Present: Cllrs
Hockings, Monaghan, Hoddinott, Christiansen, Mason, Stubbings, Preston-Day,
Mills and D Cllr Steer
Apologies: Cllrs
Fearn, S Jane and E Janes
Public: 2
Clerk: Mrs
D Crann
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone
and invited the members of the public to speak. Ms
A Evans from Harberton said she had come in respect of her concerns regarding
the possible building
of houses on the field
below Tristford Farm by Mrs Yates. The Chairman answered by saying there had been a
dialogue with Julian Darling (Mrs Yates’ representative) on the subject some
time ago, but nothing more had been heard. There was no provision for these houses in the Local
Plan, and if there were to be any firm developments, a public consultation
meeting would be held in Harberton by the Parish Council.
Ms E Giles from Harbertonford then spoke. She was
interested in developing a Jubilee Garden for Harbertonford.
She had approached
most of the local landowners and had some interest following a meeting at the
hall in Bow Road, Harbertonford. She
had approached Joyners regarding their site in Bow Road, but they still had
not decided if they were going to redevelop it. Both ladies 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) Ford
area in Harberton.
The Chairman passed
around the sketches of proposed landscaping of the Ford area for councillors
to see.
There was now a
timetable for the start of the work, commencing 9 May. The Clerk read out part of the Public Liability
Insurance policy, which would cover this proposed work.
The estimate for materials was £750 approx.
It was proposed by D
Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Mills to proceed. All in favour. The Clerk stressed that all invoices should be made
out to Harberton Parish Council, which she would then pay and recover the VAT.
3) Re Harbertonford Playground. The subject of the broken fence on the south side was
again discussed and it was proposed that Cllr Christiansen would, yet again,
approach the school for their co-operation. The Clerk had taken legal advice from DAPC, who said
that whoever removed the broken fence would take responsibility for it.
4) Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Referring back to Helen Strivens’ offer to make a photographic record
of Harberton residents, it was proposed by Cllr Hoddinott, seconded by D Cllr
Steer, that up to £150 be paid. All in favour. Cllr Hockings also said that he would consult with John Culf, Tree
Warden, regarding the site and species (British native) of the tree he and Mrs
Hockings were to donate. It was decided after discussion, that a redwood would not be suitable as
it was not a native species.
5) The Clerk had attended the Audit Training Day at Buckfastleigh on 27
March. There
were to be new relaxed audit arrangements for the year ended 31/3/02 –
ie: an examiner should
be appointed to check the Parish Council accounts, who must not be a member of
the Parish Council. D
Cllr Steer agreed to approach Mr Maddox of Harberton and would report back.
The Clerk also said
she would require a copy of the new Audit Guidance Manual costing £9.45.
It was proposed by
Cllr Preston-Day, seconded by D Cllr Steer, to pay for this. All in favour.
6) Re Parish Paths and Mrs Franklin’s letter of last month,
the Clerk had not received any interest in this scheme and it was decided,
after further discussion, that the Parish, having a number of projects in the
pipeline this year, would not proceed with this at present.
Planning:
Parish Council
Recommendations
Decisions between
meetings –
23/0368/02/F New
Barn, Eastleigh, Harberton. Amendments to 23/0992/01/F conversion to
agricultural dwellings. No objection in principle.
23/0369/02/F Hungry
Horse, Harbertonford. Garden Room and extension. Parish Council strongly
object to these plans as out of keeping in a conservation area, especially the decking. The new development at the side
of the building already encroaches on the river flow and reduces the width of
the river in the main area prone to flooding. The impingement on the main
parking area at the front will reduce space for clients’ cars, thus
increasing parking problems in the village.
23/0415/02/LB Little
Belsford, Harberton. Replacement of doors, windows, etc. No objection in
principle.
23/0417/02/F Mill
Cottage, Old Mill, Harberton. Side and front extensions. No objection in
principle.
Correspondence:
1) Model Code of Conduct. All councillors had
now had time to consider this new Code of Conduct and had seen the
“Ethical Framework” booklet. There was a long and detailed discussion
regarding this subject and the new forms that each councillor would be
required to complete and sign. This new Local Government Act came into force
on 5/11/01 and allowed councils six months to sign up (ie: 5/5/02), then
giving councillors two months to complete their forms. Any councillor who
fails to sign up to the Code within two months from adoption by the council
will cease to be a member of that council. A casual vacancy would then arise,
which must be filled by election or co-option in the usual way.
Firstly, the Parish Council was required to vote on
whether it would accept this Code and it was proposed by D Cllr Steer,
seconded by Cllr Hockings to accept the Code of Conduct from today, 9 April
2002.
An amendment not to
sign up to the Code of Conduct was proposed by Cllr Hoddinott, seconded by
Cllr Mills.
Voting in favour of
the amendment: 2
Voting in favour of the original proposal to accept: 5 in favour, 2
abstentions.
The original proposal was carried.
Some members of the Council were unhappy about having
to sign up to the new Code of Conduct part way through their term of office. A
letter had been received from Cllr S Jane (with apologies for absence) saying
he would not be signing up to the Code. Cllrs Hoddinott and Mills said they would not be
signing either. Cllrs
Mason, E Janes and Monaghan had not yet signed.
2) Letter received from Totnes Town Council re Annual Meeting on 18/4/02 as
part of the cluster meeting was shown to the meeting.
3) Letter received from DCC re Council Tax 2002/3 shown to the meeting.
4) SHDC. Development
Control and Conservation User Group – minutes of their first meeting shown
to the meeting.
5) SHDC. Executive
Forward Plan displayed on the noticeboard.
6) SHDC. Minutes
of meetings held on 28/3/02 and 4/4/02 shown to the meeting.
7) Letter received from Rattery Parish Council re a meeting on 16/4/02 at
Rattery Village Hall. All are invited.
8) Letter from Lloyds TSB Bank re changes in bank charges shown to the
meeting.
9) SHDC. Letter
re Standards Committee. The Parish Council representative will be Dr Linda Durman, Wrescombe
Court, Yealmpton, Plymouth, PL8
2NL, email: durmanlinda@hotmail.com
10) DAPC. Annual
subscription now due - £138.00 this year. Also, DPFA subs - £12.00 now due.
It was proposed by
Cllr Monaghan, seconded by Cllr Stubbings, that these be paid. All
in favour.
There was also a
letter from Society of Local Council Clerks raising the subject that the Clerk
should have a Contract of Employment.
11) DTLR. New
Local Elections (Declaration of Acceptance of Office) Order 2001 forms shown
to the meeting.
12) Audit Commission. The Clerk had received a letter detailing new external audit arrangements
as from April 2002. This area will remain with the Audit Commission.
A new list of charges
had been enclosed indicating £50 for this Council for the next audit.
13) SHDC. Agenda
and Minutes shown to the meeting.
14) Devon and Cornwall Police Performance Plan 2002/3 shown to the meeting.
15) A letter received from Mr Abraham of Totnes offering a new internal audit
service was shown to the meeting.
16) A letter from DEFRA re the role of Town and Parish Councils was shown to
the meeting.
17) GLEAM. Subscription
now due. It
was proposed by Cllr Stubbings, seconded by D Cllr Steer to pay the £10.00.
All in favour.
Their newsletter was
shown to the meeting.
18) A letter and cheque for £1.35 had been received from John and Jan Culf
of Harberton Playing Fields Association to cover the peppercorn rent of 5
pence per annum for the Playing Field for 27 years until 2028 when the lease
runs out. The Parish
Council preferred not to accept advance payment and will keep to the annual
payment of the peppercorn rent. The £1.35 will be returned.
19) DCC Primrose Survey. Details shown to the meeting.
20) Devon and Cornwall Police Liaison meeting to be held on 15/4/02 at 7.30pm
at Down Thomas Jubilee Hall.
21) SW Water. Water
butts and composters are available at special prices.
Call 0800 378937.
Matters at the
discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Stubbings reported a blue Ford Escort car parked in the
Parish Council overflow car park above Harberton Parish Hall.
2) D Cllr Steer reported a Harbertonford resident had contacted her re the
clay pigeon shooting on Easter Sunday morning for about an hour.
Cheques signed:
No 246 – GLEAM - £10.00
No 247 – Devon Association of Parish Councils - £9.45
No 248 – Devon Playing Fields Assn - £12.00
No 249 – Devon Association of Parish Councils - £138.00
The meeting closed at 10.20pm.
The next meeting will
be the Annual Meeting on 14/5/02 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School,
when the speaker will be from the Environment Agency, who will give a progress
report on the flood prevention work.