MINUTES OF THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING
(These minutes are subject to approval at the next regular meeting)
SHALDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 22nd November 2011 including Planning Meeting
IN THE METHODIST CHURCH HALL
Present: Cllr Peter Williams (Chair) (PW), Cllr Hugh Davey (Vice) (HD), Cllr Chris Clarance (CC), Cllr Eddie Holden (EH), Cllr Maia Miller (MM), Cllr Lisa Pash (LP), Cllr D Yates (DY)
In attendance: Maddie Williams (Clerk)
Prayers taken by: Fr Michael Robertson
1. Apologies: There were none.
2. To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of 25th October 2011: The minutes were approved. Prop DY. Seconded PW. Carried.
3. Matters Arising from the minutes of the meeting of 25th October 2011:
Ball games on The Green had been causing disruption to residents and to the Bowling Club. LP proposed to return the ‘No Ball Games’ sign to The Green. PW seconded. Carried.
4. Declarations of Interest: There were none.
- Devon & Cornwall Constabulary: Colin Rider (CR) presented the latest crime statistics. PW thanked PSCO Rider for his presentation and after discussion it was agreed that he would let SPC know if there was anything that they could do in the future to assist with local crime prevention. Vigilance was always important, particularly with regard to car crime and making people aware not to leave valuables on display.
- Teign Estuary Partnership Proposal for Public Rights of Way: Mr Graeme Smith presented a map showing areas of coastal path showing sections of coast line between Combeinteignhead and Shaldon and along Shaldon beach which were not designated public rights of way, although they had established use as such. He wished to know if SPC would support the proposal for making these sections public rights of way. It was agreed that SPC would support this. Cllr Williams suspended S/Os to allow Mr Winchester to comment that these paths had historical associations to Keats and were known worldwide by some Keats enthusiasts but it that would be good to disseminate this information more widely and to advertise the times of low tide when the walks could be undertaken. Mr Smith agreed and commented that the TEPs recent bid for funding for such projects had been set back but they were expecting new lottery funding in the near future. Chairman reinstated S/Os.
- Approval of Minutes of the Planning Meeting of 8th November Sept 2011: The minutes were approved. LP proposed. Sec MM. Carried.
- Matters Arising from the Minutes of 8th November: There were none.
- 11/03639/REM: Salty Pines, Ham Lane, TQ14 OHW: Approval of details for a dwelling. SPC had no objection in principal to this application, however the Councillors were concerned that a large amount of Devon hedgerow has already been removed and agreed to urge TDC to request that it be reinstated. The loss of plant species and wildlife habitat is always of concern when hedgerow is removed, but particularly so in this case given the site's location within an area important to the rare cirl bunting as identified by the RSPB and the Biodiversity Officer in their consultation responses.
Consents:
11/03167/FUL: 8 Riverside: Rear extension at first floor.
11/03200/FUL: 2 North Hessary, Torquay Road: Loft conversion with front and rear dormers and rebuilding of rear extension.
- 11/02802/FUL: The Clipper, 26 Strand: Renovation of existing flats and café.
- 11/03083/COU: Clifford Arms, 34 Fore Street: Change of use, conversion and extension of ancillary storage building to a dwelling.
11/02911/FUL: Laurel Farm Cottage, Laurel Lane: Erection of a single storey timber framed orangery.
11/03389/FUL: 52 Ringmore Road: Two storey extension to replace existing single storey extension.
- Refusal: 11/02505/FUL: West Bank, Pound Lane: Extension.
- Any Other Business: There was none.
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Tuesday 13th December 2011 at 6.45pm at Methodist Church Hall.
- Chairman’s Report:
- Flood Defence Practice: A practice session took place on October 27th which was the first practice since full installation of the gates. The session went quite well and all gates were successfully closed and subsequently reopened. Minor shortcomings were recorded in review session and a full questionnaire has now been circulated to all volunteers. Modifications to the procedures will be recommended dependent on the results of the questionnaire.
- The Bonfire Night was a great success thanks are due: to Chris Clarance for the organisation of the event; Fred Curry for the firework display; organisation of refreshments by Lyn Manester , Chris’s Sally and the Sea Scouts; and to Peter Stokes for the Guy and Gal Fawkes competition plus all the volunteer marshals, bucket collectors and other helpers. It was a truly community occasion.
- Remembrance Services were held on Sunday 13th November at the War Memorial and in the evening at St.Peter’s. It was a delight to see so many young people in attendance. Thanks to all who helped SPC do the refreshments after the evening service.
- Plans to acquire the Ferry Boat Workshop have engaged us all in a great deal of thought. I hope we will make progress this evening on planning a course of further action.
- A review of SPC meeting procedures has been carried out and a revised format is gradually being introduced with the Planning incorporated into the full meeting on the 4th Tuesday of the month and held as a sub-committee on the 2nd Tuesday.
- All local organisations have been approached to help produce an exciting programme of events for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The working party is meeting again on 29th November to make further progress on planning the events.
- Following the October meeting, letters have been written re KGV kicking goal, Bus timetabling and affordable housing.
- Devon County Council Councillor’s Report:
CC: As you are all probably aware by now I am a DCC Councillor championing the DCC Snow Warden Initiative Scheme by helping town and parish councils go that bit further in times of snow and ice enabling some of the minor highway network to be kept open by way of the Fuji towable salt spreader that SPC now owns. Indeed SPC now has three tonnes of salt in 25kg bags ready to go into use provided free of charge to the parish council by the County Council, to be used in both the Fuji machine and the Mount Blanc pavement gritter we have ready for use.
On DCC officer advice I have been asked to establish what are termed Community Gritting Routes which all link up to the main Teignmouth Torquay main road which is a County primary salting route. To that end I have identified on a plan 4.5 miles of minor roads in Shaldon that I hope our parish council will endorse today as Community Gritting Routes, in the hope that when bad weather strikes us we will be even better prepared tan before to deal with the problems that face us, remembering too we have the usual grit bins in place to help us too, plus the small bags of grit that DCC have dropped off in various places.
For clarity in the position the parish find itself in, officers of DCC have asked the following is made clear under the DCC Snow Warden Initiative Scheme. “The Parish Council will make reasonable endeavours, within available resources, to treat with salt the roads and footways as separately identified, marked on the attached map, during the more severe weather only (when snow and ice is likely to persist throughout the day). It is unable to guarantee the safety of any part of the highway and users must continue to take due care and attention on the highway as they find it.”
Finally, tenders closed for the old redundant school hall assembly building on the 9th November, a 10% deposit has been accepted by DCC on the building with completion due on 21st December. When completion has taken place, the winning tender price can and will be revealed.
HD proposed that SPC endorse the Community Gritting Routes. Seconded PW. EH and Graeme Smith volunteered to help tow the gritter.
- Teignbridge County Councillor’s Report:
CC: The subject of the disposal of the Ferryboat Maintenance Workshop is high on the agenda. With the ferry boat operators no longer wanting to use this building TDC have quite awhile ago identified this building for disposal. Indeed SPC, the old council before last May, made an attempt to buy this building, our last SPC offer being rejected at £57,000, with TDC looking for an offer of nearer £80,000 at the time.
However with the recent price a beach hut has made on the open market valuers have advised what they think is a more realistic valuation of the building being circa £240,000.
At that figure totally way beyond the reach of a parish council like Shaldon, whose annual precept is only £19,000 pa. The argument being now is why should we be buying it in the first place? After all, the asset was given to Teignbridge District Council by Teignmouth Urban District Council, of which Shaldon was a ward at the time, for nothing, when local government reorganisation took place in 1974. (We didn’t have a parish council until 1984.)
Under the Localism Bill, which has just become law on 15th November, we have a full six months breathing space to see what can be done to keep this building in the community rather than lose it to the private sector. I had hoped legislation to pass from one council to another council a community asset such as this could have been put in place for a £1.00 nominal figure. I believe we must start a petition within the village on this, which will trigger a debate at Full TDC Council should we get over 10% of our electorate to sign up (i.e. 154 voters). Make no mistake on this, if we are to keep this building under our control, maybe ownership, which I hope will happen, we have a fight on our hands with TDC. Quite frankly I don’t know how we area going to be able to do this, but if the village rises to the challenge surely we can win the situation. I believe this to be an issue for our MP too, who I have taken this up with already.
- Parish County Councillors Reports:
MM: Would be attending the TALC meeting on 24th December and would report back at the next meeting. Emergency planning officers would be speaking at the meeting and MM asked that councillors let her know if they wished her to ask any specific questions.
LP: Maintenance of PC property / benches: Paul Cayless had been recommended as an occasional Handyman. He quoted £168.75 for mending a broken slat on one of the three green benches that SPC own on the Green and repairing four panes of glass in the ferry shelter. PW proposed he be asked to carry out the work. Seconded CC. Carried. LP to take this forward. Action: LP. The long bench on the Green is close to collapse. Repair would involve taking it apart, sandblasting cast iron parts, welding on a new supporting strut and replacement of all wooden parts and has been quoted at £975. A replacement green metal bench costs £667, two would be needed to achieve same length of seating = £1,334 + delivery £95 + fixing to the ground. It was agreed that LP would seek another quote for repair of the bench. Action: LP. Five other benches owned by Teignbridge DC have been reported as in need of attention. Floral Displays: Winter floral displays have been planted up. Quotes for 2012/13 have been received from Boyces’, this to be used in deciding on the Parish Precept. Litter Bins: Colin the road sweeper continues to report difficulties with corroded lock system and doors not opening wide enough for removal of inner bin for emptying.
EH: Shaldon Primary School is making its own arrangements to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee but would be happy for SPC to make a presentation of commemorative mugs to the children. There should be 210-220 children in the school at that time.
DY: The League of Friends new physiotherapy department is opening at Teignmouth Hospital next week. There is on-going discussion between TDC and DCC as to who is responsible for replacing the handrail at the beach steps. Several Shaldon residents had reported being disappointed to see that people attending the Remembrance Day memorial service had received parking tickets while they were in the church. One of the flood defence boxes had been damaged. PW confirmed that the damage had been reported and that the box should be replaced shortly.
HD: The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) has now been completed by TDC. If any landowners in the parish approach TDC to offer land for development then SPC can consider individual plans but there does not seem to be anything controversial in the current SHLAA. He suggest that the Clerk circulate the site plans and SPC consider any implications for Shaldon at the next meeting. Action: Clerk. Regarding the proposed prohibition of street trading on certain streets, HD had met with the Glyn Balman of the Business Forum and proposed that SPC now apply for the streets agreed, and circulated in advance to SPC, to require permanent consent licences for street vending. LP seconded. 5 in favour, 2 against. Carried. Action Clerk: to make the application to TDC. The Harbour Consultative Committee has agreed that rents will rise by 4% plus VAT and reports that shipping was down by 40,000 tonnes this year.
- Correspondence: Councillors’ Comments:
Item T5: Precept 2012-2013 from TDC - PW: SPC would decide next year’s precept at the budget meeting.
Item T6:Teignbridge Core Strategy Consultation from TDC – CC: There are no proposals in the plan which would specifically affect Shaldon. The village envelope will remain the same. There is a wider estuary debate on the subject and SPC have been invited to attend a meeting hosted by Teignmouth Town Council.
- Diamond Jubilee Celebrations:
Following discussion it was agreed that commemorative mugs would be provided by SPC for primary school aged children and that more would be made available to purchase. CC agreed to take on organising the street party and EH volunteered his support. LP had investigated commissioning a commemorative sundial for Sunny Patch. She had approached four West Country makers so far and costs ranged from £500 to £1500. It was agreed that SPC should commission such a sundial and that LP would take this forward. Action: LP. CC suggested that if Teignmouth Town Council did not want to pursue the joint firework display proposal then it may be possible to fund a £1000.00 display from the profits of the Bonfire Night. It was agreed that CC would look into the possibility of incorporating a display into the street party celebrations.
- Street Trading Prohibition:
Dealt with under Agenda Item 11, Parish Councillor Report by HD.
PW had drafted and read out a letter which he proposed to send to TDC Councillors Christophers and Barker, setting out SPC’s objections to the asset being sold to the highest bidder, putting forward the arguments for community access and SPC ownership, and requesting a meeting to discuss the issue further. Seconded CC. Carried. It was agreed that HD would formulate a petition that could be used to lobby TDC, investigating the required wording. Action: HD.
LP presented a comparison chart of the quotes received for clerk’s equipment. LP proposed purchasing equipment costing £670.00 plus VAT. Seconded by CC. Approved.
The accounts were taken as read. A request had been received from Shaldon Singalong for a donation of £35.00 to help fund their charity fundraiser carols and mince pies event on The Green. CC proposed making the donation. Seconded by PW. Approved.
- Date of next meeting was announced to be on the 24th January 2012 at 6.45pm in the Methodist Church Hall.
Graeme Smith:
- Suggested an open day at the Ferry Boat Workshop to publicise SPC’s struggle to retain the facility for community use.
- TDC must ask the EA to resolve the litter bin problem within the defect period or the cost of repair will fall to TDC next year.
- Could the commemorative Jubilee mugs be made available to children over 11?
Richard Dorey:
- Regarding the Ferryboat Workshop, previous councils had tried to provide community facilities such as the proposed Millennium Centre and the Turner Centre, but they had not materialised. Facilities are desperately needed by young people in the parish (100 individuals in the Sea Scouts) and with investment the Ferryboat Workshop has excellent potential. If this facility is lost it may be necessary to resurrect the Turner Centre proposal. He had included an article in the Parish News highlighting the issues.
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