Present: Cllrs Hockings, Hoddinott, Stubbings, Mason, Preston-Day, E Janes, Christiansen, Fearn, Mills and D Cllr Steer
Apologies: Cllrs Monaghan and S Jane
Also Present: Devon C Cllr O Masters
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
The Chairman sent his apologies – his letter was read to the meeting. This offered his resignation as Chairman and he also nominated Cllr Hockings to be Chairman for the next year. This was seconded by Cllr Fearn and Cllr Hockings accepted the nomination. There being no other nominations, the voting was all in favour. The new Chairman wished to offer Cllr Monaghan thanks for his work as Chairman for the past three years. Nominations for Vice Chairman were called for. Cllr E Janes proposed Cllr Monaghan as Vice Chairman, seconded by D Cllr Steer. Cllr Monaghan had indicated in his letter that he would be prepared to accept this post. There being no other nominations, voting was all in favour. 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 in a field near Hazard Cottage, Harberton. Still ongoing. D Cllr Steer will follow this up yet again.
3) Ford area in Harberton. This matter was discussed again and it was decided to consult Jim Morrison of DCC. The Clerk will arrange a site meeting.
4) Green Gardens re grass cutting at playground behind Harbertonford Primary School. This matter was discussed further at some length. As there was to be a School Governors’ meeting next week, it was unanimously decided to ask Cllr Christiansen (as Parish Council representative) to discuss this at the meeting and it was proposed that in view of the fact that the Playground Committee was not very active, the Parish Council and the School might share the cost of a 50/50 basis.
Planning:
Parish Council Recommendations
Decision between meetings:
9/23/0500/01 1 & 2 Old Hall, Tristford Road, Harberton. Following a site meeting, this response was sent – "The Councillors feel that as this building already commands the highest elevation overlooking the village, they are concerned that any increase in the height would only serve to make the building more prominent and overbearing on the surrounding area, especially when viewed from the front in Tristford Road. Therefore, the Parish Council must recommend refusal". At the Parish Council meeting, after further discussions, it was unanimously decided to fax yet another letter as follows – "The Parish Council request an inspection by the Site Inspection Committee as they are very concerned at the extra height that the new plans will generate. This concern is in view of the fact that when the Parish Hall was being planned, the planners required it to be sunk lower into the ground than originally intended to avoid being so prominent".
Decision at the meeting:
9/23/0581/01/F Construction of wildfowl pond in water meadow at Stream Cottage, Harbertonford. No objections in principle. Proposed by Cllr Mills, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. 9 in favour, 1 abstention.
Correspondence:
1) Renewal of insurance with Cornhill from 1/6/01 will be £239.00, an increase of £28.10 as all insurance has increased. This is to be paid. Proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by Cllr Mason. All in favour.
2) Eurobell Youth Games 15/6/01. Details shown to the meeting.
3) South Hams Leisure Centres Swimming Programmes. Details shown to the meeting.
4) SHDC. Effects of Foot and Mouth crisis. Clerk to respond.
5) S Hams CVS. AGM on 22/5/01 at Harbour House, Kingsbridge, at 7.00pm.
6) DCC. Your Devon, Your Choice. Details shown to the meeting.
7) SHDC. Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Details shown to the meeting.
8) GLEAM. Annual subscription is now due. £10.00 – no increase on last year. It was proposed by Cllr Fearn to subscribe this year once again. Seconded by D Cllr Steer. All in favour.
9) SHDC. Notices of County Council elections on 7/6/01 received and posted on both noticeboards.
10) Notice of Real Nappy Week – 23/29 April received and shown to the meeting.
11) Two letters received from Mrs Pope. The first asking if anything can be done regarding noisy dogs across the road from her house. A Parish Councillor will approach the owners to try and find a solution. The second letter related to the bus services, specifically X89 which is now discontinued. Cllr O Masters has taken this letter and will contact Mrs Pope regarding this matter.
12) DCC. Changes to local bus services. Details shown to the meeting.
13) Foot and Mouth Information Pack shown to the meeting.
14) S Devon Carers Consortium. Details shown to the meeting.
15) DCC. Foot and Mouth Recovery Plan shown to the meeting.
16) Devon and Cornwall Police Liaison Meeting 4/6/01 at Dartmouth Guildhall at 7.30pm. Notice posted.
17) SHDC. Agenda and Minutes shown to the meeting.
18) S Hams Rural Transport Forum to be held on 23/5/01 at Kingsbridge. Cllr Fearn hopes to attend.
19) Report received from Governors’ Meeting of Dartington Primary School on 20/3/01. Details shown to the meeting.
20) A letter had been received, together with a copy of the latest accounts, from Harbertonford Parochial Church Council, requesting a grant towards the upkeep of the churchyard. It was proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr E Janes, to give £250.00. All in favour.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Monaghan reported by letter that the property Cockhills, down Bow Road, was in rather a mess and needed tidying up.
2) Cllr S Jane reported that the sandbags behind the bus shelter in Harbertonford were deteriorating. D Cllr Steer will ask for them to be removed.
3) Cllr E Janes reported the road breaking up near the entrance to Packs Close, down Woodland Road in Harbertonford.
4) Cllr Mason reported several potholes close to Brockhills Farm, at the top of Old Road, Harbertonford.
5) Cllr Mason also reported large flowerpots blocking the footpath at the side of 8 Bow Road, Harbertonford.
County Cllr Owen Masters, having arrived late, now spoke about the County’s programme for recovery after the Foot and Mouth crisis. There were programmes for the recovery of agriculture and retraining for employees of businesses that had folded as a result of the crisis. Much emphasis would also be put on Devon brand products as well as rejoining of the West Country Tourist Board and promotion of tourist attractions in the countryside, away from the coast, as these seem to have been worst affected.
Matters at Discretion (continued)
6) It was again reported that dogs are fouling the roads in Harbertonford. Would owners please clear up after their animals. (Monaghan)
7) Cllr Stubbings expressed concern at the condition of the lane leading on from Manor Cottage to fields in Harberton.
8) Cllr Mills reported that the condition of Church Cottage, near the church in Harberton, was deteriorating.
Cheques signed:
No 230 – GLEAM - £10.00
No 231 – Cornhill Insurance plc - £239.00
No 232 – Harbertonford PCC - £250.00
The meeting closed at 10.00pm. The next meeting will be held at Harbertonford Primary School on Tuesday 12 June 2001 at 7.30pm.