ILSINGTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

 

On 23^rd of September 2008

 

At ILSINGTON VILLAGE HALL

 

M I N U T E S

Present:            Mr M Retallick

Mr S Miners

                        Mr D Bardell

                        Mr N Blackhurst

                        Mr A Blackwell                       

                        Mr P Gibson

                        Mrs J Smith

                        Mr B Squire

            Mr R Westaway

 

Also in attendance: S Barker, J Christophers and 3 members of the public and Mrs C Retallick clerk to the council.

 

08/101  To accept apologies for absence

None received

 

08/102  Declaration of interest in items on the agenda

Messrs Gibson and Retallick declared an interest related to a planning application on this agenda

 

08/103  To confirm the minutes of the last meeting 22^nd of July 2008

Signed as a true record of the last meeting.

 

08/104  To report matters arising from the minutes not on the agenda.

A date was arranged for a site visit of places highlighted in the housing need report for Saturday 4^th of October.

The clerk informed the meeting that if a field shelter is erected and truly is mobile then permission is not needed but DNPA would still like to see all plans for such shelters to give advice on a specific site, if there are any particular sites which are of concern councillors should inform the clerk who will contact the relevant authority.

The quotations for the play area at Ilsington were discussed and a discussion followed  with regard to the maintenance and long term care, councillors asked to see samples of safety surface and Messrs Blackhurst and Squire, Westaway offered to assess these along with the quotes and make recommendations back to full council, the councillors agreed that the play area does need attention therefore the clerk will start investigating grant options.

 

 

08/105  Business brought forward by the Chairman.

The chairman asked the meeting if they would agree to the trough planting at Liverton to be planted up with seasonal plans twice a year at £15.00 each time.  The councillors agreed to this however they suggested the trough be moved to a site near to Liverton village hall, this will be investigated.

 

08/106  Acquisition of Ley Crescent Car Park

A letter has been received from Harold Michelmore & Co requesting instructions for the  acquisition of the Car Park at Ley Crescent the councillors gave there authorisation to continue.

 

08/107  To receive reports from District, County Councillors and Police Officer.

J Christopher’s commented on the application for 5 new towers at Trago Mills.

He spoke about the unitary boundaries and noted there had been mixed feeling about the proposal, it appears that there will be a change and it is likely that the county will be divided and parish council will get more responsibilities although most parishes do not want these changes.  One of the changes would be that if parishes buy in some services they could seek refund from national government i.e action groups which would protect post offices, pub, shops etc funds could be claimed under the sustainable communities act.

Community Land Trusts are forming in Ashburton and Chudleigh hopefully before Christmas, this will be good news for affordable housing in rural communities and it is hoped that local contractors would be used in areas where there is no lower limit to how many houses to be built.

Local development framework Sub group is meeting in November and will discuss Matthew Taylor report.

Mr Christophers asked for feed back from the site visits in October.

 

Mr Barker reported that under the Sustainable Community Act the public have a right to know what the government spend on local services, Parish councils can apply to spend the money on the same service but more economically.

Boundary committee preparing a response which will include comments that they consider the county will have no future without Exeter at the heart of the county. Also they are not supporting the community’s boards as it is an unnecessary level of authority.  If there is a need for area breakdowns the groups should be larger, this was tried in the early 70s, and proved to be unworkable - no saving to be made there.

On local issues a new street light has been erected in Summerhill Road.

Resurface Exeter Cross will happen soon and South West highways will come to strip off the top level of damaged tarmac once the equipment is in the area.

 

Chairman noted that this Parish Council does not want to take any extra responsibilities away from county or district.  Mr Barker assures the meeting that Parish Council statuary duties will not change and they will only get extra responsibilities if asked for.  The discussion then turned to clustering councils and the advantages i.e. road sweepers.  We recognized that the larger town and parish councils would like to have extra responsibilities as extra funds are available.

Mr Bardell noted that the visibility patches have been cut once this year, some have not been cut at all, Mr Barker will find out the reasons why.

The Chairman asked Mr Barker why Ramshorn Down had not been trimmed as is was the responsibility of DCC,  Mr Barker suggested that there is a new management plan with DNPA to trim that area there was some debate over this and Mr Barker agreed to  look into this.

 

Mr Blackhurst reported low crime rate.

 

08/108  PUBLIC FORUM

Mrs Sue Norris wanted to discuss the proposed closure of the village shop and urged the council to attend the meeting next Tuesday.  The Chairman has received correspondence and will discuss during correspondence.

Mrs Norris would be interested in the development of the play area at Ilsington playing field.

Mr Westaway reported footpaths are overgrown from Star Inn  to Exeter Cross, Liverton.  Chairman suggested a flyer drop to households advising them of the  need to trim hedges.

Mrs Smith highlighted a similar problem between Blackpool School and Benedicts garage and Mr Barker agreed to look at this problem.

Mr Blackwell had received concerns from a parishioner with regard to heavy traffic using Benedicts Road and again asked for signs for no access.  We have already contacted highway and no further action can be taken.

Mr Christophers has talked to TDC about maintaining clear gullies and drains and agrees that these problems need to be addressed.  At the next meeting of Scrutiny Committee a senior member of the highways team will be present and these matters could be discussed.

Mr Bardell reported weeds growing in the pavements in Liverton.

 

08/109  To consider the planning applications received from Teignbridge District

            Council and Dartmoor National Park Authority

The Chairman reported back on comments from a previous meeting, he informed the councillors that a no objection response is not a strong enough comment.  We should be quite definite about an objection with supporting notes or support the application with a supporting statement.  With that in mind the comments were recorded for the applications put forward this evening.

1.      Liverton Utd Football and Sports Club, Recreation Field – Extension to increase kitchen area provision of additional toilet and modification to existing toilet for improved disable access.  We strongly support this application.

2.      Moor view School, Staple hill Road – Variation of condition 1 and 2 on planning permission 07/03620/FUL 09 to permit retention of portacabin for school use for a further year and use of a room for religious meetings as well as educational purposes.  We support this application

3.      Proposed Conservatory at Penlee, Old Liverton Road, Liverton.  No objection

4.      Proposed Agricultural livestock building (42m x 12.2m) at Honeywell Farm, Ilsington. We strongly support this application and sympathetic with existing buildings at the site.

 

Grant of Conditional Planning Permission

·        Application under reg 3 of Town and County Planning General reg 1992, for three coach parking spaces to rear of Haytor Information centre plus pedestrian access to Haytor Information Centre Haytor

·        Proposed Certificate of lawfulness in respect of use of Upalong Annexe as separate dwelling from main house.

·        Erection of timber-framed garden shed to replace existing Higher Cator Lodge, Haytor

·        Proposed new staircase to replace unauthorised staircase at Cobstone Cottage, Higher Brimley

 

08/110  To receive reports from Parish Councillors on outside bodies.

Mr Miners attended a TALC meeting where Parish Councils were called to consider biodiversity when considering planning applications.  He cannot attend the TALC meeting on Thursday and asked if anyone else could attend in his place.  Discussed the meetings timings and asked Mr Christophers reflect this councils views back to TDC. 

Mr Squire informed the meeting that the twinning groups are meeting on Thursday.

Mr Gibson reported attempts of theft at the playing field of mowing machine.  He also reported a water leak at Ilsington Village Hall as they are being billed for it, the Chairman advised that a refund could be claimed, Mr Gibson will advise the committee.

 

08/111  To authorise payments of cheques presented.

1.         C Retallick Salary                                                         £  494.00

2.         Ilsington Village Hall (Hall Rental)                                 £      6.00

3.         Liverton Village Hall Rental                                           £    10.00

4.         Eclipse Broad band provider charge for IVH                 £    46.98

5.         SWW (Water at Allotments)                                         £    14.40

6.         DAPC AGM                                                                £    30.00

7.         Ilsington Pre School – Equipment                                  £  276.95

Cheques total for this month                                                      £  878.33

 

Balance held in the bank from both accounts at the end of August 2008

                      £ 23,988.93

All the above cheques were authorised and signed.

 

08/112  Correspondence

Letter from the Ilsington Post Office re the proposed closure of the shop and it services. An invitation to attend the meeting 30^th September at 7 pm.  Messrs Bardell, Blackhurst and Gibson to attend.  The Chairman recommended that this parish council would support to maintain the shop and its services, supported be all present.

TDC – Standards committee agenda for 4.9.08 and Council meeting 15.9.08

DNPA – Defra Consultation on Direct Election to National Park Authorities

            Validation of planning and related application proposed checklist and explanatory document

HMCS – invitation to learn more from ‘Magistrates in the Community’ team

CAB annual report

Highway agency – acknowledgement of maintenance issues

Letter from Parishioner re grant for football kit and training costs

                                       Re Lenda Woods

Letter received from Ilsington Pre School requesting a grant.  This requested was supported and a cheque was added to the list for signature.

TDC the final decision re BT’s proposal to realign payphone provision

Devon and Cornwall Police – liaison meeting on 6^th October in Teignmouth

The Flyer

Junk Mail

Village Green

 

10/113  To confirm the date of the next meeting of Ilsington Parish Council this will be held on Tuesday 28^th of October 2008 at 7.30 p.m. at Liverton Village Hall.

 

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ILSINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

 

 

Present :-          Mr M Retallick

                        Mr S Miners

                        Mr A Blackwell

                        Mr D Bardell

Mr P Gibson

Mr T Noon

                        Mrs J Smith

                        Mr R Westaway

Also present one member of the public and Mrs C  Retallick

 

Apologies :- received from Mr B Squire.

 

The member of the public asked to speak about a prior planning application, and Mr Retallick explained that any further comments should be made directly to DNPA.

 

A G E N D A

 

1.                  To consider planning applications received from Teignbridge District Council and Dartmoor National Park Authority up to the 9^th of September 2008.

 

2.                  PUBLIC FORUM

This is the opportunity for members of the public and applicants to address the Parish council on planning matters only.

 (Applicants may speak up to 3minutes on behalf of there own application)

Mr Gibson made comments about the refusal of planning permission at 8 Telegraph View, one of the reasons given was that a section of the hedge line would need to be removed, a discussion followed and some councillors agreed that off road parking may improve traffic congestions in this part of Liverton.  It was resolved that the clerk will get further clarity on this matter to discuss at the next meeting.

 

a)      Ilsington – Meadow Mist, Bickington – Erection of single storey extension with timber decking.   No objection

b)      Moorlands House Hotel, Haytor – Use of land for siting of staff caravans.  The councillors would like to clarify the need as at this location there is adequate building within the hotel grounds to house staff.  Mr Westaway has no objection, however a vote was taken and 2 councillors were in favor of application and 6 against

 

c)      Sycamore House, Ilsington – Re-construct existing garage roof and extension to form en-suite: convert garage to bedroom: form one additional parking space.

No objection.

 

Grant of conditional planning permission

·        5 Pomeroy Place, Liverton – Conservatory

·        17 Kittersley Drive, Liverton – Conservatory

 

Refusal of Planning Permission

·        The Barn, Oakland’s – Retention of balcony

·        8 Telegraph View, Liverton – Vehicular access and off-road parking.

 

Notification of appeal lodged

·        Against the refusal of the full planning permission for the use of the site for four mobile homes and four utility day rooms and four touring caravans at land off Liverton lane.

 

     3.  Correspondence related to planning matters

·        Ilsington C of E Primary School, Ilsington – Change of use from agricultural to school playing field. The meeting noted the letter no further decision to be made as IPC have already made comments.

·        Planning in your Parish Conference 2008 – DNPA 15^th Oct 7.30pm – 2 councillors to attend.

 

4.      Boundary discussion.

Messrs Bardell, Blackwell, Miners and Mrs Smith attended the TALC meeting where this matter was discussed the councilors present at that meeting refused to comment.

Points that have been considered during this discussion:-

·        The decision is inevitable. 

·        Councillors chosen to go onto community boards would be almost full time roles with little or no pay. 

·        The Exeter unitary decision is already made

·        Therefore how would the rest of the county be managed. 

·        DNPA chief planning officer has assured there members that the planning procedure will remain the same. 

·        It was noted that planning applications will be dealt with by the community boards therefore it would be doubtful if local knowledge would be used.

·        There are assurances that Council tax would not go up but in reality where would the money come from.

·        Some services would be delegated to the parishes, the councillors are unsure if this would realistically work.

·        The chairman asked the meeting if this council wanted to take on these extra responsibilities - all the councillors agreed they did not.

·        General feelings were that if councillors were expected to have a greater responsibility volunteers would not stand to be councillors, and some existing councillors may resign.

·        Teignbridge would not remain and the larger towns would be clustered with the smaller parishes.

 

The options we are asked to comment on are Exeter and Devon or just Devon council.  We understand that a unitary council in Devon is not happy and would like to come back into the Devon County Council fold therefore this should be considered and lesson’s should be learnt.

This council is not in favor of a two tier system ie county – community board.

If this system is introduced the Community board should have at least one member of each of the parish councils

·        It seem that the aim is to swap paid officers with unpaid parish councillors, which is totally unreasonable.

·        Volunteers become councillors for there own community and not for a bigger area therefore if this was the case the local knowledge would be lost.

·        How finances would be organized by population or geographic areas?

·        This council also noted that the result of consultation will be at the end of December while everyone is on holiday!

·        There is a need for greater clarity on procedures for finance and planning matters.

It was resolved that the Clerk will draw together comments and email it around for councillors to approve and returned to clerk in time for deadline.

 

5.      Authorisation of cheques for urgent payment

1.   BT for Ilsington Village Hall                                                      £   55.15

2.   BT office telephone and line rental                                             £   78.74

3.   R Mann grass cutting at Little Meadow                         £ 135.00

The councillors authorised payment on the above cheques

 

There being no other business the meeting was closed.