APRIL

COUNCIL

STOKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

HELD ON 17TH APRIL 2008 IN THE

STOKENHAM PARISH HALL

 

PRESENT:

 

COUNCILLORS:

P.  GREENING

J. ANSELL

P. ARUNDELL

R. FOSS

B. IRELAND

R. BATES

R. WARDEN

N. TOLCHARD

A. VALE

MRS C. NUTTALL-SMITH

W. HARWOOD

J. BAVERSTOCK (also District Councillor)

J. BRAZIL (County Councillor) - Personal

 

Also in attendance: Clerk – Mrs G. Claydon

 

 

APOLOGIES:

 

COUNCILLORS

D. WOOD - Illness

 

1.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

Councillors were reminded of their responsibility to continually update their Notice of Registerable Interests and invited to state whether they had a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be discussed during this meeting.  None received.

 

2.         OPEN FORUM

 

Eric Heavisides noted comments made with Julian Brazil’s presentation at the Annual Parish Meeting with regard to a proposed Unitary Authority.  He felt that with the emphasis on the ‘bottom up approach’ nowadays that the consultation and discussions with regard to this topic appear to be ‘top down’.  He went on to express his concerns with regard to the proposed Community Boards and questioned where this left Stokenham Parish Council.

 

The Chair advised that parish council thoughts had been sought on the Boundary Review by District and County and felt that the proposed pilot project to be run by Stokenham was an important step and council should continue with negotiations and look towards a future cluster in order to ensure an identity on such Community Boards. 

 

3.         MINUTES

 

The Minutes of the meeting dated 20th March 2008 were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.   

Cllr. Foss arrived.

 

4.         COUNCIL STRUCTURE

 

Much debate took place as to the suitability of committees and ability of councillors to attend such.  Various proposals were put on the table and subsequently withdrawn.

 

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Foss and SECONDED by Cllr. Arundell to remove all committees as of the beginning of May and replace these with two full council meetings per month commencing at 7.30p.m.   It was however felt that a planning working party should meet regularly to visit each application and report such findings to full council.

 

6.         TORCROSS BUOYS

 

Councillors having had sight of the letter dated 8th April 2008 from Paula Brooks Strategic Operations SHDC advising that two buoys would be laid either end of the area in question AGREED to accept the suggested compromise with regard to the installation of buoys.  Council however are to take issue with regard to the future funding falling to Parish Council in view of the substantial contribution that the seaside facility of Torcross provides to tourism and such accruing income derived by District from the car parks.

 

It was further noted that a copy of Paula Brooks’ letter had been passed to Torcross boat owners and they will take issue on certain content that they disagree with.

 

Dist. Cllr. Baverstock noted that a number of relevant issues had been raised with regard to the buoys and this offer was a compromise by the people who had met on the beach to consider such. 

 

6.         THE FUTURE OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE IN DEVON

 

It was AGREED that Cllr. Harwood would represent this council at one of the series of meetings across Devon in relation to the consultation during the final stages of preparation of a strategy for improving health and social care over the next five years.

 

7.         COMMITTEES

 

The following Minutes and recommendations were received from the Committees

 

(a)       PLANNING COMMITTEE – The Minutes of Committee dated 17th March 2008 were noted having been agreed at planning committee.

 

(b)       COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT – The Minutes of the committee held on 14th April 2008 were PROPOSED by Cllr. Ansell as a true and correct record and SECONDED by Cllr. Mrs Nuttall-Smith before being signed by the Chair

 

(c)       FINANCE STAFFING & GENERAL PURPOSES – This committee meets bi-monthly and therefore there was nothing to approve.

 

8.         REPORTS

 

Matters around the parish requiring notification or action by the Clerk:

 

            ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

 

The Chair advised that he was pleased with the turn out and all participated well with many compliments received.  He went on to give thanks to the superb presentations made by the speakers.

 

            LISTENING EVENTS

 

It was noted that due to confusion from the change of date, time and venue this event had been through no fault of the councillors, missed.  Cllr. Vale and Warden who had attended Ivybridge on behalf of Stokenham Parish Council were however able to visit the new centre in Ivybridge and remarked on the high tech equipment such as the projector whiteboard at a cost of £2000.

 

            SOUTH DEVON COASTAL LOCAL ACTION GROUP

 

Cllr. Warden advised that he and Cllr. Ansell had attended this meeting which was introduced by Brian Low with a presentation by Alan Stapleton before breaking into facilitation groups.  Three groups covered business, services & environment.  Cllr. Ansell took Environment with Cllr Warden covering services.  All points highlighted in the Community & Environment Committee were put to the meeting and captured on charts.  Both noted that all ideas raised were very relevant to each other.

 

Cllr. Ansell highlighted the fact that if this bid is successful then the money will be provided so late in the first year that £300,000 would need to be spent in 3 months.  The councillors covered certain funding criteria and suggested that this council should form a working party to ‘work’ these project ideas up to costing stage, this will take place on 22nd April 2008.

 

Cllr. Foss advised that the AONB Sustainability Fund will still have some money this year and this council need to bid into this.  The clerk was requested to apply for an application form from Liz Davey.   He went on to note that the SDCLAG farmers meeting did not go as well as expected as it was felt that the funding was not aimed at agriculture.

 

            AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

 

Cllr. Foss advised that he had attend the consultation meeting with regard to farming and advised that there were two more forthcoming and enquired whether others were aware of had attended.  Thereafter this information will be used to update the 5 year management plan.

 

            SALCOMBE & KINGSBRIDGE ESTUARY FORUM

 

Cllr. Warden advised that he would be attending this meeting next week and invited any comments or concerns that councillors wished him to take forward to this meeting. 

            CLERK’S REPORT

            LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW

 

Councillors were advised that Devon County Council’s initial concept for a Unitary Devon had been received highlighting the section on ‘local leadership’ and advising of the proposed £200,000 p.a. delegation to Community Boards.

 

Also received is the South Hams District Council joint concept submission together with a covering letter which requests that should parish council support such principle they write accordingly to the Review Team.

 

            PLANNING PORTAL

 

A new e-Consultation hub has been set up to canvass clerk and councillors opinion with regard to the planning process and change to e-planning.  Councillors were provided with the information in order that they can personally contribute.

 

            CHILLINGTON AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

 

Councillors were advised that Gareth Roberts of Living Villages had made contact with regard to an ‘Open Day’ that they plan to hold in Chillington Community Hall on Wednesday 7th May.  It is their intention to display pictures and a computer generated view from residents’ property in order to discuss concerns and make changes to their plans if necessary.

 

9.         DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

 

Cllr. Baverstock reflected on a Devon Care Trust meeting at SHDC wherein he noted their strategies and District members present emphasised the value of the accident and emergency service in Kingsbridge.  There were concerns that in one breathe the Trust are saying local services and next saying hospital closure.  They were also taken to task with regard to poor transport to hospital.

 

He went on to advise that the stage of the Unitary consideration is that various bodies have now put in concepts.  These will be considered and five masters will be put forward. District is suggesting an amalgamation between the three District to become a South Devon & Dartmoor Unitary.  Plymouth is keen to take in Ivybridge and Modbury whilst Torbay from the other direction wish Brixham.  Cllr Baverstock advised that it was his feeling that in reality the South Hams are going to be swallowed. 

 

10.       COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

 

Cllr. Brazil noted that County are putting forward a single Unitary solution with smaller units around the market towns having community boards.  He went on to advised that it was his personal belief that such community boards should only be made up of elected representatives.  He also agreed with Cllr Baverstock that there is a real possibility that South Hams could be swallowed up and therefore the area needed to be united if Torbay or Plymouth attempt to split the area.  Cllr. Brazel felt that as such South Hams would be a rural hinterland to such urban areas that would ‘fleece us’.  It was noted that in mid July such decisions will have been made and then consultation commences.

 

In 2/3 weeks County is taking over civil parking enforcement with on street parking duties being devolved to District.  He is hoping it will be more pro active and respond to local concerns and Cllr. Brazil felt that as such elected members will ensure a better reaction to any complaints as they will otherwise be voted out.  Cllr. Foss highlighted his concern that a difficult driver is not going to be so worried about abusing a warden compared with a ticket from police.

 

11.       FINANCE AND CHEQUES

 

Current Account                      £   1554.62

Instant Savers (1)                    £19,407.63

Instant Savers (2)                    £   3221.01

 

Lloyds Transferred : £2000.00

 

Cheques:

 

001472 Mrs G. Claydon – Clerk’s wages £to be paid as agreed

001473 In. Rev – Tax and Nat. Ins: £to be paid as agreed

001474 Concorde Copiers – Maintenance: £3.37

001475 Eclipse Internet – Community and Parish Internet (March) £to be advised.

001476 Stokenham Parish Hall Com. - £535.00

001477 Devon Association of Parish Councils – Subs., Village Green, LCR £373.00

 

Received: Website - £66.00

 

12.       POINTS OF INFORMATION

 

Emergency Planning Newsletter No. 4 (April)

Devon & Cornwall Police Authority Liaison meeting Agenda & Posters 28th April 2008.

Connexions details.

ROLI Directory – CCD.

SHDC Magazine Issue 11 Spring 08.

DCC Statement of Account 2006/07.

SHDC Parish Cluster Meeting Minutes 22nd January 2008.

SHDC Local Government Review letter from Cllr. John Tucker outlining District views.

SHDC Executive Forward Plan April 2008 x 2.

Devon Rural Transport Partnership Winter Newsletter 2008.

Companies House copy of application for striking off – Kingsbridge and Salcombe Area Partnership Limtied.

SHDC Minutes of the Executive 10th April 2008 x 2.

                                                                                   

13.       NEXT MEETING

 

The next full parish council meeting will be held the Annual Meeting on Thursday 15th May 2008 at 7.30p.m. in the Stokenham Parish Hall.

 

Signed ………………………  Meeting finished:  9.40p.m.          Dated:         May 2008.