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 - two members of the public were present, there was a query over the minute on Larcombe Quarry and another parishioner asked what the difference was between the original application at Wheeldon for motorcycle training and the one in the November minutes. Cllr Savery said it was virtually the same and pointed out a few small changes, he also said the application was on the applicants not the property so could not be passed on. Cllr Franklin said she had ridden past Wheeldon Farm Barns when the training was taking place and heard little noise, however there has been a lot of noise from events outside at Coarsewell in Ugborough parish recently.

The police reported one recorded crime last month.

1. Apologies were received from Cllrs Haddy and Stow, also from County Cllr Date.
2. Declaration of Interest and update of Members’ Interests - DC Cllr Steer in 6a.
3. Minutes of the previous meetings Monday 5 November and Planning meeting 12 November were approved.
4. Planning Matters
1. 3130 17/2370/07/LB Creber Barn Diptford listed building consent for removal of render on sw & nw elevation & repairs & repointing to existing stonework. The council had no objection to this application.
2. 3132 17/2036/07/F Vine Cottage Diptford SHDC granted permission for replacement windows etc.
3. 3133 SHDC the copy letter to Stert Barton Diptford, where new agricultural building does need full planning was noted.
4. The council noted letters regarding the CLA at Larcombe quarry and had nothing to add.
5. Highways and Paths
1. Mount Zion traffic danger - DC Cllr Steer had arranged a meeting for the council with planning and highways for the 18 December. The council thanked him and Cllrs Foster, Franklin and Preston-Day said they would attend.
2. Footpath 4 at Murtwell - there have been complaints that a gate is illegally obstructed, two letters have been written and these will be followed up by enforcement.
6. Noise Complaints from parishioners - there have been many complaints from Diptford, North Huish and Ugborough regarding motor cycle noise since the summer. This noise has been caused by events at Coarsewell Cross and the matter is being dealt with by SHDC planning and enforcement. Some people erroneously believed that this noise came from Wheeldon Farm. Cllr Walton suggested that the council write to Ugborough with a copy to SHDC saying, whilst understanding that the matter is in hand, the council would like to voice their concern, this was approved.
7. District Councillor’s Report - Cllr R C Steer said SHDC had succeeded in getting 3 convictions from cases of fly tipping since September, £250 for bags of domestic waste on a grass verge, £200 for builders waste without a licence and £1,000 for professional gardening waste dumped without a licence. SHDC were in the top ten for their recycling, and are hoping that their new executive will be able to reduce the cost of waste. Cllr Savery pointed out that business has to pay for recycling facilities making it more expensive to recycle than just putting this into trade waste, the council also said they would like to see glass added to the recycling collection. DC Cllr Steer wished a Happy Christmas and New Year to the council and parishioners.
8. County Councillor’s Report - Cllr G Date sent no report.
9. Parish Plan
1. Rural Housing Trust - Affordable Village Housing. Cllr Hill has arranged for a representative to talk to the council and parish at 7pm on Monday 7 January before the parish council meeting.
2. Emergency plans - the council await the results of the letter asking neighbouring parishes to work on joint plans.
3. 3121 Police request to budget for £50 towards Neighbourhood Watch signs next year, the council voted against this as the parish NHW have surplus signs.
10. Governance & Accountability in Local Councils (3129)
1. Trust Funds - accountability for all charity paperwork - the council noted this requirement.
2. Clerk’s salary - need to produce evidence that the correct tax treatment of salary has been arranged. The clerk put on file the necessary tax papers for the current years and noted the requirement.
11. Parish Clerk
• The council accepted the resignation of present clerk.
• It was agreed that the clerk should email neighbouring parishes to see if any of their parish clerks would be interested in the job. Also that an advertisement should be put on the noticeboard and in the parish magazine.
12. Budget
• The council agreed to finalise the budget for 2008/09 at the January 2008 meeting. They discussed the computer club for which the parish hall has kindly donated a room and refurbishment money, the club will also need running costs.
13. Correspondence and Points of Information
1. 3118 DCC Minerals & Waste development framework - Cllr Foster agreed to return this form.
2. 3122 SHDC Budget consultation meeting Thurs 17 Jan - Cllrs Foster and Franklin will attend.
3. 3126 SHDC working with police to clean up graffiti and dog fouling - this literature was noted.
4. 3127 Totnes & Dartmouth Ring & Ride, as Diptford is not covered by this the council voted not to give a donation.
5. 3131 South West Water ‘Delivering Pure Water, Pure Service….’ was noted.
14. Additional Items as per the Chairman - none.
15. Finance
1. Report was made and bank reconciliation noted.
2. Cheque was agreed and signed
16. Date of next meetings
1. Monday 7 January 2008
2. Monday 4 February 2008