Present: Cllrs Fearn, Knight, Jeffreys, Williams, Janes, Hockings, Johnson & Steer.
Apologies: Cllr Beamish & DC Cllr Date.
Speaker: Mr D Kenyon – SHDC Planning Officer.
Public: 1
Clerk: Mrs D Crann.
The Chairman opened the meeting, welcomed everyone and invited the member of the public to speak. Ms Simonon from Harbertonford introduced herself and then spoke about a project which she proposed for the village children – to decorate the bus shelter with a landscape picture. This type of project had been successful elsewhere in the country and gave the children a sense of pride in their work. DCC had already agreed that the inside of the shelter would be painted with anti-graffiti paint and, after discussion, councillors felt that this arrangement should stand.
The Chairman then welcomed Mr Kenyon and invited him to speak. He introduced himself and said he had worked at SHDC since 1984 and was now in charge of the east section of the area, due to the reorganisation of the Planning Department. He hoped the councillors would avail themselves of any help he or his officers were able to offer in the future with any problems with planning decisions. He also realised that the local knowledge of councillors would prove useful with some applications. After further discussion, Mr Kenyon left the meeting.
The Chairman read report from DC Cllr Geoff Date. He itemised meetings he had attended: Gypsy & Travellers Committee, Audit Committee, Highways and Traffic Committee. Cllr Date had also attended two meetings and spoken re Dartington College of Arts.
Report from D Cllr Steer. SHDC has been part of a bid for Choice Based Letting, which had been turned down, with the possibility of another bid in the first half of 2007. She had attended the appeal meeting for Tigley Croft Travellers’ Site – decision awaited. SHDC were pressing on with budget decisions for the new financial year, with a 5% maximum increase.
Police Report. No report received.
Cllr Jeffreys reported very fast cars along Bow Road, Harbertonford, after 11.30pm, with radios blaring on many occasions.
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. Ongoing.
2) P3 Footpath Scheme. Ongoing.
3) The Clerk had now received an estimate from James Miller for clearing the silt out of the stream by the bridge in Harberton. 4 times a year @ £600.00 + VAT, with any extra visits @ £150.00 + VAT. Councillors discussed this and felt it might not need four clearances, so it was proposed by Cllr Hockings, seconded by Cllr Johnson to accept £150.00 + VAT for each clearance, probably for three times a year.
4) The bench in memory of the late Edmond Janes was now ready and will be collected very soon and stored until installation by Cllr Hockings.
5) Harbertonford Playground Association. Cllr Jeffreys was in correspondence with the Diocese regarding the new disabled entrance to the play area. She also reported another grant to be awarded for £8,600 from Awards for All. As a further matter, she will sign the Terms of Agreement for the playground for SHDC insurance purposes.
Planning: Parish Council recommendations – decisions at the meeting
23/2367/06/TCA Harberton House, Harberton. Fell evergreen tree. No objections.
23/2481/06/F Tristford House, Harberton. Removal of Condition 1 of 23/1230/99/CU retention of lecture room, changing room, kitchen, WC and car park. No objection, but with strictly no residential and for owner’s use only. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Jeffreys. 7 in favour, 1 abstention.
Correspondence:
1) Precept for 2007/8. After discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Hockings, that there be an increase of 5% - a precept of £6,100.00. All in favour.
2) Best Kept Village Competition 2007. This was passed to Cllr Jeffreys.
3) DCC Highway Management – Area South 2007. A letter had now been received explaining the reorganisation of our area under Mr B George: the new telephone number is 0845 1551004.
4) SHDC. Parish Remuneration Panel. This letter was read out to the meeting.
5) SHDC. Press Release – Managing Travellers’ Needs was passed around the meeting.
6) SHDC. Sustainable Community Strategy 2007/11 was shown to the meeting.
7) DAPC. Developing a Senior Council in Devon and Vote in Your Council Election were shown to the meeting.
8) DCC. Community Energy Planning was shown to the meeting.
9) Devon & Cornwall Police Liaison Meeting 25/01/07 at Ivybridge Town Hall at 7.30pm.
10) Invoice received from James Miller for grass cutting. 6 cuts @ £36.00 + VAT (£216.00 + £37.80 VAT). Cheque for £253.80 to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Janes. All in favour. An estimate for 2007 season had been received for 10 cuts @ £39.00 + VAT. This to be accepted. Proposed by Cllr Johnson, seconded by Cllr Knight. All in favour.
Other Items on the Table:
SHDC Agenda & Minutes; SHDC Newssheet; Signpost Housing Association; SHDC Executive Forward Plan & Minutes of Executive Meeting 04/01/07.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Williams reported that Screws Lane, Harberton, has potholes.
2) Cllr Janes reported a street light out in Bow Road, Harbertonford.
3) Cllr Janes also reported algae on the pavement leading to the petrol station in Harbertonford.
4) Cllr Williams repeated that the road sign outside the Old Hall in Harberton needs repositioning.
5) Cllr Johnson gave notice that she would not be able to continue on the Harberton Parish Hall Committee.
6) Cllr Jeffreys reported cars parked dangerously at the A381/Old Road junction in Harbertonford.
7) Cllr Williams and the Chairman will meet to discuss the purchase of a computer to be used by the Clerk.
8) It had been reported to the Chairman that an old Parish boundary marker opposite the junction at Peak Cross was now being damaged by traffic. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
Cheque Signed:
No 376 – James Miller - £253.80
The meeting closed at 10.05pm. The next will be held at Harbertonford Primary School on Tuesday 13 February 2007 at 7.30pm.