Minutes of Harberton Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 10 July 2007 at Harberton Parish Hall at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllrs Fearn, Knight, Steer, Janes, Williams, Johnson, Beamish, Hockings, Hill and D Cllr R Steer.

Apologies: Cllr Jeffreys, DCC Cllr Date and PC Hopper.

Clerk: Mrs D Crann

Mr David Hill of Harbertonford wished to put himself forward for co-option to the Council. He had introduced himself and met the councillors at the last meeting. It was proposed by Cllr Janes and seconded by Cllr Knight that he be co-opted. All in favour. David Hill then joined the meeting.

The report from DCC Cllr Date was read out to the meeting. It contained details of various meetings he had attended during the month. An item of particular note was that ambulance cars would now cost £40.00 per trip.

District Cllr Steer then gave his report. He had contacted the Police and, like the Clerk, had received little or no response. He will keep trying for more patrols and more mobility for the South Brent Team. Following discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk would write supporting extra Police patrols at the Primary School during the holidays, particularly by the pool.

The planning teams at SHDC had been reorganised again, and this parish will be included in the West Team, headed by Malcolm Elliot, SHDC Planning Leader, who would be willing to attend a Parish Council meeting to introduce himself.

A Police report from PC Hopper of South Brent was read out. Last month two crimes were reported. Incidents logged included a report of youngsters with air rifles in woods at Harbertonford – no offence disclosed.

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

Matters Arising:

1) Re purchase of a computer for use by the Clerk. The order had been placed and a cheque sent to Dell Computers, but it had been lost in the post and stopped at the bank. A new order is to be placed. It was proposed by Cllr Knight, seconded by Cllr Johnson, that a cheque could be signed between meetings if the cost was within 10% of the £518.00 original order. All in favour.

2) Re Highways sign on A381 approaching Harbertonford from Kingsbridge. Cllr Beamish kindly agreed to carry out the trimming of the shrub with the owner’s permission.

3) Repairs to Parish Noticeboard. Temporary repairs have been carried out.

4) Re repairs to the bridge on road opposite Hazard Cottage, Harberton. The Clerk was now following this up with Jim Morrison of DCC.

5) Re parking outside the cottage at Leigh Bridge, Harberton. This matter was further discussed and Cllr Hockings had spoken to the owner of the car, explaining the dangerous corner and lack of visibility. It was unanimously decided that the Clerk should write to the resident, putting the Council’s official view to him and asking him to reconsider parking in a safer place off the road.

6) Cllr Williams had spoken to John Culf regarding the replacement of the roundabout at Harberton Playing Field, which was now beyond repair. It was asked if the invoice for the roundabout, which Harberton Playing Fields Assn proposed to purchase, could be channelled through the Parish Council’s books for VAT purposes. The Clerk will make enquiries.

Planning – Parish Council Recommendations Decisions between meetings:

23/1129/07/F Hernaford Farm, Harbertonford. Conversion of barns to 9 residential units. Following a site meeting, Parish Council support this application, but there is great concern regarding access on to the A381 from the farm.

23/1194/07/LB 2 Broadsteps, Old Road, Harbertonford. Retrospective application for replacement of windows with hardwood windows. No objections.

23/1291/07/LB Virginia Cottage, Harberton. Replacement of 3 upstairs windows. No objections.

23/1304/07/F Gosworthy Barn, Harberton. Erection of double garage with storage within loft. No objections, but Parish Council suggest gable end windows instead of roof lights to improve appearance.

23/1222/07/F The Shippen, West Leigh, Harberton. Alteration to window to form one fixed panel and one door. No objections.

23/1258/07/F Barn C (also known as The Cart Shed), Tristford Barns, Harberton. Removal of Condition 3 of 23/1223/06/F for full residential use. No objections.

Correspondence:

1) Invoice for grass cutting Jan/Mar 2007 at Harbertonford Playground. £32.05 to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Janes, seconded by Cllr Hockings. All in favour.

2) DAPC. County Committee 2007/11. Letter shown to the meeting.

3) SHDC. Letter received regarding difficulties at the bottle bank. Cllr Steer will make enquiries.

4) SHDC. Letter received and read out to the meeting regarding SHDC’s view of the bid for unitary status by Exeter City Council.

5) DCC. Parish Paths Partnership. Summer Programme shown to the meeting.

6) Wessex Reinvestment Trust. Letter received re Community Land Trusts and an event on 06/09/07 at Dartington. Passed on to Cllr Williams.

7) Giant Holiday Camps. Information regarding day care 4-14 years during school holidays to be provided SHDC Leisure Centres.

8) Teignbridge Play Seminar 18/07/07 to be held at the Grand Hotel, Torquay.

9) SHDC. Local Development Framework. Programme of summer events shown to the meeting.

10) SHDC. Invoice received for loan repayment (second instalment) towards Harberton Flood Prevention Scheme - £328.36 to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Beamish, seconded by Cllr Williams. All in favour.

11) SHDC. Request received for temporary road closure for street party in Old Road, Harbertonford 27/08/07. All in favour.

12) Exeter Diocesan Board of Finance. Third year lease payment of £50.00 due 23/08/07. To be paid. Proposed by Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Hill. All in favour.

13) Invoice received from K C Garden Machinery for £28.95 inc £4.31 VAT for mower repairs. A cheque for £24.64 has been received as a donation from Harberton Playing Fields Assn. Invoice to be paid. Proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Knight. All in favour.

14) DCC. Letter received re resurfacing of A381 from Gerston Cross to Harbertonford village in October 2007. The Clerk will write in respect of the repositioning of the Parish Boundary stone opposite Peak Cross at the same time.

15) SHDC. Standards Committee. Appointment of parish representative sought, but no nominations.

16) SHDC. Council and Performance Plan 2007 now available.

17) Harbertonford Playground Assn. Letter received requesting the second grant of £500.00 already promised towards further playground equipment. To be paid. Proposed by Cllr Steer, seconded by Cllr Janes. All in favour.

18) SHDC. Development Control Service. Change to area responsibility. We are to be included in the West Team for planning purposes. This is to be headed by Malcolm Elliot, who will be invited to a Parish Council meeting to introduce himself.

19) Copy letter from Neil Girling of Tourist Information Centres read out to the meeting. This expressed his concern at the lack of funding and downgrading of this facility.

Other items on the Table:

SHDC Agenda & Minutes; SHDC newsletters; DCC newsletter; DAPC newsletter; SHDC Executive Forward Plan; Western Power Distribution Report; South Devon & Dartmoor Community Plan 2007/8 and Voluntary Vine.

Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:

1) Cllr Beamish read out a letter from Mr & Mrs Lawrence of Harbertonford, asking for reconsideration by DCC for traffic lights on the A381 at the pedestrian crossing.

2) There was a request by residents to remove the temporary workshop of Tor Homes at Riverdale Park. (Beamish)

3) Cllr Williams wished it noted that planning application 23/1258/07/F had been omitted from the Agenda.

4) Cllr Williams reported potholes in the road outside Harberton Vicarage.

5) Cllr Fearn reported that Screws Lane, Harberton needed repairs.

Cheques signed:

No 400 – K C Garden Machinery - £28.95

No 401 – Exeter Diocesan Board of Finance - £50.00

No 403 – Devon County Council - £32.05

No 404 – Harbertonford Playground Committee - £500.00

A cheque for £518.07 (No 393) in favour of Dell Computers has been cancelled.

Cheque paid into bank from Harberton Playing Fields Assn - £24.64

The meeting closed at 9.55pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 11 September 2007 at 7.30pm at Harbertonford Primary School.