MARY TAVY
PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Tuesday 10th
October 2006
Present:
Cllr T Pearce (Chairman), Cllr P Hilborn, Cllr W Squire, Cllr A Prosser,
Cllr J Higman, Cllr M Anning - (Vice-Chairman), Cllr G Hill, Cllr P Jarvis (8)
Mrs C Williams (Clerk)
Others present:
Two members of the public
Apologies for absence:
DG Evans (Burial Clerk), Cllr J Pendall, Cllr C Marsh (DCC), PC K Reed,
100-2006 Parishioners time:
No
parishioners wished to speak.
101-2006 Minutes of the
previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12th September 2006 were signed, by the Chairman, as a true and accurate record, save for two slight amendments requested by Cllr Jarvis at 94.1, which were discussed and agreed by members and duly changed and signed.
102-2006 Matters arising:
102.1 The site of the old Blackdown garage All correspondence, including comment forms, are being considered. The Chairman stated that it was very good to see constructive comments from parishioners. Phil Markham (DNPA) has been absent due to family illness but all comments have been copied and forwarded to Tetlow King, so no further progress to report as yet.
102.2 Parish Plan An initial meeting was held on 18th September 2006 with another to be held tomorrow (11th October 2006) to appoint officers and carry this forward.
102.3 Parish Records The Chairman confirmed that he was now in possession of the Parish Council records, which had been stored at Cllr Jarvis property. Cllr Jarvis wished to know what the long-term plan is for their retention. The Clerk is to enquire which items may be archived and which may be destroyed. To be discussed further at November meeting.
102.4 Streetlight in Bal Lane- Cllr Scannell had spoken to Cllr Prosser regarding the light but no further details were yet known. As Cllr Scannell was not present to discuss further we await further details from her.
102.5 Hedges and Ditches Most hedges have now been cut with only one remaining unsure if the owners are currently in residence.
The Chairman reported that the Manager of the Power Station had contacted him to advise that delivery companies were refusing to allow their lorries along the lane due to an overgrown hedge damaging the lorries. It was agreed that the clerk would contact Highways.
102.6 Sponsorship & Costs of the Mary Tavy Gazette the Chairman advised that this would be discussed in closed meeting at the end of the Parish Council Meeting.
103-2006 Correspondence:
103.1 Phone Box an e-mail was received from a Horndon resident to advise that the light was broken in the phone box at Horndon and they had been unable to get BT to fix it. The clerk is to contact BT and request its repair.
103.2 Flooding A letter was received from two residents in the Great Fellingfield estate advising that they are suffering from continual flooding when there is heavy rain. The Chairman advised that whilst Highways accepted there was a problem they did not have funds to deal with this. This situation also applies to the lower part of Brentor Road where there is no surface water drainage, following the development of the Paddocks, water is now flooding an existing property. Cllr Prosser proposed a letter be sent to Geoffrey Cox MP as the works need to be done. Cllr Anning seconded this and the Clerk will write to both the MP & Highways. It was felt that Highways were responsible, as their lack of action at planning application stage has resulted in drainage problems.
103.3 Choice Based Lettings Letter received from West Devon Borough Council advising a change in the way social housing is allocated. Please contact the clerk for further details.
103.4 Dartmoor Access Forum Applications are invited for new members. Further information and application forms can be obtained at www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk or by writing to the DNPA, Parke, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9JQ
103.5 Grant Requests received from Tavistock and District Local Transport Partnership and from the Mary Tavy Victory Memorial Recreation Ground Trust. To be discussed with precept at next Parish Council meeting.
103.6 Letter received from Cllr Jarvis enclosing an estimate for the removal of leylandii hedge in the cemetery and requesting the aforementioned amendment to the minutes of the September Parish Meeting.
103.7 Midlands Barn - Letter received from planning agents regarding a planning application. Cllr Anning pointed out that the Council couldnt give an opinion or give planning advice.
103.8 Trustees of the Playing Fields have sent a letter and invited the Chairman of the Parish Council to attend a meeting on the 15th November 2006.
103.9 Homer The new owners are requesting any historical information about the property. It was the old Post Office until approx. 1934.
103.10 Sustainability of military training on Dartmoor a report is being done by the Defence Estates and will be sent to the Parish Council when completed.
103.11 Letter from the Editor of the Mary Tavy Gazette to be discussed in later closed session.
104-2006 Financial Report
104.1 To
receive report from the Responsible Financial Officer - The financial
report detailing the following balances was circulated:
Current account - £2159.74
Cemetery account - £4526.13
104.2 The following payments were authorised:- DAPC AGM £30.00, DAPC -Clerks Training £70.00, Mainly Stationery £7.61, T Pearce Mileage /stamps £30.08, A Prosser Mileage £26.60, Clerk Salary £315.96. Clerk stationery/stamps £39.27.
104.3 A Costs to budget report was circulated to enable members to consider in time for the November meeting, when the Precept requirement for 2006/07 will need to be agreed. The amount of mileage done was discussed and it was felt that the Parish Council increases its influence with the DNPA by its increased presence at meetings. Cllr Hill proposed that the General admin be increased to £600 to reflect this and this was seconded by Cllr Jarvis. The cost for mileage claims was reiterated as 35p per mile. Cllr Jarvis felt the Chairmans allowance should be reviewed. Cllr Pearce said he would prefer to leave any change until after the White Paper on local Government was published in November.
105-2006 To receive report from PC Reed PC Reed was unable to attend and no report was received.
106-2006 Cemetery
106.1 To
receive report from Chairman of
Cemetery Committee
Cllr Jarvis
reported a case where a monumental mason had assured a family that a photograph
could be placed on a headstone however this is not within the terms of the
cemetery regulations. The matter was resolved to the best possible conclusion
by David Evans, Burial Clerk, however Cllr Jarvis reiterated the importance of
all being advised of regulations.
Cllr Jarvis and the burial clerk have marked out plots for
internment of ashes and have placed temporary markers.
Cllr Jarvis reported on income of £170.50 and £235 spent on headstone repairs for Health and safety checks. The time is approaching again for the next annual inspection.
Brentor Council who have taken over the running of the Methodist cemetery in Brentor have made an approach to Cllr Jarvis who is drawing up a checklist to assist them with scales of charges to be broadly similar to those of Mary Tavy.
Cllr Jarvis reported that D Evans wished all to be aware that he was unaware of the trimming of the trees in the cemetery, as reported in September minutes this had been dealt with by Cllr Pearce.
Cllr Higman stated that a parishioner asked in late August/September if the trees that were growing across some graves could be cut back and he brought this to the attention of Cllr Pearce. Cllrs Higman and Pearce were surprised that the trees had grown to such an extent without the Cemetery Committee realising the significance of their effect on the graves. An estimate for the removal of the trees and up righting of hedge has been received (£380). Brian Beasley (Tree & Landscape Officer DNPA) has seen the hedge and advised that the three ash trees should remain and DNPA would provide shrubs for the hedge. It was agreed that the hedge must be kept trimmed in the future and Public Liability insurance must be held by any contractors dealing with the hedge removal.
Cllr Jarvis advised that the current Burial Clerk David Evans wished to handover to the new clerk when she felt able to take this on and Christine Williams confirmed she was happy to take over as Burial Clerk from this meeting.
106.2
Fencing in Cemetery.
Three quotes have been received for replacement of fencing between the closed churchyard and current cemetery.
1. £1310+vat
2. £1065 + vat
3. £1010
Cllr Pearce expressed concern over the disposal of waste consecrated soil removed when digging graves. The spoil heap is now 34ft deep we need to find out how other cemeteries deal with this problem.
106.3 Grave
Markers.
Cllr Hill advised that these will be done during the next month when both he and Cllr Pendall are available.
106.4 Noticeboard-Cllr Pearce now has details of where to obtain the Perspex and will follow this up.
106.5 Churchyard Maintenance Cllr Pearce expressed concern at the condition of some of the graves some of which are listed. In particular those with wrought iron railings where tree growth inside the railings is causing damage. WDBC have agreed to trim down these trees after autumn. Cllr Pearce suggested contacting English Heritage to try and get a grant to erect those headstones, which have been laid down. All agreed to contact English Heritage for help. There is also a problem with moles in the cemetery to be discussed following grave marking visit.
107-2006 Receive reports from
members elected to outside bodies
107.1 DNPA none.
107.2 Police Authority none.
107.3 Southern Link Cllr Jarvis commented that no common problems were being taken to these meetings. It was agreed to put this on the agenda for the November Parish Meeting. Cllr Prosser reported that a very positive presentation was given on youth issues however she felt there were too many presentations given and that only 1 parish ever seemed to raise questions.
107.4 Coronation Hall Cllr Prosser reported the dog waste bin was up and being well used. The hall is to be represented on the Parish Plan Committee by Mrs Pat Woodhouse.
108-2006 Planning
108.1 To discuss planning applications received.
27 Great Fellingfield some concerns over bungalow being changed into a substantial property and of setting a precedent for this type of development.
Crossing New access no objections.
108.2 To
receive notification on previous applications
Eastlands Change of use has been refused.
Elephants Nest Issues with enforcement Officer have all been resolved.
The Cottage Approval previously given for a single storey dwelling with a section 106 certificate to which the applicants objected. It has now gone back to the Planning Committee and been refused.
Appeal for land at rear of Post Office was held 28th September. It was unfortunate that there was a low attendance and The Chairman was unhappy with the way in which the hearing was dealt with and all agreed in writing to the DNPA about this. Cllr Jarvis asked for a planning register to be set up. To be discussed at the November meeting.
108.3 Conservation Area Status - The National Park has now drawn up areas of the village that they feel should be conservation areas. The Parish Council may be asked to contribute funding to complete this project.
109-2006 Potholes in Axna Lane Have not been dealt with. Clerk to follow up.
110-2006 To receive items raised for inclusion on
November Agenda
110.1 Suggestions for Southern Link Meeting agenda.
110.2 Review of Standing Orders
110.3 Planning Register
110.4 Parish Magazine
110.5 Chairmans Allowance
110.6
Clerks Hours
111-2006 To agree the date of
the next meeting:
111.1 The date of Tuesday 14th November 2006 was agreed for the next meeting of the Parish Council to commence at 7.30pm to be held in the Reading Rooms.
112-2006 Due to shortage of time the closed meeting to discuss the sponsorship and costs of the Mary Tavy Gazette is to be held at a later date.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the
Chairman at 10.10pm.
C Williams
Clerk to the Parish Council 17 October 2006
Signed as a true and accurate record .Date .
(Cllr
T Pearce - Chairman)