Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on 11th February 2016.
Attendance: Chairman ‐ Councillor L Hickman
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs L Fairley, R Phillips, D Munro, A Reed.
County Councillor J Brook (to give his report)
PC Jon Croft (to give his report)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs S Greenfield
Apologies: District Councillor P Bromell.
8. The Chairman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 14th January 2016 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Hickman.
9. Cllr Hickman thanked PC Croft for attending in answer to a request for an update on the traffic problems within the parish. PC Croft said that having carried out speed checks he was very aware of the problems and the Road Safety Officer for the area had been sent data for a speed watch programme to be initiated but he has not received an update. PC Croft said he would be doing another couple of speed checks and get them in which at least will show a presence and the Council will be contacted when the programme has been organised. Cllr Brook commented that the information being gathered through this survey is vital before any action to address road safety issues was undertaken. Cllr Hickman said the Council were grateful for the report and PC Croft then left the meeting.
10 REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Brook reported on the ongoing budget constrictions that are being discussed by Devon County Council which would mean cutbacks on some services and answered questions from the floor. After some discussion Cllr Hickman thanked him for his report and he left the meeting.
11. PLANNING
Planning Application
11.1 16/00078/COU Change of use of buildings and yard from plant sales, repairs, storage and breaking to plant/vehicle storage and auctions at Brookside Garage, Tedburn Road. Concern that there is not adequate parking on the site as it has been noted that Auctions are already taking place and that visiting cars are parking on the side of the very busy and fast travelling Tedburn Road which is causing traffic problems and possible danger.
11.2 16/00160/FUL Barn containing equipment shed, storage and workshop at Heath Cross Farm. It was noted that this planning had been previously discussed at the January meeting as an agricultural planning application. The Council confirmed that their previously stated concerns still stood that the barn should be for the applicant’s own use and there are objections to any change of use.
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
11.3 15/03107/FUL Replacement garage at 18 Merrymeet.
Prior Approval Not Required
11.4 16/00001/AGR Agricultural building to store machinery and feed at Lower Hare Farm.
Withdrawal of Planning Application
11.5 15/03277/AGR Erection of barn for use as storage/workshop at Heath Cross Farm
11.6 Notice of intention to stop paper consultation with Councils
Communication has been received from Teignbridge District Council regarding the above and the matter had also been discussed at the January meeting of the Teignbridge Association of Local Councils when concerns had been raised that there had been no consultation on the proposal. It was agreed that a letter be sent expressing this Council’s concerns as moving away from paper based information was not a practical option in terms of IT connectivity or the associated cost of purchasing equipment. Discussion took place and whilst all except one Councillor are already being made aware of planning consultations via email communication from the Clerk it was planned that the Clerk would download documents from the Teignbridge website for investigation at a Council meeting. It was realised that this would involve extra expense for the Parish with regard to printing as it may be necessary for the enlargement of any documents for viewing. The possibility of available grants for IT development would also be investigated.
12. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
Asset Report
12.1 School Houses - Cllr Reed stated that the bathroom heater in No 2 School House had to be repaired and a repair to the oven at No 1 had cost £123.47. As reported at the January meeting an approach had been made to Teignbridge Housing to arrange for a free, no obligation, survey of the houses regarding the external wall consultation but no further information has been received at the present time.
12.2 Crossway Park - Cllr Bramhall reported that the area is waterlogged.
12.3 Final Recommendations for Electoral Review of Devon
The Local Government Boundary Commission have issued their final recommendation for Devon County Council which will mean that Whitestone Parish will come within the Exminster and Haldon District electoral division. The new electoral arrangements will come into force at the county elections in 2017. Information can be seen online at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk.
12.4 Parish Plan
The Clerk reported that an invoice has been received from Teignbridge District Council with regard to the second stage of their analysis of the Whitestone Parish Plan at a cost of £853.69. Mrs Greenfield commented that the resulting documentation was very satisfactory and thanked the Council for their support in funding the exercise. She reported that having received the information the group were now continuing their work on the Parish Plan.
13. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
13.1 Cllr Hickman reported that he and Cllr Reed had attended the Teignbridge Association of Local Councils meeting at Newton Abbot on the 28th January and raised some of the items discussed. There had been encouragement to support Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and the Clerk distributed a leaflet regarding this and Cllr Hickman asked if this could be looked into with regard to volunteers coming forward. Also discussed at the meeting had been the Teignbridge budget, the Planning information change and Devon Local Nature Partnership and Cllr Hickman relayed the information and a particular item in regard to an infrastructure development proposal for a build of 2,700 houses in Alphington and the development of a railway station at Marsh Barton by 2020/2021.
13.2 On the 21st April it is hoped that Beacons will be lit across the country to celebrate the Queens 90th birthday and after discussion as to whether one could be lit at Whitestone some literature was passed to Cllr Belt who will look into any arrangement which could be made.
13.3 Cllr Hickman informed the meeting that he had received information that Western Power were organising the pruning of trees behind the bus shelter to enable clearance for overhead power lines.
13.4 An invitation had been received for attendance at the Raise a Flag for the Commonwealth Ceremony to be held at Forde House, Newton Abbot, on 14th March. Cllr Hickman said that he would be unable to attend but Cllr Reed will be his representative and will take a guest.
14. FINANCE
Income
14.1 1 School Houses rent for February £675.00 - £64.80 (includes £10.80 VAT) = £610.20.
14.2 2 School Houses rent for February £800.00 - £76.80 (includes £12.80 VAT) = £723.20.
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded. All in favour
14.3 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (February) £97.50
14.4 Teignbridge District Council Parish Plan Questionnaire Analysis £883.63 (includes £142.27 VAT)
14.5 Clerk’s expenses £23.58
14.6 Dave Totterdell Electrical £123.47 (includes £20.58 VAT) paid through Devon Sales & Lettings
15. CORRESPONDENCE
Devon County Highways ‐ notification of temporary prohibition of through traffic and parking on Halsfordwood Lane, Nadderwater from 4th to 5th April inclusive for the replacement of a decayed pole.
16. REPORTS
Complaints have been received from parishioner regarding the post collection at the box by the old Post Office where the collections are made at 9am and could it not be at the later time of 4pm as with other post boxes within the area. It was also mentioned that the post box that had been removed from Heath Cross has not been replaced. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Post Office regarding these matters.
Cllr Hickman asked for names of organisations who may wish to apply for grants to be brought to the March meeting.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield asked if Devon County could be approached regarding water on the roads near the bridges at Trillow, Nadderbottom and the Royal Oak. It would appear that this may be being caused by debris in the streams causing water to overflow onto the road surface and the Clerk was instructed to contact the appropriate authority regarding this. It was also requested that the grit bins within the parish be filled.
The meeting closed at 9.35pm.
Signed ________________________ 10th March 2016