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KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Kingswear Parish Council Held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 9th December 2014
Present: Cllr. J. Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr. K. Allen, Cllr. J. Henshall, Cllr. A. Lovell, Cllr. R. Lovell and Cllr. M. Trevorrow. Also in attendance PC R Hewett, District Councillor Bastone and Mrs Emma Illingworth (Clerk). Also in attendance Mr Andrew Pooley, Managing Director of Dartmouth Steam Rail and Riverboat Company. There were 9 members of the public present.
A minutes silence was held as a mark of respect for Mr Mike Felton who sadly passed away recently.
The Chairman extended his thanks to all involved in the organisation of the Christmas Lights switch on event. He commented that he felt a Christmas tree at Hillhead is needed for next year.
C/198/14. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (1)Apologies were received from Cllrs Ferris, Hacking and Newcombe.
C/199/14. DECLARATION OF INTEREST (2)None.
C/200/14. 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. Lighthouse Beach. ii. Minutes 14th October and 11th November. Agreed and signed as a correct record. iii. Mooring matter
C/201/14. MINUTES (4)The minutes of the Council meeting held on the 14th October and 11th November were agreed and signed as a correct record.
C/202/14. ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION (5)The following items were agreed by the Chairman. i. Dogs in the Cemetery. ii. Planning issues for Greenway concerning access.
C/203/14. POLICE REPORT (6)PC Hewett presented a report: An outboard engine was taken from a boat moored at the top of Waterhead Creek. Mooring safety: After the recent spate of mooring thefts in the area mooring holders were reminded to take outboards home if they are able to and in addition secure their property. The Clerk advised she had kept mooring holders up to date via the email communication list and advised on security measures. Cllr Trevorrow advised that he had examined the gate providing access to Jubilee Park and it provided adequate security as well as being able to be removed in the event of an emergency. Other security measures are being looked at and advice was given to the Clerk. Action: Clerk to look further at security measures in Jubilee Park.
C/204/14. DARTMOUTH STEAM RAILWAY AND RIVERBOAT COMPANY (7) Mr Andrew Pooley, Managing Director attended to give an update on the plans for replacement of the roof canopy covering at Kingswear Station. The works need to be completed while there are fewer public around. Then roof is in a bad state and urgently needs a repair. The local group KARRD has been contacted and invited to the station if they wish to look at the plans. Mr Pooley has been in contact with Mr Richard Gage, District Conservation Officer. He has suggested that a planning application is submitted for the works. The new roof materials will be shiny but will wear in approximately 12 months. Other works: · Replacement of cast iron guttering · Foot bridge. (but will remain open as much as possible) · Facade facing Dartmouth
The work will start around March with a view to be finished by June. Mr Pooley advised that any interested members of the public are welcome to call into the station to discuss. The Chairman thanked Mr Pooley for sharing his plans for the station. He congratulated Mr Pooley on the investment for Kingswear Station. (There were no members of KARRD present at the meeting.)
C/205/14. PLANNING MEETING (8) Please see separate agenda.
C/206/14. QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (9) None.
C/207/14. RESIDENTS PARKING BRIXHAM ROAD, ADJACENT TO JUBILEE PARK AND OTHER VILLAGE REQUIREMENTS. (PLEASE SEE ITEMS C/185/14) (10) An update was given following the visit from Mr C Watkins Devon County Council at November meeting. The residents attending this meeting were concerned about the impact of possible extension of the scheme of restricted parking (not a full residents’ parking scheme) that would not include the areas, in the main, of Higher Contour Road and Contour Heights. In the discussion the following main points were made from the attending public: · If residents parking is extended to other parts of the village and in particular Brixham Road the cars displaced from this area will move up to other areas with no restrictions. · Kingswear does provide parking for those who work in Dartmouth as well as people who go on yachting trips, parking even being advertised in Yachting magazines. · This lack of parking for Kingswear residents affects business. · When the existing parking restrictions were put in, it moved the un-restricted parking up the hill. The main options were highlighted as: 1. Leave the current situation as it is. 2. Extend the current parking scheme to Brixham Road. 3. Extend the current scheme to whole village. It is recognised as a difficult decision as it will impact the whole community. When the parish council conducted a parking survey in 2009 the majority view was not to extend parking to Higher Contour and roads from. It is recognised that this view has changed as pressure on parking has increased. Action: Parish Council will make some enquiries of Devon County Council concerning a whole village residents parking scheme. A whole village scheme will cost a great deal of money for the traffic regulation orders and lines and signs. Consultation will need to be conducted. To place on Agenda for 20th January to discuss the way forward.
C/208/14. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (11) 1. C/165/14 Playground Jubilee Park An update from the meeting of the playground group in which councillors were involved was given: · A review was given by Cllr R Lovell for the attending public. · The parish council has given permission to a playground in Jubilee Park, in principle, subject to approval of the final design. · There is a community group set up for the development of the proposal. Cllrs. Hawkins, Henshall and A and R Lovell attended a recent meeting. It is not a parish council working group and entirely separate to the parish council. · Further to this a site meeting was attended by some in Jubilee Park. · The Community Council of Devon has been engaged to provide advice. · It needs to be established whether planning permission would be needed or a playground can be built under permitted development rights. Cllr Henshall wished it recorded that she was not happy with the provided notes from the initial playground meeting she attended. In addition she was not invited to the Jubilee Park site visit. The Clerk suggested that the communication links were checked with the secretary of the group. 2. C/ 148/14C/ 166/14 Beacon Road landslide group update There is a community group to look at solutions. It is not a parish council working group. Cllrs R Lovell and Henshall are involved in this group. Another survey has been conducted of the area and the landowners have been in contact with Devon Highways. There will be another meeting in the New Year to discuss further.
C/209/14. FINANCE (12) Latest financial reports and update from the finance working group meeting were given. This included a suggested budget for 2015 to 2016 which had been previously circulated to members who have also been asked previously to contribute budgetary requirements. The Clerk had provided members with an analysis of precepts of other councils and the Band D Council Tax figures to help with the setting f an appropriate precept. It was recognised that parishes are being asked to provide and pay for increased services as an increase in central budget cuts is anticipated. The income for Kingswear Parish is also down this year. With this in mind the parish council felt it prudent to increase the precept. An increase to £24536 from £22429 which also takes in to account the reduction in the tax support grant (Government financial support) was felt acceptable from comparative analysis and the needs of the parish. Budget for 2015 to 2016. The increase to £24536 was Proposed, Seconded and Resolved. Dist. Cllr Bastone recommended that the council carry out a full financial risk analysis. The Clerk confirmed she was looking at a revised reserves policy. 12 a Website – To consider the production of a new parish council website at a cost of £710. It is recognised that an independent website is needed to run alongside the existing Kingswear Page. Currently the parish council has a page within this site. This will enable to the parish council to communicate effectively and timely. Comparative figures were provided by the Clerk from research conducted a few years ago. The Chairman and Clerk had met with Dartmouth Computers to discuss the provision of a website. It was Proposed to commission a new site at the cost of £710, and with a yearly maintenance of £60. This was Seconded and Resolved. Mr Michael Stevens who runs the existing site has kindly offered to provide advice. Updates and input will be required from members.
C/210/14. SNOW WARDEN SCHEME (13) A new Snow Warden has not been found. It was agreed by Cllr R Lovell, the Chairman and the Clerk to purchase 4 grit bins to visibly and safely store salt. This is of a cost of £452.48. Members agreed with this course of action before the meeting due to the possibility of colder weather. Cllrs Lovell and Trevorrow will organise the siting in Ridley Hill, Church Hill, Wood Lane and Raddicombe. Suitable signage with contact details will be placed in the bins. A padlock could be provided if felt necessary in the summer. New District Council volunteer road schemes The Chairman explained the new scheme coming into operation in April/ May. The verges will not be cut and sides of road not cleaned, plus a reduction in the lengthsman service will be seen. It was Agreed to place on the next agenda as provision will need to be made for the continuation of these services in the parish.
C/211/14. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (14) The Chairman did not have anything further to add but extended Christmas wishes to councillors and thanked them for their hard work this year.
CLERK’S REPORT · Electoral Review. Please see District Councillor report below. It concentrates on electoral division boundaries across Devon. Information has been placed on notice boards and will be distributed to members. The deadline for input to the consultation is the 19th January 2015. · The Clerk reported that as requested she had investigated why there was a substantial water leak from the SWW reservoir plant at Hillhead. SWWater advised that it was due to reservoir supply being switched and a pump continuing to work in error. . It is unlikely to happen again. · Unfortunately the Clerk had in error advertised the wrong ward for the councillor vacancy. The vacancy is for Hillhead Ward and had been re -advertised. The time for a call for an election is the 29th December.
C/212/14. CORRESPONDENCE (15) · District Council “Our Plan” – Distributed to members. Comments to be received in good time to reply to the 5th January deadline. · Devon Association of Local Councils newsletter – Distributed to members
C/213/14. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS (16) - District Cllr Bastone has kindly presented a report as follows: In light of a number of issues being raised, the Council’s Economy and Environment Scrutiny Panel has requested that South West Water representatives be invited to attend and respond to Member questions at the next Panel meeting on 22 January 2015; - The TAP Fund principles for 2014/15 remain broadly the same as they were in 2013/14, with town and parish councils expected to collaborate on joint bids. The deadline for submissions of applications is Wednesday, 31 December 2014 and a decision on the applications will be made at the first Cluster meetings in 2015; - The electoral review of Devon County Council has now formally commenced. The process is currently at the public consultation stage on inviting proposals for new division arrangements and the deadline for responses to the Boundary Commission is 19 January 2015; - Recent legislative changes have resulted in a requirement for cardboard to now be placed in blue sacks rather than brown bins. If any cardboard does not fit into the sacks, then it can be folded and placed alongside instead; - The formal SHDC budget setting process for 2015/16 is to commence at the Executive meeting on 11 December 2014 and will culminate with a set of Budget proposals being presented to the full Council meeting on 12 February 2015. - South Devon Coastal Local Action Group funding has now come to an end. I have a list of local projects that have received assistance. - Dartmouth Indoor Swimming Pool planning application was on the agenda of the Development Management Committee for last Wednesday and was approved. - Interviews for the Executive Director (Strategy & Commissioning) and Head of Paid Service have been held and we are awaiting an announcement regarding the appointment. County Information Bus Service: The 18A service to Brixham is being withdrawn from April due to lack of use. The last bus out of Kingswear will be 7:09pm. The County is looking at £30million of cuts next year, it was £24 million this.
C/214/14. REQUESTS OF THE CLERK AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS (17) · Collection scheme for small electrical items · Traffic cutting corner in Bridge Road in the turning to Kingswear · Mooring fees increase ratification · Grounds Maintenance Contract
C/215/14. PAYMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER 2014 (18)The total list of presented payments PROPOSED, SECONDED was AGREED
C/216/14. URGENT/ EXEMPT ITEMS (19) i. Dogs in the Cemetery The Clerk had received two complaints of dog mess in the cemetery recently. Due to timings and observations this was thought to be from foxes that had been seen in the cemetery. It was Agreed that no further action should be taken. ii. Access to Greenway Cllr A Lovell gave a report following discussion with the National Trust concerning the application to extend the opening of Greenway to 7 days a week. This has been granted. There was an objection from the parish council. It was hoped that the 106 agreement would stay and extra paths put in, however the 106 restriction on opening hours has been lifted. The parish council has asked the National Trust to put in circular routes to enable additional walkers, pedestrians and other road users to be able to get off the road. There are also cattle movements in the road which could be a hazard. Cllr Lovell Proposed a response which was Agreed by the parish council to the National Trust. It raises concerns about the current situation with regard to road safety and the need to provide other access routes for non vehicular road users. The National Trust has said it would like to meet with KPC representatives again to discus further. It was Agreed for Cllrs A and R Lovell to do this. The proposal to send the letter was Seconded and Resolved.
Meeting finished at 10:30pm
Signed............................................................. Date:.................................................
The next meeting is the 20th January 2015 in the Sarah Roope Room
Summary list of actions:
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