MINUTES OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
SHALDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 31st May2011 at 7.15pm
IN THE METHODIST CHURCH HALL
Present: Cllr Peter Williams (Chair) (PW), Cllr Hugh Davey (Vice) (HD), Cllr Maia Miller (MM),
Cllr Chris Clarance (CC), Cllr Eddie Holden (EH), Cllr Lisa Pash (LP)
In attendance: Barbara Coley (Clerk)
Prayers taken by: Rev G Richardson Action:
1. Apologies: Cllr D Yates
2. To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of 26th April 2011: Prop HD Sec CC Carried
3. Matters Arising from the minutes of the meeting of 26th March 2011:
HD Item 10: PW Trees for Mitigation Scheme: HD had some concern regarding the these trees being donated to private landowners. MM gave an explanation on the process for the planting of these trees and confirmed that not many would be planted on private land.
PW Item 5: Flood Defence Report: Spelling of ‘defence’ to be consistent. Beach should read ‘bench’. Stainless steel plaque to commemorate the scheme should be situated at the Marine Parade end of the village on the West face of the ‘coffin box’. A lecturn-type board will be situated on Marine Parade displaying information on the scheme with the beach side to be used by local organisations.
Item 6: EA/Shaldon Flood Defence Agreement finalized but there are still minor on-site issues to be resolved. Training of operators is nearing completion.
4. Declarations of Interest: There were none.
5. Mobile Ice Cream Vending Machine: Richard Harbut (RH) was present at the meeting. PW read out the letter (A1) from the chairman of the business forum which objected to this operation. HD and MM felt this was a winner for tourism and a good feature for the village and supported it. EH had researched this and found that an environmental health certificate was needed but not a licence and that SPC had no power to reject this proposal. Businesses could formally object to TDC to get areas of the community set aside from street traders. He felt extra business increased trade and supported this new venture. He asked RH to liaise with local businesses to make sure there was no conflict. LP in favour but requested that RH keep away from the Beachcomber. CC noted what the business forum had said but felt SPC were powerless to prevent this. PW accepts that the village businesses are in jeopardy but also that visitors would like to buy ice cream. PW felt that we should recommend that the business forum should look into their rights and the trader should liaise with local businesses. Suspended S/Os:
Mr J Lord: It was explained that this was a small mobile 3-wheeler bicycle with a box.
Mrs E Rowe: The newsagent will lose trade because RH is selling ice cream outside the school. She explained that business in this village is not doing well.
Mr S Rowe: It was unacceptable to cream profit off the trade of others. RH said he was trading instead of the Clipper and only taking their trade.
Mr E Rowe: Questioned whether RH would be paying rates. RH explained he had a licence to trade.
S/Os reinstated.
PW concluded that SPC’s powers were limited and it could neither approve nor disapprove of this scheme. SPC was sympathetic to both sides and advised RH and the Business Forum to take action to come to an appropriate joint solution.
He proposed replying to the Business Forum saying we appreciate their problems but if they wish to take further action they can approach the owners of land asking them not to permit vending on specific sites. He suggested RH liaise with businesses to negotiate times and sites of trading. He confirmed that traders can protect their businesses by getting in touch with the licensing department at TDC. Sec HD. Approved.
7. Devon & Cornwall Constabulary: CC read the highlights of the crimes for the last month. He left some preventative crime leaflets for information.
8. Chairman’s Report: Supplied at recent AGM. PW was delighted to welcome new councilors and see a large audience present.
9. Correspondence: Councillors’ Comments
CC: A5: Letter from Mr T Willan re parking at Riverside: The committee felt the original decision should be reconsidered. Clerk to include on next Agenda. Clerk to write to Church Council advising that SPC is returning to this subject. (TW had copied his letter to the Church council and so they were aware).
A6: Various letters re parking should perhaps be included as an agenda item. Clerk to include.
HD: H2 Request for donation: HD felt we should act with caution. LP agreed. PW did not feel it was within SPC’s remit to subsidise a pre-school organisation running at a loss. We normally use our limited funds for specific new endeavours e.g. special equipment or facility or to show support in principle for new funding ventures. CC had given £500 to help the pre-school’s recovery. PW said SPC’s funding was extremely limited and proposed replying thatat the present time SPC is unable to make a donation to the pre-school. Sec LP Carried. Action: Clerk to reply A3: Mr R Dorey: Individuals should report dog fouling directly to the dog warden at TDC. A6: Proposed writing in support of Tim Bouget’s Takeonesmallstep initiative Sec EH. Carried. Action: Clerk to reply
PW: A10 interserve unable to supply powerpoint inside the ferryboat shelter: PW proposed that an electricity supply could be financed by SPC. CC suggested approaching Western Power for an estimate. All agreed. Clerk to arrange
10.Devon County Council: Now that the elections for Teignmouth District Council are done and dusted so to speak I am able to continue to once again promote the County Councils Snow Warden Initiative Scheme. I am offering SPC the Fuji Towable Salt Grit Spreader, at a cost of £1312 plus VAT and the Mount Blanc hand pushed one, at a cost of £503 plus VAT which will be paid for out of my DCC councillors community allowance, whereby I pay the non vatable amount and SPC will be claiming the VAT back, so no capital cost to the parish council whatsoever. I therefore hope SPC will take up my offer of these two appliances later in the agenda.
Following a successful trial and evaluation report at Westpoint in February this machinery is seen as a helpful addition to salting the minor highway network and of course pavements too with the hand pushed machine, which the Counties main plant simply doesn't salt. This machinery should be arriving before the coming winter arrives and seen as a valuable way of parish and town councils stepping up to the mark to help out, being seen as a pretty good example of the Big Society in action.
When speaking on the subject of getting rock grit salt out of the salt bins at a full DCC meeting back in last December there seemed no easy answer to getting the Counties Rock grit salt spread economically and safely onto the minor highway network, since then the County have chosen the Fuji towable salt grit spreader as the best piece of plant at a realistic price to help out in this task and hopefully parish and town councils will buy in extra 25kg bags of rock salt grit to help with this task as back up reserves of rock grit salt in times of real freezing snow and ice weather.
11.Teignbridge County Councillor’s Report: Following the election with 26 Conservatives seats, 13 lib/dems and 7 independents, the Conservatives have formed a Cabinet to administer Teignbridge. Posts assigned to me are vice chairman of Planning (no longer called Development Control) and Chairman of the Audit Committee.
The planning application, submitted by SPC, for netting to go the entire length behind the goal at KGV field was heard by committee at TDC and was unanimously passed. It remains for this to be costed by a contractor and where to find the funding. Also now the issue of the Turner Centre is behind us, Teignbridge has drawn up a draft plan for a changing room for 45ft X 15ft to fit between two sycamore trees on the south side of the field. I hope asap, with SPC backing on policy grounds, this will result in a planning application to go before TDC. I see this as a long overdue project which I was unable to promote whilst the Turner Centre proposal was being looked at. I believe it is time to act to get a changing facility long overdue for this field.
The issue of the ferry rumbles on, over the Whitsunday Bank holiday, for the Saturday and Sunday two 8 seaters, run by Teign Marine Services tried their best to cope with demand and on the Monday the smaller 12 seater boat was operated by an employee of the current contractor. Had the weather been better I doubt what was on offer would have coped with demand, as queues at times for the ferry could clearly be seen. Write to TDC expressing continuing concern at spasmodic running of the ferry and insisting that we are provided with a reliable service. Action: Clerk to write to: Tony Watson.
12. Parish Councillors’ Reports;
CC: 2 Lamp standards on the Shoreside embankment have not been put back in their correct position. Highways have been asked to correct this.
The power supply at Bay Cottage has been restricted by the flower boat and so the lamp standard could not be installed. CC commented that the residents had taken very much trouble with this boat and it must be retained albeit in a new position to allow the power supply.
He is pursuing the loss of the dog sign indicating that dogs are welcome beyond the Lucette light.
CC feels the dog ban should be extended on the main beach. HD said that it should be extended for the year round. Action: Agenda item next meeting
LP Homeyard’s plantings around the pond and rill are very dry and she has emailed people to come up with a bucket to form a human watering chain.
EH Has contacted Shaldon School as SPC representative to be kept up to date with events.
He expressed concern at lack of visibility at the zebra crossing at the end of Bridge Road. He has contacted Les Pym, DCC, to ask him to investigate the situation. Shrubs in Clifford House are in the line of sight of drivers and it was agreed he should investigate getting these cut back.
MM Has been liaising with Colin Rider, PCSO, re criminal activities in the village.
MM gave an overview of the TALC meeting which was well attended and it was decided to continue. Lester Wilmington (Highways, DCC) was present at the meeting and will follow up on the poor state of white lines in the village. He is open to discussion on the path of the ‘tuk tuk’ to and from the Ness. CC has asked Dave Hudson at DCC to approach the EA for a contribution to the cost of repainting the white lines in the village.
HD The dog sign at the ferry shelter which had been turned around was sorted by Andy Beech who available and very helpful.
PW A letter from Friends of Shaldon School asking for funding had been received too late for the agenda. Action Clerk: Agenda Item next meeting
PW raised the possibility of a directional sign to the toilet to be placed on the Mound on the embankment: Action: LP will investigate.
13. Survey of Shaldon Bookable Venues: Clerk to send to all respondents. PW proposed that SPC accept this report and address the issues it raises in due course. LP commended PW on the report and its conclusions.
14. Padlock/Chain to be reinstated on the gate to the KGV field from Ringmore Road: Action: Clerk to ask Andy Beech, interserve then Mark Payne, TDC.
15. KGV Field Changing Facility: CC is moving this forward with TDC (see his report above). In answer to LP’s questions he explained that the facility could be shared with various sports users, TDC will own it and continue to fund it on an ongoing basis. Grants will be applied for by TDC. All were in favour and it was confirmed that SPC supports this application.
16. Congregational Church Hall. SPC needed to decide whether they supported proceeding to make a bid for this hall. PW commented that the bookable venues survey had shown there was no demand for a hall of this size. However, it might be suitable for an affordable housing site for DCC with a parish office for storage, surgeries and facility for a clerk. He also envisaged a parking space for the mobile library unit. HD felt there were local organisations who may be interested in sharing the use of this facility although PW said the survey had not suggested this. PW will put at note in the parish magazine explaining the future of this Hall and the ferryboat workshop are under review and asking for interested parties for community use.
17. Ferryboat Workshop: PW proposed that SPC did not proceed with its intention to purchase the FBW and proposed writing to Mr Partridge that the new council has decided that it does not wish to purchase the ferryboat house. SPC has been made aware that there are parties in the village who would be interested in acquiring the lease for organisations within our community. However, we would ask that no decision is taken until the ferryboat issue has been resolved. Sec MM Carried.
18 Salt & Grit Spreaders: PW proposed supporting CC’s proposal of his acquisition of these items for future use and deployment within the village to help safeguard our older people. Sec MM Carried.
19 Planning: See minutes of today’s meeting.
20. Accounts and Internal Audit: PW proposed that these be accepted as read. HD sec. Carried.
21. Date of next meeting: 28th June 2011 at 7.30 following planning at 6.45pm.
22 Public Comment: Richard Dorey: Congratulated PW on his re-appointment as chairman. He intends to apply to use Sunny Patch for over 60’s next June and was advised to write. Thanked PW for his report on venues. As the newly appointed Chairman of the Scouts group, RD advised that the scouts would like to be put forward as the preferred tenant of the ferryboat workshop. He asked if he should approach TDC directly or through SPC with regard to acquiring this property. CC advised RD to discuss with him, rather than approach TDC directly, what his intentions would be for the building taking into account that the ferryboat may come back to it.
Mr T Willan: Asked whether it was permissible for people to have a BBQ on the beach. EH said you must have permission from TDC.
Ferryboat: He will write to Tony Watson again re concern for poor ferryboat service.
Dogs on Beach: Asked if dogs could be restricted on KGV field. EH said this field is for everyone’s use.
Part II (public excluded)
23. Recruitment Process for new clerk: The process was agreed and a panel was appointed: PW, LP, BC and HD. The draft job ad was approved for posting.
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