MEMBERS

Cllr J Foster - Chairman

Cllr S Franklin - Vice Chairman

Cllr V Haddy Cllr S Hill Cllr S Walton

Cllr N Leflaive Cllr M Palmer Cllr P Preston-Day

District Council Representative - Cllr I Steer

County Council Representative - Cllr G Date

There were two members of the public present. One parishioner complained about the general state of our roads especially Water Lane and the Follaton- Avonwick Road. Councillor Franklin said she had spoken to Highways and Water Lane was to be repaired shortly. The other parishioner asked the council to contact Highways regarding the exit from Curtisknowle towards Moreleigh at Crabadon Cross as this is blind and extremely dangerous. He pointed out that this has caused accidents since 1988 but with the increase of traffic due to the motorcycle track and other businesses in the area the problem was much worse. He suggested that the hedge should be moved back. (See 5 a.)

Police report - PC Jacqui Hopper sent a report saying there have not been any offences reported within the Diptford Parish last month other than an offence of criminal damage to a car at a farm.

In other parts of the county there has been an increase in theft of power tools, garden machinery and quad bikes so the police advise everyone to ensure outbuildings are secure and that serial numbers of such items are noted. It is also a good idea to have property marked to make it identifiable and less attractive to steal.

Please still report any suspicious activity with descriptions of people and vehicle registration numbers in the normal way. (The number to call at South Brent is 08452 777444 or of course 999 if urgent).

Apologies were received from Cllr Foster, Cllr Haddy, Cllr Leflaive, Cllr Palmer, Cllr Walton and Cllr G Date.

Councillor P Preston-Day in 4f.

The minutes were approved by the council and signed.

1. 2726/7 17/1691/05LB 17/1692/05F Mr Mayhall - Creber Barn, Listed building and conversion of barn to dwelling. After obtaining a copy of the 1998 drawing the council voted to object to the listed building application. They dislike retrospective applications on listed buildings and the changes made are not in sympathy with the original building. They also objected to the alteration application on the grounds that the development is too close to the farm and the materials used are not in keeping with the original stone barn.

The council noted that for the following 3 items (b.c.d.) permission has been granted;

2. 2728/9 17/1363/15/F Collings Etheridge Farm Barn wind turbine (altered position).
3. 2730 17/1388/05/F Larcombe Corner extn garage & part business use until 12/06/06.
4. 2731 17/1466/05F River Meadows erection of field shelter & widen gate.
5. Miss Furini - Higher Farleigh (awaiting permission 2 field shelters) a parishioner wrote to say there were people and dogs living at the site and there was a caravan, dog kennel and dog run/compound there without permission. The council agreed that the clerk should write to inform SHDC and ask to be kept appraised of the situation.
6. Primrose Place - nothing has been heard, the council await developments.
7. Little Curtisknowle - The Workshop - nothing has been heard, the council await developments.
8. Springfield - the council noted that again there were reports of weekend living at this site. The clerk was instructed to write to SHDC and inform them.
9. Certificates of Lawfulness for Existing Use as Dwelling - the council agreed that it was a councillor’s duty to report anything suspicious. It was also agreed that a separate file and log should be kept on problem properties and that these should be put on the agenda and reviewed quarterly.

1. Crabadon Cross Junction - following the complaint of a parishioner over the danger at this junction the council instructed the clerk to write to Highways and ask them, as the situation has been getting worse, to review safety at the junction.
2. Water Lane, leak & potholes - Cllr Franklin reported that, since she phoned Highways and South West Water had been contacted, they had both been helpful, the leak had been repaired and it had been agreed to repair the potholes soon at the expense of South West Water. There had been a complaint that a disabled parishioner had extreme difficulty in going along it and it was dangerous for pedestrians.
3. Footpath 5 - the council agreed to the spending of up to £500 of P3 funds to improve an area where mud was causing an obstruction to walkers. A stile and gate are to be reversed.

The council agreed that the public meetings on the Parish Plan were well attended and had gone well. Cllr Hill was thanked for their success. The plan will now be printed and sent to each household in the parish.

1. 2722 Cllr Hill offered to stand for election as a representative on the DAPC council.
2. Following the police report the clerk was asked to contact them to see if they arrange marking of equipment.
3. SHDC sent details of the green lanes being improved. These are Curtisknowle Lane, Cleave Lane and Wheeldon Lane. A councillor reported the lane at Ashwell is in bad condition, Cllr Franklin will look into this.

8. Additional items as per the Chairman.

None

Cllr Steer said that, although the newspapers were giving bad publicity to the paying of the staff pension plans by lump sum, this is the cheapest option and can only by done as we are debt free. Cllr Steer also reported that she is the representative for South Hams on the Joint Commissioning Body who are looking to provide services to support people in their own homes as the way forward. This means a need for more ‘floating’ support workers.

Cllr Date sent a copy of the county council newsletter.

12. Sub-committee Report

Amenity Trust Report

The council agreed to pay cheques for insurance (£118.10) and engineer’s report (£306.23) for the playground. The future of such payments will be dealt with in the agreement with the Diptford Amenity Trust, Cllr Franklin asked that this agreement and lease should be brought back to council to be discussed in November.

It has been reported that there has been intimidation and bad language in the playground and the council agreed that this and the gate being left open should be taken up with the chairman of the Amenity Trust.

Cllr Hill reported that Jane & Peter Gillett were very supportive in managing the site. The next step is to get others to update their own section. It was agreed that if estate agents wished to put links on the site they must take an advertisement in the parish magazine.

1. The council received the report.
2. The council agreed that Cllr Hill should be added as an extra signatory on the account.
3. Cheques - 2 cheques for £118.10 and £306.23 were drawn regarding the Amenity Trust (see 12)

Monday 7^th November 2005

Chairman of Diptford Parish Council