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KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Kingswear Parish Council Held in the Trust Room on Tuesday 13th July 2010
Present: Cllr. J. Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr. J. Ferris, Cllr. J. Hacking, Cllr. J. Henshall, Cllr. A. Lovell, Cllr. P. Pithers, Cllr. G. Sowerby and Cllr. K. Sowerby.
Also in attendance were Ms Delyth Jenkins Evans, SHDC Monitoring Officer, Cllr. H. Bastone, District Councillor, PC R Hewett, 14 members of the public and Mrs Emma Illingworth (Clerk).
Opening Statement The Chairman made an opening statement to advise the resignation of the Parish Clerk. He thanked her for her time in the role of 2 and ½ years. He stated that she has been an excellent clerk and he had enjoyed working with her. Mrs Illingworth thanked the Chairman for his kind remarks and thanked Cllr Hawkins and members for their support.
The Chairman also advised that he felt that his quote in the recent article in the Dartmouth Chronicle concerning the co-option was not very clear. He had not been at the meeting and stated that Cllr. G. Sowerby did not take part in the vote. This is inaccurate. Cllr. G. Sowerby took full part in the co-option. He apologised for the mis-representation.
C/111/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (1) Apologies were received from Cllr. H. Newcombe and Cllr. P. Pudduck.
C/112/10 MINUTES (2) The Minutes of Council Meeting held on 8th June 2010 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.
C/113/10 NEW COUNCILLORS DECLARATIONS OF OFFICE (3) It was confirmed that Cllrs Hacking and Sowerby had signed their declaration forms by the clerk and were able to take their places at the meeting.
C/114/10 DECLARATION OF INTEREST (4) There were none.
C/115/10 ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION (5) The following item were agreed by the Chairman: 1. An additional Exempt item ‘Confidential Matter’ 2. Lighthouse Beach item to placed into Exempt section. 3. The Council to consider arrangements for a Press Policy
C/116/10 EXEMPT INFORMATION (6) 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 1and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule12A to the Act is involved. This relates to: 1. Confidential Matters x 3 2. Lighthouse Beach ( previously item 10) TO BE TAKEN AT END OF MEETING
C/117/10 POLICE REPORT (7) PC Hewett submitted a report. (See appendix A). There has an increase in boat related crime. PC Hewett reiterated that if the public see anyone suspiciously tapering with a boat to ring the police so they can investigate. Cllr Ferris checked with PC Hewett his concerns regarding vehicles making U-turns just past the junction at Hillhead when proceeding towards Kingswear and the Lower Ferry. After discussion it was concluded that nothing could be done (unless seen by the authorities) as it was dangerous driving of individuals. It has been confirmed that there will be a park and ride facility at Hillhead for the Dartmouth Regatta. There will be police motorcyclist support in the village as usual. The Chairman thanked PC Hewett for his report.
C/118/10 REMEMBRANCE DAY (8) Lt. Col James Treglown attended the meeting to discuss the arrangements for this year. The Clerk is to meet with him to take instructions. Memorial Wreath Frame This is the only visual outside war memorial in the village. It was Agreed that it now needs replacement. Cllr Ferris is to arrange some quotes for the next meeting in September. Lt. Col. Treglown was thanked by the Chairman for his dedication in organising the Remembrance Service for many years and awarded him the Kingswear Coat of Arms plaque by way of thanks.
C/119/10 STATEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (9) 1. Mr C Hetherington asked for the numbers of votes cast in the co-option under the Freedom of Information Act. All members were happy for these to be released. The Chairman confirmed that the co-opted candidates had received a large majority. The Clerk will supply these. Jubilee Park 2. Mr M Stevens tabled some principles for the use of Jubilee Park for all members and attendees. They included a reminder that Jubilee Park is the only recreational area in the whole of Kingswear apart from the sports field Mount Ridley Road, concern over the use of vehicles to launch heavy boats and that they should be banned. In addition concern in relation to safety was expressed, due to the large size and sharpness of the scalping. He felt the grass should be reinstated. 3. Mr S Yates stated that he concurred with Mr Stevens. He distributed some photographs that showed that heavy vehicles with boats were not staying on the turning circle to launch. He stated that the turning circle is totally disproportionate to the size of the park. In addition he had noticed that a car had recently been parked on the grass for 6 hours. No parking is allowed in the park. Some people have also been pressure hosing boats on the slipway. It is felt that the usage has increased in the last two weeks since the path was put down. 4. Mr R Rawlings asked the parish council to look at the legal status of the park. Is it Common Land or can usage be controlled i.e resident usage only and no cars? He also felt the turning area was too large and a consultation should have been made. 5. Mrs D Byass felt that the parishioners should be consulted and that the park now had a change of use. 6. Mrs W Ryan spoke in favour of the path. She thought that the material would ‘bed in’ and change colour. She welcomed the direction for vehicles, where previously she had witnessed cars driving across the green where children play. It was suggested that a sign could be placed in the park to instruct cars to use the path only. Mrs Ryan thanked the councillors for all their hard work and helping to make Kingswear a happier and safer place to live. 7. Mr Yates asked for clarification of when the future of new Creek Pontoon will discussed. It was confirmed this will be at the council meeting on the 12th October.
C/120/10 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (10) This item also had public participation 1. C/103/10 Jubilee Park. Reinstatement of path plus additional turning circle to prevent erosion from vehicles. The parish council have received a number of complaints concerning the size of the new path and materials used. There have been 10 letters of complaint and 2 in favour. Councillors had received all correspondence relating to Jubilee Park and reports for consideration prior to the meeting. The Chairman referred to the History of Jubilee Park that has been written by Mr Stevens on the Kingswear website that gives an interesting summary, including past plans for a car park and playground, which were prevented. It is now recognised that it is a recreational area for everyone, with past donations made to this effect. Cllr Hawkins confirmed that he had raised this issue over concerns of erosion of the grass area. He stated that in his view the council had made a mistake. He did not wish to criticise members but thought the turning circle too large and scalping too big, which be a danger if fell upon. The area has been compressed which should assist the ‘bedding in’. He PROPOSED: · Standing Orders are suspended to change the resolution made on the 8th June. · That the path area in Jubilee Park be levelled · The scalping is removed and a gravel surface put on top. · The turning circle is removed and space JP5 be used to use as a turning space. This was SECONDED by Cllr. J. Henshall, but received no further support. It was therefore NOT CARRIED. The parish council sympathises with the feelings of those attending and who have written. The following was Agreed: · That the parish council would write to identified very frequent users of the park to request more responsible usage · Council will consider a village consultation exercise regarding thoughts of usage of the Waterhead Creek area. There followed a discussion involving both council and public with the following main points: · There was public concern that the plans for the path and turning circle had not been made available. The item has appeared on the Agendas and Minutes since May. Also that the expansion of turning circle had not appeared on agendas. The clerk explained that she aims to write agendas as full as possible to give the public an idea and guide of the subjects to be discussed. Identification of an area to allow trailers to be turn had been minuted in the May AGM / Council minutes. Councillors confirmed the following: · The minimum amount of grass (7ft) was taken away, covering the area that had been damaged. · The turning circle area had been trailed several times with a large area to ensure the minimum of grass was taken. · The 40ml scalping will form a base, ease in, discolour and will be reclaimed by grass forming a solid surface underneath. This will take time. · Health and Safety considers were made, i.e. definition of area and the encouragement of users to not un-hook trailers to launch. · The path is not felt to be a change of use by encouraging vehicles to drive in. · Recreation is not one thing. The park provides opportunity for both land and water. In summary the original Resolution of the 8th June stood, however following suggestions were Agreed: The scalping should be reviewed after the winter, with regard to erosion and the regrowth of grass. Consideration could possibly be then be given to a lighter top coat of filings could then be placed which would be more attractive. An appropriate sign to advise users of the conditions of use will be investigated. The legal status of the land will be examined. Access Arrangements to Jubilee Park It had been suggested that a key is made available in the village to open the gate, or issued to mooring holders only. This was felt not to be practical. At present the code on the lock is changed annually to restrict access and given to mooring holders and parish residents only. Cllr. J. Henshall felt that the village was losing its recreational areas. There is a launching slip by Kittery Court and the Yacht Club, which in the past was used by non-boat owners for recreational purposes too. This is now difficult to access due to the numbers of boats. Council were reminded that it has received several complaints concerning access problems on this quay due to parked cars.
2. Lighthouse Beach This was deferred to Exempt session.
3. Standing Orders Cllr. Henshall presented some copies of her suggestions for the revision of the Standing Orders. It was Agreed that Cllrs. Henshall, Pithers and the Clerk would meet to form a suggestion of Standing Orders to present to the council in September.
4. Affordable Housing Sites The Clerk confirmed that the council’s submission had been made to the consultation portal. It was Agreed that consideration should now be given to the preparation of a case for the Wilful Murder site. A working group of Cllrs. Hawkins, Hacking, Henshall and Lovell was formed.
C/121/10 VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE (11) Cllr. K. Sowerby is to be the parish council representative on this committee. The first meeting is the 21st July. Clerk to advise.
C/122/10 US GARDEN AND TREE RISK ASSESSMENTS, ALLOTMENTS (12) Council received an update on the gardening works to the US Garden and the land between Beacon Lane and Castle Road within the agreed schedule. It was PROPOSED that Mr Folca’s gardener could be asked to maintain the trees and bushes twice a year on the land between Beacon Lane and Castle Road as it requires expert attention. This was SECONDED and RESOLVED. This project will be taken out of the existing schedule for next year. The total cost of £500 is already budgeted. Cllr Henshall has planted 8 plants in the US garden. Tree assessments of Jubilee Park, Hoodown and the cemetery are being considered by Cllr Ferris, who will report back at the September meeting. It was confirmed there were no urgent works. Council considered a request to clear rubbish from allotments. It was Agreed for Cllrs Ferris and Lovell to look at the allotments and report back at the next meeting. It was also Agreed to look at the maintenance plans for the land above the allotments as it requires attention.
C/123/10 ADVERTISING BANNERS (13) Consideration to a request for an advertising banner site within the village was made. It was Agreed that banners should not be placed near the memorial site on the Lower Ferry slipway. A suitable site for banners in the village could not be identified. It was PROPOSED that any person wishing to place a banner on the fence along Jubilee Park should first seek council approval. This was SECONDED and RESOLVED.
C/124/10 KINGSWEAR PLAY AREA (14) Members have received copies of correspondence form Ross Kennerley, SHDC requesting that the parish council make an annual contribution of £100 towards the insurance, management and inspection of the play equipment at the Mount Ridley site. This was PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED. The Heads of Agreement was signed.
C/125/10 ANNUAL FIREWORKS (15) Council considered a request from the Combined Charities for the council to pay for the insurance for the event, as last year. The budget for this will be between £350 to £400. A PROPOSAL was made to accept this, which was SECONDED and RESOLVED. Clerk to advise Combined Charities.
C/126/10 D DAY COMMEMORATIVE CRUISE (16) The total amount raised from this event was £373 to be split between the charities Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion. Cllr. Hawkins expressed the council’s gratitude to Greenway Ferries for the generous donation of the Fairmile, without which this event would not have been possible.
C/127/10 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS (17) Cllr Henshall is the lead councillor for his event. The following was Agreed: · The date will be the 3rd December. · Hall to be booked · The Royal Dart has kindly agreed to provide the electricity for the lights in that area of the village. · The Dart Valley Railway has kindly donated £150. · Cllr Hawkins will kindly donate 100 presents. · Father Christmas is to be contacted. The budget was discussed for the event as it has substantially increased in recent years from £1500 to £2200. It was felt that in the current financial situation, the council had a responsibility to reduce this and seek donations from local businesses. It was PROPOSED to reduce this to £1900 to include the provision of a tree at Hillhead. This was SECONDED and RESOLVED. The village lights will be switched on for Kingswear and Dartmouth Regattas.
C/128/10 FINANCE (18) Budget reports and latest balances were distributed to members. The clerk drew members’ attention to the drop in Cemetery income. Comparative figures were given for the income over the last four years at stage in the year: 2007 £8623, 2008 £9118, 2009 £5653 and 2010 £1240. The parish has received a good proportion of its income from this source. On investigation the fall is due to a move towards cremation as opposed to burial. The council will therefore continue to be prudent in expenditure. The finance working group is due to meet again in September. The Clerk is also to look at possible appropriate advertising of the cemetery, regarding cremation. Clerk’s position Adverts have been placed in the Dartmouth Chronicle and on the Clerk/ Councils website (DALC) at a coat of £112. It was RESOLVED to spend £150 to advertise on a local vacancies website and to place notices on the parish boards. The closing date for applications is the 30th July.
C/129/10 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (19) The Chairman had nothing further to report. CLERK’S REPORT The Clerk reported: - A thank you letter to the parish council and people of Kingswear had been received from Mrs Lorna Wright following the council’s donation of £250 towards her and her daughter’s preparations for the Taekwondo-Do world Championships. - Thank you letters have been received from participants attending the Fairmile D- Day Commemorative Event. - A letter has been received from Devon County Council following the parish council request to move the 30mph sign which was moved from past Darthaven to the middle of Brixham Road following residential feedback. Also a request was made to move the national speed restriction sign to the junction with the cemetery. Unfortunately a move of sign has to be advertised as a new traffic regulation order, forming part of the local transport plan, which has already been decided for this year. The accident records have also been checked for the last 3 years and fortunately there have been no recorded accidents in this area. - The council were asked to consider a press policy. Members discussed the possibly of an agenda item to agree areas to bring to the attention of the press at a meeting. This is to be discussed fully at the meeting in September.
C/130/10 CORRESPONDENCE (20) · SHDC – Executive Forward Plan Noted · Regatta timetable of events. Copied to councillors and placed on boards · Correspondence relating to Creek Pontoon. Copied to councillors prior to meeting · Letter concerning condition of allotments and rubbish. Considered in C/122/10
C/131/10 DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS (21) Cllr. H. Bastone attended the meeting. He advised the following: - On behalf of the Landing Craft Association he expressed his thanks for the invitation to the Fairmile D Day Event. - The 2011 Census is the 27th March 2011. - The site allocation for the DPD (affordable housing sites) consultation period has now ended and response are being collated and will go to a planning inspector. - South Hams District Council are continuing with the Local Development Framework, concerning meeting the housing needs. - There have been savings of £1million to date at District level. - All District Councillors have received planning training. - The District Chief Executive will be shared. - Following the pilot for devolved public services to parishes, run in Stokenham, this policy has not been adopted.
C/132/10 REQUESTS OF THE CLERK AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS (22) - Hoodown Road, maintenance. Cllr Lovell - Tribute to Dr Gibling. Cllr. Hacking - Brixham Road, Traffic Order, yellow lines. Cllr. Ferris
C/132/10 PAYMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE TO JULY 2010 (23) The list of presented payments was PROPOSED, SECONDED and were Agreed
C/133/10 COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF PUBLIC (24) Mr Yates returned to the meeting regarding the path and turning circle in Jubilee Park. He expressed his disappointment and considered the feelings of the majority of residents were not being heard by the parish council. He commented that due to the structure of the agenda, with the public question time near the beginning, residents were not given sight of the plan presented regarding the path at the June meeting and therefore did not have the opportunity to comment.
C/134/10 URGENT ITEMS (5) Already discussed
C/135/10 EXEMPT ITEMS (6) Cllr. Henshall left the meeting Confidential Matters x 3
Public Conduct towards Councillors There is concern over the aggressive way that certain members of the public are behaving towards councillors in public. It was Agreed that a new standing order will be prepared for approval at the next meeting to ensure that the council officially expects all to be treated in a respectful manner and a zero tolerance policy will be adopted.
Lighthouse Beach Working group update on the progression of registration as a Village Green.
The Chairman thanked Ms Delyth Jenkins Evans, SHDC Monitoring Officer for running the training before the meeting and staying for the rest of the evening and also Cllr. Hilary Bastone for his attendance.
Meeting finished: 10.55pm
Signed.................................................................. Date:.................................................
Next Meeting date: No August meeting, Planning meeting 27th July, 14th September |
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