Present: Cllrs Hockings, Williams, Evans, Stubbings, Fearn and D Cllr Steer
Apologies: Cllrs Janes and Preston-Day
Public: 6
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
The
Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone, then he invited the members
of the public to speak. They were all residents of Harberton who lived in
properties opposite the Parish Hall and had all suffered flooding of their
properties on 1 January 2003 by mud and water from the field entrance adjacent
to the Hall. Apart from heavy rainfall at that time, the husbandry of the
field had altered this past year, as there was now a new tenant. Cattle had
been kept in the field and together with tractor tyre tracks had added to the
run-off from the field entrance. There was a long and detailed discussion as
to the possible resiting of the field entrance, together with a return to
permanent pasture, which used to be the case with the previous tenant. The
Clerk had received a letter from Mr B George of DCC regarding the flooding of
these properties, offering some temporary relief by laying of kerbs outside
the properties, but he stressed this would not entirely solve the problem. DCC
cannot promise any quick alterations to the road levels, ie: localised
lowering the road level, before summer 2004 at the earliest. A letter was
handed to the Chairman by the residents. The Clerk will write to the owner’s
agent. There followed further discussions regarding problems up the lane past
Manor Cottage, Harberton, leading to Stanley Pitts where a gate had been
placed across the lane. The Clerk will endeavour to clarify the legal
position. Finally, a member of the public asked if the Parish Council was
aware of the industrial enterprises being carried on at Bridge Farm,
Harberton, and if they had planning permission. The members of the public then
left and the meeting continued.
The
minutes of the previous meeting were then considered and after two amendments
were signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) P3
Footpath Scheme. Cllr Williams had arranged for a public meeting in Harberton
Parish Hall on 27/2/03 at 6.30pm for any interested parties to attend.
2) Mr
Wheeler’s £300 donation – no decision yet.
3) Flooding
in Harberton. D Cllr Steer reported that Halcrows' report had been received by
SHDC, but was not considered to be comprehensive or detailed enough and had
been returned for more explanation and a map
4) Queen’s
Golden Jubilee. Harberton photographic record – still ongoing.
5) HGV
lorries through Harberton. The Chairman and the Clerk had finally met with Mr
Halliday of DCC on 29/1/03. He had agreed to new signing at Langridge Cross
and Brockhills advising “No HGVs Over 30 Feet Past Harberton”, also at
Tristford Cross, down Dark Lane, Harberton, and additional signing “Access
To Farms Only”.
6) Travellers’
vehicles had now vacated Dattins Quarry.
7) Seat
at Gills Cross. A letter had been received from John Culf requesting that this
seat be either repaired or replaced as it was well used by walkers and local
residents.
8) Re
motor cycle rally 1/12/02 in Harberton. The Clerk had received a reply from
Insp Ellis of Totnes Police. Having made enquiries, he reported that the
Parish Council should be notified next year before the rally was to be held
and if conditions are really bad, the Parish Council would be able to
recommend either cancellation or postponement.
9) Skateboard
park in Harberton. There had been a site meeting with Mr Goulden of SHDC. He
had given advice on the construction of the park, also costs, and would be
writing to the Clerk.
10) Harbertonford
Playing Field. The Clerk had written to the Property Services Manager of the
Exeter Diocese and was awaiting their reply re the setting up of a joint
licence for the play area.
11) DCC
Road Safety. The Clerk was arranging for a site meeting with Mark Plumb re
more prominent signing for the new pedestrian crossing across A381 in
Harbertonford.
12) Moreleigh
Road, Harbertonford, flooding 1/1/03. There had been a site meeting between G
Buxton-Smith of Environment Agency, the Chairman, Cllr Janes and the Clerk.
The Environment Agency were supporting the installation of a road hump across
the bottom of Moreleigh Road and would look into the unblocking of the trash
screen. The Clerk had written to Mr B George of DCC and in his reply he said
that after the resurfacing of Moreleigh Road (following the flooding) DCC
would install a road hump as requested. At the same time, the resurfacing of
the A381 from the bus shelter to Zion Chapel would be carried out prior to
laying of the safety surface for the pedestrian crossing in the spring.
13) SHDC. Enforcement Officer had served a notice on the occupiers at 5 Pendarves, Harberton, for the unauthorised occupation of a mobile home.
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations
Decision between meetings –
23/0091/03/F Foalesleigh, Harberton. Amended siting of garage block. No objections.
Decisions at the meeting –
23/0121/03/F Harbertonford Village Hall. Extension for new kitchen and communal area.
Parish Council fully support this application. Proposed: Cllr Evans, seconded:
Cllr Williams. 5 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/0138/03/F Barns at Little Belsford, Harberton. Conversion to one residential unit.
No objections to conversion to one dwelling, but object to size of roof lights
as not in keeping with barn conversion. Also, ladder windows
and gable entrance inappropriate. Proposed: Cllr Stubbings, seconded: Cllr
Hockings. 5 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/0151/03/O Blacklands, Moreleigh Road, Harbertonford. Outline for erection of
bungalow and garage. No objections. Proposed: Cllr Williams, seconded: Cllr
Fearn. 5 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/0160/03/F Greenwinds, Hill Mill, Harberton. Demolition of lean-to extensions and
construction of two storey and single storey extensions. Recommend refusal as
out of keeping. Proposed: Cllr Stubbings, seconded: Cllr Evans. 5 in favour, 1
abstention.
23/1676/03/F Gosworthy Farm, Harberton. Report from SHDC was shown to the meeting recommending refusal.
Correspondence:
1) An
invoice had been received from the District Auditor for £58.75 inc VAT for
recent audit of the accounts to year end 31/3/02. This is to be paid.
Proposed: D Cllr Steer, seconded: Cllr Fearn. All in favour.
2) A
letter from Mrs Pope was read to the meeting. The Clerk had already replied to
it.
3) A
letter from Mr Barkas had been received. This drew attention to the poor state
of Church Cottage, Harberton, situated opposite the Church House Inn by the
Church in the centre of Harberton. The Clerk will again write to the owner.
4) Copies
of letters had been received from Dartington Parish Council regarding
affordable housing. These were shown to the meeting.
5) Totnes
and District Rural Hinterlands Group meeting had been held on 7/1/03.
6) DCC.
Temporary Traffic Order received for speed restrictions between Harbertonford
and Halwell at Hernaford Farm junction from 10/2/03 for 10 weeks for
rebuilding of retailing wall. Also, road closure of Woodland Road,
Harbertonford, on 3/3/03 for 5 days.
7) SHDC.
Recruitment poster and leaflets for District Councillors received and
displayed.
8) S
Hams Partnership Office. Details of Senior Safety Day 7/4/03 at Civic Hall,
Totnes, at 10.00am. Also, awareness of Section 17 Crime and Disorder Act 1998
– meeting to be arranged.
9) Totnes
and District Older People Consultation Group meeting was held on 10/2/03 in
Totnes.
10 Freedom
of Information Act 2000. The Clerk had now received a letter accepting the
Parish Council’s application to adopt the “Parish Council Model Scheme”
until 28/2/07 and notices will be displayed on both noticeboards.
11) Devon
Structure Plan Draft 2001/2016 to be passed around for councillors to study.
12) SHDC.
Notice of Council Meeting 13/2/03 at 10.00am. Also, Executive Forward Plan
displayed on noticeboard. Also, minutes of SHDC meeting 30/1/03 shown to the
meeting.
13) DPFA.
Newsletter passed to Cllr Williams. DAPC various items received, including
royal garden party nomination. None this year.
14) DCC.
“New Ways” shown to the meeting.
15) DCC.
Monthly newsletters for January and February shown to the meeting.
16) Coast
and Countryside Agency Annual Report 2001/2 shown to the meeting.
17) SHDC.
Update shown to the meeting.
18) SHDC.
Recycling banks in Harbertonford. Verity Palk had written again and, after
careful consideration, SHDC feel the best place for the new bottle bank will
be on the bridge at Harbertonford to replace the three smaller ones. This is
to be considered further by the Parish Council.
19) DCC.
A letter had been received notifying the Council that double yellow lines on
the carriageway do not now require “No Waiting At Any Time” plates.
20) SHDC.
There is a meeting of the Development Control and Conservation User Group on
19/2/03 at Follaton House.
21) SHDC.
Agenda and Minutes shown to the meeting. Also, Budget proposals for 2003/4.
22) SHDC.
Play Schemes 2003 - £40 voucher scheme shown to the meeting.
23) SHDC. Enforcement Officer. A copy of a letter re unauthorised occupation and siting of a mobile home new Leigh Bridge shown to the meeting.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) D
Cllr Steer wished to reinforce the Parish Council’s concern regarding the
flooding in Harberton of the properties opposite Harberton Parish Hall at the
start of the year. It is repeated that the Clerk will be writing to the Land
Agent as mentioned at the start of the meeting. She will also be consulting
with Jim Morrison of DCC regarding the legal position of the lane past Manor
Cottage.
2) Cllr
Stubbings reported a water leak outside the Church gates in the Square in
Harberton.
3) The
Chairman reported the Harberton bus shelter had a broken roof from children
playing on it. He had obtained an estimate for renewing the roof of £200-£250,
the upper price being for a slate roof. It was proposed by Cllr Fearn,
seconded by D Cllr Steer to choose a slate roof. All in favour.
4) The Chairman also reported 3 cars in the Parish Council car park above Harberton Parish Hall which had been there a long time. The Parish Council will get them removed unless the owners claim them.
Cheque signed:
No 273 – Audit Commission - £58.75
Cheque paid in:
Ground Rent from Harberton Parish Hall - £10.00
The
meeting closed at 11.25pm. The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday
11 March 2003 at Harbertonford Primary School.