Whitestone Parish Council

DRAFT Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 9^th April 2015 to be ratified on 14^th May 2015

Attendance: Chairman − Councillor A Reed
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs P Fisher, D Munro, P Nierop, M Quinn
County Councillor J Brook (to give his report)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs P Quinn, Mr and Mrs O’Farrell
Apologies: Cllrs L Hickman, R Phillips, District Councillor P Bromell.

The Chairman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12^th March 2015 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Reed.

REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR

County Councillor Brook reported on road repair work throughout the County and the budgetary concerns which meant that only the very essential work was being carried out.

PLANNING

Planning Applications

15/00650/VAR Removal of condition 2 on planning permission 2003/2625/47/04 to permit non-ancillary occupation of the converted barn at Southway House, Tedburn Road. The application and plans were examined and the applicants, Mr and Mrs O;Farrell, gave explanations regarding the requested removal of condition 2 and left after their planning had been discussed. The application was supported with no objections.

15/00418/FUL Replacement agricultural/civil engineering contracting business building at Cross Park Farm, Tedburn St Mary. The application and plans were examined with no objections.

14/03318/FUL Retention of two field shelters for storage and livestock on land opposite West Town Farm, Tedburn Road. The application and plans were examined and objections and concerns were raised that these structures had been built without prior planning permission being sought.

Grant of Conditional Planning Permission

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.

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.

14/03594/FUL Wood and agricultural machinery store at Swan Lake, Tedburn Road.

15/00428/FUL Siting of shipping container clad in timber and re-roof existing shed including extending over new container at The Corner Barn, Norway.

Appeal Decision

Appeal dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate for development/change of use of single storey agricultural building at Hindcross.

It was noted by the Clerk that following this decision the following application has been made by Mr and Mrs Trowbridge i.e. 15/00918/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class MB (a) and paragraph N of the GPDO for change of use of barn from agricultural use to a dwelling at Hindcross.

MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

St John Ambulance Defibrillator

Discussion took place regarding the purchase of a second set of pads from St John Ambulance at a cost of £81 as should the defibrillator be used it was necessary to have a spare set as the pads can only be used once. Mr Fisher had been approached regarding this matter and it was now resolved that the Parish Council should go ahead and order these pads and the Clerk was authorised to do so. A vote was taken with Cllr Quinn raising an objection.

Asset Group Report

Cllr Reed said there was nothing to report but Councillors again raised the question of the unsightly weeds in the gullies outside School Houses which they felt was the responsibility of the tenants to clear. Cllr Reed said that he would again contact the Letting Agents regarding this as it was in the Tenancy Agreement that this was a requirement of their lease.

MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Cllr Reed reported that he and Cllr Hickman had visited Sidmouth and looked at the adult exercise equipment which was installed there and stated that it was very costly. Discussion took place as to whether it would be fully utilised in Whitestone.

FINANCE

The Clerk reported completion of the accounts/balance sheet for the year ended 31^st March 2015 and these had been circulated to the Council. The closing balance at Nat West Bank at the year end is:-

Current A/c	£200.00
Business Reserve A/c 1	14,246.43
Business Reserve A/c 2	£3,400.77
	*£17,847.20
*The balance includes £14.93 unpresented cheque and £230.71 P3 Grant money

The Annual Audit was presented to the meeting for authorisation and it was resolved by the Council that this was approved and agreed for presentation to the Audit Commission and the Return was duly signed by the Chairman. The internal audit will be conducted by Mr Ken Abrahams on the 26^th May following which the Return will be sent to the Audit Commission.

The Parish Council Annual Audit will be completed by the Audit Commission on the 8^th June 2015 and notices advertising the Audit will be displayed within the Parish.

Income

School Houses rents for April £1,425 − Letting Agency fees £136.80 (including £22.80 VAT) = £1,288.20.

Parish Paths Scheme Grant £250.00

Expenditure

Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (April) £97.50

Whitestone Parish Hall Management (Insurance ) £996.18

Devon Association of Local Councils Membership £161.63 (includes £20.91 VAT)

Staples £26.98 (includes £4.50 VAT)

Clerk’s expenses £39.94

CORRESPONDENCE

A letter has been received from Devon County Council regarding a review of speed limits across the county and the Council discussed the information and agreed with the decision that the Traffic Regulation Order should be amended to include the cul-de-sac (Merrymeet) and to match the existing terminal locations on site. This option will mean there will be no physical changes required on the ground.

REPORTS

Cllr Belt requested that application be made for a bin to be installed near Styles Barton Farm where dog owners could deposit their pet’s mess instead of leaving it in the hedges as was happening at present.
Potholes were reported by Southlands/Little Springs and at Nadderbottom.
Concerns were expressed regarding the speed of lorries through Nadderwater and a request was made for the white lines to be reinstalled on the road which was resurfaced at Nadderwater.
Cllr Nierop said he understood that Cllr Belt has just completed 20 years of service as a Councillor for Whitestone and complimented her on this achievement and those present concurred.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm.