Present: Cllrs Hockings, Mills, Christiansen, Mason, Stubbings, E Janes, Preston-Day, Monaghan, S Jane, Hoddinott, Fearn and D Cllr Steer
Public: 4
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
The Chairman opened the meeting and invited the members of the public to speak. Three gentlemen had come to speak about the proposed plans for Dundridge. Mr P Godsel, the owner, introduced Mr Steve Heaver and Mr Peter Sutton from the architects. They then explained in detail the proposed alterations and improvements. These would be in keeping with the former glory of this mansion, including restoring several lost features and two garage blocks at the side and the back of the house. There would be 12 apartments of varying sizes and the main gardens and vistas would be kept. After some discussion and questions, they departed, leaving councillors to make their decision later in the meeting.
The fourth member of the public, who lived in Harberton, then spoke. Dr Frankland had come to talk about the flooding problems in Harberton. He was anxious that Harberton’s problems should not be forgotten, though he recognised that those in Harbertonford were more major. He wished to make sure that funding for the Harberton scheme might be obtained if possible. The Environment Agency had been unable to include Harberton, as they were only responsible upstream to Rolster Bridge. D Cllr Steer then responded to Dr Frankland, advising that she had, that day, obtained some figures from SHDC re the flood prevention schemes. It would appear that funding for the schemes in both villages would be partly contingent on a contribution from the Parish – by additional precept. (This was to be discussed later in the meeting.) Dr Frankland agreed that things appeared to be progressing properly and 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 Harbertonford – still ongoing.
2) Flooding in Harberton – still ongoing.
3) Ford area in Harberton. Having further considered the drawings and works to be carried out, it was decided to proceed next spring. Thanks were offered to Cllr Hoddinott, who had recently cleared the area of surplus vegetation.
4) Re Harbertonford Playground near the school. The Clerk had been unable to find out who was responsible for repairing the fence adjoining the Marl Park properties. Cllr Fearn kindly offered to speak to the Land Registry in Plymouth to obtain some further details.
Planning: Parish Council recommendations – Decisions at the meeting
23/1566/01/LB) Dundridge House,
23/1567/01/F ) Harberton. Conversion to 12 dwellings. Parish Council fully support this. They suggest that at splayed entrance the walls and vegetation be lowered to improve visibility and traffic be required to turn left outside Dundridge down the road from Langridge Cross. Proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by Cllr Fearn. 10 in favour, 1 abstention.
Decision between meetings
23/1600/01/F Hatchlands, Blue Post, Harberton. Extension to agricultural building. No objection in principle.
Correspondence:
1) GLEAM. Newsletter received, also notice of AGM 19/10/01 at Newbury Rugby Club, Newbury at 2.00pm.
2) DCC. Community Self Help Emergency Plan. Details to be requested from Devon County Council.
3) DAPC. Annual Report 2000/01 shown to the meeting.
4) DCC Newsletter shown to the meeting.
5) S Hams Leisure Centres. Timetables shown to the meeting.
6) Totnes Caring meeting on 10/10/01 will be at 6.30pm in Totnes Hospital.
7) SHDC. Executive Forward Plans to be displayed on noticeboards.
8) D Cllr Steer now wished the Council to reconsider the subject of support for flood prevention schemes in both villages. There was a further full discussion of the subject and a letter from Ruth Bagley was read out. This gave various figures for the Harbertonford scheme, pointing out that to upgrade this scheme from 25 to 50 years protection would cost just over an extra £100,000. There would be a much greater chance of SHDC agreeing to bear the extra cost of the upgrade (though they were not, strictly speaking, liable to do so) if there was a contribution from the Parish. Similarly, the proposed scheme for Harberton, costing an estimated £100,000, would also be dependent on a contribution from the Parish.
Figures prepared for D Cllr Steer for Band D properties in respect of an additional £10,000 (£5,000 towards each village scheme) evidenced additional sums payable:
Over 2 years - £10.87pa or
Over 3 years - £7.25pa.
The cost per head runs out at £3.91pa and £2.60pa respectively, based on a population of 1,276.
It was finally proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr Stubbings as follows: To support the principle of raising £10,000 over 2 or 3 years as a contribution towards flood relief in both villages. All in favour.
At the next meeting (which will now be a public meeting and held in Harbertonford Village Hall) fixed for 13 November at 7.30pm, the Environment Agency (Mr Buxton-Smith and Ms D Rotherham) had already been invited. It was also decided to invite an officer from SHDC for 8.00pm to explain financial details.
The following day, 14 November, a further public meeting will be held in Harberton Parish Hall at 7.30pm, when an officer from SHDC will again attend to answer questions from Harberton residents.
The next Parish Council meeting will now be held the following Tuesday, 20 November 2001 at Harbertonford Primary School at 7.30pm.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr E Janes asked if anyone had any knowledge of restrictions on the colours of houses in Harbertonford. It was suggested that the questioner get in touch with the Conservation Department.
2) Cllr Mason said she had noticed some washing machine water entering a road drain on the right-hand side going up Old Road, Harbertonford, near Mount Pleasant. The Clerk will look into the matter.
3) Cllr S Jane asked if it was possible to have an extra street light along A381 opposite the entrance to Mill Meadow.
The meeting closed at 10.15pm. Councillors are reminded that, following the public meetings, the next Parish Council meeting will be on Tuesday 20 November 2001 at 7.30pm in Harbertonford Primary School.