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

07/301 Apologies for absence.
Apologies were received and accepted from councillor Coombs (family reasons) and from councillors Darch and Curtis (illness).

07/302 Declaration of Interest for items on the agenda and update of Register of Interests.
There were no declarations of interest and no changes to the Register of Interests

07/303 Minutes of the last meeting
Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 19th November 2007 were circulated, read, confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

07/304 Clerk’s Report
a.Recreation Ground toilets. Completion of contract.
In response to the clerk’s letter a letter had been received from the contractor. The clerk reported that he had arranged with South West Highways Ltd. for quotations on the replacement of the tarred strip.

b.Cessation of Carmel Coach service OKE017 and replacement by Tor & Torridge Coaches Ltd., OKE018.
After discussion, the clerk was asked to contact the police and Mr J. McInnes (County Councillor) to request a site meeting.

c.Report from the Appraisal Group
It was reported that the first meeting of the full group had now taken place. Col. A Clark had been elected chair and Mr A. Wright clerk/treasurer. The first task was to apply for a grant from the Community Council for Devon, which was in hand.

d.Public seats owned by the Parish Council
The clerk asked for information about the number and location of seats owned by the Parish Council.

e.Developments in the bid for Unitary status by Exeter City Council
The clerk outlined the result of the bid by Exeter City Council to become a unitary authority. The bid had been unsuccessful and the matter had been referred to the Boundary Committee for further consultation.

f.Offer of “Introduction to Planning” training for councillors.
The clerk brought this to the attention of councillors.

g.Standards Board Training DVD.
The clerk had received this DVD and offered it to councillors for viewing.

07/305 Questions from parishioners
Councillor J White raised a question about the ‘back lane’ beside Church House and the clerk was asked to arrange for this to be examined. A similar point was also made about the road outside Dibbe House in South Tawton.

07/306 Correspondence
a.Request for information for Dartmoor ‘What’s On’ Local Events Diary.
Information forms were distributed to those councillors needing them.

b.Information concerning the Dartmoor National Park Authority ‘Forum’.
The clerk had arranged for details of future meetings to be sent directly to the councillor nominated the Forum representative.

07/307 Agenda Items for discussion and Resolution
a.Meeting dates for 2008
The dates of all council meetings for the year 2008 were distributed and agreed.

b.Setting the initial budget for 2008/2009 and the precept for 2008/9

1.Setting the budget for 2008 – 2009
After discussion, councillors agreed to add and cost several matters, including elements of the repair and up-keep of the Victory Hall, the car-park and playing area in the Recreation Ground, helping to fund a bus shelter at Ford Cross and the expenses involved in Beating the Bounds in 2008 to the usual budget expenditure. Proposed by councillor Pillar and seconded by councillor C White, the budget for 2008-2009 was agreed unanimously.

2.The Un –Earmarked revenue carry forward.
Proposed by councillor A White (Chairman) and seconded by councillor J White, the un-earmarked carry forward of £2000 was agreed unanimously.

3.Setting the Precept for 2008 – 2009.
As a result of careful deliberation, the precept for 2008/2009, proposed by councillor Pillar and seconded by councillor J White and agreed by all, was set at £11,800.

c.Report on Eastern Link Committee meeting.
The minutes of this meeting had been received.

07/308 Planning
a.DNPA 0550/07 (Louise Smith, 6th December 2007). Mr T Kaye, 2 Greenbanks, South Zeal. Full Planning Permission. Conversion of storage shed to living accommodation.
The council agreed unanimously to support this application with the instruction that the original observation made in August 2007 on this same application should stand. This read: “Council agreed to support this application, with the proviso that it was considered ancillary to the main dwelling and not sold separately nor let.”
b.DNPA 0902/07 (Christopher Hart, 17th December 2007). Mr D Hassid, The Old Telephone Exchange, South Zeal. Full Planning Permission. New dwelling.
Proposed by councillor Cann and seconded by councillor Souness (Vice Chairman) the council unanimously agreed not to support this application on the grounds of intrusive over-development of the site. Concerns were expressed about the height of the proposed development, the access to the garage and the possible removal of a large section of Devon bank.
c.DNPA 0905/07 (Nicola Ford, 17th December 2007). Mr and Mrs MP Moody, Rockside, Dry Bridge, South Zeal. Full Planning Permission. Extension to existing cottage.
Propose by councillor J White and seconded by councillor Cann, the council unanimously agreed to support this application with the proviso that all the windows should be of timber construction in keeping with the rest of the building.
d.DNPA 0927/07 (Louise Smith, December 24th 2007) Mr A Pearce, Arcott, South Zeal. Full Planning Permission. Conversion of existing outbuilding/store to studio/store.
Proposed by councillor Cann and seconded by councillor A White (Chairman) the council agreed unanimously to support this application, with the proviso that it be considered ancillary to the main dwelling and not sold separately nor let.
e.DNPA 0925/07 (Nicola Ford, 24th December 2007) Prof. NM Groom, Church View, South Zeal. Full Planning Permission. Kitchen extension.
Proposed by councillor J White and seconded by councillor Souness (Vice Chairman) the council agreed unanimously to support this application.
f.WDBC 11143/2007/OKE (Anna Henderson-Smith, 14th December 2007) Mr MA Goodhart, Taw Barton, Taw Green, Okehampton. Full Planning Permission. Erection of polytunnel for housing sheep.
Proposed by councillor Souness (Vice Chairman) and seconded by councillor C White, the council agreed unanimously to support this application.
g.DNPA0941/07 (Louise Smith, 31st December 2007) Mr R Barkwell, Mount Pleasant, South Zeal. Full Planning Permission. Additional bedroom accommodation and re-positioning of oil storage tank.
After hearing comments from a neighbour to the development, proposed by councillor Souness (Vice Chairman) and seconded by councillor Cann, the council agreed unanimously not to support this application on the grounds that it was over-development within a very restricted site and potentially likely to be very intrusive to a neighbour. In its present form it was thought not to be a suitable business development in this area. It was further noted that it was difficult to reach conclusions as no dimensions were shown on the plans. Further, if the DNPA Planning Authority was minded to grant this application, the council would wish to attend or hold a site meeting before a decision was made.

07/309 Determination

a.DNPA 0798/07 (Louise Smith, 5th November 2007) Mrs W Long, Rose Cottage, South Tawton. Renewal of slate roof to kitchen, alterations to existing car port and upgrade infilling of opening.
Granted. Conditions: Natural nailed slates, no verge board, details of rear elevation to be submitted.
b.DNPA 0752/07 (Louise Smith, 15th October 2007) Mr S McCaffrey for Black Street Field, Black Street, South Tawton. Full Planning Permission. Open-front tractor shed cut in sloping field,hedge on three sides.
Granted. Conditions: Slate grey coloured roof material, wood stained brown/black, trees and shrubs planted, only used for agricultural purposes, removed if becomes redundant.
c.WDBC 10654/2007/OKE (Anna Henderson-Smith, 19th September 2007) Mrs B Gibbons, Hendicott, Spreyton. Listed Building. Conversion of barn, which is adjacent to a listed building, into a studio.
Granted. Conditions: Studio to be ancillary to Hendicott Farmhouse at all times, Ecological Survey Report to be adhered to, bat survey if works not substantial within one year, matching materials, timber window frames.
d.WDBC 11022/2007/OKE (Ian Guffick, 11th December 2007) Mr R W R Reddaway, Livaton Farm, South Tawton. Change of use of land. Change of use of land to domestic curtilage.
Granted. Conditions: No … structures shall be erected on the site unless the permission in writing … be obtained.

07/310 Councillor Cann volunteered to help Councillor Pillar with Planning Applications for the coming month

07/311 Accounts

The meeting ended at 9.25 pm.