Present: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes, Stubbings, Williams, Evans, Fearn, District Cllr Steer and Devon County Cllr O Masters (late arrival)
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
The Chairman opened the meeting, welcoming everyone, especially the four applicants for co-option who were:- Mrs Gwen Janes from Harbertonford, Mrs Jane Jeffreys from Harbertonford, Mr Peter Beamish from Harbertonford and Mrs Helen Patrick from Harberton who will be representing Harbertonford. This left one vacancy for Harbertonford. These four applicants were then asked to leave the meeting for a few minutes whilst their applications for co-option were considered. Mrs Janes was already known to all but two councillors and had lived in Harbertonford for over thirty years. All councillors voted for her co-option. Mrs Jeffreys, though a relative newcomer was now chairman of Harbertonford Playground Committee and very active in helping to raise funds for new playground equipment in Harbertonford. All councillors votes for her co-option. Mr Beamish had lived in Harbertonford for over four years. Again, he was involved in village and school life. All councillors voted for his co-option. Mrs Patrick, although living in Harberton, was well known in Harbertonford, having lived in the Parish over twenty-eight years. She had also been a councillor several years ago. All councillors voted for her co-option. The four new councillors were then invited back into the meeting. The Clerk had also received a completed form “General Notice of Registrable Interests” from each new councillor and they then all completed a “Declaration of Acceptance of Office” and took their places at the meeting.
The minutes of the last meeting were then considered and after three amendments were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) P3 Footpath Scheme. A meeting was to be held on 23 June in Harberton Parish Hall.
2) Flooding in Harberton. A letter had been received from Mr George’s office in Ivybridge (Highways). This discussed the flooding in Tristford Road, Harberton, at Christmas time and suggested the resiting of the field gate up the track alongside the Parish Hall. Other options considered by the councillors would be to move the gateway nearer to the Vicarage or even up Screws Lane. A letter, signed by the residents who had suffered the flooding, was also read to the meeting. They were very concerned that no progress appeared to have been made to alleviate a recurrence of the flooding and urged the Council to act before any bad weather this autumn/winter. There followed a full discussion and councillors unanimously voted against resiting the field gateway up the track towards the Parish Hall and Playground, as this would undoubtedly lead to quantities of mud, slurry, etc coming down the track from the field entrance which would make it unpleasant for users of these village facilities. It was decided to set up a site meeting with the Chairman, representatives of Highways and the Estate to discuss the matter.
3) Queen’s Golden Jubilee Photograph Album in Harberton. Mrs Strivens had now nearly completed this and a cheque for £39.94 was to be paid to reimburse her expenses. Proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by D Cllr Steer. All in favour. It was still hoped to display these photos at the Strawberry Fair in Harberton.
4) Skateboard Park in Harberton. The Chairman had met with Mandy Life of SHDC and interested parties at the Harberton Playing Field to discuss the building of a skateboard park and they were awaiting her report. It appeared that this would cost from £15-17,000. As there were a lot of safety issues, insurance, also fencing, etc to be considered, it could not be built on a DIY basis. Annual maintenance would also be quite costly.
5) Harbertonford Playing Field. There had been a meeting at the Primary School on 6 June, attended by Mr Gregg of the Diocese, Mrs Miller, Cllr Hockings, D Cllr Steer, the Clerk, Mrs Jeffreys and her Secretary and Mr A Steen MP. There was a friendly discussion which concluded that the Diocese would be amenable to granting a Licence to the Parish Council for the use of the playground at the rear of the school out of school hours. The Diocese would pay their own legal fees. The Parish Council also agreed to arrange for a skip and volunteers to clear away any debris and rubbish to the rear of Marl Park. The Diocese was prepared to pay up to £200 for the skip hire. Cllr E Janes agreed to arrange the skip hire and Cllr Jeffreys would arrange for the volunteers at a mutually convenient date.
6) The Luscombe Cross. The Clerk had heard from Mr Clive Fairweather of Harbertonford, who was also taking an interest in the repair and reinstatement of this Cross. He was in touch with English Heritage, who would be undertaking the work as this Cross was a registered Ancient Monument. The work would hopefully be completed by the autumn.
7) Seat at Gills Cross, Harberton. A new seat was now in the hands on John Culf, who would carry out the work of installation.
8) SHDC Parish Councils Conference 3/6/03. Cllr Evans had attended this conference and gave a short report to the meeting.
9) Re the invoice for Rattery Sawmills for £189.65 paid at the last meeting for two wooden seats. This had now been reimbursed to the Parish Council by the Environment Agency. The cheque was paid in today.
10) Re children on bicycles and skateboards in Riverdale and Bow Road, Harbertonford. This problem had been reported to the Police, who had contacted the Clerk subsequently saying that they were keeping an eye on the situation.
11) It was noted that new road signs were in position around Harberton warning HGVs not to enter.
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations
Decisions at the meeting –
23/0970/03/LB) Youldens, Harbertonford.
23/0971/03/F ) Conversion of barn to dwelling – revision of 23/2331/02. No objections. Proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. 10 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/1049/03/LB) Winsland House, Follaton,
23/1050/03/F ) Totnes. Alterations and ext. No objections, provided in accordance with Listed Building Regulations. Proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. 10 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/1082/03/F Orchard Lodge, Old Road, Harbertonford. Removal and resiting of wall. No objections. Proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by Cllr Evans. 10 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/1105/03/F Whispering Firs, Ashridge Lane, Tigley, Dartington. Extension. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Evans. 10 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/1107/03/F Green Winds, Harberton. Two storey extension. Revision of 23/0160/03/F which was refused. Cllr Patrick declared an interest and left the room during discussions. Parish Council object as out of keeping. Proposed by Cllr Evans, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. 9 in favour, 1 abstention.
Cllr Patrick returned to the meeting.
For information only:-
23/0998/02/F Leigh Bridge Cottage, Harberton. Appeal dismissed.
23/0652/03/F Sandwell Farm, Harberton. Conversion to holiday accommodation refused (second application).
23/0337/03/F Retrospective erection of polytunnel, Sandwell, Harberton. Permission granted until 19/5/06.
Devon County Councillor Owen Masters joined the meeting and apologised for his late arrival. The Chairman invited him to speak. He had come on to us, having already attended two other meetings. He spoke about the 18% rise in Council Tax, explaining that government had, in fact, reduced DCC’s share by 16%, so the Council’s increase was only 2%. The money received from the government was intended for Capital Expenditure, not for Revenue Expenditure. The Council had made more than £5m savings. The main areas of their expenditure were Social Services, Education and Highways, the Police increase of 39% being separate from DCC. D Cllr Steer pointed out the SHDC’s increase had been only 8.5%.
Cllr E Janes then asked Cllr Masters if he could exert his influence to move on the traveller who was now staying on the road verge near Luscombe Cross.
Correspondence:
1) A letter from Mr Lund was read to the meeting. He was still concerned at the apparent neglected look at the Ford in Harberton, following all the hard work put in by residents last year.
2) A letter had been received from Mr Doran, Clerk to Dartington Parish Council. He reported that Mrs Nicholson, although no longer a councillor, would remain as the representative on the Governing Body of the Primary School. He also asked what experience our council was having regarding a Police representative attending Parish Council meetings.
3) New Draft Map of Registered Common Land and Open Country received. This was passed around at the meeting for the councillors to examine. In fact, in our Parish, there were no sections marked Open Country or Registered Common Land. This map is to be held by the Clerk and is free to view by appointment (Tel: 01803 732210). Comments on this draft must be made before 13/8/03.
4) SHDC. Safer South Hams – passed to councillors for inspection.
5) An invoice had been received from Mr Burgess of Follaton, who had carried out re-roofing with slates and other repairs to the Harberton bus shelter. This amounted to £336.75 and was to be paid. Proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Fearn. All in favour.
6) DCC had sent their “New Farm Buildings in Devon” design guide, which was shown to the meeting.
7) The Clerk had attended a “Meet the Auditor” conference at Buckfastleigh on 4 June and found it very useful for keeping up with the new audit regulations for 2003. One of the major points raised was risk assessment, a comparatively new item in the accounts. A summary is as follows:-
1 – Financial risks. The Parish Council should keep a reasonable credit balance (as indeed we do), as a deficit is illegal. Also, carry out regular budget reviews. The review by the Internal Auditor is obligatory.
2 – Adequate insurance cover. To be reviewed annually and to include £5m Public Liability.
3 – Maintenance of Assets. Our assets being seats, bus shelters, equipment and financial books, car park and playground.
4 – Security of Assets. The major assets are normally kept under inspection in the course of daily life.
5 – Risks to staff. Negligible and correctly covered by insurance.
Approved by all councillors.
As long as this Council is aware of these risks, it is adequate to show that the subject has been discussed and the key risks identified and managed reasonably. The Parish Council accounts for the year to 31/3/03 had now been duly examined an approved by Mr Maddox of Harberton, as the Internal Auditor. These accounts were in the process of being advertised for examination by electors and will be sent to the District Auditor in Plymouth by 21/7/03 for their audit. These accounts were now duly signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
Other items on the table for examination –
AGM South Hams CVS 25/6/03 at Stoke Fleming Village Hall
DAPC. Village Green, New County Committee, Website and Email, Playground Inspections, Training for Chairmen, etc
SHDC. Minutes of Executive Meeting 22/5/03
DEFRA. Good Councillors Guide
Devon & Cornwall Police Liaison Meeting 2/6/03 in Totnes
SHDC. New arrangement for South Hams Leisure Centres
DCC. Newsletter
SHDC. Executive Forward Plan
SHDC. Development Control and Conservation User Group. Meeting 10/6/03
SHDC. Exploring Green Lanes
Pulse 8 design Internet Provider
SHDC. Noise Action Day 4/6/03.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr E Janes reported that Mr Tony Lethbridge of Harbertonford and friends had cleared up the car park by the bridge in Harbertonford and asked the Clerk to write a letter of thanks.
2) Cllr Janes also reported that raw sewage was being spread on fields behind Brockhills Farm, Harbertonford, up the hill towards Luscombe Cross.
3) Cllr Patrick reported a dumped car on the right hand side of the road at Windmill Down. This area was, in fact, out of our Parish.
4) Cllr Evans asked if the Clerk could write to Mr Halliday of Highways re the passing place just below the playground in Harberton. If a hatched area could be marked out at the entrance to the playground to stop cars parking there, it would be safer for the children using this facility.
5) Cllr Fearn reported that “Sale of Plants” signs were again in position by the roadside outside Joyner’s Nurseries along the Avonwick road. This was contrary to planning permission.
Cheques Signed:
No 289 – Mrs D Crann - £414.64
No 290 – J W Burgess - £336.75
No 291 – A H & H E Strivens - £39.94
Cheque paid in:
From Environment Agency - £189.65
The meeting closed at 10.40pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 July 2003 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.