Whitestone Parish Council

PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 2013

Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 11^th July 2013 at 7.30pm.

Attendance: Chairman - Councillor P Nierop

Councillors Mrs M Belt, Mrs P Fisher, S Heathcote, L Hickman, Mrs L Luxton, D Munro,

R Phillips, M Quinn. A Reed.

District Councillor P Bromell

County Councillor J Brook

Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council

Mrs B Netherway, Mrs S Greenfield

The meeting was preceded by the July Draw for the 100 Club in support of the Parish Hall Development Fund. The lucky number was 24 belonging to Vicky Bryant.

49. The Chairman opened the meeting and the minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 13^th June and 27^th June 2013 having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chairman.

50. PLANNING

Planning Application

50.1 13/01771/TPO Felling of one tree at Whitestone House. Notification received that this application has been withdrawn.

Refusal of variation of condition following grant of planning permission

50.2 13/00448/VAR Removal of condition 8 on planning permission 506/72 limiting occupation by agricultural worker only at Farm Barton

Grant of Conditional Planning

50.3 13/01191/VAR Variation of Condition 2 on planning permission 12/03442/FUL to change roof to natural slate at Nadder Park, Nadderwater.

51. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

51.1 Road signs for Merrymeet and Marylands

Cllr Belt brought to the attention of the meeting the lack of street signing for Marylands and much of Merrymeet which resulted in confusion for delivery vehicles and post. Following discussion the Clerk was instructed to contact Teignbridge District Council regarding the possibility of signing being erected.

51.2 Crossway Park

The Annual Inspection Report, having been circulated to Councillors, was discussed. Some items had been noted which were of low/very low risk and Cllr Munro and Cllr Phillips volunteered to undertake the necessary remedial work which had been recorded. The Inspection Company had included a repeat inspection agreement form and following discussion it was resolved that this be returned with a request for an inspection for next year only.

51.3 Update by Asset Management Group on School Houses

Only two estimates have been received regarding the work required on the bathroom at No 1. as one firm had declined to quote. These estimates were for £5,511.60 + VAT and £4,747.81 + VAT. The work required was discussed and it was resolved that the Asset Group be authorised to accept the quotation of £4,747.81 subject to clarification of details with priority given to removal of the sub standard storage water tank. It was reported that the gate at No 2 School Houses has now been installed and the invoice for £386 as agreed is presented for payment in the expenditure section. Councillor R Phillips declared an interest as his son has undertaken this work.

51.4 New Councillor's Training

The Clerk reported investigating training courses run by the Devon Association of Local Councils and said that there would be one run in Exeter on 5^th December at a cost of £25. Cllr Hickman indicated that he would be willing to attend and the Clerk will make the necessary booking.

52. COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT

Cllr Brook reported that Broadband is rolling forward within Devon. He also gave some information regarding funding from a European Fund. Meetings have been in progress regarding the updating of the road network.

53. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Cllr Nierop reported contact with Foot Anstey regarding the missing deeds for the Parish Hall and the houses and he would be signing a declaration that all efforts had been made to trace the existence of these documents.

54. FINANCE
54.1 Completion of Annual Audit

The Clerk reported on the successful conclusion of the Annual Audit by the Audit Commission for the year ended 31^st March 2013 with no matters giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met. Copies of the audit report can be obtained on application to the Parish Council Clerk. Notices to this effect have been posted on notice boards within the Parish. The account for £240 was submitted for approval in the expenditure section. A vote of thanks was passed to the Clerk for her work in regard to this.

Income

54.2 School Houses rents received in July £1,375 - Letting Agency fees £132 (inc £22 VAT) = £1,243

Expenditure

The following accounts were proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour

54.3 Grant Thornton £240 (including £40 VAT)

54.4 The Play Inspection Company Ltd £71.94 (including £11.99 VAT)

54.5 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (July) £125

54.6 Clerk's expenses and quarterly salary £237.86 (no VAT)

54.7 Whitestone Parish Hall - hire of meeting room for Parish Plan meetings £22.50

54.8 Quickprint £12.00 (including £2 VAT)

54.9 Samco Estates £386.00 (no VAT)

54.10 Frost Fencing £80.00 (no VAT). This expenditure had been passed at the May meeting but the cheque was not received - presumably lost in post.

54.11 Nat West Bank Statement as at 28^th June

Current Account	£200.00
Business Reserve Account	£16,108.52
Business Reserve Account	£3,397.79
	£19,706.31	*This balance includes £200.64 P3 Grant money

55. CORRESPONDENCE

55.1 Notification from Devon County of temporary road restrictions for maintenance works in preparation for a programme of surface dressing in 2014-2015 from Monday 15^th July to Saturday 30^th November. Advance warning signs for the road closure will be place on site at least 7 days before the planned commencement of the works. Roads within Whitestone are as follows:- C359 Waddlesdown Cross to Hackney Farm; W2902 Twiscombe corner-Pounddown corner. Roads within Tedburn St Mary are:- U3803 Twisted Oak Cross to Cummins Cross; C379 Crediton Inn end to Twisted Oak Cross

55.2 A response from Devon County Highways on points raised at June meeting was read to the meeting.

55.3 Teignbridge District Council are asking residents to take part in a survey "Having a say in Teignbridge leisure facilities". It can be done on www.teignbridge.gov.uk/liveconsultations and is open to everyone - old or young alike, whether 'sporty' or not.

56. REPORTS

56.1 The following reports were made:-

Subsidence in Hill Lane (halfway) and the road surface badly scarred by a tractor
150mm deep hole in Oldridge Road (half a mile from Hangmans Corner/Cuttiford Corner

56.2 Cllr Belt reported attending the Rural Aid Fund meeting when the application for £1,850 for the renewal of the flat roofing at the rear of the Parish Hall had been granted.

56.3 Cllr Nierop congratulated Cllr Belt and Jock Kirkpatrick on the success of the Fete organised on Saturday last which had been very enjoyable. Cllr Belt added that the evening event was also successful.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mrs Greenfield gave the following report on the Parish Plan Steering Group on Tuesday 2^nd July 2013:- "The meeting was again given over to developing and refining the questions for the full questionnaire. This work is likely to continue over the next few meetings".

Mrs Greenfield gave thanks for the response from Devon County Highways to the questions she had raised at the June meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm.