MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY 10th JULY2006

Present: Cllr M Smith (Chairman)
Councillors: Mrs B Powell, Mrs K Tomkins, P Privett, J Selmes, G Preston

In Attendance: Cllr N Spence (DCC), PCSO J Bowden and 15 members of the public

Apologies: Cllr J Horrocks, Cllr R Giles

Questions raised by the Public

All the public were present to either express their objections to the planning application to erect 8 dwellings at Metcombe Cottage on Ottery Road, (no one spoke in favour of the application), or to urge the Council to take action to have the sewage system in the estate adopted following two recent incidents in Wells Avenue/Coventry Close where the sewers became blocked and sewage seeped into the gardens of private properties. Comments expressed where wide-ranging on both topics and it was clear that there was strong objection to the planning application, particularly with regard to the highway and anti-flooding matters proposed in the application (notwithstanding the application site was outside the now EDDC Adopted Local Plan development area for both Ottery St Mary and Feniton), and that residents wished to see some urgent movement in having the sewage system adopted. It was not until 2005 hrs that the Chairman closed this part of the meeting.

17. Apologies

Apologies were approved and accepted.

18. Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12th June 2006 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

19. Police Officer’s Report

PCSO Bowden reported 2 crimes in the month, one of criminal damage and 1 child protection case. The Chairman raised a personal incident with the PCSO, who undertook to investigate the matter. PCSO Bowden then left the meeting.

20. County and District Councillor’s Reports

Cllr N Spence had nothing to report.

21. To receive Declarations of Interest from Members and Officers

No declarations were made.

22. Planning Matters

a. Applications:
06/1793/TRE reduce or remove overhanging branches of 6 fir, 2 cherry and 1 conifer, Feniton House. Recommended for acceptance.
06/1602/OUT proposed private housing development of 8 houses and offsite infrastructure improvements, land adjacent to Metcombe Cottage, Ottery St Mary. The Council agreed this item be taken here rather than in Late Entry Correspondence. It was Resolved the Clerk write a strong letter of complaint to the Chief Planning Officer EDDC seeking reasons as to why the Council was not invited by EDDC to comment on this application which was adjacent to the parish boundary. It was further Resolved to recommend refusal of this application on grounds of: it was situated outside the development line for both Ottery St Mary and Feniton, over 50% of the respondents to the village plan questionnaire had indicated they did not wish to see any further building in the parish, widening of the highway as proposed would create further highway hazards immediately south of Metcombe Cottage and the adjoining property, it was understood the village sewage system was already at full capacity, doubts existed as to whether the proposed flood alleviation measures would be effective, and building south of the Ottery Road would create a precedent for further development in this area. 2 letters of objection were read out.
b. EDDC decisions
06/1208/LBC refurbish existing stables, Feniton Court – Granted.
c. Planning Correspondence
EDDC Retrospective Applications – Enforcement. EDDC now requires that when retrospective applications are recommended for refusal that a statement is made as to whether enforcement action is supported. Members took note.

23. To discuss the Council’s handling of planning applications.

The Council considered a short paper prepared by the Clerk on the handling of planning applications. It was Resolved to hold, if necessary, a Council meeting on the fourth Monday of each month at the normal time, at which any planning application received would be discussed. No other matter would be discussed and the public would only be allowed to speak on the agenda items.

24. To discuss reports of recent sewage overflow in Wells Avenue

It was Resolved to place in the parish magazine and on the website and display a poster identifying the problems to the sewage system caused by “wet wipes” and other similar products and to encourage residents to dispose of these items in the normal refuse system. It was further Resolved that firm action is now necessary to solve the problems caused by the non-adoption of the estate sewage pipes by writing, in the first instance, to the Chief Executive EDDC as it was their predecessors, Honiton Rural District Council, whom the Parish Council believes failed in ensuring the sewage pipes were up to standard at the construction stage. Cllr N Spence left the meeting at 2125 hrs.

25. To authorise July payments

The following payments were authorised:

Royal British Legion - £50.00 - re-issue of a 2005/6 non presented cheque
A Spry - £236.00 - Village handyman
Devotech Ltd - £3360.50 - installation of play equipment Ely close
Clerk - £ 187.68 - clerk’s salary and expenses
Inland Revenue - £77.92 - clerk’s salary
N W Adams - £113.96 - QEII & Ely Close play area inspections

26. Village Handyman’s Report

Mr Spry had reported the white posts around the tree in the old village were rotten. It was Resolved to cost replacement using concrete posts of both these and those at the entrance to Barton Rise.

27. Council Website

It was asked what was to go on the site regarding the Village Plan questionnaire results. The Chairman said this would be discussed at the next Plan meeting (17th July).

28. To consider the 30th Anniversary of the Twinning Celebrations

A copy of W G Hoskins “Devon” and a map of the local area were offered as possible gifts to be presented. The Chairman was grateful for these suggestions.

29. Correspondence

EDDC Local Plan Notice of Intention to Adopt. Members took note.

30. Late Entry Correspondence

There were no items for discussion.

31. Individual Member Responsibilities

Cllr Mrs Powell stated that plans to present the prizes at the Flower Show were now in hand and the Clerk undertook to recover the trophies from last year’s winners.
Cllr Preston stated that DCC would be installing kerbstones at the junction of York Close and Wells Avenue and that DCC had identified site in Station Road at which 30mph repeater signs could be displayed.

Date of Next meeting. Monday 11th September 2006 at 7.30pm (subject to Planning applications)

There being no further business the meeting closed at 2140 hrs.

Signed this 11th day of September 2006 ……………………….....................................….Presiding Chairman

Last Updated 8th October 2008