Present: Cllrs Hockings, Mason, E Janes, Preston-Day, S Jane, Hoddinott, Stubbings, Fearn, Mills and D Cllr Steer
Apologies: Cllrs Monaghan and Christiansen
Speakers from Environment Agency: 2
Public: 19
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
The Chairman opened the meeting, introducing the two speakers from the Environment Agency, who then started their presentation. Mr Buxton-Smith opened by explaining the importance of the Area Flood Defence meeting the following day in Exeter, when the final decision will be made on several proposed flood defence schemes, including the one in Harbertonford. Ours was now to a forty year standard costing, initially, £1.25m, and anticipated benefits would be up to £5m. The main contractors are to be Messrs E Thomas and the work could start as early as February in the churchyard at Harbertonford and clearing the river banks before the nesting season. The main works below the bridge will probably start in July, timed for environmental reasons ie: fish spawning. All other aspects of the scheme were reviewed and many questions answered. Mr Buxton-Smith agreed to return again for the March meeting with a further review. This part of the meeting closed at 8.40pm and the public then left no member of the public stayed on to discuss the Jubilee arrangements in Harbertonford.
The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Flooding in Harbertonford. This had just been discussed.
2) Flooding in Harberton. Still ongoing.
3) Ford area in Harberton. This had now been suggested as a Jubilee project.
4) Harbertonford Playground. Still ongoing.
5) Proposed pedestrian crossing over A381 in Harbertonford. Still ongoing.
6) Queens Golden Jubilee. There appeared to be no interest in Harbertonford at present. It was proposed that the Parish Council would pay for room hire for initial meetings in both villages. All in favour.
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations
23/2022/01/F Harbertonford Primary School. Extension to toilets. No objections in principle. Proposed: Cllr S Jane, seconded: Cllr E Janes. 9 in favour, 1 abstention
Fletchers Combe, Diptford. Certificate of Lawfulness for use of land for domestic purposes. The Parish Council have no further information re the use of this land, which had been used for the present purposes for more than ten years.
23/2090/01/F Lark Rise, Harberton. Raising of boundary wall. Proposed by Cllr Hoddinott, seconded by Cllr Fearn, that the wall be raised to a height of 1.7m, including coping stones, ie: two courses below the corbel course on the pier. 9 in favour, 1 abstention.
Correspondence:
1) Precept. Following discussions, it was proposed by Cllr Hoddinott, seconded by Cllr Fearn, that the present precept of £4,078 be increased by 2.5% ie: £101, together with the £5,000 agreed for the flood protection scheme, to make a total of £9,179 for this coming financial year 2002/3. All in favour.
2) SHDC. Recycling of Christmas trees. Posters in both villages.
3) SHDC. Executive Forward Plan posted on noticeboard.
4) SHDC. Parish Cluster Meetings 22/1/02 at Follaton House at 6.00pm.
5) A letter from Mrs Pope had been received and dealt with by the Clerk.
6) S Hams Rural Transport Forum will meet on 23/1/02 at Dartmouth College at 7.30pm.
7) DTLR. Local elections new guidance and forms. Details shown to the meeting.
8) DTLR. Local Government White Paper Parish Proposals shown to the meeting.
9) SHDC are seeking nominations of deserving young persons between ages 18 and 25, for consideration by the Lord Lieutenant as potential invitees to a special Golden Jubilee Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in the summer.
10) SHDC. New car parking charges shown to the meeting.
11) DCC. Newsletter shown to the meeting.
12) Letter about Kingsbridge Foyer Project read to the meeting.
13) Devon and Cornwall Police Liaison Meeting will be on 14/1/02 at Ariel Centre, Totnes, at 7.30pm.
14) Letter from MJS Garden Services, Dartington. Shown to the meeting.
15) Letter from Mr R Chilcot, Chiropodist, shown to the meeting.
16) SHDC. Resource Southwest leaflet shown to the meeting.
17) SHDC. Agenda and Minutes shown to the meeting.
18) SHDC. Report from Community Participation Day 17/11/01 shown to the meeting.
19) DCC. Proposed Devon Day Rover bus ticket. Details shown to the meeting.
20) DCC. Bus Information Strategy shown to the meeting.
21) SHDC. Details of new protocol for temporary street closures shown to the meeting.
22) SHDC. Meeting of Chairmen and/or Clerks at Follaton House on 24/1/02 at 7.00pm.
23) SHDC. New Register of Electors received. They may be inspected, but not copied, by appointment with the Clerk telephone: 732210.
24) Invoices for grass cutting had been received. James Miller 5 cuts only this past season plus VAT, total £194.00. Also, from Harbertonford Primary School, as agreed, half the cost of cutting the Harbertonford Playground, excluding VAT, £132.00. Both to be paid. Proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Mills. All in favour. An estimate for the cost of the 2002 season grass cutting of Ford area in Harbertonford had also been received from James Miller, with no change from last year. It was agreed to accept. All in favour.
25) A notification of AGM of Harbertonford Sports and Social Group on 21/1/02 at 8.00pm at the Community Centre, Bow Road, had been received. Cllr Mason will attend as the Parish Council representative.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Stubbings reported a sign missing near Harberton Playground.
2) Cllr S Jane reported several potholes along Woodcourt Road, Harbertonford. Guttering at the bus shelter, Harbertonford had been damaged. He will replace it in the near future. Coping stones on the wall surrounding the Church car park are loose and need re-cementing.
Cheques signed:
No 240 J T Miller - £194.00
No 241 Devon County Council - £132.00
The meeting closed at 10.15pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 February 2002 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.