Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 14th December 2017 at 7.30pm.
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.
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council.
Mr and Mrs B Varker, Mrs T Taylor, Mr J Radford (for part of the meeting), Dr M Harris,
Mrs S Greenfield.
Apologies District Councillor P Bromell.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
83. Cllr Hickman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 9th November 2017 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chairman.
84. PLANNING
Planning Applications
The following applications were examined and discussions took place with comments from members of the public who were in attendance and the subsequent observations were confirmed to be relayed to Teignbridge District Council:-
84.1 17/02645/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and (b) and paragraph W of the GDPO change of use of two agricultural buildings to three dwellings at Devon View. The Parish Council could not support the application with two points requiring clarification in regard to Class Q and the case of Hibberts v. Secretary of State before they feel able to make final comment. They believe that the change from use of agricultural buildings to dwellings is inappropriate on that site as part of development as the area has been designated as of great landscape value.
84.2 17/02264/FUL Erection of an agricultural building to cover existing manure store at Woodhay Farm. No objections.
84.3 17/02821/FUL Extension to replace existing conservatory, extension on north west elevation, fenestration alterations to north east, south east & south west elevations and new chimney at Alphincombe, Folley Lane. No objections.
84.4 17/02902/FUL Single storey rear extension at 16 Merrymeet. No objections.
84.5 17/02963/AGR Agricultural building together with provision of access track on land adjacent to Old Chapel, Whitestone. Supported but with proviso regarding the entrance into the site being extended in view of the lack of visibility onto a busy road. It was also queried if there will be a retail outlet on site and if so evidence of available parking.
84.6 17/02754/AGR Agricultural store on land off Pound Lane Whitestone. It was noted that this application did not require prior approval but there were concerns regarding large vehicles on Pound Lane visiting the site as at the top of Pound Lane a sign indicates “unsuitable for long vehicles”
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
84.7 17/02248/FUL Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of single storey rear extension at Bickhams Farm.
84.8 17/02477/FUL Single bay extension to the existing workshop at Derek Lane & Co, Tedburn Road.
84.9 17/02363/FUL Single storey side extension and new pedestrian access at Pound Hill, Halsfordwood Lane.
84.10 17/02452/FUL Retention of single storey ancilliary accommodation at Woodlands, Halsfordwood Lane.
84.11 17/00378/MAJ Additional building to provide additional accommodation and facilities for residential care home at Treelands, Five Mile Hill
Grant of Request for Prior Approval
84.12 17/02507/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 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.
85. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION.
Cllr Reed as Chair of the Assets Committee reported on the following items:-
85.1 School Houses − Window lock replaced in No 2
85.2 Crossway Park − remaining picnic table has been concreted in as part of security for the item.
85.3 Quotes obtained for disabled bay parking by the disabled entrance to the Crossway Park:-
(1) car park marking with jet wash preparation − this option carried a guarantee for the sum of £565
(2) car park marking as above − this option carries no guarantee for the sum of £385
These quotations were discussed and it was resolved that the quotation of £565 was accepted as offering best value.
85.4 Garage doors replacement:-
(1) Both doors supplied and fixed as specified for the sum of £950
(2) Doors supplied and fixed as specified for the sum of £750 per door
These quotations were discussed and it was resolved that the quotation of £950 was accepted.
Environmental Matters Update
85.5 Cllr Hickman reported that he was in the process of painting the plough ready for installation on the milkstand. Cllr Baird has arranged for the triangle to be cut and is negotiating with a potential sponsor to supply flower troughs to enhance Whitestone Parish Signs.
Bus 173 Timetable update
85.6 Cllr Hickman reported that further information had been received from Devon County Transport Co-ordinating Officer that they are not in a position to comply with the Parish Council’s request to divert the last 173 journey through Whitestone as this would require an extra £15 per day and this is not financially possible.
86. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
86.1 Cllr Hickman has been in touch with Environmental Health Department pointing out again that the Parish Council has no responsibility for advertising change of dates for the motor cycle events being held at Hales Farm.
86.2 To date he has had not received a response from the Parish Hall Committee to the Councils offer to fund the Defibrillator refresher course for volunteer parishioners.
86.3 A survey regarding grit bins within the Parish has been completed and sent to Devon County Highways, together with a request for grit bags.
86.4 We are awaiting the litter prevention campaign materials related to litter being thrown from vehicles from Teignbridge District Council.
86.5 It was reported that a padlock had been placed on the gate leading into the Crossway Park area and keys are with Cllrs Hickman and Reed and one has been given to Mr Dicker to enable him access to carry out the grass cutting.
87. FINANCE
Draft Budget for 2018/19
87.1 Documentation regarding the financial situation of the Parish having been distributed it was resolved following discussion that the budget of £20,135 for 2018/19 be adopted. Cllr Hickman made a proposal that the Precept should remain at £6,000 and Cllr Munro made a proposal that the Precept should be raised by 3%. The proposals were voted upon with five Councillors voting for the Precept to remain and five Councillors voting for the increase of 3%. Cllr Hickman then made a proposal that the Precept should be raised by 2% which resulted in this proposal being resolved with Cllr Bramhall, Cllr Reed and Cllr Fairley wishing it to be recorded that they objected to this action.
87.2 The Clerk referred to Minute 78.3 of the November meeting and raised the issue of making a claim of £565 for the disabled bay parking area, which had been agreed at this meeting, from the Electors Fund and it was resolved that this should be done.
Income
87.3 1 School Houses rent to 30th December 2017 £675.00 - £64.80 (includes £10.80 VAT) = £610.20
87.4 2 School Houses rent to 1st January 2018 £800.00 − £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 Councillors Belt and Phillips.
87.5 Whitestone Parish Hall Management Committee (December) £108.00 Cheque 372.
87.6 Clerk’s expenses £82.88 Cheque 373.
87.7 Cllr Hickman £99.64 Cheque 374.
87.8 J L Eddy (renewal of hosting for Parish Domain to December 2018 and name due May 2018) (Cheque 375) £52.50
87.9 Society of Local Council Clerks/ALCC Memberships £59 Cheque 376 + £30 Cheque 377
88. CORRESPONDENCE
88.1 Notice of temporary prohibition of through traffic & parking
12th to 13th December - Road from Barton Cottages to Nadderwater Cross, Nadderwater
14th to 15th December - Halsfordwood Lane, Nadderwater.
88.2 Letter of thanks from Mrs Jennifer Kellagher on behalf of the Handbell Ringers for the donation of £82.13.
88.3 Application from Mr D Fisher on behalf of the Parish Hall Management Committee requesting a grant for the provision of remotely controlled velux blinds for two roof windows at the Hall at a cost of £383.90. The application was discussed and it was resolved that a grant of £100 be allocated towards the cost and a cheque 379 was duly signed.
89. REPORTS
Councillors raised several issues for attention as follows
• The question of the defibrillator being housed inside the Parish Hall which would cause a delay in it being available for parishioners in an emergency if needed outside the Hall. Further discussions to take place in the future.
• It has been pointed out that noticeboards in the Parish are in need of attention. Inspections to take place.
• The area around the post box at Heath Cross is in need of filling in as the area is fillng with water.
• The hedges are in need of cutting back around the Chapel Cottage to Southlands area which impedes visability.
• Cllr Baird said that the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting would be at 8pm on 29th January at the Royal Oak.
• Cllr Baird said that a Xmas Lunch had been arranged for the Parish Pals and attended by 15 - the next meeting for the Pals would be on 6th February and would be a talk on saving energy.
• It was requested that Devon Highways be approached and asked not to use Church Lane as a temporary diversion route when undertaking road repairs.
• The Parish Magazine will be increasing their fees to £5 a year as from January.
• The question of inconsiderate parking at Crossways was raised again and residents were requested to be aware of the consequences should emergency vehicles wish to access the area.
• Concerns were raised regarding water collecting on roads.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield gave the following report on behalf of the Parish Plan Steering Committee:- “Apologies for non-attendance at the last Parish Council meeting. Members of the group have been finalising all the paperwork (after delays occasioned by illness) and we are now in a position to go to the printers − the end is in sight! We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy Christmas and offer best wishes for the New Year 2018”
Mrs Taylor also noted concerns regarding water laying on roads and mentioned that she had been investigating the Broadband speeds in the area.
Thanks were expressed to Cllr and Mrs Hickman for supplying the refreshments prior to the meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.35pm with Cllr Hickman wishing everyone a “Happy Christmas”.