Present: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes, Williams, Stubbings, Patrick, G Janes, D Cllr Steer and Jeffries
Apologies: Cllrs Evans, Beamish and Fearn
Also Present: PC Julie Miskin from Totnes Police
Public: 3
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
The
Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and invited PC Miskin to
speak. She started by saying that last month had been very quiet, with no
crimes reported, even though there had been Guy Fawkes parties. The subject of
skateboarding was raised and this was far less active, largely due to the
changing daylight hours and weather. Totnes Skate Park was now being used once
or twice a week by the Harberton youngsters. Cllr Jeffries reported that there
had been a very noisy motorcycle late at night going too fast on several
occasions, apparently down Bow Road, Harbertonford. There was further
discussion regarding skate parks, following which PC Miskin left and the
meeting continued.
The Chairman then invited the members of the public to speak. Mr Lund of
Harberton then spoke on the planning application 23/2005/03/CU – Bridge Farm,
Harberton - which was on the agenda for this meeting. He had already written
to SHDC Planners objecting, with a copy to the Clerk. This letter was
circulated amongst the councillors at the meeting. Mr Lund reiterated his
objections to this plan, as introducing light industry into the countryside
and causing pollution by smells, noise and and/or noxious liquids draining
into the neighbouring stream. He objected to a possible three year trial
period being granted. Mr Lund then left the meeting.
Mr Hoddinott, the applicant, then spoke, again in relation to the same
planning application, which was adjoining his previously conditionally granted
retrospective application – 23/0419/03/CU – at Bridge Farm, Harberton. He gave
details of the existing building and parking to be developed and the fact that
there was a need in the area for sites for small industrial units and storage,
not catered for in the towns, which this building would be able to
accommodate. There would be a 6pm limit on working hours in lease granted and
minimal noise. After some questions by councillors, the meeting proceeded.
The minutes of the previous meeting were considered, agreed by councillors and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Flooding in Harberton. The main scheme for the village. D Cllr Steer reported the good news that SHDC had agreed to put this project on to their Capital Programme, so this meant that, hopefully, the scheme in Harberton would be able to progress and take advantage of the £50,000 grant offer from Devon County Council. This would include St Clement’s Terrace.
2) P3 Footpath Scheme. Cllr Williams produced the Parish Paths Partnership Agreement with Devon County Council. All the paths had been walked (14) including 6 byways/UCRs and the total grant available to maintain these will be £500 plus £40 administrative expenses. The initial annual basis agreement is for three years and the grant will be paid annually to the Parish Council. After discussion and inspection of the partnership agreement, it was proposed by Cllr Patrick, seconded by D Cllr Steer, that the agreement be signed. All in favour. The Chairman and Vice Chairman then signed the agreement.
3) Flooding at the top of Harberton. The former entrance to the field adjoining Harberton Parish Hall had now been blocked up and looked very good. This was thanks to DCC for supplying the baskets and also to Jim Hoddinott and James Miller for carrying out the work. The Clerk will write to them both. Also to David Camp for his co-operation in opening up the new field entrance in Screws Lane.
4) Harbertonford Playing Field. Still ongoing.
5) The Luscombe Cross had just recently been repaired thanks to English Heritage.
6) Harbertonford Car Park Wall. Still ongoing.
7) Street light opposite Mill Meadow, Harbertonford. A letter of reply had been received from John Halliday of DCC. The siting of a new light was suggested just outside the entrance gate to Up Yonder. The Parish Council hoped that it could be sited on the corner by A381 (the Clerk will enquire), after which Cllr E Janes will visit the four properties in the Close to make sure this light will be acceptable to them.
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations – Decisions at the meeting
23/2005/03/CU Bridge Farm, Harberton. Redundant farm building to light industrial/storage. Cllrs Hockings, Patrick and D Cllr Steer all declared an interest and left the meeting. It was proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr G Janes, to offer no objections, but that this application be subject to the same review as 23/0419/03/CU in three years time. 4 in favour, 1 against. Cllrs Hockings, Patrick and D Cllr Steer returned to the meeting.
23/2032/03/F Sandwell Barn, Sandwell, Harberton. Resubmission of 23/0652/03/F. Conversion to holiday accommodation. D Cllr declared an interest and left the meeting. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr E Janes. All in favour. D Cllr Steer returned to the meeting.
Appeal APP/K1128/C/03/1128592 Mr G Trott, Leigh Bridge, Harberton. It was unanimously agreed to make no comment and allow the appeal.
Correspondence:
1) DCC. Parish Paths Partnership Newsletter Autumn 2003 shown to the meeting.
2) DCC. Notice of temporary road closure at Tristford Road, Harberton, for two weeks from 17/11/03 received.
3) Sport England Southwest. Questionnaire to be completed by the Clerk.
4) SHDC. Cluster meetings with Parish Councils from 18/11/03 to 10/12/03 at various venues. No councillors offered to attend.
5) S Hams and West Devon Area NHS meeting 27/11/03 at Totnes Civic Hall from 10.30am to 6.30pm.
6) Community Council of Devon training course to be held on 26/11/03. Subject – Housing Needs Survey.
7) Invoice received from Audit Commission for their recent audit for £141.00 inc £21.00 VAT. This to be paid. Proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by D Cllr Steer. All in favour.
8) A letter had been received from Mrs Jan Culf of Harberton Playing Fields Association. This asked for the Parish Council to formalise in writing the verbal permission given to them to administer the upper car park and recreation area not covered by the lease given to the Parish Hall. In effect, the HPFA would be responsible for managing this area. Various suggestions were included in her letter which were agreed by all councillors and the Clerk will reply to Mrs Culf accordingly. Proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. All in favour.
9) Devon Fire and Rescue Service. Changes to this service were being undertaken and these were brought to the Parish Council’s attention. The consultation is open to the public until 5/1/04.
10) Invoice received from James Miller for part only of the work carried out to block off the entrance to the field adjoining Harberton Parish Hall, for £258.50 including £38.50 VAT and this to be paid. It should be noted that Mr Miller gave a day’s work free to this project, for which the Parish Council and residents thank him. Payment of the invoice proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by Cllr Patrick. All in favour.
11) SHDC meeting with Town and Parish Council representatives on 3/12/03 at Follaton House at 7.00pm. Two councillors are invited to attend, but there were no volunteers.
Other items on the table – SHDC Executive Forward Plan and Minutes of Meeting 30/10/03; Totnes and District Older People Consultation Meeting 22/10/03; S Devon Carers Consortium Meeting 17/11/03; Tor Homes Newsletters; Voluntary Vine Newsletter; S Hams Agenda and Minutes; Health News; Devon Rural Transport Partnership Newsletter; Gravity, letter re skate parks; The Local Channel Newsletter; S Hams Police Liaison Meeting on 24/11/03 at Dartmouth; South Hams Play Forum Newsletter; Devon & Cornwall Police Annual Funding Review.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr E Janes reported more water in the road down Woodland Road, Harbertonford. The Clerk will investigate.
2) Cllr Stubbings asked if the Harberton residents with garages and/or hard standing could use these for parking their vehicles, in order to enable those with no parking area at all to find spaces.
It was also noted that Kingsbridge Skate Park had now reopened after improvement.
3) Cllr Jeffries reported that the litter bin in Harbertonford at the Ford Area filled up very quickly and asked if it could be enlarged. She also asked if the noticeboard at the Ford could be available for village use now the Environment Agency had left it there. It had, in fact, been given to the Parish Council for their use and the Clerk will arrange for a padlock to be fitted. Cllr Jeffries agreed to be the keyholder. The HSSIG (Cllr Jeffries being the Parish Council representative on this group) will also liaise with the skateboard group in Harberton in relation to transport to Totnes Skateboard Park.
4) Cllr Williams asked if the Clerk would enquire about the possibility of a 15mph speed limit through Harberton.
5) D Cllr Steer wished to report that SHDC had now become the top council in Devon with “excellent” marks from the Audit Commission.
Cheques signed:
No 300 – James Miller - £258.50
No 301 – Audit Commission - £141.00
The meeting closed at 10.40pm. The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 9 December 2003 at Harbertonford Primary School.