Minutes of Harberton Parish Council

Meeting held on Tuesday 12 September 2006 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.

Present: Cllrs Fearn, Knight, Jeffreys, Williams, Janes, Steer, Johnson, Beamish and Hockings.

Public: 2

Clerk: Mrs D Crann

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone, especially Cllr Hockings. He then invited the members of the public to speak. They had come to speak about a plan before the Council (23/1490/06/F) at Wyses Englebourne, a barn to be converted to a dwelling. There was a full explanation by the applicants, stressing the historic value of this barn and its rarity value.

The minutes of the previous meeting were then considered, agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

Matters Arising:

1) In Harbertonford, reports of vandalism by local youths have been a constant problem during the summer, particularly at the primary school. Several cars had also been badly scratched and bodywork damaged. Response by the Police had been lukewarm. Increasingly, local residents are afraid to go out after dark.

2) Poor visibility at Fork Cross, Harberton. Ongoing.

3) P3 Footpath Scheme. £1,630.00 funds still held in Parish Council savings account.

4) Re Parsons Brinckerhoff, Exeter. Paint cards had now been received for graffiti-proof paint for the inside of the bus shelter in Harbertonford. Cllrs considered these and a mid-blue was chosen and agreed by all.

5) Casual vacancies. There are still vacancies for three councillors. Volunteers are sought for these posts. There are 11 meetings a year at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of each month, except August. This is a worthwhile position acting for the local community. Those interested should contact a Parish Councillor or the Parish Clerk, Mrs D Crann on 0803 732210.

6) The lease for Harbertonford Playground was renewed on 22/08/06 for another year.

7) The Clerk will contact James Miller for a quote to remove silt at the Ford in Harberton.

Planning: Parish Council Recommendations – Decisions Between Meetings

23/1282/06/F Owls Roost, Beenleigh, Harbertonford. Single storey extension. Following a site meeting, no objections.

23/1408/06/F Venton Oak Nurseries, Tigley, Harberton. Dwelling. Not supported by Parish Council until need is proved. No objections to time extension for mobile home.

23/1430/06/F Withington, Woodcourt Road, Harbertonford. Side extension relocation of conservatory. No objections.

23/1485/06/F Mill View, Woodcourt Road, Harbertonford. Loft extension. No objections.

Decisions at Meeting

23/1490/06/F Wyses Englebourne, Harberton. Conversion of barn to dwelling, barn 55m S. Readvertisement. Parish Council support this application. Proposed by Cllr Hockings, seconded by Cllr Beamish. 8 in favour, 1 abstention.

23/1643/06/F 7 Youldens Close, Harbertonford. Single storey rear extension. Decision deferred for site meeting.

23/1352/06/TCA Woolmill Cottage, Harbertonford. Fell Ash tree. No objection. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Janes. 8 in favour, 1 abstention.

Appeals

23/1785/05/F Field OS9428, Tigley Croft, Dartington. Appeal against refusal 13/12/06.

23/0315/06/F East Leigh Farm, Harberton. Relocation of mobile home. Appeal against refusal 04/09/06.

District Council Matters:

As our District Councillor, Cllr Steer reported that at the mid-term resource strategy meeting, it was reported that the take-up on concessionary bus fares had been far greater than expected. £60,000 had been reserved, but it looked possible that £100,000 would be needed.

There is also a likely shortfall in recycling of £50,000 so a greater effort would be needed. There were to be new days for refuse and recycling collections, starting 25/09/06. In Harberton and Harbertonford it will be Fridays.

TOR Homes were trialling a new system, Choice Base Letting, and were joining the bid for funding for this scheme. In effect, the old points system is to be phased out and a new system put in its place.

Correspondence:

1) A letter had been received from Harbertonford Playground Assn. This dealt with the refurbishment of the playground. Cllr Jeffreys said that she would like councillors to report to her or the Police any inappropriate behaviour witnessed there. Eg bullying, harassment or other acts. She had recently received funding from Tesco of £2,500 making a total of £4585 in the bank for play equipment. The Parish Council reiterated that £500 would also be available for equipment in this financial year.

2) DCC road closures. Woodland Road, Harbertonford and Belsford Road, Harberton, 14/08/06.

3) Temporary road closure in Harbertonford for the village carnival, 28/08/06.

4) SHDC Waste Scheme update indicating new days for collections shown to the meeting.

5) SHDC Code of Conduct Dispensations. This letter was read to the meeting.

6) DAPC. Various items received: Village Green magazine; AGM 30/09/06; Training in Community Sector 29/11/06; CCD Review 2005/6.

7) SHDC Validation of Planning Applications. Details shown to the meeting.

8) SHDC Local Development Framework. Details shown to the meeting.

9) Invoice received from SHDC for £15,000 being the Parish Council contribution towards the Harberton Flood Prevention Scheme. This to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Johnson. All in favour.

10) SHDC SW Regional Spatial Strategy. Details shown to the meeting.

11) Environment Campaigns. Local environment quality. Details shown to the meeting.

12) SHDC. Sherford Action Plan shown to the meeting.

13) Public access to dam site and nature reserve near Rolster Bridge. This request was raised by Cllr Jeffreys at her final HSSG meeting. As far as councillors are aware, there is no free access to this site. The matter should be raised with the Environment Agency.

14) SHDC. Meeting agenda for Development, Control and Conservation User Group 18/09/06.

15) Copy of a letter from Cllr Jeffreys to HSSG received and shown to the meeting.

16) Letter received from South Brent Parish Council re Beating of the Inner Bounds 16/09/06, commencing 8.30am, was shown to the meeting.

17) SHDC. Budget Consultation Meeting 25/09/06 at 7.00pm at Follaton House. Cllr Fearn will attend.

18) Safer South Hams Community Partnership. Details shown to the meeting.

Other items on the table

SHDC Minutes of Executive Meeting

27/07/06; SHDC Executive Forward Plan;

SHDC Agenda and Minutes.

Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:

1) Cllr Janes reported cars parking at the lower end of Moreleigh Road, outside Harbourne Terrace in Harbertonford. Motorists are blocking the end of the pavement causing pedestrians, push chairs and wheelchairs to exit on to the dangerous corner of the A381.

2) Cllr Williams repeated that the road sign outside his gate was badly installed.

3) Cllr Steer reported that she was looking into the matter of incorrect signing of Hernaford Road/Lane in Harbertonford.

4) Cllr Beamish reported that a new cover was needed on the dog mess bin down the far end of Bow Road in Harbertonford.

5) Cllr Beamish also raised the suggestion of installing a wooden bench by the Harbourne river bank in memory of the late Cllr Edmund Janes. This will be considered at the next meeting.

6) Cllr Fearn said that here was still a problem with a possible water leak on the road between Coppithorne to Blakemore Level in Harberton. The Clerk will contact the Lengthsman and Highways.

7) Cllr Fearn put forward a suggestion that the Parish Council should have an email address as many documents and correspondence are now transmitted in this way. He had reserved two suitable free addresses and asked councillors to think about it before the next meeting.

Cheques signed:

No 365 – Mrs D Crann - £425.61

No 367 – South Hams District Council - £15,000.00

Cheque number 366 was cancelled.

The meeting closed at 9.50pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 10 October 2006 at Harberton Parish Hall at 7.30pm.