Present: Cllrs Fearn, Knight, Johnson, Hockings, Jeffreys, Williams, Hill, Steer, Janes, Devon County Cllr Date and District Cllr R Steer.
Apologies: Cllr Beamish.
Public: 4
Speaker: Mr M Elliott of SHDC Planning.
Clerk: Mrs D Crann.
The Chairman opened the meeting, welcoming everyone and then invited Mr Elliott to speak. He had come to introduce himself to the Council as Harberton was now part of the West Team for planning purposes and he is the Leader. Mr Elliott outlined the general planning policies mentioning barns in particular, which were often exceptions to the rules. He also made the point that if councillors had any problems with making decisions, SHDC officers were there to offer advice if necessary. D Cllr Steer made a final comment offering support for all the hard work carried out by Mr Elliott’s team. After further discussions, Mr Elliott left the meeting.
The Chairman then invited the members of the public to speak. Mrs Carrino of Harberton spoke, supported by Miss Carrino in their planning application which was on the agenda. There was some opposition to this plan from neighbours who had sent letters to all parish councillors. Mrs Carrino outlined this plan and invited councillors to a site meeting if they wished. After further discussion, they both left the meeting.
Two members of the public, Mr J Hoddinott and Mrs E Hookway, both wished to be co-opted to the vacancies as members of the Parish Council. Both were known to most councillors and had lived in the parish for many years. It was proposed by Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Williams, to co-opt them both on to the Parish Council. All in favour. Forms of Declaration of Acceptance of Office and General Notice of Registrable Interests were passed to them for completion.
Devon County Cllr Date then gave his report. He had chaired the committee which passed last year’s accounts and also the Gypsy Committee. There was an urgent need for 50-60 sites for gypsies in the south-west area. The District Council was now responsible for finding suitable sites, including 5 transit sites. Cllr Date left the meeting.
D Cllr Steer then gave his report. Post Office closures were now of particular concern. The 3 year licensing debate is to be reviewed. On Wednesday 10 October, there was to be a nuclear reactor exercise in Devonport stretching up to Exeter.
The Police report had been given to the Clerk on 05 October by PC Debbie Taylor:- Damage to Harbertonford Post Office door – window was broken during an attempted break-in; drive-off at Harbourne Filling Station - £43.50 worth of petrol by a silver saloon; in Harberton a theft of money by a known person.
The minutes of the previous meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
Matters Arising:
1) Speeding traffic in Harberton. The Clerk had heard from DCC Highways regarding complaints of speeding traffic down Tristford Road, Harberton. There will be a consultation with the Police to encourage drivers to slow down.
2) The plaque for the bench in memory of Edmund Janes has now been ordered in brass.
3) Re broken pipe at the Ford in Harberton. The Clerk will contact South-West Water in the matter.
4) Re cars not stopping on pedestrian crossing on A381 in Harbertonford. Cllr Jeffreys reported another near-miss at the crossing from the public house side. A car was coming from Kingsbridge. There were no injuries as the child escaped unhurt.
Planning: Parish Council Recommendations –
Decisions between meetings
23/1936/07/CU Barn at Lower Ashridge, Harberton. Resubmission of 23/0016/07/CU for holiday accommodation. No objections, but Parish Council have concerns at increased traffic to nearby road junction at Fork Cross before improvements are carried out.
23/1952/07/F Village Hall, Harbertonford. Extension and alterations. No objections.
23/2005/07/F The Granary, Dorsley Barton, Harberton. Install window in north elevation. No objections, but recommend a smaller window in keeping with the others. Proposed by Cllr Johnson, seconded by Cllr Janes. All in favour.
23/2034/07/F West Leigh Farm, Harberton. Retrospective application for storage and commercial purposes. Decision delayed for a site meeting. Cllr Steer declared an interest and took no part in the discussions.
Correspondence:
1) Harbertonford Village Hall loan. Delayed until the next meeting.
2) Bottle Bank in Harberton. Cllr Hockings put forward the suggestion of a trial run of a bottle bank in the top car park of the Parish Hall. A decision will be made next month.
3) DCC. Temporary road closures at Bennetts Cross to Brockwells and Langridge Cross to Dundridge 22/10/07.
4) D&C Police Authority to webcast its meetings from 05/10/07.
5) DCC Parish Lengthsman Service. In future, any new instructions for the Lengthsman from the parishes should be routed through the number for Highway Services – 0845 1551004.
New legislation for fly-posting has come into force – against any person who benefits from illegal fly-posting.
Other Items on the Table:
GLEAM newsletter; S Hams Society Bulletin; SHDC Executive Forward Plan; SHDC newsletter; DCC newsletter and magazine.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Jeffreys gave a report on the playground in Harbertonford. There had been a ROSPA inspection, which it had passed. The Heads of Agreement Report from SHDC did not fulfil requirements as the playground is privately owned. This will be referred to Ken Carter at SHDC for further discussions. Also, it was hoped it could become a dog-free zone.
2) Cllr Hoddinott reported bad potholes in Harberton from Leigh Cross to the Old Smithy.
The meeting closed at 9.45pm. The next will be held at Harbertonford Primary School on Tuesday 13 November 2007 at 7.30pm.