Combe Martin Parish Council



COMBE MARTIN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of Combe Martin Parish Council held in the Community Centre on

Monday, 8 April, 2013 at 7pm.

|Present: |Councillors |Graeme Coombs |John Lovering |

| | |Nigel Brettle |Helen Mallinder |

| | |Julia Clark |Jill Sidebottom |

| | |Yvette Gubb |Paul White |

| | |Trevor Kibble |Celia Withers |

| | | | |

| | | | |

|In Attendance |County Councillor Andrea Davis, 8 parishioners, Parish Clerk |

| |Simon Dovell |

| | |

| | |

| |The meeting was opened with prayers. |

| | |

|246/12 |Matters arising from the public session |

| |a Nicky Tossell – asked that the matter of the bollard on the slipway be |

| |closed, as this Council has so many other important things to spend its time on. The bollard was there for safety |

| |reasons to protect people and especially children who were using Combe Martin Beach. |

| |b Dave Tipton - pointed out that the stream that runs along by Rosea Bridge Lane is correctly called the West |

| |Challacombe Water. Mr Tipton was concerned that dog faeces was going into the Water. He was also concerned that |

| |several of the houses along the stream had septic tanks which may be having a detrimental effect on the water quality.|

| | |

| | |

| |He was thanked for his advice regarding the name, and was advised that the Environment Agency has been testing this |

| |stream in detail, to pinpoint the source of the considerable pollution in the stream. It is believed that the source |

| |of the pollution is dog faeces rather than septic tanks. The Dog Patrol will be going out on patrol in the near |

| |future, and Mr Tipton was welcome to join the patrol, or to put up ‘poop and scoop’ signs on the private road. |

| |c Trevor Waltho – enquired why Corner Lane was shut? DCC had been carrying out remedial works to the banks at the |

| |start of the year, but the lane is still shut to vehicles. Cllr Jill Sidebottom had already emailed DCC to ask that |

| |it be re-opened, and will chase it up again. |

| |d Peter Spencer – advised members that he had been asked to represent the Parish Council at a meeting regarding |

| |developments at Holdstone Down, notice of which meeting had been received at very short notice, and Mr Spencer had |

| |written a report about the proposals. |

| |e Peter Spencer – asked when the new webpage would be completed and was advised that it would be available in two |

| |weeks’ time. |

| |f Peter Spencer – referred to the previous minutes regarding the upkeep of Hangman Path and was advised that the |

| |minutes only referred to the section of Hangman Path that was owned by the Parish Council. |

| |g Nicky Tossell – objected to the condition of the site of the former shelter at Lester Point. The National Trust |

| |has removed the shelter and had talked of putting a toposcope on the site, but has not done this. |

| | |

| |Cllr Jill Sidebottom has written to the National Trust to complain that the site has been left in such a poor |

| |condition, and a reply is awaited. |

| | |

|247/12 |Apologies for absence |

| |Apologies were received from Cllr Wendy Druce and Steve Seldon. |

|248/12 |Declarations of interest |

|Councillor |Subject Reason |

|Julia Clark |Planning application number 55376 Neighbour of the applicant’s site. |

| |– Strawberry Fields, Shute Lane |

|249/12 |County and District Councillors reports |

| |a Devon County Council |

| |Devon County Council has written a Strategy For Growth for Devon’s economy and job opportunities, which includes 5 key|

| |points: |

| |A more productive economy |

| |A higher wage economy |

| |Employment opportunities for all and a workforce with the right skills for the future |

| |A well connected county |

| |A thriving business economy. |

| |DCC hopes that district councils throughout Devon will become partners with DCC to work together to improve Devon’s |

| |economy. |

| | |

| |Works continue to transport projects, and DCC is keen to improve the rail network. The rolling stock on the Tarka |

| |Line is in dreadful condition but is very well used by travellers. |

| | |

| |Unemployment figures are lower than last year, with an increased number of small business start-ups, and more private |

| |sector jobs. |

| | |

| |Works to the A399 at Watermouth Harbour will start on 9 September, and is expected to take 12 weeks. During the first|

| |four weeks the road will be closed overnight for approximately 3 weeks. |

| | |

| |County Cllr Andrea Davis thanked the Parish Council for its co-operation over the last four years. She was thanked |

| |for all her help with the Parade project funding. |

| | |

| |Cllr Davis agreed to ask DCC to replace the 30 mph sign at Rectory Road, and confirmed that she had agreed that this |

| |Council’s workmen may remove the Combe Martin road sign between Combe Martin and Henstridge for Loverings Garage to |

| |repair. |

| |b North Devon Council |

| |A new advice service has been launched by North Devon Council to assist people facing financial difficulties. |

| | |

| |The Local Welfare Support Scheme has been set up by the council, in partnership with Devon County Council, after |

| |receiving £175,500 in central government funding. The aim of the scheme is to offer quick and effective support for |

| |those struggling with money issues, whilst helping them to become more self reliant for the future. |

| | |

| |The Local Welfare Support Scheme will run for an initial three months in North Devon. If successful the council will |

| |look to commission the service after the trial period. |

| | |

| |Lynton House is dealing with a very high volume of callers regarding the new housing benefit scheme, most of which are|

| |complaints. This is a result of the changes introduced in the Welfare Reform Act. |

| | |

| |The Annual District Council Meeting was held last week. Cllr Geoff Fowler is now Chairman of NDC and Cllr Malcolm |

| |Wilkinson is Vice-Chairman. |

| | |

|250/12 |Police and vandalism reports |

| |a Police |

| |PC Martin Beck and PCSO Ade Drury.sent their apologies for not being able to attend the meeting. |

| | |

| |Since the March Parish Council meeting, there had been 4 crimes reported, compared to 15 in the same period last year.|

| |These were: |

| |  1 criminal damage to property |

| |1 criminal damage to vehicle |

| | |

| |1 making off without payment at petrol station |

| |1 theft of a nerf gun – kids toy gun |

| | |

| |b Vandalism |

| |Concrete blocks knocked out of Hollands Park wall. |

| |Gate damaged at Community Centre |

| |Stones removed from boundary walls at Blackmore Ham Gardens and |

| |seat used to access neighbours’ property. |

| | |

| |RESOLVED that the seat at Blackmore Ham Gardens near Arnold’s Plot be moved to design out vandalism. |

| | |

|251/12 |Minutes of the last meeting |

| |Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March, 2013, and the Extra-Ordinary meeting held on 25 March, 2013, were ADOPTED, |

| |subject to: |

| | |

| |a Cllr Jill Sidebottom gave her apologies and was not present at the meeting. |

| | |

| |b Min 221/12 - clarifying that Cllr Celia Withers is a friend of the Shammickite organiser, not a stallholder. |

| | |

| |c Min 231/12 – noting that the report had not been recorded correctly and a written report will be provided in |

| |future. |

| | |

| |d Min 241/12 – Noting that the minutes refer solely to Parish Council owned properties. |

| | |

|252/12 |Update on the Parade |

| |a Approval of amendment of Parade grant from DCC Airport Fund |

| |Confirmation has been received from Devon County Council that the revised application from the Airport Fund has been |

| |approved. |

| | |

| |RESOLVED that the Chairman sign the agreement. |

| | |

| |b Progress of project |

| |Simon Dovell has met Ian Holloway of Southcombes at the Parade to carry out a pre-contract site inspection. Mr |

| |Holloway requested permission to move the dog bin to where the path is wider, and that the litter bin be removed for |

| |the duration of the works. |

| | |

| |Mr Dovell had obtained a quotation from Southcombes to install a sewage pipe running from the former Museum to the |

| |road where the path is being tarmacced, as otherwise the tarmac will need to be dug up if this is done at a later |

| |date. |

| | |

| |RESOLVED: |

| |i That Southcombes be authorised to move the dog bin further along the railings and reinstate it at the end of the |

| |project. |

| |ii Cllr Julia Clark be asked to arrange with North Devon Council to have the litter bin temporarily removed and |

| |repaired whilst it is off-site. |

| |iii Southcombes quotation to install a sewage pipe from the former Museum building to the main road before |

| |re-surfacing the path at Parade, be accepted, subject to there being no adverse rock formation obstructing the route |

| |when it is dug out. |

| |iv To give the Highways, Property and Planning Committee Power to Act to deal with any minor queries in order to |

| |enable Southcombes to start work on Monday, 15 April, 2013 subject to confirmation from DCC that it has received the |

| |signed funding agreement, that PWH has received risk assessments, method statements and F10 from Southcombes and the |

| |contract is signed. |

| |v The Chairman and Vice-Chairman be authorised to sign the contracts. |

| |vi The builder who has stored sand at the Parade is to be asked to remove everything by 15 April, 2013. |

| | |

|253/12 |Planning applications |

| |District Councillors Julia Clark and Yvette Gubb drew the meeting’s attention to the fact that any observations or |

| |decisions which they made regarding planning applications at this meeting were based upon the information available at|

| |the time. Such observations and decisions might well change in the light of any information which might come |

| |before district councillors when sitting upon North Devon District Council’s planning committee. |

| | |

| |Cllr Julia Clark declared a prejudicial interest in application number 55376 and left the room whilst it was |

| |considered. |

| |55419 |- RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR A MATERIAL CHANGE OF USE OF OUTBUILDING TO RESIDENTIAL UNIT AND |

| | |PROPOSED ENHANCEMENTS TO SAME BUILDING AT OUTBUILDING AT ROCK HOUSE FARM (APPLETREE COTTAGE) CASTLE |

| | |STREET COMBE MARTIN |

| | |Applicant – Mr L Lethaby |

| | | |

| | |RESOLVED to recommend that the above application be REFUSED in view of the problems with parking |

| | |on-site. |

| |55376 |EXTENSION TO DWELLING TO PROVIDE FARM SHOP AT STRAWBERRY FIELDS SHUTE LANE COMBE MARTIN ILFRACOMBE |

| | |Applicant – Mr and Mrs Turner |

| | | |

| | |RESOLVED to recommend APPROVAL, subject to the planning authority being satisfied that there is an |

| | |adequate design for the parking provision. |

| | | |

| | |REMOVAL OF CONDITION 4 (TIME RESTRAINT) ATTACHED TO PLANNING PERMISSION 53613 TO ALLOW 24 HOUR |

| | |OPERATION OF WIND TURBINE AT PARK HILLS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE RECTORY LANE COMBE MARTIN |

| | |Applicant – Mr Peter Webb |

| |55274 | |

| | |The letter of objection was NOTED. |

| | | |

| | |RESOLVED to recommend that the application for 24 hour operation be REFUSED in view of the risk of |

| | |visual impairment to the 2 nearby homes and the potential for detrimental noise impact to the |

| | |surrounding area. |

| | | |

| | |As this is a test of the wind turbine, this Council can see no reason to increase the hours of |

| | |operation. |

| | |

|254/12 |North Devon Council’s Planning Approval |

| |55199 – Extension plus loft conversion (amended plans to 53228) – |

| |Manderley, Buzzacott Lane |

| | |

|255/12 |Matters arising from the last meeting |

| |Min 218/12a – Remedial works to A399 at Watermouth Harbour |

| |RESOLVED to write to Devon County Council and ask whether the roadworks could commence at the end of September, rather|

| |than on |

| |9 September, 2013 to minimise the effect on Combe Martin’s economy. |

| | |

| |Min 218/12g – Combe Martin Tourism Association – feedback |

| |The email from CMTA explaining the situation regarding visibility and costs of the North Devon+ website, was NOTED. |

| | |

| |Min 228/12 – Review of insurance policy |

| |The revised insurance premium notice had been received and paid, as it was approximately £260 cheaper than before, |

| |despite having added on the War Memorial to the policy. It was noted that Cllrs Nigel Brettle and Wendy Druce had |

| |measured most of this Council’s buildings and the figures had been used on the sums assured calculator on the Zurich |

| |web site. Unfortunately all the recalculated sums assured were considerably higher than the existing figures, so this|

| |was not pursued. Zurich had also been advised of the flat roof at Seacott, but were not concerned about this, so long|

| |as it is renewed when needed. Zurich was far more concerned with the fact that the War Memorial is sited adjacent to |

| |the River Umber. |

| | |

| |Min 232/12g – TAP fund application |

| |The formal offer of TAP funding had been received and the acceptance form returned. |

| | |

| | |

|256/12 |Committee reports |

| |a Parks and Open Spaces – 25 March, 2013 |

| |Minutes of the Parks and Open Spaces meeting held on 25 March, 2013 were ADOPTED. The Dog Warden training course had |

| |been postponed and was due to be held in May, 2013. |

| | |

| |b Local Plan Working Party – 2 April, 2013 |

| |The report of the Local Plan Working Party meeting held on 2 April, 2013 |

| |was ADOPTED. RESOLVED that the cost of the leaflet and the consultation day should be vired from the earmarked |

| |‘Planning for Real’ funds as they are both concerned with spatial planning. |

| | |

|257/12 |Reports from representatives to outside bodies |

| |Holdstone Down |

| |Mr Peter Spencer had kindly agreed to represent this Council at a meeting notified at very short notice by Mr Chris |

| |Lerwill, to lobby support for the land at Holdstone Down. |

| | |

| |Mr Spencer asked this Council to support Mr Lerwill’s proposals as they were in keeping with their surroundings and |

| |were likely to have a beneficial result on the landscape. |

| | |

| |Mr Spencer was thanked for attending the meeting and for writing a report which will be distributed to members. |

| | |

|258/12 |Correspondence |

| |a The following items were noted: |

| |1 Trinity House – Inspection of Local Aids to Navigation – weirpost found to be in good and efficient order |

| |2 North Devon Council – Parish Vacancy for NDC Ethics Committee |

| |3 Exmoor Consultative and Parish Forum – Minutes of last meeting |

| |4 Exmoor Society’s Spring Conference 2013 – Exmoor’s Rivers |

| |5 WPD - Invitation to stakeholder workshop with luncheon |

| |6 Bike Register – newsletter |

| |7 DALC newsletter |

| |8 Combe Martin Tourism Association Report March 2013 |

| |9 Dogs Trust – offer of free microchipping for dogs. |

| | |

| |b Bideford Town Council - Improvements to the A361 and A39 Corridor |

| |RESOLVED to support Bideford Town Council’s proposals to lobby for improvements to the A361 and A39 Corridor, as it is|

| |such an important access route to North Devon. |

| | |

| |c Exmoor National Park Authority – News re Coastal Bus Service |

| |RESOLVED to establish whether the route will go through Combe Martin and, if so, to advertise this in the Shammickite.|

| | |

| |d WI – request to use Coach Park for parking for event |

| |There were no objections to the WI using the Coach Park to park for their event. |

| | |

|259/12 |Dates of committee meetings |

| |Highways, Property and Planning – Tuesday, May 7, 7.30pm or on |

| |rising of POS Committee |

| |Parks and Open Spaces – Tuesday, May 7, 6.30pm |

| |Personnel – Monday, 15 April, 7pm |

| |Local Plan Working Party – Friday, 12 April, 10.30am |

| |Working Party to review bank accounts arrangements – |

| |Monday, 15 April, 12 noon. |

| |Village Consultation Day – Wednesday, 24 April, 12 noon to 7.30pm |

| |Annual Parish Meeting – Monday, 22 April, 7pm |

| | |

|260/12 |Finances |

| |a Balances |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Balance b/fwd |

| | |

| |151,986.10 |

| | |

| | |

| |at 1 March 2013 |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |less outstanding chqs |

| | |

| |689.50 |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |151,296.60 |

| | |

| |Income |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Rents |

| | |

| |530.00 |

| | |

| | |

| |Interest |

| | |

| |1.56 |

| | |

| | |

| |Com Centre |

| | |

| |1,089.00 |

| | |

| | |

| |Car parks |

| | |

| |6,300.00 |

| | |

| | |

| |Coach Park |

| | |

| |25.00 |

| | |

| | |

| |P3 grant |

| | |

| |650.00 |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Total income |

| | |

| | |

| |8,595.56 |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Expenses |

| | |

| | |

| |18,453.14 |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Balance carried forward |

| | |

| | |

| |141,439.02 |

| | |

| |plus outstanding chqs |

| | |

| | |

| |16,017.41 |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Balance in bank |

| | |

| | |

| |157,456.43 |

| | |

| |as at 31 March, 2013 |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |b Invoices for payment |

| |The invoices for payment, set out on the Financial Reports, were APPROVED, following recommendation by the Chairman |

| |and Cllr Jill Sidebottom. Cllr Julia Clark signed cheques on behalf of the Chairman, as the bank mandates will not be|

| |amended until after the co-option. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

|261/12 |EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS AND RESTRICTION OF |

| |DOCUMENTS |

| | |

| |RESOLVED: |

| |a That under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and the press be excluded from the meeting |

| |for the following items as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule |

| |12A of the Act, ie information in respect of |

| |which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings. |

| |b That all reports and documents relating to the items be confirmed as ‘Not for publication’. |

| | |

|262/12 |Matters arising from Museum Meeting |

| |Members of Combe Martin Parish Council had met representatives of Combe Martin Museum at the Sail Loft to discuss the |

| |funding of the new tourism facility at the Museum. |

| | |

| |RESOLVED to make a grant to the Museum of £2,000 towards the setting up of the new facility and to discuss the hire of|

| |the Sail Loft further, with the intention of hiring the Sail Loft for one evening per week. |

| |Cllr Yvette Gubb declared an interest in the Village Hall lease and left the room. |

|263/12 |Village Hall lease |

| |Cllr Wendy Druce had amended the document as requested, and it had been sent to councillors. RESOLVED to send the |

| |lease to the Village Hall Community Group, proposing that this should be used instead of the model lease. A copy is |

| |to be sent to this Council’s solicitors. |

The meeting closed at 10.16pm.

………………………………………………

Chairman

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