Minutes for the meeting of the

Diptford Parish Council

held at the Parish Hall, Diptford on Monday 4 February 2008 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 – one member of the public was present. A parishioner asked for the council’s help in stopping dogs harassing, injuring and killing their sheep, poultry and ducks. This was taking place in local fields with no right of way across them and at lambing time. The council said that the police should be informed of any such incidences and that a farmer did have the right to shoot any dog found worrying sheep. The council agreed to request that an article regarding this matter should be put in the parish magazine.

  1. Apologies – were received from Cllrs Foster, Haddy, Savery and Walton.
  2. Declaration of Interest and update of Members’ Interests - none
  3. Minutes of the previous meeting Monday 7 January were agreed and passed.
  4. Planning Matters
    5.
    1. 3159 17/2348/05/F Holsome Park – the letter from SHDC planning enforcement saying the creation of a track being created between 2 fields is not to planning, so work must stop and a retrospective planning application made that accurately reflects the engineering operation, was noted.

      2. The following letters regarding planning matters were also noted.

    2. 3154 17/2370/07/LB Creber Barn - SHDC grant permission to remove render, repoint etc.
    3. 3155 17/1665/07/CLE Higher Ashwell Bungalow SHDC have given Certificate of Lawful Use of the bungalow without complying with agricultural occupancy condition.
    4. 3150 Mount Zion Mills Diptford Amendment to approval 17/2154/05/F, this application is now void.
    5. There was an enquiry from SHDC planning enforcement regarding reported occupation at Springfield Farm.
  5. Highways and Paths
    6.
    1. Cllr Franklin reported that the annual P3 returns had been done. The main work on paths this year was the planings on Footpath 1. The gate on F4 near Murtwell is no longer being tied up. Cllr Franklin is not sure of the amount of funding for next year as the authorities will only pay for one cut not two.
    2. Dog fouling – there was a complaint of severe dog fouling on the grass bank outside the Parish Hall which is where the children pass on the way from the school to the hall. The council agreed that the contact details of the dog warden (telephone 01803 861234) should be published and people asked to give as much detail on time and place as possible when reporting incidences.
  6. District Councillor’s Report -
    7. Cllr R C Steer said 'Well done' to the Diptford couple who had celebrated their 65 wedding anniversary and wished them all the best. He reported that the budget had been priority with SHDC this month and the council tax will increase 4.49% this year (£5.61 for band D). There are new planning documents out so all sites can now play a part, the affordable housing target is 50% in towns and 60% for rural development. Cllr Steer thanked the outgoing clerk for her help and was sorry to see her go.
  7. County Councillor’s Report -
    8. Cllr G Date told the council that he had attended meetings dealings with education and social services. He had attended the KEVICC’s Foundation Governors, which is able to give grants to the college and to the pupils/former pupils up to the age of 25. At the last meeting they gave £50,000 to KEVICC for new Sports Facilities.
    There was a Corporate Parenting meeting, which discussed children in care and whether these children should be supported after they reached 18. DCC are making grants available of up to £25000 to each County Ward, from the sale of Exeter Airport. There will be a press release soon, to ask for applications.
  8. Playing Field Group
    9.
    1. The council agreed that there should be a meeting of Cllrs Walton & Foster, for the management committee and Cllrs Hill & Stow for the council to look at the draft constitution and resolve it as a matter of urgency.
  9. Parish Plan
    10.
    1. Affordable Housing parish survey – this should be held until we hear back from the authorities involved.
    2. 3161 Dartington Housing Assoc – there is nothing to discuss until the survey is held. The letter was passed to Cllr Hill.
    3. 3162 SHDC LDF affordable housing spd draft for consultation – Cllrs Hill & Stow took copies.
    4. Emergency Plan – liaison update, still awaiting more replies. District Cllr Steer agreed to find out if Ivybridge had a plan and facilities. They agreed the main risk would be a power cut for a long period.
  10. Parish Clerk – Sarah Woodman takes over on the 15 February, she can be reached at: High Beara Barn, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0LF,
    Change to actual wording of minutes; Email address removed.
    Please Email via website Email facility for now; or use full Email address given on paper minutes on notice board.
    Telephone 01364 642145. The council thanked Sue Lucas for her considerable work over the last few years.
  11. Correspondence and Points of Information the following letters were noted by the council.
    12.
    1. 3152 DCC – Planning & Compulsory Purchase, consultation on new procedures for the validation of County planning applications see www.devon.gov.uk/planning-system/validation_consultation all comments before 25 February.
    2. DAPC Newsletter - New Councillor Short Course 1 April Barnstaple 7:30 – 9:00pm £25
    3. 3158 SW \lifelong Learning – University of Plymouth research, are sending questionnaires for councillors to fill in early February.
    4. Diptford Pre-School thank you for council’s donation.
  12. Additional Items as per the Vice Chairman - none
  13. Finance
    14.
    1. Report and bank reconciliation were looked at.
    2. Letter was signed to Lloyds TSB cancelling standing order for clerk’s salary (including February) and changing contact details.
    3. Cheques were agreed and signed
  14. Date of next meetings
    15.
    1. Monday 3 March at 7:30pm
    2. Monday 7 April at 7:30pm
    3. Tuesday 6 May Parish Annual Meeting 7:30pm with Parish Council AGM afterwards

     

    Signed

     

     

     

     

    John Foster Chairman of the Diptford Parish Council

    3 March 2008