KINGSWEAR PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Kingswear Parish Council

Held in the Trust Room on Tuesday 11^th September 2007

Present:          Cllr. J. Hawkins (Chairman), Cllr. H. Newcombe, Cllr. J. Henshall, Cllr. A. Lovell, Cllr. A. Pithers, Cllr. P. Pudduck, Cllr. A. Usher, Cllr. J. Wright.

                        In attendance: PC R. Hewitt, Mrs E. Davydova (Clerk) and two members of the public.

C/138/07         APOLOGIES (1)

                        Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. J. Ferris and Cllr. B. Tulloch.

C/139/07         MINUTES (2)

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 14^th August 2007 were signed as a correct record.

C/140/07         DECLARATION OF INTEREST (3)

                        None made.

C/141/07         ITEM REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION (4)

It was proposed by Cllr. A. Lovell and seconded by Cllr. J. Hawkins that the Noss Site be discussed at the end of the Meeting. Resolution: Carried unanimously.

C/142/07         STATEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (5)

                        There were none.

C/143/07         POLICE REPORT (6)

PC R. Hewitt presented his report, please see Appendix A attached. The Chairman thanked The Police and PC R. Hewitt personally for their very well organised work during Dartmouth Regatta week. It was stated that the Council had not received any complaints from residents. The officer was questioned if it was possible to put up a permanent “pedestrians on road” sign between the Cemetery and the Coleton Fishacre turnoff. Action: Clerk to write a letter to J. Halliday of DCC Highway Management regarding enquiry.

C/144/07         MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (7)

(1)          C/104/07 (1) Remembrance Sunday 11^th November. The Secretary to Parish Church Council Mr. J. T. Treglown informed the Council regarding arrangements that are being carried by PCC for the Remembrance Sunday commemoration. Church Service will start at 10.45 and will be conducted by the Reverend David Lambert. Parish Council Members will be preceded by the Sea Scouts and proceed the Kingswear Slipway where three wreaths will be placed on the slipway wall. Please note, it has been confirmed that a bugler from the College will attend the service.

Action: Cllr. J. Ferris to arrange for the slipway wreaths to be safely secured.

Action: Clerk to write a letter to SHDC to inform them of the wreath laying on the slipway and to request a halt to the ferry service while the slipway ceremony is carried out. It was proposed by Chairman and unanimously agreed that a donation of £50.00 be made to the British Legion.

Action: Clerk to write to the school inviting young representatives of the community to attend the ceremony and to accompany KPC chairman in the laying of a wreath.

(2)          C/093/07 - Memorial Wall. Mr. M. Parkes introduced to the Council drawings and details of the proposed wall with an estimated length of 20m and a maximum height of 1.20m. Cllr. J Henshall expressed concern regarding the height of the wall as per new plans and similarly Cllr. A. Usher regarding the possibility of high costs. Chairman reminded Council that the cost will be covered mostly by funds from the Carlow Bequest. After discussion Council requested Mr. M. Parkes to:-

∙           Proceed and provide further details and more detailed plans at the next meeting;

∙           Obtain three quotes from local builders to allow for financial planning;

∙           Check the regulation regarding the height of the wall.

(3)          C/123/07 - Playing Fields. There has been no progress regarding this matter. Council decided to create a working group consisting of Cllr. J. Wright and Cllr. J. Henshall. Working group to arrange a meeting with Mr. M. Porter and hold discussions regarding this matter before reporting back to Council on how to proceed.

          Action: Clerk to invite Mr. M. Porter to attend the next Council meeting.

(4)     C/123/07 - Village Green registration. The working group of Cllr. H. Newcombe, Cllr. P. Pudduck, Cllr. B. Tulloch, Mr. P. Folca, Mr. M. Stevens and Mr. J. Distin (DHNA) to proceed with this matter.

Action: Cllr. H. Newcombe to contact Mr. M. Stevens and consequently organise a meeting with Mr. Paul Heitz.

(5)     C/124/07 - KPC Open Spaces and Ground Maintenance. The Clerk provided details of the various quotes regarding the request for tender. After a detailed discussion of the quotations received, it was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr. A. Pithers and carried unanimously that “Greengardens” be contracted to carry out the required general ground maintenance at the Cemetery, Jubilee Park, Closed Churchyard, the land between Castle Road and Beacon Lane and the Sports Field.

          The garden to the front of the Cemetery Lodge was subject to separate quotations that were obtained from three candidates. It was proposed by Cllr. A. Pithers, seconded by Chairman, and carried unanimously that the quotation from “Greengardens” for a one time clearance of the area and a ten times a year maintenance scheme be accepted.

(6)     C/121/07-3 Dinghy pontoon and gates. It appears that the gates are considered to be beyond economic repair. Council will now have to amend the budget to allow for the purchase and installation of a new gate.

          Action: Cllr. J. Wright to provide the Clerk with contact details of contractors to allow quotations for new gates to be obtained.

(7)     C/126,127/07 - Parish news-letter and web-site. Cllr. A. Usher informed the meeting of the progress regarding this issue and proposed the distribution of two editions per year. Council agreed to defer this matter until the next meeting.

(8)     C/128/07 - Bonfire and fireworks. The Clerk reported that there were no answer regarding the letter sent to Kingswear Combined Charities requesting the provision of a safety plan and risk assessment of the area and event.

                      Action: Clerk to send a copy of the letter to Mr. P. Burr.

C/145/07         SIGN IN RADDICOMBE DRIVE (8)

                        Cllr. J. Wright reported that the speed limit sign is fairly high on the tree and cannot be seen clearly by drivers.

                        Action: Chairman to contact Torbay Council to clarify the matter.

C/146/07         THE HILLHEAD LINK PATH (9)

At the beginning of the discussion Cllr. A. Lovell introduced her petition for support from the Noss Dart Marina Development, to provide a safe off-road access route linking paths in AONB, the coastal corridor, Hillhead, Dart Valley Trail, Long Wood and Greenway. It was her opinion that this proposed route would increase the opportunity to enjoy access to countryside and provide a safe route for walkers and horse-riders alike, whether residents or visitors. It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr. A. Pithers to support the petition. Resolved unanimously.

Action: Clerk to write letters to the following:-

∙        Mr. John Tucker, Leader SHDC;

∙        Mr. David Incol, Chief Executive SHDC;

∙        Mr. Lee Bray, SHDC;

∙        Mr. Keith Rennells, SHDC.

Council then discussed another letter - 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. It was proposed by Cllr. J. Hawkins and seconded by Cllr. A. Pithers to support the application. Resolution: Carried unanimously.

C/147/07         XMAS LUNCH AND XMAS LIGHTS (10)

The following discussions were held and decisions made:-

∙        Christmas lights. Cllr. J. Henshall has spoken with some of the owners of property in Fore Street to request their permission to attach lights to their properties. This matter is progressing. Chairman reminded Council that £1500 has been budgeted for the Christmas lights. It was agreed that the Christmas lights would be switched on Friday 7^th December at 6 pm in the company of the schoolchildren. Cllr H. Hawkins would provide presents for children.

∙        Christmas Tree. Cllr. J. Wright to organise the Christmas tree at Hillhead and arrange for the provision of beverages.

Action: Clerk to write to the school to invite them to provide a choir with a child to switch on the lights with Father Christmas.

∙        Christmas Lunch. Council decided to hold the Senior Citizen Christmas Lunch for 90 residents, at 12 am on Thursday 10^th January 2008 in Village Hall. It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by A. Lovell that the price of a ticket be £3. Resolution: 7 in favour, 1 against.

Action: Cllr. H. Newcombe to distribute 10 tickets in Greenway, Mrs. I. Fletcher to distribute 20 at Hillhead and the Post Office will have 60. Three companies of outside caterers were unanimously selected for tender from the proposed list.

Action: Clerk to obtain quotations from caterers for provision of main course, desert and coffee.

Action: Council to provide sherry, wine and soft drinks.

C/148/07         CEMETERY (11)

Cllr. J. Henshall expressed concern regarding the state of the Chapel of Rest, peeling paint, gravel path that required weeding, condition of the benches and seats and the need of a Notice Board in Cemetery to provide contact details:-

∙        Chapel of Rest. There are two tiles that need to be replaced. Clerk informed Council that she had requested quotations for this job a few months ago, but the task is considered to be awkward and uneconomic, and nobody was interested in quoting because the replacing of the two tiles requires that a number of the tiles be removed and then replaced with the two new tiles added. Full re-roofing, that would require the removal of the existing tiles and battens and then the installation of new natural tiles on felt and treated battens, has an estimate over £2000. It was decided to put the Chapel of Rest repairs into the budget for next year.

∙         Benches and seats. These need cleaning and repainting.

Action: Cllr. J. Write to clean and re-decorate benches.

Action: Cllr. A. Pithers and Cllr. J. Henshall to meet with the contractor to supervise their initial ground maintenance in the Cemetery and point out the necessary jobs.

∙        Notice Board. Due to high cost of free-standing notice boards it was decided to place a small board (size A4), with contact details of the Council, on the tool-shed door.

C/149/07         COUNCIL PROPERTY (12)

                        This matter was considered under minute C/148/07.

C/150/07         RISK ASESSMENT (13)

                        This matter was deferred to the next meeting of Council.

C/151/07         CARLOW BOND SIGNATORIES (14)

                        Due to change of members of the Council, and subsequently, the members of Carlow Bond Trust, we are requested by NatWest Bank to authorise two Councillors to provide Council’s instructions for operating on the account on behalf of Council.

                        Resolution: Unanimously approved that:-

∙        Signatories for the NatWest Corporate Bond are Cllr. A. Pithers and Cllr. A. Usher.

∙        The Council wish to re-invest both the capital and interest for a further 12 months on the 2^nd October 2007.

C/152/07         CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (15.1)

                        The Chairman reported the following:-

(1)      During the Dartmouth Regatta he visited HMS “Somerset” and presented a KPC Plaque, in response he received the plaque of the ship and it gone to the Village Hall.

(2)      Port Dartmouth Regatta was a great success.

Action: Clerk to write to the Chairman of the Regatta Committee to offer congratulations and best wishes for next year;

(3)     Chairman read the letter from Mrs Exell. Noted.

C/153/07         CLERK’S REPORT (15.2)

                        Written Report was distributed to the councillors together with the agenda.

                        Clerk had received report from Torbay Electric Light Company with results of periodic inspection of the electrical installation at Cemetery Lodge with recommendation to do some remedial work at a cost of £87. Resolution: Unanimous approval of quotation.

                        Clerk presented balance of account of Kingswear Walks Booklet. It was discussed and resolved to defer this matter for detailed consideration on next meeting.

C/154/07         CORRESPONDENCE REQUIRING ATTENTION (16)

                        The following list of correspondence was considered and noted:-

∙        Noss-on-Dart Marina. To nominate a representative for the meeting on Monday 24^th September. Representatives: Cllrs: A. Lovell, H. Newcombe, J. Henshall, P. Pudduck.

∙        South Hams Second Homes Survey 2007. To nominate a representative for the meeting on Wednesday 19^th September. Under further consideration.       

∙        Affordable Village Housing - A seminar for Parish Councillors on Friday 2^nd November. To nominate one or two members to attend. Representative: Cllr. A. Pithers.

∙        Annual General Meeting of the Devon Association of Parish Councils on Saturday 29^th September. To nominate two representatives to attend. Representative: Cllr. H. Newcombe.

         ∙  South Hams Media - Inter-Parish Quiz. To be displayed on Notice Boards.

∙        Budget Consultation Meeting with Town & Parish Councils on Monday 29^th October. To nominate two representatives. Representative:  TBD.

C/155/07         DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS (17)

                        Cllr. J. Hawkins had been contacted by residents of Hillhead regarding the state of the bus shelter at the bottom of Raddicombe Drive and he had spoken to Torbay Council about its’ repair. Cllr. J. Hawkins also had a meeting with residents of Waterhead Terrace, Brixham Road regarding speeding vehicles and a recent accident.

C/156/07         REQUESTS OF THE CLERK AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS (18)

(1)     Cllr. J. Hawkins requested that the following items be added to the next agenda:-

∙        Cllrs. J. Henshall,  A. Lovell, B. Tulloch, responsible for Kingswear Walks Booklet to do stock check, debtors and report to next meeting;

∙        Noss-on-Dart;

∙        Replanting on Jubilee Park.

(2)     Cllr. P. Pudduck requested that:-

∙        Replacement of pontoon gates. Tender results.

         ∙  Non-Beneficiary Stakeholder Group Meeting report.

C/157/07         PAYMENTS FOR  AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2007 (19)

                        It was agreed that the following cheques be paid:-

 C/158/07        COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (21)

                        There were no comments from members of the public.

The meeting was closed at 10:48 pm.

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