Present: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes, G Janes, Stubbings, Patrick, Beamish and Fearn.
Apologies: Cllrs Jeffreys, Johnson, Williams and D Cllr Steer.
Clerk: Mrs D Crann.
The Chairman opened the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting and, after one amendment, were signed by the Chairman as a true record.
The Clerk reported having had a phone call from PC Goodman of Totnes Police that morning apologising for not being able to attend the meeting. There had been only one crime in the Parish last month. He would be acting as the Community PC for the next few months and anyone should feel free to report any incidents to him.
Matters Arising:
1) Flooding in Harberton. Ongoing.
2) P3 Footpath Scheme. The Chairman would contact Cllr Williams suggesting that the volunteers should proceed with clearing work in his absence.
3) Harbertonford Playground Scheme. Cllr Beamish reported on a recent School Governors’ meeting. The existing gate which gives access – eg: for contractors’ grass-cutting machinery, but needs to be kept locked at other times. The arrangement would stand whereby the Parish Council paid half the cost as at present.
4) Re proposed 20mph speed limit through Harbertonford. The Clerk had spoken with Highways. Mr Halliday quoted £15,000 to move the pedestrian crossing and £10,000 for a flashing light indication (as at Halwell). The Parish Council certainly could not pay for these. After some discussion, councillors felt that DCC should offer some solution to the badly-sited crossing. In future, anyone who witnesses any transgression at the crossing should note the vehicle numbers and write to Mr Halliday at Local Services Group, Cornwood Road, Ivybridge, PL21 9GX. The other item concerned Hernaford Road/Lane which, at present, was included in the 20mph zone. This would terminate at the end of the houses on the south side, leaving the Byway out of the restrictions.
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations –
Decision between meetings
23/1849/04/F The Stables, Ashridge Lane, Harberton. Erection of two greenhouses. No objections.
23/1928/04/LB)
Virginia Cottage,
23/1929/04/F )
Harberton. Refurbishment of
outbuildings. No objection Proposed by Cllr E Janes and seconded by Cllr Fearn.
All in favour.
23/1107/03/F Greenwinds, Harberton. Amended plans for information only.
Correspondence:
1) DCC. Road closures in Harberton. Tristford Road 18/10/04, Shorter Cross to Blue Post 25/10/04, Blakemore Cross to Sandwell Cottage and Sandwell Farm to Blakemore Cross 01/11/04.
2) Invoice from Audit Commission for £141.00 (inc £21.00 VAT) to be paid. Proposed by Cllr E Janes and seconded by Cllr Beamish. All in favour.
3) GLEAM. AGM 29/10/04 at Newbury, Berks. Also, newsletter passed on to Cllr Stubbings.
4) SHDC. Works to hedgerows in Harberton. Notice from Ross Kennerley.
5) Various items from DAPC. Primarily notification of new subscription rate from next April - £183.00 plus other items.
6) Letter from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister re allotments and community gardens, of which this Parish has none.
7) SHDC Parish Cluster meetings to be held 18/10/04 at Follaton House. No volunteers.
8) DCC reply to Clerk’s letter from Jim Morrison for repairs to roads in Harberton – Screws Lane, Coppithorne and Blakemore Level.
9) Dart Catchment Project. Details shown to the meeting.
10) Invoice received from Bowdens, Bovey Tracey, for £182.65 (inc £27.20 VAT) covering repairs to damage to the new mower for the Playground in Harberton which were sustained when John Culf hit an iron bar which someone had left in the grass. It was suggested by the Chairman the councillors might like to pay the full cost of the repairs, considering all the grass cutting John Culf does. Proposed by Cllr Fearn and seconded by Cllr Patrick that the Parish Council would pay this account. All in favour.
11) Letter from DEFRA received re “Clean Neighbourhoods” was shown to the meeting.
12) A letter had been received via Cllr Stubbings from Mr & Mrs Gantor of Fern Cottage and signed by 17 others from Harberton. This letter points out problems with traffic entering Harberton from Tristford Road, driving down past the Parish Hall, then turning left to drive down by the wall of the churchyard and coming out by the Church House Inn. There had been a continuing saga of problems with vehicles which were too wide. The councillors all agreed we should contact DCC Highways for signing a) at Gills Cross notifying width restrictions through the village and b) on the wall of Vine Cottage signifying width restrictions.
13) A letter from Cllr Williams to the Chairman was read to the meeting, offering apologies for his absence due to work commitments up to Christmas. The Chairman had already spoken with Cllr Williams in reply.
14) The Clerk had received a telephone call from Mrs Yates’ Agent, Mr Lawson, in reply to her letter of May 04, regarding vehicles parked at the shared splay entrance to Harberton Parish Hall. There was a problem with visibility from the lefthand side when exiting from the hall. Mr Lawson had no objections to the Parish Council blocking off the splay with boulders. The councillors, on reconsidering this matter, agreed to delay any action until the building work by Tor Homes was complete.
Safer South Hams; Community Safety leaflets; SHDC Landscape Heritage Scheme; DCC monthly newsletter; Devon Wildlife Trust; Catchment Connections; Coast & Countryside Autumn/Winter Events; SHDC Executive Forward Plan; SHDC Agenda & Minutes; SHDC Minutes of Executive Meeting 07/10/04
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr E Janes reported a new road entrance at Windmill Down in a very dangerous position. It could be repositioned to be safer.
2) Watercress growing again at the Ford area in Harbertonford. (E Janes)
3) At Brockhills, the road has not yet been repaired along by the mobile phone mast. (E Janes)
4) Cllr Patrick reported the 30mph sign near Fine Pine, Woodland Road, Harbertonford, falling down.
5) Cllr Beamish reported a traveller’s vehicle just beyond Twin Cottages, Gerston Farm.
6) Cllr Beamish also reported the posts at the entrance to Harbertonford Playground had been uprooted.
7) The Chairman reported that at Harberton Playing Field, the litter bin had been burnt and had now been replaced by SHDC.
Cheques signed:
No 323 - Bowden & Sons - £182.65
No 324 – Audit Commission – £141.00
Precept received: £2,250.00
The meeting closed at 9.20pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 09 November 2004 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.