Following
an uncontested election, the following councillors have returned to the Parish
Council:- Hockings, Janes, Fearn, Stubbings, Williams, Evans and D Cllr Steer.
Each councillor has completed and returned to the Clerk a new “General
Notice of Registrable Interests” and signed a “Form of Declaration of
Office and Undertaking to Observe the Authority’s Code of Conduct”.
The Chairman then resigned. The Clerk called for nominations for Chairman. It
was proposed by Cllr Janes, seconded by D Cllr Steer to nominate Cllr Hockings.
He accepted the nomination. There being no other nominations, voting was all
in favour. Cllr Hockings took the Chair.
The Vice Chairman then resigned and the Chairman called for nominations. It
was proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Evans, to nominate Cllr Janes
and he accepted the nomination. There being no other nominations, the voting
was all in favour.
Apologies: Nil
Public: 6
Clerk: Mrs
D Crann
The
Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and invited the members of
the public to speak. He explained that, following the non-contested elections,
there had to be the annual election for Chairman and Vice Chairman. He also
explained that there were vacancies for five councillors in Harbertonford and
if anyone wished to be co-opted, they must write in to the Clerk with their
details and these will be considered by councillors at the next meeting, which
will be held in Harberton Parish Hall on 10 June 2003. The minutes of the
previous meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a
true record.
Matters Arising:
1) DCC
had replied to the query rega5rding the road up to Manor Cottage, Harberton,
that the repairs would be carried out soon.
2) P3
Footpath Scheme. Still ongoing.
3) Flooding
in Harberton. There had been a public meeting in Harberton on 8 May, with Bill
Lawrence from SHDC and Lesley Seymour from Halcrows. An application for
funding had to be made to DEFRA by mid-June 2003 and Mr Lawrence distributed
questionnaires to the residents who had been fllooed – to be returned to him
within a week or ten days. Then he could complete an application to DEFRA, who
would award points, after working out the cost/benefits to a formula. SHDC
would help to alleviate the silt problem in the river, but the final
responsibility lay with the riparian owners.
4) Queen’s
Golden Jubilee Photograph Album. It was hoped this could be ready for display
at the Strawberry Fair in Harberton.
5) Skateboard
park in Harberton. The Chairman had arranged a meeting with Mandy Life of SHDC
in Harberton on 14 May at 2.00pm.
6) Harbertonford
Playing Field. Jane Jeffries was asked to speak on behalf of the Playground
Committee. Contact had finally been made with Mr Bob Greig of the Diocese in
Exeter. He seemed well disposed to there being a new lease/licence with the
Parish Council. Points he had brought forward were: 1) insurance, 2) security,
3) fencing and 4) legal costs. It was unanimously agreed that a site meeting
with Parish Council, Mr Greig, Jane Jeffries and School Governors would be the
best idea. The Clerk will arrange this.
7) Re
the Luscombe Cross. The Clerk had written to English Heritage again, without
much success and had also spoken to Mrs Yates who, whilst very interested in
what was going on, was also unable to help as, apparently, the Cross, being an
Ancient Monument, was in the hands of English Heritage. Mr Clive Fairweather
of Harbertonford had also been following up this case and agreed to keep the
Parish Council informed.
8) Seat
at Gills Cross, Harberton. A new seat had now been acquired and John Culf had
agreed to install it for £35.00 plus VAT, to which the Chairman and Parish
Council had agreed.
Correspondence:
1) DCC.
Temporary road closure, Woodland Road, Harbertonford, from 12/5/03 for about
two weeks.
2) SHDC.
Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill shown to the meeting.
3) DCC.
National Cycle Network Route 2. East Portlemouth to Ashprington shown to the
meeting.
4) DCC.
New zebra crossing A381 – notification of new safety surface works to
commence 28/4/03.
5) S
Hams Rural Transport Forum meeting 15/5/03 at Ivybridge Town Hall at 7.30pm.
6) Coast
and Countryside changes from 1/4/03. Management and administration changes
shown to the meeting.
7) College
of St Mark and St John, Plymouth. Exhibition and conference on 14/5/03 at
6.30pm.
8) DCC.
Online campaign passed to Cllr Williams.
9) SHDC.
Minutes of Executive Meeting 13/3/03 shown to the meeting.
10) SHDC.
Election notices – results of poll displayed on noticeboards.
11) DAPC.
New Audit and Accounts Regulations 2003. Book to be purchased £11.99.
Proposed by Cllr Evans, seconded by Cllr Janes. All in favour. Also, Clerk to
attend Clerks’ Training Day – Meet the Auditors 2003 – at Dartbridge
Inn, Buckfastleigh on 4/6/03. Cost £15.00. Proposed by Cllr Janes, seconded
by Cllr Stubbings. All in favour. The DPFA newsletter shown to the meeting.
12) SHDC.
Parish Councils Conference will be held on 3/6/03. Cllr Evans will attend.
13) Cornhill
Insurance renewal is due 1/6/03. This year an increase in premium of approx 23½%
- £348.49. This is to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr
Evans. All in favour.
14) Devonwide
Half Fare Travel brochure shown to the meeting.
15) Countryside
Agency – Parish Plans. To be circulated amongst the councillors.
16) Copy
of a letter from Harbertonford Sports and Social Interest Group to Graham
Buxton-Smith of Environment Agency was read to the meeting. This criticised
the new layout of the Ford Amenity Area. The reply from Mr Buxton-Smith was
also read out, explaining the layout and the fact that the stone seat had now
been modified.
17) S
Devon Carers Consortium. Notice received of a service at Exeter Cathedral on
9/6/03 at 2.00pm. No applications to attend.
18) SHDC.
National Fly-Tipping Campaign 1-31 May was now in progress.
19) Notice
of Audit had been received for 21/7/03. The Chairman signed off the year’s
accounts for 31/3/03 and the Clerk will deposit the books with Mr Maddox of
Harberton for his audit on 14/5/03, prior to advertising the Audit on 2/6/03.
20) DCC.
Newsletters shown to the meeting.
21) A
letter had been received from Mrs Pope regarding the changes for pensioners to
use the Community Centre in Bow Road, Harbertonford. The Clerk will enquire of
Tor Homes.
22) An
invoice had been paid between meetings for £189.65 to cover the cost of two
wooden seats from Rattery Sawmills. This will be reimbursed by the Environment
Agency.
23) Totnes
Caring AGM will be on 22/5/03 at 7.30pm at Totnes Hospital.
24) Two
letters had been received as follows:- one from Mrs Hoddinott of Harberton PCC
and one from Mrs Harvey of Harbertonford PCC. Both were accompanied by a set
of accounts and both were requesting a grant towards the upkeep of the
churchyards. It was proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Janes, to give
a grant of £250.00 to each PCC towards the upkeep. All in favour.
25) SHDC.
Agenda and Minutes shown to the meeting.
26) The
Voluntary Vine. Newsletter shown to the meeting.
27) SHDC.
Executive Forward Plan displayed on the noticeboard.
28) SHDC.
Development Control and Conservation User Group meeting to be held on 10/6/03
at 2.00pm.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr
Janes reported a caravan parked using a car space outside Marl Park.
2) Children
on bicycles and skateboards were causing danger to motorist and themselves on
the roads and footpaths at Riverdale. (Janes)
3) There
had been some double parking outside Pound Court, Harbertonford, causing some
access problems in the evening. (Janes)
4) D
Cllr Steer commented on the smart repairs to the bus shelter. Thanks also to
Colin Lund and Brian Harwood for cutting the grass at the Ford area. James
Miller will be cutting the grass in future.
5) Cllr
Stubbings reported a water leak, again, outside Church Gate. Also, that Shop
Hill was badly in need of resurfacing.
6) Cllr
Stubbings reported poor visibility at Fork Cross. Also, approaching Fork Cross
from Blakemore Level, there was a large pothole.
7) The
Chairman reported poor visibility at Peak Cross.
8) Cllr
Williams reported parking at Globe corner in Harberton made it difficult to
pass by at times and advised that they were also continuing to experience
foreign lorries in Harberton.
Cheques signed –
Between meetings
No 283 – Rattery Sawmills - £189.65
At the meeting
No 284 – Allianz Cornhill - £348.49
No 285 – DAPC - £15.00
No 286 – SLCC - £11.99
No 287 – St Andrew’s PCC - £250.00
No 288 – St Peter’s PCC - £250.00
The
meeting closed at 9.40pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 June
2003 at 7.30pm at Harberton Parish Hall.