|
|
|
MARCH STOKENHAM PARISH
COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON STOKENHAM PARISH HALL PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: P.
GREENING J. ANSELL P. ARUNDELL R. FOSS B. R. BATES R. WARDEN N. TOLCHARD A. VALE J. BAVERSTOCK (also District
Councillor) J. Also in attendance: Clerk Mrs G.
Claydon Cllr. M. Long Salcombe Town Council Cllr. R. Moore Salcombe Town
Council APOLOGIES: COUNCILLORS D. WOOD - Illness W. HARWOOD - Personal
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 2.
OPEN FORUM Eric
Heavisides noted the maintenance works at the bus shelters were a job well done
but was concerned with regard to the amount of debris left behind the Carehouse
Cross Shelter. The Clerk is to
request the decorators to remove such.
He went on to enquire as to who should carry out maintenance on the bench
sited at the Torcross viewpoint as it was in desperate need of renovation.
Ownership is unknown but as this area is maintained by the AONB team the
clerk will enquire. The
Chair outlined historic issues raised by bathers and boat users and outlined why
the item with regard to Torcross buoys was once again on the agenda. Martin
Collins personally felt that a line of buoys should be in place and would not
get tangled with boats. With a
demarcation it assists locals in advising visitors of the risks and perameters
and therefore the community marshal such usage themselves.
If no line of buoys are in force he felt that holiday boat users from
Torquay and adjacent tourist areas would tear up and down Torcross beach. Chris
Long agreed with Martins comments and felt that this issue appeared to go back
once again to the insurance and liability aspect that District had raised
before. The Chair advised that Nick
Hodgson had initially felt such was a problem but having checked with District
legal department advised that they could find a way around insurance. Martin
Collins noted that when Torcross residents had come together previously in a
meeting it was decided to recommend that such delineation revert to a line of
buoys. Dist.
Cllr. Baverstock agreed that £1250 had been allocated to a line of buoys for the
2008/09 season and it was decided that he should meet with the Harbourmaster and
one of the senior lifeguards.
Cllr. Baverstock therefore wrote to Paul Stubbs but he was unable to attend so
Chris Venmore was invited as a boat user.
A meeting therefore took place 10 days ago.
Cllr. Baverstock noted that from the outset there was considerable
concern with regard to putting buoys out as beach and boat users pay little or
no attention to buoys. Following the
on beach meeting the group view was that there should be no buoys placed for
summer 2008. He further advised that
the buoys are difficult to anchor and move around in swell.
Also by placing buoys District are indicating they are accepting
liability for beach and sea incidents and noted that the insurance company would
prefer even lifebuoys removed as well.
New signage will be placed to spell out responsibility to beach and sea
users. It was also noted that there
had been few if no fatalities over recent years.
Cllr. Vale arrived. Cllr.
Baverstock continued that there is no means whereby the line of buoys can be
enforced. He advised that the lifeguards are to be placed at the middle car park
and thus give coverage for three beaches.
He further noted that in an AONB the beach at Torcross looks much more
attractive without large pink buoys floating off the beach and that he was fully
aware of safety issues having spent a number of years on the beach safety
committee. This was not a financial
issue as money is already allocated. A
resident enquired why was Cllr.
Another resident noted that Torcross beach is unique due to the fact that there
is high water so close to the edge of the beach and although buoys might look
messy he felt there should be buoys.
Due to such deep waters just off the shore very powerful boats can come in
within 3yards of the shoreline but buoys deter these speed boats coming so
close. A single row of buoys were
not previously roped together and if put down should be no more than 30 metres
off low mean water. It was noted
that all the signage would be of no consequence as visiting boat users cannot
read the signs. Cllr.
Ansell advised that when this matter was previously discussed at the Community
and Environment Committee it was agreed that if buoys did nothing more than warn
boat owners that they might hit somebody they have done their job.
Cllr. Pc
Mutton arrived and was congratulated by the Chair on the way the police have
recently been working with the Neighbourhood Watch.
Pc Mutton advised that last month he was advised that there were 20
offences in Stokenham Parish. He had
advised at the time that he felt the figure were high/incorrect and in actual
fact the figure was 12. However
since the 1st Feb there had been 17 offences reported.
The police have had people in custody for a few weeks and some property
had been recovered with several arrested, several charged and more to come.
He thanked the community for their assistance as these crimes had been
dealt with through good local information. Cllr.
Warden enquired whether the police would be handing over parking duties at the
end of March and if so whether the police still retained all normal powers to
control parking offences. The
changeover will now be the beginning of May and Pc Mutton is concerned that
there may be a non fully functional period but when things are up and running
the police have no jurisdiction over yellow lines although continue to act for
obstruction etc. Parking attendants
will primarily be in towns and therefore there were concerns as to ability to
deal with offences in rural areas.
Cllr. Tolchard noted that as the local authority are taking over will such staff
work 9-5p.m. Pc Mutton felt that as
charges are in force over night he would think there must be some overtime. Cllr.
Warden advised that from discussions with the Leader of District, John Tucker,
when this service is devolved to County and District they will then outsource to
a private company. 3.
MINUTES The Minutes of the meeting dated
4.
TORCROSS BUOYS Councillors were
advised that a meeting having taken place with the Harbour Master, an RNLI
representative, Chris Venmore and District Cllr. Baverstock the group decided
not to lay any buoys at Torcross for the forthcoming season.
Parish Council were concerned as they had been advised by District that
funding was in place within the budget for such.
Cllr Foss noted his
disappointment with this decision and as chair of the AONB Committee
acknowledged that the buoys were not aesthetic.
He went on to advise that he felt that signs on the promenade were of no
use but that users will stop and consider buoys.
As District take money out of the car parks and such buoys would only
cost £1250 he felt this decision should not have been overturned.
Cllr. Ansell felt that the Community & Environment Committee had
considered this matter and made the right decision.
Many comments were received and there was general disquiet with this
matter. Cllr. Baverstock
refuted comments made and explained his reasoning.
He advised that he had taken on board what had been said this evening and
advised that the most salient factor was the insurance aspect that could render
District vulnerable. Cllr.
Baverstock advised he would contact District legal department and determine the
exact position with regard to liability.
As District Councillor he noted he had to consider legal restrictions of
and other such factors. It was AGREED that
parish council should object to the decision not to lay the buoys and
accordingly write to Paula Brooks of Strategic Operations reflecting the
concerns and views of councillors and residents.
5.
PARISH PLAN A website has been
created by Devon County Council collating all the information within all parish
and town plans across
6.
LISTENING EVENTS Devon County Council
are holding Parish Listening Events across Devon and the one closest to this
parish is on
7.
CURRENT LEGISLATION TRAINING Councillors were
advised of the important legislation update training at Exminster on 5th
June 2008 at a cost of £40 per head.
8.
COMMITTEES
The following Minutes and recommendations were received from the Committees
(a) PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Minutes of Committee dated 18th February and
(b) COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENT
The Minutes of the committee held on (c) FINANCE STAFFING & GENERAL PURPOSES The Minutes of the bi-monthly committee held on Monday 17th March 2008 were PROPOSED by Cllr. Baverstock and SECONDED by Mrs Nuttall-Smith before being signed by the Chair.
9.
REPORTS Matters around the parish requiring notification or action by the Clerk: It was noted that the hedges at Simla, Kellaton required cutting back the clerk is to write accordingly.
CLERKS REPORT
Councillors were advised that DAPC would be running a visit to the new community centre at Ivybridge and those interested were requested to notify DAPC. An update on the new criteria for Quality Status was also mentioned along with new legislation that effectively debars co-opted councillors from holding Chair.
COLERIDGE ASSOCIATION OF PARISH COUNCILS The Chair and Vice Chair had attended the meeting held at Sherford Community Hall with guest speaker David Incoll. He advised that District find it difficult to recruit staff at present due to area restrictions. Also he advised that Paula Brooks and Chris Lucas at Distrcit are working hard to address such lack of communication issues. It was noted that the recycling is due for a change again as aims have been achieved but at a cost and thus economically they cannot continue. David Incoll advised that affordable homes were a priority but noted that the new planning system was holding the process up. The structure of a new authority is currently being debated but David Incoll personally felt such changes should be rural based and not a Plymouth/Torbay division. It was noted that evidence must be produced to back up proposals and suggested that Government thinking might be to set election dates to coincide with the European Elections. Thereafter local reports of each parish council were given.
AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY Cllr. Foss noted that this group were struggling as their money is being cut by County, District and Natural England. There is at present core funding to keep staff but nothing for projects. Cllr Foss asserted that private companies should be approached as such partnership support would assist company environmental targets.
SLAPTON Cllr. Baverstock advised that he had attended this meeting which attracted 30 prominent business people from around the parish. A detailed map of the alternative parish routes was provided and considered. He did however feel it was difficult to analysise the difference between the Slapton Line Forum and Business Forum and the aim of the meeting although it was decided that the forum would continue. It was noted that there appeared too much publicity and opinion with regard to the road being closed when the local opinion was about how they should keep the road open.
Cllr. Vale as Tree Warden noted that the AONB had been partly funding the Tree Warden facility and due to change have now withdrawn their funding and thus the Tree Warden Scheme looked to as though it might cease.
COMMUNITY INTERNET ACCESS Cllr. Warden congratulated the webmaster for facilitating this and was sorry to see finish due to lack of uptake and the end of specific funding. It was however hoped to provide such access through alternative routes such as evening Councillors Surgeries. 10. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT Cllr.
Baverstock advised that District have discussed the Devon Boundary Review.
Meetings are taking place daily between the Boundary Com and various
Districts. County are attempting to
group all Districts together and advance on a united front.
He went on to explain the current thinking and when such would be in
place. He
noted that the Devon Concessionary Bus Partnership had received completed forms
in November and to date no passes have been received.
The message is please be patient and they should be available in the next
week or so. Cllr.
Baverstock advised that there is a new corporate policy in District council that
stipulates when officers must reply to enquiries by. 11.
No
report provided. 12.
FINANCE
Current Account £ 885.62 Instant Savers (1) £24368.03 Instant Savers (2) £ 3213.50 Lloyds Transferred : £5,000.00
Cheques: 001456 Eclipse Internet Community and Parish internet (February): £36.98 001457 Mrs G. Claydon Clerks wages £1267.19 001458 In. Rev. Tax and Nat. Ins: £1.62 001459 Ms. A. Ball Bus Shelter Cleaning: £70.00 001460 P. Ball Bus Shelter Cleaning: £70.00 001461 E. Luscombe Bus Shelter Cleaning: £70.00 001462 P. Stone Bus Shelter Cleaning: £70.00 001463 Helping Hands Bus Shelter Maintenance: £2,250.13 001464 Stokenham Parish Hall Com. IT and Craft Fair Hire of Hall & Elec. meter: £50.00 001465 Concorde Copiers Maintenance: £3.64 001466 Eclipse Internet Community and Parish Internet (March) £36.98 001467 Concorde Copiers Maintenance: £0.81 001468 British Telecom Council Internet & phone: £83.94 001469 British Telecom Community Internet: £55.15 001470 Sea Shanty Creative Crafts Training Sundries: £50.00 001471 G. Claydon Travel and Sundries: £271.54
Received: Nil 13.
POINTS OF INFORMATION The Boundary
Committee Structural Review in Devontalk SHDC Executive
Forward Plan March 2008. Voluntary Vine
March/April 2008. Village Green x 4.
14.
The next full parish council meeting
will be held on Meeting finished: p.m. Signed Dated: April 2008.
|