Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 12th May 2016.
Attendance: Councillors Ms T Baird (left at 9pm), Mrs M Belt, Mrs L Fairley, L Hickman, D Munro, R Phillips, A Reed.
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mr P Nierop (left after speaking in public participation),
Mrs B Netherway, Mrs S Greenfield
Apologies Councillor Mrs B Bramhall, District Councillor P Bromell
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Nierop said that he had written to the Clerk following the “Litter Pick” conducted by parishioners in April when it had been noted that there were two areas within the Parish where rubbish has been deposited whether by fly tipping or by consent of the landowners. The Clerk informed the meeting that she had passed on the complaint to District Councillor Bromell with a request for it to be investigated by Teignbridge District Council and had been informed by him that investigations were ongoing by the appropriate department.
34. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Councillor Hickman, the retiring Chairman, declared the Annual General Meeting open and sought nominations for the post of Chairman:-
34.1 Election of Chairman
Councillor L Hickman was proposed by Cllr Munro and seconded by Cllr Belt. All in favour.
Councillor Hickman was thereby elected and signed his declaration of office as Chairman and called for nominations for the following:-
34.2 Election of Vice Chairman
Councillor Reed was proposed by Cllr Phillips and seconded by Cllr Belt. All in favour. Councillor Reed was thereby elected and signed his declaration of office of the role of Vice Chairman.
34.3 Footpath Warden
Councillor Munro was proposed by Cllr Belt and seconded by Cllr Phillips. All in favour.
34.4 Church House Foundation Member
Councillor Belt was proposed by Cllr Baird and seconded by Cllr Munro
Councillor Fairley was proposed by Cllr Hickman and seconded by Cllr Reed.
After a vote Councillor Belt was elected
34.5 Crossway Park Officer
Councillor Bramhall was proposed by Cllr Hickman and seconded by Cllr Baird. All in favour.
34.6 Parish Hall Committee
Proposed and seconded that Councillors Belt, Fairley, Hickman and Phillips be elected en bloc. All in favour.
34.7 Parish Hall Liaison Member
Councillor Belt was proposed by Cllr Baird and seconded by Cllr Phillips. All in favour.
34.8 Asset Group
Proposed and seconded that Councillors Reed, Phillips, Belt and Fairley be elected en bloc. All in favour.
34.9 Responsible Financial Officer
Mrs P Vaughan proposed by Cllr Belt and seconded by Cllr Munro. All in favour.
34.10 Internal Independent Auditor
Mr K Abraham proposed by Cllr Belt seconded by Cllr Munro. All in favour.
The Council then proceeded to the business of the Parish Council Meeting
35. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 14th April 2016 and the Annual Parish Meeting held on 28th April 2016 having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chairman.
36. PLANNING
Planning ‐ Teignbridge District Council
Planning Applications
Cllr Reed declared an interest in the planning for Lower Hare Farm.
The following applications/plans were examined and discussion took place with the subsequent observations:-
36.1 16/01003/FUL Provision of new permanent farm access onto A30 including landscaping at Lower Hare Farm, Folley Lane. This was felt to be an improvement although there were concerns regarding the speed of traffic on this part of the road.
36.2 16/01203/FUL Rear extension incorporating both two storey and single storey at Lower Hare Farm, Folley Lane. This application was supported although It was noted that this appeared to be a repeat of a former application made in December last which had subsequently been withdrawn.
Application Granted
36.3 16/00276/FUL Extension to west elevation including demolition of existing garage at Nadder Park, Nadderwater
Applications Withdrawn
36.4 15/02860/FUL Rear extension incorporating both two storey and single storey at Lower Hare Farm, Folley Lane
36.5 15/02861/LBC Two storey and single storey rear extension at Lower Hare Farm, Folley Lane.
Planning ‐ County of Devon
36.6 Notification of permission granted to variation to current land restoration scheme at Springdale Farm subject to conditions. This notification to be distributed to Councillors.
37. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
37.1 School Houses
It was reported that discussions are still ongoing with E-On and Teignbridge District Council regarding the insulation required to bring the houses up to the standard required to meet the Energy Performance Rating Certificates which will become legislation in 2018.
37.2 Grant Process
Discussion took place regarding the process for the allocation of grants to local organisations within the parish. It was resolved that all organisations within the parish will be given the opportunity to apply and invitations for applications will be publicised. Each application will be considered by the Council on its merits. A closing date of 1st July was fixed.
38. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
38.1 A response was sent to Royal Mail in regard to the closure of mail box at Whitestone Church and the installation of an alternative. Cllr Hickman had visited the site and the pillar that the post box is built into appears to be failing. He had spoken to Dr Jane Richards regarding the matter and she had been given a copy of the email received from Royal Mail. In addition the Clerk had communicated with Royal Mail giving them Dr Richard’s contact information should they wish to contact the Church authorities.
38.2 A parishioner has pointed out an article regarding volunteer “community road wardens” being recruited to undertake work on potholes, hedging etc. and Cllr Hickman promised to investigate this further with Devon County Council if any volunteers are willing to come forward. Any parishioner interested should contact Cllr Hickman (01392 811909) or any Councillor.
39. FINANCE
39.1 Authorisation for continuation of Grants
It was proposed and seconded that the following grants be continued. All in favour.
Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee - £129.60 per month.
Parochial Church Council (for the Church Magazine for inclusion of Council Minutes) £175
Income
39.2 1 School Houses rent for May £675.00 - £64.80 (includes £10.80 VAT = £610.20
39.3 2 School Houses rent for April/May £800 - £76.80 (includes £12.80 VAT - £723.20.
39.4 Teignbridge District Council ‐ half year Precept £3,000
39.5 VAT 2015/16 Repayment £1,724.71
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour.
39.6 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (May) £129.60
39.7 Clerk’s expenses £48.48
39.8 Came & Company ‐ Council Insurance £1,069.29
39.9 Alpha Furniture ‐ deposit required for the purchase of 50 chairs as authorised at the April meeting and subsequently ordered £335.25.
39.10 Parochial Church Council (for the Church Magazine for inclusion of Council Minutes) £175
40. CORRESPONDENCE
40.1 The Clerk reported receiving a response regarding the unauthorised removal of a hedge and gateway at Cross Park Farm which had stated that the Enforcement Department at Teignbridge are investigating and will report when they have further information.
40.2 Devon County Public Rights of Way ‐ information regarding payment of Grants and thanks to the P3 Warden with an invitation for Cllr Munro to contact them to discuss survey findings and projects for the coming year.
40.3 The Clerk reported receiving a response from the Teignbridge Planning Department regarding the erection of a marquee at Glebe Farm stating that temporary structures do not require consent, however it appears the owner wishes to retain the structure and therefore Teignbridge are expecting a planning application to be submitted.
40.4 As reported at the March meeting the numbers required for the purchase of HM Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Commemorative medals have now been investigated and it was resolved to place an order for 150 medals for distribution within the Parish.
41. REPORTS
41.1 Potholes were reported in Hill Lane, Pound Lane and Church Lane and the Clerk was requested to inform Devon County regarding the danger they posed in these areas.
41.2 Cllr Reed reported that arrangements put in place regarding the traffic situation caused by a recent sale at Husseys appeared to have been satisfactory and there had been no parking on the main road.
41.3 Cllr Belt requested that thanks be expressed to Teignbridge District Council for the recent Rural Skip which had taken place on Saturday last which had proved very successful. She also reported attending a Rural Aid meeting last night.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield said that she had been requested by Mr Nierop to mention that the back of a seat in the garden was in need of repair and it was reported that Councillors were aware of this and the possibility that the seat would have to be replaced owing to its age.
Mrs Greenfield gave the following update on the Parish Plan Steering Group:-
“We are currently working on the presentations for the proposed coffee morning, draft action plan and full Parish Plan”
The meeting closed at 9.12pm
Signed ________________________ 9th June 2016