KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL

Present: Cllr. J. Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr. K. Allen, Cllr. J. Hacking, Cllr. A. Lovell, Cllr. R. Lovell, Cllr. H. Newcombe, Cllr. D. Pearce and Cllr. M. Trevorrow.

Also in attendance were PC R Hewett, three members of the public and Mrs E Illingworth (Clerk).

C/001/13. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (1)

Apologies were received from Cllr. J. Ferris and Cllr J Hacking. Also PC R Hewett and the Clerk (due to illness)

C/002/13. DECLARATION OF INTEREST (2)

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.

A risk assessment rota has been organised through the mooring committee to record the condition of the creek pontoon.

C/004/13. MINUTES (4)

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 11^th December were not yet available due the Clerk’s compassionate leave. Will be signed next month.

C/005/13. ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION (5)

The Christmas Tree adjacent to the Hillhead roundabout on the entrance to the parish has been kindly donated by Mr Lang at the Ship Inn. The PC is very grateful to Mr Lang for this kind gesture. It was agreed that the solar lights on the tree did not work effectively so lights from the mains will be organised for this year. Mr Lang is also going to organise this.

It was Agreed to place a sign advertising the donation by the Ship Inn for this year.

In addition the Clerk is requested to ask Torbay Display to quote for replacing the lights in Fore Street with LED lights.

This year more effective posters need to be organised to encourage more parish participation. An invitation for the 'Switch On' needs to be extended to the Vicar.

ii. Christmas Lights Switch on 2013

The Chairman has had a meeting with some of the residents from Waterhead Close following concerns of flooding in recent weeks. Residents were concerned that their properties would be flooded. The culvert is blocked, which has added to the problem. Cllr Hawkins is having a meeting with DCC Engineer Mr Jim Morrison to look at solutions. They will also look at the flooding that occurs from the drain in Brixham Road opposite Waterhead Terrace.

The Clerk has spoken with James Kershaw at SHDC. He is going to look into the possibility of a government grant for flood protection of the properties opposite the Creek on Brixham Road. An officer from the District Council will also attend the meeting. This could involve flood boards.

It was Proposed to spend £100 from the Carlow Bequest to purchase expanding sandbags for an emergency. Cllr Henshall Proposed that this money should not come from the Carlow Bequest but from Council funds. The fund from main Council funds was Seconded and Resolved.

In addition there has been run off from Waterhead Brake, unavoidable due to the amount of rainfall, but it was agreed to write to the owner to request assistance on the storage of materials to prevent build up and blockage.

Action: Clerk to organise expanding bags to the value of £100.

The PC agreed that this plan needs to be progressed. Cllr R Lovell is going to look into the Neighbourhood Plan and along with Cllr Pearce look into the Emergency Plan procedure with Cllr Ferris. The name of the officer James Kershaw was suggested at The District Council to assist

A quote has been obtained for redecorating the front of the Lodge. The property has been inspected by Cllrs R Lovell and Trevorrow who felt that the decorating was not required apart from the front window ledge. Cllr Trevorrow has asked the roofer who has been employed to attend to the ledge at the same time. Agreed.

The Clerk has contacted Mrs Kelsey, Secretary of Waterhead Creek Preservation Society and a date has been arranged for the 15^th January for Cllrs Henshall, Allen and Newcombe to meet to discuss funding options for the potential replacement of the surface in Jubilee Park. Proposals of cost will be obtained.

C/006/13. POLICE REPORT (6)

PC Hewett having given his apologies confirmed that there were no report items to give.

C/008/13. STATEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (8)

C/009/13. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (9)

All is in order for the lunch at the Royal Dart Yacht Club. The Chairman thanked Cllrs Henshall, Newcombe, Allen and Pearce for their work with the lunch and ticket sales. Cllr Henshall has advised that she is considering not continuing with the lunch in the future in which case another councillor will need to take the lead with the event.

There will be an introductory talk at the Senior Citizens Lunch, with the presentation of the £500 cheque from the Carlow Bequest.

C/010/13. OUTSTANDING ACTIONS (10)

Mr Paul Folca is discussing with Cllr Henshall ongoing maintenance requirements of the US Garden. The PC has previously agreed to take the US garden work out of the SHDC council schedule. It was Proposed to pay the existing contractor who is maintaining the trees £300 for the maintenance of the US garden for the year The garden needs some additional work at the moment to make it more presentable so in addition to pay £100 as a one off to tidy up. So in summary council is asked to agree a £300 annual expenditure and a one of payment of £100. This was Seconded and Resolved.

In order to set the precept the council is required to set a dispensation to allow councillors to set the precept. This is because of the change in code of contact in May 2012 and the repeal of legislation allowing councillors to set the precept. The setting of the precept is a pecuniary interest in council tax for councillors. It was Proposed Kingswear Parish Council resolves to grant dispensation to the current council from now until after the next ordinary elections to allow for the annual setting of the precept. This was Seconded and Resolved.

The Finance Working Group has previously worked on the budget which has been presented to councillors already with further recent input by the Chairman and Clerk. Additional expenses items have been identified as including £600 for decoration of Lodge, £1100 for roof repairs, £250 for regatta display, plus £691 contribution towards match funding LAG application. It was Proposed to increase the precept by £2500. However the District have been allocated from Central Government a council tax base of £1239 for Kingswear, as income, which means the precept will only in fact been increased by £1261 which will mean a total of £22261. This was Seconded and Resolved.

Action: Clerk to forward precept request for 2013 to 2014 at £22261

C/012/13. CEMETERY CHARGES (12)

It was thought not necessary to make any increase in the Cemetery Fees. It was Proposed to reset as of 2012 to 2013. This was Seconded and Resolved.

A hole developed in the slate roof that has been repaired as an Emergency. Cost £70.

It was agreed that this exercise should move forward and of particular relevance now with regard to the Snow Warden Scheme. The following actions were agreed:

· Place on the next agenda to set a working group. Cllrs R Lovell and Pearce have kindly volunteered.

· Expenses and Insurance responsibilities/ requirements will need to be examined.

Paperwork of proposed new working groups following previous discussions has been distributed. This item will be deferred to the next meeting.

· The Path alongside Waterhead Creek adjacent to Brixham Road and the Creek is closed. This is due to a cracked pipe and landslip investigation.

· The Kingswear Castle Vessel will have its first sailing on the 29^th March. Tickets are £25.

· Hanging Basket poles left over from Dartmouth in Bloom have been given to Kingswear to use in Fore Street.

· Clerk to write a letter of thanks to the road team at County South West Highways for cleaning drains and road sweeping in the bad weather.

C/020/13. PAYMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2012 TO JANUARY 2013 (20)

C/021/12. EXEMPT/URGENT ITEMS. (21)

Cllrs R Lovell and Pearce will look options and cost at and advise the pc in due course.

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