Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Harberton Parish Council

held on Tuesday 08 May 2007 at 7.30pm at Harberton Parish Hall.

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

Apologies: Cllr Jeffreys & D Cllr R Steer

Also Present: PC Jacqui Hopper

Clerk: Mrs D Crann

Members of the Public: 2

Following the local elections on 03/05/07, the Clerk opened the meeting and asked all councillors present to sign their Declaration of Acceptance of Office, also the General Notice of Registrable Interests, which should be completed and returned to the Clerk by the next meeting in June. Several were returned immediately.

The former Chairman and Vice Chairman having resigned, the Clerk called for nominations for the positions and it was proposed by Cllr Knight, seconded by Cllr Steer to nominate Cllr Fearn for Chairman, to which he agrred. There being no other nominations, voting was all in favour.

The Chairman then call for nominations for Vice Chairman. It was proposed by Cllr Beamish, seconded by Cllr Steer, to nominate Cllr Knight, to which he agreed. There being no other nominations, voting was all in favour.

The Chairman then proposed the co-option of the two former councillors who wished to continue as members of the Parish Council. It was proposed by Cllr Janes, seconded by Cllr Knight, to co-opt Mrs Julie Johnson and voting was all in favour. It was then proposed by Cllr Knight, seconded by Cllr Beamish to co-opt Mr Nick Williams and voting was all in favour. These two councillors were then asked to sign their Declaration of Acceptance of Office and to complete the General Notice of Registrable Interests, to be returned by the next meeting.

Last year’s minutes had already been agreed and signed on 13/06/06.

The Chairman then invited Cllrs Johnson and Williams to give a report on Harberton Parish Hall (Cllr Williams having taken over as Parish Council representative half-way through the year). The question of landscaping the splay entrance had been put on hold as certain drainage work had priority.

£1,500 profit had been made at the pantomime. Details for bookings are on the Harberton website.

Harbertonford Village Hall. Mrs Crimp had sent in a report. Booking charges had been increased from £3.00 to £5.00 per hour plus £2.50 service charge. Daytime bookings have increased slowly, some now coming from The Mansion in Totnes. It is hoped that the kitchen update will progress this year and the Hall Committee will be applying for grants. Purchase of 100 new tables and chairs had been made as old ones needed renewing.

South Hams District Council. Cllr I Steer gave a short report (her last as District Councillor). Recycling increased no end as it now operated throughout the District. Affordable Housing Team are looking for sites. Progress over Sherford. Excellent audit and the Council Tax kept low.

Feoffees. Cllr Steer reported £2,000 distributed last Christmas. Both churches had a donation, also 47 parishioners. Special thanks are due to Colin Lund, the Treasurer, who had designed new account forms to simplify auditing of the accounts, saving £300.00 which will be reinvested in the Fund.

Harbertonford Primary School. Cllr Beamish was no longer on the governing board, but reported that the school was in good health with numbers of pupils now up to 75 and increasing.

Harbourne Shuttle. No report this year.

Harbertonford Playground. Cllr Jeffreys had sent a written report. Over £30,000 raised during the past year, with two new pieces of equipment installed. Further grants from DCC, Big Lottery Fund and DPFA mean more equipment will be installed in June this year. New goalposts have been installed by Cllr Beamish. There will further fundraising this summer, including Fordstock.

Chairman’s Report. Thanks to all councillors for their support. SHDC had a new Planning Team and Dave Kenyon had spoken at the January meeting. DCC Highways had now relocated their office to Newton Abbot and we have a very efficient and helpful Parish Lengthsman. Vacancies still remain on the Parish Council, one in Harberton and two in Harbertonford. New councillors would be very welcome.

The meeting closed at 8.05pm.