MARY TAVY
PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Tuesday 12th
September 2006
Present:
Cllr T Pearce (Chairman) Cllr J Pendall Cllr P Jarvis
Cllr P Hilborn Cllr W Squire -Cllr M Anning - (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr A Prosser - Cllr G Hill- (8)
Cllr C Marsh (DCC) Mrs C Williams (Clerk)
Others present:
Six members of the public
Apologies for absence:
DG Evans
(Burial Clerk) Cllr J Higman PC K Reed Cllr P Scannell (WDBC)
88-2006 Parishioners time:
No
parishioners wished to speak.
89-2006 Minutes of the
previous meeting:
The minutes of
the meeting held on Tuesday 11th July2006 were signed, by the
Chairman, as a true and accurate record.
90-2006 Matters arising:
90.1 The site of the old Blackdown garage Following the exhibition by Tetlow King, the developers of the site, at the Coronation Hall on the 5th September Members were disappointed to note that despite the Parish Councils previous comments on the proposed development no changes to the Developers original proposals appear to have been made. The Chairman will be attending a meeting with Phil Markham and Colin Jarvis of the Dartmoor National Park Authority this week to address some of these concerns. The Public Exhibition was extremely well attended by the village with 248 visitors signed in and many comment forms completed. All comments made both at the exhibition and to the DNPA will be taken note of and with the strong support of parishioners we can demand changes. It was also felt to be a poor exhibition, hard for everyone to see and understand the proposals and it was unfortunate that the Highways representative did not attend until the evening. The Chairman stated that there was a long way to go before any Planning application for the site was considered by the DNPA. Cllr Jarvis requested that DNPA and Highways come and talk to the Council so we are clear on what they will be supportive of so alternative action can be taken if we do not have support of DNPA
The Chairman
expressed his gratitude to Phil Markham and Colin Jarvis (DNPA) and to the
Councillors for their support at the exhibition.
90.2 Progress Report on the Parish Plan The application for funding has been submitted and a volunteer has come forward to lead the steering group. A letter is to be sent this week to all village groups requesting a representative to come forward and be involved in the group. It is pleasing to see people coming forward with enthusiasm for this project.
90.3 Public Liability for the Clerks residence it was confirmed that this has been arranged and is in place.
90.4 New Streetlight in Bal Lane Cllr Scannell is dealing with this request. It was felt by Members that the Parish Council should not have to contribute to the funding.
90.5 Hedges and Ditches There have been complaints that hedges are overgrown along the main road on the virtual footway. It was agreed to contact these properties and request hedges are kept trimmed for safety.
It was noted that the hedge mentioned in the last meeting was very quickly trimmed and the Council Members wished to pass thanks to the resident for prompt action. A gully near the Elephants Nest was reported as blocked and this should now been cleared. No other hedges or ditches were reported by members.
90.6 Sponsorship of Mary Tavy Gazette Separate bank account is now open and sponsors coming through.
91-2006 Correspondence-
91.1 A copy e-mail from the DNPA was received concerning the Garage Canopy. DNPA have also contacted West Devon Borough Council (WDBC) Environmental Health Officer (EHO) resulting in the removal of remaining loose wood from the canopy. It also responded to the Parish Councils concerns about the Japanese Knotweed growing on the site. Cllr Marsh will follow this up with Rob Sekula. . The Chairman was advised by WDBC EHO that the site was being monitored weekly because of the asbestos risk in the canopy.
91.2 Mary Tavy Parish Council Website This is currently receiving 450 visits per month. Any businesses in the parish can advertise their details on the website together with a link to their own sites if required. This is free advertising and anyone interested should contact the Clerk.
91.3 DAPC letter advising that the number of Parish Council representatives from within the Dartmoor National Park is being reduced from 5 to 4. Members were not happy with this reduction and a reply will be sent stating this.
91.4 Gambling Act 2005 Clerk to pass these details to Coronation Hall Secretary for their perusal.
91.5 Request for family history relating to Standon Farm so this will be forwarded to Peter Tavy Parish Council.
91.6 A request for nominations for the Edward Morshead Award has been received for people or organisations who have made an outstanding contribution for parishes and villages in the Dartmoor National Park.
92-2006 Financial Report -
92.1 To receive report from the Responsible Financial Officer - The financial report detailing the following balances was circulated:
Current account - £2679.26
Cemetery account - £4526.13
92.2 The following
payments were authorised:
Clerk Salary (Aug) £223.84: Mainly Stationery £4.69: Alan Dolan £127.18: T Pearce Mileage £57.40: Clerk Salary (July) £325.76: Mainly Stationery £64.01.
93-2006 To receive report from
PC Reed
PC Reed was unable to attend however the Clerk reported that PC Reed had successfully taken action against a repeat speeding motorist through the village about whom many complaints had been received.
94-2006 Cemetery
94.1 Report from Chairman Cllr Jarvis reported 1 internment of ashes on a pre purchased plot. A comment has been received that the Leylandii trees are now overgrowing some grave spaces. The Chairman advised that the trees had been trimmed this week. Following discussion it was felt that the time had now come to look at removal of these trees. Quotes from appropriate companies are to be obtained. A padlock has now been fitted to the field gate and the key is with the Burial Clerk. Notices regarding dog fouling on gates inside the cemetery were felt to be inappropriately placed as it was felt this may give an incorrect impression that this is part of a right of way, which it is not. A letter has been received from a firm of undertakers advising that the small chipping on the path are no longer appropriate in view of Health & Safety legislation. Contact has also been made with WDBC regarding the level of maintenance in the closed churchyard in view of the grade 1 listed church and graves.
94.2
Fencing in Cemetery Quotations for a replacement post & rail fence
are currently being obtained. No news has been received from Cllr Scannel on
her approach to WDBC re funding.
94.3 Grave Markers Cllr Pendall provided details of grave and plot markers. It was felt that grave markers would last longer if they were kept off the grass so a grid system with markers attached to the kerb was suggested. It was agreed that Cllrs Hill, Pendall & Pearce would visit the cemetery then proceed with the ordering and fitting of markers without further delay. All new gravestones are now marked on the reverse with the plot number.
95-2006 Reports from members on outside bodies:
95.1 DNPA no report
95.2 Police
authority Cllr Pendall reported that no meetings had been held.
95.3 Southern Link Cllr Prosser & Cllr Jarvis will be attending the next meeting.
95.4 Coronation Hall Cllr Prosser reported a letter had been sent from the Committee to the DNPA regarding the proposed development. The dog waste bin has now been purchased and arrangements being made for its positioning.
96-2006 Planning:
To discuss planning
applications received.
96.1 Eastlands Change of use ancillary accommodation to single separate
dwelling. Some concerns over parking.
96.2 Royal Standard Retrospective
application received for single storey dwelling at rear. This follows the issue
of an enforcement order by the DNPA. Some
concern over the start date of the works.
96.3 Crossing creation of gateway and
gravel drive.
To receive notification on previous
applications
A copy of a letter was received from DNPA to Tetlow King regarding the
date of the original exhibition (which was approximately three weeks before the
date of the actual exhibition) stating that they were unhappy proceeding
without DNPA and Parish Council being informed.
96.4 Elephants Nest Enforcement Officer has
advised that works not carried out in accordance with approved plans. Works
commenced without conditions being met.
96.5 Field 408 adjacent to Half Acre notice
of two appeals received to be held on 7th December 2006 at the
Coronation Hall at 10am.
96.6 The appeal for the land at the rear of
Post Office is to be on the 28th September 2006 at the Methodist
Chapel at 10am.
97-2006 To agree items raised
at July meeting for inclusion on this agenda.
97.1 Letter from Playing Field
Trustees A reply to this letter has
been sent.
97.2 Breakdown of Gazette costs The
Chairman advised that following an informal meeting of members in an effort to
reduce costs it was agreed to limit the number of pages to 32 with each article
no more than 4 pages and a reduction in the amount of clip art used. With the
sponsorship bank account now open this will reduce the contribution from the Parish Council precept. The Chairman
then handed over to The Editor of the Gazette, Cllr Jarvis who responded his
acceptance that the size of the publication had to be limited however he
expressed concern that there may be problems in view of limiting to 32 pages
when printing themselves. He also pointed out that it takes them 10 days for
the print run. He then suggested an alternative of outsourcing the printing to
a printing company specialising in small print runs and is awaiting a costing
for a 36 page gazette. Printing quality, particularly of photographs would be
improved.
The Chairman requested that Councillors see
the draft copy of the Gazette before submission to ensure size is limited and
wished to see less repetition. There followed a discussion regarding cost vs
quality. All members agreed with the
outcome of the earlier meeting that costs must be controlled by limiting size
of publication. Costs of using printers
will be brought to the next meeting.
97.3 Parish records stored at Cllr Jarvis property It has now been agreed for collection on Friday 15th September 2006.
98-2006 To receive items for
October Agenda
98.1 Cllr Hill reported there were still
potholes in Axna Lane that the Highways had scheduled to tarmac this year.
98.2 Parish Precept to receive applications
for grants from Parish organisations.
99-2006 To agree the date of
the next meeting:
99.1 The date of Tuesday 10th October 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 9.40pm.
C Williams
Clerk to the Parish Council 16 September 2006
Signed as a true and accurate record .Date .
(Cllr
T Pearce - Chairman)