Whitestone Parish Council
DRAFT Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 10th September 2015 at 7.30pm to be ratified on 8 th October 2015.
Attendance:
Vice Chairman ‐ Councillor A Reed
Councillors Mrs M Belt, D Munro, R Phillips.
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs B Netherway, Mrs S Greenfield
Apologies: Councillors L Hickman, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs L Fairley, District Councillor P Bromell
Cllr Reed opened the meeting in the absence of the Chairman Cllr Hickman owing to illness.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Netherway raised concern that the gate on the Footpath at Hill Lane/Pound Lane has been padlocked. Cllr Munro, who is our Footpath Warden, said this should not have been done and he will investigate the matter. Cllr Phillips noted that the Footpath 22 adjacent to “Greenfields” has been ploughed and is therefore not in evidence and Cllr Munro said that he will also look into this.
Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 9th July and 6th August 2015 having been circulated were taken as read were duly signed by Cllr Reed.
PLANNING
Refusal of Planning Permission
15/01527/FUL Change of use of land to dog boarding business (sue generis) and log cabin at Riverside, Tedburn Road.
Refusal of request for prior approval
15/01485/NPA Unit I, East of Ridgeway, 15/01487/NPA Unit 2 East of Ridgeway, 15/01488/NPA East of Ridgway. Application of Prior Approval under Part 3 (Class Q (a) and (b) and paragraph W of the GPDO for change of use of part of agricultural building from agricultural use to a dwelling.
Refusal of Consent
Installation of a biomass boiler in existing shed including new roof and wall at Glebe House
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
15/01709/FUL Creation of a new vehicular access and of use of land for the erection of a horse walker at Glebe Farm.
14/03223/FUL Nine stables and a tack room for commercial use at Farm Barton, Whitestone.
15/01811/FUL Erection of a car port and a side/rear single storey extension at Glebe Farm.
15/01819/LBC Replacement of uPVC windows with timber windows at Lower Hare Farm, Folley Lane.
MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
Asset Report
Cllr Reed reported that unfortunately Cllr Hickman is in the RD&E Hospital undergoing tests for a recent health issue and is therefore not able to be in attendance tonight. He sends his apologies.
2 School Houses
Councillors will be aware from a letter recently circulated by Cllr Hickman that a new problem has arisen with the kitchen floor which will need to be
replaced. We are currently looking into the necessary remedial work and the cost thereof, including the possibility of an insurance claim or liability of
the contractor who carried out work in the kitchen in 2008 and will report back on progress at a later meeting.
It was reported that the new tenants have now taken up occupation.
Crossway Park
The old climbing frame has been dismantled and disposed of but samples of the rotted wood have been retained should further investigation be needed and it is hoped to dismantle the swing in the immediate future.
Cllr Belt reported that the Sports and Social Club have purchased new goal nets for the football posts as complaints had been made regarding them and noted that Jock Kirkpatrick will be installing these. The Clerk was instructed to write and express the Council’s appreciation.
Cllr Belt had obtained a quotation for £240.00 for the removal of the wall between the Community Garden and the carpark and it was resolved that this be accepted but to await a quotation from Frost Fencing to install a fence as a replacement to the wall in order that work can be completed at the same time.
MATTERS RAISED BY THE VICE CHAIRMAN
Cllr Reed made the meeting aware of two break‐ins which had occurred at properties within the Parish resulting in equipment being stolen. The Police have asked that residents be vigilant as it was felt that the thieves may return to the area.
FINANCE
Income
1 School Houses rent for September £675.00 ‐ £64.80 (incl £10.80 VAT) = £610.20
2 School Houses rent August/September £800.00 ‐ £300 (incl £50 VAT) = £500.00
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour
Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (September) £97.50
Clerk’s expenses £33.11
ACS Electrical £198.00 (incl £33 VAT) (new bathroom heater at 2 School Houses paid through Devon Sales & Lettings)
CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk reported receiving the relevant invoice from the Parish Hall Committee regarding the repair work to the stage and sanding and re‐sealing the floor of the main hall . The necessary claim to the Rural Aid Scheme for the grant of £800 which had been approved by them in July 2015 was presented for signing.
A response has been received from Devon Highways regarding the complaint made to them regarding the channel in the road outside 1 and 2 School Houses which is causing a safety concern for pedestrians. Mr Pearson has responded that he thinks it is a drainage channel to take surface water from the carriageway. He will however investigate and if there has been an erosion of the carriageway which is causing safety concerns then of course it would be rectified.
Confirmation of Modification Order in respect of public path diversion of Bridleway No 14 has been received from Devon County Council.
Congratulations have been received from Peter Hanson on the new seating in Crossway Park.
REPORTS
Cllr Belt reported that following the necessary improvements by the Parish Hall Management Committee the Parish Hall has been awarded a 2 Star Hallmark and she also said that arrangements are in place for the hedge around the Hall to be cut.
Cllr Munro reported that he had repaired the telescope on the Foxtail Adventure Tower that had been broken off and a vote of thanks was recorded.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Sheila Greenfield addressed the meeting as follows:‐
“I would like to have formally minuted a clarification to the wording of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting of the 25th June 2015. In the fourth paragraph of the meeting summary it states that ‘Cllr Hickman opened the meeting and requested views from District Councillor Bromell and from Mr and Mrs Greenfield who are the organisers of the ongoing Parish Plan Steering Group’. I wish to point out that Vicki Bryant, Marian Durrant, Peter Hanson, Andrew and Sheila Greenfield are co‐organisers of the Whitestone Parish Plan and all together form the Steering Group for the Plan. Mr and Mrs Greenfield attended the Parish Council meeting on the 25th June and made comments on the Local Government Boundary Commission proposals as private individuals. They were not presenting views on behalf of the Steering Group.
Whilst I understand that the minutes for the meeting have been signed off I wish to have the above facts placed on record to clarify the position and to avoid any unintentional misunderstanding that could arise from the wording as recorded”
The Clerk apologised for any embarrassment that has occurred from her wording of the minutes of the supplementary Council meeting that had been held in June to discuss the draft recommendations by the Local Government Boundary Commission for an electoral review of Devon. Mrs Vaughan hopes that by placing Mrs Greenfield’s statement in these minutes the situation is now clarified.
Mrs Greenfield gave the following update on the Parish Plan Steering Group:‐
“Our provider has programmed in the analysis of our questionnaires, starting in October, when their workload permits. The Steering Group will be working on the layout and design of the draft plan whilst the analysis is being done. Clearly we cannot work on the draft Action Plan and outcomes until we have the results of the analysis.”
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20pm.