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SEPTEMBER
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 B. R. BATES R. WARDEN R. FOSS W. HARWOOD A. VALE – Personal Also in attendance: Clerk – Mrs G.
Claydon APOLOGIES: COUNCILLORS MRS C. NUTTALL-SMITH - Personal MRS A. HUTCHINGS - Personal J. BAVERSTOCK (also District Councillor)
- Personal J. 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 Joe Johnston and his son in law were
present to answer questions and make comments with regard to the 3.
MINUTES The reference to the Chair arriving at the meeting was deleted from the Minutes of the meeting dated 4th September 2008 as it was felt to be misleading and they were then approved by all present and duly signed as a true and correct record.
4.
PLANNING & PLANNING MATTERS
Applications to be considered at this meeting: 1659/08/O
Resubmission of application 53/1859/07/O for outline application for erection of
dwelling and garage Land between 15 & 1704/08/F Alterations
and single storey extensions to dwelling 6 Shindle Park, Chillington – No
objection although some concern was raised by one councillor with regard to the
proximity of this proposed property to the highway and overhead cables. 1714/08/F Conversion
of bar/games room/kitchen to two residential apartments Torcross Apartment
Hotel, Torcross – No objection.
Cllr. Harwood arrived.
5.
BOUNDARY COMMITTEE The noted that the
clerk had circulated the draft document with comments and additions from the
last council meeting to all councillors.
He went on to acknowledge that many meetings had been held by local
authorities and organisations covering this topic and that he, the clerk and a
few others councillors had attended such.
Cllr. Foss arrived. Concern was
reiterated with regard to the proposed make up of the Community Boards which it
is suggested are intended to be made up of elected members and representatives
from groups with certain interests (being referred to as stakeholders) thus
giving a platform for unelected people not covered by the same codes as local
government. It was also suggested
that the worst case scenario for the future of these boards would be that they
would become just another ‘cluster meeting’ or talk shop.
Such proposal to create these boards was seen as a smoke screen to tick a
box. With the creation of
a Unitary based in Exeter there was a concern that councillors did not want
Follaton House to be reduced in stature as there was a feeling locally amongst
people that there would be a gap which would make it difficult for them to make
a connection with services. As such
the proposed Unitary was felt to be disenfranchising the general public as the
people in power will be further away from them. Residents are paying
enough for services currently but it was perceived that, although given
alternative assurances that council tax will go up because of some services
needing to align across the County such as recycling.
The general consensus was that the Boundary Committee’s proposal for
Unitary Devon had been a ‘rush job’ with little thought given to consequences
and implementation. The Chair suggested
that together with the above comments a further bullet should be added to the
proposed response document as follows: The proposed Unitary
authority appears to be cost savings driven rather than meeting the Government’s
objective of improving governance to create a greater instrument for people in
the management of their affairs. It was AGREED to
formally approve the parish council response to the Boundary Committee as
drafted following the inclusion of the above additional comments from the
meeting together with a further separate letter being sent to the Boundary
Committee requesting status quo.
7.
PLAY AREA MANAGEMENT It was AGREED that
this parish council wish to embrace the ownership of such Open Spaces in this
parish if such is offered by District Council having first ensured that such
maintenance required has been implemented and thus the Chair and Clerk were
requested to enter into negotiations should such transfer be possible and report
to full council when such takes place.
8.
HALF YEARLY BUDGET AGAINST ACTUALS The Clerk tabled such
figures (as attached) and it was AGREED that council acknowledged and approved
such report.
9.
A379 BUS STOP IMPROVEMENTS CHURCH HOUSE INN, STOKENHAM It was AGREED that
all councillors were content with the proposals for such. 8.
REPORTS Matters around the parish requiring notification or action by the Clerk:
CHILLINGTON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Cllr Warden reported that he had received a report from the Community Association advising that the Community Hall was suffering a spate of vandalism. The post fence over the walkway entrance had been broken and manhole covers on the path also disturbed. This meeting had taken place at the
Slapton Ley Field Centre wherein Stokenham Parish Council had been mentioned due
to the fact that they are taking on devolved services.
Those present were interested and keen to be kept informed as to its
outcome. The Annual Meeting is due
to take place on an evening in October and Cllrs. Vale and Warden expressed an
interest in attending. The AONB group will also be forwarding a letter to the Boundary Committee making comment with regard to the proposed Unitary as such changes will affect the AONB with regard to funding. The Chair advised that he along with
District Cllr. Baverstock, Cllrs The Clerk and Chair had attended this update briefing but had felt that they were already conversant with much that was discussed therein. If did however afford the ability to confirm certain beliefs with regard to the criteria. There are more mandatory tests to achieve along with further discretionary communication criteria one being a ‘blog’ – a means of dialogue with members of the public which offers a forum for others to reply with regard to parish matters. Those applying for the first time can now work towards such Quality mark but Stokenham Parish Council having already achieved such must apply and ensure that such application is in for consideration either 12th November or 8th December. The parish council are continuing to be
active achieving satisfaction with the arrangements to implement this pilot by The clerk drew councillors attention to the following:
9.
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT No
report available. 10.
No
report available. 11.
FINANCE
Bank Balances: Current Account £ 906.39 Instant Savers (1) £23696.85 Instant Savers (2) £ 3254.99
Cheques: 001534 Concorde
Copiers – Maintenance £2.34 001535 G. Claydon –
Clerk’s wages (Sept.) £to be advised 001536 In. Rev. – Tax
& Nat. Ins (Sept) £to be advised 001537 Eclipse – Community & Council IT £to be advised
Payments received: 14.
POINTS OF INFORMATION SHDC Kingsbridge &
Salcombe Area Parish Cluster meeting Agenda SHDC Minutes of the
Executive South Hams Magazine
Issue 13, Autumn 2008. Voluntary Vine
Newsletter Volume 16 – Issue 4, Sept/Nov. 2008. DCC Parish and Town
Council Update Events. DAPC Draft Response
to Boundary Committee Draft Proposals for Devon 2008. DAPC Newsletter
Sept/Oct. 2008. 15.
The next full parish council meeting
will be held on Meeting finished:
Signed ………………………
Dated:
STOKENHAM PARISH
COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON STOKENHAM PARISH HALL PRESENT: COUNCILLORS: R. FOSS (in the Chair) P.
GREENING (took the Chair on arrival) P. ARUNDELL J. ANSELL N. TOLCHARD W. HARWOOD MRS A. HUTCHINGS B. R. BATES J. J. BAVERSTOCK (also District
Councillor) Also in attendance: Clerk – Mrs G.
Claydon APOLOGIES: COUNCILLORS A. VALE – Personal R. WARDEN - 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 No members of the public being present this was dispensed with. 3.
MINUTES The Minutes of the meeting dated 7th August 2008 were approved by all present and duly signed as a true and correct record by Cllr Foss, being in the Chair until Cllr Greening arrived.
4.
PLANNING & PLANNING MATTERS
Applications to be considered at this meeting: 0529/08/CU Change of
use of barn to studio and storage facility Barn 1299/08/F Extension
and alterations to bungalow 10 Cotmore Close, Chillington – WITHDRAWN 1536/08/F Alterations
& extensions to dwelling Meadow View, 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 – No objection.
PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
1062/08/F Conversion
of existing barn to holiday use Barn at Cotmore Farm, Cotmore 1121/08/F Amendment
to condition 20 of planning approval 53/0939/04/F for the demolition of existing
hotel, coach house and sheds and construction of 5 no. new dwellings (amendment
to line of new footpath) Start View, Hallsands 1197/08/F
Resubmission of planning application 53/0932/08/F for alterations and extension
to dwelling Pennistone, 1216/08/F Single
storey extension Wagtails, Beeson 1235/08/F Removal of
conditions 4 & 5 of planning approval 53/0623/08/F (retention of PVC windows)
Torcross Apartment Hotel, Torcross 1302/08/F Alterations
to dwelling Church View Cottage,
PLANNING PERMISSION REFUSED
1194/08/F Extension
and alterations to dwelling The Close, Stokenham
5.
BOUNDARY COMMITTEE It was noted that
councillors felt Community boards should not be dominated by Unitary
representatives. Also it was asserted
that a comment should be made that such Boards should elect their own chair
rather than the Unitary representative taking such post.
Concerns were also noted in relation to non elected stakeholders
participating on the boards. Councillors
considered a draft response and discussed as above.
It was AGREED to await further information on the 16th
September from County before finalising such council response to the Boundary
Committee.
6.
DEVOLVED SERVICES Councillors received
the notes of the Pilot working party to update them.
It was further reported that District intended to not include waste bin
collection in the pilot. The Chair
and Clerk have therefore taken issue with this suggestion and are to meet with
Chris Lucas to discuss this and again challenge the remit of the Stokenham
pilot. Since the working
party notes Bill Lawrence has agreed to co-ordinate the workers and a new
commencement date of 28th September has been agreed to align with the
changeover of shifts to a winter schedule.
The Clerk advised that she had today taken and passed Chapter 8 training. In an effort to
advise and include other parishes within the pilot the Chair and District Cllr.
Baverstock had attended Slapton Parish Council on Monday to explain the pilot
expectations to date. It was noted
that this council run on a 3 month rolling change of chair and whilst they
received the presentation well they were not conversant with the wider
expectations of such devolution.
They had then attended Cllr Baverstock
summed up that each parish council had appreciated the fact that they had gone
to share thoughts on what Stokenham were intending and they promised to return
at the end of the pilot to brief them on outcomes and achievements. Cllr Arundell noted
the District concerns with regard to attendants/workers carrying refuse bags
from the public bins within their lorry and a suggested a wheelie bin sited to
deposit bins refuse in, for collection by other workers passing through the
parish. It was AGREED that
the Clerk and Chair will again meet with Chris Lucas to further develop the
pilot with an aim to commence on the 28th September.
7.
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER It was AGREED to
approve the contents of the draft newsletter and for such to be printed and
circulated accordingly.
8.
REPORTS Matters around the parish requiring notification or action by the Clerk: Coleridge Cross towards Frittiscombe, Coleridge Farm/contractors maybe – muddy road. Alongside village green in Beesands noted that there is flooding on the road up to half the width – suggest to District channeling to green to disperse. Beesands/Beeson signs – Noted that they have still not been replaced. Clerk advised that County have ordered and they are awaited.
Cllr Greening arrived and took the Chair.
Cllr Baverstock arrived As a point of information it was noted that complaints had been received from Chillington residents with regard to the public footpath from Well Farm down through to Frogmore barns – field gate chained and padlocked. Cattle had been allowed to stray on to the highway because walkers had not closed the gate and thus the gate will be reopened asap. This path is a Permissive Path for 10 years and can be closed for H&S reasons at any time. The gates when left open were deliberately wedged open!
CLERK’S REPORT The clerk drew councillors attention to the following:
9.
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
District Cllr. Baverstock noted that during August District Council acts on a
skeleton staff basis and thus there was not much to report.
Today Executive had sat to discuss car parking concessions for residents
within South Hams. Proposals via a
paper were that residents be given the opportunity to park in District car parks
up to 10a.m. without payment and after
Cllr. Harwood arrived. Cllr. 10.
A
question was received with regard to free bus passes and whilst County does not
provide this facility it was noted that such provision has cost District dearly.
A proposed scheme for free swimming for over 60’s is also applauded but
Government have not provided enough funding and District could find themselves
out of pocket again. With
holidaymakers visiting using their bus passes in the area District will then
need cover such summer expenditure and this is a further drain. 11.
FINANCE
Cheques: 001525 Mrs G. Claydon
– Clerk’s August Wages £950.46 001526 In. Rev. – Tax
& Nat. Ins. August £316.27 001527 P. Stone – Bus
Shelter Cleaning £75.00 001528 A. Ball – Bus
Shelter Cleaning £75.00 001529 E. Luscombe –
Bus Shelter Cleaning £75.00 001530 P. Ball – Bus
Shelter Cleaning £75.00 001531 DAPC – Quality
Status Update training £10.00 001532 DAPC – AGM
£30.00 (If applicable) 001533 Eclipse
Internet – August Council & Community IT £36.98 Payments received: Planning Training Day (3 delegates) £75.00 14.
POINTS OF INFORMATION DAPC Annual Report
2007/08 + Proposed subscription rates for 2009/10 British Heart
Foundation Great West Ramble Literature SHDC Executive
Forward Plan Devon & Cornwall
Police Authority Liaison Meeting Poster. SHDC Boundary
Committee Leaflet. Local Council Review
September 2008. Devontalk – County
Autumn 2008 magazine. Clerks & Councils
Direct September 2008. Village Green x 4. The Clerk Magazine
September 2008. 15.
The next full parish council meeting
will be held on Meeting finished: Signed ………………………
Dated: |