Minutes for a meeting of Dunkeswell Parish Council held in the Village Hall on Monday 19th September 2011 at 7.30pm.

Present:            Cllrs John Barrow (Chairman), Geoffrey Sworder (Vice Chairman), Vanetta Keitch, Donna Delamain, Brendan Procter, Andrew Luscombe, Philip Stevens, District Councillor Bob Buxton, County Councillor Paul Diviani, PC Vickery 4783 and members of the public.

Apologies:        Cllr Beth Russell, 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        Receive apologies for absence AS ABOVE

1.2        Minutes of the previous meeting held in the Village Hall on Monday 15th August 2011 were signed as a correct record of that meeting.   AGREED

1.4        DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & RISK ASSESSMENT: To receive declarations of interest and to note any additional risks. NONE

1.5        RESIGNATION of Councillor Beth Russell has been tendered; the vacancy has been advertised and will need to be filled at the next meeting. ACCEPTED, it was agreed to send Mrs Russell and letter of thanks for all the hard work she has done over the years in the village with so many organisations not just the parish council.

2          PLANNING

(http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_searchform.aspx )

1. Decisions (for information)
1. 11/1610/FUL 1 Barrack Lodge – permission granted for gates and fence.
2. 11/0357/FUL Lakeview Manor – variation of wording relating to tree protection granted.
3. 11/1739/OUT Peter Quinain Timber, Marcus Road – permission granted for renewal of 08/1729/OUT 9 starter units for B1, B2 & B8 use.

1. Applications (for comment – support or objection)
1. 11/1194/FUL land north east of Collards Hill Farm, Blackborough – construction of 12.1kw turbine on 15m tower. COMMENTS: The parish council support this application as it is under 15m high and we welcome alternative energy on a small scale.

 

1. Tree Applications (for Decision)
1. 11/2044/TRE 60 Jenwood Road – permission sought to Fell 4 x Ash trees T1, T7, T8 and T10

Fell 2 x Beech trees T4 and T6 Reduce by 25% 3 x Beech trees T2, T3 and T11Reduce by 30% 1 x Beech tree T12. DECISION:
2.3.2    11/2016/TRE 50 Louis Way – reduce crown of 2no. ash trees by 30%

1. Parish Plan – Kate Little (EDDC) has suggested a meeting with Dave Black (DCC Highways) to discuss ideas of a bypass, although this contact has not yet been made.
2. Neighbourhood Plan - Cllr Sworder has met with Peter Jeffs a community consultant.  Who has given an estimate for work on a neighbourhood plan.  It was decided the cost might be prohibitive and if funding may be forthcoming in future we may have to wait.
3. Old village of Dunkeswell Conservation Area – this has not gone to committee as yet.
4. Local Development Framework (Local Plan) – Dates for last submissions on housing were received and circulated by email, all housing comments must be made by 28th September 2011 before the LDF meeting on the 11th October. It was agreed that a submission would be drafted reflecting the parishioners wishes and that development proportionate to the size and needs of the existing community would be acceptable.  The AONB have attended the LDF panel meetings and have asked that the new plan be stronger in its recognition of the importance of the countryside. Agreed GNS to draft the reply and members to approve by email before the submission date.
5. Blackdown Hills Community Plan received – meeting 7.30pm Thursday 22nd September 2011 at Churchinford Village Hall.

 

1. EDDC Employment land availability document - circulated by email for information.

1. HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC
1. To receive issues to report – Windgate Hill is being tackled by Mike Brown at DCC Highways and Cllr Diviani will to try and instigate action. Clerk to report ditches outside Hillview Nursery on both sides of the road and north towards the layby, these have been blocked and flooded the nursery for the last few years.
2. DCC National Highways Survey completed (for information)

 

      FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS

      Report from Cllr Barrow –

      ENVIRONMENT

      Emergency planning – receive any new items for consideration

      EDDC are looking for recycling and waste champions in the area. Please contact the clerk if you     

are interested in representing the parish on this matter (it is not necessary to be a parish

councillor)

5.3       DCC Waste Core Strategy Bulletin received which provides details of the forthcoming 'call for sites' exercise circulated by email, for action if required
5.4       Results of best kept village award received.

      COMMUNITY FACILITIES   

1. Community policing report – PC Vickery – During the last two months there were five offences at one location all involving a male juvenile, in addition there were two tax discs stolen from insecure cars, theft from an out building, disqualified driver was caught driving, as well as two pints of milk stolen, a wheelie bin and a nature watch camera.
2. Playgrounds/Sports field - Play inspections received (for action).  Action required against dog fouling in play areas. Cllr Procter is now inspecting the Churchill Playground and Cllr Stevens is inspecting the New Century Park, but help is needed to keep the litter in check, advertisement to be put on the board. Brambles and a hole in the ground are to be dealt with.
3. Allotments – new head lease for the proposed extension to the existing allotment area received for discussion. Lease between Allotment Society and the Parish Council has been received, kindly Mr Throgmorton has offered an area much bigger than has been asked for, however the notice period is unrealistic and Cllr Keitch to speak to Mr Fry and see if the lease can be agreed with similar terms to the current lease or added on.
4. Village Hall – Repairs – it was agreed that the parish council would pay for the repairs detailed on the hall, with Cllr Procter assigning and overseeing works.

Village Hall Trustees – The hall committee had formally asked for clarification of the structure of the hall committee and their relationship to the parish council. The Clerk and the Hall Secretary met up and compared trust documents, these were found to be the same, however the hall committee had an additional letter from the Ministry of Education.

The structure of the hall is laid out in a Declaration of Trust Document dated 12th February 1953 prepared by Michelmores. Clause 1 is an order to put the hall in trust with the Charities Commission, However it was subsequently agreed by the Ministry of Education by letter (copy with documents) that the hall could remain in title deed the property of the Parish Council, with the hall committee to be deemed the Trustees. Cllr Sworder checked with the Charities Commission that no subsequent Order had ever been made, and they confirmed it had not. As a registered charity the hall committee make their annual return to the Charities Commission, but this does not mean that the hall is in trust with them.

The Hall committee are content to continue as the Trustees as defined on the Declaration of Trust Document dated 1953, this will therefore continue to be their constitution document, although one clause may need to be updated to reflect the way the committee is made up as some of the organisations specified no longer exist, this can be done by agreement of both parties. AGREED

1. Queens Diamond Jubilee – 2nd June 2012 possible ways to mark the occasion including the lighting of beacons (for discussion at next meeting).

 

FINANCE      

1. Receipts -                   EDDC Precept (September – March)                        £12500.00
2. Cheque payments –  Cut and Strim (grass cutting invs)                  £16.00

 (cheques agreed)      
Account balances – Parish Account at 1/9/11 - £6173.56 includes the following:

P3 balance of funds - £672.00   
7.5       Bank signatory forms for completion – change of signatory form to be completed at next meeting.
7.6       Surplus Royal Wedding mugs – disposal of few remaining mugs to be agreed at next meeting.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC (The meeting to be closed before questions from the public). A gentleman pointed out that litter was a real problem in the village.

Dates for next meetings –          
10th October 2011                                 Planning Meeting 7 - 8pm
17th October 2011                                 Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm