LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 15th July 2003
1. Present:
Mr S Powne (Chairman): Mrs P Martyn (Vice-Chairman): Mrs L Cole: Mrs R Baker: Mrs K Boyd: Mrs S Holland: Mr P Fletcher: Mr DG Evans (Clerk)
Parishioners in attendance: Mrs N McMullen: Mrs EM Barkell: Mr S Hannaford: Ms D Moyse: Mr E Lyons; Mr J Easley: Mrs S Beck
Others in attendance: Cllr R Williamson: PC G Calendar
2. Apologies for absence:
None received
3. Parishioners time:
Mrs Barkell enquired if any of the members had visited the affordable housing site at Widecombe? Mr Powne responded that as the scheme was outside of the area and that the members all had full time employment time for this had not been available. Mrs Barkell also enquired as to what was being done to stop horse riders on the cycle-way? Mr Powne stated that the PC was aware of this problem and was liasing with the relevant authorities to stop this practice. Ms Moyse requested that consideration be given to the erection of a warning sign showing horses crossing be displayed on the A386 by Skit lane. Mr Powne felt that this was a totally unsuitable spot to cross the road with a horse and stated that the members, who were also not in favour, had already debated it.
Ms Moyse also requested that the members write to the MOD asking for them to stop using blanks on the moors as these caused her horse to be spooked. Mr Powne stated that the MoD had a right to fire live and blank ammunition on the moor and that she should address her complaint directly to them. He agreed to place this item on the September agenda. Ms Moyse finally asked if the new residents next door to Amanda could be asked to park cars further up the road, towards the school, where it is wider? Mr Powne felt that this was not a matter for the PC to become involved with. Mr Hannaford asked PC Calendar what is being done to stop motorcyclists speeding along the A386 by the Dartmoor Inn. He stated that this was particularly bad on Sundays through the summer. PC Calendar responded that he will observe this from September 1st when he is officially appointed as Community Constable. Mrs McMullen thanked the members for arranging and holding the recent public meeting on Affordable Housing.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting:
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15th June 2003 were signed as a true and accurate record.
5. Police report:
5.1 PC Graham Calendar introduced himself to the members and stated that from September 1st he will be Neighbourhood Beat Manager for this parish (along with Brentor, Peter Tavy and Mary Tavy). He reported that in the last twelve months there had been sixteen crimes in total in Lydford. From September his brief would be prioritised to carry out community style Policing; he described this as meaning a "back to the beat" style of Policing. He explained that he intends to hold regular "surgeries" in the village, probably at the Nicholls Hall. PC Calendar was thanked for attending, especially as it was his day off, by Mr Powne.
6. Matters arising:
6.1 A draft of the Home page of the PC web site was shown. The clerk was requested to proceed with this and Mrs Martyn confirmed that she has photographs available for the designers when they are needed.
6.2 Triangle - It was reported that no one has come forward offering the required amount of soil for this project. Mrs Baker agreed to contact Ken Redwood to see if he might be able to supply this and Mr Powne agreed to talk to Andrew Crocker. (Mr Easley, parishioner, offered to fund the cost of obtaining forty tonnes of soil, this was gratefully acknowledged by Mr Powne.) The clerk was requested to liase with Colin Hicks regarding the contribution from WDBC Highways for the upkeep of the grassed area.
6.3.1 Affordable Housing - Mr Powne proposed a vote, in principle, of the members in favour of social housing, irrespective of the site. This was seconded by Mrs Cole and the vote was unanimously in favour . Mr Fletcher enquired as to the amount of housing proposed, bearing in mind that WDBC had stated that they recognised a need for two houses. He also felt that WDH and not the PC were taking this decision. Mrs Boyd reminded members of Mr Wall's comments at the public meeting where he stated that the site on School Hill could accommodate further housing in the future. It was agreed that WDH have stated that they currently have eight names on the waiting list who fit the required criteria for Local need. Mr Fletcher proposed that four houses should be built, however, Mrs Cole felt that this was insufficient and that it should be eight. She also felt that the houses should all be three bed roomed, otherwise as soon as they start a family they will have to move, negating the whole idea. Mr Fletcher supported this view, stating that they should be three bed roomed if the aim is to attract families to enable the number of pupils at the school to be increased. A vote was held for four houses being insufficient and for eight houses to be built. The result was three for and four against. A further proposal from Mr Powne for six houses to be built in total was recorded as four for and three against. Mr Fletcher stated that it was not just social housing but affordable housing. He felt there was a significant difference. He also stated that he felt the need was for affordable housing for local people to purchase. Mr Powne confirmed that all the houses were for rent and not for purchase. Mrs Boyd confirmed that this was her understanding as well. Mr Fletcher still considered that they should be made available for part purchase, however, he recognised that other members disagreed and that his view was in the minority of one. Mr Powne asked for a view on how many bedrooms the houses should have? It was unanimously agreed that as many as possible should be three bed roomed houses, enabling families the opportunity to stay whilst bringing up children.
6.3.2 Sites - Before commencing this discussion Mr Powne asked members to consider if they had any interests in the sites proposed and, if so, to declare them now. Mr Powne declared an interest in the site on School Hill, as it is close to his house and Mr Fletcher also stated an interest in this site, as he represents the view of people who cannot attend this meeting. The clerk read out the relevant paragraph relating to prejudicial interests to both members who both considered it did not apply. As a consequence it was agreed that the interests held by both members were private and not prejudicial, as a consequence both members were asked to sign the interests book and allowed to stay for the discussions and vote on any resolutions raised.
6.3.3 Current sites - The sites currently being investigated by WDH were discussed as follows: Town Farm - It was considered that this site has poor access, would effect Grade 2 listed buildings adjacent to it and was likely to cause traffic problems for vehicles leaving it. In favour of the location was the fact that it is currently a brown field site in a scruffy condition. School Hill - It was felt that eight houses is too large a development for this site and the proposed vehicular access would be dangerous. It was suggested that the development should be at the top of the field, adjacent to the playing field with access gained from the existing roadway.
6.3.4 Other potential sites - Field adjacent to the School. It was felt that the same arguments as the field opposite the school applied to this site. Although it was felt preferable to this site providing the school playing field is reinstated and off road parking for the schools use is incorporated into the development. Hawthorn Park - It was considered that the rear of Hawthorn Park was a potential site as it would have access off a minor road and would only affect the gardens of three properties. Orchard Field - It was unanimously felt that this site offered the best potential for housing. The Rector has expressed the view that the PCC would be interested in selling it for Affordable housing. Field to the side of Lydford House Hotel - This was not considered to be a viable option. Land owned by Mr L Gloyne - Although Mr Gloyne has expressed an interest in selling this land for Affordable housing it was considered to be so far outside of the curtalage of the village as to be impractical. Field adjacent to the Sports Field - This was considered to be a good alternative to Orchard Field.
6.3.5 Mr Powne asked members to vote for the sites they preferred in descending order; Orchard Field obtained the most votes (7) with Hawthorn Park next with six votes in favour. It was unanimously agreed that WDH, WDBC and DNPA should be informed of this decision.
6.4 Dog Fouling - It was unanimously agreed to write to Dave Arscott at WDBC and ask for assistance from the Dog Warden regarding the continual problem of dog fouling by the dogs owned by the resident at 2, Rose Cottages.
6.5 Jubilee seat - The costs for building this seat have been received from Graham Cornish and are £1,470. It was unanimously agreed to write and offer £250 towards these costs.
6.6 Overgrown hedges - The clerk was requested to write to Colin Hicks, Highways, to agree a date for a site meeting to discuss the offending areas.
6.7 Problem of parked cars adjacent to the junction with Silver Street - It was agreed to await the appointment of PC Calendar in September and to ask for his assistance in this matter.
6. Receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
6.1 DNPA - Next meeting October
6.2 Police Authority - Mrs Boyd was awaiting details of the next meeting.
6.3 Board of School Governors - Mr Powne read out a report received from Mrs Barkell. Mr Powne thanked Mary for her reports and for the work she had recently carried out on the internal audit.
6.4 Southern Link Committee - Next meeting thought to be in October.
6.5 Nicholls Hall Committee - Mrs Boyd gave a report on the recent meeting she attended. The point about claiming back the VAT was clarified by the clerk as to not being possible.
7. Receive financial report
7.1 The clerk presented figures showing the following balances; Current account - £415.97 Deposit account - £4,080.77 Petty cash - £20.96 The following cheques and transfers were authorised; D Evans (July & August) £456.12 - Toilet cleaning (July & August) £150.00 Petty cash £20 - Clerk fixed exps (July & August) £30.00 - Audit Commission 2002/03 Audit £58.75 - Transfer £1,000 from deposit to Current.
7.2 Statement of Assurance - The statement of assurance was signed by the chair in readiness for the audit for 2002/03 by the Audit Commission.
8. Items raised at the June meeting for inclusion in the July Agenda:
8.1 Traffic speed through the village - It was agreed to write to Mr and Mrs Clarke and advise them of the appointment of PC Graham Calendar from September 1st.
9. Planning applications:
9.1 Highdown - No objections were raised for the existing property to be demolished and rebuilt as shown. The clerk was requested to advise DNPA that this planning application has the full support of this council.
9.2 Springs - Amended plans were discussed which were unanimously rejected on the following grounds; No indication of size reductions is shown - Site plan does not show existing buildings in the rear garden and still no access shown to the stables. The report from the Audit Commission on DNPA was discussed and unanimously agreed to write to DNPA, copy to the Audit Commission, stating that this council fully agrees with the comments made by them, as shown on page 108.
10. Date of next meeting:
10.1 The date of Tuesday September 16th was agreed for the next meeting.
Their being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 9.30pm.
DG Evans Clerk to the Parish Council ----------------------------------------------------------------23 July 2003
Signed as a true and accurate record
.Date
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-------------------------------------(Mr S Powne
- Chairman)