Present: Cllrs. Fearn, Knight, Hill, Janes, Hookway, Jeffreys, Johnson. Williams, Steer, Hockings, Hoddinott, Beamish, County Cllr Paula Black & District Cllr Robert Steer.
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
Members of the Public: 5
The Chairman opened the meeting, welcomed everyone then resigned, the Vice Chairman also resigned. The Clerk then called for nominations for Chairman. Cllr Fearn was proposed by Cllr Hookway, seconded by Cllr Knight. Cllr Fearn said he would serve for just one more year, but this would be his last as Chairman. There being no other nominations, voting was all in favour. The Chairman then called for nominations for Vice Chairman. Cllr Knight was proposed by Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Johnson. Cllr Hockings then proposed Cllr Hookway who declined. There being no other nominations, voting for Cllr Knight was all in favour.
The Chairman then invited District Cllr Steer to give his annual report first as he had to attend another meeting.
District Cllr Steer reported that the problems at Dundridge were still ongoing – he had been on site that very day where the construction of the industrial building was now in progress. Residents of the main house were progressing with their case to the Ombudsman. The construction of the wind turbine near South Brent was progressing with no opposition. The LDF was in the next phase. A new Chief Executive will be needed for SHDC when Mr Incoll retires at the end of the year. A portable building near Leigh Bridge, Harberton, was permitted development.
Harbourne Shuttle. Report received from Simon Harrington. Scheduled services – numbers remained stable for the daytime services, but the Friday evening service is under review. Private Hire - usage doubled compared to 4 years ago. A new vehicle to be purchased next year.
Harbertonford Village Hall. Report received from Mrs Groom. Another busy year – work continuing on the extension and converting the old kitchen into a meeting room. Regular bookings increasing and bookings for events also. Grant funding received from the sale of Exeter Airport and confidence in the business plan is vindicated. The Committee hopes the Parish Council to continue its support with grant funding. Healthy accounts.
Harberton Parish Hall. Report from Cllr Williams. The accounts remain very healthy. A new floor and under-floor heating now in place, largely funded by the Insurance payout. Now have a One Star Accreditation and seeking to improve the rating. Panto after Christmas was very profitable – bookings are up.
Harbertonford Primary School. Report by Cllr Steer. School is doing SATs as usual. Many improvements carried out - upgrading of the toilets, central heating system & ICT, plus painting of classrooms. The swimming pool is being prepared for the summer. Children have an improved library, sporting opportunities, storyteller, theatre visits and music daily. The children also attend the local church. There are about 70 pupils at present.
Harbertonford Playground. Report by Cllr Jeffreys. Grants of £20,000.00 raised recently and a further £49,000.00 to be applied for. This will complete most of the equipment for the Playground.
Harberton Playing Field Assn. Report by Jan Culf. The playground is being refurbished, starting with a roundabout and slide with a grant of £3,000.00 from SHDC.
Feoffees. Report from Cllr Steer. Usual two meetings have been held this year. Colin Lund regretfully had to resign as Secretary and Mrs J Blackler has taken his place. No new investments this year. Usual donations to both churches and gifts of £50.00 plus one or two special cases.
Devon County Council. Report from County Cllr Black. There had been grants to Harbertonford Village Hall and both play parks. There was no success with sorting out the timing of the school buses to and from Kingsbridge School. The main accent had been on care for the elderly and Social Services’ care of children. Also many meetings held with DCC Highways Officers.
Chairman’s Report. The Chairman once again expressed thanks for all the support received from Councillors and the Clerk, and drew attention to the work by Cllr Jeffreys at Harbertonford Playground. The LDF was still ongoing and more plans just announced with another public meeting planned. The interactive lights on A381 were still not working properly after two years! Problems at Dundridge were ongoing. Other problems with untaxed vehicles, potholes, dog fouling continue, but no opposition to the wind turbine and knacker’s yard near Marley Head. The Chairman finally also thanked both County and Districts Councillors for their support during the year.
The meeting closed at 8.20pm.