Present: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes, G Janes, Jeffreys, Stubbings, Patrick, Johnson, Fearn and D Cllr Steer
Apologies: Cllrs Williams and Beamish
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
The Chairman welcomed everyone and opened the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Flooding in Harberton. D Cllr Steer reported that she had met with Bill Lawrence of SHDC. He, in turn, had had a meeting with DEFRA, who hoped to be able to make up the financial difference in the cost of the flood works, which were costing more than had been expected.
2) P3 Footpath Scheme. Still ongoing.
3) Harbertonford Playground Scheme. D Cllr Steer reported on recent School Governors’ meetings. These had agreed that Clause 8 of the proposed lease should stay, but that the use of the playground by the school children was under review. She also reported that a Building Inspector from the Diocese had visited the site and agreed that the northern fence should be repaired and the boundary fence adjoining the school was to be kept in good order. There would, at present, be no restrictions on the hours that the playground could be used by the village children. The Clerk reported on a letter she had received from Mrs Julie Walker of Michelmores in Exeter indicating that there would be no legal costs accruing to the Parish Council. There followed a full discussion and it was finally proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Patrick, to proceed with this lease. All in favour. It was also unanimously agreed that if the lease was ready for signature between meetings, that the Chairman had permission to sign it.
4) House of straw. The Clerk had spoken with Kati Owen of SHDC Planners, who issued a Planning Contravention Notice, as permission had only been given for a garden shed.
5) Repairs to upper car park in Harberton had now been completed.
6) The Clerk had received a reply from Tor Homes re the damage to the wall outside Harberton Parish Hall by their contractors. They stated that as a gesture of goodwill, the contractors would repair the wall at the end of the building contract.
7) The Clerk will contact John Halliday of DCC again re the pedestrian crossing and village survey in Harbertonford.
Planning:
Parish Council Recommendations – Decisions between meetings
23/1084/04/F Amendments to 23/0041/04/F. Blacklands, Moreleigh Road, Harbertonford. Already approved. No objections.
TPO No4 (Tree Preservation Order). Land south of Dundridge and north of Bennetts Cross, Harberton. Parish Council supports this application.
23/1265/04/F ) Retrospective application
23/1266/04/LB) for erection of a resited summer house, Hazard Cottage, Harberton. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Patrick, seconded by Cllr E Janes. 7 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/1310/04/LB) Tristford Farm, Harberton
23/1311/04/F ) Alterations to roof, first floor external and internal alterations. D Cllr Steer declared an interest and took no part in discussions. Support was proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. 7 in favour.
Correspondence:
1) A letter had been received from Tor Homes giving a report on all the various improvements achieved with their housing stock.
2) DCC. Temporary road closures. Tristford Road, Harberton 5/7/04 and Woodland Road, Harbertonford 16/8/04.
3) Devon Wildlife Trust. Details received of public meetings in the River Dart catchment area were shown to the meeting.
4) A letter of thanks from Steve Jane of Harbertonford, for the new street lamp at the corner of Mill Meadow, Harbertonford, was shown to the meeting.
5) DCC. Letter received from Local Services Group. New Customer Monitoring System has been introduced requiring any phone call to be made to Ivybridge office (01752898200), but not to Totnes or Torr Quarry any longer.
6) SHDC. Official numbering of new development at Blakemore Farm, Harberton, was shown to the meeting.
7) D & C Police. Notice received of BBC Antiques Roadshow to be held at Dartington Hall 22/7/04 between 9.30am and 5.00pm.
8) Countryside Agency. Social Entrepreneurs training day 22/7/04.
9) Copy of Local Services Group letter to Mr Fairweather of Harbertonford 1/7/04 was shown to the meeting re the new fencing in Bow Road.
10) A letter had been received from the Environment Agency re maintenance work to be carried out in the Harbertonford area.
11) South Hams Leisure Centres as a charitable trust. A letter had been received notifying the Parish Council that a new charitable trust, CLS, would soon be taking over the running of the South Hams Leisure Centres, including the new one at Dartmouth. D Cllr Steer explained the position to the meeting, saying this trust would hopefully be running the four leisure centres for the cost of three, as they would be able to make a number of savings.
12) Request for temporary road closure, Old Road, Harbertonford on 30/8/04 had been received for the village carnival. No objections. All in favour.
13) Invoice received from SHDC for supply and fitting of sign to car park in Harbertonford as arranged by the Clerk. £59.94 plus VAT £10.49. Total £70.43 to be paid. Proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by Cllr Fearn. All in favour.
14) Cllr Stubbings wished to report the recent passing of Mrs Vera Pope of Harbertonford. She had played an important part in Parish Council affairs over the years, having been a long-serving councillor.
Other Items of the Table:
DCC Newsletter; SHDC Executive Forward Plan; The Voluntary Vine; South Hams 2004 and Beyond; Minutes of the Executive Meeting 1/7/04.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr E Janes reported the edge of the road opposite the mobile phone mast near Brockhills badly damaged by tractors spreading slurry. Also, leaving slurry on the road surface which is dangerous in the rain.
2) Cllr Fearn wished it noted that the sides of the lanes were being badly damaged by wide tractors and lorries.
3) Cllr Patrick reported on a grey Range Rover driving in Harberton village centre and around the lanes at an extremely fast pace, causing danger to walkers.
Cheque signed:
No 321 – SHDC - £70.43
The meeting closed at 9.15pm.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 September 2004 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.
There will be no meeting in August.