MINUTES OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
SHALDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 25th January 2011 at 7.15pm
IN THE METHODIST CHURCH HALL
Present: Cllr Steve Shelter (Chair) (SS), Cllr Peter Stokes (Vice) (PS), Cllr Chris Clarance (CC),
Cllr H Davey (HD), Cllr Peter Williams (PW)
In attendance: Barbara Coley (Clerk),
Prayers taken by: Rev G Richardson
Part 1
1. Apologies: Cllr Ann Storton, PCSO C Rider
2. To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of 30th November 2010: Prop PS Sec PW Carried
3. Matters Arising from the minutes of the meeting of 30th November 2010:
Item 5; CC informed SPC that the concrete slab and combined dinghy rack alongside the Shaldon Quay had not been removed. Action: Clerk to write to Tracey Higgs to ascertain the reason.
4. Declarations of Interest: There were none.
5. Interserve Flood Defence Report: Graham Wills gave an update on progress. Andy Hohl from the EA was present to introduce himself and emphasized his commitment to consultation with SPC.
PW asked about the site on the embankment which was so severe it raised the manhole cover needing two temporary repairs. He confirmed to PW that any voids underneath the embankment should be picked up with the owners, Devon Highways, when resurfacing takes place. Completion of surface water drainage and commissioning of the new pumps will be the final task to complete, hopefully, on 1st April if all goes well. A presence in May and June is likely. CC congratulated the EA on the excellent engineering of the new surface water drainage scheme which will benefit the whole village.
SS proposed approving the plans for the ramp at Riverside slipway which had been submitted by Interserve and these were approved unanimously.
6. Devon & Cornwall Constabulary: The chairman quoted highlights from the latest crime report received from PCSO Rider.
7. Chairman’s Report: The Festive season has been and has now gone. In spite of some extremely low temperatures during December, our programme of events were all extremely well attended and very successful. Some of the highlights were the tried and tested favorites including the three legged race, the carol service at St Nicholas, and the New Year’s Eve village walk about. These old classics were preceded this year by a new event which took place on the Green on Friday 10th December around the village Christmas tree which had been dressed and lit that very day. Communal carol signing was led by the children of Shaldon School and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Hopefully this will become a regular feature.
Unfortunately, there was one sour note half way through January, with the news that lead had been stolen from the roof of St Peter’s Church and also from the bowling club. It is beyond comprehension how anyone could be so callous and destructive. The cost of the damage caused by rain ingress being immeasurably more than the scrap value of the lead itself. Let us hope that the police will put their full efforts into apprehending the perpetrators.
There is little more to report on this occasion, except to say how strange it was without the Interserve workforce amongst us for almost three weeks, even most of their signs and barriers had also disappeared. Now they are back with us for the final push to the finish in time for our eagerly anticipated Summer season.
8. Correspondence: PS D2: Letter of update on Mobile Libraries dates: PS is investigating.
PW A4: Balance of rent has been received from the Shaldon Village Produce Assoc (allotments) and the matter is now closed. Action clerk: to chase receipt of Insurance Certificate from SVPA
A11: Request for power in ferryboat shelter from Water Carnival Chairperson: SS has this in hand and it is proceeding.
SS: Tabled a letter just received from Mr R Dorey with an update on the Turner Centre community building. He was concerned about some of the comments made in this letter, in particular, reference to the steering group being a subcommittee of SPC. All agreed that SS should draft a response immediately refuting this statement and copy Mrs T Carr. Action: SS Action: Action: Clerk for next agenda.
HD commented that a refusal of planning would be a barrier to any future plans for the field. All agreed that SPC should take a stance and write to the steering group and ask them to withdraw the application. PW felt we would support a changing facility on the field in the future. PW proposed writing to Mrs F Commander to ask her to withdraw the application. Action: SS to compose a suitable letter and cc Mr R Dorey.
.
9. Devon County Councillor’s Report:
CC reported as follows: The DCC cabinet are heavily involved in trying to cut the county council’s budget to the tune of £55m for the next financial year. At a local level, he has been pioneering to obtain some towable salt spreaders through the parish warden snow initiative scheme for this county division which includes Shaldon. Under the big society he hopes the scheme will involve volunteers towing a salt spreader to back up the county’s actions, the end result being that the minor highway network does not simply have to wait until a big thaw occurs. Orders for such machines will be placed by parish councils, requesting funds via his community allowance. Already volunteers are in place in Stokeinteignhead to hopefully share with Combeinteignhead. Hopefully Shaldon will share with West Teignmouth. A further pile of rock grit salt will be available to avoid a shortfall.
The charity commission are yet to give the county an answer on the matter of disposal of the Old Congregational Church and whether SPC would look to retaining it for a possible role.
Finally £55K for a set of traffic lights to allow a buggy vehicle to go two ways up and back again to the Ness Car Park and the village, doesn’t seem a bargain. CC is pursuing the option of a temporary set for a 2 month option.
PW felt that SPC should not let the opportunity of the use of the Congregational Church hall pass us by. He commented that SPC had not reviewed the situation with hall availability within the village and he was concerned this might be left too late. He felt an appraisal of the needs of the village should be undertaken. All agreed this should be an Agenda Item for the next meeting. Action: Clerk for next agenda
10. Teignbridge District Councillor’s Report: CC reported as follows: TDC has yet to sign up the Shaldon Ferry operative to commit him to run the service. Unfortunately the ferry is often unreliable leading to less people using the service. The ferryboat house and the stables at the Ness Shaldon are on the list of disposal of assets the former being progressed with SPC. The planning application for continuous netting at the east end of the KGV field is being submitted by SPC. Meanwhile, Interserve are constructing an excellent holding tank for surface water under the plinth on Marine Parade to be serviced by a pump in times of intense rainfall when a spring tide does not allow water to leave by a natural fall. Finally, the planning application for the Turner Centre goes before TDC development control committee in mid-February unless withdrawn first. The village survey showed 64/40 against this proposal and there is to be an officer’s plus a highways and conservation recommendation of refusal accompanying this application.
HD expressed his dismay at the problems caused by with the unreliability of the ferryboat service. PS said the business forum felt strongly about this. It was agreed that PW and SS should approach Teignbridge with their complaints. Action: Clerk to arrange meeting with Tony Watson at TDC.
11. Parish Councillors’ Reports:
HD CC agreed to copy HD in on the date of the next meeting of the Harbour Consultative Committee so that he does not miss another meeting. Action: CC
PW has contacted the people on the list of ‘sandbaggers’ for flood defense but 10 of them are no longer available. He felt SPC should take an important role in this implementation and will be returning to SPC with his plans.
PS: The business forum are putting out a questionnaire. PS has been organizing the removal of broken boats from the beach with some success. SS asked HD to raise the issue of removal of abandoned and wrecked boats at the next meeting of the Harbour Consultative Committee. Action: HD
Victoria Hall Trustees: Has attended some positive meetings.
CC confirmed that he is willing to run a Bonfire and Fireworks event this year and will look at the situation regarding the tides. Action Clerk: Bonfire Meeting for next agenda
Before 8th March at 7.30 the Teign Estuary Forum is open in the Passage House. CC encouraged members of the public to attend if they wished by contacting Graeme Smith, Teign Estuary Management. There would be some interesting presentations taking place – including the new cycle track which will go to Teignmouth.
12. Teignbridge Association of Parish Councils (TALC) Item deferred until the return of AS. Action: Clerk for next agenda.
13. Parking at Oystercatcher Court: PW proposed replying to Devon County Council’s request for comments that the parish council does not agree with the proposals to limit parking at school drop off times nor to limit parking completely by the insertion of double yellow lines. It has noted that there is no consensus amongst consulted residents and in particular very divided opinion of the benefits or disbenefits of yellow lines.
If it is decided to have parking or waiting restrictions in Oystercatcher Court, the Council would prefer a modified version of your Proposal 1 : No waiting 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday on the south and west sides and with a single yellow line to be placed on the north side with parking limited to one hour only and no return for 2 hours 8am-6pm Monday to Friday. This will avoid permanent non-resident parking in the Court and will allow necessary visitor parking and parent drop-of within a restricted time frame. Evenings and weekends will be restriction free. SPC believes that this compromise solution will help avoid disputes and leave issues of compliance and enforcement to deal with long term non-residents parking.
Proposal PW Sec HD. 3 in favour 2 abstentions Carried.
14. Street party for Royal Wedding: CC proposed holding an afternoon tea street event on 29th April 2011 which would be open to everyone but with a focus on children. The consensus was to support this. The Chairman then suspended S/Os to ask the public their view.
Members of the public in attendance were unanimous in their view that it would be more appropriate to hold this event for the Diamond Jubilee year in 2012. CC therefore took their views on board and withdrew the proposal. S/Os reinstated.
15. Enhancements to Templer Way: Councillors felt that due to late arrival of the information which was tabled at the meeting, they had not had a chance to read and consider the proposals and would do so for discussion at the February meeting. .
16. Planning: PW gave an overview of latest planning applications.
17. Budget/Precept 2011/12: SS proposed increasing the precept to £19,000. 4 in favour. 1 abstention (CC). Carried. Action: Clerk to inform TDC.
18. Accounts: SS proposed making the following donations: Volunteering in Health £200 (A3) Teign Heritage (matched funding towards a new ‘welcome desk’) £500 He also proposed accepting Boyce’s quotation of £3500 for village plantings in 2011/12.
SS proposed. PS seconded. Carried unanimously.
SS proposed adopting the accounts. Sec HD. Carried.
19. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 22nd February 2011
20. Public Comment:
Mrs H Gilbert: SWC Visit South Devon will be here again as part of their annual ‘crab event’ and the Shaldon Water Carnival day will be their final destination. Nice to see drains cleared in Broadlands.
Venerable R Gilpin. Asked whether the white lines could be redone at the village zebra crossing? Action: SS will follow up but pointed out that there was little point in doing anything until the works traffic had gone.
Mrs J Rowe: Asked councilors to raise their voices as it was difficult to hear them.
Mrs L Pash: Delighted that SPC is taking a lead on researching the village hall situation at this appropriate time. She hopes this will be supported by a hard working village team.
25th June was the date for this year’s picnic in the park.
Public Meeting ends
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