expense) through events. Mr Sworder thanked Mr and Mrs Pym and their family for all their hard work, it was suggested a plaque be placed on the stage to mark the parishioners appreciation for their efforts.

Draft Proposal for a Unitary Government for Devon. On the 7th July 2008 the Government published their draft proposal on which comments are now invited. The proposal is for a Devon Unitary Authority comprising the existing County with no changes to Plymouth or Torbay. The full draft can be seen at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/all-reviews/south-west/devon/devon-structural-review . Representations can be made by email via the above link or in writing to the Review Officer, Devon review, The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HW. For discussion and final comment (see proposed draft below). It was agreed to send a response including both our requirements should the unitary be implemented and our demands for improvement should status quo remain.
Results of Best Kept Village competition – Dunkeswell’s mark was very low at 80, although the report was quite complimentary. Report to published in the next parish news.
Adopt a phone box – would the parish council like to adopt the red phone boxes to preserve them as part of our village heritage? To be considered and response by 1st October 2008.

8 FINANCE

Receipts – EDDC Precept (September 2008- March 2009) £6250.00

Cheque payments - Cut and Trim (£40 august & £25 September) £65.00
(Cheques agreed)

Account balances - at 1/9/08 Paths Account £547.70
Parish Account £11580.86

New hall fund – at 15/9/08 total spend including above payments £2526.65(ex VAT)
Balance of funds available £2997.67 (in parish account above)

WARD MEETING – to be reorganised for when both ward and district councillors are available.
EDDC Annual Parish Councils Meeting – Wednesday 27th August 2008 6pm at the Knowle. Attended.
Land Registry Office – Campaign to get all parish councils to voluntarily register the ownership of their land.
Training – agreed parish councillors to note all events they have attended in preparation for quality renewal.

            QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public).
Dates for next meetings –
Planning Applications:             13th October 2008                 7 – 8pm                        Dunkeswell Village Hall
Parish Council:                         20th October 2008                 7.30pm                         Dunkeswell Village Hall