Whitestone Parish Council
DRAFT Minutes of Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 10th November 2016 at 7.30pm to be ratified on 8th December 2016
Attendance:
Chairman - Councillor L Hickman
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs B Bramhall, D Munro, R Phillips, A Reed
County Councillor J Brook (to give his report)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs B Netherway, Mr P Nierop, Mrs S Greenfield
Apologies: Councillor Mrs L Fairley,
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr Nierop read a statement regarding the issue of motorsport activities which take place at Hales Farm. He had been in attendance at the meeting which had been called by Teignbridge Environmental Officer on the 9th November but requested that the Parish Council should write to Teignbridge District Council requesting clarification of their opinion regarding the 14/28 day rule as it applies to Hales Farm and whether the noticeable and disruptive impact of motorsports and the relevant National Planning Policy Framework (06.03.2014) guidance to avoid such situations would of itself nullify any implied rights to use of the land for the purposes of motorsports.. In addition that the Parish Council request from the Environmental Health Officer at Teignbridge, on behalf of the affected parities, a copy of summary of the results of noise monitoring at Hales Farm.
Cllr Hickman said that he had received a copy of the Noise Management Plan from Teignbridge District Council and requested that the Clerk distribute copies to all the Councillors. He was aware that nobody from the Teignbridge Planning Department had been in attendance at the meeting and will take this matter up with the relevant Department.
Mrs Greenfield gave the following report from the Parish Plan Committee:‐ “The Parish Plan Steering Group members continue towards completion of the final documents”.
The Chairman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday, 13th October 2016 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Hickman.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
County Councillor Brooks brought to the attention of the meeting an ongoing consultation which is taking place at Devon County regarding the provision of healthcare. He relayed information that the contract for highways has been re‐allocated which will affect the Community Budget but is hopeful that some of the existing staff will still remain in place.
Cllr Hickman raised a query regarding insurance cover for the Road Wardens Scheme which is available for volunteers undertaking the Chapter 8 Training and Cllr Brooks said that he will look into the issue.
Cllr Brooks then left the meeting.
PLANNING
Planning Applications
Cllr Belt and Cllr Phillips declared an interest in the application for Farm Barton.
The following applications/plans were examined and discussion took place with the subsequent observations:‐
16/02777/FUL Single storey extension to front including replacement windows and cladding at Cherry Trees. The application was supported.
16/02958/VAR Removal of condition 8 on planning permission 506/72 limiting occupation by agricultural worker only at Farm Barton. There were no objections but Cllr Bramhall abstained from voting.
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
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.
16/02420/FUL Loft conversion including alterations to roof, single storey front/side extension and replacement car port at Meadow Croft.
16/02315/FUL Retention of stable structure at Glebe Farm.
MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
School Houses
The Letting Agents have carried out their inspection of the properties and it has been noted that handrails need to be replaced. No 2 School Houses have damp in the kitchen area floor and Cllr Hickman has attended an inspection together with a specialist firm who will be submitting a report through the Letting Agents although they have indicated that it does not seem to be rising damp although some remedial work may need to be done. It was also noted that there is an untidy back garden at No 2.
It was reported that the tenants in No 2 have given notice and will be leaving on the 17th December and the Letting Agents are in the process of looking for new tenants.
The Clerk reported that information has been received from Teignbridge District Council that the Grants of £3,581.56 (No 1) and £2,271 (No 2) have been made to E.ON Energy Solutions in respect of the work carried out on the exteriors of the houses.
Crossway Park
As reported at the October meeting the Play Inspection Annual Inspection Report had been carried out when it was noted that all equipment was assessed as Low Risk or Very Low Risk. Cllr Hickman requested that a Committee be set up to consider what work was necessary in order to plan what action was needed at the Park. It was resolved that Councillors Belt, Bramhall, Baird and Reed should undertake this task.
Cllr Hickman asked Councillors to explore the introduction of Adult Exercise Equipment at the Park and make enquiries throughout the Parish as to the views of parishioners and feedback for the December meeting. Cllr Fairley has indicated that she would like to be involved should a decision be made to implement such action.
Cllr Bramhall reported on her inspections of the Park bringing items to the attention of the Council including dog excrement, moles on the football area and the grass cuttings which are left near the children’s play area. Cllr Hickman suggested the issues raised may be resolved as part of the Action Plan for Crossway Park.
MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
• Cllr Hickman drew attention to information on the Teignbridge District Council website (teignbridge.gov.uk/operationstack) regarding an initiative to combat recycling blowing from boxes onto the streets before collection crews arrive and mentioned that there is a monthly prize draw with details on the Teignbridge website. They request that by simply stacking your boxes, placing your blue sack or food waste container on the top box to act as a lid this will prevent items blowing away.
• Further information has been received from Teignbridge Planning Department regarding their decision not to issue paper consultations for planning applications and it was agreed that it will be necessary to have a laptop computer at the Council meetings in order to show a Powerpoint presentation of any application and Cllr Hickman will be discussing this further with the Clerk.
• Cllr Hickman was conscious of the Standing Orders which state that the same Councillor should not normally hold the office of Chairman for more than two consecutive years and wished to have this clarified as he is now coming to the end of his term of office. It was resolved by the Council that the Standing Orders be reviewed at the March 2017 meeting in order to determine this issue.
• Cllr Hickman gave his apologies for not being able to attend the Whitestone Church Service on the 13th November in order to present the Poppy Wreath and Cllr Reed has agreed to act on behalf of the Parish Council. Some discussion followed as it was learnt that last year’s wreath was still on display in the Church and whether it would be better to give a donation to The British Legion rather than purchase a wreath every year.
• Cllr Hickman has received a request from a parishioner who would like to undertake his own speed watch by taking photos of persistent speeding vehicles and passing them to the Police and advice will be sought from the Police regarding any issues which may be connected with this.
FINANCE
Draft Budget for 2017/18
Documentation regarding the finances of the Parish Council were distributed and the draft budget for 2017/18 will be discussed at the December meeting.
Income
2 School Houses rent for October/November £800.00 ‐ £76.80 (includes £12.80 VAT) = £723.20
1 School Houses rent for November £675.00 ‐ £64.80 (includes £10.80 VAT) = £610.20
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour.
Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (November) £108.00
J L Eddy (hosting of Domain for Whitestone Website) to 01/12/17 £36.00
Whitestone Gardening Club £240.00
Devon Association of Local Councils AGM £40.00
Clerk’s expenses £38.63
CORRESPONDENCE
Whitestone Parish Hall Committee - request that visitors to the Parish Hall comply with the “One-Way” system for vehicles and make proper use of the dedicated Disabled Parking bay which has been provided as there have been complaints that both provisions are being disregarded by persons attending events at the Hall.
REPORTS
Cllr Baird reported on the Neighbourhood Watch meeting which had been held at the Royal Oak on the 26th October. She felt that parishioners should realise that this was not all about reporting crime within the parish but an opportunity to forge a community project which would enable persons to become “good neighbours” and she is arranging a meeting in January to ask for volunteers to join a committee for the Neighbourhood Watch.
Cllr Baird will also be holding a “Meet and Greet” afternoon tea at 3pm on Tuesday 13th December at the Royal Oak for people whom live on their own and would like to have some social contact with others.
The meeting closed at 9.25pm