Dunkeswell Annual Report
The Parish Councillors appointed at the 2007 uncontested local election, and the parish council officers appointed at the election of Officers
held at the Annual General Meeting of The Parish Council on 11th May, 2010 were as follows.
The Chairman: Geoffrey Sworder
The Vice Chairman:John Barrow
Planning Committee:The entire parish council also sit on the planning committee, being quorate at three
Tree Warden: John Barrow
Footpaths Representatives:John Barrow
COMMUNITY POLICING - PC Vickery/PCSO Anning
There were 50 Crimes in 2009/10, (59 Crimes – 2008/09, 63 Crimes – 2007/08, 62 Crimes – 2006/07)
**Figures in brackets below are for 2008-09**
11 (9) Non Dwelling Burglaries
8 x Business Premises – 7 on the Industrial Estate and 1 x Commercial Premises in rural area.
(Tools, motor vehicle, cash, office equipment and mechanical equipment stolen)
2 x Domestic Premises – One shed and one garage entered (Alcohol and wash machine stolen).
1 x Farm Building – Insecure barn - Pressure washer stolen
1 (2) Dwelling Burglaries Entry gained to insecure house and jewellery, cash and documents stolen.
14 (16) Criminal Damages
5 x Dwellings
4 windows smashed and damage to an internal door.
3 of these caused on the same night.
6 x Motor Vehicles- Mainly scratches to body work and windows smashed 3 of the 6 committed on commercial vehicles.
3 x Miscellaneous- Boundary fence cut, damage to caravan and perspex screen smashed
12 (9) Theft
4 x trailers stolen Others items – garden equipment, scrap metal, a bailer, a jet ski, money, alcohol and furniture.
5 x Rural location, 3 x Housing Estate and 4 x Industrial Estate,
4 (3) Thefts of Motor Vehicle
2 x Rural location, 1 x industrial Estate and 1 x Housing Estate. (3 cars and 1 tractor stolen)
1 (3) Theft from Motor Vehicle- Hackey carriage identification badge stolen.
1 (0) Taking a Vehicle Without Consent
Insecure vehicle taken from housing estate and later - located in the Culmstock area.
3 (5) Assaults
2 x Private locations 1 x Industrial Estate (1 x involving juvenile offender and1 x Domestic Incident)
1 (0) Public Order
On the Industrial Estate verbal violent and abusive threats made by tenant and landlord.
1 (0) Dangerous Driving
Male driver reported to court after being seen by three different people driving dangerously within the parish.
1 (0) False Imprisonment
Male aggrieved detained against his will at commercial premises.
Summary
- Pleasing reduction of 9 crimes from last year and 13 the previous year.
- 17 of the crimes (34%) are committed on the Industrial Estates within the parish.
- Only 1 Dwelling Burglary compared to 2 last year and 4 the previous year.
- Assaults are down to 3 from 5 last year and 9 the previous year.
- Non dwelling burglaries have risen from 9 last year to 11, but we have seen a reduction in farm outbuildings broken into.
- This ties in with our “Stop a Thief Scheme” (loaning alarms to farm premises) launched in April 2009, which has been a success. We have loaned alarms to over 85 properties within Rural Honiton and seen a reduction of 38% for Non Dwelling Burglaries.
- Overall this has been a good year, with reductions in many of the main crimes.
Other Items
- During the year In order to raise awareness of crimes on the Industrial estates and to offer help and advice the Rural Neighbourhood Team spent several mornings visiting businesses. This proved to a great success with over 100 businesses visited and over half signing up for Business Watch – receiving Police information about crimes/suspicious activities or security advice.
- We regularly attend the Mobile Library stops within the Parish- so please come and see us with any local issues/concerns.
- Speed Detection continues to take place in Dunkeswell by your Neighbourhood team and theSafety Camera Partnership.
Cllr Bob Buxton reminded everyone about leaving their house insecure even when on the property as he has seen evidence of this in the recent weeks canvassing for the election.
What hours would people like the police station open in Honiton? Is there any preference or do people of Dunkeswell use alternative methods to contact the police? It was agreed that set times of actual opening would be useful, rather than the current arrangement where it is advertised as open 9-5 but actually is closed for lunch and tea breaks. There is also an emergency telephone outside the station in case its not open.
Cllr Sworder thanked Clive and Phil for making themselves so accessible in the parish, their support and attending meetings, as it makes an enormous difference to the community.
PARISH COUNCILS YEAR – Geoffrey Sworder
The parish now has 16 affordable homes managed by the Hastoe Housing Association, the first six will be occupied this month. The houses are offered to those in housing need to people who have a strong local connection to the ward of Dunkeswell, Sheldon and Combe Raleigh. This has been supported by the parish council as an important community facility.
The parish plan is currently being renewed, everyone will have had a brief questionnaire by now and the first answers have been collated to form a larger set of questions. Once this has been completed and collated the plan will be written up and it is hoped it will be included in the Local Development Framework for the District. The group doing this work are a community group with the support of the parish council.
There have been a number of meetings with the Highways and police on the matter of speeding traffic. It is hoped that there will be enough money available to buy a flashing sign which displays your speed. The Speedwatch system is also available to be restarted with the police, it would take at least six people to volunteer as speed measurers, and someone to do the secretarial part.
The Sportsfield is now open, the bulk of the money has come from the Lottery (see separate report).
Another very current issue is a consultation on the designation of the Airfield and the old village as a Conservation Area. The designation will not give many more benefits than the current AONB status.
Next year is election year, it is important that we have a full complement of councillors and preferably an election. The parish council will this year actively encourage anyone who is interested in standing a parish councillor .
YOUTH CLUB – Ann Barratt
In the past twelve months we have been very busy with improvements and changes in the running of Youth Club as well as a major film project and a trip.
We started our new session last summer with grateful thanks to the Parish Council who have been so very generous in supporting us with the hall rental over the years and who agreed to support the expanding of youth club. This extra session, which lowered the membership age to include school years 3 and 4, has proved very popular and is a good introduction to both the youth leaders and the concept of Youth Club. Jo leads this 6.30pm session, which is open to all young people, not just for the younger members. Jo does a brilliant job preparing activities, setting up the youth club equipment and keeping everyone busy. Arts and crafts are popular with this group, as are team games and of course tuck!
Charlie is our youth leader for the 7.30p.m. session onwards which is for year 5 upwards. Summer activities now including rounders, cricket and football in the park with Charlie. Our regular activities continue in the hall including pool, table tennis, badminton, arts and crafts ... sometimes even homework! We are so grateful to Charlie for his reliable support enabling us to split the session this way giving a wider variety of activities.
Musicians Paul and Tia have been joining us as volunteers in the last six months encouraging music and dance in put as well as fun games ... we really hope they will continue coming … especially with baby Christina!
During the year we have been open to new ideas for activities and enjoyed several evenings with the short mat bowls gentlemen ... we thank them for bringing their enthusiasm and kindness to youth club.
The Garden Society included us in their summer show inviting the young people to enter the young people’s categories and including a category just for youth club. This invitation was eagerly taken up and I was very proud of all the young people’s artistic creations. We thank the Garden Society for their inclusion of us and look forward to this summers show.
Some of our young people took part in Rene’s show, preparing well and practicing loads, they all did themselves proud. Well done Anna Mae, Nicola, Bethany, Charlotte and all those who entered the talent section. We thank Rene for her interest in youth club and for all her support. We gratefully received donations from the show towards our Christmas party.
The highlight of our Christmas party was an excellent young magician Sean Moon who entertained with table magic as we ate mighty posh food! Parental support was brilliant and it is great to know willing helpers can be called upon. Many thanks especially to Angelique Jones and Andy Large. It is also good to see ‘old’ youth club members return to help out ... our thanks to Emma Kingston for spending the night with her hands in the sink!
Young people were willing helpers when we led the service in Upottery, taking part in prayers, readings and a drama sketch. It is refreshing having such a welcoming community for our young people. Youth Club aims to provide new experiences for young people outside their usual activities ... such as our recent trip.
Fifty-three of us left Dunkeswell heading for Plymouth Pavilions. We were a mix of ages and as it turned out quite a mix of skills! We had a swimming session in the well equipped fun pool, with slides, waves and fountains popping up in unexpected places. Followed by an hour and a half to perfect ice skating ... or at least to learn how to keep upright. Amazingly we avoided any broken limbs and everyone seemed to be worn out having had a great day out. I must thank all three of my off spring, James, Jo and George who were amongst the volunteer helpers and who did more than their share of picking up fallen youth club members!!! Without the support of my own children much of the youth work in Dunkeswell wouldn’t happen and I do realise how much they do even though I probably don’t recognise their work as often as I should.
George, Guy and Adam have been volunteer helpers throughout the year and secured a grant for what proved to be quite a big project! The idea was to make a film about youth projects and what young people really want from them. The project took them all over East Devon filming in young people's centres then editing sessions at Tower Studios here in Dunkeswell. The Exhibition in March showed the final film along with photographic displays and examples of other Tower Studio films. The project was held up by the harsh weather which closed other youth clubs. Also collecting consent forms proved an absolute nightmare but we made it in the end. And when I read the project evaluations from three of the young people from our youth club I realised it really was worth all the effort.
We are looking forward to a bright future for youth club. Megan Grendon and Michaela Jones are both joining a volunteer accreditation scheme which will see them having more input and organising activities throughout this next year.
If doing Youth Club over the past 7 years has taught me anything it is not to let red tape, rules and regulations cloud the vision … but to deal with all that ... and get on with it. It is so encouraging to know how much our youth club means to so many young people in our community. I don’t know if it is a good thing or just sad that Thursday evenings remain the highlight of my week! Thank you to everyone who helps make youth club happen!
FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS/TREE WARDEN – John Barrow
Footpaths were kept walkable and that was pretty much all last year due to the very tight budget. The parish plan questions will be worded as ‘Public Rights of Way’ with regard to footpaths, not the pavement.
Regards planning applications, Mr Barrow is always available to offer help on tree issues and pre application talks where there are Tree Preservation Orders on trees which require work. The Parish Council now make the decisions on tree applications, rather than the District council, but we do normally agree with the officers.
PLANNING – Geoffrey Sworder
There have been few large planning applications this year, probably due to the credit crunch. There is still the ongoing matter of the kart Tract and noise abatement order.
The parish council are not interested in shutting the kart track, but are concerned that the noise should be contained in order that the people of Sheldon can have a good quality off life and quiet enjoyment of their properties. The Hearing will be in the magistrates court in July so the parish council will keep the parishioners informed.
SPORTS FIELD/CHURCHILL PLAYGROUND/NEW CENTURY PARK – Beth Russell
Thanks to Big Lottery Funding the MUGA and three exercise machines were installed over the winter months and opened in February. The machines are designed for all ages and there will be some events organised over the summer to encourage the community to use and enjoy them. The BMX track, Sportsfield and New Century Park continue to be maintained which includes grass cutting, litter clearance and safety inspections. As does the Churchill playground by Charles Sumpter. At the Dunkeswell Childrens’ Play and Leisure Group AGM this year Mrs Mary Sworder expressed her wish to retire from her position as Chairman. Mrs Russell thanked Mrs Sworder for all her hard work over the years. Without her strong determination the successful creation of the playground and Sportsfield would not have been possible, it is hoped she will continue to be involved in some way or another.
ALLOTMENTS
The Allotment Association had thanked Mr Sworder and the parish council for all their support, the Association were congratulated on their great success. There are currently 47 allotments in use and three people on the waiting list.
FINANCE – Tracey Bell (clerk)
The Accounts and budget are available for inspection; unfortunately, the rise in precept coincided with a bad year nationally/internationally, but it is necessary as the amount of facilities the parish now has need maintaining, we also support the youth club and provide a public access computer. It does need to be born in mind that the precept is money that is drawn locally and spend locally so provides direct benefit.
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR – Bob Buxton
Cllr Buxton congratulated the parish council and the parishioners on the achievements over the past year and felt that the facilities that had been worked for here puts many towns to shame. Cllr Buxton felt he had supported the parish on many issues this year, particularly on planning matters. He also explained that if people had any matters they needed help with that they could call him and he would try and resolve the matters.
Cllr Sworder reminded people that they could also call the District council direct for the usual recurrent issues such as missed dog bins etc.
COUNTY COUNCILLOR – Paul Diviani
It seems like yesterday that we celebrated winning the County elections amongst all the trauma of the expenses scandal up in London. Indeed on my second day at County Hall, I received a call from the local press wanting to know if I could justify having the highest travelling expenses at East Devon. Poor love hadn’t done the homework or would have known I had traversed the County and beyond in my own car as Chairman of the Council... When I discovered all the other Chairmen had been asked the same, I didn’t feel so victimised!
At the business end of things we had promised to tackle the ballooning debt (£614m) which we had inherited by having greater efficiencies – stripping out layers of bureaucracy where possible and supplying better services for less. This looked to be a tall order as we discovered, for example, that some of the extra “spending” on the roads proved illusory – the cost was there but the revenue was not! Nevertheless with no diminution in service I am pleased to say we have already reduced the County’s debt by £28m in ten months! Whilst it is usually easier at the start to make quick savings, in the longer term these can prove to be more difficult to achieve, we are nevertheless committed to our principles and will deliver best value.
When I started, Stuart Hughes (whip) asked me for my areas of interest to which I responded anything to do with the environment and economy – the result being the list of appointments above; some are fairly tenuous but should give me an exposure to more areas than if I’d been a bit more reticent! EEC Scrutiny has proved one of the more varied and I have been a member of a Task Group scrutinising Carbon Reduction commitment in schools – they are autonomous bodies but are responsible for almost 50% of our carbon footprint - £750k fine pa if we can’t show reductions. And then of course, along came a severe winter for the second year running.