Minutes of Harberton Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 11 September 2007 at Harbertonford Primary School at 7.30pm.

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

Public: 2

Clerk: Mrs D Crann.

The Chairman opened the meeting, welcomed everyone and invited the members of the public to speak. Alex Rosso of Pendarves, Harberton, introduced herself with a friend for support. She reported on the excessive speed of vehicles up and down Tristford Road in Harberton, particularly from the Vicarage down past the Old Hall. Recently, three cats have been run over and the fear was the next fatality could be a child. There was further discussion and it was decided the Clerk should write to DCC Highways asking for their advice. The members of the public then left and the meeting proceeded.

County Councillor Date had sent his apologies, saying there was nothing to report this time.

District Councillor Steer then gave his report. He had been pleased to be invited to open the Harbertonford Playground with its new equipment.

SHDC was taking a great interest in who would buy the former Dairycrest site in Totnes. Hopefully, it will go for industrial use.

Harbertonford Village Hall had been given a £15,000 grant for improvements from SHDC.

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

The Police report, received by fax on Tuesday afternoon, was then read out and various items discussed. The main point under discussion was the arson to a motor vehicle in Harbertonford. The Police were still making enquiries regarding this incident. There would be a covert capture car put in place in the Bow Road area of Harbertonford. The site and the car would be changed from time to time. A notice was to be displayed and Cllr Knight would attend to this matter. It was hoped that Inspector Morgan would attend a Parish Council meeting in the near future.

Discussion then moved to the security of the Primary School and Playground area and whether the gate between the two should be locked. PC Hopper would be speaking to Mrs Ronson on this matter soon.

Matters Arising:

1) The Clerk’s new computer had been installed, including an Epson printer, as agreed (this still to be invoiced) plus Internet connection. Andrew Hockings will also arrange for a broadband connection with BT at £10.00 per month. The Clerk had had to purchase a surge protector and USB connection - £34.98 inc VAT – to complete the installation. Payment to be by reimbursement.

2) Re new play equipment in Harberton Playing Field. The Clerk had spoken with Lesley Smith of DAPC, who was very doubtful that we could accept a donation from HPFA and then buy this equipment to save HPFA paying VAT. The Clerk will speak with her again on this matter.

3) Re Harbertonford Bottle Bank. D Cllr Steer reported that matters had now been sorted out with SHDC and it will remain in place in the car park.

Planning: Parish Council Recommendations – Decisions between meetings

23/1390/07/F 1 Woodland Road, Harbertonford. First Floor extension. No objections.

23/1526/07/F Gosworthy Farm, Harberton. New vehicular access to dwelling. No objections.

23/1671/07/F Sandwell Barn, Harberton. Amendment to 23/1570/05/F. Conversion of barn and extension to provide swimming pool. No objections.

23/1689/07/F Blacklands, Moreleigh Road, Harbertonford. Retrospective amendments to 23/1084/04/F. No objections, but suggest chimney be in stone as more in keeping.

23/1717/07/LB Tristford House, Harberton. Reinstatement of lime render on west gable end of dwelling. No objections.

23/1129/07/F Hernaford Farm, Harbertonford. Plan withdrawn.

Correspondence:

1) SH Sports Awards 2007. Passed to Harberton Cricket Club.

2) SW Review for Gypsies & Travellers shown to the meeting.

3) Re plaque for the bench in memory of Edmund Janes. A cheque for £38.15 was signed between meetings in payment for the original plaque which was lost. A new quote for a brass plaque had now been received for £49.50. It was proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Steer, to order this item. All in favour.

4) Mole Valley Farmers Best Kept Village results. The Parish Council offered congratulations to the Primary School on winning the special prize in the Pam Parker Map Competition and will be writing to Mrs Ronson.

5) SHDC. Events for 2008. Letter shown to the meeting.

6) DCC Waste Local Plan has now been adopted.

7) SHDC New Code of Conduct. Information read out to the meeting, including training sessions.

8) SHDC. Temporary road closure. Old Road, Harbertonford, 27/08/07.

9) DCC. Road Closure for bridge rebuild. East Leigh Cross to East Moor Cross, 20/08/07.

10) SHDC Review of Polling Places in the Parish. Cllrs unanimously agreed that the Polling Stations were to stay as they were. Notices re the new Electoral Roll had been posted on both noticeboards.

11) SHDC. Parish Cluster Meetings in November 2007. No nominations.

12) A letter had been received from Mr Barkas of Harberton regarding the continuing deterioration of Church Cottage, Harberton, and possible compulsory purchase of the property by SHDC. D Cllr Steer will raise the matter yet again with the District Council.

13) DAPC. Devon’s Community Building Survey. Form to be completed by the Clerk.

14) DCC Bus Information Strategy 2006/11 shown to the meeting.

15) SHDC. Local Development Framework, Sherford area action plan, had been passed around the Councillors.

16) Harbertonford Village Hall loan application will be discussed further at the next meeting.

17) DAPC Annual Report and Village Green magazine passed around the meeting.

18) D&C Police Liaison Meeting to be held on 24/09/07 at Kingsbridge Centre Rest Room.

19) Rural Housing Trust Seminar “Affordable Village Housing” 02/11/07 at 10.30am at Newton & Noss Village Hall, Noss Mayo.

20) SHDC Budget Consultation Meeting 29/10/07 at 7.00pm. No nominations.

21) DCC. Letter from P3 officer, Ros Davies. She will be on maternity leave.

22) S Hams Strategic Partnership Meeting 02/10/07 at 10.30am at The Flavel, Dartmouth.

23) The Clerk had received several hours tuition for operating the new computer and it was agreed that £50.00 would be paid for this. All in favour.

Also on the Table: SHDC Executive Forward Plan and Minutes of Executive Meetings 12/07/07 and 06/09/07; DPFA Annual Report 2006/7 and Newsletter; DCC Newsletters; DCC Annual Report 2006/7; NHS Newsletter and various other newsletters; SHDC Agenda and Minutes; SHDC Magazine; S Devon Carers Consortium Meeting 03/10/07 at Ivybridge.

Matters at the discretion of the Chairman:

1) Cllr Hockings had had a request for a bottle bank in Harberton. This will be considered and go on the Agenda for October.

2) Cllr Hockings reported a broken pipe at the Ford in Harberton. The Chairman will inspect this and report at the next meeting.

3) Cllr Beamish raised the subject of cars not stopping at the pedestrian crossing in Harbertonford. The Clerk will write to County Cllr Date, hoping he will be more successful in getting DCC to listen to our complaints.

4) Cllr Janes reported that the round plaque, installed by the Environment Agency at the Ford area in Harbertonford during flood alleviation works, now needed repairing. There was also a small raised manhole cover which needed attention.

5) Cllr Williams reported that work was in progress at Harberton Parish Hall to install a new main door and closed loop system to help the hard of hearing.

Cheques signed: From July meeting – No 402 – SHDC - £328.36

Between meetings – No 405 – Brixham Trophy & Locksmiths - £38.15

No 393 – Dell Computers - £518.07 (This cheque was lost in the post and stopped at the Bank). No 399 – Dell Computers - £516.82 (This cheque was issued as a replacement).

At the meeting – No 406 – Mrs D Crann - £436.73

No 403 – Mrs D Crann - £34.98

No 408 – Mrs A Croudace t/a P & A Accountancy - £50.00

The meeting closed at 10.10pm. The next will be held on Tuesday 09 October 2007 at 7.30pm at Harberton Parish Hall.