Present: Cllrs Fearn, Knight, Steer, Hookway, Janes, Johnson, Hill, Hockings, Williams, District Cllr Robert Steer & Devon County Cllr Paula Black.
Apologies: Cllrs Hoddinott, Beamish & Jeffreys.
Members of the Public: 14.
Clerk: Mrs D Crann.
The meeting was opened by the Chairman who welcomed everyone and introduced our new County Councillor Paula Black.
He then addressed members of the public who had come to discuss the SHDC Local Development Framework Consultation Map of Harbertonford which showed seven areas for possible development in the village. The map had prompted members of the public to attend. Many points raised, including
1) how many houses would be allocated in Harbertonford; 2) how were these proposed sites picked and by whom; 3) problems with parking for new houses; 4) what type of housing would be built - affordable housing was needed most; 5) why only four weeks were allowed to respond; 6) flood plains & flooding possibilities. District Cllr Steer said he would take all these concerns forward to a meeting he would be attending, organised by the Princes Foundation the following day. That meeting would also be attended by
Cllr Hill and the Clerk. It was agreed that they would push for an officer from the SHDC Forward Planning Team to attend a public meeting in Harbertonford before the 26 June. This will be advertised in the Parish as soon as it has been arranged - probably at the Primary School at 7.30pm on a date to be confirmed. There was further discussion then at 8.15pm most members of the public left and the Parish Council meeting continued.
The minutes of the last meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
The Chairman thanked the Councillors for his re-election last month in his absence and hoped there would be a candidate from Harbertonford next year.
Matters Arising:
1) Street Lighting in Harberton. The Clerk had contacted DCC yet again, but the report was still unavailable.
2) Repair of fence to Playground in Harberton – ongoing.
3) Community Planning – ongoing.
4) P3 Footpath. The schedule of work on the footpaths for the summer had now been received and passed on to James Miller and Greengardens Co for estimates. Also work on footpath No 6 should be completed this summer.
5) Interactive road signing along A381 in Harbertonford. Work on this was now promised to start on 11 June.
6) Boundary Marker Stone at Peak Cross, Harberton – ongoing.
7) Buses to and from Kingsbridge School.
Cllr Hill explained the situation to County Cllr Black who said she would look into the matter.
8) Dog Fouling at the Ford in Harbertonford. Closed circuit film from the Post Office was available for inspection.
Police Report was then read out. One crime only - still being investigated. A warning to car owners to keep them locked and keep any valuable items out of sight, particularly during the summer months.
County Cllr Black said she was pleased to attend and hoped to be able to serve the community well.
District Cllr Steer congratulated Cllr Black on her election. The Sherford project was progressing and hopefully building would start next year. There had been a problem at Dundridge with a new owner at the yard where trees had been felled, but all appeared to be legal. District Cllr Steer would be attending a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with his wife on 07 July The site at Tigley was being investigated again where the application for a travellers site had been turned down, but some building had been started.
Planning. Parish Council recommendations:
23/0067/09/F Smokey Cottage, Harbertonford. Resubmission of 23/1927/08/F – construction of timber cats’ pens & kitchen facility. To go to appeal.
Decision at meeting –
23/0944/09/F Fine Pine, Harbertonford. Conversion of part of existing building to a two bed dwelling, workshop & retail. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded Cllr Steer. All in favour.
Correspondence:
1) A request for a grant towards the upkeep of St Andrews churchyard in Harberton had been received, together with a copy of their accounts. It was discussed whether to increase this from last year, but it was proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Hockings to keep it to £400.00 as the precept has been held the same as last year. All in favour.
2) An invoice for £178.25 (inc VAT) had been received from James Miller for the first clearance of silt at the Ford in Harberton. It was proposed by Cllr Johnson, seconded by Cllr Hockings this should be paid. All in favour.
3) DAPC. A copy of a letter to the Boundary Committee for England had been received. This reiterated the response this Parish Council had made and did not support in any way the proposals to change the system already in place. Also received, Village Green magazine.
4) A copy of a letter from Cllr J Tucker of SHDC was read out responding to the Local Government Review.
5) South Hams Local Government Framework - Pre-Submission stage. This was being read by Councillors.
6) DCC Temporary Road Closures. The Old Bakehouse, Tuckenhay 08/06/09. Also at Moreleigh Road, Harbertonford by Fujitsu on 07/09/09.
7) A letter had been received from Mr Fairweather of Harbertonford. This referred to the discussions which had taken place at the start of the meeting regarding the proposed seven development sites in Harbertonford. Points made would be put forward at the meeting with SHDC and the Princes Foundation on Wednesday 10 June.
Other items on the table:
SHDC Executive Forward Plan; DCC Newsletter; South Hams magazine; Baltic Wharf Riverside Revival; South Devon & Dartmoor CDRP; Voluntary Vine; SHDC Minutes of Executive meeting 28/05/09; R D & E Express.
Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman:
1) Cllr Hockings reported an area in the road between Totnes & Avonwick between Blakemore & Fork Cross, Harberton needing repair.
2) Cllr Hill reported the hedge outside ‘Tapestries’ on the road to Luscombe needed trimming.
3) Cllr Steer wished to comment on the discussions which had taken place at the start of the meeting. There was a need for limited development in the village of Harbertonford to support the school, shop and Post Office. This view was shared by all Councillors.
Cheques signed:
No 455 - Mrs D Crann - £457.08
No 456 - Harberton PCC - £400.00
No 457 - James T Miller - £178.25
D/D – Plus.Net - £9.75
The meeting closed at 9.35pm. The next will be held at Harberton Parish Hall on Tuesday 14 July 2009 at 7.30pm.