Whitestone Parish Council
DRAFT Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 8th October 2015 at 7.30pm to be ratified on 12th November 2015.
Attendance:
Chairman ‐ Councillor L Hickman
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs L Fairley, D Munro, A Reed.
District Councillor P Bromell (left at 8.50pm)
County Councillor J Brook (left after giving his report)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs S Greenfield
Apologies: Councillors R Phillips.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No public participation.
Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 10th September 2015 having been circulated were taken as read were duly signed by the Chairman.
REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
District Councillor Bromell said that it had been reported to him that substantial water was running across the road from the property at “Woodstock”, Five Mile Hill. Cllr Reed said that he would approach the owner regarding this problem.
PLANNING
Planning Applications
The following applications/plans were examined and discussion took place with the subsequent observations:‐
15/02166/LBC Replace front porch at Glebe House, Church Lane. Supported with no objections.
15/02212/LBC Re‐building collapsing lower half of east wall, replace two outer doors with a single door, fix tie bars at first floor level to prevent further roof spread and re‐slating of whole roof at Glebe House, Church Lane. Supported with no objections.
15/02727/VAR Variation of conditions 2 & 5 to planning permission 14/03718/FUL to change balcony and fenestration details and approve external materials at Alphin Springs. No objections
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
15/01697/FUL Single storey side extension and partial cladding to extension and dwelling at 26 Merrymeet
15/01270/FUL Stable block with tack room and hay store at Plume Top, Five Mile Hill.
15/00901/LBC Internal layout alterations, new windows and French doors and new detached garage/workshop at Whitestone House
15/00903/FUL Detached garage/workshop at Whitestone House.
MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
Rural Aid Grant
It was reported that Teignbridge District Council have now submitted the £800 Rural Aid Grant towards the Parish Hall repairs and it was resolved that this money be conveyed to the Parish Hall Management Committee.
Elector Fund Grant
The Clerk reported that she had made application to this Fund for a Grant and was pleased to report that the sum of £600.00 has been awarded to the Parish towards the purchase of the replacement play equipment for Crossway Park.
The Clerk also reported approaching County Councillor Brook for a grant and had been informed that he was willing to contribute £1,000 towards the play equipment from his Locality Budget Fund and she had completed an application form to this effect.
Asset Report
Cllr Reed gave reports on the following:‐
School Houses
On closer inspection it was found that only half of the floor will need replacing and therefore the kitchen can remain in use. In accordance with the Council’s decision in September an order had been placed for Mr John Bartle to carry out the necessary work. Three estimates had been obtained, namely £1,490, £1775, and £2,317. An added advantage of accepting the quote from Mr Bartle was that he would be carrying out the work from 8am to 6pm each day which will make the area safe for the tenants at completion of work.
Work will commence on 13th October and be completed in three to four days.
The tenant has asked if the sitting room fire could be used. DSL have had the fireplace inspected and it transpires that at some point the original fire back has been removed. To replace this with a stove and flue would cost in excess of £2000 and it was agreed that this would not be sanctioned at this time.
Crossway Park
All the old equipment has been removed and a meeting has taken place with the installers. Installation of the new will take place in approx three weeks and once the date is known the closure date will be placed on the website and on notice boards as well as on the park fence as it is the intention to lock up the Park by chaining the gates and placing notices to the effect that the playground cannot be used during the installation. The Playgroup will be approached directly with this information.
REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
County Councillor Brook joined the meeting at 8.30pm and gave his report on the process which was being put together regarding devolution to share services with other Counties which will be presented to the Government in view of the financial implications for Devon.
Cllr Hickman said that the meeting had been made aware of Cllr Brook’s generosity in putting forward an application for a grant of £1,000 from the Locality Budget and wished to thank him for his help. The Clerk passed the necessary paperwork to Cllr Brook who then left the meeting.
MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
Cllr Hickman reported that he and Cllr Reed will be attending the DALC AGM and Conference on Thursday 15th October when the theme is Working Together for Stronger Communities.
He commented on the re‐cyling literature which had been circulated from Teignbridge District Council. It has been noted that the green bins will be collected as they will no longer be used but if the householder wishes to keep the bin for other purposes they may do so but should keep it away from any collection area as it will then be removed.
The Cancer Support Coffee Morning which had been held at the Parish Hall on 25th September as part of the Macmillan Cancer Support Biggest Coffee Morning had raised £290.
The Electoral Review of Devon has been extended from 29th September to 26th October in view of further limited consultation in North Devon. This means that the final recommendations will now be published in January 2016.
Cllr Hickman said that he wished Councillors to be aware of the state of the stanchions on the play equipment which had been removed from Crossway Park and showed the meeting the pieces of rotten wood which he and Cllr Reed had detached.
FINANCE
Nat West Bank statement as at 30th September 2015
Current A/c |
200.00 |
|
Business Reserve A/c |
21,455.43 |
|
Business Reserve A/c |
3,401.62 |
|
£25,057.05 |
This balance includes £230.71 P3 Grant Money |
Income
1 School Houses rent for October £675.00 ‐ £64.80 (incl £10.80 VAT = £610.20.
2 School Houses rent for October £800.00 ‐ £76.80 (incl £12.80 VAT) = £723.20.
Teignbridge District Council Rural Aid Grant £800.00.
Teignbridge District Council Half Year Precept £3,000.00
Teignbridge District Council Elector Fund Grant £600.00
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour
Miracle Design and Play Ltd £3,319.00 (incl £553.17 VAT)
Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (October) £97.50
Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee Rural Aid Grant £800.00
Devon Assocation of Local Councils &dask; Councillor Course for Cllr Mrs Fairley £30 (incl £5 VAT)
Clerk’s quarterly salary/expenses £229.48
CORRESPONDENCE
Response from Simon Pearson, Devon County Highways, that he has now looked at the issue of the road outside School Houses and is happy to arrange some minor repairs. He will be placing an order on the system for the contractor to fit it into their programme most efficiently and as such cannot be definite as to when this will be carried out but would like to think that it would be this side of Christmas.
A Litter Pick has been arranged by Philip Nierop for Sat 10th October meeting at Parish Hall at 10am and should be finished by 12. All volunteers welcome
Complaint received regarding the removal of the post‐box at Heath Cross which was removed from months ago. A parishioner who lives adjacent has investigated and apparently the box was removed for “health and safety” reasons. The letter from Royal Mail, dated 1st October was read to the meeting in which they apologised for its removal and intend to install a new post box with a metal post. To do this they have to contact all the utility companies to understand any underground services which may be in the vicinity and this is causing a delay in the reinstatement of the box.
Complaint has been made regarding cars parking on the road level with the entrance to the Parish Hall car park thereby obstructing the sight line for a driver and hiding the exiting vehicle from passing road traffic. This is due to local residents parking and they are asked to park away from the entrance in order to obviate any accident occurring from people exiting from the Parish Hall.
Notification has been received from Devon County County that temporary prohibition of through traffic and parking will take place between the hours of 09.30 and 15.30 in Church Lane, opposite Bridge Cottage, from 30th November to 1st December to enable the replacement of a pole.
Notification has been received of a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order Road Closure on the Barton Head A30 Overbridge and Hacksworthy Lane A30 Overbridge between 1st October 2015 to 31st March 2016.
Invitation from Teignbridge District Council for the Chairman to attend the Civic Service on Sunday 1st November at The Avenue Church, Newton Abbot
REPORTS
Cllr Munro reported that unfortunately the telescope on the play equipment which he had repaired last month has been pulled down again and on his investigation he had removed it entirely as he considered that in its present condition it might cause injury.
Cllr Munro said that he had investigated the Footpath 22 which was stated to have been ploughed over but had found that a strip has been left in order for people to use the Footpath. In regard to the gate chained at Hill Lane he is still endeavouring to find the land owner of the field.
Cllr Belt reported that a pane of glass has been broken at the telephone box. She also raised concerns regarding the tree on the green that appears to be leaning over. She has received information regarding Neighbourhood Watch which no longer has any representation within the Parish. After discussion it was agreed that it would be advantageous to try and set this up again and Cllr Baird took the paperwork and will investigate. Mrs Greenfield said that she was part of the community messaging informal networking system of volunteers who warn against anything suspicious in the area.
It was mentioned that PC Croft is doing speed checks throughout the Parish.
Cllr Reed reported the dumping of what appears to be garage waste in the layby in Pound Lane and the Clerk was asked to report this.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield thanked the Clerk for the inclusion of her clarification statement in the September Parish Council Minutes and said it was most appreciated.
Mrs Greenfield gave the following update on the Parish Plan Steering Group:‐ “Questionnaires are with our provider for analysis. As mentioned last month we await the output from that work to inform our draft Action Plan and draft Parish Plan.”
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25pm.