Before the meeting, the Chairman (Councillor A White) asked all those present to observe a minute of personal reflection on the life of Clarence White who died on Saturday 21st. October.

Present:
Councillor A White (Chairman)
Councillor C White
Councillor W Cann
Councillor J Darch
Councillor J Pillar
Councillor R Tilley
Councillor R Souness (Vice Chairman)
Councillor J White
Councillor R Darch
Dr P Brotherton (Clerk)

Apologies received from Councillor Curtis
Three parishioners and Mr Ian Brooker (Dartmoor Ranger) attended the meeting.

Declaration of Interest (for Items on the Agenda)

06/290 There were no declarations of interest.

06/291 Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 25th. September 2006 were circulated, read, confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Clerk’s Report

06/292 06/260, 06/231, 06/197, 06/179 Drainage on Addiscott Hill. The Clerk reported that all the work requested by the Council had now been completed. Notes of thanks had been sent to Mr M Stoddart (DCC Highways Maintenance Technician) and to WPC Joanne May (Neighbourhood Beat Manager).

06/293 06/266 Further letter from Mr G Healy on noise generated by the A30 Trunk Road. The Clerk had circulated a letter from Mr Healy which he asked that Council send to Mr J Lee (Business Manager, the Highways Agency) in response to a previous letter received from the Highways Agency. It was the Council’s decision that they felt they had done what could do for now on this matter and that, whilst they would welcome future information on the subject, this and future letters on the subject should come from Mr Healy himself.

06/294 06/271 Low tree branches on the Stagecoach X30 route. The Clerk reported that he had contacted Stagecoach, the bus company, to enquire about the possible use of an open-topped bus to help with the necessary pruning and had been told that one would be available in the near future. Mr. M Stoddart (DCC Highways Maintenance Technician) will liaise with Stagecoach to plan when and how the work will be undertaken.

06/295 Leakage problems affecting the Recreation Ground toilets and the pavilion. It was proving difficult to obtain help to mend this leak, but it was hoped that the favoured contractor would be available soon. In the meantime the water supply was turned off except when events were taking place in the Pavilion.

Questions

Councillors asked questions about the following topics:

06/296 Position with regard to the toilet payments. Councillor R Darch asked if invoices had been paid since the leak was detected. The Clerk said that he had not received an invoice from the contractor since August.

06/297 Bottle bank full. Councillor J White said that it was almost full. The Clerk will ask for it to be emptied when he saw that it was full.

06/298 Eastern Link. Councillors C White and R Darch asked if there were any items Council would like to be brought to the attention of the Eastern Link Group. It was suggested that a discussion on parking in villages would be helpful.

06/299 Police representation. Questions were asked about the future of police representation in the parish. It would seem that Joanne May (Neighbourhood Beat Manager) will be leaving her present post in the new year.

06/300 Recreation Ground. Councillor Souness (Vice Chairman) reported that it had been decided not to erect the proposed fence between the bike jumps and the football pitch at the moment, but that this would be reviewed in 12 months. He also stated that the ditch at the back of the jumps would be dug out. There was some discussion on the possibility of digging a drain in front of the jumps.

06/301 The state of South Zeal and South Tawton. Councillor Cann stated that he had contacted DCC Highways concerning the somewhat unkempt look of South Zeal and South Tawton, observing that the kerb edges were very weedy. It was thought that the usual herbicide spray had not been used this year.

06/302 St Mary’s churchyard. Discussion about grass-cutting in the parish lead to Council asking Councillor C White if he would kindly investigate the ownership the piece of land known as St Mary’s Churchyard.

The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow Dr Crawford to speak about Parish Plans. Dr Crawford explained the progress he had made so far, in consultation with the Community Council for Devon and stated that he had got some verbal support from parishioners for his ideas. He asked for the Council’s support to undertake a Parish Plan.

The Chairman reconvened the meeting.

06/303 After Council had discussed these proposal, Dr Crawford was asked to supply a list of those parishioner who actively supported the idea of a Parish Plan to the January meeting. Council were strongly of the opinion that a Parish Appraisal would probably be a better way forward, offering all the opportunities of a Parish Plan at a far cheaper cost. If was also felt that it might be more appropriate to wait until after the May elections and ask the new Council’s advice on how to move the matter on. The Clerk was asked to put the subject on the January agenda. All agreed.

Correspondence

06/304 Okehampton Area Committee of Parish Councils. Request for £10 annual contribution. Council agreed to pay a £10 contribution.

06/305 Report from the Standards Committee. The Clerk presented the Report to the Council.

06/306 West Devon Local Development Framework- Statement of Community Involvement. The Clerk reported that this document was available for the Council to examine.

Agenda items for discussion and resolution

06/307 Parish footpaths. The Parish Paths Partnership. Mr I Brooker. The Chairman, Councillor A White, welcomed Mr Ian Brooker (Dartmoor Ranger) to the meeting. Mr Booker explained the scheme called the Parish Paths Partnership that was designed to empower Devon County Council and the Parish to share the responsibility of looking after those footpaths that lay outside the National Park but within the Parish. He explained that funding would be available at the rate of about £75 per mile to allow for development and improvement of paths, for publicity and promotion, and for organising events such as guided walks and rights-of-way days. Additional payments would also be available for specific improvements and to cover administration expenses. Councillor Tilley, in supporting the idea, thought that this would fit with a wider range of community involvement in such matters, such as the Self-Help days organised in previous years. Council welcomed the suggestion and asked the Clerk to place an article in the Beacon asking for volunteers to join a small ‘P3 Group’ to administer the scheme. The Chairman (Councillor A White) thanked Mr Brooker for his time and the information and echoed the Council’s thanks for the work that Mr Brooker had undertaken to improve Footpath number 1 through Millfield.

06/308 Parking problems in the Parish. The Chairman (Councillor A White), introducing this discussion, stated that he was keen to start a debate on the topic. He said that the problem was wide-spread and mentioned the Croft, Hillfield, School Lane, the area near the Kings Arms and parts of South Tawton as examples of places where parking was becoming or was a difficulty. Council concurred and, wishing to know what options were available, asked the Clerk to invite WPC Joanne May (Neighbourhood Beat Manager) and Chris Rook (Traffic Technician, DCC Local Service Group) to the Council meeting in November to discuss the matter further.

Planning

06/309 DNPA 0643/06 (Darren Summerfield,9th. October) Mrs J Asten, Oakfield, Ramsley Lane, South Zeal.
Installation of solar collector and installation of flue for wood burner. Full Planning Permission. Amended Plan.
The Council agreed to support this application.

06/310 DNPA 0687/06 (Christopher Hart, October 23rd.) C Jevons and P Pontet-Picolomini, Yellands, South Zeal
Remove existing lean-to structures and erect new enclosed loggia and garden room and conversion of stores building to workshop and utility.
The Council agreed to support this application.

06/311 DNPA 0687/06 (Christopher Hart, October 23rd.) C Jevons and P Pontet-Picolomini, Yellands, South Zeal
Replacement of existing lean-to structure and extension to form garden room; conversion of existing stores and loft to workshop/utility/studio and internal alterations.
The Council agreed to support this application.

06/312 WDBC 9444/2006/OKE( Adrian Noon) IGER North Wyke, Okehampton.
Replacement workshop, implement store and farm office building
The Council agreed to support this application.

Determination

06/313 0572/06 Mr. A Davis, Beacon Cottage, Sticklepath.
Erection of single storey timber workshop.
Granted. Conditions: Roof slate grey coloured material.

06/314 Councillor Souness (Vice Chairman) offered to attend planning site inspections with Councillor Pillar if needed.

Accounts

06/315 Proposed by Councillor Cann and seconded by Councillor J White and agreed by all, the accounts were adopted.

06/316 Proposed by Councillor Cann and seconded by Councillor R Darch it was agreed by all that the payment to Mr J Richards for cutting the grass in South Tawton be raised from £25 to £35/annum with immediate effect.

The meeting ended at 9.00 pm.