1 Minutes for meeting of Rockbeare Parish Council 19/7/12
ROCKBEARE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes for a meeting of Rockbeare Parish Council held at 7.30pm on Thursday 19th July 2012 at Marsh Green Village Hall.
Present: Cllrs David Miller (Chairman), David Mason (Vice Chairman), Naomi Allen, Colin Please, Jonathan Allen, Cllr Peter Halse (Chairman East Devon District Council) and two members of the public.
Apologies:Cllr Dr Bryan Pepper,Cllr Derek Button (District Councillor), Cllr Peter Bowden (County and District Councillor) and PC Dave Smith.
All councillors were politely reminded of their obligation to declare interests under the Code of Conduct
1.1APOLOGIES: To receive apologies for absence.AS ABOVE
1.2MINUTES: Minutes of the last meeting of Rockbeare Parish Council held on Wednesday 20th June 2012 were signed as a correct record of that meeting. AGREED
1.3DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & RISK ASSESSMENT: To receive declarations of interest and to note any additional risks. Cllr Please declared an interest in item 2.2.3.
1.4VACANCY: Following the resignation of Cllr Shaun Forsyth a vacancy has been advertised for the position of Councillor, this has been completed with EDDC, and has been placed in the Rockbeare Roots. To accept applications and co-opt to fill the vacancy at next meeting.
1.5The Council welcomed Cllr Peter Halse Chairman of EDDC who spoke briefly on the possible move of the council from Sidmouth to Honiton and explained that the move would only take place if it could be done at no cost, and would then save money in the long run. Other current news included the review of the Standards Board (Cllr Mason who sits on the local panel has now lost his vote under the new rules, although he can still attend meetings and speak). The Local Plan is to go to full committee on the 25th of July and if approved will then go out to public consultation, it is very important raise awarenessof this in the parishand encourage people to have their say. .It was explained that Kate Little Head of Planning has now moved to a post in West Devon and that as part of the planned cuts the post will not be filled at present.
Councillors made the comment that they were saddened by the lack of Enforcement action over the last two years and that recovery of appeal costs in relation to The Grange sitehave not been actively pursued byEDDC. There has been a noticeable lack of subsequent enforcement action to reinstate the site which also presents a possible heightened flood risk for the rest of the village in the event of landslip.
It was noted that the amount of downtime that the planning portal seems to been experiencing lately considerably shortens consultation time. Cllr Halse was thanked for offering to look into these matters. It was raised by a member of the public that the recent recurrence of flooding in Rockbeare highlights the reluctance of the district council to acknowledge the impropriety of building on flood plains. As Rockbeare hasapproximately 23 houses seem which have flooded twice in the past few years, the village would like help from the district council in terms of an early warning system, and deflection of flood waters.
2PLANNING
for details
2.1 DECISIONS (for information)
2.1.112/0754/MRES Land Opposite The Oriental Promise London Road - Construction of 55 dwellings (details of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to Planning Consent 11/1898/MOUT with conditions approved.
2.1.212/1246/FUL Field View, Quarter Mile Lane, Marsh Green – permission granted for construction of conservatory.
2.2APPLICATIONS (for comment, support or objection)
2.2.112/0748/MFUL Land North of Bluehayes – Construction of Flood compensation area associated with Cranbrook railway station as proposed under reserved matte planning application 12/0733/FUL (Land to North West of phase 1 Cranbrook – Application for reserved matters relating to the construction of a railway station and associated access car parking, cycle storage, platform, rail and bus shelters and associated works pursuant to outline planning permission 03/P1900). COMMENTS: no comments
2.2.212/1534/FUL Hollybrook Nursery West Hill - Demolition of existing glasshouse and erection of agricultural building for garden nursery use. COMMENTS: Due to the possibility of vastly increased traffic movements to the site if this nursery becomes retail use class we would like to see any permission limited to wholesale only.
2.2.312/1201/FUL Land To The South Of The Smithy London Road - Demolition of existing buildings and construction of 4 no. detached dwellings and garages and provision of passing bay. COMMENTS: adjourned for next meeting.
2.3 ENFORCEMENT (for information)
6 The Square - chipboard fence/screen – Enforcement have visited the site and noted an L-shaped section of fencing has been erected to the north west of the property (in a position so as to separate the driveway/parking area from the front garden area of 5 The Square).
Under the current planning legislation, provision is made to erect gates, fences, walls or other means of enclosure within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse, provided that certain height restrictions are complied with. However, when planning permission was granted for the development of ‘The Square’ in 1993 the right to erect fences and other such means of enclosure in a position forward of the buildings in the development was removed by way of a planning condition which stated:
“Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning General Development Order 1988, no gate, fence wall or other means of enclosure shall be erected or constructed forward of the buildings hereby permitted unless permission is granted by the Local Planning Authority on application in that behalf.
Reason – To safeguard the character and visual amenities of the locality”
As the fence in question has been constructed to the front of your property it is the Council’s opinion that the works do not comply with the aforementioned condition and therefore that a breach of planning control is occurring. The enforcement officer noted that the owner was of the opinion that the fence is not fixed to the ground or any property and is therefore a moveable structure which should not be considered to be ‘development’ in planning terms. Whilst he agreed that the lack of fixation enables the fence/screen to be moved if so desired, there seems little likelihood that the fence will be moved as it would appear to have been erected in its current position in order to screen your property from that of your neighbours and it would no longer be able to achieve this purpose if it were to be moved elsewhere within the curtilage of your property. By virtue of this, the fence is likely to have a degree of permanency and therefore requires the benefit of planning permission. In the circumstances and considering the above information, there are two options available to the owners: Remove the unauthorised fence from the land; or Apply retrospectively for planning permission to retain the fence. Reply requested within ten days.
2.4Cranbrook Joint Parishes Meetings – Clyst Honiton would like to meet, however given recent flooding other
parishes would prefer to postpone. Agreed to offer to host a meeting at 6pm before our August meeting.
2.4.1Cranbrook street naming - Reserved Matters Planning Application for 55 homes at Rockbeare (Wainhomes Application 12/0754/MRES) was approved by East Devon District Council’s Development Management Committee on 12th June. The development is located close to Rockbeare village and is within Rockbeare’s Parish Council’s boundary. Names were submitted based on historic data: Lower Three Acres, Radfords Turf, Southbrook Meadow, Stones Gallop all with no punctuation, Higher Field Circle can also be used at the top of the site if required.
2.4.2Cranbrook boundaries/clerk provision -Cranbrook multi use building ‘tender for management’ is out shortly, EDDC are hoping the chosen management will supply a quasi-clerk as there won’t at that point be an official boundary, but dwellers up to the 200 houses will need a point of contact and to have community meetings – it may be that they then handle planning applications etc for Cranbrook. This will be paid for out of £20000 EDDC have put in to cover the job till there are 200 dwellers and the developers money si then unlocked to provide services for the new community.
2.5Neighbourhood Plan/ Parish Plan –
EDDC Development Management Committee minutes dates 12th July 2012 read as follows:
*87 Parish Plans – Rockbeare and Shute Parish Plans had been produced by local residents of Rockbeare, which encompassed part of the new community site, and Shute, which included adjacent settlements.
The Committee considered the report of the Planning Policy Manager which addressed each of the Parish Plans, both of which set the local agenda and were very well written and discussed weight given to Parish Plans when considering applications. The Chairman welcomed and commended both the Plans.
RESOLVED: 1. that the Parish Plans for Rockbeare and Shute be endorsed and used to inform decision making in the District and the production of the new Local Plan; 2. that the Parish Plan groups be congratulated on their Plans and the Planning Policy Manger send a letter of thanks to those involved.
3 HIGHWAYS
3.1 Highways & Footpaths - to accept items to report; Pothole across the road on Brickyard Lane this could be due to sand from the quarry washing down, ditch is blocked to the east of The Manor gates, this is exasperating the flooding issues in the village. It was asked if a speed table could be installed at the end of Birch End which would stop the water running down the road.
3.2ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14 THE COUNTY OF DEVON (TEMPORARY RESTRICTION) (TELEGRAPH LANE, WEST HILL) NOTICE 2012 TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL hereby give NOTICE that: From SATURDAY 28 JULY 2012for a maximum of 5 daysUntil SUNDAY 29 JULY 2012 (both dates inclusive)No person shall cause or permit any vehicle to proceed on the sections of Affected Roadsexcept for access to land or premises on or adjacent to those length of roads.Roads affected -TELEGRAPH LANE, WEST HILL , OUTSIDE HOMELEIGH FROM 306163,094981 TO305910,094872 The alternative, signed, route for vehicles will be via - LANE PAST ROCKBEARE HILL QUARRY (NEW ROAD) - BENDARROCH ROAD - ROAD FROM DAISY FARM TOBENDARROCH ROAD AND VICE VERSA. This temporary restriction is considered necessary to enable - PROVISION OF NEW WATER SERVICE For additional information contact: SOUTH WEST WATER Telephone: 0800 169 1144
4REPORTS
4.1Community Policing – PC Smith – no report
4.2Health and Safety – To accept items for action – none
4.3Parish Field/ Playing field/ Play areas/ Bus Shelter – resident asked if the parish council would consider removing the bus shelter, it was disused that main users who are the young people in the parish should be consulted in the coming month as to what can be done, whether they might like to get involved in a renovation project or look at a replacement, this should also include the manor who are the owners of the ground.
4.4Rockbeare Village Hall/Marsh Green Hall – to receive any reports
4.5District Councillor Derek Button – to receive report
4.6District & County Councillor Peter Bowden– to receive report
4.7Exeter International Airport Consultative Group – Cllr Miller has been appointed Vice Chairman of the group. It was agreed to write to the Chief Executive of the Airport to ask if aircrafts have recently been dumping aircraft fuel
4.8Preschool – recently gained an outstanding at their recent Ofsted inspection. Council to write to congratulate them.
5FINANCE
5.1Funding applications –
5.2Receipts; none
5.3Payments:Rockbeare Village Hall Hire (April and June hire)£30.00
Clerk Remuneration (April, May, June)£1337.90
Clerk expenses (April, May, June)£257.41
Community First Insurance (June 2012-13)£156.60
Rockbeare Roots (June and August)£290.00
Land Registry £40.00
Cheques AGREED: Balance of account at 1/7/12Co-op account £16702.36
5.4Youth Club – clerk has been in touch with Colleen Harris (Devon County Council, Devon Youth Service
Senior Area Youth Worker - Eastern Team) and they will offer four weeks of free sessions at the hall through the summer if the parish council will fund the hall hire and £50 for materials. During this time they can consult with the children, find out need and age ranges, we can then discuss possible long term provision thereafter. For agreement.
5.5Members need to register Disclosable Pecuniary Interests as well as other interests councillors need to register their Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and other interests. They must do this within 28 days of the 1 July 2012 otherwise they will commit a criminal offence under the Localism Act.
5.6To adopt updated Code of Conduct for Rockbeare Parish Council as required under the provisions of the Localism Act – for agreement and each member to sign and complete an individual form. These will be then be uploaded to the District Council website by 1st July as required by The Act. Agreed and forms were completed and handed to clerk to return to EDDC.
5.7EDDC Parishes Together Fund - EDDC and DCC have worked together to put the sum of £1.10 per elector into this grants scheme that Town and Parish Councils can apply for. The funding is available to Town and Parish Councils working together and involving the community to try and solve local issues. All applications have to be submitted jointly from two or more parishes. Ottery St Mary Town Council has set up a Working Party and would now like to find out which neighbouring parishes are interested in working with us. A possible idea is a health related capital project as many of our surrounding Parishes use Ottery Doctors. However, it may be that you have ideas as well. If your Council is interested, a meeting with the Ottery St Mary Town Council Working Party can be set up. Response requested by Friday 27th July. Cllr Miller to attend.
5.8Rural Futures: Working Together - one day conference brought to you by the Community Council of Devon, Devon Association of Community Buildings and Devon Playing Fields Association. It will be taking place on Friday 28 September at Exeter Racecourse. Designed to inspire, motivate and connect, the conference promises to deliver a range of opportunities for participants to share ideas, knowledge and practice on the wide range of rural activity taking place across Devon. Cllr Miller to attend.
5.9DCLG consultation document has just been published by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) re Payment made by Parish Councils. This refers to payments being made by cheque. As many of your know, internet banking has not been an option for parish and town councils before now as legislation requires payments to be made by two councillors signing cheques. This consultation could change this. It was agreed that although the parish council would like to maintain the use of cheques as long as possible, and that the current system protects the officers as far as possible from criticism. However it was agreed that it would of be useful for clerks to have view only facility of online banking. The council acknowledged that if the proposal was agreed that each parish could still opt to use cheques, so the option would be welcome.
6ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY FACILITIES
6.1Allotments & registration of land – clerk has confirmed that all land parcels can be registered under one application, this can be done under a Voluntary First Registration at a discounted rate of £40 provided the value does not exceed £50,000. Submission for agreement of the council – clerk to sign on behalf of the council. AGREED
6.2Parish Field – it is currently too wet to cut.
6.3Housing Needs Survey – in abeyance in anticipation of the Oriental Promise site is developed
6.4Parish Plan –
6.5Flood group – A resident asked for a Highways engineered solution to prevent the flow of water off the highway into Birch End and it was agreed that individual issues such as this need solutions as well as the wider issues.
Approach to be made to EDDC that work is still not finished on funded work after this most recent flood it was agreed to keep making improvements, a defence for Birch End will be looked into.
6.6Church Graveyard – Cllr Miller will be meeting the new Reverend and Mr Rice next week to discuss an extension.
6.7East Devon District Councils Working Together for the Future of East Devon event with speakers on welfare reform, health reform and localism will take place during the day on Friday 14 September 2012 9.30am - 3pm.The event is free, and a free buffet lunch will be provided. Please note date now for your diary.
It was noted that Mr Colin Ivison who had served for many years on the parish council had recently passed away, condolences were sent to his family and a minutes silence was held as a mark of respect and remembrance.
MEETING TO BE ADJOURNED TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
It was asked if a bin could be provide next to the Bus Shelter and discussed that one was there in the past and may need replacing. Clerk to enquire.
Members Remember! You must declare any personal or prejudicial interests at the start of the meeting (item number 3). Make sure you say the reason for your interest as this has to be included in the minutes. If your interest is prejudicial you must leave the room.