Parish Council meeting: Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Key information
Meeting location: The Church of St James, Avonwick
Meeting time: 7.30 pm
Sound Recording
You can download the audio recording for this meeting or use the player embedded in this page after the download link. Download the audio file here.Agenda
PDF of the Agenda for the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday, 6 April 2016
Approved Minutes
Approved Minutes for the Parish Council meeting on Wednesday, 6 April 2016
These minutes were approved on 3 May 2016
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 was one member of the public present.
The Council was informed of a recent informal meeting held with the Community Hall Project Committee. Councillors were brought up to speed with the progress being made by the committee. The sticking point at present concerns the need for car parking space. The planning department is insisting on 43 places being made available. The Council endorses and supports the work that has been completed and looks forward to hearing of further progress as it occurs.
The Council was informed that the Totnes area Ring and Ride has now been terminated. The reason for this is the removal of funding by Devon County Council. It is widely assumed that future provision will be likely to cost the County far more than it has been giving to the Ring and Ride service!
An outline planning application has been submitted for a permanent agricultural dwelling at Lower Greenslade Farm. Notices have been placed around the local area.
A blocked buddle hole is causing flooding on the North Huish – Bickham road. Action Cllr Gabriel.
Questions were asked concerning the provision of high speed internet access in North Huish. This is dependant on the roll-out of this service by BT Open Reach. The Council is not kept informed of the progress being made.
A question relating to the provision of a seat in North Huish had been dealt with in September 2015 when, following a survey carried out by the chairman, it was decided to not proceed with the purchase of a chair as the majority of parishioners living in North Huish did not wish to have one.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors Seager- Berry and Steer – planning application. Councillors Steer and Hunt mobile ‘phone aerial at North Huish
PRESENT
Councillors Bell, Gabriel, Grevatt, Hunt, Luscombe, Seager-Berry and District and Parish Councillor Steer.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
County Councillor Vint
MINUTES
The MINUTES of the meeting held 8th March 2016 on were confirmed and signed. Proposed Councillor Steer seconded Councillor Seager-Berry
MATTERS ARISING
Councillor Hunt reported that he had now received a supply of salt for winter road use.
Progress was being made on repairing the gutter/downpipe leak that is permitting water to access the notice board in Avonwick
The North Huish notice board will be fixed.
It was decided not to proceed with future publication of the minutes in the Diptford and North Huish magazine as the expense cannot be justified by the number of parishioners availing themselves of this facility. The cost involved would equal 8% of the parish precept.
REPORTS
County Councillor Vint had submitted a report which described his recent work at county level. This was read to the council
District Councillor Steer noted the significance that the District Council is giving to income generation. Means have to be found to boost the money available to the Council.
The council is looking at solutions to the problem of the lower ferry at Dartmouth. This must be made viable or it will have to be sold.
Devolution of powers from County to District to Parish is still under discussion.
Planning. The inspector dismissed an appeal against the planning refusal for a solar farm at Lower Blakemoor Farm.
A refusal for permission or 300 houses at Dartmouth has now received approval on appeal.
PLANNING
The council was informed that an appeal against refusal for a dwelling at Hill Top Farm, North Huish, had been refused by the inspector. A request for a permanent agricultural worker’s dwelling at Lower Greenslade Farm was discussed. Councillors decided that a site visit would be necessary before making a decision.
CORRESPONDENCE
Specific items of CORRESPONDENCE were noted as follows: AONB update.
FINANCE:
It was agreed to pay the bill for the 2015 elections. Proposed Cllr Grevatt seconded Cllr Hunt
The council agreed to accept a quotation form Mr R Northmore for the cutting of the play park grass and hedge. Proposed Cllr Steer seconded Cllr Hunt.
HIGHWAYS
The Council was still concerned with the surface of the road from Woodland Barton to Kittaford Cross. Action Clerk.
POLICIES
The Council agreed to update Council Policies
NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday 3rd May 2016 at 7.30pm at St James Church, Avonwick.
The AGM and the Annual Parish Meeting will take place before the Parish Council Meeting.