MEMBERS

Cllr J Foster - Chairman

Cllr S Franklin - Vice Chairman

Cllr V Haddy Cllr S Hill Cllr S Walton

Cllr M Palmer Cllr P Preston-Day Cllr K Stow

District Council Representative - Cllr I Steer

County Council Representative - Cllr G Date

There were two members of the public present. One parishioner informed the council that they were applying for planning permission for a micro hydro electric scheme and outlined the scheme. Ham Sampford reported on the progress of planting in Diptford. The tree in the square had been removed to the playing field and he was searching for the right weeping tree to replace it. Bloom in Diptford need volunteers to work on 20 May. Also he asked for approximately £25 for extra planting and levelling the tubs in the square, the council voted to grant this.

1. Apologies
• Apologies were received from District Councillor Steer.
2. Declaration of Interest and update of Members’ Interests
• Cllr Franklin declared an interest in 5b and 14c, Cllr Foster in the Amenity Trust, Cllr Haddy in 11a and Cllr Hill 11c.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting Monday 6 March
• The minutes were agreed and signed.
4. Planning Matters
1. 2830 17/0449/06/F 6 Church Park Close - the council voted to support the application for the erection of a conservatory.
2. 2831 17/0448/06/F Outbuildings Thorn Farm - the council had no objection to the application to convert redundant farm buildings to residential use.
3. 2832 17/0544/06/F Star House - the council supported the application for a 2 storey rear extension.
4. The council instructed the clerk to write to SHDC planning and chase all outstanding planning matters such as Creber Barn.
5. The council has received a report of an occupied mobile home opposite the bungalow at Folletts Farm Curtisknowle, the clerk was asked to write and inform SHDC planning department of this.
6. A letter had been received from SHDC planning granting the application 17/0176/06/F for a barn and further timber field shelters for sheep/horses in a field at Higher Farleigh.
7. ‘The Workshop’ Little Curtisknowle - the council understands that the previous owner has written to SHDC to say he did not live at this site, if anyone can substantiate this they are asked to write to South Hams and say so. The clerk was asked to chase the progress of this matter with SHDC planning.
5. Highways and Paths
1. 2824 Diptford Cross - increased kerb - as the changes have not improved safety at the junction the clerk was asked to reply to Highways reminding them of the original suggestions at the safety/traffic management meeting and to chase the Give Way sign, better markings and also a solution to the drainage problem. The council agreed to put it on the agenda for May to check progress,
2. Work on Footpath 5 - Cllr Franklin reported that, after agreement with the Rights of Way warden a kissing gate has been erected to be an improvement and replace the stile and dog gate. Cllr Haddy proposed that the council approve the payment of £777.08 for this by P3, all voted in favour.
6. District Councillor’s Report - Cllr Steer
• None
7. County Councillor’s Report - Cllr Date
• Last month Cllr Date attended a Rights of Way meeting to agree opening a disused railway line from Okehampton as a possible bridleway, also a County Council meeting to set policy for 21 small rural schools. The 29 county councillors in South Hams are being granted £60,000 to spend and are looking at ways to divide this. Cllr Date also chaired the audit meeting.
• When asked why he did not support the allocation of second homes council tax to South Hams Cllr Date pointed out that, due to Devon receiving less money this year, the county council will have to sack staff. If they did not keep this council tax money the number of staff would be even higher.
8. Parish Plan
1. Improvement of Village Square - this was covered in the Open Forum above.
2. Notice board - the council voted to leave this in the same place but replace it with a condensation proof improved board.
3. Website - council policy on advertising - the council were not adverse to accepting advertisements on the website only (not conditional on being in the parish magazine as well) providing the work could be coped with. Cllr Haddy proposed that an honorarium should be paid to the Gilletts at a suitable time.
4. Emergency Strategy - Cllr Hill agreed to ‘kickstart’ work on this,
5. Priority Areas in the Parish Plan - following a survey of areas of interest it was agreed that the ones showing the highest level should appear on the agenda one at a time.
9. Publicity - Council
1. Council to produce and print an annual report about its activities - it was agreed to publish the annual chairman’s report.
2. Publicize its councillors’ contact details on notices boards & elsewhere. The council voted to put the councillors’ names and telephone numbers on the village noticeboard.
10. Parish Hall Committee
• Cllr Hill agreed to continue to represent the parish council on the Parish Hall Committee.
11. Correspondence and Points of Information
1. 2827 DPCC request for funding 2006/2007 - the council agreed to donate £200 in May to the general PCC fund and to review the situation later in the financial year.
2. 2822 Nationalgrid proposed gas pipeline - Cllr Franklin reported on the exhibition of the proposed route of the pipeline which will pass through the northwest edges of the parish next year. She pointed out to the organizers that our local roads would not take the pipe and construction lorries and requested a detailed map of the pipe route for display as soon as this is available. The gas suppliers were approached but still will not run mains gas to the village.
3. 2833 DAPC - the council voted to renew membership for the next financial year at a cost of £83.00.
4. 2834 SHDC - Parish Cluster Meeting - Cllr Foster reported that SHDC forward planning was having to be adjusted due to altered government funding and new recycling requirements. They explained the structure and decision making of the SHDC.
12. Additional Items as per the Chairman
• None
13. Sub-committee Reports
1. Amenity Trust Report - there was a meeting 3 weeks ago, the committee agreed that the parish council should take over as corporate trustee and were amending the paperwork to this effect. They decided to change their name to Diptford Amenity Group. Cllr Foster is the only parish councillor in the group so has agreed to serve as chairman of the group until their AGM in November. The group are happy to carry on and raise funds, they are arranging a work party on the 21^st April. They need new members and helpers, especially young ones. The playing field is there for all the village to use but the village need to put energy into improving and keeping it up.
2. Cllr Walton volunteered to serve as the second parish councillor on the Diptford Amenity Group, the council thanked him and all voted in favour.
3. It was proposed that a ‘Cyclical Maintenance Fund’ be formed by the parish council to cover the playing field, all agreed.
14. Finance
1. The bank reconciliation for the year ending 31 March 2006 was presented together with the year’s budgeted and actual expenditure.
2. A standing order for clerk’s wages to be paid on the 15^th of each month was agreed and signed.
3. The cheques were agreed and signed
15. Date of next meeting
1. Tuesday 2^nd May 7:30pm - Annual Parish Meeting - followed by a Parish Council meeting

Signed

John Foster - Chairman of the Diptford Parish Council

______________Date