Present: Cllrs Monaghan, Hockings, Stubbings, Preston-Day, Mason, Hoddinott, Mills, E Janes, S Jane, D Cllr Mrs Steer and Devon C Cllr O Masters
Apologies: Cllrs Fearn and Christiansen
Also Present: PC Oakes from Totnes Police, Ms Ruth Bagley (Chief Executive of SHDC) and Mr Jim Constantine of Environment Agency
Public: 10
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and commenced by inviting PC Oakes of Totnes Police to speak first. He started by relating that there had been a burglary in Harbertonford and a theft in Harberton since last month’s meeting. Cllr E Janes then asked if there could be a review of the excessive speeds along A381 in Harbertonford. PC Oakes agreed to speak to the Traffic Division for a mobile radar check. After further discussion, PC Oakes left the meeting.
The Chairman then invited Mr Constantine to speak. He reviewed the work carried out so far towards flood prevention, including some dredging of the River Harbourne and improvements to the Bow Road riverbank and at Crowdy Mill. He also detailed proposed future improvement works above stream of the A381 bridge through the river channel and a holding tank to be constructed to take 40,000 cubic metres of overflow at times of flooding. This would cost £560,000 and hopefully start in 2002, thus affording some protection to properties adjoining the Harbourne stream in the village. Devon County Council would also carry out improvements to the road drain manhole just outside the entrance to the Maltster’s Arms in Harbertonford, plus various other improvements. There was further discussion, which also included Ms Bagley and Cllr Masters. Cllr Masters insisted he would continue to keep the pressure on for any flood improvements in the county, especially in the South Hams and press for more money from the government.
There was also some discussion about exploring the possibility of a statutory 20mph limit on the A381 bridge.
Mr Constantine and the members of the public then left the meeting.
The minutes of the previous meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Flooding in Harberton – still ongoing.
2) Vehicles on land opposite Hazard Cottage, Harberton – still ongoing.
3) Ford area in Harberton – still ongoing.
4) Bus shelter in Harbertonford. Cllr S Jane had, yet again, carried out repairs to the vandalised seat, installing concrete blocks with smooth render and wooden seat on top. The Parish Councillors thanked him for his work.
Correspondence:
1) Totnes Carers. Meetings held every second Wednesday 6.30-8.30pm at Totnes Hospital. To be posted on noticeboard.
2) Invoice received from D Jane for repairs to bus shelter totalling £38.00. To be paid – proposed: D Cllr Mrs Steer, seconded: Cllr Mills. All in favour.
3) Precept. After discussions, it was agreed to set the increase at the rate of inflation – ie: 3%, which is £118.00, making a total of £4,078.00 per annum. Proposed: Cllr Hoddinott, seconded: Cllr Stubbings. All in favour.
4) S Hams Local Plan Review. Revised timetable shown to the meeting.
5) Countrywide Reduced Fare Travel Scheme shown to the meeting.
6) BT New Public Safety Radio Communications Service. Details shown to the meeting.
7) S Hams Rural Transport Forum Meeting at Ivybridge Town Hall 24/1/01 at 7.30pm. Cllr Fearn will attend.
8) SHDC Agenda and Minutes shown to the meeting.
9) Community Health Council Newsletter shown to the meeting.
10) Devon and Cornwall Police Liaison Meeting 29/1/01 at 7.30pm at Yealmpton Community Centre.
11) Invoice from James Miller for grass cutting at the Ford Area in Harbertonford received. Only six cuts at £33.00 each, plus VAT. Total £232.65. This to be paid. Proposed: D Cllr Mrs Steer, seconded Cllr E James. All in favour. Also enclosed is an estimate for grass cutting for 2001. Ten cuts plus VAT. No increase this year. It was proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded Cllr S Jane to accept this. All in favour.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr E Janes requested a salt bin to be placed outside Harbertonford Village Hall.
2) Cllr Mason reported fly tipping at Blind Lane, off A381 up the hill towards Totnes outside Harbertonford.
3) Cllr Mason also reported crumbling steps outside one of the elderly people’s bungalows, just off Bow Road, Harbertonford.
4) D Cllr Mrs Steer spoke of certain restructuring within SHDC involving some senior staff, also employing a few new staff at junior level. Within the Council, the new preferred option since May last, proved to be a "Leader and Cabinet" system though the various other options were being explored and one system would eventually be chosen in Spring 2001.
Cheques Signed:
No 221 D Jane £38.00
No 222 J Miller £232.65
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.25pm and thanked Ms Bagley for attending. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 6 February 2001 at 7.30pm, again at Harbertonford Primary School.