MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON HELD ON MONDAY 7th MAY 2007

Present: Cllr M Smith (Chairman)

Councillors: Mrs B Powell, P Privett, G Preston, Mrs K Tomkins, M Jolly

In Attendance: 3 members of the public

Apologies: PC Vickery

All Members completed their Declaration of Acceptance of Office forms and handed them to the Clerk prior to the start of the meeting.

1. Election of Chairman

In the absence of the Council Chairman (Cllr Dr J Horrocks), Cllr Smith took the Chair for this item. Cllr Smith was unanimously elected Council Chairman for 2007/08 and welcomed all Members to this the first meeting of the new Council.

2. Election of Vice Chairman

Cllr Privett was unanimously elected Council Vice Chairman for 2007/08.

3. Apologies for Absence.

Apologies were accepted and approved.

4. Minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16th April 2007 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

5. Police Officer’s Report

No Police Officer was present.

6. County Councillor’s Report

Cllr Giles was not present.

7. Declarations of Interest

No declarations were made.

8. To Consider Filling the Vacant Seat by Co-option

After inconclusive discussion, the Chairman invited all Members to identify suitable persons who may be approached to consider being co-opted onto the Council. The aim was to select a person at the June meeting.

At this stage, the Chairman suspended the meeting to allow Dr & Mrs Broom to comment on their occupation of land at Skinners Ash Farm, Fenny Bridges, which had led to correspondence from EDDC. Dr & Mrs Broom were advised to submit a planning application and to contact EDDC and Ottery St Mary Town Council. In the circumstances, they were advised it would be inappropriate for Feniton Parish Council to make any comment in advance of a planning application being made (note the land in question is in Ottery parish). Dr & Mrs Broom left the meeting and the Chairman called the meeting to order.

9. To allocate Individual Member Responsibilities

Responsibilities were allocated as follows:

Planning - All Members
Allotments - Cllrs Mrs Powell and Mrs Tomkins
Finance - All Members
Highways - Cllrs Privett and Preston
Website - Cllr Smith
Twinning - Cllr Mrs Tomkins
Play areas - Cllr Mrs Tomkins, Cllr Jolly
Flooding - All Members
Car Parks - Cllr Smith
Other matters - any Member

10. Village Plan – To Produce an Action Plan and Agree the Way Forward

It was Resolved to adopt the draft Action Plan as produced by the Clerk (attached) and to hold a special Council meeting on 21st May to discuss the detail of how to proceed on each item. In the meantime, Members agreed to lead on items as follows: Cllr Mrs Tomkins 8,10,13; Cllr Mrs Powell 9, 11, 17; Cllr Privett 4, 16; Chairman 18.

11. To Receive a Report from Cllrs Mrs Powell and Tomkins regarding Allotments 16 and 17

Cllrs Mrs Powell and Tomkins reported they had inspected the pond constructed by the tenant of allotments 16 & 17 and had also spoken with the tenant. After considerable discussion it was Resolved that it was both dangerous and inappropriate to have a pond on any allotment and the Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Pardey accordingly and instruct him to remove the pond within 28 days.

12. Planning Matters

a. 07/1071/TRE Longmeadows Lodge, various tree works – no objection.
b. 07/1159/FUL 96 Wells Avenue, conservatory – no objection.
c. 07/0623/FUL 1 Louvigny Close, erection of 2 metre high close board fence. Granted by EDDC.
d. 07/0430/FUL Otteregia, Colestocks Road, erection of 2 storey rear extension. Granted by EDDC.
e. 07/0637/FUL 63 Acland Park, two storey extension for store and en-suite bedroom. Refused by EDDC.

13. Village Handyman’s Report

The Handyman had nothing to report. The Clerk reported Mr Spry had been elected as a Member of Talaton Parish Council.

14. Finance

The following payments were authorised:

501 - Clerk - £218.24 - Salary/expenses
502 - Inland Revenue - £77.30 - Clerk’s salary
503 - Playsafety Ltd - £74.03 - Play area inspection fee
504 - D Brian - £39.73 - Footpath co-ordinator expenses
505 - MNR Mowers - £241.00 - Footpath hedge trimmer/helmet
506 - Feniton Youth Centre - £607 - 2006/07 Section 137 grant
507 - South West Water - £14.34 - Allotments water bill
508 - DAPC - £16.70 - Village Green
509 - Allianz Cornhill - £394.99 - Insurance premium
510 - Feniton Village Hall - £300.00 - Section 137 grant
511 - Feniton Toddlers - £250.00 - Section 137 grant
512 - East Devon CAB - £30.00 - Section 137 grant
513 - TRIP - £150.00 - Section 137 grant
514 - Honiton Library - £30.00 - Section 137 grant
515 - Tale Valley Trust - £50.00 - Section 137 grant
516 - Victim Support - £30.00 - Section 137 grant
517 - WRVS - £30.00 - Section 137 grant
518 - A Spry - £131.25 - Village handyman

15. Correspondence

a. Mrs C A Cousens – Fly Infestation. The Clerk briefed members on the action taken to date by EDDC to combat the fly infestation. A report would be placed in the village magazine and on the website.
b. Mrs P Fordham – lay-by Feniton Gardens. Members took note. It had already been confirmed by EDDC and the Police that parking in this lay-by was within the law.
c. Communities and Local Government – Model Code of Conduct. A new Code of Conduct had been passed by Parliament and the Clerk would lay it before the Council for adoption in due course.
d. Devon Whells2work – funding bid. It was agreed to consider this application in the autumn.

16. Late Entry Correspondence

a. DAPC – Nominations for County Committee. No nominations were put forward.
b. DCC – Footpath 7 Diversion Order. Members took note.
c. DCC – Exeter Unitary status application. Members took note.
d. DCC – Minerals Policy. The Chairman took the correspondence.
e. EDDC Dr & Mrs Broom – land at Skinners Ash Farm. Members took note.

17. Individual Member Responsibilities

Cllr Preston reported that the property at Tool Gates Corner had made an entrance onto Green Lane and he was not aware of planning consent. The Clerk will report this to EDDC.
It was also reported that the parking lines outside the Spar Shop had faded. The Clerk will report this to EDDC.

18. Date of next Meeting. Monday 21st May 2007 at 7.30pm (Village Plan only), and Monday 11th June 2007 at 7.30pm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 2120 hours.

…………………………………………………..Presiding Chairman
11th June 2007

Last Updated 8th October 2008