Whitestone Parish Council
PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 2013
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday
12th December 2013.
Attendance: Chairman − Councillor P Nierop
Councillors Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs P Fisher, L Hickman, M Quinn, A Reed.
County Councillor J Brook (from 8.15pm)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mr D Friend, Mr J Robertson, Mr G Willcocks, Mrs S Greenfield,
Apologies: Councillors Mrs M Belt, S Heathcote, D Munro, R Phillips, District Councillor P Bromell.
The meeting was preceded by the December Draw for the 100 Club in support of the Parish Hall Development Fund. The lucky number was 80 belonging to Paul Barton.
83. The Chairman opened the meeting and the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 14th November 2013 having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chairman.
84. PLANNING
Planning Applications
84.1 The Council examined the following application and Mr Robertson was allowed to speak in answer to some doubts which were expressed by a Councillor in regard to traffic problems which might occur with extra transport visiting the site. 13/03212/OUT Outline − dwelling (all matters reserved for future consideration) at Rebecca Springs, Nadderwater. The Council discussed the outline application and there were no objections.
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
84.2 13/02939/FUL Construction of screening wall at 7 Merrymeet
84.3 13/02846/VAR Use of land for the siting of mobile homes and touring caravans for residential occupation as a single gypsy family group − Variation of condition 5(ii) on planning permission 11/03176/FUL to extend time limit imposed for the approval of the site development scheme from 11 months from the date of decision to two years at Springdale Farm, Bondhouse Lane
85. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
85.1 As directed at the November meeting a quotation for pruning of trees behind the bus shelter area has been obtained and this has been costed at £90 + VAT and will be carried out in the new financial year.
85.2 The Clerk mentioned that whilst discussing this area of the Parish a request has been received from Mr Pike, via Cllr Belt, that the Parish Council take over the maintenance of the garden area around the Whitestone Sign as his mother who previously had tended this area has now gone to live at “Treelands” and obviously is no longer able to be responsible. It was agreed that the Parish Council would take over this task and would discuss the implementation at a future meeting. Our thanks to Mrs Pike for her service to our community over the years.
85.3 School Houses
The Asset Management Group progress report was distributed to Councillors and contents were discussed. It was reported that the window on the second floor at No 1 has now been changed as discussed in November Minutes and Devon Sales and Lettings are arranging for a handrail to be refitted. The Asset group had previously reported the need to replace a rotten post in the rear garden fence but as the fence is now damaged further this will require additional attention and the Group will obtain a further quotation for the work to be discussed at the January meeting. The Group proposed that the work to extend down pipes to re-direct surface water before potential freezing during the winter should be implemented as per the quotation obtained in October and this was resolved.
85.4 Following the report regarding the noticeboard at Nadderwater the Asset Group have repaired and re-varnished this and it has been re-fixed to the wall of the Royal Oak by kind agreement of the landlady. This was a cheaper alternative than replacing it where it was and it is also more visible for the general public. A vote of thanks was given to Cllrs Reed and Hickman for this work.
85.5 Parish Hall Management Committee re carpark arrangements
Following this request the Clerk was instructed to write to the tenants of 1 and 2 School Houses re-iterating the point made by our Insurance Company that parking their vehicles on the Parish Hall car park is done at their own risk and neither the Parish Council or Parish Hall Committee of Management are responsible for any claims made as a result of such action.
86. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
Cllr Nierop welcomed back Cllr Quinn following his illness and sent best wishes to Cllr Mrs Belt who is at present in hospital undergoing an operation.
Cllr Nierop reported that Mr Peter Joll has now painted the bus shelter as volunteered at the November meeting and a vote of thanks was expressed for his kind efforts.
87. FINANCE
87.1 Draft Budget Review for 2014-2015
Cllr Nierop went through an updated budget statement which had been distributed to Councillors and explained the updated items. The Precept will be set at the January 2014 meeting.
Income
87.2 School Houses rents for December £1,425 − Letting Agency fees £136.80 (including £22.80 VAT) = £1,288.20
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded. All in favour.
87.3 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (December) £125
87.4 Membership of Society of Local Council Clerks £64
87.5 Clerk‘s expenses £33.47
87.6 Devon Association of Local Councils (Councillor‘s Training) £25 + £5 VAT = £30.00
88. CORRESPONDENCE
Devon County Council Neighbourhood Highway Officer reported back on the issues raised at the November meeting. Unfortunately owing to budget constraints no new directional signs (or replacements) are being authorised and the Clerk was instructed to ask if it would be possible for the Parish to erect a sign for Nadderwater subject to consultation with Devon County Council.
89. REPORTS
89.1 Cllr Bramhall reported deep potholes in Halsfordwood Lane (by Connetts). She had reported a carpet which had been dumped and this had been removed by Teignbridge District Council.
89.2 County Councillor Brook did not have anything to report but answered a query from Cllr Nierop in regard to the visits from lengthsmen.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Willcocks said he was in attendance having read in the Parish Magazine the comments regarding the setting up of a working group to review the continued ownership of School Houses, other options available and the implications of any changes. He stated that in his opinion they should be sold in view of the expense incurred with regard to maintenance etc. which had been ongoing over the past 37 years.
Mrs Greenfield said she would like to express an opposite view to this and would not be in agreement with their disposal.
The Chairman stated that the whole matter was being investigated including the legalities involved and the Parishioners would of course be kept informed.
Mrs Greenfield reported that the large pothole by the Church wall had now been fixed but she would like potholes in Church Lane (by the drive to the Rectory) and potholes in Hill Lane to be reported. It was noted that the potholes in Hill Lane had been reported some months ago.
Mrs Greenfield gave the following report on the Parish Plan Steering Group:- “We have continued work on the full questionnaire and have a further meeting planned this month. We would like to wish all Parishioners a very Happy Christmas”. In response to a question she stated that no timetable was available for completing this project.
The meeting closed at 8.30pm.