Whitestone Parish Council
DRAFT Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 9th July 2015 at 7.30pm to be ratified on Thursday 10th September 2015
Attendance: Chairman – Councillor L Hickman,
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs L Fairley, R Phillips, A Reed.
County Councillor J Brook (left the meeting at 8.15pm)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mr and Mrs Voaden and Mr R Lennard (left at 9pm), Mrs B Netherway, Mrs P Moody,
Dr J Richards (left at 8pm), Mrs S Greenfield,
Apologies Councillor D Munro, District Councillor P Bromell
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr R Lennard said he was in attendance to support Mr and Mrs Voaden in their planning application and answer any questions which the Council may have.
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed PC Jon Croft, Devon and Cornwall Police, who had come to speak on recent complaints regarding speeding throughout the Parish. PC Croft said that he was new to this area and was glad to have the opportunity to address the concerns regarding the speeding. He had discussed the problem with the specialist Traffic Officer and it was hoped that something can be put into place to monitor speeds through the village with the help of parishioners. Mrs Moody (Vice Chair of Tedburn St Mary Parish Council) said that they had been approached to supply volunteers to help with this problem at Tedburn but as yet had heard nothing further. PC Croft apologised for this but said he had only just taken over from PC Kerridge Smith and being new to this area was hopeful that further action would soon be taken. After more discussion took place Cllr Hickman said he would contact PC Croft direct to negotiate taking this further. Cllr Hickman thanked PC Croft for his input and assurances of help with this matter and PC Croft then left the meeting.
Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 11th June and 25th June 2015 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Hickman.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
County Councillor Brook reported on the situation regarding residential homes within Devon which unfortunately owing to budget restrictions could not be maintained. He also mentioned problems with the disposal of grass cuttings and the introduction of the new systems within Teignbridge for the disposal of rubbish. He left the meeting after giving his report.
PLANNING
15/01527/FUL Log cabin for residential use and dog boarding business at Riverside, Tedburn Road.
This application was examined by the Council who in principle were in support of the proposal. However concerns were expressed regarding access to the site and the potential increase in vehicle movements in the area in terms of the road safety issues. Furthermore the Council suggested that the perimeter fence was currently inadequate to ensure the dog boarding activity was a safe environment to ensure the business activity did not undermine road safety concerns in that area. Therefore the Council did not support any future expansion to the business beyond what is currently proposed by the applicants on the basis of the potential significant impact on road safety relating to entry and exiting the site. The applicants attended the meeting and were able to answer questions put to them by Councillors.
15/01709/FUL Creation of a new vehicular access and of use of land for the erection of a horse walker at Glebe Farm.
The application was examined and supported for use of horses already stabled but concerns regarding increase of traffic in surrounding narrow roads. It was suggested that the new vehicular access should be re-assessed to ensure that the large horse boxes were taken fully into the Glebe Farm site as at present they do sometimes cause congestion on the road.
15/01819/LBC Replacement of Upvc windows with timber windows at Lower Hare Farm, Folley Lane
The application was examined and supported.
15/01811/FUL Erection of a car port and a side/rear single storey extension at Glebe Farm.
The application was examined and supported
Grant of Appeal
15/00004/REF Appeal against refusal of planning application 14/02768/NPA 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
Certification of Lawful Use or Development
15/01624/CLDP Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed development for single storey extension to read elevations at Styles Barton Meadow, road from Barton Cottages to Way Farm.
MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
Asset Report
Cllr Reed reported obtaining three quotes for the work necessary at 2 School Houses. As it is vital to get the house in good order to re-let Cllr Hickman and Cllr Reed made the decision to accept a quotation of £2,000 from John Bartle as he could start the work immediately. His quotation was in the same region as others obtained and he was recommended by Devon Sales and Lettings and had a working relationship with them already. It is anticipated that the work will take approximately two weeks. An additional cost of £220 will be incurred for repairs and this will be deducted from the outgoing tenant’s deposit.
Cllr Reed had arranged for an inspection of the car park wall as reported at the June meeting and it was confirmed that it is unsafe and the price to remove and re-build would be £758. The Council discussed this issue and it was resolved that a further estimate should be obtained for the removal of the wall and for a fence to be installed in its place.
It was reported that two new picnic tables have been delivered as through the auspices of Cllr Phillips a special price was obtained and two purchased instead of the original one that was funded by the Whitestone Sports & Social Club. One table has already been erected and the other will be in place by next week.
Cllr Phillips kindly organised the purchase of new warning signs for Crossway Park and a vote of thanks was given as he had now installed these.
MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
Cllr Hickman drew attention to the Teignbridge District Council 10 year strategy and to the Rowhorne Road being closed for 5 days from 15th July.
Following the meeting on the 25th July he had met with the Clerk and a submission had been sent to the Boundary Commission
detailing comments against the proposed change to move Whitestone Parish from Chudleigh Rural to Exminster and Haldon. Cllr Hickman read the letter in full to the meeting and it was agreed that copies should be sent to Councillors and it should also be published on the Whitestone website.
FINANCE
The clerk distributed information regarding the Council’s financial situation to date and the Nat West Bank Statement as at 30th June 2015
Current A/c 200.00
Business Reserve A/c 19,007.38
Business Reserve A/c 3,401.20
£22,608.58 This balance includes £230.71 P3 Grant Money
Completion of Annual Audit
The Clerk reported on the successful conclusion of the Annual Audit by the Audit Commission for the year ended 31st March 2015. Copies of the audit report can be obtained on application to the Parish Council Clerk and 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.
Income
1 School Houses rent for July £675.00 - £64.80 (incl £10.80 VAT) = £610.20
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour
Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (July/August) £97.50 x 2 = £195.00
Seton Signs £50.77 (incl £8.46 VAT)
Graham Dicker (grass cutting) £433.32
Clerk’s quarterly salary/expenses £237.84
Grant Thornton (Annual Audit) £240 (incl £40 VAT)
REPORTS
Cllr Belt raised the question of the danger posed to pedestrians by the ditch outside School Houses.
Cllr Phillips raised concerns regarding the road surface on the double bend on the Oldridge Road
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield gave the following report on the Parish Plan Steering Group:- “We continue to gather questionnaires from those who are still responding. This process is drawing to a close, as we wish to move on to the analysis phase, so please if you haven’t sent us your response could you do so very soon. Many thanks!”
The meeting closed at 9.45pm