homeMinutes of meetings
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 11th JUNE 2007
Present: Cllr M Smith (Chairman)
Councillors: Mrs B Powell, P Privett, G Preston, Mrs K Tomkins, G Preston
In Attendance: Cllr G Brown (EDDC), Cllr R Giles (DCC), PCSO P Anning
Apologies: Cllr M Jolly
The Chairman welcomed Cllr Brown to his first meeting as the EDDC Councillor.
22. Apologies
Apologies were accepted and approved.
23. Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting held on 7th may 2007 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
24. Police Officer’s Report
PCSO Anning handed a “Feniton” direction sign, which had been recovered by the Police, to the Clerk. 7 crimes had been logged since 1 April: 3 non-crime domestic, 1 nuisance telephone calls, 1 theft of a pedal cycle, 1 other theft (2 signs), and 1 burglary. PCSO Anning highlighted the dangers posed by bogus callers and stressed the need, in the warm weather, to ensure that homes were kept secure even when residents were at home. Cllr Mrs Powell undertook to place an appropriate notice in the village magazine.
25. County and District Councillors Reports
This item was taken in two halves to allow for the late arrival of Cllr Giles. Cllr Brown had no report to make but took the opportunity to state his experience in local government with EDDC, that he had been appointed “Business Champion” on East Devon District Council and that it was his intention to offer his full support to the residents of the parish, and the Parish Council, in representing their concerns at East Devon.
Cllr Giles produced a written report (attached). In relation to the Escot Beautiful Days event, considerable discussion took place regarding the closures of footpaths in 2006 and of the need to ensure early warning of DCC’s intentions for 2007.
26. Declarations of Interest by Members and Officers
Cllr Preston declared an interest in 07/1426/FUL and took no part in the discussion or decision.
27. Planning Matters
- a. 07/1354/FUL land adjacent to 2 South View, Ottery St Mary, erection of dwelling and construction of new access (amendments to windows, doors and vehicular access approved under 05/1273/OUT). Considerable discussion took place on the point that the original application had been recommended for refusal by both the Council and Ottery St Mary Town Council and that Feniton PC had not been advised of the approval. The Clerk was requested to write to the Chief Planning Officer (copy to Cllr Brown) to express the displeasure of Members and Cllr Brown also undertook to raise the matter at EDDC. With regard to the application Members had no objection but stressed that the bricks for the new build must match those of the existing structures on the site.
It was also agreed that the Clerk should write to the owners of the property to ask that they consider donating the “tool gate” to the Council as a piece of heritage if the gate was not to be used. - b. 07/1346/FUL 60 Wells Avenue, replacement porch. The proposed porch was considerably larger than existing and was considered obtrusive. Recommended for Refusal.
- c. 07/1426/FUL Otteregia, Colestocks Road, side porch and rendering to rear elevation of house. No objection. Cllr Preston declared an interest in this item.
- d. 07/1071/TRE Longmeadows Lodge, various tree works. Granted by EDDC.
- e. Alexander Paul Antiques, Fenny Bridges. Members took note of the threat by EDDC of action with regard to unauthorised advertising signs.
28. Finance
The following payments were authorised:
Clerk - £268.49 - Salary/expenses
HMRC - £83.30 - Clerk’s salary
A Spry - #175.00 - Village handyman
SW Countryside - #193.50 - Footpath work
LAFTA - #477.72 - Twinning Social event
It was also Resolved to adopt the 2006/07 accounts, to agree the completion of the Audit Commission form and for the Chairman to sign as appropriate.
29. Village Handyman’s Report
In addition to his normal monthly work, Mr Spry had repaired the gates to the QEII Play area to allow their closure (to prevent unauthorised access by vehicles in the evening).
30. To Approve Signage for the QEII Play Area
It was resolved to order 2 signs, 1 to indicate ownership of the area and the second to be a number of no dogs signs.
31. To Adopt the Model code of Conduct for Parish and Town Councils 2007.
It was so resolved to adopt the Code. Each Member present was handed both a pocket and a full guide on the Code.
32. Council Vacancy
Cllr Preston reported he had been approached by a parishioner willing to stand and he was advised to ask the person in question to write to the Clerk. It was also agreed to place an advert calling for volunteers in the Parish Magazine.
33. Correspondence
- a. TRIP – publicity material – Members took note.
- b. EDDC Meeting with Parish Councils 27th June. The Chairman, Cllr Mrs Tomkins and the Clerk will attend.
- c. DCC – privatisation of residential and domiciliary care services. Members took note.
- d. EDDC – Response to the unitary authority bid by Exeter City Council. Members took note.
- e. Mr A J Powell – Feniton railway Crossing. This would be discussed at the next Plan meeting.
34. Late Entry Correspondence
- a. Wessex Reinvestment Trust –Members took note.
- b. Village Green – Members took note.
- c. Savills – Land at the Playing Fields. The Clerk reported the Acland owned land at Station Road which comprised the brownfield site (Sports and Social club) and the cricket pitch was to be sold as development land in a single lot. This would undoubtedly place it beyond the reach of purchase by a partnership between the Playing fields Association and the Parish Council. It was the general feeling of all present that this area must be kept as an open space for the village for development would not only remove a much used recreational facility for parishioners and the school, development on the Sports and social club site would severely restrict any future expansion of the school. Cllr Brown undertook to raise the matter as a matter of urgency with the Corporate Director Environment (Mr K Hassan) EDDC and agreed to report back to the Council.
35. Individual Member Responsibilities
Cllr Mrs Tomkins asked that a sign be provided to show direction to Colesworthy in the area of the level crossing. Signage of the hamlets in the village was raised during the Village Plan production and this matter will be discussed at the next meeting.
Cllr Preston asked when the problem of the flooding at the end of the footpath at the Station Road/Colestocks Road corner would be solved. Cllr Giles reported DCC had asked the contractor to carry out the work and he would chase it up. Cllr Preston also asked for the growth over the Talewater sign at the level crossing to be cut back. The Clerk would ask Mr Spry to do this. Cllr Preston also asked that the excessive growth alongside Toolgate in Green Lane be cut back. The Clerk said he would approach the owners.
36. Village Plan Next Meeting
It was agreed to hold a Council meeting on Monday 25th June 2007 at 7.30pm to discuss implementation of the Village Plan recommendations.
37. Date of Next Council Meeting
Monday 9th July 2007 at 7.30pm. Note a meeting will be held in August only if there is urgent business to transact.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 2115 hours.
…………………………………………………..Presiding Chairman
9th July 2007
Last Updated 8th October 2008