MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 11th May 2009

Present: Cllr M Smith (Chairman)

Councillors: Mrs B Powell, Mr G Preston, Mrs P Blackmore, Mrs K Tomkins and Mr M Jolly.

In Attendance: Cllr R Giles (DCC), Cllr G Brown (EDDC), 2 members of the public and J Masters (FPC Clerk).

14. Questions from the public:-

Mr Archie McMachan said that he was second on the waiting list and wanted to know why Allotment Plot No 9 was not being reallocated as Mr Gilmore had moved to Spain, according to a letter received by his daughter from Mr Gilmore’s daughter they are very happy there and will be staying in Spain. The Clerk has not received any communication from Mr Gilmore to say he had moved away and did not want his Allotment. The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Gilmore giving him 14 days to respond, if no reply is received within that time scale the allotment will be reallocated in two half plots.

Mr McMachan asked if Feniton could have a Recycling Centre, because EDDC refuse to collect Plastic and Cardboard etc it is not environmentally friendly for residents of Feniton to drive all the way to Sidmouth our nearest Recycling Centre.

The Chairman responded say that if would put a cost on the Parish Council as we would have to pay for the bins to be empted, some time ago there were recycling bins sited at the Sports & Social Club car park but residents complained of the noise and they were removed.

Jean Garside asked about the Village Plan and Village Signs. The Chairman responded saying that we are planning to review The Village Plan and small hamlets would be identified. The Clerk was instructed to put The Village Plan on the Agenda for June’s Parish Council Meeting.

15. Election of Chairman:-

The Chairman Cllr Martyn Smith offered to stand again if the council wished him to do so. It was agreed that he should continue as Chairman

16. Election of Vice Chairman

The Vice Chairman Cllr Pete Privett had informed the Clerk that he is prepared to stand again as Vice Chairman if the council wished him to. It was agreed that he should continue as Vice Chairman.

17. Apologies for absence: -. Cllr P Privett, PC Jim Tyrell and Cllr G Brown (EDDC)

18. Confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 20th April 2009:-

The minutes were agreed and the Chairman initialled each page and signed the last page.

19. Declarations of Interest from Members and Officers:-

The Clerk said he had an interest in item11 on the Agenda ‘Allotments’

20. Police Officer’s Report:-

The following report was received from PC Jim Tyrell and read by the Chairman of the Council:-

April Police report is as follows; there were 3 recorded crimes which were as follows;
1 x theft of a self propelled wheelchair in York Close, Feniton.
1 x theft from a motor vehicle in Wells Avenue, Feniton from which a mans Giant cycle was taken.
1 x racially aggravated actual bodily harm at Feniton Railway Station. A male offender has been arrested and is currently on Police bail. Enquiries are continuing.

Cllr Jolly said that he had reported to the Police that young motorists were using the newly surfaced road from the Old Village to Fenny Bridges for handbrake turns etc and causing a nuisance.

The Clerk as instructed to ask PC Tyrell to keep an eye on this area.

21. County and District Councilors’ Reports:-

There were no County and District Councilors at the meeting and no reports were submitted.

22. Planning:-

23. Finance – The following May payments were authorized:-

24. Correspondence:-

25 Allotments:-

A discussion took place on the request by the Feniton Allotment Association to allow Allotment Holders to have Sheds on their plots. After some debate it was agreed that the size to be allowed is 8’X6’ with a Pent Roof. The Parish Council will apply for Planning Permission from EDDC on behalf of Allotment Holders. Only one Shed will be allowed on each full plot, where there are two half plots the tenants will have to agree to share a shed. The sheds will have to be sited in the South West Corner of the plots (near the bank) so they do not throw a shadow on the next plot during the summer. If the application is successful the Planning Permission will hold for 5 years, if a tenant wishes to erect a shed after that time they will have to apply for and pay for planning permission them selves.
The above was proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Jolly, everyone agreed and the motion was carried. The Clerk was instructed to measure the site so that plans can be drawn up.

The Council had been asked to give a letter of support for a proposed scheme for Allotments at Escot where funding will be needed. The Clerk was instructed to find out more about this scheme and who it is aimed at.

26. S137 Payments:-

The following requests for S137 Grants were discussed:-

Feniton Youth Centre, request for Support Funding in 2009. The Clerk was instructed to ask for further details of what the money would be spent on.

Scallywags Pre-school, request for funding to repair outdoor play area. The Clerk was instructed to ask for an estimate of the repairs.

Feniton Toddler Group, request for Support Funding in 2009. The Clerk was instructed to ask for further details of what the money would be spent on.

TRIP Community Transport Association, Honiton Ring & Ride request for funding for in 2009. The Clerk was instructed to ask for further details of what the money would be spent on.

The following S137 Payments were agreed and will be paid in June.

Honiton Library Advice & Information Centre. It was agreed to make a S137 payment of £30.00.

Tale Valley Trust. It was agreed to make a S137 payment of £30.00.

East Devon Citizens Advice Bureau, request for funding in 2009. It was agreed to make a S137 payment of £50.00.

Devon Wheels, request for funding in 2009. It was agreed to make a S137 payment of £50.00.

27. Village Handyman’s Report:-

A set of tools was purchased from Wicksteed to enable minor repairs to take place, some bolts and washers were tightened or replaced this month.

Several nuts and bolts were replaced on the village seats as they were badly rusted through.

The first grass cut of the season took place this month.

28. Clerks Report:-

On the 22nd April I attended the first meeting of the Emergency Planning Committee for which I will circulate the minutes to the councillors. The next meeting is on Monday 18th May at 7.30pm in the Chapel, Colesworthy Road, Feniton. Richard Horne DCC and Jane Tancock EDDC will attend the meeting to give emergency planning advice to the committee.

I was contacted by Shan Merritt who is organising a Flood Fair possibly on Saturday 11th July 2009 with a request for some support, not money as she is hoping that the costs will be covered elsewhere.

The Council agreed to give some physical help for the event.

The Clerk asked the Councils permission to ask Val Jones to carry out the independent audit for the council 2008/9 accounts before they are submitted to the council. It was agreed.

29. Individual Member responsibilities:-

Cllr Preston said that the road between the old village and Fenny Bridges had a new surface grit applied by DCC unfortunately the contractors had failed to uncover all the drains near the junction of the road to Buckerell, also the manhole cover in Colestocks Road at the junction of Station Road is sinking and the tarmac is breaking up. The Clerk was instructed to report these items to the Highways Agency.

Cllr Jolly said that he was disappointed that Cllr Brown (EDDC) was unable to be at the meeting as it was hoped he could be questioned over the possibility of a Gypsy Site at Iron Bridge on the outskirts of the village.

Cllr Powell said that a Highways sign had been left in Colestocks Road and is a general nuisance, there is now a Highways Agency lorry parked most evenings outside the Chapel in Colestocks Road which is causing bigger vehicles to gouge out the grass verge opposite when the lorry is left parked and makes it very difficult for both pedestrians and cars pulling out of their driveways because it completely blocks their view. The Clerk was instructed to contact the Highways Agency about these two matters.

Cllr Tomkins said that the new Dish Roundabout which had just been installed at the QEII was a great success

Cllr Smith told the meeting that the representatives from Louvigny our French Twining Village came over 2 weeks ago; it was a very successful weekend.

30. Date of next Parish Council meeting Monday 8th June 2009

There being no further business, this part of the meeting closed at 21.25hrs

Last Updated 6th September 2010