homeMinutes of meetings
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON HELD ON MONDAY 10th DECEMBER 2007
Present: Cllr M Smith (Chairman)
Councillors: Mrs B Powell, P Privett, G Preston, Mrs K Tomkins, M Jolly, Mrs P Blackmore
In Attendance: Cllr R Giles (DCC), PCSO P Anning, 4 Members of the Public
Apologies: PC C Vickery, Cllr G Brown (EDDC)
Public Participation
Mr Hamilton raised the matter of the drainage ditch which runs from Station Road behind Wells Avenue and alongside the allotments site towards Ottery Road. This had recently been cleared by EDDC but not overly successfully. It was on the deeds of the properties concerned that it was the duty of the owner to keep the ditch clear. The recent wet weather had resulted in Mr Hamilton’s garden being flooded to a depth of 10 inches. Mr Hamilton and Mr Harvey asked if the Council might write to EDDC to chase up the owners of the properties who did not respond to their initial offer to clear the ditch in order to complete the job. The Council will do this, and the Clerk will also write to the owner of the property where the ditch was not cleared and which caused the flooding in Mr Hamilton’s garden.
Mr Partridge (3 York Crescent) gave the Council an update on the problem of unauthorised development in an adjacent property (see the Minutes of the October meeting). Mr Partridge had received a visit from a Planning Control Officer from EDDC who had confirmed the development required planning consent but to date no planning application had been received. Mr Partridge also raised his concerns regarding the parking of vehicles on pavements in the estate. PCSO Anning explained the law regarding this and promised to keep an eye on the problem. The Chairman also stated the Council had discussed this problem in considerable detail in the past and may well do so in the future.
116. Apologies
Apologies were accepted and approved.
117. Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 12th November 2007 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
118. Police Officer’s Report
PCSP Anning reported 2 crimes in the month, 1 non-crime domestic and 1 theft (both the same address). He also reported that he had recently checked all vehicles parked on the road in the estate and was pleased to report that he found none with an out of date tax disc! PCSO Anning then left the meeting.
119. County and District Councillor’s Reports
The report by Cllr Giles is attached. The report covered his application for DCC to spend some of the proceeds from the sale of Exeter airport on developing the cycle way along the track of the Feniton – Sidmouth railway, the government finance settlement for 2009 for DCC and EDDC (the former good, the latter not so), and the failure of Exeter to obtain unitary status. The Council agreed the Clerk write to DCC to express support for the development of a cycleway between Feniton and Sidmouth.
120. Declarations of Interest from Members and Officers
No declarations were made.
121. Planning Matters
- a. 07/3186/FUL The Sidings, Colestocks Road. This item could not be discussed as a correct site plan for the application had not yet been received.
- b. 07/2690/FUL 3 Canterbury Close, car port. Approved by EDDC.
- c. 07/2861/FUL 26 Ely Close, completion of garage within block. Approved by EDDC.
122. Finance
- a. Authorisation of December payments. The following payments were authorised:
1541 - Clerk - £220.56 - Clerk’s salary/expenses
1542 - Revenue & Customs - £100.00 - Clerk’s salary
1543 - A Spry - £96.25 - village handyman
1544 - Cosmic - £146.88 - website - b. To consider 2009/10 Allotment rents. It was Resolved to keep the 2009/10 rents at the current level.
- c. To finalise the 2008/09 budget. It was Resolved to make S137 grants as follows: Feniton Toddler Group £150, East Devon CAB £50, Feniton Youth Centre £1200, Devon Wheels to Work £50.
Cllr Giles left the meeting at 2025 hrs.
123. Village Handyman’s Report
Mr Spry had nothing to report.
124. Correspondence
- a. EDDC Parish Council members of the Standards Committee. Cllr Mrs Tomkins asked that her name be forwarded for consideration.
- b. EDDC Validation of Planning and Related Applications. The Chairman took this document to read.
- c. EDDC Provision of MUGA in QE2 Play Area. The project was to start in January 2008 with a visit by the EDDC project officer to the Council at the January 2008 meeting. It was agreed that Cllr Mrs Tomkins act as the Council’s liaison officer.
- d. EDDC Beautiful Days. A licensing officer from EDDC was to speak to the Council at their January 2008 meeting.
- e. EDDC Customer Service in Development Control. The Chairman would complete this questionnaire.
- f. Mr A Harvey – copy of letter to EDDC re – ditch clearing. Members took note.
125. Late Entry Correspondence
There was none.
126. Parish Council Website
The Chairman thanked Cllr Mrs Blackmore for her details and asked that Cllr Jolly expedite his.
127. Individual Member Responsibilities
Cllr Preston stated the end of the diagonal path between Colestocks Road and Station Road was still flooding in heavy rain. The Clerk would ask Cllr Giles to chase this with DCC. He also reported the ditch from Sweethams Cottages towards the A30 was blocked had was the cause of the rood flooding. The Clerk would ask Cllr Giles in his capacity as both an Ottery Town Councillor and DCC Councillor to raise this with DCC.
Cllr Mrs Blackmore suggested that some of the grassed area in Station Road might be removed to create additional parking. She was informed the Council had suggested this in the past but neither EDDC nor DCC were supportive.
Cllr Mrs Blackmore raised concerns that the current closure of the road in the area of the old rectory had not been advertised in the normal way. The clerk would raise this with DCC.
Cllr Mrs Tomkins reported she hoped to have a meeting soon with the School regarding the computer suite (with relevance to the Village Plan).
Cllr Privett reported the QEII fence required a new post. The Clerk would invite a local contractor to look at this with a view to repair, and to also ask him for an estimate for the repair of the Youth Centre fence adjacent to the field.
128. Date of Next meeting. Monday 12th January 2008 at 7.15pm.
There being no further business, the Chairman wished everyone a Happy Christmas and closed the meeting at 2115 hrs.
………………………………………………………………………….Presiding Chairman, 12th January 2008
Last Updated 8th October 2008