Whitestone Parish Council
DRAFT Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 9th November 2017 at 7.30pm to be ratified on14th December
Attendance: Chairman ‐ Councillor L Hickman
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs M Belt, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs L Fairley, D Munro, Mrs B Netherway, R Phillips, A Reed, A Rose.
County Councillor A Connett (left at 8.15pm)
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mr D Friend
Apologies District Councillor P Bromell, Mrs S Greenfield
Mrs Greenfield has sent apologies for non attendance at tonight’s meeting and said that there has been no progress with the Parish Plan owing to illness.
Cllr Hickman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 12th October 2017 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chairman.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Councillor Connett reported on matters of general interest which included news regarding a contract for children’s services and the current situation of the Marsh Barton train station. Discussion took place regarding white markings which have appeared on road surfaces leading to the hope that pot holes and road surfaces would be dealt with. He indicated that this would not mean imminent repairs being done as these markings have been completed throughout the County in order that the new contractor is aware of the work required without a time limit.
PLANNING
Planning Applications
Cllr Belt declared an interest in the application for Williams Fields and Cllr Rose declared an interest in the application for Bickham Farm
The following applications were examined and discussion took place with the subsequent observations:-
17/02507/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Pat 3 Class Q (a) and (b) and paragraph W of the GDPO change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling on land known as Williams Fields, Whitestone. Supported if there could be an agricultural tie placed upon the new accommodation as Whitestone Parish status as an area of Great Landscape Value needs to be protected.
17/02477/FUL Single bay extension to the existing workshop at Derek Lane & Co, Tedburn Road. Not supported as the Council still have concerns on site access as stated for previous applications.
17/02248/FUL Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of single storey rear extension at Bickhams Farm, Whitestone. Supported.
17/02583/FUL Demolition of existing garage/store and erection of new double garage/garden store with games room/box store over at Ashwood House, Longdown. Supported on condition that this does not become separate residential accommodation at a later date. Some concerns were raised regarding increased building on the countryside skyline.
Granting of Conditional Consent
17/00286/FUL Retention of use of land as an occasional car park and associated works, including access works associated with auctions on land adjacent to Brookside Garage, Tedburn Road.
Some discussion took place regarding this consent as it appears that the arrangements requested by Teignbridge District Council in regard to highway safety and amenity to ensure safe pedestrian access have not as yet been put into place. Due to the ongoing safety concerns it was agreed that a letter is sent to the Planning Enforcement Officer regarding these issues.
17/02161/LBC Raising of chimney stack and chimney pots to the easterly sitting room at Deerslake, Halsfordwood Lane.
MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION.
Application for Grants
Letters were read appealing for grants from the Parish Council and as a result the following grants were agreed and it was resolved that cheques are raised to cover the costs:-
Whitestone Handbells requested a grant of £82.13 to cover the cost of insurance for their 21 bells. Cheque 369
Whitestone Parish Pals, a group which meets on a regular basis for friendly chats, occasional outings, etc in order the promote “good neighbourliness, requested a grant of £59.00 to cover the cost of printing a flyer to publicise the group which would go to all households with the Parish Plan. Cheque 370
Applications for Funding Appeals
Following discussions in respect of a number of suggestions from the Councillors it was agreed that application should be made to the Electors Fund to identify a disabled bay parking area to improve access to the “easy access” gateway into Crossway Park and to County Councillor Connett for funding in respect of refresher courses for the Defibrillator based at the Parish Hall.
Environmental Matters update
Cllr Hickman reported that following the October meeting he had received several offers of suitable historic farm equipment to go on the milk churn stand and this had resulted in a plough being offered by Mr and Mrs Charles which had been collected by Cllrs Hickman and Reed and will now be renovated by Cllr Hickman. The milk churn stand at the edge of the village has been cleaned and the ivy cleared. Confirmation in respect of moving forward with other potential suggestions as discussed at the October meeting will follow in due course. Cllr Hickman said that he had written to the Gardening Club asking if they would care to be involved in making the Parish more attractive along the lines of an informal Best Kept Village.
School Houses
Cllr Reed reported that there were no problems to be reported and the new tenant has now moved into No 2 and has settled in and all seems well
Crossway Park
Cllr Reed reported that some of the issues highlighted in the Playground Inspection have been dealt with including the fixing of the football nets and one picnic table has been fixed into the ground by Cllrs Rose, Hickman and Reed and the second is due to be done in the near future. Cllr Bramhall continues her regular inspections of the play area.
Sovereign Design and Play Systems have been approached regarding remedial repairs to the Hazoo Adventure Tower and they will be attending during the week ending 24th November to make an inspection.
MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
Following a letter to Dartline regarding the early evening 173 bus service into Exeter we have now been informed that this will be dealt with by Devon County Council who are responsible for the financial aspects of the bus service and Cllr Hickman is currently corresponding regarding this.
Cllr Hickman informed the meeting that there is a change of dates for Hales Farm from the 12th to the 19th November for motorcycle trials.
He had been in communication with our Beat Manager who was arranging further speed watch training.
He advised that the Council that Parish and Town Councils have been contacted following a successful pilor campaign to address the issue of dropping litter from cars. Teignbridge District Council are extending the campaign across the Teignbridge area and as a result Councillors would be contacted in respect of placing posters in relevant “hot spots”
Following a number of reports regarding traffic problems that may have needed immediate attention due to their potentially dangerous nature he asked Councillors to encourage parishioners to report any concerning incidents immediately to the relevant authorities (e.g. Police) to enable appropriate action to be taken as often a delayed message to the Parish Council may prove ineffective.
Cllr Hickman reminded the meeting that the Remembrance Sunday Service will be held at 9.30am on 12th November at St Catherine’s Church.
FINANCE
Draft Budget for 2018/19
The draft budget had been distributed and will be discussed at the December meeting
Income
1 School Houses to 29th November £675.00 - £64.80 (includes £10.80 VAT) = £610.20
2 School Houses rent to 1st November £800.00 ‐ £300.00 includes £50.00 VAT = £500.00
2 School Houses rent to 1st December £800 ‐ £76.80 (includes £12.80 VAT) = £723.20
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Cllrs Belt and Phillips
Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (November) £108.00 Cheque 367
Clerk’s expenses £29.06 Cheque 368
Cllr A Rose £20.09 Cheque 371
CORRESPONDENCE
Royal British Legion had sent thanks for the donation of £20
Dr Jane Richards has written to say that the Hall Management Committee are not happy with the arrangement whereby the Parish Council gives a “donation” of £160 per annum as a goodwill gesture to cover regular and exceptional meetings at the Hall. It is therefore intended to charge the Parish Council for their hire of the Hall at the local users rates from April 2018.
REPORTS
Cllr Rose said that he proposes to contact Rebecca Hewitt to come and talk about crime and safety. It was decided that this would be a good item to be included in the Annual Parish Meeting which will be held on Thursday 26th April 2018.
Cllr Belt requested that dog owners please be aware of cleaning up after their pets.
The meeting concluded at 9.30pm