Whitestone Parish Council
DRAFT Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 12th February 2015 to be ratified on 12th March and subject to amendments.
Attendance: Chairman − Councillor L Hickman
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs P Fisher, D Munro, P Nierop, R Phillips, A Reed
District Councillor P Bromell.
County Councillor J Brook (to give his report)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs B Netherway.
Apologies: Cllr M Quinn
The Chairman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 8th January 2015 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Hickman.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
District Councillor Bromell noted that there was a planning application for Swan Lake on the agenda and said that he had been asked by both Tedburn St Mary and Holcombe Burnell Parish Councils to raise their concerns about this site. The Clerk gave information regarding complaints made to Teignbridge Planning as far back at 1997 regarding unauthorised change of use of buildings at the site and following a complaint by Whitestone in February 2014 gave details of the response received from the Planning Enforcement Officer which had noted that following inspection of the site there was nothing to suggest that the land and buildings are being used for residential purposes. A monitoring procedure was suggested but It had been decided at that time that no further action would be taken by the Whitestone Parish Council. After discussion it was decided that Whitestone Parish Council do not support further investigation due to the lack of any clear evidence to authenticate such action.
County Councillor Brook reported that consultations regarding the Devon County budget were still ongoing and spoke regarding the expected cuts in bus services in country areas. He advised that Parish Councils should contact him if they wished to make application for a grant from his Budget Fund.
PLANNINGCllr Baird declared an interest in the application for Brooklands Mills, Nadderwater.
The following applications/plans were examined and discussion took place with the subsequent observations:−
14/03594/FUL − Wood and agricultural machinery store at Swan Lake, Tedburn Road.
Six Councillors supported and three were against. To be requested that there are stipulations that this would not be converted for occupancy.
15/00097/FUL − Raising of roof to form first floor, two side extensions, new parking area and decking on rear (north) elevation at Cherrydown, Longdown. No objections
14/03718/FUL − First floor extension to existing dwelling to include annexe, ground floor extensions, rear dormers and first floor raised terrace at Alphin Springs.
No objections but stipulation that it is for single family occupancy
15/00197/FUL − Alterations to convert office building to dwelling including rear dormer, three front roof windows and provision of parking/garden at Brooklands Mill, Nadderwater.
No objections
15/00259/FUL − First floor rear extension at Haccadown, Longdown. No objections.
15/00250/FUL − Change of use of barn to holiday accommodation and provision of a holiday lodge at Rowhorne Farm, Nadderwater.
This application is not supported. Objections as development does not meet any of the eligibility criteria for new buildings in open countryside and will generate increased traffic in the area due to farm vehicles continuing to be used alongside the proposed change of use and erection of the holiday lodge.
Notification of Appeal
Appeal against refusal for change of use of a barn from agricultural use to a dwelling at Ham Farm, Tedburn Road
MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
Parking at Merrymeet
A letter had been received from a resident voicing concerns regarding parking causing difficulty for utility vehicles accessing the properties and the potential for a more serious issue should emergency vehicles have to be called. Discussion took place and it was suggested that leaflets similar to those made for the same problem which is occurring at Crossways should be produced and distributed.
Hedge Cutting at Nadderwater
Cllr Baird reported that she had approached one of the residents concerned but had been unable to contact the second. Councillors noted that the overgrown hedges both at Nadderwater and in Church Lane were causing concern for motorists.
Gully Cleaning/Drainage Survey
A survey which had been carried out in February 2014 had been circulated to Councillors and Cllr Hickman asked that if they could use this to verify what areas are still in need of work and report back to the Council. This would give some indication of what the ultimate costing would be for the Parish Council. Cllr Phillips has obtained one quotation of £41.70 an hour plus VAT.
Asset Group Report
School Houses − Cllr Reedreported that a PAT test has been carried out in No 2 School Houses and the Letting Agents will be obtaining revised Energy Efficiency Certificates for both houses. It was reported that remedial works have been completed on the fireplace at 1 School House at a cost of £495.60 (including £82.60 VAT)
Crossway Park − Cllr Reed, as Chair of the Asset Group, had discussions with the Assets Group and Cllr Fisher and as a result it has been agreed that the faulty Monkey Frame will be removed as soon as possible. After discussion it was proposed that a replacement should be erected. It was also proposed that a notice should be erected requesting that children should be supervised at all times.
Storage facilities at Parish Hall
This issue is still under investigation as the Council is awaiting confirmation from the Sports and Social Club that they are willing to use the alternative storage facility. The question of rental for the storage usage will be discussed at a later date.
Parish Paths Partnership
Cllr Munro will be completing the P3 Summary necessary to enable the Parish Council to apply for a Grant. The Clerk informed the Council that at the present time there is a £4.36 overspend on these monies as we have not received a Grant since 2011/12.
Annual Audit − Financial Regulations
The Clerk informed the meeting that the annual internal audit will take place on 26th May 2015. The Financial Regulations as recommended by NALC 2014 were circulated to Councillors and it was noted that these rulings are used by the Clerk in the dealings of the Council and they were duly adopted.
Parish Council Elections
The Parish Clerk had received information that the necessary Nomination Packs will be sent during February for distribution to those wishing to apply to become Councillors. The publication of Notice of Election will be not later than 30th March and this is when the nomination process starts. The Polling date will be Thursday 7th May.
MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
Cllr Hickman then reported on attending the Teignbridge Association of Local Councils meeting and passed on some of the information he had gleaned. The notes for this meeting together with a Police Crime Report had been circulated by the Clerk.
FINANCE
Income
School Houses rents for February £1,425 − Letting Agency fees £136.80 (including £22.80 VAT) = £1,288.20
Expenditure
Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (February) £95.00
Devon Association of Local Councils − Preparing for Elections Training £24.00 (including £4 VAT)
Devon Association of Local Councils − New Councillor Training £30.00 (including £5 VAT) Clerkâs expenses £45.22
Sparks & Sons £495.60 (including £82.60 VAT)
CORRESPONDENCE
A response has been received from the Exeter Municipal Charity regarding the drainage issues in the field above Nadderwater and they state they will investigate the problem
REPORTS
Cllr Belt reported attending a Hall Committee meeting and said that the storage issues were discussed and are being looked into.
Cllr Belt had delivered the notices to the residents at Crossways but some were still unhappy about the parking situation and suggested that the grass areas might be concreted over. It was agreed that this would probably be a decision for the Housing Authority to make.
A large pothole was reported in Pound Lane by Spring Gardens.
Cllr Phillips reported that a wall by the reservoir above Whitestone House had fallen into the road and requested that it be reported to Devon Highways although it has been temporarily replaced.
Cllr Nierop asked if there was a report on the progress of the Parish Plan Steering Group and Cllr Belt said that there had been no meetings since before Christmas. The Clerk was instructed to write to Mrs Greenfield.
The death of Mr David Prouse who was previously a resident was reported and condolences were expressed to his family.
The meeting closed at 9.50pm.