Whitestone Parish Council
PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 2013
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 14th March 2013 at 7.30pm
Attendance: Chairman - Councillor P Nierop
Councillors Mrs M Belt, Mrs P Fisher, Mrs L Luxton, D Munro, R Phillips, A Reed,
County Councillor J Brook (to give his report), District Councillor P Bromell
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mr A Green, Mrs S Greenfield
Apologies: Councillors M Quinn, S Heathcote
The Council Meeting was preceded by the March Draw for the 100 Club in support of the Parish Hall Development Fund. The number drawn was 14 and belongs to Mary Marsham.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield reported that as the money set aside from the budget allocated for the Parish Plan has only resulted in expenditure for the hire of a room the group wished to offer any remaining monies back to the Council for use within this financial year.
17. The Chairman opened the meeting and invited reports from County Councillor Brook and District Councillor Bromell.
Councillor Brook said that the Council Tax will be held again. There will be a monies from the Community Budget made available for Chapter 8 Training for members of the public who wished to carry out work within the parishes.
District Councillor Bromell had no report to make.
18. The Minutes of Parish Council Meetings held on 14th February 2013 having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chairman.
19. PLANNING
19.1 The Clerk reported on conditional planning permission for application 13/00072/FUL for a dwelling to be used as ancillary accommodation at Hurston House, Tedburn Road
19.2 The Clerk also reported on dismissal of Appeal 12/00055/FAST against refusal of permission for two storey extension, conservatory and wall at The Old Forge.
Planning Applications
Councillors Belt and Phillips declared an interest in the planning application for Farm Barton
19.3 13/00448/VAR Removal of condition 8 on planning permission 506/72 limiting occupation by agricultural worker only at Farm Barton. The Council examined the application and there were no objections.
19.4 13/00340/FUL Relocation of 900kwp ground mount PV (Solar Panels) on timber framing and transformer/switchgear enclosure on land adjoining Little Beer Copse, Tedburn Road. The Council examined the application and plans and whilst there were no objections concerns were raised regarding the possibility of removal of the trees in the Copse and it was felt there should be a Tree Preservation Order in place.
19.5 13/00580/FUL Two storey side extension at Little Springs, Nadderwater. The Council examined the application and plans and there were no objections.
19.6 13/00716/FUL Two Storey rear and side extension at 4 Exe View Cottages. The Council examined the application and plans and there were no objections.
19.7 13/00282/AGR Agricultural storage building at Devon View - It was noted that this application has already been granted
20. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
20.1 Internal Audit
The Clerk reported having received notification regarding a date for the Internal Audit and had made enquiries regarding charges for this Audit from other firms. It had been found that the charges by our current Auditor were in line with those from other sources and there would be no re-organisation as he comes to her home to conduct the Audit. The Clerk requested that we continue to use Mr Abraham and this was resolved by the Council.
20.2 Teignbridge District Council Rural Aid Fund Application
These applications are now open and the Clerk presented an application to be made in the amount of £1,850 for renewal of flat roofing at the rear of the Parish Hall following a request by the Parish Hall Committee. The Hall Committee has submitted the necessary three estimates to go with the form. It was resolved that this application be put forward and the Chairman signed the necessary form.
20.3 Update on County and District Elector Fund
There is no further information available but it is understood that the Clerk for Tedburn St Mary is taking this forward on behalf of the three parishes involved with a view to purchasing playground equipment.
20.4 Crossway Park
Following some investigations by Cllr Nierop Steve Frost has volunteered to repair the wooden step logs in the Park and fit like for like for materials costs only as a gesture of good will and therefore the cost will be just £60. This price has been accepted with thanks to Mr Frost.
It was reported that a wheely bin has now been provided for use in the Park
20.5 School Houses
It was reported by Devon Lettings that a chimney sweep with a report has been carried out at No 2 School House at a cost of £50.
21. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
Cllr Nierop reported that a Litter Pick was organised for Saturday 23rd March and called for volunteers. Information was on the Whitestone Website. He also gave thanks to those who had recently helped plant the hedges around the churchyard. Cllr Munro mentioned that arrangements had been made for the scattering of the ashes of Mr and Mrs Beeching in the Churchyard at the same time and he wished to thank those doing the work there for their consideration whilst this was being done.
22. FINANCE
Expenditure
Cllr Phillips declared an interest in the account from Samco Estates
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded. All in favour.
22.1 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (March) - £125.00
22.2 Clerk's quarterly salary/expenses - £312.64
22.3 Application from Whitestone Parochial Church Council for the grant which was resolved at the
December 2012 meeting - £500.00
22.4 Samco Estates for work carried out at 2 School Houses - £277.35
Income
22,5 Whitestone Parish Hall Committee of Management - £52.02. Returned as an overpayment from the current year's insurance premium which had been re-negotiated over a three year deal.
23. CORRESPONDENCE
23.1 Following a complaint the Clerk had given an apology regarding the publishing of the amount quoted for the rebuilding of the garden wall at 2 School Houses as the person concerned felt that it gave him a commercial disadvantage over others who may be sought to tender for the work.
23.2 The Clerk reported a response from Teignbridge District Council regarding the village pump situated at Nadderwater. She has been informed that they have no record of this pump and it is not "listed" and they intimated that it would therefore follow that it is in the ownership of the landowner. After discussion the Clerk was instructed to write to the owner of the land and gain his permission to give the area some "TLC" and then the Council would try to enlist some volunteers to carry this out.
23.3 A copy of a letter from Mr D Friend to Teignbridge District Council regarding planning issues at Springdale Farm was brought to the attention of the meeting and the Clerk was instructed to write to Teignbridge seeking their response to his complaints.
23.4 A response regarding Swan Lake has been received from the Teignbridge Planning Enforcement Officer with an explanation and saying that the situation is still being investigated. The Clerk was instructed to pass back comments made by Councillors.
24. REPORTS
24.1 The following matters were reported: - mud in Hill lane and in Pound Lane. Some dog gates had been placed on Footpath 17 following requests by parishioners.
24.2 Cllr Munro apologised that owing to the very bad weather it has not been possible for him to complete the surveys of the Parish Paths in time for the return which had been required by the 13th February.
24.3 Cllr Belt asked if it might be possible for the Public Paths Map situated on the side of the Parish Hall to have some bindingaround to tidy it up and Cllr Munro said he would have a look at this.
24.4 Cllr Belt responded to a query raised at the February meeting regarding funds which had been raised by the Sports and Social Club which they intended to donate for a bench to be purchased for the Crossway Park and said that this was in hand.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield felt that the repairs on potholes especially those by Whitestone Church and in Church Lane had been far from satisfactory as they were not sealed.
Mrs Greenfield gave the following report on the Parish Plan Steering Group Meeting on 12th March:-
"This was our first meeting since November and after usual administrative matters we discussed arrangements for our next event. This is a social morning with FREE tea/coffee and cakes to be held on Saturday 20th April 2013 between 10am and 12 noon. Members of the Steering Group will be there and happy to chat about village and parish matters. We have put a notice in the Parish Magazine to advertise this event and hope to see many parishioners there - the cakes should be excellent! Please come and join us.
As we have a small budget remaining from the money set aside by the Parish Council for the Parish Plan and only the hire of the room for the March expenditure the group resolved to offer any remaining monies back to the Parish Council if it could be usefully used within this financial year"
The Chairman thanked Mrs Greenfield for her report and the meeting was then closed to the public to allow a confidential matter to be discussed.
PART 2
Item to be taken in the absence of Public and Press on grounds that exempt information may be disclosed
School Houses
The meeting closed at 9.40pm.