Whitestone Parish Council
DRAFT Minutes of Parish Council meeting held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday, 8th June 2017 at 7.30pm to be ratified on 13th July 2017.
Attendance: Chairman − Councillor A Reed
Councillors Mrs M Belt, Mrs L Fairley, D Munro, R Phillips
County Councillor A Connett
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs S Greenfield ,Mrs B Netherway, Ms T Baird, Mr A Rose.
Apologies: Councillors L Hickman, Mrs B Bramhall, District Councillor P Bromell
Councillor Reed opened the meeting in the absence of Councillor Hickman who is on holiday and invited public participation.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield gave the following report on behalf of the Parish Plan Steering Committee:- “We continue to meet weekly and are close to completion of the Plan. We are currently tying up a few loose ends including checking on a few procedural points”
Mrs Greenfield also confirmed that following comments made at the May Council meeting she had undertaken a survey of damaged fingerposts within the Parish and had given the relevant information to the Parish Clerk.
41. Minutes of the AGM and Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 11th May 2017 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by Cllr Reed
42. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Mr Alan Connett said that he was concerned about the issues of speeding vehicles in our villages which had been raised to him by residents during the course of the Devon County elections. He has requested the County Council that Vehicle Activated Speed awareness signs might be used in villages to help tackle the speed issue by reminding drivers of the speed that they are travelling. An email has been sent to the Parish Clerk and he hoped that the issue might be placed on a future Council agenda.
43. PLANNING
Planning Applications
The following applications/plans were examined and discussion took place with the following observations:-
43.1 17/01201/FUL Reinstatement of field access on lane to Springdale Farm, Longdown. No objections.
43.2 17/01258/FUL Alterations to entrance and provision of retaining wall at Top Steps Farm, Halsfordwood Lane. No objections.
43.3 17/01329/FUL Provision of 50 metres x 20 metres manege at Valley View, Heath Cross. No objections but a proviso that it is to be used for private use only.
43.4 17/01292/FUL Replacement of conservatory with new extension and replacement of garage and shed with garage/workshop building at East Kent Farmhouse. No objections.
43.5 17/01361/FUL Cattle winter housing and grain store at Hazel Bank. Tedburn St Mary. No objections.
Granting of Conditional Planning Permission
43.6 17/00772 Improvement of existing access and harden up existing track across field at Folley Hill, Folley Lane
44. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
44.1 Co-option of Parish Councillors to fill Casual Vacancies
Cllr Reed welcomed Ms T Baird, Mrs B Netherway, Mr A Rose who have all applied to be co-opted onto the Parish Council to fill the current vacancies and they duly signed their Declarations of Office.
The Parish Clerk reported that New Councillor Training events are available at the Devon Association of Local Council offices in Exeter and Cllr Rose indicated that he would be willing to attend and the Clerk will make the necessary arrangements.
School Houses
44.2 It was noted that the facia and barge boards were in need of cleaning to improve the appearance of the properties and Cllr Belt agreed to obtain a price. Electrical testing had been carried out at 1 School Houses and repair to a kitchen socket at 2 School Houses. This was arranged through Carter Geering..
Crossway Park
44.3 The work agreed at the April meeting is in the process of completion including the disabled access to the Park. Cllr Reed suggested that signage might be placed on the gates into the area stating “Please close the Gate” and it was resolved that Cllr Phillips would obtain these to be placed on the three gates.
44.4 An offer has been received to provide a roundabout, for which the Council would have to arrange collection and installation. Following discussion regarding the implications regarding installation and compliance with Health and Safety Regulations it was regretted that this offer could not be accepted.
45. FINANCE
Income
45.1 1 School Houses rent for May/June £675.00 - £64.80 includes £10.80 VAT = £610.20
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillors Belt and Phillips.
45.2 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (June) £108.00 (Cheque No 340)
45.3 Clerk’s expenses £26.50 (Cheque No 341)
45.4 Mr G Dicker (Grasscutting from March to June) £413.32 (Cheque No 342)
45.5 The Clerk reported the following account had been paid direct through Carter Geering
ACS Electrical MEC Electrical test £222.00 (includes £37 VAT)
46. CORRESPONDENCE
46.1 Thanks have been received from the Parochial Church Council for the donation of £175 made towards the cost of including Parish Council minutes in the Church Magazine.
46.2 An offer received from Sovereign Play Equipment offering a visit and free quote for our outdoor playground/recreation area and the Clerk was instructed to arrange a date with the firm.
46.3 An invitation to attend the raising of the Armed Forces Flag at Old Forde House on 19th June was discussed but no Councillors were available.
46.4 Notice of temporary prohibition of through traffic and parking on the road from Church Lane to Nadderwater Cross will take place from Monday 12th to Friday 16th June.
47. REPORTS
47.1 Cllr Phillips reported large pothole on Oldridge Road near Cleave Farm
47.2 Cllr Rose made a complaint regarding Hales Farm as they did not appear to be complying with the regulations regarding events and was informed that this was being dealt with by the Environmental Health Department at Teignbridge District Council.
47.3 Cllr Baird gave a short report on the situation regarding Neighbourhood Watch
47.4 Cllr Belt reminded the meeting of the Annual Fete which would be held on 1st July and requested prizes for the event.
47.5 Cllr Belt informed the meeting that that an inspection by Rural Aid would be made at 10am on Wednesday 28th June regarding the application for a grant towards the installation of the disabled access at Crossway Park.
The meeting closed at 8.45pm.