Present: Cllrs Knight, Jeffreys, Janes, Steer, Hoddinott, Beamish, Johnson, Hill, Hockings, Williams, County Cllr Paula Black & District Cllr Robert Steer
Apologies: Cllrs Fearn & Hookway
Also present: PC Gary Addelsee
Members of the public: 9
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
Due to the absence of Cllr Fearn, Cllr Knight, the Vice Chairman, took the Chair. The Chairman opened the meeting, welcoming everyone and invited members of the public to speak.
Mrs Durrans of Harbertonford spoke first.
She asked about the planning application 23/1053/10/LB for Harbourne House.
Mrs Durrans was not aware that this was a retrospective plan. The Clerk explained that even retrospective plans came before the Council in the ordinary way to be approved. Mrs Blackler of Harbertonford then spoke, asking about the request for a grant for Harbertonford Village Hall which had been included in the Annual report last month.
It was explained to her that grants were normally considered at the end of the financial year and it was agreed the Clerk would keep their request on file and represent for consideration it in Feb/Mar 2011.
Mr Padfield of Harbertonford spoke next about the former Glanville’s Mill site in Woodland Road, Harbertonford. SHDC were still unable to contact the owner and Mr. Padfield wondered if progress could be made by contacting then Listed Building & Conservation Officer at SHDC.
PC Gary Addelsee gave his report next as he had other appointments. There was a request for a more frequent police presence around the Primary School grounds and premises out of hours. There were also reports of criminal damage to cars in Marl Park. Several other items were also discussed. He then gave his report for May - there had been 4 crimes – 1 ABH, 2 x criminal damage to vehicles & 1 theft non-specific. He then left the meeting.
Mrs Padfield of Harbertonford then spoke. She had just completed visiting 24 residents of the village for a second time at the request of the Clerk for the registration of the Ford Area as a public space. This involved everyone completing questionnaires which had been provided by DCC. The Clerk expressed her thanks to Mrs Padfield and hoped these would be accepted by DCC this time. Mrs Padfield also spoke about her opposition to the proposal for parking opposite the Post Office Stores. This is the only open public space in the centre of the village and parking there would not generally be welcome. Regarding allotments, Cllr Beamish said he had spoken with Colin Finch that day who would be attending this meeting. The Clerk then spoke. She had also spoken with Mr. Finch who offered his apologies. He reported to the Clerk that he now wished to withdraw his offer of the Fordstock field down Woodland Road. The offer of the field up Hernaford Road was still on the table. Mr Finch suggested a meeting could be arranged with the Allotment Sub-Committee. Cllr Knight said he would make the arrangements.
County Cllr Black gave her report.
Re the Old Toll House on Western Bypass on A381 out of Totnes, she had spoken with
Mr Halliday of DCC, who will check the problems reported about the width of the pavement and the barbed wire around the pots outside this property.
KEVICC is proposing to generate its own electricity, thus saving several thousands of pounds, enabling the funds to be used for other urgent projects.
Cllr Black reported that the interactive lights in Harbertonford on A381 had now been removed again and will soon be replaced by yet other lights.
She said that TOR homes are hoping to embark on further affordable homes schemes. County Cllrs had been undergoing training in the Code of Conduct. Cllr Black concluded by reporting that at Follaton Road, Totnes, parking in the road is being reorganised with new road markings.
District Cllr Robert Steer then gave his report. He said that District Councillors had been undergoing further training in Planning, particularly regarding wildlife.
He had attended at Kingsbridge last Saturday with the new MP where new play equipment had been unveiled.
The Noss development on the Dart had been passed for outline permission.
D Cllr Steer wished to thank Cllr Hill for chairing a good meeting about the LDF last Tuesday.
The Chairman then considered the Annual Minutes from last month and after an amendment these were signed by him as a true record. He then considered the Minutes from last month and after an amendment these were signed by him as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Interactive Signing on A381 in Harbertonford - ongoing.
2) Repairs to fence in Harberton Playing Field - ongoing.
3) Allotments. This subject had been raised by Mrs Padfield earlier in the meeting when it was agreed that Cllr Knight would arrange a further meeting of the sub-committee with Mr Finch.
4) Re the broken bollard on edge of pavement at the narrow section of Bow Road, Harbertonford, this had been reported broken yet again. DCC reported that this section of the pavement was in fact privately owned and they were not in a position to replace the bollard again - it had been replaced the first time as a favour.
Planning: Parish Council recommendations.
Decisions between meetings –
23/1077/10/LB
) Dundridge Stables
23/1079/10/F ) Harberton. Application to install solar panels on lower SE
roof of stables. No objections.
23/1053/10/LB – Harbourne House, Old Road, Harbertonford. Retrospective application for alterations to internal layout and additional rooms in loft. No objections.
For information.
TPO 852 – Land at Dundridge Court, Harberton. Confirmation as modified.
Decision at meeting –
23/1121/10/F – Hatchlands Farm, Harberton. Steel frame agricultural building.
No objections. Proposed by Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Hockings. All in favour.
For information.
Land at Lauraleigh, Leigh Bridge, Harberton. Alleged unauthorised Wooden Lodge on side of road. This does not constitute a breach of planning regulations, being a portable building.
Correspondence:
1) SHDC LDF Site Allocations. The time to respond has been extended to 02/07/10.
2) Proposal by Mr. Mulrine of the Post Office Stores, Harbertonford, for extra car parking by the Ford Area opposite the shop came up for discussion. This had been raised by Mr Mulrine at the previous meeting.
Cllrs Jeffreys and Janes both spoke strongly against this proposal, supported by other councillors. The Ford Area is the only open space in the village where the public can sit and enjoy the river. The proposed area for extra parking in front of Pound Cottage has a loose boulder which can be removed for access to the river in case of emergencies.
It would not be possible to reserve spaces opposite the shop for customers only and would soon be filled by residents’ cars due to the shortage of parking spaces. Voting was unanimously against this proposal.
3) Harberton PCC annual grant application towards upkeep of the churchyard, accompanied by a copy of the accounts, was then considered. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Hill to grant £350.00 this year. Voting was all in favour. Consideration had been given to the financial situation this year and the fact that the Parish Council will probably not be in a position to increase the precept next year.
4) SHDC Empty Homes Strategy. Email received from SHDC explained their new policy. Councillors were keen that Church Cottage in Harberton be put forward as it had been empty for well over twelve years.
5) Environment Agency’s Gauging Station is now in place just down river from Harbertonford bridge. This will be used to record the flow of water from Rolster Bridge.
6) Harbertonford Village Hall request for a grant. This was included in the Annual Report from last month, there was also a set of accounts included. The request was for £500.00 towards improving pedestrian access and for kitchen equipment. This will be kept on file and represented at the end of the financial year when other grants will be considered.
7) The Clerk reported a request she had had from Mrs Rigby of Harbertonford. Mrs Rigby hoped the Parish Council would consider a grant towards the Ring & Ride who were so helpful to her, picking her up for shopping and other trips from her door to Totnes and back costing £2.50. A taxi to Totnes and back costs her £18.00. Again Councillors discussed this and it was agreed to put this request on file for reconsideration at the end of the financial year.
8) SHDC’s new Chairman, Cllr John Baverstock wishes to attend one of our Council meetings. The Clerk will send a list of future meetings.
9) DCC Temporary Road Closures. 01-03 June, Moreleigh Road, Harbertonford and 05-09 July, Harberton Village.
10) SHDC Development Control & Conservation User Group meeting 08/0610 at Follaton.
11) PP3 Parish Paths partnership. As agreed at the last meeting, a cheque now signed for £1125.29 for return of remaining funds. Also a letter received from DCC PROW Steve Malec thanking Cllr Hoddinott for his help with re-hanging the gate on footpath No 13 and to Cllr Hookway was read out. Cllr Hookway also wished to thank Cllr Hoddinott for his help in this matter.
12) Registration of land at the Ford Area in Harbertonford. The Clerk will be proceeding with this matter. Thanks were recorded for Mrs Padfield’s help.
13) The Clerk asked the Chairman to sign the Audit Forms for the Parish Council accounts for the year ended 31/03/10 which he duly did. The Clerk also wished to thank Mr Maddox of Harberton for his help yet again in auditing the accounts for another year.
14) Renewal of Lease of Harbertonford Playground. The Diocese of Exeter had agreed to renew this lease for another six years from 24/08/11. The Solicitor’s fees being £250.00 + VAT £43.75. A cheque was signed between meetings and sent immediately. The Diocese has also agreed not to increase the annual fee of £50.00pa. This will enable the Diocese to guarantee continual ownership of the Playground to the Parish Council, thus enabling Cllr Jeffreys to access extra grant money for play equipment.
Other items on the table: SHDC Executive Forward Plan; DCC In Touch magazine and Village Green magazine.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Various potholes reported throughout the Parish not yet filled in though marked up.
Cheques signed:
No 484 – Michelmores - £293.75
No 485 – Cancelled
No 486 - Mrs D Crann - £528.94
No 487 – Cancelled
No 488 – DCC - £1,125.29
No 489 - Harberton PCC - £350.00
D/D – PlusNet - £9.99
The meeting closed at 9.45pm. The next will be held at Harberton Parish Hall on Tuesday 13 July 2010 at 7.30pm.