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.

In attendance were Col. Teague, Leslie Cowley and Eric Heavisides all of whom contributed to the following discussion.

Col. Teague put forward a question about the Code of Conduct and the parish council interpretation not to consider the Site Allocation DPD as an agenda item. Discussion took place with regard to Delyth Jenkins-Evans responses to another parishioner and Parish Council individually.

He further asked whether Parish Council felt that the Code of Conduct had hindered them in responding to the community on the proposed Site Allocations. The Chair explained that Parish Council had facilitated a response from the whole parish but also represented Mr Heavisides personal points in a letter to District.

It was acknowledged that in some aspects the Code does hinder but the current Government of the day intend to alter this in the Localism Bill. Cllr. Vale explained that Code of Conduct had been an on-going evolving code and parish council had acted under guidance from the Monitoring Officer at the time. Col. Teague mentioned that he had not in any way wanted to impugn anyone on the parish council but wanted to know if the Code caused problems for council. At a Coleridge meeting recently it was noted that Stoke Fleming Parish Council were supporting something to do with affordable housing but they had no hesitation about supporting it as the majority of people they represented were in agreement. Those in attendance felt that it had been taken that everyone in Stokenham was against affordable housing now there was no building provision for the parish but those present felt there was some needed along with employment units. It was advised that the figures for 100 houses were taken from Government Regional Guidance by District and at the time of the preparation of the Site Allocation document the housing numbers were not open to question only the sites proposed.

The Minutes of the:

(a) full council meeting dated 17^th February 2011 were approved by all present and duly signed as a true and correct record.

(b) Planning Committee - none held in February

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

• 0459/11/F Householder application for alterations to dwelling and new dormer window 14 Cotmore Way, Chillington – Many site plans provided nowadays do not show contiguous properties and thus there was a question with regard to the north facing face where a dormer was proposed as this may look out on to an adjoining property. If there had been no comments by the neighbour then parish council were content. No objection.
• 0489/11/F Householder application for extension of existing garage to form double garage 47 Coombe Meadows, Chillington – No objection.
• 0545/11/F Householder application for alteration and extension to dwelling 1 Beesands, Beesands – No objection.
• 0618/11/F Removal of conditions 3 (not to be sole/main place of resident) & 4 (Maintenance of register of all occupiers of holiday occupancy) of planning permission 53/0126/10/F former Hallsands Hotel Coach House, Hallsands – The rock stability in this area was again raised as a concern. These properties were built and then further planning changes made and now the developer is asking for removal of a condition for holiday homes provision. Objection as the District policy provided for holiday homes and it was felt there was no justification for change so soon. District Council are to be requested to feedback on this comment if the Planning Officer is recommending differently.

PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED

• 2880/10/F Demolition of existing property and replaced with new build dwelling upon same footprint. Design to remain as previously granted permission for refurbishment and alterations reference 53/1642/10/F Golden Meadow, Widewell

TREE PRESERVATION ORDER – GRANT OF EXEMPTION

• 0619/11/TW TPO 597 (No 8) Site Bayfield, Torcross – Grant to fell Sycamore

It was AGREED to adopt the draft policy in relation to attendance at and the remit of councillors meeting with developers in relation to proposed development.

A report on the current Risk Assessment and controls therein was provided and it was AGREED to instigate PAT testing as soon as arrangements can be made.

It was FURTHER AGREED to request the internal auditor to specifically consider the website income against payments in during the internal audit and review of policies.

7. REPORTS

Matters arising around the parish - reported:

• Footpaths - Who is responsible for clearing back brambles from gates? Problems at gates on paths Coleridge Cross to Sherford Cross and also along from Marborough Cross to Lou Cross.
• There is a container that has appeared outside the old Chillington Garage. Councillors felt this was allowed on a temporary basis but clerk is to enquire of planning.
• A progress report was sought on the clearance of the buddle hole near to Island Farm. This has been reported and the Clerk advised that the Highway Engineer had noted that it is on the schedule but when this will be is unknown.

HALLSANDS HOTEL

Nick Gilman has been researching the history of Hallsands Hotel and is currently writing a book. For this work he had requested all Parish Council Minutes from 1894 which the clerk had arranged swiftly and accommodated all queries. Mr Gilman wished it Minuted his thanks for the speed and professionalism in which this request was dealt with and commended the clerk to the parish council.

COLERIDGE ASSOCATION OF PARISH COUNCILS

This group had met last week but only three parishes were present at Stoke Fleming. Stoke Fleming had received District money for play equipment which they supplemented with additional monies and their equipment now incorporates on-going maintenance free and is a wooden built type of equipment. Cllr Rogers was requested to make contact with Cllr Mary Newman to discuss such provision.

BEESANDS LEY

Cllr. Rogers had followed up a concern raised by a member of the public attending the 2011 Annual Parish Meeting wherein it was noted that Beesands ley was flooding and the outlet was blocked. He met with Mr Wotton who is the tenant of Beesands ley and he advised that the responsibility has been taken away from him by District because of a possible environmental problem due to flooding of lower houses at Beesands. Cllr. Rogers passed this information to Dist. Cllr. Baverstock and he has already contacted Chris Lucas at District and Cllr Mrs Nuttall-Smith offered to advise the member of public.

• The deferred item from the last agenda in relation to Devon & Cornwall Police was not carried forward as parish council felt this was an internal matter for the police and merely just noted.
• Two copies of the adopted Site Allocations Development Plan Documents have been received.
• Election nomination forms received electronically were sent out to whoever requested such and paper versions are held.
• Road Closure 28^th - 30^th March 2011 Roads affected: A379 to Mattiscombe Cottage, Stokenham. Utilities.
• Minutes of Chillington Community Association were copied to councils and the four questions which arose seeking clarification from Parish Council were addressed and a formal response will be made. The clerk is to ask whether they are members of the Community Council of Devon and receive the Village Green newsletter and halls advice.
• Letter dated 9^th March 2011 from Devon County and NHS providing information on the future of community services – paper copy to all councillors.
• Report received 16^th March 2011 from Devon Highway Management setting out redesign of new structure for Highway Management.
• Letter dated 4^th March 2011 from Devon County advising of works to Byway 36 known as Riddlefoot Lane. Local contractor to add some stone to the washed out gulley to help prevent further deterioration - noted.
• Letter dated 4^th March 2011 from Exercise Tiger Memorial Tank Chairman inviting parish council to attend a short service and laying of new plaque including names of those who lost their lives. Thurday 28^th April midday to 12.30p.m – Cllrs Ireland and Foss are to attend along with Judy Foss.
• Response dated 11^th March 2011 from Dave Matthews of Taylor Wimpey with regard to the points raised by members of the community last meeting were provided to councillors. It was noted that a member of the public had reported today that there had been a lorry with trailer on site.
• HMRC Guidance to Town and Parish Councils advising that all staff should be paid PAYE.
• Parish Council were advised that Eclipse have made an approach offering the inclusion of a telephone within the monthly internet payment at an additional £13.00 + VAT (£15.60) per month. This equates to £187.20 p.a. Currently telephone bills are expected to be £715.32. The clerk is to request further information and bring this back to next council meeting.
• Publication today by Department of Communities and Local Government suggests a review that could allow 'councils' to repatriate their business rates. At present this seems aimed at District level.

11. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Dist. Cllr. Baverstock apologised for his slight delay in arriving but he had been at Woodleigh Parish Meeting.

With regard to the newly formed Beesands Village Green Committee he had contacted the civilian members who are happy to await the parish council election before having a meeting in order to have a full compliment of parish council representation.

The South Hams officer changes are to be implemented going down to two Directors and seven heads of service. All such interviews and transactions are ongoing.

He then thanked parish council for allowing him to speak at the Annual Parish meeting. Dist Cllr. Baverstock noted a distinct lethargic approach from the audience present and was saddened that only two yellow post its had been completed with ideas on updating the Parish Plan. He went on to say that he felt it needed to be clearly understood that the District development plan that now exists and has been adopted by District and is almost a solid block on development within the village of Stokenham. The RA6 plots to the left and right of the roundabout were considered by the Inspector and subject to public representation thrown out by Inspector and thus the District Council plan now provides for no development until 2026. There was a comment in the Inspector's report that there was a possibility of perhaps looking at the option of Stokenham Playing Field. However this area was reviewed earlier on and this was not considered suitable by the Prince's Foundation and not put forward although the Action Group put it in later. The Inspector's view was it might come back in one day to the system.

Therefore this outcome along with the follow item reinforced Dist Cllr. Baverstock view that he had an inability to please everybody all the time. He had been quite pleased to have District Council defer their intention to install Pay and Display at Beesands but after the Annual Parish meeting he was challenged by a lady who wanted to know why Beesands were not paying whereas Torcross does.

Noting the comment from a gentleman in the Annual Parish Meeting audience who expressed a view that some houses and commercial units were needed he felt the response would be 'call me after 2026'.

Cllr. Arundell asked whether other smaller pieces of land in other parts of the parish could come forward. Dist Cllr. Baverstock noted interest at Beeson and Fordsworth Cottages areas and these would probably have to be exceptional sites. Any enquiries which were ongoing with district council relative to RA6 on the right hand side have now been removed by District Council and the files closed. For any affordable sites now the grant for purely affordable is practically non existent which is why Taylor Wimpey pushed ahead because of removal of such grants.

There has also been ongoing consideration of the Helmers Field Section 106 payment towards schooling. Dist. Cllr. Baverstock then explained that he and Cty Cllr. Brazil disagreed on this matter and that he had been working to assist the school by drawing to County's attention their need to extend and he had now said to the school they must argue their need/case. County is saying that taking the number of students into consideration it is big enough but if it were to reach capacity of 205 children with the play group now using the hut it would not be. Funds are to be directed to the Kingsbridge College and this it was noted is an academy and with such status he felt should not have the money. Parish Council had stated when approving the extension of the planning permission for the hut in question previously that County should be providing a proper brick build but with the downturn in numbers this has not been done. The hut now has a different use and the school have maximised their footprint and need to extend.

Cty Cllr. Brazil responded that it specifically stated in the planning decision notice that the money was for secondary not primary education as this was where expansion was needed. This is the County view and it is not about money for education but money to compensate Kingsbridge which is full up to accommodate further pupils.

Dist. Cllr. Baverstock said that whatever was decided at planning stage is different to the actual agreement signed in the final Section 106 wherein such contribution was to education in Stokenham Parish.

Cty Cllr. Brazil said that County decide what allowance is needed and they work out how much is used and where. He also pointed out that Stokenham School have not raised this issue with him even though he visits the school a couple of times a week. If the school say 'we need a new classroom' it is a much better way to take discussions forward rather than just trying to obtain the money.

The Parish Council Chair asked for Cty Cllr. Brazil to consider that with 44 new dwellings at Helmers, 9 at Shindle Park and 7 at Grist Mill coming the School need more room. He also requested that he please also the Head Teacher to discuss.

There are currently 153 children in Stokenham School and it has a capacity of 205 whereas there was a time when there were over 210 pupils. It was noted that St. Malo received funding but this because of their status of being a childrens centre. Many schools are in his patch but has not heard from the Governors on this issue.

Dist. Cllr. Baverstock felt that as Kingsbridge has academy status now it is a private company.

In relation to the County budget he felt the biggest effect to Stokenham parish will be the reduction of 6 to only 2 cuts per year of highway verges. This work had been sub contracted to District who have said they will not do as two is not enough and District did not want to be blamed for County lack of service. Cty Cllr. Brazil noted that maybe Parish will have to precept for extra cuts if the parish want more. The Chair advised that the parish do not want extra they want what is necessary and enquired what the cost of two cuts would be and suggested that if County provided the money the parish might take this on. The Chair also noted that County should not cut the grass cuts as there was no time for parish council to consider let alone precept.

Dist Cllr Baverstock remarked that he had forwarded an issue on to Cty Cllr. Brazil about traffic management in Chillington and he was arranging a site visit to walk around with highways engineers and discuss. Although Dist. Cllr. Baverstock and Cty Cllr. Brazil disagreed about the Section 106 education monies he wished to note that they work well together.

Deposit (1) £23031.94

Deposit (2) £4914.38

Current £2682.65

Not had time to do petrol and sundries claim but will before end of March!!!!

Transferred: £2,000.00

Councillors AGREED the cheques and approved them for signature:

• Community Council of Devon – Big Society – Making if Work for Devon leaflet.
• Community Council of Devon – Big Society – Blueprints for Devon
• NALC – All about local councils.
• DPFA – Play it Safe: Playground Inspection Training - 6^th April 2011 10a.m. - 4p.m. Assessment to cost £80.00. Course £35.00.
• Kingsbridge Memory Cafe – fortnightly drop-in facility for people with dementia and their carers.
• NHS Twenty four seven Newspaper Edition 13.
• DALC newsletter Mar/Apr 11 – emailed to all councillors.
• NALC – The Good Councillor's Guide booklet 3^rd Edition.

The next full parish council meeting will be held on Thursday 21^st April 2011 at 7.30p.m. in Stokenham Parish Hall.

Meeting finished: 10.15p.m.

Signed ……………………… Dated 21^st April 2011.