Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Whitestone Parish Council held at Whitestone Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 10th December 2019.
Attendance:
Chairman – Councillor N Thom
Councillors M Belt, R Bramhall, V Bryant, L Fairley, D Jones, P Lee, S Llewelyn, T Miles
Mrs P Vaughan, Clerk to the Council
Mrs K Coombes (left at 7.45pm), Mrs S Greenfield, Mrs B Netherway, Mr and Mrs C Hodges, Mr P Rich (left at 8.20pm).
Apologies: Councillor R Hunt, District Councillor C Nuttall, District Councillor A Swain,
County Councillor A Connett.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Apologies had been received from Cllr Connett and Cllr Thom said that this was disappointing because the Council wanted to discuss speeding issues throughout the parish which had been placed on the agenda for this meeting. Mrs Coombes who had attended the meeting to ask questions about progress on the speeding issues expressed her disappointment but stayed for the rest of public participation.
Mr Hodges raised several questions regarding the cost of employing a Parish Warden, justification of the need for a Parish Council office and £2,000 being allocated for professional services. Having seen these proposals in the Council minutes he felt that these expenses could lead to an increase in the Precept for the parishioners with which he was not in agreement. Cllr Thom answered the concerns and assured him that the Parish Council would not be increasing any precept demand on Whitestone.
- Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 14th November 2019 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chairman.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR / DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
No Councillors in attendance.
- PLANNING
The following planning applications were examined and discussed and the subsequent observations were confirmed to be relayed to Teignbridge District Council.
Cllr Belt declared an interest in the application for Barn Meadow.
Mr P Rich was in attendance to answer any questions regarding his application for Ham Farm.
83.1 19/02279/FUL Demolition of existing garage, formation of garage/workshop and extended hardstanding at 2 Barton Cottages. Application supported.
83.2 19/02121/FUL Change of use of part of paddock to domestic curtilage at 2 Barton Cottages. Objections to this application as it breaches the Local Plan and means a loss of agricultural land.
83.3 19/02063/FUL Agricultural building and associated works at Rebecca Springs, Nadderwater. Not supported due to overdevelopment of the area and size and scale of the building and impact upon the landscape.
83.4 19/02276/FUL Demolition of barn and construction of two dwellings at Styles Barton Farm. Not supported. Not in settlement area and planning permission should not be granted as it is in direct conflict with S22 of the Local Plan.
83.5 19/02213/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and (b) and paragraph W of the GPDO change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling at Ham Farm, Tedburn Road. Supported as it is permitted development.
83.6 19/02316/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and (b) and paragraph W of the GPDO for change of use of an agricultural Building from agricultural use to a dwelling at Barn Meadow. Noted as it is permitted development.
83.7 19/02313/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and (b) and paragraph W of the GPDO for change of use of an agricultural building from agricultural use to a dwelling at Springdale Farm. Noted as it is permitted development
83.8 19/02329/NPA Application for Prior Approval under Part 3 Class Q (a) and (b) and paragraph W of the GPDO for change of use of an agricultural building from agricultural use to a dwelling at Springdale Farm. Noted as it is permitted development
Appeal to The Planning Inspectorate against refusal of Certification of Lawfulness
83.9 19/00009/CERT For use of land for siting of caravan for human habitation with associated wooden building and residential access at Yonder Ridge, Rowhorne Road. (Previously discussed by Parish Council In March 2018 (17/02018/CLDE) with no objections and again in November 2018 (18/00419/CLDE) when it was supported on the grounds that no further residential development takes place on the site. Both applications were refused by Teignbridge District Council). The Appeal to The Planning Inspectorate was noted by the Council who did not wish to make further comments.
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
83.10 19/01324/FUL Extension to existing garage at Ridgeway
83.11 19/01444/FUL Replacement barn with agricultural use at ground floor and B1(a) office above at Hurston Farm
83.12 19/01912/FUL Single storey extension at Moorlands, EX4 2HW.
83.13 19/01657/FUL Conversion of stable/barn to holiday cottage at Trelake Farm, Tedburn Road.
Refusal of Planning Permission
83.14 Conversion of existing commercial building (B1/B8 Use) into two dwellings and partial demolition of two single story elements and associated works at Unit 1, Rebecca Springs
Mr Rich left at 8.20pm.
- MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
84.1 Speeding through Whitestone
Cllr Bramhall reported having received an email from Cllr Connett apologising for non-attendance at tonight’s meeting in which he states that the local highways officer has declined an invitation to meet with the Council to discuss the speeding issues. It was resolved that County Councillor Connett be approached with a date in early January for a meeting.
84.2 School Houses
It was reported that the tenants at 1 School Houses had reported faults with their shower and Carter Geering will be organising repair work to be carried out.
84.3 Crossway Park
It was reported that the “Frog” bin had been delivered to Cllr Belt’s house and Cllr Fairley reported obtaining a new sign and Cllr Thom said that he would install both these items. The Clerk has produced the weekly inspection book for 2020 and this was passed to Cllr Fairley.
84.4 Proposed Parish Council Surgery
Details will be raised at the January meeting regarding this issue.
84.5 Local Plan
No update available – to be pursued.
84.6 Parish Lengthsperson update
Cllr Thom has been making enquiries regarding the appointment of someone to take on this contract. If approved in the budget the post will be active from April 2020. An advertisement asking for expressions of interest will be posted in the New Year, initially for one day a week for one year.
84.7 Parish Action Plan
Cllr Bryant reported that volunteers were being sought to take on Action 3 regarding a regular shop at the Parish Hall to start in January. Some discussion took place and it was agreed that communication from parishioners to the Parish Council was needed.
- MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIRMAN
- Cllr Thom reported that the fallen branches from the tree at the bus stop had now been cleared and he was in the process of obtaining quotes for the tree to be removed as it was dangerous. This will be completed before Christmas.
85.2 Cllr Thom reported that he was investigating the supply of noticeboards for the parish.
- FINANCE
86.1 Draft budget for 2020/21
Several additional items for inclusion in the budget were brought to the attention of the meeting which will lead to a meeting between Cllr Bramhall and the Clerk in order for the budget to be finalised at the January meeting for the Precept to be fixed.
Income
86.2 1 School Houses rent to 30th December £725.00 - £69,60 (includes £11.60 VAT) = £655.40
86.3 2 School Houses rent to 1st January £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 Miles.
86.4 Cllr Fairley (sign for playground from Timpson) £23.99. (Cheque 494)
86.5 DALC 2019 AGM/Conference and Finance for Councillors Course £98.00 (includes £8.00 VAT) (Cheque (495)
86.6 Society of Local Council Clerks Membership £65.00 (Cheque 496)
86.7 Clerk’s expenses/quarterly salary £370.49 (Cheque 497)
86.8 HM Revenue & Customs £74.00 (Clerk’s income tax on salary) (Cheque 498)
- CORRESPONDENCE
87.1 It was reported that information and relevant instructions regarding the care of the two telephone kiosks has now been received from BT and the kiosks at Nadderwater and on the Green are now passed to the Parish Council. Concrete ideas for the future use of these assets will be agreed early in the new year.
87.2 Information had been received from Devon Highways that missing fingerposts reported will be investigated.
87.3 Information received from Devon County regarding temporary prohibition of through traffic and parking on road past Glebe Farm from Monday 6th January to Friday 10th January.
- REPORTS
- It was reported that several Councillors have received anonymous letters regarding planning issues and it was noted that any planning problems should be reported to Teignbridge District Council as they are the determining authority.
88.2 Cllr Miles reported investigating a digital mapping for local Councils “Parish Online” recommended by National Association of Local Councils and it was agreed that she and Cllr Jones should investigate further.
88.3 Cllr Belt reported that the water pump situated at Nadderbttom was in need of some care.
88.4 Cllr Belt reported on residents parking at Crossways which had recently resulted in difficulty for an ambulance gaining access and it was requested that there should be no parking in the hatched area.
88.5 Cllr Fairley reported a traffic accident on the C50.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no items raised at the end of the meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.35pm.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday 9th January 2020.