OCTOBER
STOKENHAM PARISH
COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON
STOKENHAM PARISH HALL
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS:
P.
GREENING (in the Chair)
P. ARUNDELL
J. ANSELL
N. TOLCHARD
R. BATES
R. WARDEN
W. HARWOOD
MRS A. HUTCHINGS
B.
R. FOSS
J. BAVERSTOCK (also District
Councillor) (Arriving late due to making a presentation for Stokenham parish at
Strete Parish Council meeting at
J.
Also in attendance:
Clerk – Mrs G. Claydon
Pc Mutton
APOLOGIES:
COUNCILLORS
A. VALE – 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.
2.
OPEN FORUM
Cllr Baverstock arrived from
Strete Parish Council meeting.
The Chair welcomed David Farwig of Digital UK who was in attendance to explain how the digital television signal change over will affect people, preempt some of their questions and give assurance as television is a lifeline to many in this parish. Also in attendance was a member of the public, Jon Peters.
Land transmitters on changeover will now be sending a digital signal. Digital signal is compulsory unlike the changeover for colour from black and white which was gradual and a personal decision. The westcountry is the first region to go digital and David showed a map of the area with dots demarking the relays. The new high definition television is more compressed and greener as the power required is lower than analogue. The date for Slapton and Salcombe changeover is August 12th 2009 and those fed off the Caradon hill transmitter will be the last in the westcountry to go digital.
All that will be required is a Digi box
plugged into a normal will television, thus such box will convert any television
to digital and people do not have to buy a new television set.
A television with no compatible sockets is the only that cannot be
converted but these are very rare.
The rumour that people must get a new aerial is false.
If the current aerial is giving a good reception with analogue it will
work for digital. It might appear
that there has been a publicity overkill going around but more leaflets in the
coming months will be circulated and viewers will start seeing captions on their
televisions advising of the changeover.
With regard to recording quite a few disc recorders are analogue and thus there is no digital tuner included and if users wish to record a programme whilst watching other channels they will need a new digital recorder.
The price of a box is about £15 and they
are coming down in price all the time.
The digital box will not work until August 12th when the
signal is turned on and there will be 4 week period of change over.
Government have a help scheme because this change over is compulsory and
to be eligible you must be 75 or over, on disability benefits, registered blind
or partially sighted and then there will be help provided for one set in the
house. The people providing such
service will be vetted and Government checked, wear appropriate badges and have
set paperwork. Digital
With regard to purchasing the digi box it was noted that there are varying prices of such. David advised that it is the service/options provided by the box that purchasers need to consider such as if you are hard of hearing there will be additions to the box to assist and thus people are encouraged to look at the specification when buying. Also look at the remote control provided as some are very small.
Jon Peters enquired about the number of
channels available and David acknowledged what can be received directly from
transmitters such as
The Chair thanked David Farwig as he left for an interesting, well explained and informative presentation.
Pc Mutton arrived.
Pc Mutton explained that they had not been that visible over the summer due to work and holiday commitments. There had been no reported crime since 23rd August although crime figures so far are up this year from 34 to 38 due to a series of burglaries. Pc Mutton cautioned everyone to be aware that crime figures were so down last year they could almost only go up this year! It was noted that neighbourhood watch had been in touch but councillors were concerned they had not seen the PCSOs as much. Pc Mutton agreed and apologised but other area needs took away resources. It was noted that speed cameras signs had been placed through Frogmore and Charleton to assist Pc Mutton not having to place signs out before using the speed gun. The Chair enquired whether a certain amount of checks must take place per year to have such designated signs in place and Pc Mutton advised that John Halliday, County Highways, had indicated an amount and he had far exceeded the expectation. The traffic division have also been the area more and are able to give a broader line of tickets.
3.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting dated
4.
PLANNING & PLANNING MATTERS
Applications to be considered at this meeting:
1861/08/RM
Resubmission of application 53/0408/08/RM for Reserved Matters application for
the erection of dwelling (outline consent OA/WX/2209) Building Plot adjacent to
Taffrail, Hallsands
- No objection.
1908/08/F Erection of
single storey rear and side extension to dwelling Cob Cottage, Beeson – No
objection.
PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
1559/08/F Amendments
to approval 53/0623/08/F for revision of car park layout provision of additional
rooflight, rebuilding of boundary wall for access and reduction in ridgeline of
lean-to roof Torcross Apartment Hotel, Torcross
PUBLIC FOOTPATH ORDER – PUBLIC FOOTPATH NO. 14
The Notice of
Certification dated 10th October 2008 for the completion of the
accommodation works detailed therein was noted.
5.
FULL COUNCIL JANUARY 2009
It was AGREED to postpone the meeting on
the first Thursday in January to
6.
REPORTS
Matters around the parish requiring notification or action by the Clerk:
DEVELOPMENT CONTROL USERS GROUP
Cllr. Vale not being in attendance will provide a report next meeting.
TORCROSS PROMENADE
It was noted that the proprietor/owner of Sea Breeze has placed the property on the market describing seating capacity as a certain amount inside and 32 outside. Some people in Torcross wished to make it known that the area in front of this property is highway and thus inappropriate for the sale of that property to include seating capacity outside. A meeting was convened of interested parties by a resident and the Chair and Dist. Cllr. Baverstock were requested by County to attend the meeting. Cllr. Baverstock noted that this meeting did not follow a format and he was unsure what people really wanted. Some requested vehicular access and others did not want such. Chris Watkins from County expressed the fact that the promenade in law was a highway whilst Cllr. Baverstock asserted that it was not a highway to which Road Traffic and a number of other regulations apply and thus Chris Watkins agreed that bollards should not be there and this was a technical problem. A gentleman who is not a resident of Torcross has written to District stating that the sale advert offends. One thing that consoled those present was that if the Sea Breeze must apply for a licence this process is like a planning application it has to come before parish council.
The Chair summed up and advised that historically Parish Council have tried to engender a live and let live policy but due to the course of action now instigated this matter will have to be addressed by County with whatever outcomes are decided upon.
PLANNING TRAINING
The Chair noted that this training had a very good turn out of councillors and the content was well worth the day. All wish to thank Sea Shanty for the catering.
PILOT PROJECT
The clerk gave a brief update of the pilot so far.
It was noted that the Clerk and Chair felt that the new operatives appreciated the area and accepted responsibility with pride.
Cllr. Baverstock having attended Strete Parish Council advised that the council were impressed with the fact that Stokenham are trying to back track to a personalized staff to sweep streets and clear gutters. The did question if one or two buddle holes in their parish that cause problems could be identified and were advised to ring Stokenham clerk and if she could assist would. Strete Parish Council felt it was positive that Stokenham were determining whether it was beneficial to have staff.
COLERIDGE ASSOCIATION OF PARISH COUNCILS
The Chair highlighted the remembrance and appreciation shown to the shortly departed clerk, John Gutteridge. There followed a presentation by Ken Carter and included representation by Rob Harkness the newly appointed area representative. There was an explanation on how Landscape & Leisure Department has been reorganized, and Ken apologized for grass cutting and went on to overview the Open Space Document. Ken encouraged all to look at such maps within the Open Spaces document and check them.
It was noted that the main deficiencies on audit at District were the lack of allotments and football pitches which they hope to address this coming year. The 2008/12 action plan will partnership parishes and use s106 agreements to achieve parish needs. A budget just short of £1million has been set advise to overhaul open spaces and teams each with required kit have been tasked with such projects. Officer Ken Carter is also fighting for new equipment which District have recommended in committee for approval today.
It was also noted that a renaming of the new Sherford development as Newton Sherford has been accepted. Further reports from other parishes were received.
AONB –
With the 50th Anniversay in 2010 preparations are being made.
FLOODGATE OPERATORS – BEESANDS
Cllr. Foss advised that he believed one operative was now dis interested and thus the active group were down to 3 but but Cllr Hutchings is to research this assertion and advise of situation.
CLERK’S REPORT
The clerk drew councillors attention to the following:
Cllr.
7.
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
At the
scrutiny meeting the financial investments made by South Hams District Council
had been discussed. District
have spread their actual capital investments of around £25/30Million throughout
the markets. However the financial
monitoring company who provide ratings from ‘A’ to ‘D’ for the information of
Local Authorities , ‘A’ being the most secure had advised that the Heritable
Bank was a category ‘A’ bank. South Hams therefore decided to invest
£1.25million on deposit towards the end of September for a 3 month period.
Heritable Bank is a U.K based bank but is a subsidiary of one of the
three Icelandic banks, because it is still a British bank albeit owned by
Iceland, the assets have been frozen.
District have talked to the bank operatives and been referred to
Receivers. A letter infers that the
English bank has enough resources to cover the resources that they hold,
therefore it is hoped that District will get their money back.
Such financial problems will have no effect on services nor council tax
and the reason they are able to say this is because this year District have
invested slightly more than last year at higher interest rates so therefore,
should they lose the £1.25million they hope to receive the same interest income
as last year. Interest income is
about £2million per year and that subsidises the tax payer in the District.
District Cllr. Baverstock referred to a discussion on South Brent Parish Council
and the fact that they appear to have a very effective grass cutting
arrangement. This service is
provided on their own and they draw down finance from County and District.
The Clerk advised that she had all paperwork on this arrangement and such
could be considered albeit such arrangements considered at present did not
reflect this pattern.
Japanese Knotweed around Slapton Ley and bottom of
Cllr.
Foss then highlighted two chemicals available and the problems surrounding such
application.
8.
Cllr.
He
noted that the LGR submissions had been sent.
Now the Boundary Commission must make recommendation by 31st
December and the Secretary of State will thereafter consider.
The Chairman of the Boundary Commission is away from 19th
December and therefore there are those that expect a report before then.
He noted that
The
AONB are keen to map where Knotweed is situated to assess where it is growing or
spreading. This is because in
With
regard to a future childrens centre in Stokenham progress for this is in phase
three if money is still available.
Phase one was SureStart. Dartmouth
Centre is to open on Friday and Kingsbridge next month.
The concept Cllr
A
partnership between police, local council and county council have arranged youth
nights on Friday nights in towns.
Such has run into funding problems but last Tuesday County agreed to fund such
outreach for the next two years.
These schemes have been very successful in
9.
FINANCE
Cheques:
001540 Nick Walker
Printing – Newsletters £106.00
001541 Mrs G. Claydon
– Clerk’s Wages £960.46
001542 In. Rev. – Tax
& Nat. Ins. £306.27
001543 Eclipse –
Council & Com. IT £to be advised
001544 Concorde
Copiers – Copier Maintenance £to be advised
001545 M.P. Kelly –
Planning Training Day £159.02
001546 Sea Shanty –
Sustenance on Training Day £40.00
001547 Hawthorns Accounting Sers. Ltd. – PAYE Sept & Oct £7.50
001548 The Royal British Legion – Donation for Remembrance Wreath £20.00
Payments received:
Transferred: £1700.00
10.
POINTS OF INFORMATION
DPFA Notification of
training dates.
Shaw’s Bookshop –
Council legal references.
SHDC Minutes of the
Executive
SHDC LDF – Affordable
Housing Development Plan Document & Supplementary Planning Document.
11.
The next full parish council meeting
will be held on
Meeting finished:
Signed ……………………… Dated: 6th November 2008.
STOKENHAM PARISH
COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
HELD ON
STOKENHAM PARISH HALL
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS:
P.
GREENING (in the Chair)
P. ARUNDELL
J. ANSELL
N. TOLCHARD
R. BATES
R. WARDEN
W. HARWOOD
A. VALE
J. BAVERSTOCK (also District
Councillor)
J.
Also in attendance: Clerk – Mrs G.
Claydon
APOLOGIES:
COUNCILLORS
B.
R. FOSS - 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.
2.
OPEN FORUM
The Chair welcomed Clare Pawley to the meeting and invited her to speak. She advised that she wished to comment on the proposal for development at The Cove, Torcross. She acknowledged that at present the property was dilapidated and any action would be welcome. Although she believed the owner would write personally she noted concern for possible overlooking of the adjacent property Downsteps from the proposed terrace on the first floor of The Cove which appears quite high. Ms Pawley also raised the question with regard to the claim that The Cove have a private beach when in fact it is a private foreshore. The current sale particulars should not refer to such as a private beach. This piece of land has a footpath across it and the public should be allowed to continue to use it and thus clarification and assurances should be sought. She went on to note that the proposed design is extremely glamorous ‘like an ocean liner’ and whilst she was not sure what impact it would have on the site she did feel something needed to be done and would rather see something with style than something bland. If it could be termed an objection a concern would only be how the developers intend to remove debris from the site when they demolish and what assurances will be given for protection of the beach and no debris getting into the sea. It was noted that access will be very hard on the feeder roads and no doubt difficult to achieve and special attention should be paid to this for the benefit of neighbours and the environment. The boundary is not defined on the north side and thus a question was raised as to the reason for this and caution noted with regards to historic landslips at that side and what measures are to be taken to alleviate such problems.
3.
MINUTES
the Minutes of the meeting dated
4.
PLANNING & PLANNING MATTERS
Applications to be considered at this meeting:
1772/08/F Erection of
conservatory
1775/08/F Demolition
of existing guest house and replacement with new residential dwelling The Cove
House, Torcross – No objection.
Whilst the proposed design was felt acceptable and could sit well in this
location there were concerns with regard to the degree of overlooking from the
proposed terrace adjoining Downsteps.
It was noted that people will only see this property from the sea or
walking by but councillors wished clarification and assurance with regard to the
existing access to the foreshore due to historical false claims as to its use.
There is a public footpath that crosses this area and public access to
the beach which needs to continue.
In view of the demolition and building materials required for this site it is of
paramount importance that a condition and a plan of usage should be drawn up to
illustrate how building materials will be removed and brought in and what
measures will be taken to alleviate nuisance to neighbours and road users and
such reinstatement works and remedies to be imposed also taking into
consideration the beach area should such access be considered.
The boundary line to the north is not delineated and having regard to
landslips in this area it is suggested that planning officers should clarify
such ownership and responsibility.
1807/08/F
Re-submission of planning application 53/1299/08/F for extension and alterations
to bungalow 10, Cotmore Close, Chillington,
1809/08/F Amendment
to planning approval 53/02561/06/F for new dwelling to change ridge height from
56 to 57.1 giving 35 degree pitch roof. Building Plot north of Stokenham House
at SX806427, Stokenham – Dist. Cllr. Baverstock advised that this matter relates
to a variation in plans that were submitted.
The height of 57.1 was originally approved but one plan in the pack said
56 and thus had to be revisited. No
objection.
1811/08/F
Re-submission of planning application 53/1194/08/F extension and alterations The
Close, Stokenham,
1812/08/F
Installation of 1 x 0.75m dish antenna on existing tower, 1 x replacement
equipment cabin, 1 x meter cabinet and a feeder gantry for digital television
switch-over project. Ntl Site 13119 Widdecombe Farm, Stokenham,
5.
THE MAKING AND ENFORCEMENT OF BYELAWS – A CONSULTATION
A paper was tabled
(as attached) for councillors to consider this document and it was AGREED
to respond accordingly with the following points included:
At this point Cllr Warden felt he should
declare a personal interest due to the byelaws covering taxi drivers.
6.
DRAFT PLANNING OBLIGATIONS – LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
A draft response was
tabled and it was AGREED to respond accordingly with the additional points:
As a payment for
education is not a statutory requirement this should be included in the list of
s106 priorities. It was also felt
that an element to ensure highway reinstatement, footpaths and other community
facilities (such as shop) should be acknowledged.
This Parish Council assert that planning should consult with the
community on the content of any s106 agreement as its inception rather than when
the application is put forward.
It was agreed that a
service charge should be charged due to the negotiations involved and expense of
legal advice required. Costs for
such however should be an additional charge rather than top slicing.
It was noted that
pooling of resources is to be included and there is a concern that this could
take monies away from the direct area.
Thus there should be a restriction included stating the areas where these
pooled monies can be used and such information should be made publicly
available.
7.
2009/2010 PRECEPT
It was AGREED that
Cllrs. Greening, Bates, Baverstock, Foss, Warden and Nuttall-Smith would meet to
consider such information and costings with regard to the budget for 2009/2010.
8.
REPORTS
Matters around the parish requiring notification or action by the Clerk:
SALTSTONE GROUP
Cllr Warden advised that the Agenda for
the Saltstone Group includes Phil Norrey of Devon County Council who will
further discuss Unitary proposals for
DAPC AGM
Cllr. Bates and Vale attended.
(Report attached). Cllr. Vale
found this a worthwhile meeting and wishes to go to further meetings.
He did however express concern that the meeting was pushed through at
speed during Prof. Winters presentation due to the lack of good time keeping of
others previously. Barbara Thomas
who also attended and is one of the
PILOT COMMENCEMENT
The Clerk advised that the Pilot went live from Monday 29th September 2008. The Chair and Clerk then met with James Wheldon and one of the new people covering part of the route to consider prepared documents and capture the route efficiency.
A new vehicle, a white transit, has been
leased to facilitate equipment for the cleaning of toilets and collection of
refuse being incorporated. Detailed
times and schedules had been prepared by Bill Lawrence on the information
provided for toilet cleaning but following the papers relating to bin collection
not being available until Thursday it was agreed to follow the schedules worked
up by James Wheldon for the first three weeks (there is a rolling 3 week
changeover) and then review this work in the light of the documentation
completed by the pilot volunteers.
Following a call from County, Chris Lucas is to put the two pilot volunteers
through Chapter 8 training and purchase correct signage for the highway together
with
SDCLAG
Group collected plaque but clerk was unable to attend as she was at another meeting. Documentation to complete the forward plan document to submit to RDA to release monies is well under way and group have agreed further dates to meet and involve the wider LAG group. It appears that the monies will probably not be released until early December 2008.
CLERK’S REPORT
The clerk drew councillors attention to the following:
9.
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr.
Baverstock advised that the proposal for free/subsidized transport for young
people is gathering pace although a solution seems a long way off.
A survey by Rural Services Network says that transport blights young
lives. County Hall are now
discussing with Government ways around the problems for people growing up in
deep rural areas and thus Cllr. Baverstock continues to push for permits for the
young.
District allocated £1.9million to parks and play areas.
Currently a survey on play equipment is being carried out and they are
now entering into negotiations with contractors and therefore it will be a few
months before this is implemented.
At this point District might approach parish and town councils to discuss future
provision.
Parishioners at Torcross are concerned with by the fact that the Sea Breeze café
is on the market advertised with 32 seating capacity outside on the
highway/promenade. Cllr. Baverstock
has made it clear that formally this stretch is a highway but Parish and County
have always taken a flexible approach and not enforced anything hoping to
encourage tourism and community understanding.
10.
The
Chair extended good wishes to Cllr.
Cllr.
11.
FINANCE
Cheques:
001538 BT – Council and Community Hall telephone: £153.17
001539 SLCC
Enterprises Ltd – National Conference 2008: £376.00
Payments received: ½ Yearly
Precept £11808
14.
POINTS OF INFORMATION
SHDC Agenda and
Minutes
SHDC Executive
Forward Plan
Junk Mail Summer
2008.
Town & Parish
Standards Board Newsletter Issue 3.
15.
The next full parish council meeting
will be held on
Meeting finished: 9.50p.m.
Signed ………………………
Dated: