Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday, 8th December 2016 at 7.30pm.
Attendance:
Chairman − Councillor L Hickman
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs L Fairley, R Phillips, A Reed
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs B Netherway, Mrs S Greenfield
Apologies: District Councillor P Bromell
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield gave the following report from the Parish Plan Steering Committee:-
“We are currently tying-up ‘loose ends’ on the full Parish Plan document. We are also preparing the A5 summary which will be sent to every Parish household. We anticipate completion of this work within the current financial year. The Committee Members − Vicky, Marian, Peter, Andrew and Sheila would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas“.
84. The Chairman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday, 10th November 2016 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Hickman.
85. PLANNING
The following planning applications were reported to the meeting:-
Planning Application Withdrawn
85.1 16/02297/FUL Extension and alterations to existing outbuilding to form dwelling at Woodstock, Tedburn Road.
Grant of Conditional Planning Consent
85.2 16/02777/FUL Single storey extension to front including replacement windows and cladding at Cherry Trees.
85.3 15/02166/LBC Replace front porch at Glebe House, Church Lane.
86. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
School Houses
86.1 As reported at the November meeting the tenants are leaving No 2 School Houses on the 17th December and it was reported that the garden area has been cleaned up. A new tenant had been obtained by Devon Sales & Lettings and will be moving in on the 9th January 2017.
86.2 Two firms have investigated the dry rot problem in the kitchen area at No 2 and the work has been given to the contractor who will be able to complete the necessary work as they are willing to work over the Christmas break before the new tenant takes up residency.
Crossway Park
86.3 Cllr Belt reported that an inspection had been carried out by the Committee appointed at the November meeting and various items had been noted and will be dealt with. It had been ascertained that all the fencing needs attention and it was suggested that some mesh needed to be placed on the gates leading into the park together with notices stating “Please Close the Gate”. The proposed disabled entrance had been investigated and Cllr Belt will obtain quotes from fencing firms regarding this.
86.4 Cllr Hickman reported having had some positive feedback regarding the installation of adult exercise equipment and Cllr Fairley has been investigating suitable equipment and will report back to the January meeting with the cost implications.
Hales Farm
86.5 Further communication has been received from Teignbridge stating that the Noise Management Plan which was put into place in 2015 remains in force and if not complied with Teignbridge District Council retains the ability to take enforcement action which could include prosecution for breach of the Abatement Notice. The Noise Management Plan states there shall be no more than 8 days of motorsport events per calendar year and any part of a day will be counted as a full day. There shall be a minimum of 28 days between each event except during June, July and August where there shall be a minimum of 35 days between each event. One 2 day event per calendar year is permitted and this is included within the 8 days per calendar year and where a 2 day event is held the maximum remaining event days is 6. A full copy of this Plan may be obtained from the Clerk to the Parish Council.
Brookside Garage site
86.6 Enquiries had been made with the Teignbridge Planning Department regarding a car parking area which has been installed on the opposite side of the Tedburn Road with special reference made to the ensuing safety issues of persons crossing such a busy main road. Assurance had been received from the Senior Planning Enforcements Officer that a visit will be made to the site and investigation will take place to ascertain if any planning permissions are necessary.
87. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
87.1 Cllr Hickman reported on attending the Teignbridge Association of Local Councils meeting on the 24th November. Cllr John Hart, the Leader of Devon County Council had highlighted the budgetary commitments for the Council and emphasised the budget cuts that had been necessary. Sgt Nick Bloomfield of Devon & Cornwall Police gave an interesting talk on road accidents and answered questions from the meeting.
87.2 Cllr Hickman said that he was anxious that the Neighbourhood Watch should be integrated together with a Community Scheme and to this end Cllr Baird said that she is organising a Neighbourhood Watch Meeting on Monday 23rd January at 8pm at the Royal Oak when it was hoped to take this matter further and organise a Committee.
88. FINANCE
Budget for 2017/18
88.1 An updated balance sheet following the November meeting had been circulated to Councillors and following discussion it was resolved that the budget of £19,343.00 for 2017/18 be adopted and the Precept should remain as at £6,000.
Income
88.2 1 School Houses rent for December £675.00 - £64.80 (includes £10.80 VAT) = £610.20.
88.3 Donations for HM Queens 90th Birthday Commemorative Medals £106.00.
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour.
88.4 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (December) £108.00.
88.5 Clerk’s expenses £34.04.
88.6 Society of Local Council Clerks Subscription £55.00.
88.7 Mr G Dicker (Maintenance of Crossway Park and Bus Stop) £649.98.
89. REPORTS
89.1 Cllr Reed reported on the Devon Highways Conference which he had attended together with Cllr Fairley and which had proved very informative.
89.2 Potholes were reported on the road from Oldridge Church to Trobridge and the salt bin at Hangman’s Corner needs replenishing.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Thanks were expressed to Cllr and Mrs Hickman for supplying the mince pies prior to the meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.20pm with Cllr Hickman wishing everyone a “Happy Christmas”.