1. The meeting opened at 7.30 pm. The Chairman welcomed all present.

Transcription

1 DARTMOOR FOREST PARISH COUNCIL 103 Minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday 1st August 2005 in the High Moorland Visitor Centre, 1. The meeting opened at 7.30 pm. The Chairman welcomed all present. Present Postbridge Hexworthy/Huccaby Mrs Wendy Stones (Vice Chair) Mr Dave Fisher (Chair) Mrs Rosemary Mudge Mr Gary Easton Mrs Wendy Watson (from item 4.2 onwards) Mr Simon Loveless Mr Cliff Palmer Mr Paul Turnbull Mr Malcolm Waite Mrs Helen Ward Mr Bob Williamson WDBC 10 members of the Public Apologies Postbridge Hexworthy/Huccaby Mrs Helen Ward (illness) PC Steve Bradfield Mr Alan Hosking DCC 2. Police No report this month 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting Correction to paragraph 9.4 the uneven pavement is from Lords restaurant to the telephone kiosk. The corrected minutes were approved and signed by the Chairman. 4. Matters Arising 4.1 Replacement for Postbridge Councillor Wendy Watson was the only applicant and she was duly co-opted onto the Council. The Chairman congratulated her on her appointment and she joined the Council table for the remainder of the meeting. 4.2 BT Cashless Phone Booths There had been broad agreement with the cashless approach. One parishioner had suggested retention of the current method of operation but with local collection of cash by trusted agents on behalf of BT, Post Masters had been given as one possibility. The Council s reply to BT had outlined this suggestion and offered to take parting any pilot scheme, should the suggestion be taken up. 4.3 Aftermath of Brewery Construction copies of Philip Davies reply to the Council had been sent to recipients of the original letter of complaint. 4.4 Oakery Bridge repair a letter had been sent to the Duchy and a reply was awaited

2 4.5 Post-contractor pavement problems in Woodville Avenue a reply was still awaited from Mr Jarman 4.6 Former Council Yard at Moorland View the person at DNPA dealing with the quotation for clearance from Malcolm Waite was on extended leave. It was agreed to wait until he returned. 4.7 War Memorial, Paul Turnbull reported that bad weather had prevented Mr Stevens from re-painting the letters. He will carry out the work as soon as possible. 4.8 Resettlement Unit Cliff Palmer reported that it would be at least a further two weeks before work started on the Council s two jobs 104 Top bus shelter Repair to the roof Cliff reported that the roof was in a very poor condition and would need specialist attention as it contained asbestos. New fascia board and guttering were also needed. Action; Cliff to obtain 2 estimates for the necessary work Provision of a seat inside - there was some discussion about the need for a seat, since the shelter had never had one. It was felt that the seat could become the object of vandalism. There was also the possibility that it could encourage the same inappropriate behaviour as had been reported to PC Bradfield. Bottom bus shelter Fitting of brackets and drainpipe Cliff reported that this work would be started as soon as possible. 4.9 Playground Collapsed seat on roundabout. Gary Easton and Paul Turnbull agreed to check out the possibilities for removal and report back to the next meeting Highways Matters Outstanding The full list of items outstanding is as follows; 1 Need steps taken to curb traffic speed on the B3212 through Postbridge. The problem is especially prevalent during the early morning rush hour. 2 The practice of giving forewarning of works seems to have stopped. 3 The reflective warning signs on the approach to Stats Bridge are being snapped off. 4 There is some fencing down on the road past Hillside on the way to Merrivale. 5 The hedges in Penlee Lane are overgrown and this is making it difficult to navigate up and down the lane, which is regularly used by farm traffic as well as funeral vehicles 6 There are some trees opposite Badgers Holt, within the cattle grid at Dartmeet, that are overhanging badly and posing a hazard to riders. 7 There are loose and uneven blocks on the pavement in between Lords restaurant and the telephone kiosk. 8 There is an outstanding job to paint a disabled bay outside a property in Burrator Avenue in. The Clerk was told some weeks ago that the job would be done when the line painters were in the area, and providing that the space outside the house was clear. The disabled resident is now being forced to leave work early in order to get the space outside his property for his car because parking is in short supply in the avenue and residents will put their vehicles wherever there is a gap.

3 4.11 Fire Engine Exit Alan Hosking is dealing directly with Brian George on this matter and will report at the next meeting Old Tennis Court a letter had been sent to the Duchy requesting permission to trim the low hanging trees. A reply was awaited The new prison Governor, Ms Serena Watts, had been sent an open invitation to Council meetings Reports from Committees Primary School 5.1 The scaffolding had now largely been removed and some water damage was being repaired in the school before the playground was re-surfaced 5.2 The autumn term starts on 6 September Playground 5.3 A quote was still awaited quote from Aon for insurance of the new equipment 5.4 A letter had been sent to Jenny Coleman at HMCA requesting help with payment of maintenance of new equipment 5.5 Gary Easton had carried out his regular check and found no problems. 5.6 Update on Actions from Annual Inspection; Item Priority Action Ropes on net climber and log slope. High These were part of the new equipment installed late last year. A letter had been sent to Play Quest Concrete security fence bases in play area. Unacceptable and a response still awaited These were not, in fact, concrete, but rubber. They have been removed. Action: Complete Lack of signs warning that dogs must be kept on a lead On the slide; loose supports, some sharp wood, bolts standing proud Some seat damage and worn chain on swings. Medium Medium Medium New signs were now in place Action: Complete Gary Easton regularly monitors the situation. Action Ongoing monitoring Gary Easton regularly monitors the situation. Action Ongoing monitoring Cemetery 5.7 The burial of Mrs Emmy Webb took place on 28 July Rosemary Mudge reported that no meetings of the Southern Parishes Link Committee or the Community Forum had taken place in the last month; Wendy Stones reported on; 5.8 Partnership Board (now called Partners)

4 106 A meeting was held on 21 st July: A Partners handbook has been produced By way of publicity, there is to be a press release and there will also be a table at the Carnival The Transport working party has now concluded its work. They looked at Ring and Ride, the taxi service and the mini bus service. Whilst the numbers may have changed since Louise Pollard, the Community Worker, carried out a detailed questionnaire in 1997/98, the reasons for needing the services remain unchanged. 5.9 HMCA A meeting was held on 14 th July at which Mr Stubbs, of Plymouth Hill, observed: Urban Fund applications can be made in October It was provisionally agreed that staff salary increases should be given to reflect inflation. The increases will be effective from 1 st October and will not be backdated. The Youth Group and Beth will be involved in repairing the old tennis court Trustees who want access to HMCA after 3 pm must be police checked as there are children in the building attending After School Club and Holiday Club Village Centre Project No meetings had taken place 5.11 Duchy Square A meeting was held on 27 th July: being reviewed The Steering Group have produced a very detailed Business Case that is currently Three designs have been submitted by the architect and all have been rejected 5.12 Housing A meeting had taken place on 25 th July between the Duchy, DNPA and Tavistock Housing to discuss affordable housing issues. It was suggested that the village s needs included flats for young and old residents. The present breakdown of rental accommodation was 20% (West Devon Homes), 5% (Duchy) and 5% (private rental). There are currently three available sites: the Prison Officers Club, the former corner shop and the rear of Royal Court. A Parish housing needs survey had last taken place in It was agreed that WDBC s Housing Department would carry out a new survey, at no cost to the village 6. Correspondence 6.1 Municipal Waste Management Strategy the Executive Summary was distributed to all Councillors. 6.2 Tavistock Ring n Ride A request for a contribution had been received. Since an increase had been given this year, next year s contribution will remain at that increased level. 6.3 Calling papers for DNPA Development Control Committee on 5 August the Lords restaurant banner sign was due for discussion in the Monitoring & Enforcement agenda item. Calling papers to Rosemary Mudge. 6.4 Dartmoor Visitor Events diary no entry for the winter Diary. 6.5 Lengthsman due on 26 August nothing raised for his attention. Rosemary Mudge passed across a letter from the owner of The Bearas who is still awaiting clearance of a blocked drainage pipe that causes mud to run across the road in wet weather. Cars are regularly sliding on the mud into the ditch

5 107 outside her property. A job sheet was raised 12 months ago by the Lengthsman to clear the pipe. The problem is being aggravated by the lack of a replacement road sign indicating the sharp bend. Action: Clerk to write to Highways about pipe clearance and sign replacement. 6.6 Vitalise (previously called the Winged Fellowship Trust) this organisation provides services, such as holidays, to disabled people and their carers and is looking for financial contributions. It was agreed that nothing should be given. 6.7 Stop and Search posters from D & C Constabulary Wendy Stones took them for the library. 7. Accounts 7.1 Summary for July Payments made Dartmoor Garage grass cuts April, May & June Cheque not cashed Payment to school PTA November 2004 for fireworks. Action: Clerk to check with Helen Ward Receipts Burial of Mrs Emmy Webb VAT reclaim Balance in bank 31 July Statement not received will be entered in 6, minutes after receipt To pay Mr D Agnew internal audit of accounts The internal audit had been carried out by Mr Don Agnew for the financial year 2004/2005. The Annual Return for the Audit Commission was duly signed by the Chairman. 7.3 The Councillors sanctioned a one day training session for the Clerk on 2 November at a cost of Planning Applications The following planning application correspondence has been received: n.b. LPA means Local Planning Authority DNPA Ref. N/A Description Local objection to banner for car and coach park 0555/05 Single storey garage and utility room 0537/05 Enlarged compound area and associated access road off existing road 0513/05 Conversion of a barn to form lecture room/visitor facility 0473/05 First floor extension to provide study and shower room 0512/05 Erection of covered dung midden and extension to existing agricultural building 0372/05 Erection of a timber framed garage Location Lords Restaurant Plot 10 Woodville Avenue Station Road Brimpts Farm Dartmeet 2 Tor View Middle Merripit Farm Postbridge Tor Royal Cottage The Council advocated that the banner should not be removed, but should be replaced with one that is acceptable to DNPA. Full planning permission sought Full planning permission sought Simon Loveless declared an interest and left the room during the discussion. The Council felt that the proposed fencing should be disguised in some way, for example by planting a hedge. Otherwise no objections. Initial consultation Full planning permission sought Initial consultation Permission granted subject to; Development must begin within 5 years Roof must have slate grey material covering, to be approved by the LPA All new external timberwork to be stained

6 DNPA Ref. Description Location 108 dark brown or black within one month of installation. Colour to be approved by the LPA. 0384/05 Erection of timber framed store Pixies Holt Residential Centre Dartmeet Permission granted subject to the development starting within 5 years. 9. Such Urgent Business as the Council may Approve 9.1 Coach Parking in Paul Turnbull reported that a visitor had complained to him about lack of space in the public car park due to coaches not using the coach park. This is not a matter over which the Council has any control Action: Clerk to write to DNPA and make them aware of the situation. 10. Public Session 10.1 Brewery Construction the Clerk reported that DNPA were not satisfied with the rate of progress in clearing up the site and had asked for a landscape design team to be appointed before the end of June. To date, DNPA had not received any application relating to the landscaping of the site. Mr Philip Davies asked to speak to the meeting to explain the current position from the Brewery s point of view. He and his team were also not happy with the present situation and he apologised to those present for the problems. He said that the following matters would be addressed as soon as possible; A bund will be built around the site The spoil will be removed and the ground will be levelled inside the bund Pot holes will be infilled in the road leading to Station Cottages A post and rail fence will be erected on the Brewery side of the footpath and the footpath will be infilled with shingle Mr Davies said that the best current estimate for the Brewery to start operation was October. Those members of the public who were present and were most affected by the site problems indicated to the meeting that they were satisfied with Mr Davies s proposals Meeting with the Duchy Chris Gregory has asked for a meeting with the Chairman and the Clerk so that he can better understand the Parish Council s responsibilities. Action: Chairman to arrange 10.3 Repair of Top Bus Shelter (see A member of the public said that, in his experience, removal of the asbestos would cost in the region of 300. Cliff Palmer will take this into account when costing up the work. 11. Next Meeting There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.35 pm. The next Parish Council meeting will be at 7.30 pm on Monday 5 th September in the High Moorland Visitor Centre, Signed.(Chairman) Date 5 th September 2005