Whitestone Parish Council

DRAFT Minutes of Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday

14^th July 2016 to be ratified on Thursday 8^th September 2016.

Attendance: Chairman − Councillor L Hickman
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs L Fairley, R Phillips, A Reed.
District Councillor P Bromell (until 9pm)
County Councillor J Brook (from 9pm and left after giving his report)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs S Greenfield, Mrs B Netherway, Mr D Friend

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Friend informed the Council that the planning application for Upper Kingswell Farm was actually for land situated in the Parish of Holcombe Burnell although Teignbridge District Council has sought views from Whitestone as an adjacent parish. He stated that the application has been discussed at Holcombe

Burnell Parish Council meeting with no objections.

Mrs Greenfield gave the following report from the Parish Plan Committee “A huge thank you to those who came to our Parish Plan presentation on Saturday 9^th July and for the useful and constructive comments that we received. We are pleased to say that 40 people attended. We have been approached by a few people who were unable to attend on the Saturday. Arrangements have been made for any parishioner who missed the day to view the displayed material. This will be in the form of a copy of the whole presentation, in a folder, which can be borrowed for a short period from now until 15^th August. Please contact one of the following committee members for the folder:− Vicky Bryant (tel: 01392 811391) or Peter Hanson (tel: 01392 811878). After viewing this if you have any comments on the draft Action Plan please either give them to a committee member or post them in the Parish Hall letter box by 15^th August 2016. Committee members are:− Vicky Bryant, Marian Durrant, Andrew Greenfield, Sheila Greenfield, Peter Hanson”

The Clerk reported having received a letter from Mr Neirop complaining regarding the lack of provision regarding dissemination of the results or feedback on the draft action plan of the Parish Plan Survey apartfrom the coffee morning.This matter was not discussed further as the Parish Plan Committee has put in place action outlined above to ensure parishioners who were unable to visit the presentation are able to have their views taken into account.

Cllr Hickman thanked Mrs Greenfield for the report and then conveyed his personal congratulations to the Committee for an impressive presentation on the 9^th July which he felt was clear with a level of clarity that made it easy to understand.

The Chairman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday, 9^th June 2016 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Hickman.

REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

District Councillor Bromell said that he realised that the motor cycle events which are taking place at Hales Farm, Heath Cross, are causing considerable annoyance locally both to residents at Whitestone and Tedburn St Mary. The Chair decided to address this matter in Cllr Bromell’s presence rather than wait until letters that had been received were analysed under “correspondence”.

Councillors discussed the situation and agreed that they continued to believe that this activity was inappropriate for the area. However, Teignbridge District Council Environmental Health Department were continuing to gather evidence in regard to the legal action as outlined at the Public Meeting. Therefore Councillors did not feel it was appropriate for the Parish Council to make further comment until the legal position of the events are known. It is understood that further events on 15^th September and 27^th November are planned to take place and Environmental Health Officers are aware of these.

PLANNING

The following applications/plans were examined and discussion took place with the subsequent observations:−

Planning Application

16/01548/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Schedule 2, Part 3 Class P of the GPDO for change of use of a storage or distribution building (Class B8) to two dwellings at Unit 2, Rebecca Springs. Not supported for domestic dwellings as it was felt this would lead to encroaching development not conducive to an agricultural area.

16/01753/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and paragraph W of the GPDO for change of use of an agricultural building from agricultural use to a dwelling at Springdale Farm, Longdown. Not supported as there are concerns about increase of site, access and traffic.

16/01754/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and paragraph W of the GPDO for change of use of an agricultural building from agricultural use to a dwelling at Springdale Farm, Longdown. Not supported as there are concerns about increase of site, access and traffic.

Planning Application for Adjacent Parish

16/01817/REM Approval of details for a dwelling (approval sought for access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) at Upper Kingswell Farm, Longdown. No objections.

Grant of Conditional Planning Permission

16/01036/FUL Formation of a stone gabion basket retaining wall onto Pound Lane at Hindcross.

MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

Parish Council Grants

The following notice has been distributed throughout the Parish:−

Each year the Parish Council is able to give grants to any Organisation or Group within the Parish. Grants can be in cash, or the Parish Council can buy goods or services to donate in which case the Council can reclaim the VAT. If your Group could use a grant for any purpose, such as new equipment or just some cash to keep you going, please ask for a Grant Form from Pat Vaughan (Clerk to the Parish Council) telephone 01392 411628 or email: patricia.vaughan2@btinternet.com.

Two applications for a grant have been received and these will be dealt with at the end of this meeting.

Parish Hall cleaning contribution

Notification received regarding the current status of the cleaner/caretaker role. A new cleaner has been appointed and the level of support requested from the Parish Council has been reduced from £129.60 to £108 per month. It is likely that there will be a heavy duty clean and polish of the floor possibly 3 or 4 times a year and the Hall Committee hope that the Council will consider contributing to this cost when it occurs.

School Houses

Cllr Hickman and Cllr Reed have been in lengthy negotiations with Teignbridge District regarding the external wall insulation required for School Houses and information has now been received from Teignbridge District Council that grants towards external wall insulation as per Energy Plan Quotation and Agreement with E.ON have now been finalised as follows:−

1 School Houses − cost £8,186.07 grants will be made of £6,139.56

2 School Houses − cost £12,171.93 grants will be made of £7,000.00

As these figures were similar to those quoted in April 2016 when the Council gave their approval Cllr Hickman signed the necessary forms for the work to go ahead as it will be necessary for the task to be completed by September. Arrangements have been made with Devon Sales and Lettings for them to oversee the arrangements for the work completion although some involvement will be required from the Asset Committee. It is understood that no planning permission will have to be sought for the work to be carried out.

Cllr Munro proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Hickman and Cllr Reed for their commitment to this project which it is realised has taken a great deal of time and effort for them.

Cllr Reed reported that a floorboard in No 2 School Houses will need to be replaced and this is being organised by the Letting Agency.

Crossway Park

Cllr Bramhall gave a report on her weekly visits to the Park and noted that on one occasion some adults had been seen using the swings. The Clerk reported a complaint received regarding 10 empty plastic bottles and chocolate wrappers left around one of the goal posts in the Park and the resident asked that users of the Park be reminded to use the litter bins provided.

MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Cllr Hickman wished to remind those attending the meeting and parishioners reporting potholes that they need to be aware of the criteria for action by Devon Highways which requires potholes to be over 40mm deep and greater than 300mm wide. The most direct route for action is via their website or the telephone i.e:− 0845 155 1004 or 0345 155 1004.

Representation has been received from a parishioner of blocked drains on Old Tedburn Road at Heath Lane that may cause flooding. Agreed this should be reported to Highways and in addition request if there was a plan of action to clear drains in the Parish.

FINANCE

Nat West Bank Statement as at 30^th June 2016

Current A/c	200.00
Business Reserve A/c	23,361.04
Business Reserve A/c	3,402.89
	£,26,963.93

Income

1 School Houses rent for July £675.00 − £64.80 (includes £10.80 VAT) = £610.20.

2 School Houses rent for June/July £800.00 − £76.80 (includes £12.80 VAT) = £723.20.

Expenditure

The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour.

Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (July) £108.00

Alpha Furniture (balance for chairs) £1,005.75 (includes £223.50 VAT)

Mr G Dicker (grounds maintenance) £649.98

Clerk’s quarterly salary/expenses £273.90

REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR

County Councllor Brook arrived and apologised for late arrival as he had attended a previous meeting elsewhere. He reported on the Mineral Plan but said that this does not affect the Whitestone Parish and that the South West Highways tenders are now being organised. He mentioned that applications could be made from his Community Fund and the Invest in Devon Fund. The Round Britain Cycle Race comes to Devon on Friday 9^th September with Stage 6 from Sidmouth to Haytor and Devon County have contributed towards this event. Cllr Brook left after giving his report.

CORRESPONDENCE

Complaint received that the sign for Hill Lane was completed smashed. This was reported to Teignbridge District Council and the Clerk received a response that it has been noted and an order has been made for its replacement. The parishioner also included thanks to Teignbridge District Council for the prompt removal of two black bags of stinking rubbish left in the layby at the junction of Hill Lane and Pound Lane and also a deer’s torso left in the same area which was removed straight away.

Notification received from Devon County Council of a temporary prohibition of through traffic and parking at Hill Lane from Monday 8^th August to Thursday 11^th August.

REPORTS

Cllr Phillips reported that the hedges had been trimmed at Oldridge.
Cllr Munro reported that he has replaced the TELEPHONE notice at the telephone box near the bus stop area.
Cllr Belt reported that not all the commemorative coins for the Queen’s 90^th birthday which had been purchased by the Council for allocation for children in the parish had been collected at the Fete. She advised any parents to contact her on 01392 811374 by the 10^th August to arrange collection after which time any remaining coins will be sold for a £2 donation.
Cllr Belt reported that the Fete held on 7^th July had been a success and an amount of £543 had been raised.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Friend said he was still unhappy regarding the situation at Springdale Farm as he felt that a building had been installed without planning permission and that this was one of the buildings included in the planning application for change of use.

Members of the public and Cllr Reed left the meeting at 9.15pm.

Parish Council Grants

Councillors discussed two applications for Parish Council Grants received from Whitestone Short Mat Bowls and the Arts and Crafts Mornings Group. After discussion of the details given by the two applicants regarding the activities of these social groups it was resolved that £100 should be given to both in order to assist their continued organization for the benefit of residents within the Parish.

The meeting closed at 9.40pm.