Present: Cllrs Fearn, Williams, Stubbings, Johnson, G Janes, Beamish, D Cllr Steer & County Cllr Date
Apologies: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes & Jeffreys
Speaker: Mr J Halliday of DCC
Public: 8
Clerk: Mrs D Crann
In the absence of the Chairman and Vice Chairman through illness, the Clerk called for nominations for a Chairman for the meeting. D Cllr Steer proposed that Cllr Fearn take the Chair, he agreed and, there being no other nominations, voting was all in favour.
The Chairman then opened the meeting, welcomed everyone and invited the public to speak. Ms Smith of Church Barn, Harberton, spoke. She enquired if the traffic was to be diverted through the village during the flood prevention works which were just starting on the completion phase. Also, the Chairman asked about the provisions for the buses to turn at the lower end of the village during the works. Mr Halliday made a note of these enquiries. There were several questions posed regarding the day-to-day arrangements during the flood prevention works, of which Mr Halliday took note. Another subject followed regarding the road markings for Parish Road, leading down past the side of the Church House Inn. It was reported that Keith Oxton of DCC had the matter in hand. This was backed up by a letter to the Clerk from Mrs Ganter of Harberton.
The speaker then turned to the subject of the pedestrian crossing in Harbertonford across A381. He was aware that the Parish Council were not happy about the position of this crossing and that there had been two road traffic accidents and other minor incidents. He said that to upgrade this with extra signing and warning lights would cost upwards of £25,000 which the county could not afford. One option would be to remove it altogether. However, following further discussions, he agreed to carry out another survey of the crossing, together with C Cllr Date and county engineers. He will report his findings to the Parish Council at the April meeting in Harbertonford. Cllrs accepted this suggestion with thanks.
The Chairman then spoke about the Fork Cross junction, which has been a constant subject of contention for some years. Mr Halliday did accept that this crossroads needs to be approached with caution from Tigley and Blakemore directions. He did not agree that there was much DCC could do and suggested that the farmer who owned the land on the right-hand side of Fork Cross, exiting Totnes, might be approached to pull his hedge back even more to improve visibility from the Tigley side. D Cllr Steer agreed to approach him. After further discussions, Mr Halliday left the meeting.
C Cllr Date then spoke. He reported that Cllr Mitchell, a local County Cllr, had sadly died today. All councillors offered condolences. Cllr Date reported that the DCC £6 million Scarcity Grant had been withdrawn for next year and Devon was suffering from a considerably reduced grant from central government, whereas northern counties had received increased grants. Cllr Date then left the meeting.
Mr Dave Knight of Harbertonford was also attending this meeting and offered himself for co-option as a Parish Councillor. He had completed the form “General Notice of Registrable Interest” and was already known to the Harbertonford councillors, having lived in the village for over three years. Voting for co-option was all in favour. Mr Knight then completed the form “Declaration of Acceptance of Office” and took his seat as a Parish Councillor.
The minutes of the previous meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Flooding in Harberton. Works had just restarted for the finalisation of this problem.
2) P3 Footpath Scheme. Ongoing.
3) Speed check on A381 in Harbertonford village. Ongoing.
4) Illegal parking at the side of the bus stop in Harbertonford. The Clerk was awaiting a reply from DCC.
5) D Cllr Steer spoke regarding the Second Homes Council Tax collected in SHDC area. It was proposed by Cllr Stubbings, seconded by Cllr Johnson, that the Clerk write supporting the view that SHDC should be allowed to keep these monies collected, to be spent on affordable housing for locals. All in favour.
6) Cllr Beamish reported that at Beenleigh, where the road is collapsing, further problems were now occurring as you approach Harbertonford.
The Chairman then took this opportunity to speak to Mr Hoddinott of Harberton, who was one of the public attending the meeting, to ask how Cllr Hockings was progressing in hospital. Mr Hoddinott reported that he thought he was, at last, showing signs of improvement. All councillors sent good wishes.
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations – Decision between meetings
22/2237/05/F 3 Marl Park, Harbertonford. 2 storey extension with first floor link, etc. Following a site meeting, no objections but the Parish Council will be guided by planning policy.
23/1591/05/CU Bridge Farm, Harberton. Notice of Appeal starting 14/12/05.
23/2308/05/F Bridge Farm, Harberton. Removal of conditional planning permission for building for Class B1 and B8. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. 7 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/2322/05/F Bridge Farm, Harberton. Removal of conditional planning permission for building for Class B1 and B8. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Johnson, seconded by Cllr G Janes. 7 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/2317/05/F Belsford Court, Harberton. Extension to swimming pool for changing rooms, etc. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Stubbings, seconded by Cllr G Janes. 7 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/2344/05/F Tristford Cottage, Tristford Road, Harberton. Alterations and extension to dwelling. Cllr Williams declared an interest and took no part in discussions or decision. No objections. Proposed Cllr Johnson, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. 6 in favour, 2 abstentions.
Correspondence:
1) Precept for Year 2006/7. Also, consideration for the £5,000 application for a loan from SHDC, approved at the September 2005 Parish Council meeting to meet the PC’s contribution towards the Harberton Flood Prevention Scheme. Precept to be £5,800. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Beamish. All in favour. Amongst other things, this will provide funds for a contribution towards play equipment at Harbertonford Playground of up to £500 pa in the next two years when the equipment is purchased.
2) SHDC. Waste Collection Changes Project to take pace 12/01/06 at Follaton House at 7.00pm. Cllr Fearn will attend.
3) SHDC Budget Meeting 19/01/06. No nominations.
4) SHDC. New Register of Electors received.
5) DAPC. Various items received, including training days, and shown to the meeting.
6) SHDC. Draft Supplementary Planning Document received and shown to the meeting.
7) DCC. Temporary road closures 13/01/06 in Harberton.
8) SHDC. Parish Remuneration Panel information shown to the meeting.
9) Standards of Conduct in English Local Government shown to the meeting.
10) CAB training in welfare benefits shown to the meeting.
Other Items on the Table: SHDC Life into Landscape; DAPC Newsletter; SHDC Executive Forward Plan; Environment Agency Newsletter; SHDC Agenda and Minutes.
Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Johnson reported that the Harberton Parish Hall Committee do not like the granite boulders at the entrance to the Hall.
2) Cllr Beamish reported that the slurry problem at Luscombe Cross was very bad again.
The meeting closed at 10.25pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 14 February 2006 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.