MINUTES OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
SHALDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 26th April 2011 7.15PM
IN THE METHODIST CHURCH HALL
Present: Cllr Steve Shelter (Chair) (SS), Cllr Peter Stokes (Vice) (PS), Cllr Ann Storton (AS),
Cllr Chris Clarance (CC), Cllr Hugh Davey (HD). Cllr Peter Williams (PW)
In attendance: Barbara Coley (Clerk), Andy Beech, Interserve (AB)
Prayers taken by: Rev G Richardson
1. Apologies: PCSO Colin Rider
2. To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of 26th March 2011: Prop AS Sec HD Carried
3. Matters Arising from the minutes of the meeting of 26th March 2011:
AS: Item 5. Pleased to see that the new wooden cased bins, resulting from the flood defense works, are now in place. AS has a comprehensive file on bins, benches and associated issues to pass on to the councilors taking on this responsibility next month.
Item 11. Proposed memorial plaque on beach behind the Clipper – still awaiting response from Sam Burke, TDC. Pleased to see progress made at the Clipper Café since our last meeting with removal of the old freezer and repair of the front window.
Item 14: AS convened the first successful meeting with 5 attendees interested in furthering the idea of a plaque/heritage trail through the village. It was agreed to work independently and not as an SPC working group, but HD is a member and will keep the council updated on progress.
CC Item 9 A7: CC continues to pursue the location of the sign in Horse Lane with DCC.
4. Declarations of Interest: There were none.
5. Interserve Flood Defense Report: Broadmeadow is now being cleared ready for Interserve’s exit from the village and AB was present at the meeting for the last time to update SPC on the flood defense scheme. AB agreed to AS’s request to place a bin opposite Manor House. AS complemented Interserve on the new beach on the viewing platform on the embankment which was very popular. PS asked about the ‘white salt bleed’ in the facing on the wall at Riverside and Embankment. AB explained it was an alkaline coming out of the concrete which would completely disappear in time.
6. Receipt and Signing of the EA/Shaldon Flood Defense Agreement: . PW proposed that SPC sign this final document and agreement. SS seconded and this was agreed unanimously. The document was therefore signed by the Chairman, PW and PS as Vice Chairman.
7. Devon&Cornwall Constabulary: SS read highlights of the police logs/crimes for the last month.
8. Chairman’s Report: I think it fair to say that the last 4 years have been quite eventful, with some extremely important landmarks in the development of the village. I do not intend to catalogue them all, but clearly the Flood defence scheme was the most important and high profile. To all intents and purposes the scheme is now complete, and it was lovely to see the beach being used again by families during the Easter break. The Environment Agency and Interserve have done a splendid job, and on behalf of the Council and the residents of the Village, I would like to offer a sincere thank you to all the many people involved in the project.
In monetary and physical terms, the new School hall was a much smaller project, but was perhaps of greater significance and will have much more real impact on day to day life in the Village. It was wonderful indeed to see this long awaited improvement to our school finally be completed after so many years of campaigning by a great number of people.
There were also many other noticeable achievements, examples of which are the Torquay Road footpath, the extension of Shaldon Zoo, and the granting of Village Green status for the Palk Close green, to mention but a few. However, there were also some rather more contentious issues such as the mishandling by Teignbridge council of the attempted disposal of the Shaldon Ferry, and the subsequent gross mismanagement of the ongoing service. The Turner Centre project now seems a thing of the past, and yet it was only months ago that the Village was so divided, with some strong feelings rising to the surface. Many people worked hard and long on this project, and hopefully something positive will eventually come out of it with the Parish Council now taking on the task of investigating the existing facilities as a first step to a plan to either improve some of the existing facilities, or possibly add to them. That will doubtless be one of the main tasks for the new council once in place.
And that neatly brings me on to my main point. This evening, as mentioned before, is the last meeting of the present council, and I would like to express my personal thanks to all my fellow councillors for their hard work and support, and in particular I would like to thank Barbara Coley, our Parish Clerk, who has been an absolute stalwart, and made all our jobs so much easier.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been part of such a coherent and effective team.
I am still sometimes surprised that people do not really understand the workings of the council, nor do they take the time to occasionally attend a council meeting. None-the-Iess, they feel qualified to pass judgment, often in rather uncomplimentary terms, on "The Council". For those people, can I put the record straight, councillors do not just attend a meeting once a month for a couple of hours, there is a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes at all times, and contrary to popular belief, at Parish level, there are no allowances or expenses, not a single penny.
In a few days time a new council will be in place at the start of a new 4 year term, they will need and deserve support from the whole community, I for one will be showing them the respect and appreciation they deserve.
9. Correspondence: Councillors’ Comments
CC: A2: Letter from Tim Bouget re parking enforcement: This letter is consistent with the problems at the moment and he sympathizes with the remarks made. CC said a ‘zero tolerance’ parking enforcement was in place for Shaldon. AS is concerned that the enforcement officers are inappropriately targeting early morning parkers and believes the middle of the day would help local businesses more.
PW A1: Letter from Mr & Mrs Green re parking at Oystercatcher Court. PW gave an overview of the situation to date. He said it was not correct that residents ‘all agreed’ that double yellow lines should be laid. He has no reason to change SPC’s response to DCC.Action: Clerk/PW to reply
AS A9: Mr Harris complaint re the benches being too low and not offering a good view: AS said there had been no other complaints and there were plenty of vista points. Action: Clerk to thank him for his comments but advise him that no further action can be taken at this point.
A10: Mr Adrian Bolt had a good point in his response that dog fouling was a bigger problem on KGV field than the tape around the goalposts.
HD A1: agreed with PW’s response re Oystercatcher Court. T1: No ferry from Friday to Monday next week. . He hoped that the new council might be able to help solve this poor service problem. CC explained that Teign Marine Services were going to cover Mr Greg Allen’s ferry service next weekend whilst he sold dog tags at Teignmouth.
10. Parish Councillors’ Reports;
HD Had attended a meeting of the Harbour Consultative Committee where he ascertained that the Harbour Master saw no advantage to the village of the application regarding the pontoons and will co-operate with SPC in this regard.
He is very impressed with the improvements made to the Botanical Gardens and the events held there.
AS: It was lovely to see all the people around the village during the past week; it was positively buzzing. She commended the Bakers for their wonderful patriotic window display. One of the old benches on the Green has been repainted and looks good. The painting of the railings around the memorial clock tower has been delayed as the contractor has told me it will not be possible to get a good coverage going from the white to black gloss and AS is now talking with another contractor. There have been instances of local groups attaching posters/signs to the railing around the memorial and this practice has never previously been permitted as it is considered by residents to be disrespectful. Action: All agreed clerk to write a brief piece for the parish news asking people to refrain from this practice in future.
AS had been asked by a resident whether there will be a padlock/chain on the re-instated gate to the KGV from the lane off Ringmore Road. AS asked that this was addressed next month by the new council. Action: Clerk to include on next agenda.
(See Appendix 1 for AS final report).
PS: Final collation of information on bookable venues had taken. He had attended Victoria Hall Trustees and Business Forum meetings as SPC representiatve. Has thoroughly enjoyed his time at SPC and observed the large volume of work councillors do outside of attendance at council meetings.
PW: Trees for EA Mitigation Scheme: He thanked Maia Miller and Lisa Pash who have worked together to establish the planting of a number of trees around the village.
Flood Defense Scheme Opening Event: Fixed for 1st July and he is working on arrangements.
CC Various lamp stands had been reported as not working.
11. Village Hall Appraisal: PW tabled his report on this survey and proposed sending a copy to the respondents. All agreed. PS agreed to bind the information on venues and pass it to the new council for their information. SS thanked PW and PS for their hard work in producing this information.
12. Congregational Church Hall: CC advised that Devon CC has confirmed that disposal of the Hall would not provoke a claw back clause by the United Reform Church. This is not a listed building but would be subject to a planning application. Action Clerk: To include in next council agenda.
13. Planning: PW gave an overview of latest planning applications highlighting Shaldon Quay company issues as detailed in the minutes of the planning meeting.
14. Accounts: AS proposed £100 for payment for painting of bench. PS seconded carried.
AS proposed accounts Sec PS. All agreed.
15. Date of next meeting: AGM 24th May 2011 SPC Tuesday 31st May 2011
16. Public Comment: Mr R Hall: Asked for clarification on ‘village hall’ appraisal and PW explained the rationale behind the project.
Mrs L Pash: The gate to the children’s play area is not closing properly and now vulnerable to dog fouling. AS to take action.
Mr P Winchester: Offered to paint the railings professionally and will liaise with AS.
Mr R Hulbert: Has seen an opportunity for a new venture of a mobile ice cream vending machine in Shaldon in the form of a cooler box on a bike. He said that TDC had no problem with him selling wrapped goods. AS said that SPC had been approached before when it was agreed a similar scheme could operate outside of shop hours because of the detrimental effect on local businesses. Action clerk: Agenda item for next council meeting. (Mr Hulbert was asked to prepare a document)
Mrs Jean Rowe: The very fine weather had caught us on the hop this weekend. All shops are struggling with cash flow and even the smallest challenge which takes away our business can tip us over the edge.
Meeting finished at 8.45pm
Appendix 1
Final report: Cllr Ann Storton
I have enjoyed my time as a Parish Councillor over the past 12 years. Much has happened during my term of office: the major items being the Shoreside and Oystercatcher Court developments, strengthening of the bridge, the 20mph speed limit, improved signage through the village, the Parish Council web-site hosted by the Tourist Information Group, taking on the Bonfire organisation, the new walkway from Ness Drive to Horse Lane and of course the Flood Defence Scheme.
I believe credit is due to Cllr Shelter for the lighting in School Lane and the footpath alongside the allotments on the Torquay Road.
I can think of only 2 of the 23+ businesses with premises in the village which have not changed hands in the past 12 years and commend the Pharmacy and Adrian's for their staying power and wish all businesses successful and profitable futures. I urge people to use the local businesses when they can.
There are numerous ongoing and one-off issues addressed and sorted by this Parish Council and I know it would be soon be noticed if the councillors were not quietly spending many hours sorting them. Everyone who does something for our village is doing so in the way they see best and people should accept we may all hold different views and methods, and thank all those who work quietly in the background.
I do wish that our relationship with Teignbridge District Council was more 2-way and not reactive to our approaches and urge the new Council to forge better links with the various departments.
I would like to leave with a piece of personal advice to others: please talk to each other and try not to be protective of different territories/roles – let us all work together for the village.
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