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AYLESBEARE
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Aylesbeare held in the Village Hall on Monday 14 April 2014 at 7.00 p.m.
PRESENT
Cllr Ken Chun (Chairman)
Cllr John Ayres (Vice-Chairman)
Cllr Gillian Hichens
Cllr Noel Finegan
Cllr Rob Lillicrap
Cllr David Timms
Clerk:Mrs Lynn Parker
Others Present:County Cllr Christine Channon, District Councillors Claire Wright and Tony Howard and fifteenmembers of the public
The Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr Ken Chun, opened the meeting by welcoming those present and introducing the Guest Speaker, Anna Thompson, the Parish Emergency Officer who gave a short presentation.
Anna opened by explaining that an Emergency Plan is put in place for such times when emergency vehicles cannot gain access to the parish e.g. aeroplane crash, chemical spillage, fires, flooding, gas explosion. At such times emergency vehicles have limited resources so it is advantageous for the parish to be able to look after itself. There have been explanatory articles in Topics and a survey circulated. It might be worthwhile doing this again although Anna had received many encouraging responses. It is now necessary to form a flood plan. She had attended a useful meeting at EDDC concerning this with pertinent agencies involved. Water courses and areas where flooding takes place will need to be identified. She had two large maps with her and invited those present to look at these and mark where there are known problems. In due course routes will need to be walked to identify these areas and she invited volunteers to join her.
- Apologies
An apology was received from PC David Smith who has now retired from the police force. The Clerk would establish a contact within the force for future reports.
- Minutes
The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Monday 22 April 2013had been circulated prior to the Meeting. They were confirmed to be correct.
- Reports
Chairman of the Parish Council
The Chairman, Cllr Ken Chun, told the meeting that he has now completed his second year as Chairman of the Parish Council. The winter had been very wet but luckily the parish came through relatively unscathed but has been left with many unwanted potholes. The parish is still suffering from heavy lorries transporting gravel and sand between the quarries. This is to continue for a while yet but, as Cllr John Ayres regularly reports back to the Parish Council, things are changing as materials are becoming exhausted. There is however continued development and survey work taking place at Straitgate Farm. This site still requires planning permission before quarry works can commence. The Police Authority has completed its annual review of Aylesbeare’s crime figures which were 14 this year compared to 6 for the same period last year.
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This increase is due solely to a large number of break-ins to sheds and outbuildings over the year. PC David Smith has now retired from the force; we wish him a long and happy retirement.
The Parishes-together fund was put in place again this year. DCC and EDDC have provided collectively £1.10 per head of each parish’s population for funding joint projects with neighbouring parishes. Aylesbeare once more joined forces with Ottery St Mary and other parishes and funds were allocated to Ottery Help, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and the Ottery and Parishes Computer Club. This fund has proved very worthwhile encouraging parishes to work together and be able to address local needs.
Following a village referendum last year the SHLAA site to the south of the Bendarroch School site was selected for the provision of 5 additional houses in the village as was requested by EDDC for inclusion in its Draft Local Development Plan. However things changed over the year. The Development Plan has been rejected by the Planning Inspector and the Bendarroch shite is no longer available for the 5 houses. EDDC will have to reconsider its Local Plan which unfortunately leaves the district vulnerable to opportunist developers. The Parish Council then carried out a second village referendum and the SHLAA site behind the Aylesbeare Inn was chosen for the 5 additional houses.
The Aylesbeare Inn was locally purchased with the intention to keep it operational. Unfortunately, despite extensive marketing, a purchaser has not been found and the Inn has had to close. Paul Brinton attended the April Parish Council meeting and outlined a possible development for the site and he is looking for ideas from the parish as to what everyone would like to see in this central location. The Parish Council has considered 16 planning applications over the last year. Most of these were approved by both the Parish Council and EDDC but there have been applications where opinions have differed.
The Chairman concluded by thanking all the members of the Parish Council who, together with the Clerk, put in a lot of work and support over the course of the year. He was pleased once more to welcome Rob Lillicrap as a Councillor in place of Alan Ringe who retired due to working commitments. His experience as a building surveyor will be of tremendous benefit to us all. There are numerous other members of the parish who undertake specific task who merit thanks also.
He encouraged other members of the community to attend Parish Council meetings to see how much work is required to keep a small village such as Aylesbeare operational. He thanked those present for their support in providing and running the many parish organisations which help make Aylesbeare the pleasant place it is.
Cllr John Ayres thanked the Chairman on behalf of everyone present for the time and energies he gives freely on behalf of the parish which was endorsed by all with a round of applause.
County Councillor
Cllr Christine Channon said that the long dry summer had lowered the water table and, in spite of another wet winter, we have not been affected by floods like we were last year. However the winter storms have created a multitude of potholes which Devon Highways are still struggling to get filled. This has caused most other roads works to be placed on hold as teams were diverted to pothole filling. Currently there are 40 pothole gangs. Last week they repaired 586 holes on main roads and 2228 on minor roads. However there is still a backlog of 253 on major roads and 2,890 on minor roads. So please be patient if you favourite pothole has yet to be filled.
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She continues to chair both the Liaison Committee for Venn Ottery/Blackhill Quarry and the Greendale Committee. Last week she carried out a site visit with Helen Selby from DCC Highways at Venn Ottery and we agree on some highway repairs that need to be carried out due - partly to the wet weather but mostly to the weight of the vehicles transporting the sand and aggregate to Blackhill for dressing. At the last quarry meeting she specifically asked Aggregate Industries what plans they had for quarrying at Straitgate Farm. They told her that the Venn Ottery Quarry would be exhausted by December 2016 and that they intended to apply for planning permission for Straitgate before then. However they also told her that any dressing of the material from Straitgate would be taken to Rockbeare and not Blackhill.
In the Local Transport Plan for this year DCC has allocated £400 for some road signs to indicate horse riders at the junction of Harp Lane with the A3052. This has come as a bit of surprise to as she was unaware of the need for such signs.
This is not an easy year for DCC as it is once again required by Central Government to make serious cuts in the budget. Currently several services are out for consultation. 90% of residential care in Devon is provided by the private sector and, according to CQC, is of a high standard. Most in- house homes are not really fit for purpose and that is why at present their future is under discussion. Likewise, DCC only provides a fraction of the day care required in the County, the rest is provided by Community Hospitals and charities like Age Concern or Age UK.
There has also been consultation about the future of the Youth Service. John Hart, the Leader of DCC has now requested an analysis to see just how the reduction in government funding will affect the more vulnerable people living in our authority.
District Councillors
District Cllr Tony Howard
Cllr Howard said that Council Tax has been held at the same level without any cuts in Council services for the fourth year. Services have been maintained with planning for improved recycling underway.
Council house provision and income is well under control and the Cranbrook project is progressing at a rapid rate. The Exmouth and Seaton regeneration projects are well underway.
District Council staff have received the Gold standard national award in recognition of their endeavours.
It was disappointing to receive the Planning Inspector’s report of rejection to the Local Plan. It will be another 6 months before there is a clear picture of what this will mean. The housing numbers require a more evidence based justification. The village areas will be subject to closer individual tailor-made scrutiny instead of the random application of a 5% increase for all and gipsy sites will need to be identified. This will, regrettably, give more encouragement to developers but, with the resilience of the Development Management Committee, a free for all will be prevented. It is now essential for the District Council to face up to its collective responsibility and improve the Plan, as a matter of some urgency, to ensure that development is controlled to meet the needs of residents and not of developers. The political differences should now be put aside and everyone work together to share the responsibility for this position.
Cllr Claire Wright
Cllr Wright said that the proposed quarry at Straitgate Farm has been under further review due to the presence of an underground watercourse which feeds Cadhay Bog which is protected. The Environment Agency and Natural
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England objected and so a consultation on the Minerals Plan will start in the summer.
She mentioned the 5 houses that the parish voted as the preferred site to be positioned behind the Aylesbeare Inn. She felt that the village surveys had been excellently run and carried forward.
The East Devon Local Plan is now a worry as it has been rejected in its present form. Fundamental evidence was rejected as being out of date by the Planning Inspector. The 5% growth for all will not apply; this should depend on village services. Each community should be individually judged.
There are proposals to cut public speaking at Planning Meetings held at EDDC. There will now be a need to pre-register before speaking, restrictions on the amount of speakers and people only allowed to speak if they had previously commented in writing. As amendments were tabled this has been passed to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.
- Open Forum
Judith Ayres, who manages the Parish Council website, asked if the reports given at this meeting could be forwarded to her to put on the website. She would like to see it used more as it is the quickest way to get information out into the public domain. Anna Thompson asked if the parish had ever considered a facebook page. This works really well within groups – maybe there is someone in the parish that would be prepared to set this up. Mention was made that the Youth Club is still represented on the website despite having been disbanded.
Ann Turl is collecting postcards of Aylesbeare and is also researching a history project relating to Aylesbeare during the First World War She asked for support for her project and if anyone had any literature/items of interest from this period would they please get in touch. She has collected many interesting bits and pieces.
The Revd Karen Spray said that Aylesbeare is part of a group of 6 parishes. There is funding available from the Nancy Potter Trust which can help individuals’ needs. If anyone knows where this would be of help would they contact her?
There followed general conversation around tables positioned and manned by the various organisations in the parish. The refreshments kindly brought were enjoyed by all.
Of the parish groups present the following reports were displayed:
Aylesbeare & Farringdon Flower & Produce Show 2013
The committee organised 3 main events during the year; the annual show, the outing to Wildside and Buckland Abbey and Christmas table decorations and wreath making. Many great entries and a productive auction were some of the elements enjoyed at the show. Children’s entries were up with 19 children taking part. Overall the number of people who entered classes was 54. As well as Aylesbeare exhibitors came from Marsh Green, Farringdon, Rockbeare, Westhill, Newton Poppleford, Ottery St Mary and Sidmouth. Many people tried new things. Some had cooked with polenta, others had produced beautiful lower arrangements and the paintings and photographs were very imaginative. The children had also made a real effort with wonderful collages of trees, decorated eggs and music lyrics. Frances Hawkins presented the prizes with the overall winner of the Larcombe Cup (for the most points won in the show) going to Ian Buckland whose vegetables won in several categories. Margaret Lock won the best flower exhibit for her ‘silver anniversary’ arrangement; the best vegetable was won by Ron Miller for his stunning onions and the Frazer Cup for ‘culinary cuisine’ went to Mary Wyatt. There were 2 new cups this year – the Perkins Cup for photography went to Mike Hosgood and the Livermore Cup for craft
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which was won by Margaret Tyler. The cup for the over 9s went to Zoe Strassen with the Tyzack Cup for the under 9s going to Kitty Eyres. All the children who entered received a prize. Kind contributions were received from the Halfway Inn, Otter Nurseries, Grindlebrook Farm, Greendale Farm Shop and the Sidmouth and Kings’ Garden Centres. The auction, led by Martin Spencer-Thomas, was much enjoyed by all. From the proceeds donations will be given to Topics (£20), Aylesbeare Village Hall (£25), Aylesbeare Wednesday Club (£25) and Devon Blood Bikes (£25).
A coach-full of people enjoyed a sunny day for the outing to Wildside with its natural approach to gardening and Buckland Abbey Garden and Estate which is a National Trust property and former home to Sir Francis Drake and Cisterian monks. They both impressed in different ways with their design and planting.
14 people enjoyed a session making Christmas table decorations from residents’ gardens which proved to be easier than expected and produced impressive results.
Aylesbeare Parish Fete 2013
This was held on 13 July in sunshine and high temperatures. The day was successful in all respects. There was overwhelming support to relocate the fete to the village hall on a permanent basis. Prior to the day there were 2 public meetings and several informal meetings. Susan Senior, Steve Greenslade, Tansi Ash and John Ayres are all to be thanked for assisting with the planning and administrative issues. John and Judith Ayres very efficiently organised both the draw and the raffle and thanks must be given to Livermore Farm for the donation of a whole lamb prepared for Christmas. The organisation of a one night stay for two people plus a meal at Marco’s New York Italian Restaurant as prizes was very successful. This raised £642 which was an increase of £208 on last year. A medium sized marquee was purchased for the children’s entertainment. Mains electricity was safely provided which enabled George –the–Entertainer to provide 2 magic shows for the children and to set up his cordless microphone system without the need for a generator. The Aylesbeare WI ably organised and ran the refreshments and cake stall; Jill Smith and team sold ice cream and Warren Pope and team ran the BBQ with food kindly donated by the Aylesbeare Inn. Many thanks to the regular helpers for erecting, taking down and storing the marquees ready for next year. The Revd Karen Spray opened the Fete with the assistance of the children and they also assisted George-the-entertainer at the close with the raffle and draw. Jean Foxwell helped to raise £150 with the Wordsearch which has been popular for many years. Several cash donations were made by people who could not attend on the day and various costs were absorbed by individuals as a contribution to the fete – a big thank you to all concerned. Donors of raffle prizes are also to be thanked – Curious Otter book shop, Halfway Inn, the Cat & Fiddle and Otter Nurseries.