MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STOKEINTEIGNHEAD PARISH COUNCIL TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2018 - STOKEINTEIGNHEAD VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE ROOM Present: Cllrs French (Chair), Dagworthy, Horton, Small, Stanley, Stoneman and Simmons Apologies: Cllr Setter Also present: Rachel Avery (Clerk) 9 members of the Public County Cllr Dewhirst and District Cllr Clarance Sgt Johnathon Ross No Subject Comments 1 The Chairman will open the Meeting and receive apologies. Cllr French opened the meeting at 19.30. It was RESOLVED to APPROVE the apologies of Cllr Setter due to work commitments. 2 To declare any interests arising at this meeting. Cllr Stoneman item 5 (18/00437/AGR). The Council will adjourn for the following items: 3 Public Question Time: A period of 5 minutes will be allowed for members of the public to ask questions or make comment regarding the work of the Council or other items that affect Stokeinteignhead. County and District Councillors' Reports Police Report Neighbourhood Watch Report Karl Pedersen apologised to the council for the way he reacted to a planning application at the last meeting. This was NOTED and he was thanked for his apology. A resident asked if the Parish Council could consider the addition of a litter bin in the village. Action: Agenda item for April. Karl Pedersen asked why the emergency plan was not actioned when it snowed last week and raised concerns that there was no salt in the village. Cllr French reported that the emergency plan is actioned in the event of risk to life, which had not been the case. The Parish Council own a salt spreader, but this would not have helped with the amount of snow that fell on Thursday and Friday. Cllr Small gritted the centre of the village (Deane Road junction) by hand and Cllr Stanley salted the dangerous bends in Gabwell. The Parish Council would have gritted the roads if there had been an ice risk, but the snow melted without the need to grit the road. It was NOTED that there were some old bags of hardened salt put in the Linhay, but these were taken very quickly. Cllr French reported that the Parish Council do not provide salt as a public convenience, but there is salt in grit bins. County Cllr Dewhirst suggested that the DCC Highway Engineer be contacted to discuss a further salt bin be installed at Forches Hill. He offered to support this financially, by match funding the cost to the Parish Council. County Cllr Dewhirst s report forms part of the minutes. District Cllr Clarance explained that there is a huge disparity in Parish Council precepts and he applauds the Parish Council for trying to keep churchyard open. He explained that DCC are resurfacing the road and reinstating railings at Marine Parade in Shaldon due to the immense power of the sea during the storm. He thanked DCC and County Cllr Dewhirst for this work being undertaken. Sgt Johnathan Ross reported one recorded crime since 1 February, which was a domestic issue. He reported that the horse box at Pools Weir is taxed until October. Its MOT has expired and has no insurance, but there is no legislation in place to move it. The owner has been amicable on the telephone and had promised to move the vehicle, but it is still there. Cllr Stanley reported of more scams; general guidance is to think before giving out personal details. Details are used to find out more about you CHAIR: DATE:.. 148
and even your name, address and a few personal details may allow scammers to bypass security questions. Banks will never ask you to give personal information, or transfer money out of your account, over the phone. Recent scams have included HMRC demanding payments of debts, low cost air tickets, teachers being contacted, supposedly by head teachers regarding payments from school budgets and Sky TV refunds. Cllr Dagworthy explained that most email addresses do not correspondent to the sender, but these are becoming more difficult to spot. If you have been contacted, ring 101. The Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk) website also has very information and can investigate reports fully. Further information can be found on the Neighbourhood Watch section of the village website. Cllr Stanley also reported that the Driving Safer for Longer course was a success, with 15 attendees. It is hoped that that a second course will be held, further information will be provided when details are finalised. Please contact Cllr Stanley (Bernard.stanley447@btinternet.com) if you are interested in attending. The Council will convene to conduct the following business: 4 Approval to consider, amend as agreed by the Council and approve the minutes of the following minutes: 13 February 2018 It was RESOLVED to APPROVE the minutes. 5 Planning: 18/00089/FUL Construction of new equestrian stable block (Gabwell Field, Stoke Road/Mr N Kirwin) 18/00437/AGR Agricultural building (Leylandii Gardens, Lower Rocombe/Mr M Luscombe) Cllr Small PROPOSED refusal of the application. This was SECONDED by Cllr Stanley and APPROVED (4:0 (3 abstentions)). Concerns raised were: amount of hardstanding, generating water runoff on the highway waste product in close vicinity to residential properties No change of use permission as this is an agricultural field and that its proper field name is Broompark Inadequate access for larger vehicles such as horse boxes. It was AGREED that should the planning officer be minded to approve the application, the following conditions should be enforced: Appropriate landscaping and no external lighting to mitigate homes in the vicinity No ability to change stable use to residential Waste product to be removed regularly or cited on a concrete pad to mitigate leaching. Cllr Stoneman left the room. Cllr Dagworthy PROPOSED no objection. This was SECONDED by Cllr Small and APPROVED (6:0). Cllr Stoneman re-joined the meeting, 6 Flooding: DCC update Cllr Stanley reported concerns over the use and advertisement of an annexe in Rosemary Cottage. He also raised concerns over the loss of roadside hedges at The Mead, which may have contravened planning permission. Action: Clerk to contact TDC with these concerns. DCC s Jessica Bishop had sent the following updated: In house engineers are currently looking at the feasibility of the alternative option of installing a culvert through the main road of the village. CHAIR: DATE:.. 149
A ground radar survey will be carried out over the next month to give a clear plan of the various underground services in the road to see what potential restrictions there are for the proposed culvert. Cllr Stanley reported that DCC are not prepared to predict effects on project, and timescale and completion dates will not be confirmed; another winter without protection of flooding as whole package should be expected. County Cllr Dewhirst explained that there is an absolute commitment to Stokeinteignhead from DCC. Cllr Stanley raised concerns over the lack of sandbags and asked that the clerk chase TDC. Action: Clerk to contact TDC. Cllr Horton reported that the water issue at Longpark appears to have been rectified. It was asked if DCC have considered any further work at Deane Road. Cllr Stanley reported that DCC is looking at Deane Road and were willing to do some work prior to the main project. Alternative solutions for this area are being looked at. It was NOTED that that silt trap required clearing urgently. It was NOTED that Cllr Stoneman was unable to undertake this work anymore and Charles Horton would be contacted. 7 Finance: To agree accounts for payment It was RESOLVED to APPROVE accounts for payment. Cllr Dagworthy explained that whilst his name appears on the bank statement for the Linhay rent payment, the lease is between Mrs Gill Dagworthy and the Parish Council. This was NOTED. The clerk reported that details of changes to the external audit are awaited and she will endeavour to speak to an internal auditor prior to the next meeting. 8 Village Hall: Report Cllr Simmons report forms part of the minutes. Cllr French had attended the AGM. The end of year accounts are healthy and she thanked the committee for their hard work throughout the year. This vote of thanks was seconded by Cllr Dagworthy and it was agreed that the council were very grateful for the committee s efforts. 9 Shop Report. In Matthew Fearn s absence, the clerk provided the following report: The shop is continuing with its application for a Post Office and it is hoped that a further update for the Parish Council next month will be available We are continuing with our Shop Survey, so far 89 surveys have been returned and we have had an offer from a villager who has expertise in market analysis to look at the raw data We have also set up a committee to look at people comments and suggestions, so we can either answer questions or adopt ideas February s sales figures were up on the same time last year, so we hope we can maintain the trend The Community Shop also was very busy over the days we were snowed in and were able to keep people supplied. We did have issues with milk, paper, bread and eggs but except for newspapers we were able to maintain stocks. A big thanks to the Village Hall Committee (Karl & Kevin) for their help We have already held a debrief session and will be creating an emergency plan for any other snow related events to ensure we keep our community shop as well stocked as possible 10 Twinners report. Cllr Simmons report forms part of the minutes. CHAIR: DATE:.. 150
11 Annual Parish Meeting and associated advertising. It was NOTED that the Annual Parish Meeting would be advertised in the magazine, on the website and on the notice boards. The clerk reported that the shop, village hall and PCC will be in attendance to provide reports. It was also agreed that community groups will be invited to have information tables. 12 Highways and Hedges. It was NOTED that there are large pot holes at Long Lane and Ivy Tree Hill, which has been reported several times. Cllr Stoneman asked if County Cllr Dewhirst had looked at St Marychurch Road, as requested at the last meeting. The surface has already broken up in several places after substantial work just before Christmas. It was NOTED that County Cllr Dewhirst would look at this. 13 Possible closure of the Churchyard. The clerk and chair had spoken to the Archdeacon of Totnes. It was AGREED that he would be invited to a future meeting when more details are known. The clerk is yet to receive confirmation of the outcome of the last PCC meeting, and she would email the secretary. It was NOTED that the PCC are holding an open consultation tomorrow in the church from 12-2.30 and 19.30-20.30. Cllr French urged people to attend. If there is no interest shown, the PCC will have a justifiable reason to say that nobody is interested. Standing orders were suspended. Karl Pedersen, as chair of the village hall committee, asked that it be noted that he had received a letter from the PCC with regards to material left in the hall attic. This had been removed without consent and passed to a villager. Fred Cornes stated that it is a matter for the PCC to decide what to do with a churchyard; and they can choose to close, reuse or extend it if land is available. Finance is not acceptable criteria for closure, nor the wish to transfer maintenance responsibility. He stated that a suitable compromise has already been discussed, with the Parish Council purchasing land and adjusting the precept to pay for maintenance and the PCC continuing to administer the cemetery as it does so already. The churchyard could be a wonderful open space for the whole village and he does not wish to see this asset lost. Standing orders were reinstated. Action: Clerk to contact PCC regarding outstanding points for PCC consideration. Cllr French raised the issue of a letter being sent to the local MP regarding the Parish Council precept rise of 17%. She explained that the only reason the precept had been raised so substantially is due to the churchyard. If the purchase of new land does not materialise, the precept will not be raised again and could even be lowered. Cllr Simmons felt uncomfortable with tax payers paying for this and suggested that there perhaps hadn t been an attempt to discuss with the parish. Cllr Dagworthy pointed out that meetings are held every month. People have the right to comment and raise questions, but the Parish Council were not contacted before this letter was written. Cllr Stanley explained that the substantial increase is almost entirely due to money set aside for possible purchase of land to extend the churchyard and otherwise the increase in precept is very small, however he pointed out that the percentage is high due to precept being so low in relation to other costs which make up council tax. Cllr Stoneman asked if future precepts would be subject to further high increases. It was NOTED that burial fees will be an income and therefore further increases would not be required. CHAIR: DATE:.. 151
The clerk reported that should funds be spent on the cemetery, necessary consultation events will be undertaken to discuss this with the community as a whole. 14 Clerks Report. The clerk reported that she had some issues with Facebook, and the councils page has been deleted. She would endeavour to start one again as it was a useful resource for engaging with the community. 15 To note any correspondence received. The clerk reported that she was receiving information on the new General Data Protection Regulations and the implications on the Parish Council. Agenda: Agenda item for April. 16 Emergency Plan: Update To discuss the outcome of Justin Sharples visit to February s meeting (defibrillator) Cllr Stanley reported that he had attended a volunteers training day as part of requirements for insurance. Communities Together have requested that plan be submitted in full to the emergency services and to help other communities prepare their plans. The next stage of the plan is to identify 4x4 owners willing and capable to help in adverse weather conditions and an appeal will be made in the parish magazine. It was NOTED that the six members of the Emergency Plan response team will have the defibrillator code should the Emergency Plan be triggered. It was NOTED that if a person is having a heart attack and there is only one person with them, it will be impossible to leave the phone. It was suggested that 999 can be phoned from a mobile even if there is no signal by using another networks signal as long as there is a provider serving the village, therefore the landline can be used to phone for further help. 17 Public Question Time: 10 minutes Fred Cornes explained that he is the person holding the church documentation. He received it after an audit was undertaken in the village hall. Karl Pedersen explained that he hadn t authorised any audit to be undertaken and this was done in an underhanded way by two people. Karl Pedersen asked that this was not discussed further. Cllr Stanley wished to thank the village for their help in the snow and for the work on the emergency Plan. The village has a super group of volunteers and there are so many people willing to help. District Cllr Clarance also thanked Peter French, who had helped in Shaldon. 18 To note the date of the next meeting: Tuesday 10 April 2018. This was NOTED. The meeting was closed at 21.26. CHAIR: DATE:.. 152