Minutes for the PC meeting of the

Diptford Parish Council

held at the Parish Hall, Diptford on Monday 5th June 2006 at 7:30pm

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 no members of the public present however a parishioner had asked for the problem of dog mess to be considered as this has been left in the streets recently. The council said that they had previously looked into a special dog litter bin but this had been found expensive and, as wrapped dog mess can be put in normal bins and grey wheelie bins, considered unnecessary. The council hoped that responsible dog owners would take it home with them.

  1. Apologies: were received from Councillors Foster, Haddy, Walton and Palmer.
  2. Declaration of Interest and update of Members’ Interests: Cllr Preston-Day in 8.
  3. Planning Matters
  4. Minutes of the previous meeting Monday 2 May and the AGM: these were both approved by the council.
    1. 2856 17/0854/06/F Creber Farmhouse construction of Agricultural Barn. The council agreed to support this application.
    2. 2857 17/0876/06/F Badgers Holt construction of porch, extension to loft conversion and insertion of additional windows. The council agreed to support this application.
    3. 2858 17/0887/06/F The Workshop Little Curtisknowle change of use of existing building to permit residential occupancy and variation of condition e of previous planning permission 17/1152/86 (to retain use of buildings to be used as farrier's workshop by the applicant). The council voted to strongly object to this application as they considered this constituted development in the countryside without agricultural support and that as the applicant did not need to live near his work there was no proof of need. The council asked Cllr Steer if she would find out what was happening to the other action regarding this property.
    4. 2859 17/0544/06/F Star House 2 storey rear extension the council noted that this has been granted
    5. 2860 17/0449/06/F 6 Church Park Close conservatory the council noted that this has been granted
    6. Outstanding applications and problem properties were discussed and Cllr Steer kindly offered to check progress on some of these.
    7. A letter had just been received by the council granting permission to Holsome Park 17/2348/05/F for engineering works to culvert stream subject to certain conditions.
  5. Highways and Paths
    6.
    1. Marley Head to Wonton Cross - the council discussed a parishioner’s complaint that police were stopping lorries using this road if they were accessing Diptford. The council felt there was nothing they could do as this is outside the parish. They suggested the parishioner contacted the highways to discuss the best possible route and air their problem.
  6. District Councillor’s Report - Cllr Steer
    7.
  7. County Councillor’s Report - Cllr Date: None
  8. Eleemosynary Charity
    9.
  9. Local Bus Service
    10.
    1. 2849 - DCC change to 91 Bus Service: the council noted that Diptford no longer has a bus service.
  10. Village Square Improvements
    11.
    1. The garden wall has been built and replanting finished and the square is now nearly completed. This has come in at half the budgeted amount thanks to the donation by parishioners of many of the items. The council would like especially to thank Ham Sampford and Dave Perkins for donating all their hard work and for the splendid result. The clerk was instructed to write and thank all those who donated.
  11. Correspondence and Points of Information
    1. Cllrs Franklin and Hill attended an interesting meeting on Renewable Energy at Dartington. Cllr Franklin reported that the emphasis was on a future of smaller local sources rather than relying on the national grid. One of the most efficient sources currently was solar heating for water. Consumption of electricity would drop considerably if everyone turned off their machines instead of leaving them on standby. Wind energy being an issue in the AONB was covered and smaller windmills for domestic use were recommended. Local group ownership of generating plant was recommended as opposed to large scale commercial developers coming into the county from outside. It was suggested the council should consider the feasibility of group energy sources for the village.
  12. Additional Items as per the Chairman: None
  13. Diptford Amenity Group: it was understood the group had a successful meeting and working party but the report was postponed until the July meeting. The clerk was handed the licence from DCC for safekeeping.
  14. Finance
    15.
    1. Report: the council was shown the current situation and bank reconciliation.
    2. The Audit was approved and the council agreed it should be completed and signed.
    3. The cheques were agreed and signed.

  15. Date of next meeting
    16.
    1. Monday 3rd July

     

    Signed 3 July 2006

    Sue Franklin - Vice Chairman Diptford Parish Council