Present: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes, Williams, Stubbings, Patrick, D Cllr Steer, Fearn and Beamish
Public: 1
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
This meeting, being the annual meeting, the Chairman resigned. The Clerk called for nominations for Chairman. Cllr E Janes proposed that Cllr Hockings be nominated for another year. This was seconded by D Cllr Steer. Cllr Hockings accepted the nomination. There being no other nomination, voting was all in favour.
Cllr Hockings then took the Chair. Cllr E Janes then resigned as Vice Chairman. The Chairman called for nominations. Cllr Patrick proposed that Cllr E Janes be nominated for another year. This was seconded by Cllr Fearn. Cllr E Janes accepted the nomination. There being no other nomination, voting was all in favour.
The Chairman then welcomed the member of the public and invited him to speak. He said there were three items he wished to mention. 1 – Could the Parish Council stop parking at the splay entrance to Harberton Parish Hall as the vehicles blocked visibility? They had been offered alternative parking in the Upper Car Park at the Hall. 2 – The contractors building the new houses opposite the Hall had badly damaged the roadside wall by the Hall. 3 – There were two dogs often roaming around the village fouling the pavements and grassed areas. The member of the public then left the meeting.
The minutes of the previous meeting of 20/4/04 were considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 13/4/04 were then considered, agreed and, after several amendments, were signed by the Chairman as a true record.
The Clerk explained that she had looked up her reference book “Local Government Administration” which suggested that the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting be signed at the following appropriate meeting.
Matters Arising:
1) Flooding in Harberton – still ongoing.
2) P3 Footpath Scheme. Cllr Williams reported that there was to be a meeting of volunteers on 15, 16 or 17/6/04, when convenient in Harberton.
3) Harbertonford Playground. The Clerk had had a letter from the Diocese enclosing a map of the area which appeared to be very out of date. The Clerk will reply to this accordingly. The Clerk also read out a letter sent by Cllr Jeffreys to the Bishop at Exeter. This gave details of developments so far and asked if a private agreement could be arranged between the Governors of the School and the Playground Assn without the need of a formal lease. We await a reply.
4) Harbertonford Car Park repairs. These repairs were now completed by Mr Len Lewis of Harbertonford at no charge, for which the Parish Council thank him. He had also resurfaced the car park with planings from DCC. This work had greatly improved the appearance of the car park. Many thanks to Mr Lewis. The Clerk will arrange for a new notice to replace the illegible one on the rear wall stating “Vehicles and contents left here at owners’ risk”.
5) Street light at the corner of Mill Meadow, Harbertonford. Still waiting to be connected.
6) House of straw bales – still ongoing.
7) Repairs and maintenance work to the upper car park at Harberton Parish Hall. The Chairman had been in touch with John Culf and agreed that low posts will be installed 4/5 feet apart around the car park. The Chairman has agreed to assist with the work at a mutually convenient time.
Correspondence:
1) SHDC invoice for May 2003 elections for £233.12 had been received. This to be paid. Proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr E Janes. All in favour.
2) DCC Temporary Road Closure, Tristford Road, Harberton. Two weeks from 13/5/04 for electricity work.
3) S Hams Police Liaison meeting at Down Thomas Hall 10/5/04 at 7.30pm.
4) DCC Parish Paths Partnership. This year the grant of £540.00 will be made to the Parish for maintenance of paths and bridleways.
5) Allianz Cornhill Insurance annual premium falls due on 1/6/04. A request for payment of £378.61 has been received – an increase this year of £30.00. This to be paid. Proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by Cllr Patrick. All in favour.
6) SHDC Management changes. A letter had been received notifying the changes. These were explained to the meeting by D Cllr Steer.
7) SHDC – “Are You Running a Playscheme in 2004”. A £40.00 voucher scheme is available. Those interested should contact Leisure and Parks at SHDC, Follaton House, Totnes.
8) SHDC Maintenance of Parks and Open Spaces. The Clerk has spoken to Mandy Life at Follaton as this survey appears only to concern land that is maintained by SHDC and does not apply to us.
9) Annual Return of Accounts to tear ended 31/3/04. Mr John Maddox of Harberton had once again kindly carried out the audit for the Clerk. This is now completed and the papers, signed by the Chairman, are ready for despatch to the District Auditor on 12/7/04, after being advertised in the Parish from 25/4/04.
10) A letter had been received from the Environment Agency, notifying us of maintenance work to be carried out at Palmers Dam near Rolster Bridge and Outfall at Bow Road, Harbertonford.
Other items on the table:
SHDC Executive Forward Plan – displayed on the notice board; S Hams Community Safety Partnership musical production; SHDC Tree Protection and Tree Warden Scheme; SHDC Agenda and Minutes; DCC and Tor Homes Newsletters.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr E Janes reported the road breaking up again outside Factory Cottages, Woodland Road, Harbertonford.
2) Cllr E Janes also reported that treated sludge was being tipped on a field at Brockhills Farm, Harbertonford, at the top of the hill adjacent to the mobile phone mast, causing unpleasant smells.
3) Cllr Patrick reported several children playing on the pedestrian crossing in Harbertonford causing danger to motorists and themselves.
4) Cllr Beamish had had several requests for allotments in Harbertonford.
5) Cllr Beamish also reported that along Bow Road, Harbertonford, near the Beenleigh turn, that the road was subsiding.
6) Cllr Stubbings reported that the road surface was breaking up near Peak Cross, Harberton.
7) Cllr Williams reported that he had regretfully had to resign from the Standards Committee due to pressure of work.
8) Cllr Fearn reported that the buddle holes in Screws Lane, Harberton, needed attention. Also, the one below the reservoir towards Blakemore Level.
9) The Clerk will write to the owner of the two dogs who regularly roam around Harberton.
10) The Clerk will write to Mrs Yates’ agent to liaise re the parking at the splay entrance to Harberton Parish Hall.
11) The Clerk will write to Tor Homes re the damage caused to the wall outside Harberton Parish Hall by contractors’ lorries and damage to a field entrance/bank at Blakemore Level when turning up towards Harberton via the reservoir.
Cheques signed:
No 317 – South Hams District Council - £233.12
No 318 – Allianz Cornhill Insurance plc - £378.61
The meeting closed at 9.15pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 June 2004 at Harbertonford Primary School at 7.30pm.