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KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of Kingswear Parish Council Held in the Trust Room on Tuesday 29th June 2015
Present: Cllr. J. Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr. J. Henshall, Cllr. H. Newcombe Cllr. E. Parkes, Cllr. L. Payne, Cllr. M. Trevorrow. Also in attendance were approximately 35 members of the public, including Mr Paul Folca Chairman Waterhead Creek Preservation Society, Mrs Melinda Smallwood, Mr Tony Swainston and Mr Peter Watling from the Playground Group. Mrs Emma Illingworth (Clerk)
C/059/15. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE (1)Apologies were received from Cllrs R Adams and R Searle. Also District Councillor Bastone and PC R Hewett.
C/060/15. DECLARATION OF INTEREST (2)Cllr J Henshall declared a personal interest concerning Lighthouse Beach, item C/062/15.
C/061/15.CO-OPTION FOR HILLHEAD WARD (3) The applications for co-option to the council from Mr Coe and Mrs Essex were Proposed Seconded and RESOLVED. The council welcomed Mr Richard Coe and Mrs Elizabeth Essex to join them. Mr Coe and Mrs Essex stayed for the meeting but did not vote as their declarations are required before full participation.
C/062/14. EXEMPT INFORMATION (4) 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. Minutes of April meeting were agreed and signed as a correct record. ii. Lighthouse Beach. Due to the extended meeting this item was referred until the 14th July.
C/063/15. MINUTES (5)The minutes of the Council meeting held on 19th May were agreed and signed as a correct record.
C/064/15. ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION (6)The following items were agreed by the Chairman: 1. Boundary Committee. Please see Chairman’s Report 2. Brixham Community Bus Mr Richard Bray attended from the Brixham Community Bus organisation. They are hoping to reinstate the recently cut service. Mr Bray outlined the plans. Paperwork is just being completed for a community permit. A vehicle (16 seater minibus) and volunteers are available. The service will be registered as a charity. The proposal is to mirror the previous service from Brixham to Kingswear, with the same fares as operated by Stagecoach. Procedures also need to be clarified, for example concessionary fares. Cllr Hawkins advised that Dartmouth were interested in a community bid for the service. The parish council indicated that some financial support may be available but this will have to be considered at the time with full information.
C/065/15. POLICE REPORT (7)PC Hewett has given his apologies and will present a report at the next meeting.
C/066/15. PRESENTATION OF KINGSWEAR AWARD (8) This item was delayed until the next meeting.
C/067/15. QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (9) Planning It is noted that there have been several redundancies in the District Council Development Management section and concern was expressed regarding any impact on Kingswear. Cllr Hawkins advised that District Cllr Bastone was now the Executive Member for planning. Cllr Henshall reiterated the need for local knowledge at parish level. Website Concern was expressed that the parish council had a new website where the minutes were not up to date. The Clerk explained that the parish council were still using the Kingswear website to display minutes and would check the latest displayed. The new website is being constructed and will be launched soon. Music Festival There were lots of youngsters in Lower Contour Road and damage was made to a car which was reported to the police. It is thought that the Music Festival will not allow there to be no buses next year, as this was the first year with the service withdrawn.
C/068/15. PLANNING MEETING (10) Please see separate minutes.
C/069/15. PLAYGROUND JUBILEE PARK (11) The Chairman thanked all for attending. In summary there were two public meetings to discuss the playground in the autumn last year. There was consultation at Kingswear Regatta last year, input from Kingswear Primary school as well as individual public comment sent to the parish council. The figure of support was greater than objection. (Please see past minutes) There was a long debate during which it was clear that this is an item with a great strength of feeling. The main points raised by council and public in attendance (in summary) were: · Consultation: The parish council has been challenged on the strength of consultation accepted in making the decision to agree to a playground in Jubilee Park (subject to approval of the final design and any planning requirements).Cllr Hawkins and the Clerk stated that the Parish Council should consider a further consultation. Members agreed that further consultation was necessary and there was discussion on what format it should take. It was suggested by Cllr Hawkins that a simple questionnaire be sent to every household in the parish for each occupant to complete according to the Electoral Roll. The questionnaire should be numbered. Cllr Henshall suggested that a working group could be formed to compile the questionnaire and it should include full details of the playground design and size to ensure all are fully aware. Details of a consultation were not agreed, at this stage, but the process was discussed. Representatives from the Waterhead Creek Preservation Society and Playground group confirmed that they would abide by the results. It was stated that a consultation would be advantageous in getting rid of any ‘bad feeling’ over this project. There is a petition to be collected of approximately 24 names of people who have requested a consultation be conducted. In addition the Clerk reported that to date she had received several emails from those in favour or against the construction of the playground. The Clerk will forward all emails received as soon as possible to members. Please also see further information under Presentation below. · Missing/ accurate information: Regrettably the figure supplied to the parish council from the Waterhead Creek Preservation Society of 53 objections from their members was omitted from the minutes of the public meetings. The Clerk apologised for this as she was reading the letter at the meeting and not recording at the time. However it should be noted that individual responses had not been received for the 53 objections. The Clerk confirmed that all individual correspondence she had received concerning the playground had been copied to councillors. The attending public and councillors were aware of this fact. The size of the original playground design was challenged. It was thought to be much larger now from the playground website than the original design agreed by the parish council. This was stated as incorrect by the Playground Group. · Communication: Mr P Folca, Chairman of The Waterhead Creek Society will send to the Chairman/ Clerk details of the email members were asked to respond to, so a full picture can be seen. Cllr Henshall expressed concern that she had not been invited to any recent playground meetings. Mrs Melinda Smallwood from the playground group confirmed that there had not been any meetings since January. · Land at Jubilee Park: Responsibility and powers for the land has been challenged. It was confirmed that the purchase price was donated by Cllr Hearn to the parish council. Full details can be found on the Kingswear website under the parish council, history of Jubilee Park. · Design and Location of Playground: It was suggested that the playground could be in the redundant allotment in the corner to protect the natural environment of Jubilee Park. It was confirmed that this was not large enough. Also the CABE report findings for natural and open play were once again raised. It was explained that the parish council having received input specifically on the CABE aims looked at a more natural and open design, but supported the playground group in rejecting this in favour of fenced in equipment based design following their research. (January 2015). It was decided that the CABE design was not suitable for small children. The actual dimensions of the playground will be marked in Jubilee Park in spray paint before Kingswear Regatta. Cllr Payne in a response to a presentation from Mr Peter Watling of the playground group, advised that she was not against the playground being located in Jubilee Park, but was not happy with the design and size. She said that the Parish Council had originally voted unanimously to have a playground that conformed to the CABE principles. She said that the CABE document was scathing about the type of playground proposed. They call it “KFC, “Kentucky Fried Chicken” K for kit, F for fence and C for carpet. CABE assert the fence is more to keep children in than dogs out. She said that CABE encourage the design of a playground that fits in with the natural surroundings, enhances the local environment and inspires creativity and imagination in children. She felt that the proposed playground did not satisfy the criteria.. The playground group explained that the design is for small children and the more open playground design was deemed not suitable from the research conducted. · Presentations: Mr Peter Watling from the playground group read a summary of the process to date, how decisions have been made and the design features of the playground. It included confirmation that a maintenance fund is included within the project costs. Legal ownership of the equipment will be undertaken by Kingswear Combined Charities. Also that fund raising had commenced with monies received. This presentation will be made available to the parish council. In addition Mrs Smallwood advised she had received the following information from Mr Mark Oakshott, Headteacher Kingswear primary School, correct to 29th June 2015. 20 local families responding to the request for support. 19/20 are fully supportive - that is 95% 1/20 not supporting. Further requested actions: Check dimensions of playground on website. It was agreed that further discussion will be made at the next council meeting. Professional advice will be sought concerning consultation and legal advice on the council’s position
C/070/15. BUDGET (12) Balances and budget update will be provided at the July meeting.
C/071/15. CEMETERY (13) A request has been received of the council to refund the purchase price of 3 graves, a total of £485. This was Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED.
C/072/15. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (14) The Chairman has given his notice to leave the parish council in the autumn. Kingswear Regatta The Chairman advised he has given his apologies for the Sunday of Regatta. Cllr Trevorrow, Vice Chairman will attend. Dartmouth Regatta The guard ship this year will be HMS Somerset. Members did discuss hosting a small reception although no plans were made. CLERK’S REPORT The Clerk has given her notice to leave the parish council in the autumn. US Garden Maintenance The Clerk explained the advice and update she had received form Mr Folca who kindly manages the contractor’s work on behalf of the council. Details of new contractors will follow shortly as the existing does not wish to continue. The price of the work will remain the same. Members agreed to receive details of the new contractors. The parish council is grateful to Mr Folca for his assistance. New Website Construction on the new website is progressing well. Mr Richard Coe kindly agreed to take this role over from the clerk.
C/073/15. CORRESPONDENCE (15) Due to the lateness of the meeting it was agreed to consider the correspondence at the next meeting with the exception of the playground correspondence. · DALC latest newsletter. · Playground correspondence regarding land ownership. The Clerk updated members to explain that she had received a Freedom of Information Act request to supply the deeds of Jubilee Park/ Waterhead Creek as there has been challenge over the ownership and rights of the parish council appertaining to this land. This information will be provided immediately. · Communication regarding cemetery maintenance · Devon County Council – Emergency Management
C/074/15. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS (16) Boundary Commission This has previously been considered by the parish council. The Chairman explained the new area for the Dartmouth and Kingswear Ward. There was no objection to this from members.
C/075/ 15. REQUESTS OF THE CLERK AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS (17) · For July agenda, arrangements for advertising the clerk’s position. · For July agenda, agree a procedure for consultation with members if a parish council meeting needs to be changed from the second Tuesday in the month. · For July Agenda Dartmouth and Kingswear Hospital proposals for location. · Cut of hedge by Coombe Bridge, railway. · Update on residents parking questions from County Council.
C/076/15. PAYMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY TO JUNE 2015 (18)The total list of presented payments was AGREED.
C/077/15. EXEMPT/URGENT ITEMS. (19)Urgent Items: Please see main minutes Meeting finished at 11 pm
Signed............................................................. Date:.................................................
The next meeting is the 14th July 2015 at 7:30pm. |
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