Draft minutes subject to confirmation

 

MARY TAVY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Held in The Reading Rooms

Tuesday 11th October 2005

 

Present:

 Cllr P Jarvis (Vice-Chairman) - Cllr A Prosser - Cllr W Squire

 Cllr M Anning - Cllr P Hilborn - Cllr G Hill -  DG Evans (Clerk)

Others present:

One member of the public– Cllr P Scannell WDBC – Cllr C Marsh DCC

Mr J Packer WDBC Housing

Apologies for absence:

            Cllr J Higman - Cllr J Pendall - Cllr T Pearce (Chairman) - PC K Reed

Absent with no apologies received:

            None

97-2005 Parishioners time:

            The one parishioner present at the time did not wish to speak explaining that he was present to answer any queries regarding the grant application from the Snooker Club, accordingly the meeting was opened at 7.30pm by Cllr Jarvis acting as Chairman in the absence of Cllr Pearce.

98-2005 Minutes of the previous meeting:

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 13th September 2005 were signed, by the Chair, as a true and accurate record.

99-2005 Receive report from PC Reed:

            Not present

100-2005 Housing survey:

            Cllr Jarvis invited Mr Packer to detail the recent survey carried out in Mary Tavy. Mr packer stated that 42% of forms were returned from which a Headline figure identifies a need. 26% are looking for alternative accommodation within five years plus eighteen members of current households plus ten who have left and wish to return to the parish. 59% of the 26% wish to be housed elsewhere other than Mary Tavy. This gives a total of twenty-five who require local housing. DNPA would restrict selection by local need which would reduce this to seventeen. This figure is then halved giving a local need of eight. It is also complicated by the fact that Brentor is not recognised by DNPA as a rural settlement, hence the need identified in Brentor of six are added to Mary Tavy making a total of fourteen. Mr Packer explained that they are for local need and only those living or working in the parish for the last five years would qualify. However, as DNPA have identified two potential sites for development then qualification would be to have lived or worked ‘somewhere’ in the DNPA area for the last five years and not just Mary Tavy. Cllr Scannell enquired about Choice Based Lettings to which Mr Packer stated that a section 106 agreement will restrict it to locals thus overriding Choice Based Lettings. (Cllr Marsh arrived at this point). Cllr Jarvis re-capped on the numbers and asked what is classed as affordable housing.

 

 Mr Packer replied that it meant within reach of local incomes and would be let or sold at prices locals can afford. If let they will be through a Social Landlord (West Devon Homes). On new developments the split would be 70% rented and 30% shared ownership. Cllr Scannell stated that she was unhappy with shared ownership as the occupier would be responsible for all maintenance and repair costs even though they only own a share of the property. Mr Packer stated that they can buy more shares in the future up to a maximum of 80% of the value. Cllr Hilborn stated that when the original council houses in the village were sold a promise was made to build more. This didn’t happen. Mr Packer said that he couldn’t disagree, however the money from the sale of them was not put back into regeneration. Cllr Jarvis enquired if fourteen properties was the right number and as the only site currently available is Ken Body’s old garage how many houses in total does the developer intend to build? Mr packer said he had no idea of the numbers but that he agreed with the comments made by Cllr Hill and thirty houses per hectare was the recommended density for developments.  He assured everyone that WDBC will work closely with DNPA to ensure that the need is met. Cllr Jarvis expressed concern on the impact of a development of this size to the community as existing residents will have to handle the change. He continued by stating that Mary Tavy is an exception as it has been identified by DNPA for new housing and not just an exception site for affordable housing. Mr Packer stated that he expected to work closely with DNPA and that; hopefully, it would involve the parish council. At development stage WDBC work as advisors to DNPA. Cllrs Hill and Hilborn expressed concern regarding mine shafts and addits but Mr Packer considered that this problem is divorced from any scheme for this site. Cllr Jarvis expressed concern as to why the Brentor numbers should be added to Mary Tavy and, as Social Landlords get between 40 & 60% subsidy from Government to keep rents affordable will the houses proposed be family homes? Mr packer stated that as the biggest demand is for one bed roomed accommodation they tend to build 25% one bed, 50% two bed and 25% three bed. Finally, Cllr Jarvis requested information as to the amount of sheltered properties proposed. Mr Packer stated that WDBC is tending to move away from ‘sheltered; accommodation and from placing labels on specific types to bringing outside help to those that need it, in whatever property they reside in. Cllr Jarvis thanked Mr Packer for his time and Mr packer left the meeting at this point.

101-2005 Matters arising:

            101.1 Stones on verges – The clerk detailed correspondence received from Highways and             stated that he continues to ascertain the legal situation.

            101.2 It was confirmed that the letter to Mrs Chambers, in response to her complaint, would be sent this week. The delay being caused by the recent illness of Cllr Pearce.

            101.3 Beating of the Bounds – The clerk detailed the requirements received from the insurers in order to comply with current legislation. It now transpires that providing these are carried out by the members no additional insurance cost will be incurred. It was agreed to forward these requirements to Cllr Higman for his attention.

           

 

101.4 Sponsorship for the Mary Tavy Gazette – Cllr Jarvis reported that this was going well although Western Power has turned down the opportunity as parish magazines do not meet the criteria for grant aid. Other corporate companies have been approached along with local businesses.  The question of charges was raised with Cllr Jarvis being requested to offer proposals to the next meeting.

102.2005 Correspondence:

            102.1 A letter, addressed to the previous Chairman and copied to the clerk, from Tetlow King was discussed. Tetlow King are have been commissioned by the planning authority (DNPA) and the developers (Kings Court Homes Ltd) to investigate the old garage site and submit a development brief as detailed in the DNPA Local Plan document. It is anticipated that this will take two months and then initial plans will be drawn for discussion with the members when views will be solicited. It was agreed that the clerk should write to them, detailing the Chairman’s address and advise them of the pool of knowledge available at the parish council which is available to them to ‘tap into’.

            102.2 A closure notice for Brentor road to enable further services to be laid to the new building site on the 24th October for two days was discussed.

            102.3 An e-mail from PC Reed regarding his absence tonight was discussed. It appears that he has been requested to place traffic cones out in rediness for Goose Fair. It was unanimously agreed that this was a complete waste of trained Police time and this work should have been carried out by council workers.

            102.4 A survey regarding children’s play areas has been received from WDBC which Cllr Jarvis stated that he would respond to.

            102.5 A survey regarding the DNPA Community Forum was discussed with none of the members offering to complete it.

103.2005 Financial report:

            103.1The financial report detailing the bank balances was circulated along with a costs to budget report to enable members to consider in time for the November meeting when the Precept requirement for 2006/07 will need to be agreed.            

            103.2 The following payments were authorised:

Clerk Honorarium plus stamps £191.63 (Oct) – Mainly Stationery £26.00 – Audit Commission £141.00 – Reading Rooms for Room Hire £72.00 – Grant to the Memorial Playing Fields £850.00 (Agreed December 2004).

104.2005To receive report from Chair of Cemetery Committee:

104.1 Cllr Jarvis reported that all the burial records are now totally in order and that the clerk will take full responsibility for this from November 1st 2005. Cllr Jarvis has calculated that the time the clerk has spent on this area over the last eighteen months amounts to ten hours which he proposed should be paid to the clerk on receipt of his invoice. This was unanimously agreed. Cllr Jarvis detailed the income received since 2001 which amounts to £3,140 and that the charges, last amended 2002, should be reviewed. He proposed an increase of 10% which was seconded by Cllr Anning and unanimously agreed.

105.2005 Planning:

            105.1 Cllr Jarvis detailed the recent site visit of the planning committee to Half Acre where an application for the erection of a new dwelling has been submitted to DNPA. It was felt that this was not an acceptable development for this area and that concern was raised on the proposed shared entrance, as a consequence the members objected to this proposal.

            105.2 A letter detailing the view of DNPA and written by James Aven was discussed. In it DNPA state that they have requested that the work carried out in the filling of The Old London Road (The Kings Way) should be reversed and that failure to so do will result in an enforcement order being issued.

            105.3 A new application for an extension to the existing animal house at Miners Dry was discussed with the planning committee members agreeing a date to view it. Concern was expressed over the letter from DNPA who have stated that the file is now closed regarding the enforcement order for unauthorised building work as it has been re-instated. This was disputed by the members with the clerk being requested to write stating this and to question the wisdom of DNPA in appointing the new planning officer, Mr P White, as case officer for the planning application. 

106.2005 Items raised for inclusion on this agenda:

            106.1 Hedges – It was confirmed that Cllr Pearce is dealing with this item regarding the A386. The clerk was requested to contact Mr Bob Temlett of Highways regarding the hedge on the L/H/S of the Horndon Road.

            106.2 Garage site – See 100.2005

            106.3 Mining report – As this is being dealt with by Cllr Pearce who was absent it was agreed to move this item to the next agenda.

            106.4 Mary Tavy Primary School - As this is being dealt with by Cllr Pearce who was absent it was agreed to move this item to the next agenda.

107-2005 Items raised for inclusion on the October agenda:

            None raised

108.2005 To agree the date of the next meeting:

            96.1 The date of Tuesday 8th November 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

Chair at 9.45pm.

                      

                                                           

 

 

DG Evans

Clerk to the Parish Council                                                  19th October 2005

 

 

 

 

 

Signed as a true and accurate record……………………….Date………………….

                                                (Cllr P Jarvis – Vice-Chairman)

 

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