Present: Cllrs. Fearn, Knight, Beamish, Hockings, Steer, Hookway, Johnson, Hoddinott, Williams, Janes, District Cllr R Steer & County Cllr Date.
Apologies: Cllrs Hill & Jeffries.
Members of the Public: 16.
Clerk: Mrs. D.Crann.
The Chairman opened the meeting, welcomed everyone and invited the members of the public to speak. Mr Summers of Harbertonford commenced by speaking about a petition which had been presented to the Parish Council for allotments in the village, signed by some 19 residents, many whom were in attendance this evening. Mr Summers gave six reasons for having allotments - to build community spirit, good for one’s health (fresh air & food), good for the environment etc. Mr & Mrs Padfield also spoke in support, together with Mr Woollett. Councillors also joined in the general discussion with their full support for the project. The main stumbling block was lack of a site, as most fields surrounding the village were farms. Mrs Padfield explained that they proposed to do the legwork in locating any suitable plots. Mrs Padfield then changed the subject to a planning matter and asked why the Parish Council gave their opinions before the Planning Committee decided on planning decisions. Cllr Steer explained that the Parish Council follows strict procedures laid out for them and the Parish Council offers an opinion and not a decision, as that is made by the District Councillors. Any members of the public who wished to make representations on any planning matter would be advised to write to SHDC Planning Officers. The majority of the members of the public then left the meeting.
Mr Board of Harbertonford then spoke, he had come to discuss a matter of flooding at his property, Smokey Cottage, along the A381 road last weekend. This flooding was subsequent to recent road works from Harbertonford village towards Totnes. There had been new road drains installed up the hill towards Langridge Cross, since when his property had been flooded several times due to them not working properly. There followed some discussion between Mr Board, his family and councillors. County Cllr Date agreed to take the matter up with DCC Highways to see if things could be sorted out.
District Cllr R Steer then gave his report. The owners of Church Cottage, Harberton, had finally been contacted and agreed to install some new windows. Re the Bottle Bank in Harbertonford, the contract will come up for renewal in April which should show an improvement. SHDC is looking for a new member for the Salcombe Harbour Board. The SHDC Budget had been discussed and an increase of 4.49% agreed for the coming year.
County Cllr Date gave his report. He had a £500.00 grant cheque for Harbertonford Playground Committee. Cllr Beamish agreed to deliver it to Cllr Jeffries. He added that following the sale of Exeter Airport, he would be having some funds for distribution to local associations and organisations. DCC increase in this coming year’s budget would be 3.9%. As Cllr Date was a Foundation Governor of KEVICC, Totnes, he reported he would again have funds for distribution to pupils and some former pupils. Cllr Date then left the meeting.
Police Report received by email 12.02.08. Since 08.01.08 there had been 8 crimes reported, 4 detected and 2 other suspects being investigated. A reminder also about security. Make sure outbuildings, sheds and garages are secure. Also that trailers & cycles are properly locked and marked.
The Minutes of the last meeting were then considered, agreed and after two amendments, signed by the Chairman as a true record.
1) Harbertonford Village Hall Loan application. To be fully discussed at the end of the meeting.
2) Plaque for the bench in memory of Edmund Janes. The Clerk had spoken with Brixham Trophy & Locksmiths who now have the brass and will proceed with the order.
3) Re cars not stopping at Pedestrian Crossing on A381 in Harbertonford. Cllrs Hockings and Hoddinott reported further incidents of cars not stopping on 20 January. Also a letter had been received from Mr White of Harberton giving his experiences of more problems.
4) Bottle Bank in Harberton - ongoing.
5) Potholes which had been reported had not yet been repaired in both villages.
6) Cars are still parking at Old Road junction with A381. The Clerk has reported this matter to DCC Highways and to the Police.
Planning. Parish Council recommendations -
Decisions between meetings.
23/0059/08/F - Hallalen, Harberton. Resubmission of 23/0450/07/F. Alterations & extension to dwelling and new roof over garage for studio/games room. No objections.
Decisions at meeting.
23/0141/08/F - Hayes Barn, Harberton. Extension to dwelling. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Hockings, seconded by Cllr Hoddinott. All in favour.
23/0145/08/F - 3 Mount Pleasant, Old Road, Harbertonford. Erection of two storey rear extension. Decision delayed for site meeting.
23/0186/08/F - Blacksmiths Cottage, Dorsley Barton, Harberton. Addition of window. No objections, but must be of a modest size. Proposed by Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Williams. All in favour.
Correspondence:
1) Petition for provision of allotments in Harbertonford. This matter was fully discussed earlier in the meeting with members of the public present. Follow-up will be actioned by the Harbertonford Allotment Society.
2) Business Plan update for Harbertonford Village Hall Loan will be discussed at the end of the meeting.
3) SHDC 3rd tranche of loan repayment for the Harberton Flood Prevention Scheme invoice received. The cheque had been signed between meetings and £328.36 paid in at Follaton House.
4) A letter from Mrs Padfield of Harbertonford was shown to the meeting. This enclosed a copy of a letter of objections to plan 23/2669/08/F which had been sent to SHDC.
5) SHDC has written asking for permission to site a textile bank at the car park in Harberton, alongside the proposed bottle bank. Councillors have no objections. The Clerk will contact John Culf with the information.
6) Best Kept Village Competition. Form to be passed on to the Primary School.
7) Dept of Communities & Local Govt Consultation on Orders & Regulations relating to Conduct of Local Authority Members in England shown to the meeting.
8) SHDC letter re Post Office Network Changes shown to the meeting.
9) DCC Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 shown to the meeting.
10) DCC temporary road closure from Follaton House to Dorsley Barton 25.02.08.
11) DCC P3 2007/8 Financial Summary Forms to be completed and returned.
12) South Hams Local Development Framework submission stage to be passed around councillors.
13) DCC Road Works A3122 Totnes Cross to Halwell Camp to start 14.01.08.
14) SW Lifelong Network. Letter received regarding a research programme with the University of Plymouth & DAPC.
15) Letter received from Dartington Housing Assn Ltd shown to the meeting with an update of their work with local communities and opportunities for affordable, sustainable rural housing.
16) Devon Countryside Access Forum is currently recruiting new members. Anyone interested should telephone them on 01837 810921.
17) SHDC Open Spaces Play Audit. Details shown to the meeting. Copies to Harbertonford Playground Association and Harberton Playing Field Association.
18) Letter from the Audit Commission read to the meeting by the Chairman. This nominated the External Auditor for the next five years to be Mr Alun Williams commencing 2007/8.
19) DCC News Letter Special Bulletin shown to the meeting updating on the Government’s decision for Devon to retain Devon County Council in its present form.
20) Invoice received from K C Garden Machinery for supply of one mower belt £28.77 (incl. VAT.) to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Beamish, seconded by Cllr Johnson. All in favour. A donation cheque received from Harberton Playing Fields Assn for £24.28 paid into bank. Cllr Hoddinott commented he could obtain a mower belt at wholesale cost in future.
21) D&C Police Liaison Meeting to be held on Monday 18 February 2008 at 7.30.pm. at Follaton House.
22) SHDC Parish Remuneration Panel. Details shown to the meeting.
23) SHDC. Harbertonford Bottle Bank. The Clerk had spoken with Chris Hillyer of SHDC since difficulties were reported by contractors emptying the Bottle bank. It would appear a new contractor is due to be arranged in April and it is hoped these problems will then be resolved.
24) A letter received from Mr C Lund of Harberton was then discussed. It was regarding ‘Moto-Cross’ in a field adjacent to Screws Lane. Cllr Hoddinott will investigate the matter.
25) The Boundary Stone at Peak Cross had now been removed by DCC and will be encased in concrete and returned.
26) Cllr Hoddinott wished to record the Parish Council’s support for the Harbertonford Allotment Society. Proposed by Cllr Johnson, seconded by Cllr Hoddinott. All in favour. District Cllr R Steer reported that South Brent had recently formed a new group and suggested they might be approached for information.
Other items on the table:
DCC Newsletter; Voluntary Vine; SHDC Agenda & Minutes; SHDC Executive Forward Plan; DPFA Magazine; SHDC Responding to Major Emergencies;
CCD Various Items.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr. Beamish reported a broken manhole cover at the top of Riverdale hill on right hand side.
2) Cllr. Fearn reported potholes from Tristford Lodge to Blakemore Level.
The Parish Council then discussed the Harbertonford Village Hall loan application. All Councillors had now read the revised Business Plan together with other figures provided last week. They all expressed the view that they definitely wanted to support the Harbertonford Village Hall with their extension plans and improvements. It was proposed by Cllr Williams to offer a £15,000 (fifteen thousand pounds) loan repayable over 10 (ten) years, seconded by Cllr Steer. An amendment was proposed by Cllr Hockings of a £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) loan over 10 (ten) years, seconded by Cllr. Hookway. Voting on the amendment was 2 in favour, 6 against & 2 abstentions. The original proposal was carried. This will not become available until after all anticipated grants are in place. It was then proposed by Cllr Steer that this should be at a fixed rate of interest, seconded by Cllr Beamish. All in favour.
Cheque signed:
No 413 - K.C. Garden Machinery - £28.77
Cheque paid into Bank:
£24.28 from Harberton Playground Assn.
The meeting closed at 10.45pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 11 March 2008 at 7.30pm at Harberton Parish Hall.