Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 11th December 2014
Attendance:
Chairman − Councillor L Hickman
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mr D Friend (for part of the meeting), Mrs L Hickman, Mrs B Netherway, Mrs T Taylor, Ms T Baird, Mrs L Fairley.
Apologies: Cllr M Quinn (illness), District Councillor P Bromell.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Friend reported on correspondence he has had with Teignbridge District Council regarding Springdale Farm.
84. The Chairman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13th November 2014 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Hickman.
85. Nomination for the office of Vice Chairman.
Cllr Tony Reed was proposed and seconded as Vice Chairman. All in favour.
86. PLANNING
Planning Applications
Cllr Reed declared an interest in the applications for Lower Hare Farm
86.1 14/03291/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class MB (a) and (b) and paragraph N of the GPDO for change of use of a barn from agricultural use to a dwelling and building operations at Lower Hare Farm, Folly Lane.
14/03108/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class MB (a) and (b) and paragraph N of the GPDO for change of use of a barn from agricultural use to a dwelling and building operations at Lower Hare Farm, Folly Lane.
Both these applications were examined jointly as they apply to the same property. Concerns were raised as this does not appear to be a change of use but new buildings, also access and traffic issues are considered a major drawback and the applications are not supported.
86.2 14/03193/FUL Creation of horse arena at Nadder Park, Nadderwater.
The application was examined and there was no objection as long as this is not for commercial use.
86.3 Cllrs Belt and Phillips declared an interest in the application for Farm Barton
14/03223/FUL Nine stables and a tack room for commercial use at Farm Barton, Whitestone.
The application was examined and there were concerns regarding the re-siting of the building and the impact of the building on the skyline.
86.4 Refusal of Condition Planning Permission
14/02768/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class MB (a) and paragraph N of the GPDO for change of use of a barn from agricultural use to a dwelling at Ham Farm, Tedburn Road.
86.5 Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
14/02859/FUL New stables and barn/store to replace existing wind damaged structures at Exeter View Stables, Rowhorne Road.
87. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
87.1 Co-option of a Parish Councillor to fill the Casual Vacancy
Applications were received from Mrs L Fairley and Ms T Baird and having been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting a ballot was conducted. As a result Ms T Baird was co-opted as a Parish Councillor and duly signed a Declaration of Office.
Cllr Hickman thanked Mrs Fairley for her interest in applying and hoped that she would consider re−applying should another vacancy occur.
87.2 Rights of access at Parish Hall
Cllr Hickman reported that he had met with the Clerk and had examined the conveyances regarding the Parish Hall and the area surrounding it. He was of the opinion that these demonstrated that access to the car park area was shown on these documents dating back to the 1800’s and therefore there seemed no definable position on the right of way. He had considered the financial implications regarding pursuing a right of way through a solicitor and at the present time recommended that this was not a necessary action. The matter was discussed and it was resolved that no further action be taken and the Hall Management Committee should be informed of this decision.
87.3 Asset Group Report
Cllr Reed reported that a problem reported at No 1 regarding a window had been dealt with and also a new heated towel rail has been fitted. At No 2 the bathroom heater has been replaced and the glass on an inner door has been repaired.
87.4 Cllr Reed also reported checking the garden shed next to the garages and had found that it contains a mower and a strimmer. It was ascertained that these are the property of the Council from when the Council employed a member of the Parish to cut the grass at Crossways. A large mower was sold at the time when this arrangement was discontinued and arrangements will now be made for the remaining items to be removed. At this time the Clerk introduced information received from the Hall Management Committee indicating that this store would not be suitable as additional storage for the Parish Hall and requesting the Council’s agreement for the construction of a new facility abutting the existing garage block as previously requested. Discussion followed and it was agreed to ask for simple drawings regarding the size and location of such a store as it was agreed that this would detract from available car parking space.
87.5 Zoll Defribrillater
It was reported that the Clerk had placed an order for a ZOLL semi AED de−fribrillator as instructed at the November meeting. Mr Fisher had been contacted and had been agreeable that the organisation for the delivery, installation and subsequent training programme would be organised by him and his contact details had been relayed to St John Ambulance. It had been requested that the Parish Council nominate a representative to be trained in the use of the de−fibrillator and Cllr Hickman put his name forward.
87.6 Part Night Lighting
Cllr Munro had investigated this item regarding Crossways following the November meeting and it seemed that the lighting was only part−night at the present time. This information had been passed to Devon County and they had replied requesting that the Parish Council confirm its position about this and they will then check the situation. Cllr Belt had visited some of the residents at Crossways and they were of the opinion that as long as the lights do not go out prior to midnight this situation was acceptable. This information will be relayed to Devon County Council.
Cllr Hickman then adjourned the meeting temporarily and invited everyone to join in a Xmas Break which was organised by Mrs Hickman.
88. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
88.1 Cllr Hickman said that following correspondence with Devon Sales and Lettings a meeting had been held with himself and Cllr Reed clarifying the role of the agents in regard to the tenants and Council as landlords. He reported that this seemed to have led to a clearer understanding between the Council and the Letting Agents. He gave a vote of thanks to Cllr Reed for all his efforts regarding repair works needed at 1 and 2 School Houses.
88.2 Cllr Hickman spoke regarding the skills existing within the parish and he has approached Cllr Belt and asked for her help regarding historical matters and Cllr Neirop regarding his interest in planning matters. Both these Councillors indicating their willingness to continue to offer support in these matters.
88.3 Cllr Hickman then reported on attending the Teignbridge Association of Local Councils meeting and passed on some of the information he had gleaned.
Mention was made of some of the seasonal events which would be taking place within the Parish and he hoped that parishioners would support these.
89. FINANCE
89.1 Draft Budget Review for 2015/16
This had been distributed to Councillors at the November meeting and discussion took place regarding the figures with some adjustments being made with the maintenance of assets being raised to £2,000, the contingency fund being placed at £500 and election costs being set at £1,000. It was agreed that the Precept should remain at £6,000. The updated budget statement will be finalised at the January meeting when the Precept will be set.
89.2 The Clerk provided an up to date financial statement which included income and expenditure as of today’’s date.
Balance brought forward 1st April 2014 |
11,024.50 |
Income to 11th December |
24,669.68 |
Total |
35,694.18 |
Expenditure to 11th December |
14,740.84 |
Balance |
20,953.34 (This balance included £56.89 P3 Grant money |
Income
89.3 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 for payment. All in favour.
89.4 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (December) £95.00
89.5 Chappell Maintenance £286.25 + £433.21 = £719.46
89.6 Society of Local Council Clerks Membership Subscription £65
89.7 Clerk’s expenses £23.44
89.8 The Clerk requested permission to book a New Councillor’s Training Day in January 2015 for Cllr Baird and this was agreed. She also mentioned that the Minutes for the past 4 years would also need to be bound into a book for record purposes and she had made enquiries and been quoted a price of £70. This would not be needed until January 2015.
90. CORRESPONDENCE
Whitestone Parish Hall Committee of Management − thanks to the Council for help in running the 100 Club lottery and acknowledgement of receipt of £900 Rural Aid cheque with thanks for representing the Hall’s interests
91. REPORTS
- Cllr Belt mentioned the death of Diana Moss who had served as a Councillor in 2003 and condolences were expressed.
- Cllr Belt said that when she had visited residents at Crossways concerns had been expressed regarding parking problems and the possibility of emergency vehicles being unable to gain access to properties. It was agreed that flyers would be produced regarding this issue and Cllr Belt would deliver these.
- It was reported that the Nadderwater signs have now been installed. It was noted that the sign on the west side is very close to the road edge and this is to be checked to see if it can be angled slightly away from the road.
- It was reported that gabions in Pound Lane on the bend just before the Travellers Rest need attention. The Clerk was instructed to clarify responsibility and request they could be checked due to the potential disruption if they slipped.
- A pothole was reported on the Oldridge Road on the double bend.
There was no public participation at the end of the meeting and the Chairman closed the meeting by wishing everyone Compliments of the Season
The meeting closed at 9.40pm.