KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL

 Minutes of the Meeting of Kingswear Parish Council

held at the Trust Room on Tuesday 10^th November 2015 at 7.30pm.

Present:   Cllr J Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr E Essex, Cllr E Jones, Cllr J Henshall, Cllr L Payne, Cllr M Trevorrow and Cllr R Searle.

In attendance: Cllr Bastone, 12 members of the public and one member of the press. Mr R Barber (Clerk)

C/166/15   APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Parkes and Newcombe.

Cllr Hawkins read out a letter of resignation from Cllr Adams and proposed a letter of thanks from the Council to Cllr Adams in recognition of his contribution and also his kind offer to continue to support the Council where he can. Action: Clerk

C/167/15   DECLARATION OF INTEREST

None declared.

C/168/15   EXEMPT INFORMATION

a)        It was agreed that Item 15 on the agenda:  the resolution to authorise 4 hours paid work per week for Clerk whilst working on CiLCA course is exempt information. Item is exempt as it discusses Clerks employment. Please note; the text in italics reflect an amendment resolved at the Council Meeting on 12^th January 2016.

C/169/15   TO CONFIRM AND SIGN PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

a)        The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 22nd July were unanimously agreed as an accurate record and were signed accordingly.

b)        The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 8^th September are not agreed. Clerk is taking advice from the Society of Local Council Clerks.

c)         The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 13^th October were unanimously agreed as an accurate record and were signed accordingly.

C/170/15   ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION

The Clerk expressed a concern that the budget reconciliation process was showing errors and he requested assistance to audit his work. It was unanimously agreed to approach Emma Illingworth and a budget of two hours work was agreed

C/171/15   TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE SHDC DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Town and Parish Key Messages – October 2015

·           At its meeting on 8 October 2015, the Council agreed to amend the Development Management Public Participation Scheme to enable the opportunity for town and parish council representatives to speak on planning applications within their own town or parish provided that they abide by the same rules as applied for objectors and supporters.  In addition, the Council also agreed to amend the Site Inspection Protocol whereby town and parish councils are able to attend, but are no longer invited to make representations.  However, one town or parish council representative would be able to ask questions of clarity or to make specific points based on local knowledge to the Chairman of the site meeting;

·           The Executive (at its meeting on 15 October 2015) approved a set of Neighbourhood Plan procedures that are intended to speed up the process;

·           The deadline for TAP Fund applications (to be sent to community@swdevon.gov.uk) is 12 noon on Friday, 18 December 2015.  To enable town and parish councils to set their precepts accordingly, applications will be determined by local DCC and SHDC Members on Thursday, 14 January 2016;

·           Following a by-election on 8 October 2015, Cllr John Green (a Green Party Group Member) has been elected to serve on the Council.  The political composition of the Council is now: 25 Conservative Group Members and 6 Opposition Group Members.

Affordable Housing Thresholds Update

Councillors will recall the recent District Council decision to revoke the higher Affordable Housing Thresholds following changes in the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).

The PPG changes followed the High Court decision in the case of West Berkshire and Reading Councils v the Secretary of State for Department for Communities and Local Government which effectively outlawed the higher thresholds.

The Secretary of State has been granted leave to appeal the High Court decision and West Berks colleagues have informed us that there is a provisional date for Hearing on 15 and 16 March 2016.

Mr P Puddock asked a question regarding changes to planning.

Cllr Bastone responded by saying the status quo applied following the Government losing its Appeal regarding developers contributions to affordable housing

C/172/15   POLICE REPORT

No report available.

C/173/15   QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

a)        Mr Puddock asked why the debris from the bonfire had not been cleared up as it was a safety concern.

Cllr Edwards replied that poor weather had prevented the debris being cleared sooner but that it had now been cleared away.

A debate on this year’s firework event concluded that further debate is required in time for next year’s event.

b)        Mrs S Puddock asked, in light of Agenda Item 15 and the associated costs, if the Council has an HR Policy covering Training.

A response will be provided. Action Cllr Payne

C/174/15   THE PETITION

A Letter of apology has been received by Cllrs Essex, Payne and Henshall.  

It was stated by Mrs P Noble and Mrs E Price that the letter must be accepted by all three Cllrs otherwise it could not be read out and would not be effective.

Cllr Essex stated that she couldn’t accept the letter unless it was signed by all 33 petitioners.

Cllrs Payne and Henshall said that they could accept the letter with signatures.

 Mrs P Noble and Mrs E Price are to collect the 33 signatures.

Cllr Essex left the meeting.

C/175/15   MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

None

C/176/15   RESIDENTS PARKING (Cllr Payne)

The working party met for the first time on 2^nd November. We reviewed the current situation regarding parking and read through five items of correspondence from:  J Carter, P Culley, I Fraser, D Minett and S Durrant. We considered the following roads for residents’ parking: Higher Contour Road, Beacon Road, Ridley Hill, Redoubt Road and Brixham Road, using a map provided by Chris Rook from Devon Highways. During this next month we will be walking the roads in detail looking at the possibilities.  At the next meeting we will be discussing the means of consultation for the parish. We would welcome any correspondence from parishioners.  We hope to hear by next meeting from Devon Highways an estimate of the cost.

Following on from this it was suggested that a Highways Engineer be consulted.

It was also suggested that the car park next to the school playing field be reviewed as a possible visitor’s car park. Ownership of the car park needs to be understood. Action Cllr Hawkins

C/177/15   MAINTENANCE:

a)        Drains: Working Group to be set up to develop strategy for ongoing cleaning. Members will be Cllr Henshall, Mr T Taylor, Mr D Minett (to be invited) and the Clerk. Strategy needs to be reviewed in line with precept and TAP funding.

b)        Action: Clerk

c)         Cllr Hawkins reported that the bus shelters were defaced with graffiti and requested an estimate be obtained for painting them. Action Clerk

d)        Cllr Bastone reported that the Cemetery gates are imminent to be painted.

e)         Mr I Putt has submitted his resignation and it was unanimously agreed to accept.

Letter of thanks a gift of a bottle of whisky to be arranged. Action Clerk

It was agreed that the Council would review offering the position to Mrs Anne-Marie O’Rourke Action Cllr Henshall and the Clerk

f)         Telephone Boxes: To be reviewed at next Council Meeting.

C/178/15   DEFIBRILLATOR

It was agreed that Cllr Jones would review progress and lead this Project on behalf of the Council.

C/179/15   REPORT FROM DALC CONFERENCE (Cllr Payne)

Cllr Payne, Henshall and Essex  and the Clerk, Rob Barber  attended the DALC  AGM and Conference held on October  15th 2015. It proved very informative and one very useful talk was about neighbourhood planning. It also enabled us to network with other parishes, one of whom had just finished setting up their neighbourhood plan.

C/180/15   RESOLUTION ON START TIMES FOR FULL COUNCIL MEETING AND PLANNING COMMITTEE

Planning Committee: A straw poll took place of those Planning Committee members in attendance agreed to a revised start time of 6pm on a three month trial basis. One member had voted to keep the start time unchanged.

Full Council Meeting: There was no proposal to change the time of this meeting.

C/181/15   MAYFLOWER 400 (Cllr Payne)

Cllr Payne attended the meeting on October 19^th 2015 in Dartmouth about Mayflower 400. This is going to be a big event celebrating the visit of the Pilgrim Fathers to Dartmouth. Dartmouth is one of many venues across the country ,Europe and the USA for this celebration. Dartmouth are planning to hold many events during this time and Kingswear is invited to plan some events. They will be sending me some documentation at some stage.

It was agreed to bring this back to Council in 6 months time.

C/182/15   NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN (Cllr Payne)

At the DALC Conference we heard from Martin Parkes, Senior Project Advisor for Devon Communities Together about setting up the project of Neighbourhood Planning. He is meeting with the council Working Party on 16^th December 2015 at 10am to give advice. If there is anyone who would like to join us for this introductory meeting they would be very welcome. Please let me know on my email address lucypaynekw@outlook.com

There was a request from Cllr Bastone to involve SHDC and it was also suggested that Cllr Fyson from Dartmouth Town Council may be a useful contact.

C/183/15   STRATEGY ON TAP FUNDING

It was unanimously agreed to support the TAP funding bid being lead by Dartmouth Town Council (along with Cornworthy and Blackawton) covering drains clearance and weed control. Action Clerk

C/184/15   CHRISTMAS LIGHT (Cllr Henshall)

Cllr Henshall reported all is on plan.

Cllr Henshall and Cllr Edwards have researched options for school children presents and have agreed a favourable discount. Presents were selected from the samples.

The council unanimously agreed to a budget of £100 for the presents.

Concern was expressed as to whether or not Torbay Displays have a licence to suspend rigging across the road. It was agreed this needs to be confirmed. Action Clerk.

C/185/15   DARTMOUTH AND KINGSWEAR HOSPITAL CONSULTATION.

There will be an agenda item at next council meeting covering for visit and presentation by Mrs Jenny Turner

C/186/15   KINGSWEAR TO BRIXHAM BUS UPDATE

Cllr Hawkins reported from Rob Adams that service going well and he has used on a couple of occasions.

C/187/15   DARTMOUTH TO KINGSWEAR FERRY (Cllr Hawkins)

No change in status.

C/188/15   DRAINS CLEARANCE COSTS

Clerk has quotes from SWH for drains clearance. These will be considered by the Drains Working Group.

C/189/15   CEMETERY CHAPEL CLEANING AND DECORATING

It had not been possible to address this as part of BRNC Community Outreach.

It was agreed to review need for decoration after the Chapel has been fully cleaned.

C/190/15   COUNCIL WEBSITE

Rob Adams has kindly offered to work with the Clerk to bring the new web site up to a standard but has also offered to review and cost alternatives.

C/191/15   CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (including District Council)

a)        The Chairman reported he was honoured to lay wreaths on Remembrance Sunday on behalf of the Parish. There were also visits with the Little family to the Memorial at Noss and Remembrance crosses laid on the War Graves in the Cemetery.

b)        A meeting had taken place with the Conservation Officer regarding replacement windows in the Village Hall. This will need to be considered in the precept debates.

c)         DCC may use Exjet to clean some of the smaller roads in the Parishes.

d)        There is a meeting regarding Dartmouth Hospital on Wednesday 1th November.

e)         SHDC looking to purchase four small road sweepers.

f)         Upcoming meeting on Beacon Lane.

g)        Further reference to TAP funding bid to cover drain cleaning and weeds.

Parish Council representation on the Village Hall Committee to be reviewed. Action: Cllr Hawkins 

C/192/15   BUDGET (Clerk)

a)        The clerk distributed copies of Bank balances for the Council accounts.

b)        With reference to Urgent items the Clerk is to seek advice on reconciliation.

c)         Budget position relevant to year end still to be understood as part of precept process.

C/193/15   CORRESPONDENCE

The following was noted:

a)        There are grants available to assist with Neighbourhood Planning

b)        DALC are offering free IT training sessions

c)         Natural England are involved in improving access to SW Coast Path. This could be beneficial to the LHB and Beacon Lane projects.

C/194/15   REQUESTS OF THE CLERK AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

C/195/15   PAYMENTS FOR NOVEMBER

a)        It was agreed that the following cheques be paid:

C/196/15   URGENT AND EXEMPT ITEMS

a)         Light House Beach: There is a need to ask the following question of Mr D Southwick: what level of risk assessment is needed for LHB and who can carry it out, bearing in mind that there is already a recent survey to refer to.  Council will supply a copy of this survey if it is appropriate. Action Cllr Henshall

b)        Clerks CiLCA training discussed. Clerk not present.

C/197/15   SENIOR CITIZENS LUNCH

A quote of £14.95 has been received from the Ship Inn and this is to be passed to Cllr Essex for consideration.

C/198/15   CLOSURE OF MEETING

The Chairman closed the Meeting at 10.15pm

Minutes approved ……………………….     Date …………….