MARY TAVY
PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Tuesday 12h
December 2006
Present:
Cllr T Pearce (Chairman), Cllr M Anning - (Vice-Chairman), Cllr J Higman,
Cllr P Hilborn, Cllr G Hill, Cllr P Jarvis, Cllr J Pendall, Cllr A Prosser,
Cllr W Squire, (9)
Mrs C Williams (Clerk)
Others present:
PC K Reed, Cllr P Scannell.
Apologies for absence:
Cllr C Marsh (DCC),
125-2006 Parishioners time:
No members of the public were present.
126-2006 Declarations of
Interest:
Cllrs Pearce & Pendall declared their interest with regard to the planning appeal that has been lodged for The Cottage, Brentor Road.
127-2006 Minutes of the
previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 14th November 2006 were signed, by the Chairman, as a true and accurate record, save for one amendment requested by Cllr Jarvis at the end of 117.5 (insertion of “due to lack of time and money”) which was discussed and agreed by members and duly changed and signed.
128-2006 Matters arising:
128.1 The site of the old Blackdown garage –The Chairman has been advised by the DNPA that the developers have made some amendments to their proposals but not as much as was hoped for. The full extent of changes will be known by the date of the next Parish Council meeting which Phil Markham hopes to attend. There is a possibility that the DNPA may be writing the planning brief due to time it is taking to progress.
128.2 Flooding: Most areas now dealt with bar the problems on the main road. A meeting was held with Highways, West Devon Land Drainage Officer, DNPA Landscape Officer and Steve Cryer of South West Water. The various agencies will be holding a meeting with landowners on the 12th January at the Coronation Hall. Landowners have a legal obligation to keep watercourses clear but it appears this may not be happening. 25 properties appear to have been affected by flooding. There was a query regarding the position of the rear fence at Rotherwood and interference with the gurgie. The Chairman expressed thanks to those Councillors who attended the meeting in Fellingfield regarding flooding, which now appears to have been resolved.
128.3 Hedges: All have been dealt with except one at the field below Sunnycote. John Doswell (Highways) is now dealing with.
129-2006 Police – Community Beat Manager- To receive report from PC Reed:
129.1 PC Reed reported 20 calls to Mary Tavy including 2 drink driving, flooding and criminal damage of the cable being cut to the flashing 30 speed sign. The Parish Councils request for permanent speed camera signs is with the Inspector at present. A new Police Community Support Officer will be starting in the New Year. Areas may be realigned in the future. Cllr Higman praised PC Reed for his speed camera work early in the morning on the main road.
PC Reed advised that the Camera Partnership had been detecting speeding traffic in Parkwood Road Tavistock 5 times in the one month and that this would have a knock on effect to the traffic here. The Chairman commented on problems in the upper part of the main road towards Blackdown with speeding and overtaking. PC Reed explained that unfortunately there was not a safe place for officers to carry out speed checks in this area.
PC Reed left the meeting at this point.
130-2006 Correspondence –
130.1 Community buildings training programme received from the Community Council of Devon. Clerk to pass to Mr Ged Tucker, Secretary of Coronation Hall.
130.2 WDBC have written to advise that they are currently monitoring participation in recycling services.
130.3 West Devon Homes Ltd have appointed a new Chairman, Mr Chris Owen.
130.4 Temporary Road Closure notice received. The lower part of Brentor Road (near The Paddocks) will be closed for 3 days from 15th January 2007 for electricity cable laying.
130.5 WDBC and Devon Fire & Rescue Service have issued advice on frequency of chimney sweeping. Clerk to place on notice board.
130.6 WDBC advised that the TV broadcast system for West Devon will switch from analogue to digital during the third quarter of 2009. Some support for those 75 and over with Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance, will be available from DigitalUK. Their representative is keen to meet as many community and business groups as possible. Contact can be arranged through WDBC.
130.7 Devon & Cornwall Constabulary has written to advise that the South & West Devon Business Command Unit has been split into two geographical areas with a dedicated Chief Inspector for each. Newly appointed Chief Inspector Tony Steer, based at Kingsbridge will be responsible for South Hams & West Devon.
130.8 Devon Association of Parish Councils (DAPC) have issued their training calendar for the coming year. There is an Introduction to Planning for Small Parish Councils - councillors to advise clerk if they wish to attend
130.9 DAPC will be sending out their election pack this month to each council. They also sent a report from the recent Local White Paper workshop. Clerk to copy to each councillor.
130.10 Tavistock and District Local Transport Partnership wrote to thank the Parish Council for awarding them a grant.
130.11 Citizens Advice Bureau has written to thank the Parish Council for awarding them a grant.
130.12 Mary Tavy & Brentor Under 5’s have written to thank the Parish Council for awarding them a grant.
130.13 A letter of thanks was received for the Parish Council donation for the poppy wreath. The village raised the record amount of £554.42 this year for the Royal British Legion.
130.14 A request was received for information about snow filling Tavy Cleave ravine during the blizzard of 1891. A writer wishes to know if this is feasible or whether it is just a myth. Anyone with any information or any experience of any other heavy snows in that area please call Chris Nicholson on 01747 828698.
130.15 The DNPA have advised that unless planning permission is conditioned to provide for a landscaping scheme, then as long as a developer carries out planting in accordance with approved plans, then there is not an onus on him to replace any planting should it fail.
130.16 Details of a competition for Best Kept Village have been received. The aim is to encourage a real sense of community by caring for buildings, clearing litter and promoting schemes to improve the general appearance of the area. The competition does not look for architectural merit, prettiness or abundance of flowers but for villages that do the best with what they have got. There is no entry fee. Following discussion it was agreed to enter.
130.17 A reply has been received from the previous clerk in response to the request for a copy of the contract referred to in his letter. There appears to be some confusion over this matter and members agreed that the matter be best resolved by a telephone call from the Chairman.
131-2006
- Financial report:
131.1
Receive report from Responsible Financial Officer: The financial report
detailing the following balances was circulated:
Current account - £5176.82
Cemetery account - £3632.48
The financial report was reconciled to the bank statements.
131.2 The following payments were authorised: - T Pearce Mileage £22.40, Clerk Salary £353.20. Clerk mileage/stamps/stationery £46.80, Burial Clerk wages £39.20, SLCC Membership £65.00, J Pendall – Grave Markers £102.60, N Nankevell Grass Cutting - £684.00.
Replacement cheques to RBS Finance (e-buyer) were also drawn £717.86 & £222.19 -these replaced cheques drawn over 6 months ago which are now out of date and were not presented (ink cartridges for the Gazette). The original cheques are now held by the Parish Clerk. A vote to send these payments again was held with 8 for, and 1 abstention.
Cllr Anning
requested a review of Mr Nankevell’s rate of pay.
132-2006 Cemetery:
132.1 To receive report from Chairman of Cemetery Committee: Cllr Jarvis also suggested that Mr Nankevell’s rate should be reviewed and this will be done at the next meeting.
The Parish Council has paid the costs of headstone repairs however Cllr
Jarvis explained that the purchaser of a headstone holds responsibility. Cllr
Prosser proposed that the Parish Council pay this bill but that in future
requests should be made to the purchaser.
Cllr Jarvis proposed an amendment, seconded by the Chairman, to this
that requests for payment should be made in respect of the repairs already
carried out. A vote was held with 8 in favour and 1 against. Resolved.
Cllr Jarvis had received a request for information on an unmarked grave
within the closed churchyard and responded to this in conjunction with Rev.
Sykes.
Cllr Pearce enquired whether the excess soil from the grave digging in the cemetery could be used to level areas that have dropped within the closed churchyard. Cllr Higman to enquire with the church. DNPA also may have grants for works within closed churchyards.
Cllr Scannell left the meeting at this point. Cllr Pearce informed the meeting that WDBC will be carrying out trimming of overgrown trees in the churchyard.
132.2 Fencing in cemetery: Agreed to leave work until spring as the ground is currently too wet. Agreed that a post and 2 rail fence would be sufficient as a marker between the closed and open cemetery.
132.3 Grave Markers: Cllr Pendall has purchased the numbers and the letters are to be purchased when the new fence is up. Cllrs Pendall & Hill to proceed to attach numbers to kerbstone.
132.4 Maintenance: WDBC have confirmed that the sign regarding dog fouling can be removed from the field gate and placed on the internal gate to the cemetery. Clerk reported that unable to access the notice board with the key held. Cllr Jarvis to pass his key to clerk.
133-2006 Receive reports from members elected to outside bodies:
133.1 DNPA Cllr Pearce attended a meeting regarding climate change and he handed out information leaflets to Councillors. He reported that the incidence of severe storms is set to increase.
133.2 Police Authority - none
133.3 Southern Link – Cllr Jarvis reported the cost of the development of the West Devon Borough Council Chambers will be between 2 and 4 million pounds. Council taxes will not be increased to pay for this. Cllr Prosser reported there was a comment made that not all subjects discussed are applicable to parish councils. It was discussed that it was a great loss that Paul Marshall (Highways) has taken early retirement because of the help and support he has given us over the highway improvements in the village.
133.4 Coronation Hall – Cllr Prosser advised that the village pantomime will be held at the hall on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of February 2007. She also reported that the dog bin is working extremely well.
134-2006 Planning
134.1 To discuss
planning applications received:
-Midlands Barn – revised application for garage and studio. The Parish Council have highlighted their concerns.
-Wheal Jewell reservoir – telecommunications equipment for emergency services – no objections.
134.2 To receive
notification on previous applications:
-An appeal was held on 7th December 2006 for Field 408, adjacent to Half acre. Awaiting decision.
-An appeal for The Cottage, Brentor Road has been lodged. Any comments must be lodged by the 2nd January 2007. Cllr Pearce and Cllr Pendall did not comment due to their earlier declaration of interest. Passed to Cllr Jarvis to collate Parish Council’s comments.
-An appeal for Blackdown Nursing Home has been lodged over the reinstatement of the Kings Way. Any comments must be lodged by the 10th January 2007.
135-2006 To agree items raised at the November meeting for
inclusion on this agenda.
135.1 Review of Standing Orders- Clerk to issue copies of current Standing Orders to Councillors. Councillors will then bring any suggestions for amendments to the next meeting.
135.2 Planning Register – A software package is available for purchase. The Chairman will initially review this then pass to members for discussion at the next meeting.
135.3 Clerk’s hours – A discussion was held on hours and workload. It was agreed to review these in March 2007.
135.4 Chairman’s Allowance – It was felt by members that no person should be financially disadvantaged by costs incurred in carrying out this role. It was therefore felt that all expenses should be claimed. To be discussed further at next meeting.
Cllr Higman left the meeting at this point.
136-2006 To receive items raised for inclusion on January Agenda:
136.1 Standing Orders
136.2 Planning register
136.3 Chairman’s Allowance
137-2006 To agree the date of the next meeting: The date of Tuesday 9th January 2007 was agreed for the next meeting of the Parish Council to commence at 7.30pm to be held in the Reading Rooms.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the
Chairman at 10.10pm.
C Williams
Clerk to the Parish Council 29 November 2006
Signed as a true and accurate record……………………….Date………………….
(Cllr
T Pearce - Chairman)