KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Kingswear Parish Council

Held in the Trust Room on Tuesday 14^th April 2015

Present:      Cllr. J. Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr. K. Allen, Cllr. J. Henshall, Cllr. R. Lovell and Cllr. H. Newcombe.

Also in attendance were PC R Hewett and Mrs Emma Illingworth (Clerk).

C/039/15. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (1)

Apologies were received from Cllrs Hacking, Ferris, A Lovell and Trevorrow. Also District Councillor Bastone.

C/040/15.  DECLARATION OF INTEREST (2)

Cllr J Henshall declared a personal interest concerning Lighthouse Beach, item C/041/14.

C/041/14.  EXEMPT INFORMATION (3)

It was RESOLVED that in accordance with Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 of Part 1 of Schedule12A to the Act is involved.

This relates to:

i.               Minutes of March meeting are still to be produced and will be reviewed at the next meeting

ii.             Lighthouse Beach. Update given from Additional council meeting with the working group held on 9^th April.

iii.           Mooring Matter. The parish council has agreed for a craft to moored on the Creek Pontoon under exceptional circumstances.

C/042/15. MINUTES (4)

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 10^th March, were presented to members at the meeting and will be reviewed and signed at the next meeting.

C/043/15.  ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION (5)

The following items were agreed by the Chairman:

1.             Cemetery gate repairs - to be considered at the next meeting.

2.             Sign repairs outside the station – to be considered at the next meeting.

C/044/14.  POLICE REPORT (6)

PC Hewett gave a report: PC Hewett would welcome any information on the following:

A black Volkswagen ‘California’ camper van has been stolen from the Banjo.

Items have been stolen from the grounds of Cemetery Lodge. In addition items in the grounds have been tampered with.

There was also discussion concerning a drone seen flying around the Darthaven car park and near to Alma Steps. Hand gliders causing considerable noise have been seen travelling up the river. Any concerns should be reported to the Civil Aviation Authority.

C/045/15.  QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (7)

None

C/046/15. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (8)

Cemetery Lodge. Revised quotes for the fence to the boundary of the property were discussed. The quotations of a total of £1100 plus vat to enclose the property either side of the boundary wall, plus provision of gates were presented. The purpose being to enclose the property and provide a boundary to the cemetery car park. The construction of the fence was Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED. In addition the laminate for the hall at £250 and recommended electrical improvements consisting of  an outside security light and updating and relocation of the fuse box in addition to changing from a key payment to direct debit at a cost of £428 plus vat was Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED.

C/047/15. FINANCE(9)

Balances were given to members with a full report of the end of year finances to be given next month with the audit review.

Internal Policies:

The Clerk had previously sent members the recommended Statements of Internal control and Investment Strategy as recommended by the internal auditor and a necessary financial requirement. These were reviewed by the Clerk and adapted where necessary to the needs of the parish council before forwarding to members. It was Proposed to adopt both policies. This was Seconded and RESOLVED.

Pension:

The Clerk advised under the statutory requirement she had registered the council under the scheme to provide pensions with the Pension Regulator with Cllr Hawkins as the lead contact. Further information will follow concerning the parish council’s responsibility.

C/048/15. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE (10)

A review of the maintenance is required. The Clerk will meet with the contractor to discuss. No further amendments were presented by members.

Hanging Baskets: It was Agreed to provide 20 baskets again as last year for the village.  The cost is £16.80 per basket plus a small addition for replacement baskets as required.

C/049/15. KINGSWEAR AWARD (11)

This will be advertised n the village and decision made at the meeting on the 19^th May.

C/050/15.BRIXHAM ROAD INTERACTIVE SPEED SIGN (12)

The sign is located near to the bend approaching Waterhead Terrace. It is not working. The Clerk has arranged for the County Council to remove and send to the manufactures for assessment. No works will be carried out to it before consultation with the council. An assessment will be made as the sign is eight years old and near to it useful life span. The cost for shipping is £20.

C/051/15. KINGSWEAR REGATTA (13)

This year the Regatta is 25^th/26^th July. Permission has been sought to use Jubilee Park as usual and also a request to fund the St John’s Ambulance (last year cost £232). Permission and funding for St John’s Ambulance was Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED. The Clerk will send an acceptance letter which also outlines the insurance and risk assessment requirements of the parish council for the event.

C/052/15. BUDGET (14)

The Clerk advised that total funds were down approximately £10k on last year, in the main due to a drop in income from the cemetery and additional expenditure on maintenance around the village and to the lodge. A submitted Vat claim is still awaited that will be followed up. The Clerk will also look at the new audit requirements and transparency code to ascertain if a parish council the size of Kingswear is affected.

C/053/15. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (15)

Being the last meeting before the new council, the Chairman advised that there would be no Election as no wards had been contested. He stated that it is really sad that there are so few people standing. Kingswear Ward required one more councillor and Hillhead four. The Chairman reported that he had spent a considerable amount of time talking to the residents of Hillhead. He was however pleased that virtually all the residents that he spoke to wished to be part of Kingswear and the South Hams and Devon County Council. Residents also appeared happy with their community. A co-option will need to be organised straight after the election date of 7^th May. Cllr Hawkins proposed that the meeting in June should be a promotional evening for prospective candidates for the council.

Cllrs A and R Lovell, Cllr. J. Ferris, Cllr K Allen and Cllr. J. Hacking are standing down and they were thanked greatly for all their commitment to the parish.  Special thanks were also extended to Cllr Annie Lovell in her role as Chair of Planning for her dedication and extremely professional and thorough approach to the planning requirements within the community.

The Chairman also extended thanks to remaining councillors and the Clerk for their hard work and dedication. He advised that the parish council will be joined by Mrs Ruth Searle to whom a warm welcome is extended.

In addition a letter of thanks is to be sent to Cllr M Stone who is retiring from his role as District Councillor. His dedication and supported has been greatly appreciated over the years.

Future Meeting Structure

One future option while the council is depleted in number could be to combine the meeting with planning. Objectives will need to be scaled back due to lack of resource.

Bus Services:

A letter is to be sent to the Bus Company as there is no evening bus service concerning the requirements for the music Festival and Regatta. Stagecoach need to be asked if they are putting on additional services for the events.

The local campaign LOBSTA (Leave our bus service timetable alone) has generated 82 signed forms to campaign for the reinstatement of the evening bus service from Kingswear. Other forms collected throughout the area to the total of 600 will be presented to Cllr J Hart, the leader of South Hams District Council.

Proposed Playground Jubilee Park

The Chairman expressed his concern that incorrect information had been supplied in a report in The Dartmouth Chronicle. It was inaccurately stated that the parish council would spend £1000 a year on insurance. The real cost is thought to be in the region of £250.

Lower Ferry Service

Information is still awaited concerning any reduction to the evening service. The District Council has said that front line services are not being cut.

Future Priorities for KPC

Website

Face book page – has been set up by Cllr Hawkins but needs to be formally adopted.

Cllr R Lovell extended his thanks to the Chairman for demonstrating in his inspirational address how much he cares for the community.

CLERK’S REPORT

·                An Election update was given by the Chairman (please see above)

·                An update was given regarding the completed tree work in Brixham Road following a query to the land owner. He has advised that the tree surgeons have advised that they are secure.

·                An audit of boats that have council moorings is required, plus re numbering of spaces on the river pontoon and creek. There are a number of spaces in Waterhead Creek, so advertising will need to be organised.

C/054/15. CORRESPONDENCE (16)

·                DALC latest newsletter. Distributed: Cllr Newcombe agreed to be put forward as a representative for the Local Council Committee.

·                Update on restricted Bus Routes and related correspondence. Input from local people: Noted and  ongoing action being taken

·                Houses of parliament: LiberTeas’ project. Cllr Bastone has advised the council of this project on Sunday 14^th June to coincide with the 800^th anniversary of the Magna Carta. The project encourages communities to organise or attend local events to celebrate freedom of rights. The Clerk was requested to send to relevant local organisations.

·                Health Watch Voice - Distributed

·                Election correspondence: Members advised.

·                South Hams Society Bulletin- Distributed

·                Devon Senior Voice - Distributed

·                Dartmouth Steering Group - Noted

·                BT Telephone Kiosks – Ideas on renovation/ use.

C/055/15. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS (17)

Mayflower 400

A replica is being built. Dartmouth and Kingswear are on the route before the vessel sails across the Atlantic. It was requested that Cllr R Chilcott is invited to a future meeting to discuss the community involvement.     

C/056/ 15. REQUESTS OF THE CLERK AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS (18)

·                Consideration to renovation of the Pilbox in the Creek near to the railway hut. It was Agreed to liaise with Cllr Trevorrow as the Chairman of the Kingswear Historians and to Mr A Pooley from the Rail and Riverboat Company.

·                Coombe Bridge hedge by railway – hedge needs cutting. Contact railway.

·                Cut of hedge near Noss Marina entrance past the entrance near the cottages concerning the line of site

·                For new council: follow up turning from Bridge Road into Kennels Road concerning traffic cutting of corners and safety issue. Will also consult with County Council.

·                There was concern state over the congestion approaching Greenway after the section106 restrictions lifted. If two buses meet there are potential traffic problems.

C/057/15.  PAYMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH TO APRIL 2015 (19)

The total list of presented payments was AGREED.

C/058/15.  EXEMPT/URGENT ITEMS. (20)

Urgent Items:

Please see item number C/043/15

Meeting finished at 9:25 pm

Signed.............................................................            Date:.................................................

The next meeting is the 19^th April 2015 at 7:30pm. This will also be the parish council AGM.