SOUTH BRENT PARISH COUNCIL

Transcription

1 Page 1 SOUTH BRENT PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 21 October 2013 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall, South Brent. The Chairwoman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Open Forum for discussion with members of the public (maximum 15 minutes) Nothing was raised. PC Presentation by Jan Birch on Active Villages funding available for South Brent Funding of 2,600 is available for sport provision in this parish. Ms Birch will liaise with the Recreation Association on projects which can be approved by the end of January Suggestions were invited from the floor and the new cricket club and cycle maintenance workshops were put forward; Ms Birch will follow up on these ideas. She was thanked for attending and left. PC Record of members present Cllr Donna Warne in the Chair; Cllrs Linda Austin, Peter Kelly, John King, Jane Maunder, Cathie Pannell, John Rawlinson, Glyn Richards, John Summers, and Donald Wiseman were present. Ten members of the public were present and Julia Willoughby clerk to the Council was in attendance. PC Apologies for absence Apologies have been received from Cllrs Mark Copleston, Greg Wall and District Cllr Peter Smerdon. PC Declarations of interest (nature and extent) with regard to items on the agenda Cllrs Cathie advised that she has a personal interest in the Village Hall, regarding item 15 room hire; a blanket dispensation has been applied for. PC Consider the granting of dispensations An application has been received from Cllr Glyn Richards who proposed a blanket dispensation for all Councillors to discuss room hire at various venues in the village; this was seconded by Cllr Donald Wiseman and agreed by the Council. PC Public participation session with respect to items on the agenda Mrs M Prosser supports the community swimming pool initiative. PC Police report (Crime and Disorder Reduction) PC Hopper has reported the following: there were 3 crimes of note for the Parish in September 2013 and 53 incident logs (31 relating to A38 and 5 relating to other highways issues). Cause alarm /distress (neighbour issue); Assault (domestic related); Drive with excess alcohol. PC Hopper will retire in ten days when it is understood there may be only a part time PCSO available for this parish; if this is the case the Chief Constable will be contacted. Officers will be advised that motorists have been racing along Aish Ridge Lane early in the morning. PC Confirmation of the accuracy of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 23 September 2013

2 Page 2 The minutes were amended at Cllrs Austin, Maunder and Pannell did not leave the room while the grant to the Brownies was considered, they did not speak or vote on the matter; the minutes were then confirmed and signed. PC Report matters arising from the minutes for information only There is a workshop tomorrow in Ivybridge regarding potential toilet closure during the winter months at Shipley Bridge; Cllr John Summers will attend. PC District / County Councillors and DNPA Parish Council representatives report Devon County Cllr Rosemary Rowe advised that she has granted 500 from her Locality Fund to the Old School Centre towards a new boiler. There will be changes to the mobile library service and an SHDC Cluster meeting on 11 Nov. will be addressed by Cllr John Hart, Leader of DCC. District Cllr Cathie Pannell reported that on 31 October there will be a special meeting at SHDC regarding the boundary warding arrangements. South Brent is proposed as a two member ward with six other parishes, when this parish has exactly the right number of electors for one district council ward. T18 modernisation of SHDC to work with West Devon is to be discussed shortly. PC Parish Council Committees and working groups: Report on the public meeting held on 16 October regarding the future of the Station Yard car park and decide the actions to be taken by the Council. The Chairwoman reported that this was a good meeting with around 120 local people standing together to show their overwhelming support for the Council to purchase the car park. People expressed their fear that parking charges would threaten the viability of shops and businesses. A lease is offered by SHDC at 7,000 p.a. initially, to include business rates and maintenance; purchase of the car park at 65,000 over 25 years would cost 5,278 p.a. reducing by with each payment. The Parish Council agreed that clarification and further information is required of SHDC and the timescale for a decision is not known. Cllr John Summers proposed that an independent valuation of the two areas of land used for car parking in the Station Yard is obtained; this was seconded by Cllr Jane Maunder and resolved by the Council. Cllr Glyn Richards proposed that the clerk carries out a Land Registry search of the Station Yard; this was seconded by Cllr John King and resolved by the Council. Cllr Glyn Richards proposed that a special Parish Council meeting is held on 4 November to discuss the options for the Station Yard; this was seconded by Cllr John King and resolved by the Council. Planning Committee minutes of the meeting held on 9 September were adopted. Media Committee meeting held on 9 September, recommendations: The following amendments to the terms of reference: 2 Meetings to occur at least twice a year.

3 Page 3 4 This Committee provides information ( with the approval of the Parish Council deleted) to the parishioners by the following media: A Parish Newsletter; a Parish Web site. Cllr John Rawlinson advised that in practice the newsletter is being circulated to the Committee by to be finalised. Cllr Peter Kelly proposed the amendments; seconded by Cllr Jane Maunder and resolved by the Council. Finance Committee meeting held on 30 September, recommendations: No changes are required to the Financial Regulations and the direct debit payments are in order; agreed. Open Spaces Committee meeting held on 7 October, recommendations: 4 bollards and a buff coloured surface at a cost 1, are provided at the Jubilee Crossing by the Parish Council, funded from earmarked reserves proposed by Cllr Glyn Richards, seconded by Cllr Cathie Pannell and resolved by the Council. PC Planning: Application 0525/13 two storey rear extension at 20 Clobells, South Brent; the Parish Council has no objection to this application. 0383/12 (amended) Pinewood Lodge, Didworthy, South Brent change of use and conversion of an existing nursing home to a single residential dwelling including the provision of a self-contained holiday let and the construction of new garage with ancillary accommodation over; the Parish Council has no objection to this application. 0410/13 Construction of agricultural building (9m x 24m), land at Higher Beara, South Brent this application has been withdrawn. Update on progress with the proposed housing development adjacent to Palstone Lane: Cllr Richards advised that the stakeholder group which also includes Cllrs Pannell and Warne has met with DNPA Officers and expressed concerns that development should be 50% affordable to meet identified local need as it arises. The Housing Need Survey carried out in 2009, less the number of affordable homes built since give a total of six affordable homes now required not 80 new homes. If 80 homes were built people would have to be brought in from other areas to fill them. PC Correspondence circulated to Councillors: 1) Carnival Committee: request for a grant to cover the cost of insurance for Ms Robert-Cossey advised that any grant will be repaid if possible; Cllr Peter Kelly proposed that a grant of 706 is made, seconded by Cllr Jane Maunder and resolved by the Council. 2) SHDC: a reduction in the Council Tax support Grant of at least 13.54% can be expected in (reduction from 4,811 to 4,160). It was noted that this decision will not be made until the end of the year; the Finance Committee may need to consider preparing two budgets. Community swimming pool update The Council agreed this and the following item could be brought forward. Dr Hardman advised that she is a very active swimmer and is passionate about the sport. Access to swimming is beneficial for health and could save lives. Although it would be

4 Page 4 hugely ambitious to have a pool in South Brent, the Council is invited to keep their minds open and keep this item on the agenda; this was agreed by the Council. Can pedestrian safety be improved in Exeter Road near London Inn Mews? Cllr Jane Maunder is very concerned about this question as there are more children catching school buses in this area (approx. 165) and more traffic. Service buses arriving at the same time and cars parked in Exeter Road are adding to the dangers faced by secondary school children and pedestrians at this location. A site visit with a DCC Highways Officer will be requested to consider possible solutions. PC Consider which assets in the parish might be worthy of listing as community assets Cllr Glyn Richards suggested that the clerk could be contacted with any suggestions; e.g. the Station Yard. PC Consider which venues are to be used for the various Parish Council and Committee meetings (Blanket dispensation agreed) Cllr John King thanked the clerk for preparing a breakdown of room hire and storage costs which show that these costs are split fairly evenly between the Old School Centre and the Village Hall. Cllr King suggested that the Village Hall might be considered for a regular Committee meeting. Cllr Richards advised that the Council has changed a great deal over the years with meetings being open to the public and adequate space being required. The Church rooms, Methodist Church room, Recreation pavilion, Primary School and Den are also available and the Council uses the venue which suits it s needs best. PC Measures to prevent flooding at Long Meadow, Brent Mill Business Park The Chairwoman advised that a parishioner had raised this matter with her and it is possible works have since been carried out, so this item will be deferred to the next meeting. PC Consider refurbishment of the Chairman s insignia The Council agreed that a price should be obtained for refurbishment. PC Consider representation in the Press; volunteer for the Village Voice column Cllr John Rawlinson has discussed with our local reporter some recent headlines which have not represented South Brent in a positive way (it was noted that the banner is not written by the reporter). Mr Willetts has offered to be the Village Voice of South Brent. PC Community swimming pool update (See minute above.) PC Measures against and reporting of invasive weeds Cllr Rawlinson advised that a botanical survey of the parish has been carried out by Mr Reay and both Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam are present. The DCC website has information on such plants. PC Can pedestrian safety be improved in Exeter Road near London Inn Mews? (See minute above.)

5 Page 5 PC Plans for the annual Service of Remembrance and Re-dedication It is understood Cllr Greg Wall has all in hand. PC Hedge trimming required on the boundary of the Recreation Field. The Recreation Association will deal with this. PC Correspondence available on the table at the meeting (or by arrangement with the clerk): a) DCC: With the introduction of Stagecoach Gold, the X80 will be withdrawn after 26 October. b) DNPA: The DNPA Forum will meet on 29 November; Cllrs Richards and/or Summers will attend. c) SHDC: South Devon AONB management plan consultation (to 17 Nov.). d) South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group: Local community services will be changing in Totnes, Buckfastleigh and Ashburton. e) DCC: Youth service review events. f) Devon County Girlguiding: item on the Junior Community Champion. g) SHDC: Connecting communities network launch. h) Community Council of Devon: AGM 6 Nov. i) Public Sector Mapping agreement: information and questionnaire; delegated to the Media Committee. j) Junk Mail news and views on composting, reuse and recycling in Devon. All noted by the Parish Council. PC Report highway matters and street cleaning required DCC Highways will be contacted about repeated flooding in Station Approach (at the steps to Brookwood Close). A streetlight between Courtenay Park and Heather Park is overgrown by a tree. Weeds are growing along the gutters in Plymouth Road again, the clerk will enquire whether they could be treated again? PC Finance: Accounts for payment: 2 nd South Brent Brownies: grant for Brownie Stay Away (GPC) St Petroc s PCC: grant of 50% towards tree felling cost SWW (Direct debit): charges for toilet at Sanderspool Cross 7.00 Entanet Int. Ltd (Direct debit): monthly broadband fee South Brent Village Hall: room hire 10.00; cupboards South Brent Old School Community Centre Ltd: room hire 17.50, laminating EDF Energy (Direct debit): elec. for toilet at S Cross Veaseys Printers: 1450 newsletters DALC: AGM (Cllr G Richards) The Consortium: stationery and printer cartridges Royal Mail Group Ltd.: PO Box delivery annual fee R Illman: repair/maintenance 30.00

6 Page 6 SHDC: repair to infant multi play equipment Payroll: TOTAL RECEIPT: SHDC: 2 nd Precept payment 18, The accounts were approved for payment and the cheques signed. PC Items for press release and/or the newsletter The newsletter will be finalised on 25 November and distributed at the end of the month. PC Items for the next agenda TAP Fund applications will be included on the next agenda. The meeting closed. Members of the Finance Committee carried out an internal audit of the Parish Council accounts following the meeting; cheque no all documents except the invoice were available (previous financial year).