Whitestone Parish Council
PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 2014
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday,
9th January 2014.
Attendance:
Chairman − Councillor P Nierop
Councillors Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs P Fisher, S Heathcote, D Munro, R Phillips, M Quinn, A Reed.
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs S Greenfield,
Apologies: Councillors Mrs M Belt, L Hickman, District Councillor P Bromell.
The meeting was preceded by the January Draw for the 100 Club in support of the Parish Hall Development Fund. The lucky number was 3 belonging to Jean Thomas.
1. The Chairman opened the meeting and the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12th December 2013 having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chairman.
2. PLANNING
Planning Applications
2.1 13/03306/COU Change of use of land to self storage business and associated security fencing at White Horse Car Breakers, Tedburn Road. The Council discussed the application and there were no objections although it was requested that containers should be positioned singly and not stacked on top of one another.
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
2.2 13/03197/COU Change of use of stables to additional accommodation and domestic storage ancillary to Nadder Park, Nadderwater
Grant of Outline Planning Permission
2.3 13/03192/OUT Outline − dwelling for a rural worker at Bickhams Farm Livery
Refusal of Planning Permission
2.4 13/03212/OUT Outline for dwelling (all matters reserved for future consideration) at Rebecca Springs, Nadderwater.
Stakeholder Workshop on Proposed Attwells Farm Development
2.5 An invitation to a workshop was discussed and the names of Cllrs Bramhall, Heathcote, Phillips, and Quinn and Mr Andrew Greenfield were to be submitted for attendance.
3. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
School Houses
3.1 Cllr Reed reported that no work has been carried out since the December meeting due to Christmas and New Year holidays
3.2 West Coast Windows had supplied and installed a new PVC window to the attic bedroom at no 1 and their account has been submitted for payment
3.3 A quotation of £250 for repairs to fencing and gate at rear of the properties has been obtained and this also includes changing downpipes at both properties. It was resolved that this quotation be accepted.
3.4 A quotation has been obtained via Devon Lettings for repair work required to the fireplace at No 1 and this was referred to be placed on hold for further discussion as there seemed to be some discrepancy in the work required.
3.5 The new tenancy agreements with Devon Lettings are still in abeyance and the Chairman requested that Cllr Reed ask for these to be agreed as soon as possible.
Maintenance of garden area by bus stop
3.6 Cllr Nierop reported that Mr Peter Joll has volunteered to undertake this task and the Councillors expressed their thanks on behalf of the community.
4. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
4.1 Cllr Nierop reported on the flooding on the bridge at Nadderwater by the Royal Oak.
4.2 Cllr Nierop reported completion of the Land Registry for the Parish Hall and he was awaiting the documents in regard to School Houses and the payment of the account from Foot Anstey for £1,302.00 will be held over until these have been received.
5. FINANCE
Budget for 2014-2015 and Precept
5.1 Balance sheets and documentation regarding finance having been circulated to members were fully discussed and it was resolved that the budget of £19,459 for 2014/15 be adopted and the Precept should remain as at £6,000. Cllr Quinn wished it noted that he was in opposition to the Precept remaining at £6,000 as he thought it should be reduced.
Income
5.2 School Houses rents for January £1,425 − Letting Agency fees £136.80 (including £22.80 VAT) = £1,288.20
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded. All in favour.
5.3 West Coast Windows − £489.60 (includes £81.60 VAT)
5.4 Mr Joll − paint purchased for painting bus shelter − £33.99 (includes £5.67 VAT)
5.5 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (January) £125
5.6 Hire of room for Parish Plan meetings - £22.50
5.7 Clerk‘s expenses/quarterly salary - £238.86
5.8 Foot Anstey £1,302.00 (includes £150 VAT)
6. CORRESPONDENCE
6.1 Devon County Council Neighbourhood Highways Officer reported back on the issues raised at the December meeting and also said that it would not be possible for the Parish to erect a sign indicating Nadderwater but if the Parish were happy to fund this they could then arrange for a new one to be erected. Following receipt of this the Clerk had asked for the possible cost of this and received a response to say that it would be somewhere in the region of £300−£400.
6.2 The Clerk had investigated a New Councillors Short Course for Cllr Bramhall to attend and there would be one in Exeter on Tuesday 8th April at a cost of £25. Cllr Bramhall indicated her willingness to attend on this date and the Council authorised that the Clerk make the necessary booking arrangements
6.3 Devon Assn of Local Councils request a nomination of the Chairman to go into a draw to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party on Tuesday 10th June.
7. REPORTS
7.1 Councillors reported flooding which had occurred in Halsfordwood Lane and on the C50 road by Bondhouse Lane and appreciated how promptly this had been dealt with by Devon Highways.
7.2 A pothole was to be reported on the road between Whitestone House and the reservoir and also that the hedge bank is again slipping into the road about ¼ of a mile west of Whitestone in the same area.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield reported that the pothole in Church Lane has been filled but it would appear to be only a temporary filling as it has degraded already. She also made a request that the grit bin by the Whitestone Church should be replenished in anticipation of the colder/icy weather to come as it is only part full.
Mrs Greenfield gave the following report on the Parish Plan Steering Group:- “We have continued work on the full questionnaire and have further meetings planned for this month. We would like to wish all parishioners a very Happy New Year”.
The meeting closed at 8.45p.m.