Minutes of a Meeting on 15th December 2009
Minutes of a Meeting of Cornwood Parish Council
held on Tuesday 15th December 2009 at Cornwood Vllage Hall.
PRESENT Chairman Councillor T Brown. Councillors Mrs den Hollander, Munford, Reburn,
Taylor, Mrs Williams, Yarnold.
Clerk: Mrs S Fairman
District Cllr Blackler One member of the public
APOLOGIES Councillors Mrs S Brown, Mrs Littlemore, Mundell, Paull, County Councillor Hart
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None
OPEN FORUM
A resident of Corntown brought forward a planning application for an extension and alterations to Pool Park Bungalow, a property adjoining her own property. Concerns expressed were that 1) there had been no previous consultation with the owner of the neighbouring property on whose land the applicant would be working, 2) there was no mention of a party wall agreement, 3) neighbouring properties were not shown on the plans, 4) the parking space would be reduced by 2M, and 5) there was no copy of the pre-application advice from DNPA as indicated in the papers attached to the application. The neighbour was concerned about the impact on her property, and would be objecting accordingly. Councillors having visited the site agreed to forward these concerns to DNPA.
POLICE REPORT sent to Cllr Yarnold.
There were three crimes reported in the Parish in November: one drink/drive offence for which a driver was subsequently charged; two non-crime domestic incidents.
REPORT OF COUNTY AND DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES
District Cllr Blackler reported that there is a scam in operation locally in which residents are being asked for personal details apparently to receive repayments of Council Tax. The scheme to provide motor scooters to enable youngsters to travel to a first job has not been very successful. Government ministers are reported to be considering a consultation to establish greater support of rural Post Offices. Cllr Blackler reported that the charges for SHDC operated car parks will be increased in the next financial year. Cllr Blackler is in consultation with Mrs S Brown in an attempt to obtain a grant for the improvements to the store at the rear of the Village Hall. For details of the outcome report of the Boundary Committee see below under Minute 2018 a).
2209 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on the 3rd November 2009 were confirmed and signed as correct.
2210 MATTERS ARISING
Minute 540 Highway Matters. The hedge has been cut back alongside the SWW water treatment works in Bond Street. The highway issues raised at the November meeting are in process of being resolved as follows:
i) dislodged coping stones on the bridge at the entrance to Slade have been inspected and will be re-secured;
ii) drainage in the lane from Yondertown to Slade requires an easement across the adjacent fields – landowner permission being sought;
iii) the wall between the Tor Homes bungalows at Church Park and the adjacent house now cracking dangerously – no action
iv) drainage problems on Mountain Hill are caused by a local spring, and poor car parking – DCC report no action possible to remedy the situation;
v) the problem of water coming from Watery and Narrow Lane and causing problems at Glebe and by the school has again been referred to DCC;
vi) the drain pipe under the road at the Heathfield has been cleaned out.
vii) drainage work still remains to be carried out at Gibb Hill;
viii) the road surface between Luckett’s Farm and Gibb Hill will be repaired as per the next schedule of local maintenance;
ix) no action has taken place on the walk-way between Crossways and Newtown which is unlit and there is a step at one end.
Minute 1805 a) Parish Plan. Councillors agreed an item to be put in the January edition of the Parish magazine. Cllr Taylor to prepare the copy for the parish-wide distribution of the February edition. Following earlier discussions regarding the Parish Council funding a full distribution of the magazine it was proposed by Cllr Yarnold, seconded by Cllr Mrs Williams and unanimously agreed to pay the cost of the February issue, approximately £150. The Clerk to confirm figure with the Editor
Minute 2018 a) Local Government Review. The final recommendation has now been received from the Boundary Committee for a Unitary one-council Devon. After discussion on all the reasons why the Parish had been against this proposal when it was originally made it was unanimously agreed to write to the Secretary of State re-affirming the objections of the Parish, these being - cost, lack of representation, and there being no certainty that the present high level of services would be maintained. It was noted that the cost to Cornwall for transition to Unitary status had already risen to £60M in one year alone.
Minute 2080 b) Trees at Crossways. No work yet carried out.
Minute 2127 f) Play Area at Churchtown. No progress yet on the up-grade of the area. This matter to be further investigated by Cllr Yarnold and the Clerk in January. Letter received from SHDC regarding the £100 charge required towards insurance and maintenance. (NB This will also apply to the Lutton Recreation area.) The Chairman agreed to proceed with this in January.
Minute 2182 a) SHDC ownership of Crossways Green and the Churchtown Play Area. No Report.
Minute 2189 c) Christmas Tree Lights Event. Successful event held on 12th December. The lights were switched on by Ryan Baugh, a British Junior Weight Lifting champion, and the choir sang carols. Cost of the mince pies and cream was £47.58 and further bills to be paid for the mulled wine and for additional bulbs for the lights. A collection was made during the event and £81.00 was donated and sent to the Help for Heros charity. Letter of thanks to be sent to the Delamore Estate for the Christmas tree.
Minute 2193 a) Parking outside the Post Office. Notification received from DCC that there had been no objections regarding the proposed Traffic Order, and that signs would be put in place shortly. Details of the Parish contribution expected.
Minute 2200 a) Heathfield Orchard. Inspection of the fruit trees awaited. Some clearing and grass cutting of the area required. Cllr Yarnold to contact Gill Glegg, Parish Tree Warden.
2211 CHAIRMAN’S TIME
The Chairman thanked all involved with putting on the Christmas Tree event, especially Cllrs Munford and Mundell for the difficult job of putting up the lights.
2212 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
See under Open Forum regarding the planning application for extension and alterations at Pool Park Bungalow, Corntown.
Stowford Lodge, Harford – extensions and alterations to Listed Building Granted
2213 REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
Cllr Mundell and the Clerk attended the DNPA Forum at the end of November. Matters discussed included the work of groups to protect and support the ecology of the Moor, the viability of hill farms, and conservation and improvements of cycle tracks on the south of the Moor. During the Open Forum time the matters raised included the opportunity for Parish Councils to speak at any debate and at Planning Committees, and the support available to small rural businesses by way of approved signage.
2214 FOOTPATHS No report
2215 CORRESPONDENCE
a) From DNPA letter regarding public participation now available at all meetings of the authority.
b) From SHDC notes of the Ivybridge cluster meeting on 12th October.
c) From DCC notification of diversion of two footpaths at Headon Down.
d) Letter from SHDC regarding meeting to be held on 11th January on future options of service delivery. Chairman and Clerk to attend.
e) Notification from SHDC of Budget meeting to be held on Thursday 14th January
f) From SHDC letter regarding the recommendations from the Boundary Committee. See above at Minute 2018 a)
g) From the Audit Commission details of appointment of new External Auditor.
h) From DCC leaflets regarding emergency planning – in circulation envelope.
2216 WORKS
Work to repair the wall and bridge at Almshouse, Lutton has been completed. The very good quality of the workmanship was noted, and a letter to be sent to DCC.
2217 FINANCE
The Parish Council considered the report from the Finance Committee recommending a Parish rate for 2010/2011 of £11,938. The main areas of increase being additional grant towards churchyard maintenance, and an amount to improve the appearance of the Parish. It was proposed by Cllr Reburn, seconded by Cllr Taylor and unanimously agreed to accept the draft precept. The Finance Committee also considered three tenders received for the ground maintenance of Parish owned areas. It was agreed to accept the tender that was priced closest to the cost of the work for the previous three years.
Councillors also discussed the Finance Committee’s suggestion to put £2,000 from reserves towards the improvements at the play area at Churchtown, and £2,000 when improvements to the storage area at the rear of the Village Hall have been decided. This was proposed by Cllr Reburn, seconded by Cllr Mrs den Hollander and unanimously agreed.
The Clerk reported that the bank account signatures need to be confirmed and it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Williams, seconded by Cllr Taylor and unanimously agreed that the signatories should be Cllrs Mrs S Brown, Mrs den Hollander, Mrs Littlemore and Mundell. New forms to be completed.
2218 PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS
The following payments were proposed by Cllr Mrs den Hollander, seconded by Cllr Taylor and unanimously agreed:
Cornwood Village Hall £ 500.00 annual grant (2/2)
Citizen’s Advice Bureau 30.00 grant 2009/2010
Mrs J Miller 50.00 gardening grant for Cornwood Square (2/2)
Mrs S Fairman 22.40 travel to DNPA Forum
Cash 60.00 for Christmas tree event
Cornwood Village Hall 11.00 meetings October and November
South Devon Rural HA 60.00 room hire for meetings Nov 08 to Nov 09
Westline Stationers 26.34 photocopying & stationery (2 months)
Help for Heros 81.00 donations at Christmas tree event
Mrs S Fairman 50.00 3 months travel O/N/D
T Brown 64.00 Chairman’s allowance 2009/2010 (part)
Mrs S Fairman S/O £ 166.67 November salary
Receipts:
Donations for Help for Heros £ 81.00 Christmas Tree event
Bank Interest a/c 7317807 £ 0.21 November
Bank Interest a/c 7517881 £ 0.22 November
Balances at 1 January 2010
Treasurers a/c 0677026 £ 805.74
Savings a/c 7317807 4672.64
Special a/c 7517881 5113.53
________
£ 10591.91
2219 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
As the date for the January meeting would be only three weeks away it was unanimously agreed to hold the next meeting in February.
Tuesday 2nd February 2010 at the Community Room, Church Park at 7.30 pm
