Whitestone Parish Council
PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES FEBRUARY 2013
MINUTES of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 14th February 2013 at 7.30pm
Attendance:
Chairman - Councillor P Nierop
Councillors Mrs P Fisher, M Quinn, A Reed
County Councillor F Brook (for part of the meeting)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mr N Thom (for part of the meeting), Mrs S Greenfield
Apologies: Councillors Mrs M Belt, S Heathcote, Mrs L Luxton, D Munro, R Phillips, A Skeet.
District Councillor Bromell
The Council Meeting was preceded by the February Draw for the 100 Club in support of the Parish Hall Development Fund. The number drawn was 19 and belongs to Martin Farley.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Thom informed the meeting that his Appeal against refusal of his planning permission for a two storey extension, conservatory and wall at The Old Forge has been denied by Teignbridge District Council.
County Councillor Brook apologised for non attendance at our Council meetings owing to pressure of his role at Devon County and spoke about the budgetary restrictions which would occur over the next year. The Highways Department were fully conscious of the need for repairing the roads and extra monies have been allocated but some minor roads will have to be left out and it was hoped that landowners could assist by clearing ditches to make sure that water ran away instead of laying on road surfaces and then freezing and damaging them. Discussion followed regarding potholes and the Clerk reported that Mr Gill of "Whitehayes", Pound Lane, had telephoned to say that his wife had fallen due to a pothole breaking her ankle and wrist and he was pursuing a complaint with Devon County Council. The Clerk had assured Mr Gill that requests had been made to Devon County regarding the state of Pound Lane.
Mr Thom and Cllr Brook then left the meeting.
10. The Chairman opened the meeting and the Minutes of Parish Council Meetings held on 10th January 2013 having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chairman.
11. PLANNING
Grant of Conditional Planning
11.1 12/03545/FUL Erection of stable block at Cleave Farm
11.2 2/03499/FUL New porch, erection of replacement garage and new roof to rear at Rose Marie
Planning Applications
11.3 13/00072/FUL Dwelling to be used as ancillary accommodation at Hurston House, Tedburn Road. Councillors discussed the application and plans and there were no objections but it was noted that the Council support concerns regarding highway access which have been raised by the resident at Inglenook Cottage.
11.4 13/00185/FUL Erection of a mono pitched agricultural building on land adjoining Little Beer Copse, Tedburn Road. Councillors discussed the application and plans and there were no objections.
12. REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
District Councillor Bromell had sent apologies for non attendance at this meeting but reported that Teignbridge District Council were unable to give a timetable for the Lengthsman. For any urgent problems he provided a telephone number (08451551004) but said that there may not always be someone available to answer. He also reported that Swan Lake is still under investigation and visits have been paid by Teignbridge. The Clerk will write to TDC seeking clarification.
13. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
13.1 Feedback from Speed Survey meeting on 22nd January
Cllr Nierop reported that this meeting had been well attended but the Police and Highways stated that the average traffic speed through the village is not deemed a problem and only merits occasional enforcement. It was suggested that the 30mph roundalls at the Halsfordwood Lane end of the village could be investigated and this will be referred to a SCARF meeting.
13.2 Feedback from Police Meeting on 23rd January
This meeting did not take place owing to the snow and ice and no new date has been fixed.
13.3 Update on County and District Elector Fund
The purchase of play equipment for the three parishes concerned is still under negotiation with the Fund.
13.4 School Houses
It was reported by Devon Lettings that further work to the chimney at 1 School House had been organised at a cost of £180.
Cllr Phillips had visited No 2 School House and following his report Devon Lettings were requested to ask the chimney sweep to remove the boards and sweep chimneys. This has now been done and the Clerk read the report from the Sweep.
A quote for the rebuilding of the garden wall at 2 School Houses for the sum of £1,226.00 was discussed and as this is in excess of £500 as laid down in Standing Orders further quotations must be sought. Cllr Nierop will be in contact with Devon Lettings to negotiate further tenders for this and other works required at 2 School Houses.
13.5 Maintenance of playing field equipment
Quotations had been invited for repairs to two items of play equipment at Crossway Park and the following were placed before the meeting:-
1. £585.00
2. £618.00
After discussion it was resolved that Tender 2 be accepted.
13.6 The Clerk advised that having received notification from Playsafety Ltd that the annual inspection of the play area would be due in March she had made enquiries from Digley Associates (recommended by our Council Insurers) regarding their charges and had been quoted £50.00 for the service. This was discussed and as this would constitute a saving of approximately £70 it was resolved that the Council should accept this quotation. The Clerk was instructed to request that the inspection be left until April in order for the necessary repairs to the equipment to be carried out.
13.7 Cllr Fisher reported on some areas of equipment in need of attention and Cllr Nierop volunteered to look at these.
13.8 Cllr Quinn requested information regarding funds that had been raised for a seat at Crossway Park which had been reported at a meeting some time ago.
13.9 Grass cutting tender
Quotations had been invited for a grass cutting and maintenance contract with some additional cuts being introduced as standard from last year. The following three quotations were placed before the meeting with one applicant having quoted for a three year contract:-
1. £2075.00 plus VAT
2. £1000.00
3. 2013 £1250.00
2014 £1270.00
2015 £1290.00
Following examination and discussion it was resolved that Tender 3 with the quotes for a three year contract should be accepted
14. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman reported on his attendance at the TALC meeting.
15. FINANCE
15.1 The Clerk reported the following Bank Balances as at 6th February
Current A/c |
200.00 |
|
Business A/c |
14,406.89 |
|
Reserve A/c |
3,396.95 |
|
£18,003.84 |
This includes £200.64 P3 Grant monies |
Expenditure
The following accounts were proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour.
15.2 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (February) £125.00.
15.3 Clerk's expenses £20.46
15.4 A letter from the Parish Hall Management Committee, together with the remittance advice from Came & Company, requesting the payment of the cost of insuring the Parish Hall together with a £120 valuation fee which had been necessary for obtaining an up-to-date valuation on the Hall was discussed and it was resolved that a cheque to the value of £1,160.44 be authorised.
15.5 Cllr Quinn reported on the Reserves held by the Council.
16. CORRESPONDENCE
Thanks had been expressed to the Council by Caroline Munro for the flowers sent on the occasion of the funeral of Mr and Mrs Beeching.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield reported that there had been no Parish Plan meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.30pm