MINUTES OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
SHALDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 22nd February 2011 at 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 Peter Williams (PW)
In attendance: Barbara Coley (Clerk), Andy Beech and Graham Wills (Interserve), Colin Rider, PSCO
Prayers taken by: Venerable R Gilpin
1. Apologies: Cllr H Davey (HD)
2. To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of 25th January 2011: Approve with amendments under public comment: Venerable Richard ‘Gilpin’. Add: SS pointed out that there was little point in doing anything until all the works traffic has gone. Prop PW Sec PS Carried
3. Matters Arising from the minutes of the meeting of 25th January 2011:
There were none.
4. Declarations of Interest: There were none.
5. Interserve Flood Defence Report: Andy Beech gave an update on the progress of the flood defense scheme.
SS had received an Email regarding the ‘lump of concrete to the right of the boards’ which had appeared in the road. This looks like a blot on the landscape and there had been no consultation. SS requested that work halted until consultation had taken place. SS was not pleased that no consultation had taken place despite Andy Hohl’s recent reassurance. Andy Beech confirmed that this was the pumping station mechanism but was unable to explain the lack of communication and will look into it.
AS asked if there were any plans for an official opening. This was confirmed and SPC will be consulted. PW had already received an invitation for 1st July from the EA officer in charge of this project. AS asked whether the Interserve information notice boards could be retained by SPC after completion of the works. Action: Clerk to include on next Agenda to decide if SPC wish to take on ownership of 3 boards and make an official request to EA.
PW: Informed Interserve that the tide levels were 5.23 at the weekend but the alleyway behind the London Inn was not sandbagged. No warning was received by SPC and he asked that Interserve took this area on board for future high tides. PW asked about the boat containing flowers on Marine Parade which had been removed. Andy Beech confirmed that this would be returned from their storage area. Graham Willis agreed to explain this to the residents in that area.
6. Devon & Cornwall Constabulary: PCSO Rider gave an overview of police logs in the village this month.
7. Chairman’s Report: I have very little to report this month, and in view of the busy Agenda we have, it is probably just as well I shall not be taking up valuable time which can be spent discussing more important issues.
Perhaps it is worthy of note though, that a final reference be made to the Turner Centre project, and to confirm that the planning application for the scheme was in fact formally withdrawn before it went to committee.
At the last meeting of Shaldon Parish Council on 25th January, it was agreed that the council will undertake a Study to research and investigate the existing facilities within the Village, including physical dimensions and other material features, either positive or negative, their current uses and user groups, running costs and hire charges, potential uses not currently being catered for, and associated financial implications.
At the same time a survey of existing and potential user groups will be carried out to establish their needs and requirements in order to establish actual or perceived shortcomings in the existing provisions, and what might be required in order to satisfy such shortcomings.
The terms of reference for such a study must be objective and quantifiable, and will require a considerable amount of work. As such it is not something that can be thrown together in five minutes, and although work has now started on this study, it is very much work-in-progress. We hope we may see a first draft possibly in time for the March meeting.
Finally, if anyone feels that they could assist us in this study, please do pass your name and contact details on to the Parish Clerk, your help would be greatly appreciated.
8. Correspondence: Councillors’ Comments
A3: AS proposed that SPC agreed that the RNLI can use the Green on 30th July. Carried Action: Clerk to advise
A11,12,13: PW proposed writing to thank Mrs Pash particularly for her draft questionnaire which had proved very useful. Action: Clerk to write
D1: Proposals from Maureen Staples, DCC for parking at Oystercatcher Court: All agreed to Highway’s proposals for parking. ACTION: Clerk to inform residents.
9. Devon County Councillor’s Report: At county £55m has been voted through and very tough fiscal measures put in place which I supported plus a no rise council tax.
The cuts have affected Homestart organisations as well as Citizens Advice Bureaux whose funding is reduced by 10. All parties voted to close Dawlish CAB but Teignmouth will receive an increase in funding. A new telephone line service is being rolled out across the area. Surestart centres remain open with Teignmouth receiving a 10% cut. I continue to champion the DCC snow warden initiative scheme with all parish councils in making available to parishes some useful salting machinery which I hope all parish/town councils will take up with the aid of DCC councillors community allowances.
CC recommended a hand gritter as an acquisition for SPC to be stored in the sandbag store with a salt supply for icy conditions. PW agreed these could be stored in the sandbag store as sandbagging would be reduced in the future PW also agreed that Shaldon could borrow a larger gritter when needed by our own hand gritter would be an advantage to the village. CC will fund the project but SPC would purchase this item. Action: Clerk to include acquisition on agenda for next meeting.
10. Teignbridge District Councillor’s Report : CC confirmed that the Teignmouth to Shaldon ferry operative had now signed up to a lease with TDC. This was good news and he looked forward to a regular service. The old ferry, bought by Greenaway Ferries, is now due to operate in the River Dart and was repaired in the ferry boathouse in Shaldon and duly went by sea to the River Dart to start a new lease of life there. It was a shame she could not be in service in Shaldon so that the current operative might not have needed to find a back up vessel. With regards to TDC budget there will be no council tax increase for next year.
PW reported that he and SS had planned to meet with Mr Watson at TDC regarding the irregularity of the ferryboat service. However, the message came through that the contract had now been signed and the terms could now be enforced by TDC officers. Therefore it was decided it was best to wait and see if the service improved.
11. Parish Councillors’ Reports:
PW: (i) had attended the museum committee with its first meeting in the very impressive new premises. The museum has confirmed that an official invitation will be extended to SPC to visit the new premises.
(ii) The museum would like a spot on the TIC website and Mr T Willan, who was present at the meeting, agreed.
(iii) Re: Boulders at 98A Ringmore Road: Mr Martyn from DCC has offered to meet PW and SS on site regarding the public right of way. PW recommended that CC, the Chairman of the Harbour Commission, and Graeme Smith should also be present. PW expressed concern that when the Strand Slipway floodgates are closed at Ringmore gate that people walking along Templer Way will be unable to exit as the boulders would be difficult to cross. SS felt that people would be able to get over the gate. SS offered his help with any aspect of this matter.
AS: Reported as follows: I have been corresponding with Neil Baglow, Design and Property Services Manager, Teignbridge, over the past months and we have agreed a final list of all benches in Shaldon/Ringmore for which TDC accept responsibility.
For information, SPC will accept responsibility for the new bench to be built into the side of the ferry shelter and Teignbridge accept responsibility for the new one behind the Clipper cafe on Riverside and the new one being constructed along the embankment.
The bench removed last summer from Riverside behind the Clipper is not going to be replaced as the 2 remaining are considered sufficient and given the current financial pressures it would not be cost effective to replace it.
I propose SPC accepts this list and will supply the Clerk with a copy and confirm our acceptance with TDC
We still need to agree a final, clear list of all bins in the village for which TDC take responsibility and Neil Baglow has given me a contact name for this purpose. I will report back once this is agreed.
AS proposed and all agreed re benches. SS thanked AS for her great efforts in sorting out benches and bins.
PS: Anne Marie Morris attended the Shaldon Business Forum. The SBF expressed their disappointment at the haphazard ferry service. They are looking at a promotional exercise for their businesses. PS has checked and, contrary to SBF’s perception, there has been growth in car parking year on year according to stats from TDC. They are not happy with signage which does not direct traffic through the village and they are working on proposals to recommend to SPC. SBF are interested in contributing to the Bonfire Event. The Shaldon website needs improving. AS asked whether SBF could support the same website as SPC and TIC.
Re Victoria Hall. They are working with the pre-school on improvements
Limestone bleed along Riverside – he is pursuing this with Interserve to get it removed.
Lamp-posts removed at Riverside had caused him concern but he is now satisfied that this was in order.
CC: The Teign Estuary partnership has voted to keep the Shaldon boat store plinth (as discussed last meeting) and he recommended SPC accept this.
12. Shaldon Community Building/Village Hall Appraisal
This work is currently being undertaken by PW and PS. PS is undertaking a survey by means of a questionnaire which will be sent to all potential community hall users. AS was concerned that this should be a project carried out by the village and not solely SPC. Cllrs were asked to view the draft questionnaire and give feedback within the week. Action: PS and PW
13. Queen Elizabeth II Fields: Clerk to send the information to Jim Moore in connection with his project to obtain village green status. Action Clerk It was suggested the grass area at the Ness might be suitable. Otherwise the botanical gardens: Action: Clerk to advise Mrs L Pash.
Chairman suspended S/Os: Mr B Miles suggested the ‘Wildlife Woodland Nature Trials’ woodland/headland area at the Ness which needed improvement to make the path more accessible but this is owned by TDC. Action: Write to TDC Guy Pedrick and ask if this could be considered. Venerable Gilpin suggested Sunny Patch. S/Os reinstated Action: SS to investigate the scheme further.
14. Teignbridge Association of Local Councils (TALC). AS requested SPC respond to Mr D Wilson and support TALC with attendance in the future. AS suggested that at each meeting it is discussed who is going to attend. Lesley Smith is attending the next meeting on Thursday 24th March at 7pm. PW and/or PS will attend or speak to HD to ask him to attend. Action: Clerk to respond to Mr D Wilson: Apolgies for delay. SPC will do their utmost to support future TALC meetings.
15. Bonfire & Fireworks Event.
Saturday 5th November this event to be held. Tuesday 22nd March MCH at 7.30pm preliminary meeting to be held at 7.30pm. Poster on the board. Clerk to Email Alison Sambells to invite SBF members. CC to inform Fred Curry. All welcome.
16. Enhancements to Templer Way
It was suggested that Graeme Smith be invited to attend the next SPC meeting in order to ascertain more information about this scheme. Action: Clerk to invite
17. Flood scheme – draft manual and agreements
- Flood Defence Legal Agreement between EA and SPC: PW presented this document and proposed accepting it. Sec AS. Carried
- Draft Operations Manual: PW said that SPC are taking a much bigger role in the co-ordination of the flood defences since we are ultimately responsible for the scheme. PW gave an overview of how the scheme would work. Full training will take place for volunteers. A sandbagging team will continue to be in place in case one of the gates does not close. PW asked that SPC receive and this document as a draft. This was agreed.
AS commended PW on an excellent document.
CC recommended ‘Adam’ from Mariner’s Way be included. AS recommended that a notice should be placed on the gates to indicate that a system is in place to operate them. A formal opening ceremony will take place in July.
18. Planning: PW gave an overview of latest planning applications. His planning guidelines are to be submitted to CCD to seek their advice.
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19. Accounts: AS proposed. PS Sec Carried.
20. Public Comment:
Venerable Richard Gilpin: Suggested that ‘Ringmore Strand’ and ‘Shaldon Strand’ should be stated in the flooding document.
Asked who was responsible for the pumping mechanism. SS advised that this was the EA but it would ultimately be passed to TDC.
Mrs J Lord: Asked whether SPC were proceeding with the purchase of ferryboat workshop. SS confirmed that it had been agreed to proceed with making the purchase and an offer had been made.. She asked if this would preclude SPC from buying another asset. SS felt not.
Mrs J Rowe: Felt this purchase had been kept in secrecy. SS explained that the bid had been made and was confidential . If the offer was accepted then a huge amount of work had to be carried out before a purchase was made.
Mr E Rowe: Asked if the village would go into ‘hoc’ if this building was purchased. He asked where the money was coming from. SS explained the precept would cover the loan and the building would produce an income. AS explained that the precept is being raised to allow sufficient funds to cover the repayments.
SS explained that we are in a process whereby if we are not happy with the Ts and Cs then we will not sign the contract to purchase the property. If we are in a position to proceed then we will present a business plan and more information to the village.
AS explained that having lost the opportunity to buy the library SPC did not want to miss the chance to consider acquiring this building for the village.
Mrs Lord said that in the event of not being able to purchase this bulding we could try and ask TDC to put restrictions on it.
CC explained that depending on the outcome of the elections then the new council may not identify this building as a suitable asset for disposal.
Mr T Willan: The TIC would be very happy to work with SBF and help in any way we can. PW expressed his grateful thanks to Tony and his wife for running TIC which was a very great asset to the village.
Mr B Miles: Asked for a timescale on the analysis of village halls. It was envisaged that there would be a report at the next meeting. Mr Miles suggested the Dartmoor Mountain Rescue crew would marshal the firework display for a donation to their funds but AS explained that the bonfire was self-funding and was not in a position to make donations. PW said cllrs could consider whether the Bonfire could be a charity.
10pm members of the public left. |