Minutes of Harberton Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 11 October 2005 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.

Present: Cllrs Hockings, E Janes, Stubbings, Williams, Jeffreys, Beamish, Johnson, Fearn and County Councillor Date.

Apologies: D Cllr Steer, Cllrs Patrick and G Janes.

Public: 2

Clerk: Mrs D Crann.

The Chairman opened the meeting, welcoming everyone and invited the members of the public top speak. Mr Logie of Tigley then spoke. He wished to comment on a planning application, 23/1785/05/F, for Field OS9428 close to him for a site for 12 gypsy caravans. Principal objections:- 1) the scale was too large in a tranquil rural area; 2) Fork Cross and Tigley Cross, both crossroads leading to this proposed site, were dangerous, particularly for caravans, leading down a very narrow country lane already used as a back double; 3) the remoteness of the site from nearest schools and shops, etc; 4) there was little or no work in the area, thus leaving little demand. Mr Williams, also from Tigley, backed up these comments and hoped the Parish Council would give due consideration to these objections.

County Councillor Date then spoke. He wished to make it clear that there was a great demand for such sites, particularly sites like this one, as a proposed transit site where travellers could stay up to 3 months.

Cllr Date reiterated that DCC had agreed extra funding to complete the Harberton Flood Prevention Scheme. He had been in conversation with Mr Halliday on some traffic matters pending.

He also mentioned a fund available from KEVIC for sponsoring pupils and schemes at the school.

Members of the public and CC Date then left the meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record. The Chairman thanked the Vice Chairman, Cllr E Janes, for stepping in at the last meeting when he was ill.

Matters Arising: 1) Flooding in Harberton. Ongoing.

2) P3 Footpath Scheme. Ongoing.

3) Re Church Cottage. The Clerk read to the meeting the letter received from SHDC regarding this subject. It referred to various building and housing acts, but it was stated that, at this time, they felt no action could be taken. They would, however, contact the owner, outlining action that they, the owner, can take under a second home grant scheme to improve this property to bring it up to a standard for letting through SHDC as temporary accommodation for people in housing need.

4) Repairs to Harberton Bus Shelter. Invoice for £94.00 for repairs, now received to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr Williams. All in favour.

5) DCC speed check on traffic along A381 at Harbertonford. Still ongoing.

6) Re illegal parking at bus stop in Harbertonford along A381by bridge towards Kingsbridge. DCC have now replied to the Clerk’s letter. This does not really give any clear advice as the bus stop, being on a bend in the road, is a lay by rather than a proper pull in. It sometimes causes all traffic to stop when buses stop. Cllrs discussed this situation fully and it was unanimously decided to leave matters as they are at present.

7) Re Parish Road, Harberton. DCC will be reviewing Mrs Ganter’s suggestions on white lines across the top of Parish Road.

8) Cress at Ford area in Harbertonford. The Chairman will speak to James Miller.

Planning: Parish Council Recommendations –

Decision between meetings

23/1646/05/F Whispering Firs, Tigley, Harberton. Extension to dwelling. No objections.

Decisions at the meeting

23/1740/05/F Erection of agricultural building, Lincombe Farm, Harberton. No objections, but suggest new building be positioned in field adjoining the road, opp buildings on the other side of the road. Proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr Stubbings. All in favour.

23/1741/05/F Erection of agricultural building, Langford Farm, Harberton. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Fearn, seconded by Cllr Beamish. All in favour.

23/1814/05/F Barn A, Tristford Barns, Harberton. Addition to lean-to roof. Parish Council object as it would be an extension to curtilage of barn. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Johnson. All in favour.

14/23/1785/05/F Field OS9428, Tigley Croft, Dartington. Change of use to transit site for 12 gypsy caravans, etc. Decision deferred until further Parish Council meeting 24/10/05 at Harberton Parish Hall at 7.30pm.

Correspondence:

1) GLEAM notice of AGM 28/10/05 at Newbury. Also newsletter.

2) District Auditor’s report received. Accounts passed and notices displayed on both noticeboards. Invoice received for £141.00 inc £21.00 VAT to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Hockings, seconded by Cllr E Janes. All in favour.

3) Revised Banking Code received and shown to the meeting.

4) DCC notification received of new Chief Executive, Dr Phil Norrey.

5) DCC. Temporary road closures. Woodland Road and Moreleigh Road, Harbertonford, 15/11/05 for 4 days.

6) Invoice received from Bowdens, Bovey Tracey, for repairs to the Harberton mower. £316.31 in VAT to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Fearn. All in favour.

7) SHDC. Notification of Chairman’s Service at Diptford Church on 30/10/05.

8) SHDC. Budget Consultation Meeting at Follaton House on 27/10/05.

Other Items on the Table

SHDC Minutes of Executive Meeting 08/09/05; SHDC Agenda and Minutes and Executive Forward Plan; DCC newsletter.

Matters at the discretion of the Chairman: 1) Cllr Jeffreys reported motorbikes speeding along Bow Road, Harbertonford, especially a red motorbike.

2) Cllr Beamish had reported dog fouling in Harbertonford Playground to SHDC. Also along Riverdale, Harbertonford.

3) Cllr Beamish reported children on skateboards and bikes in Bow Road, down the slope riding into the road.

4) Potholes and ruts in the road outside Marylands in Harbertonford (Beamish). Also, in Harberton down from Coppithorne Reservoir to Blakemore Level (Fearn).

5) Buses had been reported speeding into Harberton. Further details required by the Clerk.

6) Cllr Hockings reported that the slide in the Harberton Playing Field had failed its safety test through old age and would be taken away.

Cheques signed:

No 345 – E Bowden & Sons - £316.31

No 346 – Audit Commission - £141.00

No 347 – P J W Burgess - £94.00

Paid In:

28/09/05 – Second Parish Precept - £4,850.00

The meeting closed at 10.00pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 08 November 2005 at 7.30pm at Harberton Parish Hall.