Present: Cllrs Hockings, Stubbings, Jeffreys, Patrick , Johnson, Beamish and D Cllr Steer.
Apologies: Cllrs Williams, Fearn, E Janes, G Janes, County Cllr Date and PC Miskin.
Public: 3
Clerk: Mrs D Crann.
The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming everybody and invited the public to speak. Mr Beagley from Harberton commenced by asking D Cllr Steer if she had any progress to report on the Harberton Flood Scheme. Cllr Steer then reported that there had been some progress in as much as Mr B Greenslade, Leader of DCC and Mr R Yonge, Leader of SHDC, were to meet in the near future, together with the relevant council officers. DCC had indicated that they might reconsider their intransigent attitude and look again at their funding position. The Parish Council would welcome any new contributions from both councils, also the increased offer from the Environment Agency, now making a total of £5,000. Cllr Steer said she was still looking at the figures of a lesser scheme, but hoped this would not now be necessary. Mr Beagley and his colleagues hoped the Parish Council would keep open the option of an extra loan to bridge any shortfall should this be necessary. After further discussions, the members of the public left and the meeting continued.
Cllr Beamish reported that Cllr E Janes had been taken ill recently and was now in hospital in Exeter. He proposed that the Clerk send him a Get Well Soon card from the Parish Council, to which all councillors agreed and wished him a speedy recovery.
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 10 May 2005 were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
The minutes of the last Parish Council meeting, also held on 10 May 2005, were also considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Flooding in Harberton. This subject had again been fully discussed at the start of the meeting. The Clerk had received a letter from Mr D Ellison of Harberton, which was passed round the meeting.
2) P3 Footpath Scheme. Ongoing.
3) Harbertonford Playground Scheme. Ongoing.
4) Parish Council insurance. The new policy with Zurich Municipal was now in place as from 1/6/05
The Clerk gave a short report, received from PC Miskin, which included seven minor crimes in the Parish, resulting in several arrests. There was one request for bollards at the bus stop in Harbertonford, but details were sketchy. Would the person requesting these, please contact the Clerk with further details which will be passed on. (Mrs Crann tel: 732210).
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations –
Decisions between meetings
23/0789/05/F Little Belsford, Harberton. Construction of double garage and new access track. Councillors were not able to comment as the plans had not been returned to the Clerk in time.
23/0867/05/F 2 Riverside Mill Cottages, Harberton. Two-storey extension. No objections.
Correspondence:
1) Invoice from Harberton Parish Hall for £5.00 for room hire for Pensions Service 22/3/05. To be paid – proposed by Cllr Steer, seconded Cllr Patrick. All in favour.
2) Parish Council accounts for year ended 31/3/05. Internal audit is now completed and signed by the Chairman, Clerk and Mr J Maddox. The Parish Council are again very grateful to Mr Maddox for his having carried out this audit on their behalf. These papers are due to be sent to the District Auditor on 21/7/05.
3) SHDC. Community Consultation. Launch notification of two meetings – 20/6/05 at 11.30am-1.00pm at Ivybridge Town Hall and 21/6/05 at 7.00pm-9.00pm at Follaton House.
4) Invoice received from Glendinnings, Ashburton, for five granite boulders now placed at the splay entrance to Harberton Parish Hall. A cheque for £216.79 (inc £32.29 VAT) was signed between meetings on 29/5/05.
5) HPFA. Reimbursement cheque received for £272.00 for service to mower.
6) SHDC. Waste collection changes project letter shown to the meeting.
7) Letter from Mr Jones of Tigley had been received and was read to the meeting. This referred to a proposed travellers’ site at Tigley Croft. There was a full discussion by councillors, but it was agreed that until a planning application was put before this Council, no decisions could be made.
8) P3 Footpath Scheme summer training courses 2005 shown to the meeting.
9) Letter received from Mr Barkas of Harberton. This letter was read to the meeting and referred to the perennial problem of the deteriorating state of Church Cottage, Harberton. The Clerk will write to the owners yet again, to appraise them of the situation.
10) Countryside Agency Conclusive Map Area 6 has been received and was shown to the meeting. This showed no public access land in this area.
11) SHDC. Telecommunications Database shown to the meeting.
12) Letter from TOR Homes received informing the Parish Council that 21 Bow Road, Harbertonford, has now been included in the Low Cost Rural Home Ownership Initiative.
13) DAPC. Various items received, including Village Green magazine and training days. All shown to the meeting.
Other items on the table:
SHDC Executive Forward Plan; DCC newsletters; S Hams CVS AGM 21/6/05; S Hams Traffic Management Group; SHDC Minutes of Executive Meeting 2/6/05.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) The Parish Noticeboard opposite Harbertonford Post Office and Shop now has a new lock. Keyholders are Mr Evans and Mr S Jane. Cllr Jeffreys is also to have a key. All in favour.
2) The bus shelter in Harberton is in need of repair on the side next to the telephone kiosk. After inspection, Cllrs Hockings and Stubbings will give a further report at the next meeting.
3) At the Ford Area in Harberton, there is too much silt in the river. This will be examined by the Chairman and reported on at the next meeting. (Patrick)
4) At Harberton Playing Field, no unauthorised camping is ever allowed. (Patrick)
5) Cllr Beamish reported that once again Mr Chattaway of Harbertonford, had removed the river cress at the Ford Area, for which the Parish Council thanks him.
6) D Cllr Steer, who had been a member of the SHDC Planning Committee for some time, has now taken on the post as Lead Member.
7) Cllr Patrick asked that the Clerk contact DCC Highways to enquire about the possibility of solar speed signs on the A381 from the Kingsbridge direction.
Cheques signed:
No 340 – Mrs D Crann - £407.19
No 341 – Harberton Parish Hall - £5.00
Paid in to bank:
From HPFA - £272.00
The meeting closed at 9.50pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 July 2005 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.