Whitestone Parish Council
Minutes of Virtual Meeting of Whitestone Parish Council held at 7.30pm on Thursday 8th October 2020.
Attendance:- Vice Chair – Councillor L Fairley
Councillors V Bryant, A Evans, C Galton, D Jones, P Lee, S Llewelyn, T Miles.
District Councillor A Swain (left at 8.15pm)
Mrs P Vaughan – Clerk to the Council
Apologies:- Councillor M Belt.
No members of the public in attendance
- Cllr Fairley opened the meeting and welcomed the new members of the Council, i.e. Councillors Evans and Galton and asked District Councillor Swain if he wished to make any report. Cllr Swain indicated that he had nothing specific to report but said he was keeping in touch with the Government planning consultation documents. He confirmed that he was actively involved in responding to the unwanted planning changes at Teignbridge. Additionally he indicated his continued support for the on-going planning application at Devon View
- Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 10th September 2020
Cllr Fairley opened the meeting of the Parish Council and the Minutes of the Council Meetings held on Thursday 10th September 2020 having been circulated were taken as read and signed.
- Appointment of Parish Council Chair to fill the vacancy due to resignation of Mr N Thom.
Cllr Miles was proposed and seconded with all in favour and will sign her declaration of office as Chairman. Cllr Miles then took over the conduct of the meeting.
- Co-option of Councillor to fill vacancy through the resignation of Mr N Thom
Applications received from Ms L Dyer and Mrs M Smith having been circulated to Councillors had been voted upon with Ms Dyer being nominated to fill the vacancy. Thanks were expressed to Mrs Smith for her interest in applying.
- PLANNING - These applications can be viewed on line by going into the public access system at Teignbridge Planning following the directions giving the application reference. The following applications having been received from Teignbridge District Council with a request for comments were examined and responses were sent which can be viewed on Teignbridge District Council Planning site:-
Planning Applications
39.1 20/01623/FUL Erection of agricultural building on land at Rebecca Springs, Nadderwater
The application 20/01623/FUL for the erection of an agricultural building (revised location) on land at Rebecca Springs, Nadderwater, EX4 2JH has been discussed. This is a repeat application of 19/02063 which was granted permission in January 2020 but due to the overhead power lines the applicant wishes for the agricultural barn to be re sited. The size and design remain the same. Whitestone Parish Council do agree with the Teignbridge Tree Officer's report that the re siting of the agricultural barn should not be close to existing trees. Providing the agricultural barn is relocated north from the current proposed site in accordance with the advice from the Teignbridge Tree Officer then Whitestone Parish Council see no reason to object to this application.
39.2 20/01572/FUL Alterations to existing disabled ramp by increasing the width and decreasing the slope at Whitestone Parish Hall.
This is an application to update the disabled exit ramp to comply with modern standards and regulations. The Parish Council is unanimous in full support of this application.
39.3 20/01666/HOU Erection of an annexe building at Hurston House, Tedburn Road
The application has been considered and the available documents reviewed and the findings are as follows: This application as submitted almost replicates the previous lapsed Planning Permission 13/00072 for an annexe except the previous outbuildings have already been demolished but construction on the project has not been deemed to have commenced, hence the new application. Visual impact should be minimal as the property is set away up a long drive in its own grounds and the only impact to the neighbouring property would be on the shared driveway with Inglenook Cottage off of Tedburn Road. It is noted that the previous occupier had raised concerns over the construction vehicles turning into a gated driveway and the potential hold up at the gate and any possible damage being caused to the driveway. We ask that this can be noted for consideration in the decision of large delivery vehicles passing close to Inglenook Cottage and respecting their privacy and security and ensuring that no mud or debris is transferred down the driveway onto the highway. We would be happy with a condition tying in use of the annex status to the host dwelling to be used as ancillary accommodation only, preventing any business use, letting or separate sale. The tree report was extensive and we note that a number of trees are suggested to be felled due to ash dieback which we hope has been advised to the Tree Officer. The Parish Council support this application
39.4 20/01682/VAR Variation of condition 2 on planning permission 20/00584/VAR (replacement of conservatory with new extension and replacement of garage and shed with garage/workshop building) to amend design of detached garage/workshop building at East Kent Farmhouse
The variation on condition 2 on planning permission concerns the detached garage only. The proposed amendments are to move the access stair to an external timber stair and to add an escape window to meet building control requirements. In addition it has been recommended by the builder to re position the roof lights from being grouped together to having one in each structural bay. These proposed design changes face away from the nearest neighbour’s property so should have no visual impact. The Parish Council see no reason to object to this application providing that the conditions of the Planning application 20/00584/VAR are carried forward
PLANNING GRANTED/REFUSED
Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
39.5 20/00726/FUL Raising of roof to facilitate first floor accommodation, attached garage and associated works (description amended 15.07.2020) at Ridgeway
Refusal of Certificate of Lawful Use or Development
39.6 20/00843/CLDE Certificate of lawfulness for existing residential use at building NGR 288561 93946, Rowhorne Road.
- MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
School Houses
40.1 Thermal Insulation installation at 2 School Houses in order to comply with the necessary regulations commenced 5th October
40.2 A request has been made to Carter Geering from the tenants at 1 School Houses for installation of new heaters after complaints regarding the heating currently installed. Following discussion regarding the storage heaters it was resolved that Carter Geering be approached to obtain an assessment of the heaters and if it is felt necessary quotations for replacement heaters, installation and removal.
40.3 Crossway Park
Cllr Fairley reported on concerns regarding the Bear Springer which is beyond repair and needs to be removed. It was agreed that a replacement be investigated and in view of the expense it will be necessary to obtain three quotes. It was noted that there had been a need for notices to be placed
within the Park and Jock Kirkpatrick had kindly laminated posters and thanks were extended to him for this.
- Parish Lengthsperson
It was noted that Mr Blades was carrying out good work in the parish and submitted his account for payment. It was agreed that Cllr Belt should liaise with him regarding any jobs it was felt needed to be carried out.
40.5 Conclusion of Annual Audit by External Auditors PKF Littlejohn LLP
Notices regarding the satisfactory conclusion of the Annual Audit have been displayed on Parish noticeboards and on the Whitestone Website.
- FINANCE
Income
41.1 Teignbridge District Council 2nd half year precept £2,550.00
41.2 1 School Houses rent to 30th October 2020 £750.00 - £72.00 (includes £12.00 VAT) = £678.00.
41.3 2 School Houses rent to 1st November 2020 £825.00 - £79.20 (includes £13.20 VAT) = £745.80.
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillors Belt and Miles.
41.4 Zoom Communications £143.88 (Cheque 1531
41.5 PKF Littlejohn LLP £240.00 (includes £40 VAT) Annual Audit (Cheque 1530)
41.6 Mr L Blades £345.15 (Cheque 1532)
41.7 Mr G Dicker (grass cutting) £478.32 (Cheque 1533)
41.8 Devon Association of Local Councils (Planning Law webinar for Cllr Miles) £18.00 (includes £3.00 VAT) (Cheque 1534)
- CORRESPONDENCE
42.1 Communication had been received from County Councillor Alan Connett informing parishes that the Rural Skip Service has been reviewed and will no longer be provided by Teignbridge owing to the cost implications.
42.2 Response to complaint re snails in post boxes and damage to post had been received from Royal Mail Exeter Delivery Unit Manager indicating that they will be in contact with their property and facility company to deal with the problem and a sign will be placed on the box advising that the public use the postbox in the town which is in the wall and snail free
- REPORTS
43.1 It was reported that on the 1st October tractors were driven to and fro through the village for 20 minutes.
It was not evident where they had come from or where they were headed to. It was noted as unusual activity.
43.2 It was reported that the Parish Paths map attached to the wall at the Parish Hall was in need of repair/replacement and it was agreed that Mr Blades should be asked to inspect.
43.3 It was requested that a new list of Councillors be advertised for the use of parishioners.
43.4 Complaints had been received from residents regarding the siting of the dog poo bin in the vicinity of the bus stop area which had been moved and was now causing unpleasant smells in the vicinity of their homes. It was agreed that a new site should be investigated with a request to Mr Blades for him to move the offending bin.
43.5 Thanks were given by the meeting to Cllr Miles as the new Chair of the Council.
The next meeting will be a virtual meeting on Thursday 12th November 2020 at 7.30pm.
Topic: Whitestone Parish Council Meeting
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The meeting closed at 9.05pm