Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council held at Whitestone Parish Hall on Thursday 13th December 2018 at 7.30pm.
Attendance:
Chairman − Councillor L Hickman
Councillors Ms T Baird, Mrs L Fairley, D Munro,Mrs B Netherway, R Phillips, A Reed.
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs L Hickman (left at 8pm), Mr and Mrs A Greenfield, Mrs M Dyer, Ms L Dyer.
Apologies: Councillors Mrs M Belt, A Rose, District Councilor P Bromell
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr and Mrs Greenfield said they were in attendance regarding the planning applications on the agenda and Cllr Hickman intimated that they would be given an opportunity to comment when these were discussed.
84. Cllr Hickman opened the meeting and the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 8th November 2018 having been circulated were taken as read and signed as a true copy by the Chairman.
85. PLANNING
Cllr Phillips declared an interest in the planning application for Barton View Stables, Merry View, Church Lane.
The following two planning applications were examined and discussed and the subsequent observations were confirmed to be relayed to Teignbridge District Council
Applications for Planning Permission
85.1 18/02254/FUL Toilet in new churchyard and improvements to churchyard access at Church of St Catherine, Church Lane. Cllr Hickman then closed the meeting to allow Mr and Mrs Greenfield to present some comments on the proposals. The meeting was then re-opened and the application discussed by the Council. It was noted that the current proposal may cause a pinch point that would lead to restriction and difficulties for larger vehicles in particular attempting access to neighbouring properties, including emergency vehicles. Secondly, the proposed railings would need to be clearly marked as these may contribute to the restrictions at the top of Church Lane. In addition it should be noted that this access is the only one practical for larger vehicles, due to the southern access from Whitestone village being totally unsuitable for larger vehicles. It was therefore resolved that the current application was not supported.
85.2 18/01699/FUL Sand school and associated works including level changes, fencing and flood lighting at Barton View Stables, Merry View, Church Lane. Cllr Hickman then closed the meeting to allow Mr and Mrs Greenfield to present some comments on the proposals. The meeting was then re-opened and Councillors considered the application. Particular concern was expressed regarding the potential light pollution that would be caused by the proposed lighting that would affect the properties on the other side of the valley facing the stables. Additionally it was unclear that the impact on bats and owls in the valley had been undertaken. The application held little information that the lights would be positioned away from the properties and would be turned off outside normal working ie 6pm. Concerns were expressed that the lane from Nadderbottom to the stables is unsuitable for increased traffic by potential new users of the sand school . After consideration the Council proposed that the application should not be supported
The Clerk notified the Council of the following planning decisions from Teignbridge District Council:-
Refusal of Certificate of Lawful Use or Development
85.3 18/01984/CLDE Certificate of Lawfulness for siting of caravan for human habitation with associated wooden building and residential access at Yonder Ridge, Rowhorne Road.
Prior Approval Not Required
85.4 18/02201/DEM Demolition of barns at Friars Ball Farm, Rowhorne Road
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
85.5 Replace existing front conservatory with new extension and rebuild barn to form additional accommodation at East Kent Farmhouse.
86. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
86.1 School HousesCllr Reed reported that investigations were ongoing with regard to the insulation of the back extension at 1 School Houses. The Letting Agents had arranged for gutters to be unblocked at 1 School Houses.
86.2 Re-configuration of Defibrillator It was reported that this has now been placed in a new outdoor defibrillator box at the entrance to the Parish Hall and signs have been distributed throughout the parish indicating its whereabouts. In the event of witnessing someone having a sudden cardiac arrest or suspected cardiac arrest you should phone 999 immediately and request an ambulance. You then start chest compressions as directed by the Ambulance Service. If another person is available they may be able to collect the defibrillator from outside the Parish Hall. They must tell the person on the other end of the 999 phone call that there is a nearby defibrillator in Cabinet No DC191 at the postcode EX4 2JS. They will then be given the code to unlock the cabinet. An information course to prepare yourself on what to do after witnessing a sudden cardiac arrest is being organised for early in 2019.
86.3 Crossway Park
Playpark enhancements − Climbing frame
Cllr Hickman reported that arrangements regarding these matters are ongoing.
86.4 Parish Plan
Parish Enhancements - Mrs Bryant had supplied a detailed update of the Action Plan progress and this was distributed to the meeting.
86.5 Cllr Hickman reported that he has made some enquiries regarding the installation of a Remembrance Garden in the area by the bus stop as he had mentioned at the November meeting and is awaiting some information regarding this.
87. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
87.1 Cllr Hickman reported that it was noted that the telephone at the bus stop was not working.
87.2 He reported that he has completed the grit bin survey and that majority of bins were full with the exception of ones in Halsfordwood Lane, Church Lane and at Heath Cross.
87.3 The Les Pike seat has been replaced and secured with a new memorial plaque being put in place. The Clerk read a letter from Mr Gordon Pike who had donated the full cost of £459 for the replacement seat on behalf of himself and his two sisters.
87.4 It was mentioned that in respect of the litter signs which had caused offence to some parishioners these have now been removed and Cllr Hickman requested sites if Councllors thought they could be reinstated elsewhere bearing in mind that this was an initiative by Teignbridge District Council who were running an Anti Litter Campaign. Whilst the Council acknowledge the number of prosecutions is disappointing the deterrent affect may be more difficult to measure.
87.5 It was reported that works on the road surface at Pound Lane has now been completed although road markings are not yet in place.
87.6 Cllr Hickman reported receiving complaints from parishioners regarding the cars speeding up to the village centre particularly from Pound Lane to Nadderwater. It was agreed that although enforcement was challenging various agencies will be contacted in regard to exploring measures to obviate this problem. Additionally he asked for all parishioners to play a part and consider being role models and keep to speed limits at all times.
88. FINANCE
Draft Budget for 2019/20
88.1 Documentation regarding the finances of the Parish Council having been distributed it was resolved after discussion and amendment that the budget of £35,586 for 2019/20 be adopted and the Precept should remain at £6,120.
Income
88.2 Donation for replacement seat in memory of Les Pike £450.00
88.3 1 School Houses rent to 30th December - £64.80 (includes £10.80 VAT) = £610.20
88.4 2 School Houses rent to 1st January 2019 £800.00 to − £76.80 (includes £12.80 VAT) = £723.20
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillors Phillips and Munro.
Expenditure
88.5 Clerk’s expenses £38.20
88.6 Society of Local Council Clerks Membership £63.00
88.7 Mr G Dicker £692.46
88.8 Defib Store Ltd £103.04 (includes £17.18 VAT)
88.9 Plaque and fixings for Les Pike bench £44.60
89. CORRESPONDENCE
Letter of thanks received from British Legion Poppy Appeal for the donation of £100 made in remembrance of the 100 year centenary of the ending of World War One.
90. REPORTS
90.1 Cllr Reed reported blocked drains on Five Mile Hill causing water on the road.
90.2 Cllr Netherway reported two blocked drains by the Whitestone Church and potholes on Church Hill and by Glebe Farm.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mrs Greenfield reported that not all the finger posts reported to Devon County Council have been replaced or repaired.
The meeting closed at 9.10pm.