Whitestone Parish Council
PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 2013
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 11th April 2013 at 7.30pm
Attendance: Chairman - Councillor P Nierop
Councillors Mrs M Belt, Mrs P Fisher, D Munro, R Phillips, M Quinn, A Reed, A Skeet
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs B Netherway, Mrs S Greenfield
Apologies: Councillor Mrs L Luxton (illness)
The Council Meeting was preceded by the April Draw for the 100 Club in support of the Parish Hall Development Fund. The number drawn was 15 and belongs to Sandy Oxford.
25. The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed back Cllr Quinn after his illness. The Minutes of Parish Council Meetings held on 14th March 2013 having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chairman.
26. PLANNING
Planning Application
26.1 13/01005/AGR Agricultural storage building at Barton Vale Farm, Barton Head Hill. The Council examined the application and there were no objections but concerns were raised regarding the height of the proposed building. It was requested that the building be screened or if possible dug into the ground as it was thought that it would prove to be detrimental to the landscape.
Grant of Conditional Planning
26.2 13/00282/AGR Agricultural storage building at Devon View.
26.3 12/02886/COU Change of use of barn to dwelling at Hurston Farm.
26.4 13/00185/FUL Erection of a mono pitched agricultural building on land adjoining Little Beer Copse, Tedburn Road.
Notification received from Teignbridge District Council Planning reported for information only
26.5 13/00891/SO Request for screening opinion for proposed development of approximately 500 dwellings, community park and allotments at Atwells Farm, Nadderwater.
.
27. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
27.1 Rural Skip
It was reported that this has been arranged by Teignbridge District Council for Saturday 11th May at Hill Lane Junction and notices to this effect have been placed on noticeboards.
27.2 Update on County and District Elector Fund
It was reported by the Clerk to Tedburn St Mary Parish Council that the Grant of £2,703.80 has been received to provide play equipment for the three parishes of Tedburn, Holcombe Burnell and Whitestone and it has been requested that Whitestone choose the equipment they wish to have. Discussion followed and it was resolved that a see saw be obtained for Crossway Park.
27.3 Crossway Park
Cllr Nierop reported that Mr Walker has dismantled the larger item of equipment to replace the rotten parts and has discovered further rot close to where the spring is fixed. In order to make the necessary repairs it will now require an additional £250 for the necessary replacement parts and the work is in hand.
It was noted that Derek Fisher has kindly hosed the mat under the swings and a vote of thanks was given.
Cllr Nierop also reported that he has been in touch with the Devon & Cornwall Probation Trust and is arranging for a Community Payback Work placement to undertake the rubbing down and staining of the play equipment. We have to provide the brushes and stain for this purpose. Also in the same package they will undertake a litter pick along the Tedburn St Mary to Exeter road closest to the village and tidy up around the village pump at Nadderwater. The charge for this work will be £100.
27.4 School Houses
It was reported by Devon Lettings that bathroom lock has been replaced at 1 School Houses at a cost of £68.00 + VAT £13.60 = £81.60. The Clerk was instructed to seek a breakdown of this charge.
Some estimates have been obtained for work at School Houses and the Asset Committee will be reviewing these and reporting back to the Parish Council on 9th May with recommendations.
Some discussion followed regarding the Deeds for the School House properties which have been missing for a number of years and it was agreed that Cllr Nierop should seek quotations for their replacement.
27.5 Annual Parish Meeting
This meeting is to be held on Thursday 25th April 2013 at 7.30pm and the various organisations within the Parish have been approached with a request for a report.
27.6 Village Pump at Nadderwater
The Clerk has now heard from Mr Baker who gives permission for the Council to carry out tidying up in the area and as previously noted this is being arranged. The Clerk to write to near residents informing them of this action.
28. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman reported that it has been necessary to cancel the litter pick organised for 23rd March and this will now take place on Saturday 27th April at 10am.
29. FINANCE
29.1 The Clerk reported completion of the accounts/balance sheet for the year ended 31st March 2013 and the balance sheet showing a balance at the year end as follows:
Current Account |
£200.00 |
|
Business Reserve Account |
£13,685.67 |
|
Business Reserve Account |
£3,397.36 |
|
*£17,283.03 |
*This balance includes £200.64 P3 Grant money |
29.2 The Clerk reported receipt of notification that the Whitestone Parish Council Annual Audit will be completed by the Audit Commission on the 10th June 2013. Notices advertising the Audit, together with a balance sheet will be displayed within the Parish and the Annual Return will be presented to the meeting on the 9th May for approval and signing. Mr Ken Abrahams will be visiting her on the 22nd May to conduct the Internal Audit.
Income
29.3 VAT/Duty Repayment £553.53
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded. All in favour.
29.4 Membership of Devon Association of Local Councils £137.96 + VAT £20.11 = £158.07
29.5 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (April) £125
29.6 Clerk's expenses £42.84
30. CORRESPONDENCE
30.1 The Secretary to Whitestone Players reported that there is a leak in the roof of the garage which serves as a prop shed for the pantomime. This was discussed and will be investigated.
30.2 Parish Hall Committee of Management invite nomination of the Council's representative for the year 2013/14 and this will be decided at the Council's AGM on 9th May 2013.
30.3 Mr Ron Bramhall wrote to express his appreciation to the Council for their achievement in reducing the 2013/14 Precept.
30.4 Devon County Council notified that the proposed Grande Cycle Tour de Manche route will be passing through Whitestone from Exeter to Okehampton. The route will be used during the summer 2013. The Clerk was instructed to write and inform them that the road surface from Nadderwater to Whitestone (at the present time) would be dangerous for cyclists.
31. REPORTS
31.1 Cllr Belt reported that she had been approached by some parishioners who had been informed that the Library Service was to be stopped for Whitestone. The Clerk was instructed to contact Devon County regarding this.
31.2 Cllr Phillips reported the hedge slipping into the road by the reservoir above Whitestone House. The Clerk was instructed to report this to Highways.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield reported that there had been no Parish Plan meeting this month as this will take place after the coffee morning which has been arranged from 10am to 12 noon on Saturday 20th April when it is hoped that parishioners will attend to learn more about the Parish Plan.
The meeting closed at 9.10pm.