Minutes of Harberton Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 13 February 2007 at Harbertonford Primary School at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllrs Knight, Janes, Beamish, Hockings and Steer.

Apologies: Cllrs Fearn, Jeffreys, Johnson, Williams and CC Date.

Clerk: Mrs D Crann.

In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman took the meeting. Cllr Knight opened the meeting by welcoming everyone. The minutes of the previous meeting were considered and, after one amendment, were signed by the Vice Chairman as a true record.

County Councillor’s Report: Due to his absence, the Clerk read out a report received by fax from Cllr Date. This itemised various meetings attended by him during the past month.

District Councillor’s Report: Cllr Steer reported that next year’s Council Tax was due to be set and would probably increase by 3.9%, which included efficiencies of £250,000. However, the time would be soon approaching when such measures are no longer possible.

Police Report: None received, though a letter dated 12/01/07 did request dates of Parish Council meetings for 2007.

Matters Arising:

1) Poor visibility at Fork Cross. Ongoing.

2) P3 Footpath Scheme. Ongoing.

3) The bench in memory of the late Edmund Janes had been collected and was in Cllr Hockings’ barn awaiting installation in the spring.

4) Harbertonford Playground Assn should soon be receiving their £1,000 grant from County Cllr Date on behalf of DCC.

5) SHDC Parish Remuneration Panel would be in line with inflation. Cllr Steer reported that very few Parish Councillors claimed any allowances at all.

6) Re Harberton Parish Hall Committee, Cllr Johnson reported that she had received a reply from Mr T Lawson (Mrs Yates’ agent), regarding plans to make a rockery garden at the splay entrance to Harberton Parish Hall. The Parish Council should be shown a copy of the plans in advance of any work.

7) Further news on the Parish Council computer. Ongoing.

8) Parish boundary marker on A381 opposite the entrance to Peak Cross. Mr Oldfield of Harberton had now written a letter to the Parish Council, together with a photo of the marker showing considerable damage. It was felt by councillors present that a letter to Highways would be appropriate, asking their advice on how best to proceed.

Planning: Parish Council recommendations.

Decisions between meetings

23/2492/06/F Orchard View, Harberton. Erection of covered implement store. No objections.

23/0016/07/CU Barn at Lower Ashridge, Harberton. Conversion to residential. Object – majority decision. No increase of traffic at Fork Cross before improvements at crossroads.

23/0068/07/F Barn at Tristford Barns, Harberton. Conversion of barn to residential. No objection, but possible over development.

Decisions at meeting

23/0169/07/F 2 Dorsley Cottages, Harberton. Resubmission of 23/0121/06/F.No objections. Proposed by Cllr Beamish, seconded by Cllr Hockings. 4 in favour, 1 abstention.

23/0182/07/F Simmons Farm, Harberton. Erection of garage. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Hockings, seconded by Cllr Janes. 4 in favour. 1 abstention.

23/0183/07/RM Langford Farm, Harberton. Erection of agricultural dwelling. Resubmission of 23/1846/06/F. Cllr Hockings declared an interest and took no part in discussion or decision. No objections. Proposed by Cllr Janes, seconded by Cllr Beamish. 3 in favour, 1 abstention.

Correspondence:

1) Invoice from SHDC. First repayment of loan and interest for flood prevention scheme in Harberton. Cheque for £328.36 signed between meetings.

2) Community Council of Devon. Calor Village of the Year Competition. No entry this year.

3) SHDC. Prior notice given of local elections 03/05/07.

4) A letter had been received from Mrs Stolliday of Harberton regarding last month’s consideration of plan 23/2481/06/F, Tristford House, Harberton, removal of condition 1 of 23/1230/99/CU. This plan had been received by the Clerk immediately prior to the Parish Council meeting and did not appear on the Agenda. There was some discussion by councillors about this matter. It will be discussed further at the next meeting.

5) CAB Become a Friend. Details shown to the meeting.

6) DCC. Highways management letter received from Jim Morrison and shown to the meeting. Also, DCC notice of road closure of Moreleigh Road, Harbertonford, 19/02/07 for five days.

7) SHDC Local Development Framework to be passed around councillors.

8) A letter received from the Audit Commission notifying the Parish Council that there would be a new Auditor, Mr Alun Williams, in charge of this year’s audit.

9) DAPC. Letter received re Transforming Public Services in Devon. No details were enclosed.

10) NALC. Review of Quality Town and Parish Council Scheme. Letter shown to the meeting.

11) S Hams Strategic Partnership letter shown to the meeting.

12) Revised Code of Conduct received. To be passed around councillors.

13) SHDC. Members’ Allowances passed around the meeting.

Other Items on the Table.

DCC Access Forum; SHDC Special Places, Active Spaces consultation; S Devon Carers’ Consortium; The Playing Field; SHDC Minutes of Meetings 21/12/06 and 25/01/07; SHDC Executive Forward Plan and Agenda and Minutes; DCC Newsletter.

Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:

1) Cllr Beamish reported potholes near Prowses Luscombe; at Painsford junction, finger posts missing; on the road approaching Beenleigh junction, along Bow Road, the road is increasingly falling away.

2) Cllr Janes reported potholes near Harbertonford Village Hall.

3) Cllr Steer reported excessive water on the road exiting Harberton, towards Peak Cross, between Meadow Close and Broad Stile.

4) Cllr Steer also wished an item to be included on the Agenda for the next meeting. Excessive noise and drunkenness during Fordstock.

5) Cllr Knight spoke about the cars constantly parked near the junction of A381/Old Road in spite of this being reported to the Police. The Clerk was asked to write to DCC Highways to explore the possibility of double yellow lines.

6) Cllr Knight also asked if new dog fouling signs could be put up along the pavement beside Marl Park, Harbertonford.

7) Cllr Beamish also reported that the dog fouling bin near the 30mph sign in Bow Road near Crowdy Mill, needed a new lid.

Cheque signed between meetings:

No 376 – SHDC - £328.36

The meeting closed at 9.35pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 13 March 2007 at Harberton Parish Hall, at 7.30pm.