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Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Harberton Parish Council held on Tuesday 9 May 2006 at 7.30pm at Harberton Parish Hall. (see further down this page for the minutes of the monthly meeting). Present: Cllrs Fearn, Stubbings, Knight, Johnson, Jeffreys, Beamish, Williams and D Cllr Steer. Apologies: Cllrs Hockings and G Janes. Clerk: Mrs D Crann Members of the Public: 1 Due to the extraordinary circumstances at present experienced by the Parish Council, the voting to appoint a new Chairman for the next twelve months was carried out at this meeting. The Clerk called for nominations and it was proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Stubbings, to nominate Cllr Fearn, to which he agreed. There being no other nominations, voting was all in favour. Cllr Fearn then took the chair. He said he had recently visited Cllr Hockings in hospital and signs were that he might come home soon. Cllr Fearn also reported the sad passing of Cllr Edmund Janes last week. Edmund had served on the Parish Council and in Harbertonford in many capacities for many years and he will be sadly missed. Condolences were sent to his wife, Cllr Gwen Janes. Everyone agreed that, as a mark of respect, voting for the Vice Chairman of the Parish Council would be held over for a month. A minute’s silence was then observed. Last year’s minutes had been agreed and signed on 14 June 2005. The Chairman then invited Mr Lawrence of Harbertonford to give a report on the Harbourne Shuttle. The new co-ordinator for private hire is Tracey Dance. The new reduced fare structure was in force, with information available at Harbertonford Post Office. They are always looking for new drivers. There was some suggestion from the Parish Council to increase the fares and this proposal will be passed on to the Shuttle committee. Mr Lawrence then left the meeting. Harberton Parish Hall. Cllr Johnson gave a short report as Parish Council representative. A maintenance audit for disabled access is to be carried out. The Hall is showing a healthy profit and several events are booked for the 10th anniversary on 17 June. Harbertonford Village Hall. A report had been received by the Clerk as follows: The Hall is in constant use, but the kitchen extension is no further forward as local builders are not interested in doing the work. Some redecoration has been carried out and the floor has been repolished. Harbertonford Playground Group. Cllr Jeffreys reported. The lease had been signed last August. Fordstock was now supporting fund-raising for the play equipment. The balance in the bank is over £2,500 and various fund-raising events are planned. Sources for grants are currently very difficult to find. South Hams District Council. D Cllr Steer gave a comprehensive report on the planning and housing sections particularly. Beacon status achieved by the Council. 350 homes are needed each year, but this total was difficult to fulfil. Feoffees. D Cllr Steer reported two meetings held in March and September. Cheques had been paid out 50 x £25.00 with donations also made to both churches. The audit had cost £300.00. Harbertonford Primary School. Cllr Beamish gave a report. The Headmistress, Mrs S Miller, had retired during the late autumn and, following the usual procedures to choose a new Head, Mrs J Ronson, the acting Headmistress, had now been appointed to the post. Numbers of pupils, having dropped below 50, were climbing again to around 70 and a new Class 1 teacher had been appointed. New arrangements for catering were also in hand. Chairman. Cllr Fearn reported a year of mixed fortunes. The Harberton Flood Relief Scheme was now complete and the Parish Council loan now in place. Cllr Fearn, on behalf of Cllr Hockings, wished to thank all councillors in the past year, with which he concurred. The meeting closed at 8.40pm. Minutes of Harberton Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 9 May 2006 at 8.40pm at Harberton Parish Hall. Present: Cllrs Fearn, Stubbings, Knight, Johnson, Jeffreys, Beamish, Williams and D Cllr Steer. Apologies: Cllrs Hockings and E Janes. Clerk: Mrs D Crann. This meeting followed on from the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30pm at which time voting had taken place extraordinarily for Chairman. Cllr Fearn had been appointed the Chairman for this year. Voting on Vice Chairman had been delayed for a month as a mark of respect following the sad passing away of Cllr Edmund Janes last week. The Chairman opened the meeting and the minutes of the previous meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by him as a true record. Matters Arising: 1) Re harassment by youngsters in Harbertonford of residents in the Marl Park/Bow Road area. The Clerk had now received a letter from Sgt Hopper of Totnes Police, together with a report from PC Dunn. Sgt Hopper addressed the problem, saying that recent foot patrols had been carried out in the village, also visits to the school and public house. If any specific incidents occur, these should be reported to the Police on 08452 777444. 2)Poor visibility at Fork Cross, Harberton. D Cllr Steer reported that she had spoken to Ross Kennerley of SHDC regarding the proposed works and he had given her the relative form for completion. She had then visited Mr Anning who completed and signed the form. (The application was for permission to move the hedge back at the appropriate time of year so as not to disturb the wildlife). After discussion, it was agreed that the Chairman should countersign this in support. Proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Knight. All in favour. 3)P3 Footpath Scheme. Ongoing.* Planning: Parish Council Recommendations. Decisions between meetings – 23/0659/06/0 Up Yonder, 1 Mill Meadow, Harbertonford. Erection of bungalow. Following site meeting – No objections. 23/0788/06/Ag Langford Farm, Harberton. Construction of farm track. Prior approval not required per letter dated 08/05/06. Correspondence: 1) Letter received from Harbertonford PCC for annual grant, together with a copy of the accounts. It was proposed by D Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Beamish, to grant £300.00 – the same as last year. All in favour. 2)DCC. Various road closures notified. 05/05/06 Woodland Road; 10/05/06 Old Road & Moreleigh Road; 12/05/06 Bow Road – all in Harbertonford and 15/05/06 Harberton to Keys Englebourne. 3) SHDC. Letter received notifying Parish Council of maternity leave for Paula Brooks. Details from Clerk on 01803 7322100. 4)Totnes Charter 800 Years Celebration. Invitation to the Chairman to a service at Totnes Parish Church on 14/05/06 which he has accepted. 5)SHDC. Housing needs survey to be completed by Cllr Knight. 6) DAPC. Various training days and newsletter shown to the meeting. 7) South Hams Strategic Partnership. Details shown to the meeting. 8) GLEAM. Subs now due - £10.00 pa. Proposed by Cllr Stubbings, seconded by Cllr Johnson. All in favour. 9) Annual insurance premium with Zurich Insurance falls due 01/06/06. This year the policy will include cover for the playground (not play equipment) at rear of primary school, together with the chain link fence at rear of the school. This increases the premium substantially on last year, being £367.50 in total (£261.60 last year). To be paid. Proposed by Cllr Stubbings, seconded by Cllr Jeffreys. All in favour. 10) Ground Rent received from Harberton Parish Hall for year ended 31/03/06. £10.00 – cheque paid in to bank. 11) Local Authority By-Laws England (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) shown to the meeting. 12) The audited Annual Accounts for the Parish Council were signed by the Chairman and the Clerk. Also on the Table Various newsletters; SHDC Agenda & Minutes; Local Works meeting 18/05/06 at Totnes Civic Centre; Environment Agency letter re World Environment Day 05/06/06. Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman: 1) D Cllr Steer reported on problems in Harbertonford with dog fouling just outside the 30mph limit of the village. The Clerk will contact the Dog Warden. Cllr Beamish also reported that the dog fouling bin down Bow Road was in need of replacement. 2) Cllr Stubbings queried what had happened to the Silver Birch tree at the Ford in Harberton. He also reported a block of cement under the grille in the river, together with several sandbags left by the contractors. 3) Cllr Beamish reported that at Harbertonford School Playground, the contractors had only strimmed half the bank along the footpath. Also, that there was an old moped dumped at the approach to Hernaford Lane in Harbertonford. 4)Cllr Johnson reported on the recent meeting of Harberton Parish Hall Committee. There was a need for new signing for the top car park for patron of the Church House Inn and village residents. 5) The Chairman proposed that Cllr John Hockings be invited to continue as a Parish Councillor, even though he has been away ill for six months. All councillors agreed that the Clerk should write to him asking him to continue. Cheques signed: No 358 – Community First - £367.50 The meeting closed at 10.25pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 13 June 2006 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.
replacement of stiles, etc. They fund the work through the Parish Council - not voluntary work, but employed people. Harberton has very few formal footpaths, so our involvement is limited. Our councillor with the link to P3 is Nick Williams - 01803 864413 nickwilliams55@hotmail.com |