Present: Cllrs Hockings, Williams, Evans, Janes, Stubbings, Fearn and D Cllr
Steer
Apologies: Cllr Preston-Day
Also present: PC Lee Cook
Public: 6
Clerk: Mrs
D Crann
The
Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and invited PC Cook to speak
first. He gave a report of previous month’s crimes, ie: five crimes
including four attempted burglaries and one theft of a vehicle, also problems
with children in the unoccupied buildings near Fine Pine, Harbertonford. He
gave a specific warning to householders of possible distraction burglaries
then, after a few questions and answers, he left the meeting.
The members of the public were then invited to speak. A letter was then handed
to the Chairman by one of the children present, who were accompanied by Sue
Groom from Harbertonford. This letter, signed by five children, explained the
need for a skateboard park in Harbertonford. The Parish Council were asked if
they could suggest a suitable site. The only site close to the village might
be in the area of the Village Hall/football pitch. The Parish Council would be
willing to support their efforts and would suggest contacting Mr Goulden of
SHDC, who is able to offer advice on the location, construction and costs,
etc. They then left the meeting, leaving one member of the public who was
staying to observe the proceedings.
The minutes of the previous meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by
the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) With
regard to the flooding of the properties opposite Harberton Parish Hall at the
New Year, the Clerk had now heard back from Julian Darling, Mrs Yates’
agent. With reference to the treatment of the field next to the Hall, from
where the water and mud emanated, Mr Darling had already advised the tenant to
plough across the fall, but he mentioned that, with an IACS registered field,
it could be difficult to put it into permanent pasture, as the Parish Council
had suggested, but the situation was under review. With regard to the lane
past Manor Cottage, Harberton, this was also under review and the road leading
up to Manor Cottage was in the DCC Roads Programme for the coming season.
2) P3
Footpath Scheme. Cllr Williams reported on the meeting on 27/2/03 held in
Harberton Parish Hall, which had been well supported. He explained that grants
were available from DCC and it would not cost the Parish Council any money. A
survey of footpaths should be undertaken initially to assess what work needed
to be carried out. It was proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Janes, to
support the scheme. All in favour. Cllr Williams will contact the volunteers.
3) Cllr
Janes will contact Mr Wheeler to ask if he agrees that the £300 gift be put
towards the purchase of an item of new equipment for Harbertonford Village
Hall improvements.
4) Flooding
in Harberton. D Cllr Steer reported that Mr Bill Lawrence of SHDC hopes to
have a final report from Halcrows before the next Parish Council meeting.
5) Queen’s
Golden Jubilee. Harberton photographic record still ongoing.
6) Skateboard
Park in Harberton. Still ongoing.
7) DCC
Road Safety. The Clerk had now arranged a meeting with Mark Plumb and Cllr
Janes for 14 March.
8) Harbertonford
Playing Field. The Clerk is still in correspondence with the Church
Commissioners.
9) Re
plan 23/0138/03/F, Barns at Little Belsford, Harberton. This plan now
withdrawn
10) Re
the letter from Mr Barkas about the condition of Church Cottage, Harberton.
The Clerk had now received a reply from the husband of the owner of the
property who advised that they would arrange for the necessary work to be done
eventually.
11) It
was noted that the new bottle bank was now in place on the Parish Council car
park in Harbertonford.
12) Re
the abandoned cars in the car park at Harberton Playing Field. The Clerk will
request SHDC to arrange for the Citroen to be removed. Also, an abandoned
motor cycle in the Parish Council car park at Harbertonford.
Planning – Parish Council Recommendations
Decisions at the meeting:
23/0337/03/F Sandwell, Harberton. Retrospective permission for polytunnel. No
objection, but with three year restriction. Proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded
by Cllr Janes. 6 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/0338/03/F Sandwell, Harberton. Retrospective permission for a container. No
objection, but with three year restriction and to be screened and
non-residential. Proposed by Cllr Evans, seconded by Cllr Fearn. 6 in favour,
1 abstention.
23/0346/03/LB Wyses Englebourne, Harberton. Creation of opening between main house and
granary at ground floor level with multi-panel glazed window. No objections.
Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. 6 in favour, 1
abstention.
23/0352/03/F Hazard Farm, Harberton. Relocation of barn from Blakemore Farm. No
objection. Proposed by Cllr Janes, seconded by Cllr Fearn. 6 in favour, 1
abstention.
23/0405/03/CLE Watleigh, Leigh Bridge, Harberton. Certificate of Lawfulness for
dwelling and garden. If anyone has further information regarding this item,
please contact SHDC Planning Department.
23/0419/03/CU Bridge Farm, Harberton. Retrospective change of use for redundant farm
buildings for light industry and storage. Cllr Hockings and D Cllr Steer
declared an interest and left the room, taking no part while discussions and
voting took place. Parish Council object as not in Local Plan and would set a
precedent, also difficulty with extra traffic, particularly articulated
lorries turning right at bottom of the road from Langridge Cross, ie: at Ford
Barn Cross. Proposed by Cllr Evans, seconded by Cllr Fearn. All in favour.
23/1676/02/F Gosworthy Farm, Harberton. Revised plans shown to the meeting for
information only.
Correspondence:
1) Notification
of road closure by DCC at Vicarage Ball, Harberton, 10/3/03 to 15/3/03.
2) Letter
from Messrs Windeatts, Totnes, re Pounds, Harbertonford (formerly the Hungry
Horse Restaurant). Mr & Mrs M Allen will apply for the licence to be made
final on 4/4/03.
3) A
letter had been received from District Cllr Judy Westacott re the broken stone
cross at Luscombe Cross, Harbertonford. This enclosed a letter from Mr Harris
of Westonfields, Bridgetown, enquiring what was going to happen to this cross.
The Clerk will make enquiries and report back.
4) South
Hams Police Liaison Meeting will be on 10/3/03 at the Town Hall, Ivybridge, at
7.30pm.
5) SHDC
Executive Forward Plan – notice posted on the board.
6) A
letter had been received from Gordon Flower Conservation Services, Plympton,
offering environmental work, including work on footpaths.
7) D
& C County Training Partnership Survey to be completed and returned.
8) Safer
S Hams – posters displayed.
9) DCC
magazine and newsletters shown to the meeting.
10) Letter
from DEFRA re new licencing bill shown to the meeting.
11) Letter
from S Devon Magistrates’ Court shown to the meeting.
12) DAPC.
Various items received – Village Green magazine, DCC Budget News, Employment
Bulletin, C of E table of parochial fees and guidance on Community Cohesion,
all shown to the meeting.
13) Totnes
and District Older People Consultation Group meeting will be 14/3/03 at
Methodist Church Hall, Totnes at 11.00am.
14) A
letter had been received from Mr Stolliday of Harberton, also another letter
from Tom Strivens and 30 signatories requesting that the Parish Council
replace the seat at Gills Cross, Harberton, and not scrap it. Following a
discussion, the Parish Council said that this would be done. The Clerk will
look into the costs.
15) SHDC
Performance Plan had been received and was to be passed round the councillors.
16) DCC
Waste Local Plan had been received and was to be passed round the councillors.
17) Forms
and notices had been received for the Parish Council elections on 1/5/03.
Notices to be posted and forms distributed amongst councillors. Anyone wishing
to stand may obtain a form from the Clerk or SHDC.
18) SHDC
Development Control and Conservation User Group report of a meeting 19/2/03
shown to the meeting. Also, Telecommunications Masts – report on Public
Concerns About Health Effects shown to the meeting.
Annual Grants:
Harbertonford Football Club – Application towards cost of a new clubhouse. £150.00
proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by D Cllr Steer. All in favour.
Harberton Playing Fields Assn – Application for a grant towards grass cutting
costs. £300.00 proposed by Cllr Janes, seconded by Cllr Fearn. All in favour.
S Hams CAB - £50.00 proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Evans. All in
favour.
It
was also proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr Janes to reserve £250.00
towards the new seat at Gills Cross.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr
Janes reported the left hand Belisha beacon was not alight in Harbertonford.
2) A
letter from John Culf was brought to the meeting by Cllr Fearn re Harberton
Village Website which won the award in August 2002 of Village Website of the
Month. This letter pointed out the developments achieved in the last year.
Also, John Culf wished to make contact with anyone in Harbertonford trying to
produce a similar website.
Cllr
Fearn also read out another letter from John Culf re the fly posting mentioned
a couple of meetings ago as being a traditional method of passing on local
news, but urging the removal of posters after the events.
3) D
Cllr Steer reported on a notice outside Joyners Nurseries site along the
Avonwick road for retail sales. This was almost certainly contrary to their
planning permission.
4) Cllr
Janes enquired about the proposed street light opposite Mill Meadow,
Harbertonford, along the A381. The Clerk will follow this up.
5) Cllr
Janes enquired re new rules for incineration of animals.
Cheques signed:
No 274 – Mrs D Crann - £422.08
No 275 – Cancelled
No 276 – South Hams CAB - £50.00
No 277 – Harbertonford Football Club - £150.00
No 278 – Harberton Playing Fields Assn - £300.00
The meeting closed at 11.05pm. The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Meeting on Tuesday 8 April 2003 at 7.30pm at Harberton Parish Hall – open to the public.