MINUTES OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
SHALDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 29th March 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 Hugh Davey (HD)
In attendance: Barbara Coley (Clerk), Graham Wills (GW), Interserve, Graeme Smith, Teign Estuary Officer
Prayers taken by: Rev G Richardson
1. Apologies: Cllr P Williams (PW), PCSO Rider
2. To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of 22nd February 2011: Prop AS Sec PS Carried
3. Matters Arising from the minutes of the meeting of 22nd February 2011:
13. QEII playing fields: SS advised that he had researched this scheme and SPC would clearly not qualify since the criteria states that applicants must be the owner of the land and not the user. Therefore we cannot take this any further
4. Declarations of Interest: There were none.
5. Interserve Flood Defence Report: Graham Wills (GW) gave an update on the progress of the flood defense scheme (report with clerk).
Re: New litter bins. AS reported as follows: Following negotiations and a very successful outcome on benches with Neil Baglow, TDC - he passed us on to Anna Lang regarding future responsibility for the replacement bins, So we have been in correspondence with Anna and it is disappointing that TDC are not prepared to accept future maintenance/ownership of the attractive and sturdy wooden cased bins, designed to enhance the area by the flood defence walls. I had thought I was assisting with the process, but now believe it may be better to leave talks between the Environment Agency and Teignbridge. To this effect I hope our District Cllr, CC, can help move things forward to, hopefully, a satisfactory agreement.
Colin Davison, street cleaner, has said he would like the 2 wheely bins which were in the alley opposite Manor House put back there.(currently kept on Shoreside). AS proposed this action be taken and all agreed.
The provision of a large bin on the main beach by the Quay has still to be agreed as this one is susceptible to high tides and may need to remain a green plastic one. I have asked to meet with a Teignbridge representative on site to discuss this.
GW agreed to check with Andy Hohl, EA, with a view to writing a strong request to TDC re acceptance of these bins. CC suggested the issue should be taken up with portfolio holder for bins after 5th May election. PS thanked GW for the reconstruction of the bottom of the Albion slipway which had delighted the boat owners. He asked whether the limestone bleed could be rectified and GW has this in hand and will report back. GW confirmed to CC that a bollard will be placed in Manor House to stop cars parking there
This was GW’s last meeting and contact should in future be made with Andy Beech. He thanked SPC for their help with this project. CC thanked Graham for being a wonderful ambassador for Interserve. HD thanked GW for his accurate answers to questions and residents were very happy with his contribution. SS thanked GW for his contribution on behalf of the council and wished him well in his new job.
6. Devon & Cornwall Constabulary: PCSO Rider sent apologies. SS summarised his report. 11 crimes, 10 of which are thefts from vehicles and one from a construction site in Ringmore.
7. Enhancements to Templer Way: Graeme Smith gave a comprehensive overview on this subject. He asked that the council support his bid for funding. SS prop HD sec. All in favour. Carried. Action: Clerk to send Email
8. Chairman’s Report: This month the precarious future of the Shaldon Ferry has once more been claiming much of our attention. Yet again Teignbridge District Council has failed in their promise to keep us informed of what is happening. To the contrary, they have failed to return phone calls or reply to emails on the subject, and are using the forthcoming election as an excuse for being "tied up" on other issues. I fully intend to keep up the pressure in an attempt to get some answers and some action, but I would like to make an appeal for assistance. Any individuals or organizations who feel strongly about the future of the Ferry could help by writing directly to Teignbridge to express their concerns. Unfortunately, it is the usual story, those who shout the loudest seem to be the ones who are listened to, so let’s all shout a bit louder.
The other topic I would like to comment on is the Shaldon Parish Council precept. Since the latest Council Tax Bills have been issued, we have inevitably received feed-back. Some of it has been positive, some has been negative, and I felt it appropriate to clarify the position. Unfortunately the truth of the matter is that the Parish Council has been underfunded for many years. This underfunding has meant that the Council has consistently failed to take initiatives to improve Parish facilities and has often been criticised for not doing enough to support good ideas and causes within the village. The failure to retain the library in Shaldon is a case in point, and not achieving anything in the way of transport facilities for the elderly and infirm is another. Teignbridge on the other hand has been selling assets at a great pace irrespective of the community needs, and threatening to sell even more. We have managed by constant pressure and using the Ministry of Transport veto, to prevent the sale of the Ferry. Perhaps we could be criticized for not doing more to secure its long term future but at the time our financial circumstances did not allow us to even contemplate such thoughts.
One of the new buzz words is "Localism", which means that Parishes will increasingly be required to take over more responsibility, and several good ideas are currently in the pipe-line. However, these ideas do come with a cost. The possibility of saving the Ferry-Boat Work-Shop is a good example of how if yet again we fail to act, we could lose a valuable community asset to developers. If we acquire the Workshop it will of course raise expenses in the short-term but we do not intend to take it on unless it could become self-funding in the longer term. To obtain a loan we need a deposit, and to improve a facility also requires initial expenditure, after which it should be possible to generate a viable level of income from various user groups. Another idea we are being asked to support is a shuttle service from the Ness to the village - encouraging tourists to actually come into the village centre. It is no good promoting these ideas if the funding is not available. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the Council to ensure that the correct level of finance is available to meet its requirements and the expectations of the Residents.
For the last 10 years or so the council has been extremely restricted in what it could do as a result of an unrealistically low precept. This has now been partially redressed, and the council is now able to consider being more proactive in supporting community projects in the future.
Finally it is important to look at things objectively. On a Band A property last year the Parish Council element amounted to £9.57 pa, this year it will be £11.78 pa, an increase of £2.21 pa, equivalent to just 4p a week. To put it into context, out of 49 Parishes in Teignbridge, there are 36 with higher precepts than Shaldon, and only 12 with lower precepts than us, so even with this year’s increase, we are still in the lowest quartile.
AS suggested that this report is sent to Mr R Evans in response to his recent correspondence - which was agreed. Action: Clerk
9. Correspondence: Councillors’ Comments
AS: A4 SPC decision re parking in Oystercatcher Court: The Council saw no reason to change its decision. Action: clerk to write to explain that if they do have the support of all residents to their requests they should approach DCC.
A7; Clive Musgrave re parking in Crown Sq: clerk to acknowledge. CC liaising with DCC re moving of sign by Horse Lane.
A9: AS feels the zebra crossing continues to be an issue. CC said it had been long established that this is the best place to cross and there had not been an untoward accident at this point. He said the highway markings are due to be redone and this should help. PS felt that speeding in this area was the problem and CC is chasing the speed camera. CC would like SPC to follow up with DCC to ask when the training with the speed gun would be progressed. Action: Clerk to reply to Rev Fr M Pearson: Once Interserve has left the village all markings in the village will be redone. We encourage residents to report any incidents to the Police so that they will be aware.
T6: Flower bed on the Green. Proposal from Mark Payne, TDC: Chairman suspended S/Os to allow Mrs J Lord to speak on this subject and she gave a history of the problems with the flowerbed and said that residents considered that some of the shrubs proposed were not suitable. SS proposed asking for a variety of evergreen shrubs which give some colour but no more than four feet in height. Mrs Lord also made a further request that attention be paid to the wall surrounding the flowerbed. Action: Clerk to draft response for AS to look at preior to submission to TDC.
A2: Dinghy rack on beach: SPC discussed this issue before and does not consider further comment is necessary.
T11, 12, 13: It was suggested that anyone who had a complaint about the ferry service should be directed to write directly to the CEO at TDC – to alert her to high level of concern.
A8: Request for a memorial bench: AS advised this would be taken up by TDC.
CC A7: An unsuitable second hand notice ‘not suitable for motor vehicles’ has been hang around power cables and cannot be viewed. CC has suggested to DCC the location of the sign is moved so that it can be better viewed. He was tackling some of the traffic issues in this area.
9. Devon County Councillors’ Reports : No report at this time.
10. Teignbridge District Councillor’s Report No report at this time.
11. Parish Councillors’ Reports:
CC: The sea wall at the Lucette light had collapsed again and was being repaired.
PS: The Harbour Commission are now charging for dinghies attached to trots on beaches ie Riverside and trying to maximise their revenue by installing more trots. This was proposed some time ago and has now been implemented with no consultation. CC said this would encourage boat owners to move their boats to the main beach to avoid payment. Charges were £30 to go on the waiting list plus £60 if you were allocated a space on the trot. SS felt it was important that Shaldon PC attended meetings of the harbour consultative body so that SPC could be kept informed of HC decisions: Action: HD will ensure this happens.
PW: In his absence, the Chairman read PW’s report as follows: Survey of hall users: Survey questionnaires were issued to 42 organisations believed to book halls in Shaldon. Replies were requested by 15th March by which time about 50% had been returned. The clerk and I have been chasing up the remainder and to date there are about 6 replies outstanding all of whom have received either a letter or e-mail reminder. Of the replies currently in hand several use more than one venue and so we currently have15 assessments of the Victoria Hall, 11 of the Over 60's, 8 of the Methodist Hall and a small number for the Sail Loft and the Churches. I hope to present a detailed analysis at the next parish council meeting..
Boulders at 98A Ringmore Road: I have been pursuing this issue actively and a site meeting should be arranged for a few days time. I have been promoting the issue on two main grounds: disruption to the Templer Way and Health and Safety Issues in the eventof floodgate closure at The Strand Ringmore Slipway.
Flood Emergency: 40 volunteers have now expressed a willingness to take part in the SPC emergency flood scheme. An initial training session at the gates was held for team leaders and deputies. A second training session plus meeting for all volunteers to learn about the gate closure warning system and volunteer action plan will be held on April 12th from 6.00 p.m. at the Methodist Hall and earlier from 4.45 onwards for volunteers requiring gate training.
Other issues: I have attended the Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum Committee meeting and can report good progress on setting up the exhibits. Councillors will be invited to one of the official open eventsin May. I attended TALC on 24th March and heard a talk on Localism and its effect on local government - basically still extremely obscure.
- Re Oystercatcher Court Parking the SPC based their decision to recommend a particular parking strategy and timescale was based on an extremely varied response from the local residents and the only recent full occupation of the dwellings and the current temporary building operations at the school.
- Re Precept: I made a full personal reply to Mr. Evans in which I fully endorsed our decision to raise the precept. I copied my reply to councillors
AS: Reported as follows: I would like to commend Boyces for the very good work undertaken on Sunny Patch and propose we write to thank them. All agreed to this proposal. Action: Clerk to write.
Following the excellent news that TDC will accept the new benches installed subsequent to the flood defence works, I would like to propose the Parish Council asks Teignbridge if we may dedicate the one by the slipway behind the Clipper Cafe to Paddy who died last year and offer to pay for the plaque. All agreed to this proposal. Action: AS to investigate costs of plaque.
Residents have expressed their concerns to me about the current state of a building in the centre of the village - with its boarded up window (suggestive of vandalism) unpleasant graffiti on the side and abandoned freezer (for well over a year). I agree with their concerns and believe this gives visitors a very poor impression of Shaldon. Do Cllrs feel it is in our remit to say anything? All agreed this action should be taken. Clerk to write letter.
I have been asked by a resident whether we may ask the Shaldon Villa footballers if they can remove the unsightly tape which builds up on the goal posts and also gets strewn across the grass. I propose the Clerk writes a tactful letter with this request. All agreed. Action: Clerk to draft letter to Adrian Boult, Shaldon Villa FC.
Over several years SPC has received regular reports of unsatisfactory planting in the flower bed on the NW corner of the Green (the 3 beds around the Green are owned and planted by SPC) We contacted TDC and asked them to consider longer-term planting of shrubs instead of the annual flowers. We have now received a proposal from Mark Payne, at Teignbridge, together with a list and plan of the planting proposed. To try and minimise future complaints we passed a copy of the proposed planting to a resident living in the vicinity, Mrs Lord, who has taken an interest in this issue over previous years. She has spoken to neighbours and they are apparently unhappy with the actual plants proposed. Having suggested a representative of the residents meet with TDC to agree a mutually acceptable solution, I do not believe this should result in a group debate with several voices and ongoing discussion. I would like Cllrs to agree the best way forward. Do we try and negotiate with Mark Payne? Would any Cllrs like to follow this up to try and reach a satisfactory outcome? (See Item 9 T6 above)
PS commented that the bench situated opposite Londis was in poor condition and needs attention. Action agreed: AS
14. Provision of plaques: AS proposed that a working group be formed to investigate the provision of plaques through the village and volunteered to take this on. Sec SS. Agreed unanimously. AS will also contact the Chairman of Shaldon Business Forum.
Retention of the Interserve Noticeboards: It was proposed that historical information and visitor information should be placed on these boards. Action: Clerk to write letter to be sent to Interserve to officially request that they are left in situ and kindly gifted to SPC for their future use for village communication. Cc: GW. Prop AS Sec PS. Carried unanimously.
15. Acquisition of hand gritter for icy conditions: The Chairman deferred this item to be placed on agenda for new council.
16. Rural Aid Grant: Send information to Mrs Lisa Pash re FSBOG and SPC would be happy to lend our support. Prop CC Sec PS. Unanimous. Clerk to send information.
17. Employment of clerk PAYE: AS proposed accepting option no 2 (attached at appendix 1) Sec HD. Carried.
18. Accounts: AS prop Sec PS Carried.
19. Date of last meeting of this council: Tuesday 26th April 2011. (NB AGM 10th May, MCH, 7.15pm)
The Venerable R Gilpin: 1. Amend title in last mins to ‘The Venerable’ 2. Criteria for Investment policy: SS explained the policy for purchasing the ferryboat workshop in order to retain this for the community. 3. Would the council consider capping the precept next year in a time of severe national economic restraint: SS said this would be up to the new council.
Mr R Dorey: Turner Centre would have been no cost to the village and a survey took place of public opinion but this did not apply to the purchase of the ferryboat workshop. SS explained that the Turner Centre was a matter of planning issues which is not the case with the ferry boathouse which is purely financial.
Mrs Joan Lord: ‘West Bay beach’ is full of stones and should be included in the clear up. Action: Clerk to clarify with Interserve which areas of the beach are to be cleared up.
Mrs Jean Rowe: Does not like the wooden bins which are susceptible to the elements. PS explained that the hardwood was weather protected. AS accepted that long term this may be a concern.
Mr T Willan: 1785 village walk: He has notes from the walk.
Mr Ben Miles: Asked what would happen with the results of the village hall survey: He advised that the scouts were not allowed to publish the dates and times of their meetings so this should be protected. SS said that when the data was analysed consideration would be given to the next steps.
Public meeting finished at 9.30pm.
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