MINUTES OF THE MEETING

HELD ON 17^TH FEBRUARY 2011 IN THE

STOKENHAM PARISH HALL

PRESENT:

COUNCILLORS:

P.  GREENING (in the Chair)

J. ANSELL

R. BATES

A. VALE

C. ROGERS

W. HARWOOD

MRS C. NUTTALL-SMITH

B. IRELAND

P. ARUNDELL

N. TOLCHARD

R. FOSS

APOLOGIES:

M. TAYLOR – Personal

DIST. CLLR J. BAVERSTOCK – Personal

CTY CLLR. J. BRAZIL - Work

Also in Attendance:

Clerk- Mrs. G. Claydon

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

The Chairman welcomed Dave Matthews of Taylor Wimpey and  Tim Davies the Production Director along with fifteen other members of the public present.  He then asked if the Taylor Wimpey representatives would like to make a presentation or just take questions on how far the project has progressed and ways to address concerns. 

Firstly Tony Hyson noted that the villagers had heard a rumour that the A379 road was to be closed.  The Clerk advised that in the adjacent parishes of Strete and Frogmore there were to be closures at Stretegate and the other end of Strete for road surfacing which would close the road from 5 to 8 days and at Frogmore off of the A379 towards South Pool the first hill section was to be closed for resurfacing.  Stokenham Parish Council did not have these notices formally and therefore no details but were aware that these sections would be cut off but that Stokenham Parish could access through alternative routes.  Unfortunately no details had been made available of the bus service to these locations.

Chris Hyson then put to Taylor Wimpey that during the last few days huge yellow 'circus type' wagons or lorries have been taking up a lot of room in the village and how much were they going to be there especially considering the normal summer congestion?  She continued that at a previous meeting with Dave Kenyon present it was established that there would be parking for workers on site.  At present workers are parking on all the side roads and therefore what control and care is being taken with workers and delivery vans?  Tim Davies responded that these lorries visit probably once or twice in the life cycle of a site as they deliver the site offices.  Recently Taylor Wimpey have taken over the principle contractor role on site and they have to supply their own office, rooms, toilets etc.  With regard to the area of car parking it was originally planned to put provide a road 'in one hit' but there had been a few issues at the start so they had completed a smaller section to get the lorries off road and on site and are now putting drainage in to complete the provision of all access on site.  Weather is causing problems with cutting the new road in and the highways inspector requires the roads bone dry before joining.  When TW place orders with any contractors they send a warning of how such delivery should be undertaken with regard to traffic management, parking, signing in and health and safety and thereafter if this is not abided by the contractor is fined. TW are now policing this more as they are principle contractor since Pavilion handed over to them and the site manager is Simon Lee.  All residents have recently received a letter explaining the noise that will be going on and a site land line number is to be issued.  Chris Fox noted that Simon Lee's land line is not yet on site and will not be in use for a few weeks.  No mobile number has been provided.  Taking up Chris Hyson's point, Chris Fox living directly opposite the site was glad that some others in the village were taking the brunt of contractors parking.  Although there may not be any more 'yellow' lorries till the end of the development she had today written to Highways as she was very concerned to see quite a dense amount of traffic going on to site, especially lorries towing large trailers or five or six axle lorries.  When arriving these have to reverse on to site and she had Health and Safety concerns as well as concerns for her property wall.  Tim Davies noted the 'yellow' lorries had to deliver the site offices but hoped there are not 4/5 axle lorries arriving as their commercial literature being sent out states rigid lorries only and not trailers but he would check back in the office.  A concern locally was that when the traffic density is high during the holiday season if TW bring this traffic to a standstill with huge lorries it has a potential to go horribly wrong.  TW agreed they wanted to make minimal disruption.

It was then question when the additional second of road on site with a turn around would be completed?  Tim Davies noted this was difficult to know until TW get the go ahead from the Highways officer as drainage is already completed under the road and it would take a week or two to complete the road but then they are awaiting the Highways officer permission to cut in and join.

Another member of the public understood there were two ponds on site and asked why.  TW advised there was one large attenuation pond in the wetland area.  All surface water like rain will collect and go by attenuated discharge to be collected by the pond and wetland area.  Would this be cordoned off?  TW is to check but the Principal Director did not believe it would be fenced off as ponds are not in other areas.  The resident however felt this was a safety concern with young children moving around and living in houses adjacent to this area.

Chris Fox had attended the TW 'Wellie Walk' on site and been given details of the proposed properties and noted that a point of earlier discussion in the pub was the bespoke Gatehouse property opposite her own.  This drawing had attracted negative comment due to its dark prison like look and Diana in attendance at the site said it was a computer generated imagine and was bricks with stone 'look alike facing'.  The TW representatives however believed it to be natural stone and would check and confirm. 

A councillor enquired when the stone barns along the A379 were to be converted.  TW advised that these would be done last as they will be completed by a specialist barn conversion contractor as TW move off site.  TW had received seven letters of interest to buy the individual barns.  TW however wish one contractor to convert all the barns alike and no doubt the purchaser will want to complete immediately as the planning permission will fail after 3 years. 

Chris Hyson enquired what happened with regard to planning permission if someone else purchased and was advised that planning is on the land so whoever owns such is bound by the planning permission.  The Chairman thanked TW for attending and they advised they would furnish responses to these unanswered questions raised and then left the meeting.

As TW representatives left there were 5 left out of 15 members of the public originally present.

3.         MINUTES

The Minutes of the:

(a)       full council meeting dated 21^st January 2011 were approved by all present and duly signed as a true and correct record.

(b)       Planning Committee dated 7^th February were approved and signed as a true and correct record.

4.         PLANNING & PLANNING MATTERS

The applications below were considered at this meeting and the following observations submitted to District: 

·                 0285/11/F Retrospective application for the erection of a lean to building to house 2 refrigeration units and the demolition and removal of the original refrigeration unit its lean to covering and other attached buildings Sea Crest, Beesands – No objection.

      PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED

·                 2905/10/F Retrospective application for replacement satellite antenna Rock House, Chillington.

5.         HELMERS DEVELOPMENT NAMING

Councillors AGREED their suggested naming of the area and plots were:

·                 Plot 1 – the barn conversion fronting the A379 : Appletree Barn

·                 Plots 3 and 5 – barn conversions facing into the development : Hayloft and Overdale

·                 Plot 30 to 33 – A close/courtyard which require one name : Orchard View

6.         BEESANDS VILLAGE GREEN

Consideration was given to the nominations received for up to four positions for Beesands resident representatives on the Beesands Village Green Committee and it was PROPOSED by Cllr. Rogers and SECONDED by Cllr. Ansell with all in agreement that the following four put forward be accepted.

•                  Joe Johnston

•                  Alan Steer

•                  Robin Steer

•                  Steph Dean

Cllr. Ansell will continue a parish council representative until the May Annual meeting when two councillors will be appointed.  A meeting will be called on the return of Dist. Cllr. Baverstock.

7.   STOKENHAM PLAY AREA

After consideration of the options sent by District for play area maintenance it was AGREED:

(a)       a report from District with regard to necessary maintenance works to the swing set for a cost         of £409.18 be approved and a request for works placed.  Concerns with regard to keeping area            opened.

(b)       that Town Council continue for 2011/12 to pay District £100p.a. towards their inspection play           park inspection and ongoing insurance of such play area.

8.         ASSET TRANSFER – LAND AT CHILLINGTON AND TORCROSS

It was AGREED to request District to;

•                  provide a copy of the Covenant deed in order that Parish Council can consider its implications with regard to the size of hall, future community usage and fence responsibilities on the land at Tanpits

•                  confirm whether there are any rates payable on either area

•                  provide an average annual maintenance budget for the areas

•                  request a timed period contribution towards grass cutting whilst Parish Council increase incrementally the precept to cover such future maintenance

•                  seek to ensure that all legal aspects of transfer, not including work on the covenant, are dealt with by District with Parish Council only dealing with such registration of title.

•                  attend to the seat and signs at the Torcross area before transfer.

Alan Steer and Robin Steer left the meeting.

10. POLICE REFORM AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BILL

It was agreed to DEFER this matter to March to allow councillors to read around the subject and consider whether parish council wish to write expressing their views with regard to abolishing the Police Authority and the proposed introduction of a Police and Crime Commissioner.

10.       REPORTS

            SLAPTON LEY ANNUAL RESEARCH SEMINAR

Cllr. Ansell advised he had attended this seminar and the series of short talks.  Ian Mercer did a round up of history over 10,000 years.  Alan Denbigh dealt with Living with Coastal Change and then as the next speaker failed to attend Attitudes to Living with the Sea.  There followed a talk on Horseshoes in the South Hams which was about bats.  These bats have evolved an echo location twice and horseshoe bats are different as Cllr. Ansell explained.  Dr. Henry Schofield of the Vincent Wildlife Trust was most interesting.  After lunch Dr. Bershaw explained the use of temperature as a tracer to understand water flow under the ground.  This put the Slapton nitrate record in its global context.  There followed a talk on ground water seepage through a coastal barrier and the study done with holes drilled through the Slapton gravel barrier along the line and how they studied tides affecting the boreholes.  They also tested the salinity of the seepage and noted salt does not reach the Ley.  However they have not tested near the shingle barrier where the level is lower.  The Chairman felt that he had heard that 85% of water that goes into the sea goes through the shingle barrier.

Thereafter the life and identification of the chromotaxonomy butterfly was explained.  Years ago the trawlers used to trawl through crab-pots and so fishermen came to an agreement where some areas of the sea were potted, some trawled and some both!  This agreement however has allowed an experiment to be conducted to see what trawling does to the seabed and surrounding environment.  It was noted that there is a much higher biomass in the areas not trawled. 

            TORCROSS PROMENADE

Cllr. Foss explained that Chris Watkins from County had attended a meeting with some residents at Torcross and had tried his hardest to accommodate their needs and concerns within the Highways Act.  County have put forward a draft Order which attempts to encompass what residents wish but County are bound by the fact that now the irregularity of this highway has been called into question they must put in place a legal situation.  With input from the residents present it was agreed to extend the parking time from 30 minutes to 1 hour and remove the ability of those with disabled permits to park on the promenade/highway.  Also the placement of highway signs necessary by law was discussed and a compromise of location achieved.  All in all Cllr Foss and the Clerk felt that the meeting had been constructive and successful and those in attendance appeared in agreement.  However later that day a resident who was in attendance at the Torcross meeting but had originally had differing ideas had since sent a letter to highways bringing the discussions into question and asserting that Parish Council were enforcing permits that were not needed.  On an area that has restricted access County advise that permits must be issued and have asked Parish Council to administrate this as they do not want additional work.  Parish Council will leave County to deal with this as it is a County requirement.

            ENDURANCE LIFE RACE - BEESANDS

The annual race is on this weekend and the organisers are being asked to pay funds to District for placing their marque on the Village Green.  They would however also like to make voluntary contribution to a group in Beesands.  It was decided that this was a decision to take to the newly formed Beesands Village Green Committee. 

            BEESON VILLAGE GREEN

There had been a meeting held at Beeson Discovery Centre and 15 to 20 people attended along with a  representative from the AONB.  Those present formalised the Village Green Committee and were dealing with the legal aspects in relation to access and everything was looking very positive.  Cllr. Rogers noted that Beeson community is starting to live again with the Chestnut Park new housing which has buy to let, council run properties and market value ones.  Everyone across all this housing provision was talking and everyone in the village working together proving a mixed site works.  There had been one problem family but this had also been dealt with.  Villages can be reinvigorated with new houses and in Beeson they have six families with young children. 

            ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

This will take place on 16^th March with two other themes in addition to the usual business.  Firstly those present will try to get parishioners to take a more positive interest in their Parish Plan and give suggestions in way to take it forward for the newly elected council to enact.  At this time those attending will encourage members of the public to stand for parish or district council elections.  Two councillors have agreed to give presentations along with an overview of the work from the Clerk.  Parish Council will be distributing the quarterly newsletter early to raise awareness of this. 

Tony and Chris Hyson left the meeting.

Matters arising around the parish - reported:

·                 One section of hedges from Lannacombe Green to Kellaton had been trimmed and it was hoped that the section reported at a previous meeting was included in this.

CLERK’S REPORT

·                 Road Closure: Out of parish but affecting A379 21^st - 25^th February 2011 Roads affected: Lee Lane End to Frogmore – County works.  Noted also that roads would be closed from Stretegate through Strete during half term week for additional County highway resurfacing.

·                 Letter dated 8^th February 2011 requesting that dogs be kept on leads during holiday times at Hallsands Beach.  To be referred to District licencing and Dog Warden.

·                 Letter dated 14^th February 2011 from District advising that following the Inspector's report the final version of the Site Allocation Development Plan Document for Rural Areas was adopted on 10^th February 2011.

·                 Buckingham Palace Garden Party request for nomination to attend on 29^th June 2011. Chairmen only.  Cllr Foss is to be put forward.

·                 Email from Stokenham Primary School responding that they have 153 pupils on their roll with 137 who live in the catchment area.  Also approximately 25 children who live in the catchment area attend other schools in Charleton, Stoke Fleming, Kingsbridge and Blackawton.

·                 Email received from a driver of the Coleridge Bus requesting that attention be given to trees and bushes at the end of Kiln Lane that are causing bus access problems.  Clerk dealing.

·                 Clerk to meet with a landowner in Kernborough along with Jim Morrison of County to discuss road drainage and diverting culverts on their property to alleviate such.

·                 Solar energy offer from a company to give free, no obligation advice on communities wishing to set up sites, suggested they can earn £25,000 pa for 25 years towards community projects from solar parks.  Also a company proposing sites in Totnes and South Brent are holding a public consultation on 24^th February 3-8p.m. to be at Totnes Masonic Hall.

·                 Consultation document requiring response by 21^st April 2011 with regard to the Public Forest Estate.  Announcement today 17^th February from Caroline Spelman Environment Secretary that  they have judged the public feeling wrongly and an independent panel of experts will examine forest policy in England and report back in the autumn'.

·                 Consultation received for response by 3^rd May 2011 on Community Right to Challenge to take over local state run services. 40 pages and 7 page response.

·                 Consultation received for Proposals to Introduce a Community Right to Buy – Assets of Community Value for response by 3^rd May 2011.  68 pages and 15 page response.

·                 Consultation received on A Code of Recommended Practice for local authorities on Data Transparency response by 14^th March 2011.

·                 Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service short document with eight key improvement proposals from their Corporate Plan with 21 page response document.

·                 Request from someone who is doing a charity walk for Childrens Hospice South West for camp sites/back gardens along route:  After Cornwall they reach - Plymouth - Wembury Point - Bigbury on Sea - Salcombe - Torcross - Dartmouth - Brixham - Babbacombe -Exmouth then (after Sidmouth and Seaton) they are into Dorset. 

·                 Response from Alex Whish that he will conclude Chillington feedback from children's questionnaire but no indication as to progress on estimates and suggestions for other equipment at Beesands.

·                 People Counter results for permissive path Stokenham to Torcross.

·                 New Homes Bonus: final scheme design wherein it advises that Government will match council tax raised for new homes for 6 years, for affordable homes this will mean £350 extra per house each year.

11.       DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

As attached and read out by the Clerk.

12        COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Apologies received as at County Hall late for budget meeting.

13.       FINANCE  

Deposit (1) £23022.20

Deposit (2) £4914.19

Current £4048.93

Transferred: £4000.00

Councillors AGREED the cheques and approved them for signature:

14.       POINTS OF INFORMATION

·                 Care Direct cards and posters.

·                 The Royal British Legion Great Poppy Party Weekend brochure.

·                 Devon County Social Care for Adults booklets

·                 District – Important changes to Housing Benefit booklets.

15.       NEXT MEETING

The next full parish council meeting will be held on Thursday 17^th March 2011 at 7.30p.m. in Stokenham Parish Hall. 

Meeting finished: 9.16p.m.

Signed ………………………   Dated 17^th March 2011.