Minutes for the meeting of the

Diptford Parish Council

held at the Parish Hall, Diptford on Monday 7 January 2008 at 7pm

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

Talk on Affordable Housing – by Debbie Holloway (Affordable Housing Officer SHDC) & Sue Hitchcock (Rural Housing Enabler DCC). This was an interesting and informative talk explaining the 3 routes now available for site allocation in rural areas and the variations of types of ownership and rental. It was stated that in the first instance a ‘needs survey’ must be undertaken. However, continuance of support in carrying out this work was contingent on forward funding from DEFRA.

Open Forum – 3 members of the public were present, a parishioner informed the council that they felt the summer house (see 4b) at Larcombe Corner was too large and too close to the boundary and had windows to the north overlooking the neighbouring property. They said if the application been made before it had been built they would have tried to have its position altered.

  1. Apologies were received from Cllrs Savery and Haddy, also County Cllr Date.
  2. Declaration of Interest and update of Members’ Interests - none
  3. Minutes of the previous meeting - Monday 3 December were approved.
  4. Planning Matters
    5.
    1. 3142 17/2596/07/F Higher Beenleigh Barn Diptford, conversion and extension of existing outbuilding to provide storage and holiday let/ancillary domestic accommodation. The council had no objection to this application.
    2. 3147 17/2651/07/F Larcombe Corner, Diptford, retrospective application for construction of garden summer house. The council objected to this application as the building was far too large for its purpose, its footprint exceeded that of the previous outhouses on the site excessively. Also they felt it was too near to the boundary.
    3. 3143 Field east of Stert Barton at SX748570 Diptford agricultural determination for erection of machinery/fodder store. The council wondered why this did not need full planning permission as they had previously been informed, District Cllr Steer agreed to find out.
    4. 3144/45 SHDC granted listed building consent for 17/2217/07/LB Beenleigh Manor lobby and 17/2132/07/LB Broadmead Diptford alterations and extension to property.
    5. 3146 SHDC notified the council of an appeal 17/1881/07/F conversion of Barn to single dwelling field northwest of Honeywell Wood at SX69548 Halwell.
  5. Highways and Paths
    6.
    1. Mount Zion traffic danger – the council thanked District Cllr Steer for setting up a meeting on site on the 18 December with SHDC planning and DCC highways. The owner said that there was only one 40 ft container a month at the moment and he would provide an escort and have 2 men on the road with red flags as it reversed in. The council support the use of this site but are still concerned that the access/egress onto this fast road is unsafe. They instructed the clerk to write and thank the authorities for the meeting but to express their continued extreme concern over the road safety.
    2. Temporary road closures 3148 & 3140 were noted.
  6. District Councillor’s Report - Cllr R C Steer said that things had been quiet over the Christmas period and that all his meetings had been on the budget which was going to be tough. He mentioned the planning application for a knacker’s yard near Marley Head, the council agreed that this was a much needed industry in the area and asked the clerk to voice their support to SHDC planning.
  7. County Councillor’s Report - Cllr G Date sent the council details of the meetings he attended in December including the one at Mount Zion with the parish council.
  8. Budget
    9.
    1. The council agreed a budget, a precept of £4,500 for the year 2008/2009 was approved and the form signed to be returned to SHDC.

     

  9. Parish Plan
    10.
    1. Rural Affordable Housing (refer to above note on ‘Talk on Affordable Housing’ ). The council voted to proceed with the Needs Survey offered (should it remain available) and underlined how important it will be to explain to all in the parish that for the council to get a clear picture. all the forms needed to be filled in and returned.
    2. Emergency Plan - many neighbouring parishes had replied that they had appointed representatives and others had it on their current agenda. Whilst awaiting all the replies Cllr Hill wondered what plans Totnes and Ivybridge Town Councils had and suggested we may be able to liaise with them.
  10. Parish Clerk – the council unanimously voted to employ Sarah Woodman as the new parish clerk and approved an offer to her of 4 hours a week at an hourly rate in accordance with the current NALC salary point LC1 SCP20 plus mileage for travel on council business and £25 a month for use of her home office, stationery etc. Sarah is a trained experienced parish clerk who also works for Ugborough Parish Council.
  11. Noise from Motorcycles in Ugborough - 3137 SHDC enforcement have put a temporary 28 day stop on Marridge Farm Motorcycle Practice Track and will be serving an enforcement notice to permanently prevent the use of the land for motorcycle activity. This stopped the noise from this site in Ugborough parish but the activity was moved down into North Huish parish. It is in the hands of SHDC enforcement and the council await developments.
  12. Correspondence and Points of Information
    13.
    1. 3141 sparc offered free 2 days playscheme for 20 to 30 children 8-12 years old, Cllr Walton agreed to look into this offer.
  13. Additional Items as per the Chairman
    14.
  14. Finance
    15.
    1. The clerk reported on the current finances and the bank reconciliation was shown.
    2. Two cheques were agreed and signed for the audit commission and the tree lights, the council requested the cheque for the PCC be held over.
  15. Date of next meetings
    16.
    1. Monday 4 February at 7:30pm
    2. Monday 3 March at 7:30pm

    Signed

     

     

     

    Chairman of the Diptford Parish Council 4 February 2008