KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Kingswear Parish Council

Held in the Trust Room on Tuesday 14^th August 2007

Present: Cllr. J. Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr. J. Henshall, Cllr. A. Lovell, Cllr. A. Pithers, Cllr. H. Newcombe, Cllr. B. Tulloch, Cllr. P. Pudduck, Cllr. A. Usher, Cllr. J. Wright. In attendance: six members of the public and Mrs. E. Davydova (Clerk).

The Chairman requested that the Meeting observe one minutes silence in the memory of the recently deceased Chairman of the Port of Dartmouth Regatta Committee Mr. Robert Leask.

C/115/07      APOLOGIES (1)

                     Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. J. Ferris.

C/116/07      MINUTES (2)

The minutes of the Council Meeting held on 10^th July 2007 were signed as a correct record with the following amendments:-

                     C/095/07 OAP CHRISTMAS LUNCH (11)

Create a working group: Cllr. J. Henshall and Clerk. Action: Clerk to obtain quotations for Senior Citizen Lunch.

                     C/111/07 REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS (26)

                     Cllr. J. Hawkins reported on the following:-

   ∙        £500 - Jubilee Park for the re-planting and improvements. Action: Cllr. J

             Henshall to work together with MCTi/WCPS.

C/117/07      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (3)

                     None made.

C/118/07      ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION (4)

                     None noted.

C/119/07      STATEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (5)

Members of the public raised concerns regarding the state of some footpaths and hedgerows that were considered to be overgrown, these being:- Raddicombe Drive;  opposite Waterhead Close; between Penhill Lane and Hillhead Holiday Camp.

                     In the absence of Cllr. J. Ferris this matter was deferred.

C/120/07      POLICE REPORT (6)

                     There was no police report.

C/121/07      MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (7)

(1)                 C/080/07-10.9 Kingswear Wood. A letter from Mr. D. Elliott was received regarding the purchase of Kingswear Wood. It was resolved unanimously that an initial meeting be held between Mr. D. Elliot and representative(s) of the Parish be held during the month of September, the representative(s) being Cllr. J. Hawkins. Action: The Clerk: to write to Mr. D. Elliott regarding the proposal of a meeting in September.

(2)                 C/080/07-10.3 Clearance of garden in the vicinity Cemetery Lodge was performed on

                     18^th July.

The tenant of Cemetery Lodge has expressed an interest in maintaining the garden area in the vicinity of the entrance to the Cemetery. Cllr. J. Henshall stated that this is public area and should be treated by Council as a part of ground maintenance contract. The Chairman proposed, seconded by Cllr. B. Tulloch, that this area be considered as a separate item for tender and an itemised list of the tasks in hand be produced. It was resolved unanimously to allow the tenant to produce for the Council a quote and present it during the month of September.

(3)                 C/080/07 - 10.7 Dinghy Pontoon and the gates. The gate is going to be removed

                     from Darthaven Marina car park and placed in a safe location in the Cemetery to enable

                     required work to be performed by the contractor. If the gates are considered to be

                     beyond economic repair the Council has to amend the budget to allow the purchase and

                     installation of a new gate next year.

Illegal parking of boats on pontoon: The current notice placed on pile is fairly small and Council resolved to produce and place on the pontoon a larger additional notice explicitly stating that the pontoon was “Private”.  Action: Cllr. J. Wright.

Action: Clerk to write letter to the harbour master (DHNA) and Mr. Holman (Darthaven Marina) confirming the speed limit (of 6 knots) in Waterhead Creek and the request for signs. Letter to confirm request for two signs.

A discussion was help on the provision of a new dinghy pontoon for residents and consideration of alternative storage options. Chairman suggested that KPC should consider looking for an opportunity to provide a new pontoon in the river. Resolved: To create a working group of Councillors in September to investigate the possibility of the various schemes. Action: Clerk to write to Mr. Barry Cogar of DVR Plc.

(4)                 C/105/07 - Marking of signposts on footpath. Cllr. A. Lovell introduced an example

                     of the aluminium signs to be attached to each of the estimated 54 signposts, 27 public

                     rights of way with two signposts on each, to enable potential problem locations to be

                     identified quickly. Council approval was given for them to be used.

(5)                 C/092/07 - Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta 30^th August – 1^st September

(a)        The Chairman encouraged support for the Regatta and announced that collection tins would be available for use at all major events;

(b)        Council supported the decision that the standard Regatta flag be flow from the Church tower rather outside of the “Ship Inn”

(c)        It was agreed that the Kingswear lights for Regatta be switched between 7:00 pm and 12:00 pm from Saturday 25th August to Saturday 1^st September. Action: Cllr. J. Wright;

(d)        Bunting to be removed and placed in storage on 2^nd September. Action: Cllr. J. Wright;

(e)        The Chairman introduced the Regatta duties and attendance requests. Traditionally two representatives, normally being members of Parish Council, judge with the Mayor of Dartmouth the ‘best dressed window’ competition to be held on 24^th August at 5:00 pm, It was suggested that the representatives be Cllr. A. Usher and Mrs. L. Usher.

(6)                 C/093/07 - Kingswear Walks Booklet.

                     Action: Clerk to present balance of accounts of said Booklet at the next meeting.

C/122/07      FINANCIAL REPORT (9)

The statement of accounts of KPC and the annual return for the year ended 31^st March 2007 were recently examined by the Internal Auditor and a report produced for presentation to the External Auditor. The Chairman proposed, seconded by Cllr. A. Pithers to accept internally audited report.

Action: The Clerk to write to Mr. Hilary Bastone thanking him for his time and effort in performing the internal audit for Kingswear Parish Council. Chairman to buy a ‘bottle’ as a way of showing the gratitude of KPC.

C/123/07      VILLAGE GREEN REGISTRATION (9)

The Chairman read out the letter from DCC regarding Lighthouse Beach, Kingswear, then Cllr. J. Henshall reported about her meeting with Mr. D. Southwick and finally Council held a general discussion on this matter, with the following being recorded:-

1          Proposed by Chairman and seconded by Cllr. B. Tulloch that Council should create a working group to investigate the possibility of registering Lighthouse Beach as a Village Green.  Resolved: 8 – for, one – against.

2          Proposed by Chairman and seconded by Cllr. J. Henshall that Council arrange a meeting with all interested parties to investigate any suggestions regarding the matter. Group to consist Cllrs: J. Henshall, A. Usher and A. Lovell

Resolved: 7 – for, 2 – against.

3          Working group: Cllrs.  P. Pudduck, B. Tulloch, H. Newcombe, A. Usher and two members of public (Mr. M. Stevens and Mr. P. Folca).

                           Resolved: 8 – in favour, one – against.

Action: Clerk to write letter to Mr. Julian Distin of DHNA inviting him to be a member of said working group.

C/124/07      KINGSWEAR PARISH OPEN SPACES AND GROUND MAINTENANCE(10)

Cllr. A. Pithers presented a draft of specification for ground maintenance. The contract will start on 1^st October 2007 and be renewed on a yearly basis. Three contractors have been invited to tender for said contract. After discussion it was proposed by Cllr. J. Henshall, seconded by Cllr. A. Pithers and carried unanimously that:-

∙           Cllrs. J. Henshall and A. Pithers to visit the grounds to be maintained and present the amended contract with terms and conditions at the next Council meeting;

∙           The term of the contract be for three years.

C/125/07      PLAYING FIELDS (15)

The Chairman of The Sports Field Trust Mr. M. Porter introduced to the Council the history and current situation on playing fields in Kingswear and enquired whether the Council would be interested in taking over the maintenance of said fields. It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr. J. Wright and carried unanimously to defer this item to the next meeting due to the complications of the issue and the need to create a working group of 2 to 3 interested councillors to become Trustees. 

The Chairman thanked Mr. M. Porter for his hard work and presentation to the Council.

C/126/07      PARISH NEWS LETTER (11)

Cllr. A. Usher expressed an interest in editing the Parish news letter. A discussion was held on method of distribution and delivery. The Council supported the idea unanimously with a draft to be produced by 1st November and an initial edition to be available in December. The Council welcome the placement of advertisements.

C/127/07      PARISH WEB-SITE (14)

Members of the Council expressed their thanks for Mr. M. Stevens for his efforts in maintaining the Kingswear web-site for a number of years.

Action: Cllr. A. User to contact Mr. M. Stevens to discuss the options and opportunities of ‘linking’ the Parish news letter to the web-site.

C/128/07      BONFIRE AND FIREWORKS (12)

This event is held on 5^th November and organised by Kingswear Combined Charities.

Action: Clerk to write a letter to The Chairman Mr. J. Holman to request the provision of risk assessment and first aid cover for said public event.

C/129/07      HANGING BASKETS (13)

It was noted that baskets look very pretty and it was proposed by the Chairman that maybe the Council would like to increase the number of baskets in Fore Street.

Action: Prior to the Council making a final decision Cllr. J. Henshall will ask businesses in Fore Street that ‘If the Council increases the number of baskets on Fore Street, would they agree to water them?’

C/130/07      MOORINGS (16)

Clerk reported about completion of renewal process for year 2007-2008, current status in Kingswear mooring, presented updated Waiting List. Carried unanimously.

Action: Council Terms and Conditions together with the Council policy document to be revised by a committee consisting of Cllrs.  P. Pudduck and B. Tulloch and the Clerk.

Action: Clerk to check and confirm the residential status of applicants;

Action: Clerk to display the mooring waiting lists on the notice-boards and web-site to keep the residents informed of the current status, position on list and names only to be displayed in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

It has been noted that the new pontoon bridge is much narrower than the previous one and this could allow two additional berths to be placed along the edge of the pontoon nearest to the bank but they would be suitable only for small dinghies. Permission would be required from DHNA, because they have strict controls on the number of berths on the river.

Action: Clerk to write a letter to DHNA to ask for permission to install two extra berths.

C/131/07      CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (17.1)

The Chairman reported the following:-

∙           The Chairman reported to the Council regarding the recent repair work that had been performed on the Chairman’s Chain;

∙           Chairman asked if a Cllr. would take occasional care of the Chapel of Rest while Mrs. Sewall is on holiday. Cllr. J. Henshall agreed to look after the Chapel during this period;

∙           Chairman supported the idea of an investigation regarding the possibility of placing new notice-boards in the Cemetery and Greenway/Galmpton areas;             

            Action: Clerk to get information and quotes.

∙           Chairman read out a letter from The Standards Board for England regarding the cooption Mr. P. Pirnie.

C/132/07      CLERK’S REPORT (17.2)           

Clerk had distributed report in advance to every Cllr. together with agenda. Clerk informed meeting that there is a need to order new stickers for moorings and to revise Council’s property and risk assessment reports.

Clerk announced that she is on annual leave on 24^th - 28^th September 2007.

C/133/07      CORRESPONDENCE REQUIRING ATTENTION (18)

The following correspondence was distributed to the councillors in advance and accompanied the report:-

(1)       SHDC – Kingswear Conservation Appraisal and Management Plan. To be discussed at the next Planning Meeting on 28^th August, 2007.

(2)      South Hams Local Development Framework – Focus Group Meeting on Tuesday 11^th September 2007.  Noted.

(3)      SHDC – Memorandum Re: Hillhead Link Path. Deferred to the next agenda.

(4)      Letter from Pat Culley regarding the Parish Pontoon. Noted.  

           Action: Cllr. B. Tulloch.

(5)       DCC – Bus Information Strategy 2006 – 2011. Noted.

(6)       Devon Tree Services – Regarding Kingswear Cemetery tree inspection. Noted.

           Action: Clerk to forward report to insurers.

(7)       Letter from Antony Steen MP regarding the complaint of Mrs. Exell concerning the noise and disturbance caused by low-flying naval helicopters. Noted.

(8)       Kingswear Regatta Committee: Thank-you letter regarding donation and sponsorship. Noted.

C/134/07      REPORTS FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS (19)

Cllr. J. Hawkins reported that there were still problems with the refuse collections and that any residents experiencing difficulties should contact SHDC directly.

Action: Clerk was requested to write a letter to SHDC to request the placement of a new waste bin at The Banjo and to provide stickers or labels stating “No household waste”.

C/135/07      REQUESTS OF THE CLERK AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS (20)

(1)      Cllr. J. Wright:           1. Playing Fields.          2. Sign Raddicombe Drive.

(2)      Cllr. A. Usher:           1. Parish newsletter.      2. Kingswear web-site.

(3)      Cllr. J. Hawkins:        1. Risk assessment.       2. Council property.

                                            3. Remembrance Sunday.

(4)      Cllr. A. Pithers:          1. Contract and schedule of works for village green areas and possible contractors. Tender results.

(5)       Cllr. P. Pudduck:       1. Pontoon.                  2. Action: Clerk to write a letter to Mr. Wing regarding the reinstatement of the bank at the head of Waterhead Creek.

(6)       Cllr. J. Henshall.         1. Xmas Lunch and Xmas Lights.

(7)       Cllr. H. Newcombe.  1. Notice Board in Greenway.

(8)       Cllr. B. Tulloch          1. Skip in Banjo. Action: Clerk to check the license

C/136/07       PAYMENTS FOR JULY/AUGUST 2007 (21)

It was agreed unanimously that the following cheques be paid:-

C/137/07       COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (22)

There were none.

The meeting closed at 10.45pm.

Minutes approved…………………… Date……………………………