DECEMBER
STOKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON 13TH DECEMBER 2007 IN THE
STOKENHAM PARISH HALL
OPEN FORUM:
The Chairman wished to express congratulations to the Clerk in obtaining the post as Salcombe Town Clerk and noted how sharing hours for a full time position will benefit both councils. Councillors supported this comment.
Pc Mutton and Stacey Thorpe PCSO attended and Stacey advised that during October 2007 there had been 5 reported crimes, up by 2 from last year although it was apparent that the crime rate in Stokenham is very low. She then advised that officers had been ‘out and about’ around the community raising the profile and presence of police and stopping people speeding.
They both then left the meeting to attend other meetings.
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS:
P. GREENING
R. WARDEN
R. BATES
J. ANSELL
N. TOLCHARD
P. ARUNDELL
A. VALE
R. FOSS
MRS C. NUTTALL-SMITH
J. BRAZIL (County Councillor)
J. BAVERSTOCK (also District Councillor)
Also in attendance: Clerk – Mrs G. Claydon
APOLOGIES:
COUNCILLORS
W. HARWOOD – Attending another meeting
B. IRELAND – Illness
D. WOOD - Personal
1. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting dated 15th November 2007 were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
2. 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.
4. WATERCOURSE TO THE REAR OF HOLBROOK, STOKENHAM
Cllr. Foss PROPOSED approval and Cllr. Mrs Nuttall-Smith SECONDED the necessary action taken by the clerk with regard to works involving the leat at Holbrook, Stokenham.
5. PLANNING & PLANNING MATTERS
Applications to be considered at this meeting:
2501/07/F Erection of conservatory and first floor balcony Leycroft, Holmleigh Road, Torcross
Objection. It was felt that this additional development to this property would be overbearing and unneighbourly by its size and design and not in keeping with Policy CS7. As a prominent and visible part of the landscape concerns were also raised with regard to Policy SO16
2517/07/F Creation of 18 apartments for independent holiday use in lieu of existing 17 holiday flats, together with internal and external alterations, including 3 storey extension Torcross Apartment Hotel, Torcross
No objection. However councillors wish the planning officers to consider their concern that by allowing such change from holiday flats to ‘self contained holiday apartments for sale as secondary residence only’ the proposed development will not support the policy criteria within SO9 and SO17. It is also felt that such ‘secondary residence’ usage will in turn reduce the tourism ‘beds’ available in this locality should the owners choose not to let these properties out ad only use them one or twice a year. Tourism is one of the largest incomes towards the economic sustainability in this area and councillors would further seek to question whether this development retains the access of a lift and note that an additional business is to be lost if the tavern/pub is to be relinquished to the unit provision shown on the plans.
PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
2171/07/Cu Resubmission of application 53/2102/07/CU for change of use of ground floor to A3 retail use as teashop The Rocket House, Torcross
2173/07/F Two storey extension to dwelling and new garage Mythra Cottage, Stokenham
2175/07/F Erection of garage and installation of dormer window Redlands, Kiln Lane, Stokenham
HEDGEROW REGULATIONS 1997
Agreement that hedgerow may be removed under exemption at Mattiscombe Farm, Stokenham
Retrospective applications are a problem across the whole of South Hams and it has been forcibly brought to the attention of officers.
6. COMMITTEES
The following Minutes and recommendations were received from the Committees
(a) PLANNING COMMITTEE – The Minutes of Committee dated 19th November 2007 were duly noted and the Minutes of Committee 3rd December 2007 were PROPOSED by Cllr. Greening as a true and correct record and SECONDED by Cllr Foss before being signed by the Chair.
(b) COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT – The Minutes of the committee held on 10th December 2007 were PROPOSED by Cllr. Ansell as a true and correct record and SECONDED by Cllr. Foss before being signed by the Chair.
(c) FINANCE STAFFING & GENERAL PURPOSES – The Minutes of the bi-monthly committee held on 19th November 2007 were PROPOSED by Cllr. Baverstock as a true and correct record and SECONDED by Cllr. Nuttall-Smith before being signed by the Chair. 2.2% increase, freeze Gratuity until clerk retires.
7. REPORTS
Matters around the parish requiring notification or action by the Clerk:
Cllrs. Foss left the meeting.
Windsor Lane land fall onto road – Clerk to advise Highways.
Playingfield in Chillington – it was noted that people were exercising their dogs in the ‘no dogs’ play area – the Clerk is to check that the signs are still in place and if not to request new ones and a visit by the dog warden.
It was noted that a parishioner had suggested a project to provide a cycle path all the way to Kingsbridge – Councillors supported this wish and will endeavour to build this aspiration into their future plans.
CLERK’S REPORT
DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL FOCUS GROUPS
Councillors were advised that DCC are to pilot a method of focus groups which enable communities to self-assess their needs. Councillor Arundell agreed to attend on a date to be fixed and advised for some time in January 2008.
LOCAL ACTION GROUP
A local action group has been set up to apply for grant funding from the Rural Development Programme for England. The briefing received requests support and ideas of projects to be fed to Alan Stapleton who along with others will write the bid.
NOTICE OF CONCLUSION OF AUDIT – MARCH 2007
Councillors were advised that the notice of conclusion of audit had been placed on the noticeboard.
ROAD CLOSURES
It was noted that historically roads have been closed for a special event using the Town Police clauses Act 1847 but that this had been superceded in 1994 by the Special Events Act. As this council are not in the habit of applying for such closures this fact was merely noted.
POST OFFICE CLOSURES
20th May 2008 is when post office closures in Devon will be publicly announced.
8. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr. Baverstock advised that he did not believe that Shams would receive much money from Government and thus the budget process would seek a 1.9% increase on last year. Without any doubt he advised that there will be a number of cuts that will be implemented to meet shortfall.
He went on to say that he has attended a meeting of the sub group of Kingsbridge Town Council, their remit being project leaders of a new community centre in Kingsbridge. Within this meeting they outlined their aspirations to build a new Community Centre on the area of the old cattle market. This centre is to hold an auditorium with a capacity of 350 people, including childrens playarea and meeting rooms plus other facilities which are applicable. The group are consulting widely and hope to build by 2010.
It was expressed by this council the view that 350 was too small a capacity for a large town like Kingsbridge just venturing out to build a new centre. Cllr. Baverstock noted these comments and added his concerns with regard to their strategy for deciding on size and facilities.
9. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report provided.
10. FINANCE AND CHEQUES
Current Account £ 471.32
Instant Savers (1) £27,981.33
Instant Savers (2) £ 3,189.70
Lloyds (Rob Cooling) Transferred : £4,500.00
Cheques:
001426 Luscombe & Son – Glass for Torcross Noticeboard repair: £28.40
001427 Mrs Chamberlain – Proportion of ½ yearly playingfield rent, Holbrook: £18.75
001428 R. Sylvester – Proportion of ½ yearly playingfield rent, Holbrook: £18.75
001429 P. Stone – Bus Shelter Cleaning: £70.00
001430 A. Ball – Bus Shelter Cleaning: £70.00
001431 P. Ball – Bus Shelter Cleaning: £70.00
001432 E. Luscombe – Bus Shelter Cleaning: £70.00
001433 Mrs G. Claydon – Clerks Wages: £to be advised
001434 In. Rev. – Tax & Nat. Ins: £to be advised
001435 Concorde Copiers – Maintenance charge: £8.11
001436 South Hams District Council – Election expenses: £1425.36
001437 Eclipse Internet – Parish & Community Access: £to be advised
001438 Stokenham Parish Hall Com. – Hire of Hall Community IT 19/11/07: £9.50
001439 Society of Local Council Clerks – Annual subscription (shared with Salcombe): £91.00
001440 The Sea Shanty – Catering for two day training course for councillors: £75.00
001441 Mrs Nuttall-Smith – Postage for web receipts: £3.36
001442 P. Greening – Chairman’s Allowance: £100.00
001443 Andrew Guard Associates – 3 x copies of Definitive Map: £5.11
Received: Nil
11. POINTS OF INFORMATION
Rural Transport Partnership Autumn Newsletter
SHDC Executive Forward Plan 6th December 2007.
Devon County Show 2008 Woodland Competition
SLCC 2008 Conference Programme
SHDC Magazine Winter 2007.
SHDC Development Control Committee Agenda & Minutes 12th December 2007.
Victim Support Devon recruitment drive posters.
Village Green x 4.
DCC Devontalk Winter 2007.
SHDC Audit Committee Agenda & Minutes 11th December 2007.
The Saltstone group Agenda and Minutes x 2.
SHDC Minutes of the Executive meeting held 8th November 2007.
The Clerk November 2007.
SHDC Licensing Sub-Committee Agenda and Minutes 18th December 2007.
SHDC Minutes of the Executive meeting 6th December 2007.
SHDC Agenda and Minutes of Scrutiny 19th December 2007.
SHDC Agenda and Minutes 20th December 2007.
12. NEXT MEETING
The next full parish council meeting will be held on Thursday 17th January 2008 at 7.30p.m. in the Stokenham Parish Hall.
Meeting finished: 9.20p.m.
Signed ……………………… Dated: January 2008.