Parish Council meeting: Tuesday, 3 September 2013

Approved Minutes for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 3 September 2013

These minutes were approved on 1 October 2013

Please noteEvery care has been taken to present this accessible copy of the minutes with accuracy, but the formal record of the meeting remains the signed paper copy of the minutes.

OPEN FORUM:

There were two members of the public present. The vice chairman of Diptford Parish Council addressed the meeting to seek the support of the Council in objecting to the proliferation of Solar Panel farms in the South Hams.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Councillors Hext and Steer declared an interest in the planning application for Lower Greenslade Farm

PRESENT:

Councillors Cooper, Hext, Hunt, Luscombe, Pearse, Seager-Berry and District and Parish Councillor Steer.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

County Councillor Vint

MINUTES

The MINUTES of the meeting held on 10th July 2013 were confirmed and signed.

MATTERS ARISING:

There was no further news of proposals for development on the Woodpecker site. It is understood that the collection of vehicles on the site at present is connected to the various roadworks being undertaken and that they would be removed when the roadworks were completed.

Councillor Hext updated the Council on plans for the new play park in Avonwick. The area was being fenced and grass being cut. Much help had been received by the Play Park committee from Alex Whish of South Hams District Council. The committee is looking at which play equipment would be best purchased for the park.

The importance of ensuring that the play area was kept dog free was stressed. Permanent notices would be purchased informing dog owners that dogs were prohibited from the site. In the meantime temporary notices would be put in place.

It was agreed that a padlock should be purchased for the vehicle access gate. Keys to be kept at the shop.

It was also agreed that the Council should pay South Hams District Council a yearly fee to cover inspection and insurance of the play equipment once it is installed.

Negotiations were continuing over the proposed alterations to the permissive path in Avonwick.

The council was in communication with Devon County Council Natural Environment Department concerning the Japanese Knotweed within the parish.

It was agreed to raise the matter of Solar Panel farms at the next super Cluster meeting.

REPORTS:

District Councillor Steer reported that the Boundary Commission proposals for the re-organisation of the District Council would mean that the Council would be made up of 31 Councillors (Currently 40). North Huish Parish would become part of the South Brent ward.

Under recent planning decisions the application for a wind turbine at Harberton had been refused and it was understood that this would not be going to appeal. New guidelines for planners concerning such applications were not considered to be very clear.

Councillor Steer complimented Councillor Hext on the work that she had carried out concerning the new play area.

The Police report stated that there had been three crimes committed within the Parish during July and August, Thefts from two insecure motor vehicles and Causing alarm, harassment and distress (abusive driver).

PC Hopper had recently carried out speed checks outside the shop in Avonwick. Most vehicles were being driven at less than 25mph. PC Hopper did speak to three drivers who were exceeding the limit.

PLANNING:

The Council had held a site meeting at Lower Greenslade Farm and had objected to the request for a Mobile Home to be placed there.

FINANCE:

 

Balance c/f	6563.15
Income (grant for sign)	255.00
Income (interest)	0.44
Expenditure (sign)	255.00
Total	6563.59

 

This balance is made up as follows:

 

P3 money	149.40
Jubilee fund	1684.73
Council funds	4729.46
Total	6563.59

 

HIGHWAYS

The Council was informed that the speed reduction experiment will be put in place on the South Brent road at Avonwick on Tuesday 17th September.

The Highways department had informed the Council that the work on the South Brent road to repair the weakened roadside edges would commence on the 23rd September and last for approximately 6 weeks. The road would be closed during this work

Blocked drains were reported in Avonwick and blocked buddle holes were reported at North Huish

The flood resilience committee would be meeting on 15th October 2013.

NEXT MEETING:

Tuesday 1st October 2013 at 7.30pm at St James Church, Avonwick.

Parishioners wishing to bring any matter before the Council should either attend an Open Forum (held at the start of all Council Meetings) or ask a Councillor to represent them.

Approved by DW HUNT on 1st October 2013