Minutes for the meeting of the

Diptford Parish Council

held at the Parish Hall, Diptford on Monday 2 July 2007 at 7:30pm

MEMBERS

Cllr J Foster - Chairman

Cllr S Franklin - Vice Chairman

Cllr V Haddy Cllr S Hill Cllr P Preston-Day

Cllr K Stow Cllr A Savery Cllr S Walton

District Council Representative - Cllr R Steer

County Council Representative - Cllr G Date

 

Open Forum - there were no members of the public present however a councillor stated there had again been complaints of a dog loose in the village - it was noted that the procedure for this was dealt with in the July parish magazine.

  1. Apologies were received from Cllr Walton and County Cllr Date.
    2.
  2. Declaration of Interest and update of Members’ Interests: Cllr Haddy in 13.
  3. Minutes of the previous meeting Monday 4 June - these were passed.
    4.
  4. Planning Matters
    5.
    1. 3047 Redundant Barn Lower Bearscombe Farm Halwell 17/0744/07/F & 17/0745/07/LB resubmission of 17/1848/06/F for conversion of barn to dwelling and listed building consent for conversion of stone barn to dwelling - the council had no objection.
    2. 3048 Fair View House 17/1325/07/F conversion & extension of garage to create annexe to main house - the council objected to this application for design reasons and the general development of the site.
    3. The Workshop, Little Curtisknowle - the chairman reported on an interesting private hearing on this appeal. He reported there is to be a planning inspection and the results will known on 9 July . Also 3049 letter from SHDC was noted by the council it gave notice of an appeal by Mr J Hollingsworth starting date 29 May 2007 on The Workshop re: 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 farriers workshop by the applicant)
    4. The council also noted the following planning permissions that SHDC have GRANTED and appreciated the conditions that had been put on some:
      • 3055/56 17/0792/07/F Bradridge House Diptford erection of 2 dry storage units and 17/0791/07/LB application Listed Building consent for 2 dry storage units
      • 3050 17/0849/07/F The Old Smithy, Curtisknowle erection of shower room extension
      • 3051 17/0343/07/F Holsome Park erection of agricultural livestock building on the condition that the site shall be drained on a separate system… all foul drainage… shall be disposed of in such a way as to prevent any discharge to any well, spring or watercourse including dry ditches. Slurry & silage liquor shall be stored and contained within sealed systems … (and other anti pollution measures)
      • 3052 17/0342/07/F Holsome Park construction of earth bank silage pit/clamp on the condition that silage liquor shall be stored within a sealed system, which shall be isolated from the main drainage system. Details of new system to approved before any work commences.
      • 3053 17/0921/07/F Land at SX742 562 Simpson Farm Diptford erection of agricultural building for livestock - pollution conditions apply.
      • 3054 17/0920/07/F Land at SX742 562 Simpson Farm Diptford erection of agricultural building for storage of fodder - pollution conditions apply.
      • 17/0964/07/LB Moorcott Diptford - listed building consent for alterations to dwelling.
      • 17/1004/07/F Frogwell Farm Diptford change of use to B1/B8 use - subject to planning and landscape approval of any schemes for the site.
  5. Highways and Paths
    6.
    1. 3042 Road Closure between Elwell and Kerswill Cross between 27/8/07 and 31/8/07 to carry out some rehabilitation works. The clerk was instructed to put a notice up early August.
    2. P3 report - there have been complaints that a latched gate has been tied at the Murtwell end of FP4, a survey will be made soon by the warden.
    3. Condition of road between Avonwick and Totnes - a parishioner has complained that there are bad ruts in the surface near to Sandwell Cross, the clerk was instructed to inform DCC Highways. District Cllr Steer offered to report a tree that is impeding sight on the road. The problem of access by lorries over 7.5 from Marley Head to Diptford was raised and the clerk was asked to write to Mr J Halliday of Highways and ask for their evaluation of the proper route between these that would not add to the problems of an already overburdened Totnes.
    4. Need for ‘rumble strips’ near industrial buildings at Coombeshead Cross - the council instructed the clerk to write to Highways and voice their concern that there may be another accident here as a hump in the road obscures vision of the entrance of the industrial estate giving motorists no warning that there may be a stationary vehicle there. With the increased traffic and lorries going in and out of the site it is potentially dangerous - rumble strips are suggested to give advanced warning.
  6. Regulatory Matters
    7.
    1. New ‘Declaration of Interest’ forms were received from most councillors.
    2. The councillors present received their Standards Board new code of conduct books.
    3. The council agreed for the councillors’ telephone numbers to be put on the notice board and on the Diptford Website.
  7. District Councillor’s Report - Cllr R C Steer reported that many of the new district councillors had asked the planning section to look again at some of the planning policies in force especially in the areas of affordable housing and barn conversions where members of families were having to move away. He informed the council that the development at East Allington had been put forward for an award. Also that there was to be a full meeting looking into collecting organic waste every week during summer, the council brought up the delivery of further plastic bags and it was generally agreed that this system is not currently working well.
  8. County Councillor’s Report - Cllr G Date sent in the meetings he had attended during the last month including the Totnes Adult & Community Learning Committee, DEEM - Dart Environmental Management, the County Committee, Foundation governors and the Audit where it was discussed what savings could be made if district and county worked together the estimate was about a 7% reduction or £20m county wide - eg: one housing benefit centre etc.
  9. Provision of Skip
    10.
  10. Parish Plan
    11.
  11. Playing Field Group
    12.
  12. Correspondence and Points of Information
    13.
    1. 3039 SHDC development plan documents as part of Local Development Framework, on Rural Areas, Affordable Housing, Development Control Core Policies. Councillors are hoping to attend July meetings to seek views of the community.
    2. 3044 The council congratulated Cllr Hill on being re-elected onto the DAPC County Committee
    3. 3043 SHDC - copy of letter to Secretary of State against Exeter becoming a unitary authority, Cllr Franklin agreed to write to government and local bodies in support of SHDC’s view.
  13. Additional Items as per the Chairman
    14.
  14. Finance
    15.
    1. The current figures and bank reconciliation was given to the council, it was noted that the £498.45 VAT refund had been received.
    2. The audit was approved by the council and signed. A vote of thanks was given to Caroline Sumner for again doing the internal audit.
  15. Date of next meeting
    16.
    1. Monday 6 August if there is any planning to be considered
    2. Monday 3 September 2007

    Signed

     

    Sue Franklin

    Vice -Chairman of the Diptford Parish Council

    3 September 2007