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

In attendance. PCSO Lee Walker and Ian Brooker (Senior Ranger, DNPA)

Declaration of Interest (for Items on the Agenda)

07/218 There were no declarations of interest.

07/219 Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 25th June were circulated, read, confirmed as a correct record by all and signed by the Chairman.

Clerk’s Report

07/220 Litter bin outside the shop is now in place. The litter bin has now been placed outside the shop and is obviously being well used.

07/221 Distribution of 1:10,000 parish maps to all councillors. The Clerk distributed copies of this map to all councillors.

07/222 South Zeal speed limit. PC Hartnell (Road Safety Casualty Reduction Officer) had given advice on how to proceed with this matter. The Clerk was asked to contact DCC Highways and County Councillor J McInnes.

07/223 Postwatch panel report. The Clerk reported that he had received information from Postwatch (South West Panel) concerning the proposed reduction in Post Offices in the County. Of the 444 branches in Devon, 60 or 70 might be closed. It is expected that the closure programme will be carried out on a county by county basis, with Devon being considered in February 2008. There will be a six week consultation period and it was suggested that a variety of data to fight the possible closure of particular post offices should be collected prior to this.

Questions

07/224
a) There were no questions from parishioners

b) Councillor Pillar asked PCSO Walker if he was aware of speeding motorbikes and cars in the village. PCSO Walker said that he was and would give the matter some attention.

c) Councillor Souness (Vice Chairman) mentioned further incidents of vandalism in the Recreation Ground and asked that the Clerk arrange contact concerning the placement of the Bottle Bank in the car park. The Clerk said that he would do so.

Correspondence

07/225 Letter from the WI. Councillor A White (Chairman) introduced a letter he had received from Mrs M.A. Clinch complaining about traffic problems in the centre of the village. The Clerk was asked to reply, stating that the Council was most concerned about all parking matters that had been brought to their attention and that the matter would be considered in some detail within the proposed Parish Appraisal, the plans for which had now begun.

07/226 Invitation to attend a Parish Plan Information Event at Belstone Village Hall on Wed. 5th September. It was suggested that it would be helpful if members of the Appraisal Working Group attended this event.

07/227 Invitation to give views on application by Devon Partnership NHS Trust to become an NHS Foundation Trust. This information was presented to the Council.

07/228 Recent agenda and minutes of meetings of the Standards Committee. This information was presented to the Council.

07/229 Request for items for the Winter edition of the Dartmoor Visitor ‘What’s on Guide’. Councillors took sheets to return to Dartmoor Visitor.

07/230 Documentation from Ms. Jane Marchand (DNPA Archaeologist) on South Tawton Parish Crosses. Ms Marchand had sent documentation on several of the crosses in the Parish and a map showing the site of all of them.

Agenda items for discussion and resolution

07/231 Report from Ian Brooker (Head of Dartmoor Ranger Services) on proposed repairs to Prospect Lane. Councillor A White (Chairman) welcomed Mr Brooker (Senior Ranger) to the meeting. Mr Brooker outlined in some detail the proposed improvements designed to stabilise the surface and improve the drainage whilst preserving the use of the Lane as a bridlepath. He also indicated how the funding for this would be provided and the various bodies, such as the Parish Council, the Commoners Association and the British Horse Society, who would be consulted over this proposed work. The Council, welcoming these ideas, thanked Mr Brooker for his time and his continuing support of the Dartmoor heritage.

07/232 Proposal of tasks for the Parish Lengthsman on 10th August. A discussion of tasks for Mr Cooper lead to a suggestion that, as he would be retiring from this job in the near future, this occasion should be marked in some positive way. Proposed by Councillor Pillar and seconded by Councillor Cann the clerk was asked to obtain a suitable gift for Mr Cooper and present this to him with the good wishes of the Council for all his hard work keeping the Parish in order for so many years.

07/233 Report from the Appraisal Group. Councillor Pillar presented a report on the most recent meeting of the Appraisal Group, stating that the main structure of the Appraisal had now been agreed upon. It was felt that a secretary would be needed to help organise the Appraisal and Councillor Cann suggested ways in which this might be achieved. Parishioners would be invited to join the group in the near future.

07/234 Report from Councillor Darch on the DNPA Local Development Framework and the Management Plan. Councillor Darch, who had kindly agreed to read these documents and report on the salient points, said that they represented no great change, except perhaps in housing, where each parish might expect to provide its own solution to needs.

07/235 Report of DNPA course, “Planning in your Parish” from Councillors Cann and Darch. Unfortunately neither Councillor had been able to attend this course.

07/236 Post of Cleaner/Manager for the Recreation Ground toilet block. Consideration of a letter received from Mr P Squires (Building and Cleaning Contractors Ltd.) and recommendations made by Mr R Tilley. Discussion of the exchange of letters and e-mails between Mr. P. Squires, the Clerk and the Chairman (Councillor A White) lead to the conclusion that much yet remained unclear. Council will await Mr. Tilley’s views and return to this matter at the next meeting.

07/237 Report from Councillor Souness (Vice Chairman) re: discussion on siting of dog bins in the Recreation Ground. After some discussion it was proposed by Councillor Cann and seconded by Councillor Darch that one dog bin should be purchased and arrangements made for it to be emptied on a regular basis. Further discussion would decide the site for this amenity near the Recreation Ground car park.

07/238 Request from Carnival Committee for annual grant. A request to consider a grant to support the annual Carnival lead to a proposal by Councillor Cann, seconded by Councillor Coombs that £300 be given to the Carnival Committee. All agreed.

07/239 An application from the Den Book Judicial Review Fund for contributions towards the legal costs of mounting a challenge to the planning decision to allow this development. The Clerk reported that he had received objections to such contribution from two parishioners. Proposed by Councillor Pillar and seconded by Councillor Souness (Vice Chairman) council agreed not to make any contribution to this Fund. Majority decision.

Planning

07/240 WDBC 10550/2007/OKE ( Jonathan Dymond, 20th July, 2007) Mr R Reddaway, Livaton Farm, Livaton, South Tawton. Prior Approval – Agric. Erection of extension to agricultural building

Advised by Councillor Cann, who had had seen the plans for this application, the Council decided to make no comment. However, council wished to point out to the Planning Authority that it would have been impossible to reach a decision on this application as it had been sent without any plans attached. It was hoped that any future Prior Approval notices would be complete.

07/241 DNPA 0518/07 (Christopher Hart, 30th July, 2007) Mrs KJ Pearson, 6 Steddaford Court, Sticklepath. Full Planning Permission. Erection of timber-frame building used for horse shelter, fodder store and sheep pen.

Council decided not to support this application on the grounds that it was too large to sit comfortably in this sensitive moorland environment without making a considerably impact. Majority decision.

07/242 DNPA 0521/07 (Louise Smith, 6th August, 2007) Mrs P Addelsee, Higher Blackaton, Throwleigh road, South Zeal. Full Planning Permission. Car port and store to replace an existing garage and store.

Council agreed to support this application.

07/243 DNPA 0530/07 (Louise Smith, 6th August) Mr T Hopkins, 12 The Croft, South Zeal. Change of use. Change of use of land of (sic) to garden and driveway

Council agreed to support this application. Majority decision.

07/244 DNPA 0550/07 (Louise Smith, 13th August, 2007) Mr T Kaye, 2 Greenbanks, South Zeal. Full Planning Permission. Conversion of storage shed to living accommodation
Council agreed to support this application, with the proviso that it was considered ancillary to the main dwelling and not sold separately nor let.

07/245 WSBC 10610/2007/OKE (Jonathan Dymond, 10th August 2007) Mr and Mrs J Mansell, West Nymph House, South Tawton. Full Planning Permission. Extension to form shower room and sun room.

Council agreed to consider this late application. Councillor Pillar declared a prejudicial interest in this application concerning his possible involvement in the construction work and, having explained the application, left the meeting. As this application was received too late to be put on the agenda, Council agreed that it would be supported if advertised publicly for 7 days and if no objections were received from neighbours and others within this time.

Determination

07/246 DNPA 0001/07 (Helen Shobbrook, 23rd May 2007) Mr D Nickell, Clannaborough Cottage, South Zeal. Single storey rear extension to provide a bedroom. Amended plan relating to increase in length of extension by 600mm. Minor amendment approved by Mr C.Jarvis (Head of Service (Development Control))

07/247 DNPA 0379/07 (Helen Shobbrook, 11th June 2007) Mr M Lloyd, Wisteria House, South Zeal. Garden chalet to replace existing at Wisteria House, South Zeal. Full planning permission
.
Granted. Conditions: grey slate, external timberwork dark brown or black

07/248 DNPA 0421/07 Mr and Mrs M Bryant, Senlac, Ford Cross, South Zeal. Two-storey extension to southern gable wall providing family room, dining room and first floor ensuite bedroom. Full Planning Permission.

Granted: Conditions: Finished in matching materials

07/249 DNPA 0438/07 Mr and Mrs Hignett , Crow’s Nest, Sticklepath. (Jo Burgess, 2nd July 2007). Outline Planning Permission. Demolition of existing house and construction of replacement dwelling at Crow’s Nest.

Granted. Conditions: Submit detailed drawings to show design, appearance,siting,materials, disposal of foul and surface water, access, parking, landscaping, walls, fences, screening, location and species of all existing trees. Bat and bird survey, existing dwelling demolished and all debris removed within three months.

Notice of Unauthorised use

07/250 DNPA KB/0154/07 Unauthorised use of a shed in a field for living purposes, adjacent to Whiddon Goyle, Whiddon Down.

Council decided unanimously to support such action as the Authority deemed necessary to prevent the unauthorised use of this shed.

07/251 Councillor Woolland volunteered to help Councillor Pillar with Planning Applications for the next month if needed.

Accounts

07/252 Proposed by Councillor Woolland and seconded by Councillor J White and agreed by all, the accounts were adopted.

The meeting ended at 9.35 pm.