|
KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Meeting of Kingswear Parish Council Held in the Trust Room on Tuesday 13th November 2007
Present: Cllr. J. Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr. J. Ferris, Cllr. J. Henshall, Cllr. A. Lovell, Cllr. A. Pithers, Cllr. P. Pudduck, Cllr. B. Tulloch, Cllr. A. Usher. Also in attendance were three members of the public and Mrs E. Davydova (Clerk).
C/177/07 OPENING REMARKS The Chairman opened the meeting by accepting the resignation of the Clerk and thanked her for her hard and dedicated work for and on behalf of the Council during her time with the Council. The Chairman also reported about the great success of the Bonfire and Fireworks on 4th November and well attended Remembrance Service on 11th November 2007. Action: Clerk to send ‘thank-you’ letters to the organisations and persons that planned and organised the events. Council sent its sympathy and good wishes to Cllr. J. Wright on the sad news of his recent bereavement.
C/178/07 APOLOGIES (1) Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. J. Wright.
C/179/07 MINUTES (2) The minutes of the Council meeting held on 16th October 2007 were signed as a correct record.
C/180/07 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (3) There were none.
C/181/07 ITEM REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION (4) There were none.
C/182/07 STATEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (5) Two members of the public raised concerns regarding, the significant increase in the number of coaches proceeding along the narrow roads in the vicinity of Maypool, Greenway and Galmpton. There has been a Youth Hostel from about 1952 and the majority of visitors, in the past, have normally arrived on foot. However, the Youth Hostel is now being used as an activity centre for a large number of school children who generally arrive in coaches proceeding along a country lane that is also used, at all times, by a significant number of horse riders, pedestrians and local residents. Members of public consider that there should be a change of use planning application submitted by the Youth Hostel Associationthen a Section 106 Agreement could be placed, if approved, on the association. This would be similar to that placed on the National Trust regarding the size of coaches using the roads and lanes in the vicinity of the National Trust gardens in Greenway. Action: Clerk to write a letter to Mr. Rick Crombie (SHDC-Planning and Building) to clarify situation.
C/183/07 POLICE REPORT (6) PC R. Hewett sent his apologies for absence and Chairman presented his written report, please see Appendix A attached. Concern was raised about the Caravan parked behind the tree in the Lower Contour Road. Action: Clerk to write a letter to police to clarify the situation.
C/184 /07 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (7) (1) C/165/07 Cemetery: Memorial Wall and Chapel of Rest. Cllr. J. Henshall reported on this issue. Council discussed the state of Chapel of Rest and the recent estimates from builders regarding repairs. It was decided that the working group of Cllr. J. Ferris, Cllr. J. Henshall, Cllr. A. Lovell and Cllr. A. Pithers arrange a meeting on site to inspect the area and consider the various proposed dimensions of the Cremation Wall (specifically height and length) and to inform Council of these details at the December meeting. (2) C/125/07 Playing Fields: One member of the public spoke on this item. Due to absence of Cllr. J. Wright it was decided to defer this matter to the next Council meeting on the 11th December. (3) C/123/07 Village Green Registration: Meeting with all interested parties has not taken place yet. With regard to proceeding with the registration of Lighthouse Beach as a Village Green under the new Commons Act, the Council will purchase a copy of the publication Getting Greens Registered produced by the Open Spaces Society. Also, the Council will register as a member of the Society in order to obtain further information and support. Proposed by Chairman, seconded by J. Ferris and carried unanimously. Actions: (1) Clerk to register with Society. (2) Clerk to write a letter to every member of working group (Cllrs. H. Newcombe, B. Tulloch, P. Pudduck, Mr. M. Stevens, Mr. P. Folka, Mr. J. Distin) to invite them for an initial meeting on 27th November 2007 at 6pm in the Trust Room, Kingswear. (4) C/144/07 Pontoon: Cllr. P. Pudduck spoke on this item and reported on the proposed rent increase and the review period of the lease received from owner, this being Darthaven Marina. It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr. A. Usher that the Council accept the rent increase. Proposal was carried unanimously. Action: Clerk to write a letter to Darthaven to confirm the acceptance of the forthcoming rent increase and to clarify the terms and conditions of the new lease agreement and the lease period. Gates: Councillors held a discussion regarding the quotes received and the situation with the replacement of the gates. Action: Cllr. P. Pudduck to provide the Council with details of three quotations for tender at the next meeting. (5) C/167/07 Hedges: Clerk reported that the hedge at the side of the road next to Kingswear Cemetery had been put in order and in her opinion was now tidy. Chairman reported regarding the letter from the Churchwarden of St. Thomas of Canterbury that raised concerns regarding the dangerous state of the hedge bordering Church Hill. Action: Clerk to contact the required contractor to request the tidying of the hedge and replanting as necessary. (6) C/165/07/6 Parish web-site: Cllr. A. Usher offered Council to continue with the established practice, initiated and kindly monitored by Mr. Michael Stevens, of placing relevant and current information on the KPC web-site. This would include events, local information, Council minutes and agendas. Council would like to express its gratitude to Mr. M. Stevens for his wonderful job, devotion and efficiency in maintaining the web-site. Parish Newsletter: Cllr. A. Usher clarified the contents of the newsletter. Cllr. A. Pithers introduced two estimates from publishers. It was proposed by Cllr. T. Pithers and seconded by Cllr. J. Ferris to approve estimate and proceed with the production of a newsletter. Proposal carried unanimously. (7) C/171/07 Clerk’s resignation: Cllr. B. Tulloch reported to Council regarding the applications received. Chairman proposed to set up a working group of Cllrs to review applicants and to discuss the salary, contract and terms of employment. Closing date for applicants is 17th November with a preliminary meeting of the working group on Thursday 22nd November 2007, at 7:00 pm. This working group will produce a shortlist of candidates for interview. It was resolved unanimously that the working group consist of Cllrs. J. Hawkins, J. Henshall, A. Pithers, B. Tulloch and A. Usher.
C/185/07 NOSS-ON-DART-MARINA MEETING (8)
A meeting has been planned to take place on
Wednesday 14th November 2007 with Noss-on-Dart Marina Development
providing an informal presentation of their project and answering Cllr’s
questions.
C/186/07 COUNCIL POLICY: RECORDS AND PAPERS (9) The Chairman proposed, and accepted unanimously, to issue a standing order that if any Councillor requests or borrows documents or papers from the Clerk, it should be a full Council decision and recorded in the minutes. Action: Clerk to prepare a draft of the standing order.
C/187/07 JUBILEE PARK (10) (1) Memorial stone: The working group has decided on the exact location in Jubilee Park for memorial stone to be placed by Williams & Triggs. Cllr. B. Tulloch informed the Council regarding the details, these being that the stone will be placed next to the small gates facing the Creek. In this location, it would not be an obstruction for the Bonfire or similar events. It was proposed by Cllr. B. Tulloch and seconded by Chairman to accept the recommended position. Proposal accepted unanimously. Action: Cllr. B. Tulloch to arrange to meet on site with the contractor to inform them of the exact location of the stone. (2) Replanting. Cllr. J. Henshall reported that the matter is progressing with the selecting of suitable plants and the creation of a plan of the area.
C/188/07 HOODOWN WOOD (11) Cllrs. B. Tulloch and J. Ferris spoke regarding Council policy of tree management, this being the condition and location of mature trees that should be inspected by licensed professionals and, if necessary, removed before they become dangerous. Cllr. J. Hawkins proposed that Cllr. B. Tulloch would contact Polly Stone to clarify the matter and the issue to be discussed the next Council meeting.
C/189/07 SEATS AND BENCHES (12) Cllr. A. Lovell raised concern regarding the poor state of benches and seats in Church Hill and one needs to be demolished. Chairman will inspect them in the near future and if they are dangerous and beyond repair he was granted the permission of the Council to contact Kingswear Builders to arrange for their removal.
C/190/07 SHDC PROPOSED FERRY FARE INCREASE (13) Cllrs. J. Henshall and P. Pudduck spoke on, what was considered to be, the unacceptable proposal of SHDC to increase the ferry fares. The Council supported the suggestion of the Chairman to Cllrs. J. Henshall and P. Pudduck to draft a letter and the Clerk to write and send it to SHDC The Prosperity Policy Development Group as soon as possible. It was also stated that any individual or organisation can write a letter to the Mr. John Tucker, Leader of SHDC or attend the next meeting at Follaton House at 10:00 am 6th December and raise any concerns or points in person. Please note that it is the protocol to inform SHDC of any questions prior to the meeting.
C/191/07 BUDGET 2008-2009 (14) Councillors have a discussion through the Budget main chapters – income and expenditure with a view to making the precept demand and to set out what the Council intend to do in the coming financial year. Cllrs would like to have Chapel of Rest Roof repaired, to put new gabions to enforce the Waterhead Creek wall, to get a few new benches. Cllr. P. Pudduck prepared the calculation of proposed charges for moorings. Proposed by P. Pudduck, seconded by Cllr. A. Pithers, resolved unanimously, to accept the new charges.( See Appendix 1 attached). Cllr. A. Usher and Clerk will have a special financial meeting before next Council meeting to produce exact numbers. At this moment it is clear that to balance the income and expenses Council has to find additional funding. Kingswear Cemetery Charges:- (1) It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr. T. Pithers to allow the selling of nine grave spaces to non-residents of Kingswear on a ‘first come, first served’ basis at £2000 each. Resolved (7 in favour, 1 against). (2) It was proposed by Cllr. A. Usher and seconded by Cllr. A. Lovell that the exclusive right of burial for Category A (Residents of the civil Parish of Kingswear) for £300 person include those who move away due to age or infirmity, for example, those who move to live in a nursing home or with family. It was also proposed to include those who were resident within the parish during the last five years. Resolved (5 in favour, 3 against). (3) It was proposed by Cllr. A. Pithers and seconded by J. Ferris to sell an exclusive right of burial for Category B (Direct relatives (Parents/Children) of residents of the civil Parish of Kingswear) for £600 per person. Resolved (6 in favour, 2 against). (4) It was proposed by Cllr. A. Usher and seconded by B. Tulloch that the rest of the Cemetery Charges be increased by 3%. Resolved unanimously. See Attachments 2 and 3. The precept is considered to be £10000 with the final discussions and decisions being made at the next Council meeting.
C/192/07 DATES FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS JANUARY TO JUNE 2008 (15) It was resolved that:- Council meetings: 15.01, 12.02, 11.03, 15.04, 13.05 and10.06 Planning meetings: 29.01, 26.02, 25.03, 29.04, 27.05 and 24.06.
C/193/07 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (16.1) Council would like to have all applications for the Kingswear Award for next Council meeting. Action: Clerk to display the notices on the Notice Boards. Switch of Xmas lights. Action: Clerk to book the Village Hall for 6pm on 7th December 2007, to contact police to provide support. Action: Cllrs. A. Lovell, A. Usher: to provide drinks and snacks for children.
C/194/07 CLERK’S REPORT (16.2) A written report was distributed to the councillors together with the agenda. Clerk reported regarding:- (1) Senior Citizens Lunch. Clerk has produced 90 tickets for distribution. 10 in Greenway, contact Cllr. H. Newcombe; 20 in Hillhead, contact Mrs. I. Fletcher and 60 in Kingswear Post Office. (2) Hillhead Link Path: At the Council Meeting on 11th September Council discussed a Memorandum from Keith Rennells, SHDC, regarding Hillhead Link Path with an offer to Kingswear Parish Council to apply to the lottery Awards for all scheme for funding £10K to move said project forward. Clerk had a meeting at Follaton House with Keith Rennells on the 18th October to fill in an application form for the lottery Awards for All scheme. Council will, hopefully, have a £10K grant towards the project, but has to pay balance of the funding required, this currently being the sum of £2000.
C/195/07 CORRESPONDENCE REQUIRING ATTENTION (17) The following list of correspondence was considered and noted:- (1) SHDC Property Services: Public Toilets at The Square, Kingswear. Noted and displayed. (2) Hillhead Link Path. Application Form for Lottery funding. In process. (3) Application Form from DCC Highway Management for the Erection of a Notice Board in Greenway. No action. (4) Public Remuneration Panel meeting on 28th November 2007. Noted. (5) SHDC- John Tucker. Budget Challenges for 2008/09. Noted. (6) SH Citizens Advice Bureau, request for donation. Resolved unanimously to donate £50. (7) Totnes and Dartmouth Ring & Ride. Request for donation. Refused.
C/196/07 DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS (18) Chairman distributed invitations to Cllrs from Brixham Church.
C/197/07 REQUESTS OF THE CLERK AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS (19) (1) Cllr. J. Hawkins: Kingswear Award. (2) Cllr. P. Pudduck: Pontoon and gates. (3) Cllr. B. Tulloch: Hoodown Wood. (4) Cllr. A. Usher: Budget 2008/2009 and review 2007/2008.
C/198/07 PAYMENTS FOR OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2007 (20) It was agreed that the following cheques be paid:-
C/199/07 COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (21) None were made.
The meeting was closed at 10:45 pm.
Minutes approved…………………… Date……………………………
|