STOKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

HELD ON 21^ST FEBRUARY 2008 IN THE

STOKENHAM PARISH HALL

PRESENT:

COUNCILLORS:

P.  GREENING

J. ANSELL

P. ARUNDELL

A. VALE

R. FOSS

W. HARWOOD

B. IRELAND

R. BATES

R. WARDEN

MRS C. NUTTALL-SMITH

J. BAVERSTOCK (also District Councillor)

Also in attendance: Clerk – Mrs G. Claydon

APOLOGIES:

COUNCILLORS

N. TOLCHARD

D. WOOD - Illness

J. BRAZIL (County Councillor) - Personal

1.         OPEN FORUM

Two members of the public were present but decline to speak.  Pc Mutton advised that 20 crimes had been reported in the last two months, 5 domestic burglaries, 4 people are in custody.  He outlined the burglaries and asked people to be vigilant and noted that he would check these figures as the rise could be due to the reporting techniques rather than actual outbreaks of crime.  It was noted that a car in Gratton Drive had been removed, it was very damaged.  The Chairman expressed concern that there does not appear to be good link up between PCSOs, police and the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators.  Pc Mutton understood this and advised that the police are looking at ways of improving this link up, such as telephoning every 3 months to check people are still signed up.  PSCO Paul O’Dwyer has been personally trying to deal with this issue.

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.

3.         MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting dated 17^th January 2008 were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.   

4.         COMMITTEES

The following Minutes and recommendations were received from the Committees

(a)       PLANNING COMMITTEE – The Minutes of Committee dated 21^st January and 4^th February 2008 were noted having been agreed at planning committee.

(b)       COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT – The Minutes of the committee held on 11^th February 2008 after amending Cllr Vale to read Cllr Tolchard at point 11 were PROPOSED by Cllr. Ansell as a true and correct record and SECONDED by Cllr. Vale before being signed by the Chair.

(c)       FINANCE STAFFING & GENERAL PURPOSES – The Minutes of the bi-monthly committee held on Monday 21^st January 2008 were PROPOSED by Cllr. Baverstock and SECONDED by Cllr. Vale before being signed by the Chair.

5.         REPORTS

Matters around the parish requiring notification or action by the Clerk:  None received.

            BEESANDS SEA DEFENCES

Cllr. Foss advised that he had visited the site at Beesands and felt that the works were of an exceptionally high standard.  The South West water pipe had needed to be re lined and this had held works up but the sea wall was finished and that gates are to be installed on 25^th February.  Landscaping is currently being completed and well thought of.  From discussions the ‘locals’ were happy with the work.  Training for gate operators is scheduled for March 3^rd but this is subject to volunteers being available. 

The three seats in the shape of a boat it is suggested have been provided by ‘others’ and the clerk was asked to enquire who this was.

            DAPC COMMITTEE

Cllr. Bates advised that following this meeting on Community Halls Stokenham had been noted as not providing an annual grant to the hall.  It was felt that such funds could be matched from the Community Council of Devon but this assertion was questioned and further information will be sought.  It was however at this point noted by Cllr. Foss that there are two halls in the parish if funding were to be provided in such a way.

            AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

Cllr Foss reported that they are currently doing an update on accessibility for coastal areas and the Management Plan.  Understanding is now being turned to the fact that people must not meander across sensitive areas.  Cllr Foss will be attending a meeting in Bristol in early March for all chairman of AONBs and with funding from Natural England reducing the AONB is seeking funding from elsewhere.

Cllr. Baverstock noted that SHDC is still supporting the AONB financially.  It was also noted at this point that a press release is currently being circulated advising of the Slapton Line diversion routes.

            MARATHON AT BEESANDS

Cllr. Vale queried the response for parking on the Beesands village green.  He was advised that the District Councillor and Clerk had responded accordingly following an email and comments from councillors.

            CLERK’S REPORT

            SUMMERYE LANE

The County footpath warden advised that he had visited Summerye Lane and reviewed the flooding and a contractor is being brought in to rectify the problem.

            SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR SOUTH DEVON AND DORSET

Councillors were appraised of a letter dated 12^th February 2006 from Teignbridge District Council and a request for councillors to attend one of the series of meetings across South Devon and Dorset area.  Cllr. Bill Ireland agreed to attend the Plymouth meeting.

            BUS SHELTER

Consideration was given to the measurements provided of the width of the side return at Fairfield Way, Chillington and the proposals agreed with the Clerk to advise the contractors accordingly.

Council was Stood down when PC Steve Mutton arrived to give his report and then he left the meeting.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               6.         DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr. Baverstock advised that it has been a busy time with budgets being set at District  The buoys down at Torcross have had their budget cut but Cllr. Baverstock and the harbourmaster are confident that what they are putting down will be better than last years provision and there may also be some changed signage.  The Chairman requested that Paul Stubbs be involved in the placing of the buoys.

Following a report with regard to the Beesands new seat area he noted Cllr. Foss’ report that residents appeared content.

He went on to advised that the planning department are making quite a few in depth enquiries as to the application at Grist Mill aware that Parish Council are cautious of flooding at this area.  That said the Environment Agency are not interested in this application and this leaves district in a quandary as if they refuse on grounds of potential flooding they are left wide open on appeal with no other agency support. 

Cllr. Foss felt that people could write further and advise of flooding but also acknowledged that highways need to clear drains and South Hams should keep leaves swept as these exacerbate the problem.   Cllr. Arundell acknowledged that the lack of drain maintenance was also a problem.

Cllr. Warden felt that there was a wealth of archaelogical and historical interest on this site which is also being ignored.

Cllr. Baverstock continued his report by advising that the district councils in Devon have had a meeting and in theory have agreed that they would like status quo rather than Unitary.  If the Boundary Committee does not agree then Cllr. Baverstock felt that all councils will go off in different directions.  South Hams and West Devon are combined in their views and occasionally they work with Teignbridge but the authorities do not want to be permanently combined. 

7.         COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Brazil had forwarded a report that advised the County tax was up by 3.9% and he was pleased to note extra investment in gulley cleaning (£500,000), schools (£1,500,000) and Youth Services (£500,000).

Cllrs. Vale and Warden left the meeting

8.         FINANCE AND CHEQUES

Current Account                      £     691.41 

Instant Savers (1)                    £24,215.71

Instant Savers (2)                    £  3,206.48

Lloyds (Del Potts) Transferred : £1500

Cheques:

001452 Eclipse Internet – Community & Council Web provision £51.08

001453 Stokenham Parish Hall Committee – January IT Hire of Hall £10.00

001454 Mrs G Claydon – Clerk wages £to be advised

001455 In. Rev. – Tax & Nat. Insur. £to be advised

Received: Website Income - £32.50

10.       POINTS OF INFORMATION

Audit Commission – appointment of external auditor letter: Alun Williams

SHDC Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances)(England) Regulations 2003 – Recommendations of the Parish Remuneration Panel 2008.

The Local Channel – new services.

SHDC Responding to Major Emergencies Leaflet

Devon Playing Fields Association Newsletter Winter 2007/08.

SHDC Special Council Meeting Agenda 7^th February 2008.

SHDC Agenda & Minutes of Full Council 7^th February 2008 x 2.

11.       NEXT MEETING

The next full parish council meeting will be held on Thursday 20^th March 2008 at 7.30p.m. in the Stokenham Parish Hall.

Meeting finished:   8.45p.m.

Signed ………………………   Dated:         February 2008.