Whitestone Parish Council

Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 13^th June 2019.

Attendance: Chairman – Councillor N Thom
Councillors M Belt, R Bramhall, V Bryant, L Fairley, R Hunt, D Jones, P Lee, S Llewelyn, T Miles.
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
District Councillor A Swain Mrs T Baird, Mr R Kelham, Dr G Fielding, Mrs B Bramhall, Mrs L Hickman, Mrs B Netherway, Mrs S Greenfield, Mr M Harris.

Apologies for absence: County Councillor A Connett, District Councillors C Nuttall and A Foden

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mrs Bramhall spoke on the need to have a sign situated by the adult fitness equipment stating that it is not for use by children under the age of 18 years as she feels that the Council have a duty of care and she also noted that as it is close to the football pitch there may be conflict with footballs if this is in use whilst someone is using the equipment.

Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 16^th May 2019 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chairman.

REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

County Councillor Connett had sent a report to say that he understands that the new Exeter sign on the triangle in Nadderwater coming into Whitestone covering the finger post to Rowthorne and Oldridge has now been moved.

District Councillor Swain had nothing to report.

PLANNING

Following some recent comments made with regard to the Parish Council, Councillor Thom wanted to clarify the position of the Council. Whitestone Parish Council are only able to offer comments in an advisory capacity and have NO power in making planning decisions. The Council only hope that Teignbridge District Council take on board any local advice and knowledge before they decide any matters.

The following planning applications were discussed with Mr Kelham being allowed to speak and answer queries in regard to his planning for Brook Cottage.

45.1 19/009078/VAR Removal of condition 1 on planning permission 639/72 (new reference 72/00163) relating to agricultural occupancy at Glebe Farm, Whitestone.

The Council are not in favour

45.2 19/00877/OUT Outline to erect one holiday lodge (all matters reserved for future consideration) at Glebe Farm, Whitestone.

The Council are opposed to this application with regard to the access for vehicles, additional building and damage to hedgerows.

45.3 19/00694/FUL Two storey side extensions and replacement windows and doors at Brook Cottage, Nadderwater.

This application was supported with a condition that on completion of the extensions the caravan on the site will be removed.

45.4 19/01065/AGR Agricultural storage building at Rebecca Springs, Nadderwater.

This application is noted.

Mr Kelham left the meeting at 8.30pm.

45.5 Refusal of Request for Prior Approval

19/00664/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Schedule 2, Part 3 Class P of the GPDO for change of use of a storage or distribution building (Class B8) to a dwelling at Unit I Rebecca Springs.

45.6 Variation of Condition following Grant of Conditional Planning Permission

19/00703/VAR Variation of condition 1 on planning permission 15/03178/COU to enlarge dayroom at Hurston Bungalow, Tedburn Road.

MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

46.1 Review of 2019/20 Budget

The document having been distributed it was agreed that a meeting should take place with members of the Asset Group and the Clerk to discuss the budgeting for the Council.

46.2 Request for a Grant from the Whitestone Local Produce Group

It was pointed out that this Produce Group was formed as part of Action 3 of the Parish Plan and a request has been made for monetary support for the hire of the Parish Hall for 2 hours every other month at a cost of £11 per month and after discussion it was resolved that this request should be supported for a year.

46.3 School Houses

A meeting with Carter Geering had taken place with Cllrs Bramhall, Hunt, and Miles with clarification being made regarding the point of contact with the Council should any repairs become necessary. It was resolved that members of the Asset Group have the authority to approve expenditure up to £500 when requested by Carter-Geering to progress “urgent” repairs i.e. when repairs cannot sensibly wait until the next Council meeting for approval. Enquiries had been made regarding the deposit monies from the tenants held by Carter Geering and it had been ascertained that these were safeguarded. Thanks were expressed to the Councillors for attending the meeting. The Clerk reported having received new terms of business agreements from Carter Geering that need to be signed and which included the management fee of 8%.

46.4 Crossway Park

Outdoor exercise equipment was discussed and it was resolved that following comments it was agreed that notices be placed regarding access to the equipment and the warning for it not being suitable for children and that is it used at peoples own risk.

The question of watering plants within the Community Garden was raised and it was suggested that water butts were installed and Cllr Thom volunteered to investigate this issue.

The Clerk confirmed that she has been in touch with the tree surgeon regarding the cutting of the walnut tree and this will be taking place on Friday 21^st June at 8.15am.

Mrs Oakey of the Whitestone Garden Club has requested that an old broken seat in the hedge of the Community Garden needs to be removed and Dr Fielding volunteered to do this. She also requested that the back hedge should be trimmed back but Cllr Thom said he has already done this.

46.5 Teignbridge Association of Local Councils meeting and AGM at 7pm 27^th June at Teignbridge District Council Offices, Newton Abbot

Information regarding this meeting had been distributed to Councillors and Cllr Bramhall said that he had been in touch with the Secretary of this association and had been informed that the meeting was open to as many Councillors that wished to attend. The Clerk said that when she received the agenda she would forward this to all concerned.

46.6 Neighbourhood Plan

Cllr Jones had distributed information regarding Neighbourhood Planning and wished to propose that this issue be taken further and recommended that the Council should join the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England which has an annual membership subscription of £36.00. Cllr Jones was requested to approach a representative from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England to meet with Councillors to give an overview regarding Neighbourhood Planning. Cllr Jones gave thanks to Mrs Sheila Greenfield for her work on the Parish Plan which would be of use if the Council go forward with Neighbourhood Planning.

46.7 Devon Communities Together Rural Futures Conference 28^th June 2019

Cllr Miles had investigated this Conference and gave details of the advantages of joining the association. It was resolved that the Parish Council should join Devon Communities Together at a cost of the £50 subscription and a cheque (467) was raised in this amount. It was agreed that four Councillors should attend the Conference at The Bonifice Centre in Crediton on Friday 28^th June from 10am to 4pm at a cost of £11.25 each for members.

MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Cllr Thom raised items which he will be placing on the agenda for the July meeting which included the footpaths within the parish. Cllr Bryant said that she had had a meeting with Ros Davies from Devon County Council and had obtained up to date copies of the footpaths and she was requested to ask for further copies so that these could be distributed to Councllors with one to be placed on the noticeboard at the Parish Hall to replace the rather faded one at present on display.

Cllr Thom raised concerns regarding various incidents of vandalism and theft which have occurred within the Parish and reminded residents that any such matters should be reported to the Police on telephone no 101 or via email as it seems that at present there is no Police liaison officer.

He also will be approaching the dog warden to request that dog bins be moved from their current sites to more suitable locations away from sight of the Whitestone sign.

He will be investigating the provision of a village warden/lengthsman to be possibly paid from Parish Council funds.

FINANCE

Income

48.1 1 School Houses rent to 29^th June 2019 £725.00 - £69.60 (includes £11.60 VAT) = £655.40

48.2 2 School Houses rent to 1^st July 2019 £800.00 – £76.80 (includes £12.80 VAT) = £723.20

48.3 HM Revenue and Customs (VAT Refund) £745.41

Expenditure

The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillor Belt and RFO Pat Vaughan.

48.4 Clerk’s expenses £32.08 (Cheque (463)

48.5 Mrs L Hickman (flowers for trough as agreed at May meeting) £12.95 (Cheque (464)

48.6 Mr L Hickman (Chain of Office £75.00, Signs for Park closure £2.00, Tape to cordon off area £19.64) = £96.64 (Cheque (465)

48.7 HM Revenue & Customs £74.00 (Cheque (466) – Clerks income tax on salary to be paid in July

CORRESPONDENCE

49.1 Information has been received from Teignbridge that BT are in consultation on the removal of payphones although they have not yet been given the locations and they will update us further when they receive a list of locations.

49.2 Whitestone Garden Club wrote to thank the Council for the cheque for the care of the Community Garden which the Club is happy to continue.

49.3 Anna Kellagher wrote on behalf of the Parochial Church Council to thank the Council for the cheque towards the cost of the Parish Magazine.

49.4 Jock Kirkpatrick raised a query regarding the checking of the defibrillator at the Parish Hall which he has been undertaking and when discovering a problem with the defibrillator lock he has kindly undertaken to contact Defibstore to get the problem solved.

49.5 The Clerk has been in touch with the Treasurer for the Hall Committee regarding the request they had made for a grant to install a telephone line/internet access at the Parish Hall which in February 2019 was granted. In view of complications with regard to a change in the amounts requested it was resolved that this item be placed on the agenda for the July meeting.

REPORTS

Cllr Fairley raised a question of a request received to fly the Red Ensign on the Whitestone Church Tower on 3rd September to mark Merchant Navy Day . The Church are quite happy to do this but do not have a Red Ensign Flag. Cllr Fairley has examined the cost of this and was authorised to obtain one at the cost of £37.95 which can then be used in the future when necessary.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 11^th July 2019

The meeting closed at 10.15pm.