Present: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes, Stubbings, Williams, Fearn, Jeffreys, Patrick, Beamish and D Cllr Steer.
Apologies: Cllr G Janes.
Clerk: Mrs D Crann.
Cllr Patrick introduces Mrs Julie Johnson of Harberton to the meeting. She had previously written to the Clerk applying to fill the vacancy for a councillor in Harberton. Mrs Johnson was known to several councillors, having lived in Harberton since 1989. She was then asked to leave the meeting for councillors to make a decision. Cllr Patrick declared an interest and also left the meeting. After a short discussion, it was proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr E Janes, to co-opt Mrs Johnson to the Parish Council. All in favour. Both Mrs Johnson and Cllr Patrick rejoined the meeting and Mrs Johnson was welcomed by the Chairman to the Parish Council. The appropriate forms were completed for the Standards Board and Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
The minutes of the previous meeting were then considered and, after one amendment, signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Flooding in Harberton. D Cllr Steer reported that progress, though slow, was still being made.
2) P3 Footpath Scheme. The meeting of interested parties will now be held at the end of June/beginning of July.
3) Harbertonford Playground. Cllr Jeffreys read out a letter which she had received from the Bishop of Exeter in reply to hers. This explained some of the reasons why the Exeter Diocese Board of Finance could not make an agreement directly with the Playground Association and how the laws had changed since the previous lease in 1979. It also stressed that the Parish Council should contact Mrs Julie Walker of Michelmore direct regarding sorting out any problems with the draft lease. The Clerk will now write to Mrs Walker, enclosing a copy of the Parish Council letter already sent to the Property Services Department of the Diocese and try to sort out any problems. At the same time, she will try to ascertain details of any costs that might be incurred by the Parish Council. The Clerk had also had occasion to write to Mr B Tozer, Clerk to the School Governors, regarding the erection of a notice at the playground. The Clerk had confirmed to him that the Parish Council had no objection to a notice being erected stating that the playground was for the sole use of pupils during school hours.
4) Harbertonford Car Park. After consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman, the Clerk had ordered a new notice for the Car Park from SHDC, who were to provide and fix it at a cost of £59.94 plus VAT. This had now been put into position.
5) House of straw. The Clerk had spoken with the Enforcement Officer at SHDC who was looking into the matter.
6) Repairs to upper car park in Harberton. Still ongoing.
7) The pedestrian crossing in Harbertonford. A local reported had spoken with the Chairman regarding problems at the crossing and had suggested that he (the reporter) write an article on the subject which will be published in several local papers. This reported, as a driver, had experienced difficulties with the crossing and its poor visibility when approaching from the Kingsbridge direction.
8) The Clerk had written to Tor Homes regarding damage to the wall opposite the Pendarves site, caused by their contractors’ vehicles. Their reply had denied any damage by these lorries, suggesting that it was possibly caused by other service companies working in the area. Several councillors confirmed, however, that the wall by the Hall had been damaged by a JCB and the Clerk will write back to Tor Homes.
Cllr Williams left the meeting.
Planning:
Appeal No APP/K1128/A/04/1142505
Sandwell Barn, Harberton, is to be heard on 7/12/04 at Follaton House. D Cllr Steer declared an interest and took no part in the discussions. After some discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Stubbings, seconded by Cllr E Janes, to write to SHDC as follows:- “This Parish Council wish to support this Appeal. They have always supported the previous planning applications. If these historical barns are not converted they will, and are, falling into disrepair and be a loss to the Devon countryside”. Voting – 6 in favour, 1 abstention.
Correspondence:
1) Devon Wildlife Trust. River Dart Catchment Project. The Clerk will write for further literature.
2) Environment Agency. World Environment Day 5/6/04. Details shown to the meeting.
3) South Devon Carers Consortium meeting at 11.00am on 28/6/04 in Dartmouth.
4) DAPC. Various items received:- Village Green magazine; full programme of training days for Clerks, Chairmen, etc; Rural Women’s Research Project; job vacancy at Community Council of Devon; Devon Local Access Forum Annual Report 2003/4
5) A letter and copy of the annual accounts had been received from St Peter’s PCC requesting a grant towards the upkeep of the churchyard. The letter also asked if there could be a rise in this year’s grant, owing to the increasing expenses with the upkeep of St Peter’s churchyard. After a full discussion, it was proposed by Cllr E Janes and seconded by Cllr Beamish, to grant £250.00 for the time being and an increase will be considered at the end of the financial year when the Precept is reviewed. All in favour.
6) A copy of a letter from Mr Fairweather of Harbertonford, sent to Mr J Halliday of DCC was read out to meeting. This commented on proposals to erect a fence along the grass bank opposite his property in Bow Road, Harbertonford, to stop children from playing in the road.
Other Items on the Table:
Totnes Caring AGM 3/6/04; SHDC Executive Forward Plan (posted on noticeboard); Devon Playing Fields Assn newsletter; DCC monthly newsletters; S Hams CVS AGM 22/6/04 at Follaton Village Hall at 7.00pm; SHDC Life into Landscape leaflets distributed.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Jeffreys enquired who owned the river bed. As the river was so low at present, village children had been walking down the river from the Ford to the lower part of Bow Road.
2) Cllr Patrick enquired what had happened to the village survey proposed by John Halliday of DCC.
3) Cllr Jeffreys commented on the road signs outside the Old School House along the A381 in Harbertonford. These were now obscured by new growth. Cllr E Janes said he would speak to the residents.
4) Cllr Stubbings said that, already, some of the 20mph signs in Harberton were obscured by new growth.
5) Cllr Fearn commented on the road surface being very ribbed along the road in Harberton from Broad Park Stile towards Totnes. There was also poor visibility at Fork Cross exit from the Harberton direction.
6) Cllr Johnson asked if Harberton residents parking in the road from Ford Farm up Ford Lane past the Lych Gate and Lanoria Cottages could park their vehicles with more consideration, allowing other residents easy access up the hill.
7) Cllr Beamish commented on some very thoughtless parking recently outside the Post Office in Harbertonford. He had also noticed that the watercress was growing fast in the leat outside the Post Office.
Cheques signed:
No 319 – Mrs D Crann - £399.01
No 320 – St Peter’s PCC - £250.00
The meeting closed at 9.45pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 13 July 2004 at 7.30pm at Harberton Parish Hall.