Present: Cllrs Fearn, Williams, Knight, Beamish, Jeffreys, G Janes and D Cllr Steer.
Apologies: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes, Stubbings and County Cllr G Date.
Public: 1
Clerk: Mrs D Crann.
The Clerk opened the meeting by reporting on the continued illness of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman and called for nominations for Chairman for the meeting. Cllr Williams proposed that Cllr Fearn take the Chair, seconded by Cllr G Janes. Cllr Fearn agreed and, there being no other nominations, voting was all in favour.
Cllr Fearn then took the Chair and welcomed everyone and called on the member of the public to speak. Mr Welsh of Harbertonford reported continual harassment of residents in the Marl Park/Bow Road area (two to three times a week) after dark by a group of youngsters. This consisted of knocking on doors and throwing of missiles at windows and had been going on for a year or so, despite interventions by local people and police driving by in a patrol car. After discussions, it was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Police Inspector at Totnes, requesting a regular foot patrol and not just a visit by a police car which is highly visible. Mr Welsh then left and the meeting proceeded.
The minutes of the previous meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Poor visibility at Fork Cross junction, Harberton. D Cllr Steer had spoken with the farmer who owned the land on the right-hand side of Fork Cross exiting Totnes, and he had said he would be willing to co-operate in any way he can. D Cllr Steer will follow this up.
2) Flooding in Harberton. Works are proceeding well.
3) P3 Footpath Scheme. Ongoing.
4) Speed check on A381. Ongoing.
5) Illegal parking at the side of the bus stop in Harbertonford. Ongoing,
6) D Cllr Steer reported that SHDC were looking into alternative ways to fund more affordable homes for local people in view of the fact that the government had withdrawn support.
7) Reports on both the Chairman and Vice Chairman, who are still in hospital after many weeks, were at last optimistic. Cllrs send their good wishes for a speedy recovery.
8) The application for the £5,000 loan from SHDC towards the flood scheme was proceeding and would be considered at the next SHDC Executive Meeting in March.
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations –
Decisions at the Meeting
23/0098/06/F Gosworthy Cottage, Harberton. Erection of agricultural building and new access. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Jeffreys, seconded by Cllr Williams. 6 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/0121/06/F 2 Dorsley Cottages, Harberton. Two storey extension and erection of garden shed. Resubmission of 23/1485/05/F. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Knight. 6 in favour. 1 abstention.
23/0132/06/F The Granary, Dorsley Barton, Harberton. Installation of window. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Beamish, seconded by Cllr G Janes. 6 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/2237/05/F 3 Marl Park, Harbertonford. Plans withdrawn.
23/0165/06/F Harberton Manor, Harberton. Alterations and extension to dwelling. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Knight. 6 in favour, 1 abstention.
23/0149/06/F Lincombe Farm, West Leigh, Harberton. Siting of Portakabin and power room. Retrospective. Parish Council object as they cannot see agricultural need. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Knight. 6 in favour, 1 abstention.
Correspondence:
1) A letter received from SW Water wishing to place an information caravan at local events. This was passed on to Cllr Jeffreys.
2) DAPC. Nominations sought for Hon Treasurer. No nominations were forthcoming. News on DAPC website available from the Clerk; also information on the Zurich Insurance policy, this has already been taken up by the Parish Council last June; new salary award for Clerks from 01/04/06 announced. An increase of £48.00 pa totalling £1,633.00 pa. Proposed by Cllr Jeffreys, seconded by Cllr Beamish. All in favour. The Clerk accepted with thanks.
3) DCC temporary road closure 13/02/06 in Harberton at St Clements Terrace.
4) S Hams Leisure Centres update. Also a report from S Hams Community Leisure Trust – both shown to the meeting. D Cllr Steer reported there were now four bidders indicating a willingness to run the leisure centres and SHDC’s final choice will be made in the last week of March.
5) SHDC. Letter received reporting the recent passing away of D Cllr Ted Mitchell.
6) SHDC Corporate Equality Scheme. The letter was shown to the meeting.
7) S Hams Local Development Framework. Details shown to councillors.
8) DCC. Highway Maintenance Works Provisional Programme 2006/7 shown to the meeting.
9) Letter received from Tor Homes reporting that the former communal lounge at Bow Road, Harbertonford, which had been converted into a one bedroom flat, was now to be added to their rented stock. This was welcomed by all councillors.
10) SHDC Budget Proposals 2006/7 shown to the meeting. D Cllr Steer also reported there would be free bus travel for over 60s, which the government is supposed to be fully funding.
Other Items on the Table: S Devon Women’s Aid; DAPC Parish Regeneration Project; SHDC Minutes of Executive Meetings 05/01/06 and 26/01/06; SHDC Executive Forward Plan; DPFA Report; DCC Newsletter and SHDC Newsletter; SHDC Agenda and Minutes.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Jeffreys reported on a recent meeting of Harbertonford Playground Assn which was poorly attended. They are hoping to raise in the region of £27,000 for new equipment. There are not many sources for grants now, but hopefully new ones will be coming on stream soon. There will be an auction on 04/03/06 at the Maltsters Arms at 8.00pm to raise funds. Cllr Beamish will be taking part in the Great West Run to raise funds on 30/04/06 and is looking for sponsors.
2) Both Cllrs Knight and Jeffreys reported on confusing and obscured road signing through Harbertonford on A381.
3) D Cllr Steer reported on potholes down Shop Hill in Harberton. Also, outside Englebourne main gates the blue HGV restriction sign to Harberton was now obscuring vision coming from Harberton and should be raised higher.
4) Cllr Fearn reported road breaking up at the right hand turn into Screws Lane from Coppithorne, Harberton.
The meeting closed at 9.35pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 14 March 2006 at 7.30pm at Harberton Parish Hall.