SHALDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 27 th MAY 2008 AT 7.15PM
IN THE METHODIST CHURCH HALL
Present: Professor Peter Williams (PW) (Chair), Cllr Steve Shelter (SS) (Vice-Chair), Cllr Ann Storton (AS), Cllr Rick Smith (RS), Cllr Chris Clarance (CC), Cllr Kim Sturgess (KS), Cllr Peter Stokes (PS)
Prayers taken by: Reverend Diane Daymond
In attendance: Sarah Giles (Clerk), Cllr David Cox (DC) ( County Cllr ).
1. Apologies: Barbara Coley, Clerk and Devon & Cornwall Constabulary.
Chairman's Address - See Appendix 1
2. To approve and sign the Minutes of the Meeting of 29 th April 2008:
AS proposed. SS seconded. Carried
3. Matters Arising from the minutes of the meeting of 29 th April 2008:
Minor adjustments were made following which the minutes were approved as above.
4. Chairman's Announcements: See Appendix 2.
Boundary commission have put forward information regarding unitary authorities. PW would like to set up and Chair a Steering committee to address these changes and he asked for a volunteer.
Other issues affordable housing and traffic calming. PW, SS, AS & PS are considering formulating a parish plan. They will report on the issues at the next meeting.
5. Devon & Cornwall Constabulary:
No representative present.
6. Correspondence: Councillors' Comments:
1. PW Re Palk Close see Appendix 3 for PW's comments.
CC read out a letter about Palk Close dated 7 th November 1968, when the Inspector turned down planning following a local enquiry. The Inspector said if alternative sites could not be found in Shaldon, they should find somewhere in Teignmouth and that the area was best left for children. PW said the 1968 decision was a valuable precedent but could be overturned by a new enquiry. However, it is agreed that the area provides an important green space and has been included in the Ringmore Conservation area.
Re Affordable Housing List: CC has been told he is not able to view the names of people on this list. AS questioned the merits and reasons are for the 43 people who are on the housing list. PW agreed that it would be helpful to know the priority status of applicants. PW proposed writing to TDC to ascertain the reasons . AS seconded. Carried. Action PW/Clerk
PW suspended standing orders to allow the public to comment:
Fred Westlake: Confirmed that a petition had already been raised to save this last green area of Ringmore. He asked about the results of a feasibility study carried out 10 weeks ago. This was carried out by Teign Housing and no results are available to SPC. DC suggested applying to register Palk Close as a Village Green through the County Council. It can still be sold, but only ever used as a Village Green. A question was raised as to whether Shaldon is registered as a Green.
PW proposed setting up a Village Green sub committee to discuss this further and collect evidence.
SS to take this forward. CC/PS seconded. Carried. SS asked for volunteers the Village Green Committee. RS, CC and DC agreed to volunteer as did Fred Westlake. Action: Cllr S Shelter
2. Letter from Mr and Mrs Mears
PW explained that this letter was regarding flooding in their back garden. Engineers came out and sorted the problem but the water did not drain away. The drains were too low/not adequate. PW felt we should respond and explain that we are concerned about their flooding problem and ask SS to add this to the list of issues. SS said they were writing to South West Water to say they are paying, but not getting the service. PS agreed that this applied to most people and agreed to take the action to contact SWW: Action: Cllr P Stokes
3. AS tabled a letter from Mr and Mrs Curry complaining about speeding in the Strand , Ringmore. PW reported that children play in the street and a dog was hit by a car recently. KS will investigate the circumstances of this event and report back: Action: Cllr K Sturgess
7. Devon County Councillor's Report:
DC reported that at the AGM on Thursday he was re-elected.
Post Offices Stokeinteignhead have been condemned to the closure of their Post Office. Our local sub-Postmaster will work to try and help. The Post Office are giving substantial amounts to Postmasters. DC asked the Council to write in support of Stoke. Other villages are helping as they rely on these Post Offices. PW proposed sending a letter to object re closure and copy Stokeinteignhead. PC. All agreed.
Highways DCC will no longer carry out the hatched lines by the Toll House. Coaches coming down mount the kerb. Fuel Crisis will affect the workload of road maintenance.
Re the new Tesco Store: Structural problems are delaying progress and pollution issues are causing concern. PW expressed concern re loss of business for the village store and hoped the parish plan would generate new ideas to help the situation.
8. Teignbridge District Councillor's Report: see Appendix 5.
PW reported that the Environment Agency has now costed the Shaldon scheme which will be assessed for funding soon. PS asked about a strip of land by Labrador Bay . CC agreed to find out.
9. Parish Councillor's Reports:
RS The brook and sewers in Ringmore cannot cope with the flow of surface water causing sewerage to come back up into some resident's toilets. KS asked whether any photographic or other evidence was available and this was suggested to be collected in the future.
CC Reported that he had finally pressurised DCC re reveal that the Library sold for £136,000. He suggested an annual sum to be set aside in the budget for an annual beach clean-up. This is to be put on the agenda for next time. PS was thanked for the publicity and photos.
Bunting CC continues to strive to resolve the issue of erecting the summer bunting and thanked SS for his help in this matter.
PS: Suggested a system of vouchers to use the car park in Bridge Road to encourage people to use local shops. PW invited this input into the parish plan. PS and AS agreed to help.
AS 1. Bridge Fishing Working Parity: Met for the 4 th time on 22 nd May. Favourable responses have been received to the idea of a bylaw following articles in local press. Submissions to the press to be repeated in the next few weeks before deciding whether to move forward with the process. Next meeting 3 rd July. SPC was asked to help with several issues by the Tourist Information Committee as follows:
• Clear up of planting areas in lower car park. [since resolved]
• Steps by old ice house up to lower car park by the old toilet block are in a poor condition. To contact TDC. Action: Clerk
• Requested a letter of support for new signage at the Ness . Action: Clerk
The Water Carnival having postponed their spring fete and crowning of the Queen have re-booked the Green for 7 th June.
KS As there is no representative from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, KS will speak with them re the 20 mph limit.
Reminder of a Police Clinic starting at 9.30/10.00am at the 60's Club every last Friday of the month. KS agreed to PW's requested to find out why the Police were increasing 20 mph limits when we were told by PC Stoppard that they were not enforceable. Action: Cllr K Sturgess
SS Torquay Road Footpath : This project is moving ahead slowly and positively. He thanked DC for his help and support. He is clarifying some issues re the allotments with Richard Keen at Tozers and expects to complete this in around one month's time. AS asked if we knew whether a fee would be charged by Tozers. SS will be discussing this at his next meeting.
Highways matters He continues to liaise with the maintenance department on various issues.
School Lane One Way System : See Appendix 6 . PW commented that one needs to turn left out of Albion Street so this necessitated a one way sign. There was also need for a height restriction on Bridge Road and No Entry signs. CC was concerned that 17 surveys went out and only 10 returned. SS agreed to reissue letters to the 7 non-responders. Action: Cllr S Shelter
AS informed the meeting that the allotments by King George Fields are privately owned.
AS reported that with the current rains, there are four drains by the Brigantine that aren't functioning properly. A sand spit is appearing and may need to be dealt with. Action: Cllr S Shelter
PW requested that KS should be informed about any overgrown hedges on to footpaths so that these could be reported to DCC. Action: All
AS reported that Pampas Grass at the rear of Ness Farm Cottage was extending into the highway a good six foot wide across the road. Mr Watkins is believed to be the owner. Action SS
10. Footpath on Torquay Road : see above.
11. Planning:
We have dealt with 7 applications 2 consents. Minutes TBA when clerk returns. CC was hopeful of a bus shelter being provided by Devonshire Homes re previous planning applications and the possibility of maintenance by SPC will need to be discussed if this goes ahead.
12. Approval of Accounts: see Appendix 8.
AS proposed £48.00 for the Chairman's course in June. AS proposed. CC seconded. Approved.
13. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 24 th June 2008.
14. Public Comment:
A member of the public commented on the Beach clean up and wished to thank the Council. They said it was healthier and safer and supported CC in having this included in the annual budget.
A member of the public commented on the Post Office closures. If Stokeinteignhead lose their appeal, it is believed that Shaldon is second on the list, then Barton. Having spoken to the Postmaster, DC believes that if Stokeinteignhead win lose their appeal, Shaldon is their second option. We need to try and retain out Post Office by using it as much as possible
A member of the public commented on Palk Close. He appreciated that we had stated earlier that it was too early for a petition, but they have already done one and he wished to hand it over. It was believed that the Green has been used for leisure such as football for over 20 years. PW said we can log the petition. A member of the public said people don't like the thought of having a house built in front of theirs. PW understood, but said we need to think more about what to do. CC said there are teams of under 9's Footballers who are desperate for pitches. That might be a good idea to show the Green is being used for leisure. PW said they will look into this.
PS asked what we could do to get more people to our Parish Council meetings. A member of the public said less repetition, but she believed it was the same with all villages. PW said you will never get large attendance. We need to outreach. The Parish Plan will help and perhaps we could have forums. A member of the public commented on how a lot of our home owners are visitors who aren't interested. AS said people come when there are issues. We also need to reach out to these other groups, which we already do. KS suggested we speak to the Clerk about putting a reminder in other Parish magazines. Action: Clerk
Paris Council Meeting
6th May 2008 at The Methodist Hall Shaldon
Aceptance report of the new chairman Peter Williams
First of all I would like to thank my fellow councillors for their support and trust in electing me Chairman of the Parish Council for 2008-9. In particular I would like to mention Chris Clarance who has held the fort so admirably after the sad death of Mike Coley and I know that he and I will form a great team of TDC and SPC councillors to battle for all that is important for Shaldon and Ringmore. I would also like to thank Ann Storton and Rick Smith who have helped so much to enable Steve Shelter, Kim Sturgess and I complete a sharp learning curve of what is expected and needed from a parish councillor.
One of the other special things that I have learned to appreciate is the interest and concern of parishioners through their attendance at our meetings and their willingness to engage in an exchange of view and insights which has been so valuable in guiding our deliberations. Please continue to attend whenever you can and spread the word on the issues we are dealing with to your family, friends and neighbours.
Well, what now for Shaldon and its Parish Council. Last year under Chris's chairmanship we were responsive to issues like planning , parking and maintenance of our roads and drains, litter and dogs. But we did more than that we organised a marvellous firework night, established a unique flood emergency plan, contributed in great detail to the Ringmore and Shaldon Conservation Appraisal and Management plans through discussions with TDC. We have begun to work on the possibility of a footpath along the Torquay Road to provide safe pedestrian link past the allotments to the Botanic Garden. No mention of our work should omit the saga of the bunting!
The future is going to be challenging Devon is considering restructuring into unitary authorities the boundaries are totally up for discussion do we wish to be part of Torbay or retain our links with Teignmouth and Newton Abbot? Teignbridge is required to find sites for affordable housing how should Shaldon respond welcome as much new housing and younger residents as possible or adopt a NIMBY policy and obstruct all development. Is there anything we as a council can do to promote more business and tourism into Shaldon or are we content to be a quiet backwater with fewer and fewer shops and traders. Do we want to become a so called super-parish with more clout and responsibility?
It is essential, with these major discussions ahead, that we know the views of permanent residents, holiday home owners and businesses in the area. We have decided to investigate the development of a Parish Plan. This is not a new idea, Ann I believe mooted the idea around the time of the millennium but it was decided not to proceed in view of the workload and cost. Steve has agreed to work with me to set out the pros and cons of developing a plan and this will be one of our first tasks as a new committee. Meanwhile we will continue with our various responsibilities to deal with the issues of the day.
|
