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KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting of Kingswear Parish Council Held in the Trust Room on Tuesday 11th December 2007
Present: Cllr. J. Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr. J. Ferris, Cllr. J. Henshall, Cllr. A. Lovell, Cllr. H. Newcombe, Cllr. A. Pithers, Cllr. P. Pudduck, Cllr. A. Usher. Also in attendance was one member of the public and Mrs E. Davydova (Clerk).
C/200/07 OPENING REMARKS The Chairman opened the meeting by welcoming a new Clerk and wished her an enjoyable time working with the Council.
C/201/07 APOLOGIES (1) Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. B. Tulloch and Cllr. J. Wright.
C/202/07 MINUTES (2) The minutes of the Council meeting held on 13th November 2007 were signed as a correct record.
C/203/07 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (3) There were none.
C/204/07 ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION (4) There were none.
C/205/07 STATEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (5) There were none.
C/206/07 APPOINTMENT OF NEW CLERK (6) Council held interviews with the shortlisted candidates on the 22nd November 2007. Emma Illingworth was unanimously selected as the most suitable candidate. It was proposed by Chairman and seconded by Cllr. A. Usher that Emma Illingworth be appointed as the new Clerk for Kingswear Parish Council with the starting date of employment being the 9th January 2008. Accepted unanimously. Action: Contract to be signed within two months of starting employment.
C/207/07 POLICE REPORT (7) PC R. Hewett sent his apologies for his absence and the Chairman presented his written report, (please see Appendix A attached). Councillors expressed their concern regarding an incident reported on 24th November 2007 at Mansands, where a male walker approached a solitary young horse rider and physically assaulted her. Action: Clerk to write a letter to Dartmouth Police to ask whether they would like to use Council notice boards and newsletter, also a page in Herald Express to raise the public awareness of this and similar issues.
C/208 /07 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (8) (1) C/184/07/1 - Cemetery: Memorial Wall. Cllr. J. Henshall reporting on this issue stated that the working group of Cllrs. had held a meeting on site and upon inspection of the area had held a discussion on the proposed dimensions of the Cremation Wall (specifically height and length). Mr. M. Parkes then clarified the proposed sketches and described a design of the Wall to Council members. Action: Mr. M. Parkes to obtain preliminary estimates from a small number of builders, produce updated drawings and investigate whether any planning permission is required. Council will continue discussion regarding costs involved next Council meeting on 15th January 2008. Chairman thanked Mr. M. Parkes for his involvement and dedicated work.
(2) C/184/07/2 - Playing Fields This item was withdrawn from the agenda due to it be considered to be no longer relevant.
(3) C/184/07/3 - Village Green Registration: (i) Meeting of the working group of Cllrs H. Newcombe, B. Tulloch (Chairman), P. Pudduck together with Mr. M. Stevens, Mr. P. Folka, Mr. J. Distin with Cllr. J. Hawkins in attendance took place on 27th November 2007. Chairman and Cllrs described the meeting as being very successful, useful and informative. The Council has registered as a member of the Open Spaces Society in order to obtain further information and support with regard to proceeding with the registration of Lighthouse Beach as a Village Green under the new Commons Act. Action: Working group to proceed with relevant actions. (ii) Council welcomed the meeting between Cllrs J. Henshall, A. Lovell, A. Usher with Mr. D. Southwick and the proposed further meetings to define a way forward. Please note that this Council currently still holds the opinion that the public should have a free and continued access to Light House Beach.
(4) C/184/07/2 - Pontoon Cllr. P. Pudduck spoke regarding this item. Letter to Darthaven sent on 19th November with:- ∙ A request for permission to erect the gate; ∙ Ratification of the new rental costs; ∙ A request to clarify the Terms & Conditions & Duration of lease. Please note no response has yet been received. Gates: Cllr. P. Pudduck presented quotes received. It was proposed by Cllr. P. Pudduck and seconded by Cllr. J. Ferris to accept the estimate £940, excluding VAT, from Brixham Steel. Accepted unanimously. Action: Cllr. P. Pudduck to proceed with project. Action: Clerk to write a reminder letter to Darthaven regarding the Lease agreement.
(5) C/184/07/6 - Parish news letter Cllrs. A. Pithers presented The Kingswear Courier and reported about its distribution and delivery. Council members were very pleased with the first edition and described it as ‘wonderful’. They congratulated Cllrs. T. Pithers and A. Usher in respect of the new born Parish newsletter. Second edition is expected in early summer 2008. Advertising is very welcome!
(6) C/185/07 – Noss-on-Dart-Marina Meeting held on 14th November 2007 at the instigation of Cllr. A. Lovell and she reported that Noss-on-Dart Marina Development provided an informal presentation of their project and answered questions regarding the forthcoming development and its influence on the area. Council would support projected plans and aims.
(7) C/186/07 - Council records The Chairman proposed the approval of a new standing order presented by the Clerk requiring that if any Councillor requests or borrows documents or papers from the Clerk then full council approval shall be required and recorded in the minutes. Accepted unanimously.
(8) C/187/07 - Jubilee Park, Memorial Stone installation Memorial stone to be placed by Williams & Triggs in two stages, foundations scheduled for installation on 11th January 2008 with completion being one week later.
(9) C/188/07 – Hoodown Wood. Due to the absence of Cllr. B. Tulloch this item was deferred until the next meeting.
(10) C/191/07 - To consider and set the Council’s Budget 2008/2009 Councillors held a discussion regarding the major Budget expenditure with a view to making the precept demand and to plan the major Council projects for the forthcoming financial year. It was proposed by Cllr. A. Usher and by seconded by Cllr. A. Pithers to reduce the Tree management Fund from £3500 to £2500. Accepted 7 for, 1 against.
NOTE: Clerk had previously brought to the attention of Council concern that they must hold consultation with The Environmental Agency, Exeter before any decision is made regarding gabions erection and obtaining quotes from builders due to possible constraints in terms of height etc.
It was proposed by Cllr. A. Usher and seconded by Cllr. T. Pithers that the Council authorise the budget for the next financial year 2008/09 with the precept set at £12000. Accepted unanimously. Please see attachment 2.
C/209/07 DATES FOR APM AND AGM 2008 (9) It was unanimously resolved that:- ∙ Annual Parish Meeting (APM) will be held on 6th May 2008; ∙ Annual Council Meeting (AGM) will be held on 20th May 2008.
C/210/07 KINGSWEAR AWARD 2007 (10) Chairman reported that a total of three nominations had been received, these being:- (i) Melinda Smallwood who has been known within the Parish for the past ten years and it is considered amazing where she gets the energy from to support the community in the way she does. Despite the fact that Melinda is not on the Kingswear Rowing Club Committee, she is readily available to assist and support any event that Rowing Club organizes. She is a committed and reliable person who never seeks gratification or recognition for the time she generously donates to this community. The village school Governors is another voluntary position she holds as secretary, and also the Friends of St Thomas church charity. At Kingswear Regatta when Melinda is not rowing, she is working on the finish line, start line, organizing coxes, running a stall, assisting at H.Q, and all this is done with kindness and a big smile. Melinda is well known throughout this fabulous community and recognized for her warmth and support. She is also works as secretary of the Port of Dartmouth Joint Regatta Sailing Committee.
(ii) Thomas Burnell was nominated for his action of great honesty, kindness and being a role model for the young of Kingswear.
(iii) Mr. Michael Stevens The Parish is deeply indebted to him for his hard work during many years, devotion and efficiency in the everyday running and maintaining of the web-site. On many occasions he has been proposed for this Award but the award has always been presented elsewhere.
It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr. J. Ferris that Mr. Michael Stevens be the recipient of the Kingswear Award for 2007 with the presentation being made at the Senior Citizens Lunch on 10th January 2008. Resolved: 7- for, 1 - against.
C/211/07 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (12.1) The Chairman described the switch-on of the Christmas lights as a great success and the most pleasant of events and offered thanks to all involved in the organisation of the event, including the teachers of Kingswear Primary School, Sarah Mules. Council thanked the Chairman for providing the delightful presents for the children.
C/212/07 CLERK’S REPORT (12.2) A written report was distributed to Council together with the agenda.
Clerk reported additionally regarding:- ∙ Senior Citizens Lunch. By request of Chairman J. Hawkins the Clerk has withdrawn 28 tickets from sale in the Kingswear Post Office and 2 from Cllr. H. Newcombe. The total number of guests to be served at the Lunch has now been reduced to 60. The Royal Castle Hotel caterers have been informed accordingly. ∙ Hillhead Link Path, a new referee has been proposed to be for the “Awards for All” Grant application, this being Mr. Michael Ingram, The National Trust Area Warden. ∙ Annual Audit. The reviewed and certified Annual Return for the financial year ending on 31 March 2007 has been received from the Audit Commission and the necessary notices of conclusion of the Audit and right to inspect the annual return were displayed on the Notice Boards on 30th November 2007. Statement in the External Auditor’s Report, arising from the audit:- “The Council must ensure that its risk assessment is covered by the internal auditor in 2007/08. The risk assessment should cover financial and non-financial risks and be formally reviewed at least annually”. ∙ Re: Graves for sale for non-residents of the Parish. Clerk informed Council that there is great interest from outside of the Parish for purchase of grave spaces in Kingswear Cemetery. It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr. J. Ferris to sell two more graves to non-residents of Kingswear at £2000 each to cover the cost of repair of the Chapel of Rest’s roof. Accepted unanimously. ∙ That there is a need to organize a routine inspection of Cemetery Lodge by members of the Council.
C/213/07 CORRESPONDENCE REQUIRING ATTENTION (13) The following list of correspondence was considered and noted:- (i) SHDC. Parish Cluster Meeting on Thursday 13th December 2007. Resolved: Council representative is Cllr. J. Henshall. (ii) SHDC. Precept 2008/09. Signed by Chairman and Clerk. Action: Clerk to take necessary action regarding returning form. (iii) SHDC. Budget Meeting with Town & Parish Councils on Thursday 17th January 2008. Resolved: Council representative is Cllr. A. Usher. (iv) Devon & Cornwall Constabulary. Neighborhood Watch Scheme Funding. Request for donation. Refused.
C/214/07 DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS (14) Cllr. J. Hawkins presented his report regarding:- ∙ Sale of Exeter airport; ∙ Funds increase; ∙ Property group meeting regarding ferry fare increase; ∙ New ferry; ∙ Affordable housing in Kingswear. Due to the failure of Exeter becoming a Unitary Authority, the Government had now asked for The Boundary Commission to look into the Boundaries of District and County Council. This could mean Kingswear becoming part of a Greater Torbay, this was discussed and felt to be totally unacceptable.
C/215/07 REQUESTS OF THE CLERK AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS (15) (1) Cllr. J. Ferris: Provision of new Remembrance ceremony wreaths. (2) Cllr. A. Usher: Pet Cemetery. (3) Cllr. J. Henshall: (i) US Gardens. (ii) Cemetery: Cremation Area marking bricks. (4) Cllr. H. Newcombe: Greenway Notice Board. (5) Cllr. P. Pudduck: Pontoon. (6) Cllr. T. Pithers: Cemetery Lodge. (7) Cllr. J. Hawkins: Carlow Bequest.
C/216/07 PAYMENTS FOR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2007 (16) It was agreed that the following cheques be paid:-
Total: 2512.57
C/217/07 COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (17) None were made.
C/218/07 CLOSING REMARKS Chairman thanked Clerk for dedicated work for the Council and community and presented her a bouquet of flowers and Kingswear Arms (???). She will be missed. Clerk thanked all members of Kingswear Parish Council, both past and present, for their guidance, support and kindness during her period as Clerk to the Council. It has been a wonderful and fulfilling experience. Clerk would like to thank the parishioners of Kingswear and hoped that she have managed to meet their expectations and that they will treat the incoming Clerk in the same kind and polite manner that they have her. She will be sorry to finish this rewarding period as she have made so many new friends and she has so many wonderful memories.
The meeting was closed at 9.45 pm.
Minutes approved…………………… Date……………………………
Following the meeting, the Council and Clerk met as Trustees of the Carlow Bequest. They resolved that the Senior Citizen’s Lunch for 60 guests will be held on Thursday, 10th January 2008 in the Village Hall with catering provided by The Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth. |
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