Present: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes, G Janes, Stubbings, Fearn, Williams, Patrick and Beamish.
Apologies: Cllrs Johnson, Jeffreys and D Cllr Steer.
Public: 1
Clerk: Mrs D Crann.
The Chairman opened the meeting, welcoming everyone and invited the member of the public to speak. Mr N Finch of Harbertonford said he had come to speak about future plans which would be coming before the Council for their consideration. He was hoping to put an extension onto his house of an extra bedroom due to an increase in his family.
The meeting then proceeded. The minutes of the previous meeting were considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
The Clerk gave a report on behalf of PC Julie Miskin, who was unable to attend. There had been only a couple of minor incidents: graffiti at the school and several cars parked nose on outside Pound Court in Harbertonford.
Matters Arising:
1) Community Rooms, Bow Road, Harbertonford. The Clerk read out a letter received from Tor Homes, regarding the proposed closure of this facility. After consultation with the tenants and the Parish Council, Tor Homes had decided that these would be converted into a one bedroom flat, subject to planning permission, and then be sold.
2) Flooding in Harberton. SHDC next Executive Meeting will be held on 3/3/05, when the shortfall of £45,000 will be discussed. The Parish Council did agree last month the extra funding of up to £10,000 to reduce this shortfall.
3) P3 Footpath Scheme. Ongoing.
4) Harbertonford Playground Scheme. The Chairman had attended a site meeting on 18/1/05 with Mr Graham Davies (Diocesan Surveyor) and Mrs Graham (Chairman of School Governors), together with the Clerk. A letter had since been received from the Diocese outlining the following details:- a) the lease would now be for 6 years, b) the Diocese realised the Parish Council was not in a financial position to fund any fencing work, c) the Charities Act 1993 requires a Charities surveyor to visit the site and report, d) the Parish Council would be required to assume responsibility for the upkeep of the fencing, e) the Diocese propose an appropriate rental level for the playing field to be set by the Charities Surveyor. We await further developments.
5) Proposed 20mph speed limit in Harbertonford. Ongoing.
6) Re narrow road signs in Harberton. DCC had sent a letter and three photographs with alternative options, number 3 being the preferred one, directing HGVs from Gills Cross, down Screws Lane and around the north of Harberton.
7) Re sewage sludge on the road near Brockhills Farm, Harbertonford. The Clerk had written to SHDC Environmental Health and was awaiting a reply.
8) Parking at the splay entrance to Harberton Parish Hall. The Parish Council, having already been in touch with Mr Lawson (Mrs Yates’ agent) and received his permission, will now proceed with purchasing some granite blocks to place at this former field entrance, to deter parking. It was proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr E Janes, to proceed with this purchase from Glendinnings of Ashburton. All in favour. The total cost will be approximately £200 + VAT delivered.
9) The Clerk had spoken with Mr Bottomley of SHDC Planning re the dam at the ponds in Harberton, in the field between Screws Lane and Town Farm and will follow this up.
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations – Decisions at the Meeting
23/0015/05/F Dattins, Harbertonford. Extension to dwelling. No objections. Proposed by Cllr E Janes, seconded by Cllr Patrick. All in favour.
23/0072/05/F Sandwell Farmhouse, Harberton. Extension to dwelling. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. All in favour.
23/2250/04/F Langford Barn, Harberton. Withdrawn.
Correspondence:
1) Two letters received from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, firstly regarding allotments and green spaces to be properly preserved, promoted and cared for. This Parish Council has neither of these. Secondly, regarding the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Clerk or the Chairman of the Parish Council will be the authorised person under Section 36 of the Act to provide any information.
2) Devon Local Access Forum seeks new members. Anyone interested should contact the Clerk.
3) SHDC waste collection changes update. Changes in this Parish will commence in July 2005.
4) S Devon Carers Consortium meeting was held on 2/2/05 at the Pavilion Leisure Centre, Totnes.
5) SHDC. Reports received from Mandy Life, regarding the playgrounds in both villages. These were reviewed by the meeting.
6) A letter had been received from Silvanus Services Ltd, contractors for public rights of way work.
7) DAPC. Various items received:- Royal Garden Parties 2005 – no nominations; Best Kept Village Competition 2005 – no nominations; Cemetery and Allotment Training; Business Planning; Fund-raising; Planning Training Days, etc.
8) Advance notice received of Cornworthy Village Pig Roast and Fete to be held on 16/7/05. Any enquiries to Mr A Carr, telephone: 01803 732 978.
Other Items on the Table:
SHDC Executive Forward Plan 27/1/05; The Playing Field magazine; The Local Channel; £200 for Families; SHDC Agenda and Minutes; DCC magazine; SHDC Minutes of Executive Meetings 27/1/05 and 3/2/05; letter from John Goulden (Leisure and Recreation Advisory Services); advisory letter from Environment Agency regarding flooding.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Beamish spoke about the equipment at the playing field in Harbertonford. He said he would undertake to provide and erect new goal posts to replace the broken ones (the Parish Council will pay for these). He would also remove the posts at the entrance which had been pulled out of the ground.
2) Cllr Beamish also reported on the unsightly and smelly bags of dog faeces in plastic bags hanging on the fence down Bow Road in Harbertonford.
3) Cllr Fearn reported the buddle holes were blocked in Screws Lane and down past Coppithorne Reservoir down to Blakemore Level.
The meeting closed at 9.30pm. The next meeting will again be held at Harbertonford Primary School on Tuesday 8 March 2005 at 7.30pm.