| MINUTES |
27th October 2004
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WINKLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL
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The Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesdat 27th
October 2004 7.30pm
in Winkleigh Community Centre |
| Cllrs Present: Cllrs Stutt, Bowers, Camilleri, Colgrave,
Cowle, Griffiths, Hodgson, King, J.Turner & N.Turner Cllrs Apologies: Cllr de Louvois Visitors: Mr J Mann (Forestry Commission), Mr P Moralee (PPL) & Mr T.Fitzsimmons (PPL) |
| The Chairman opened the meeting stating that the Councillors
had a long agenda . He welcomed the guests to the meeting and reminded
Cllrs and public of the purpose of the guest's attendance. The minutes of the meeting held on 15/9/04, 22/9/04 & 2/10/04 were duly confirmed and signed as a correct record following one minor amendment. |
| Public Discussion Period Cllrs were advised that parts of Eggesford Road are subsiding due to heavy traffic. |
| 1.10.4. Reports TAAG: Cllr Camilleri advised that Mr Mal Brown has taken responsibility for TDC's Planning Department and is in the process of reorganisation. DAPC: Cllr J.Turner advised that there will be a 5% increase in subs SWW: The Clerk read out a letter from SWW regarding the sewerage system. Mobile Lengthsman: The Clerk advised of the dates that DCC's mobile lengthsman team will be in Winkleigh Parish and advised that they require instructions on work requiring attention. TDC: The Clerk advised that an appeal has been lodged with the Secretary of State regarding TDC's refusal of application 1/2359/2003/COU: Use of former airfield for holiday homes, Four Seasons. |
| 2.10.4. District Councillor Cowle: Reports to
and from TDC Cllr Cowle advised that the appointment of Mr Heath as Chief Executive for TDC was approved by the representative from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister currently at TDC. Cllr Cowle also advised that TDC have issued the new Development Charter. |
| 3.10.4 Planning A. Returned from TDC a) 1/1373/2004/FUL: Pergola, 5 Ashplants Close, Winkleigh - APPROVED b) 1/1354/2004/FUL: Stables, Higher Bransgrove farm, Winkleigh - APPROVED c) 1/0833/2004/FUL: 8 no timber holiday cabins, 1 warden/show cabin, 2 fishing lakes, a wildlife garden & professionally run fishing operation, Orchard adjoining Western Barn, Hatherleigh Road, Winkleigh - REFUSED d) 1/1102/2004/COU: Storage of metal screws, nails & other fixings for the use on agricultural buildings, Beechlea, Winkleigh - REFUSED e) 1/1481/2004/CPE: Certificate for non compliance with agricultural occupancy tie at Chapter Five, Hollocombe - APPROVED B. New Applications a) 1/1733/2004/FUL: Double garage to farmhouse, Looseden Barton, Winkleigh - APPROVED (Cllr Cowle abstained from the vote) b) 1/1729/2004/FUL: Remove up and over garage door replace with pedestrian door to garage then to be used for preparing poultry/game, Kinangop, The Airfield, Winkleigh - APPROVED c) 1/1767/2004/FUL: Conservatory, 3 Westcots Drive, Winkleigh - APPROVED d) 1/1861/2004/AGR: Proposed agricultural building for the storage of machinery Jubilee Park, Loosedon Cross, Winkleigh - APPROVED |
| 4.10.4 Matters Arising a) Biomass The Chairman gave an update confirming that PPL submitted their planning application to TDC on 15/10/04. The Chairman then introduced Mr Moralee and Mr Fitzsimmons of PPL. PPL issued CD's containing all the planning application details and reports to all Cllrs. Mr Moralee then addressed the Parish Council regarding the Public Information Briefing to be held in Chulmleigh School on 4th November 2004. Mr Moralee stated that he wanted to discuss arrangements for the 4th with the Parish Council Mr Moralee explained PPL's reasons for choosing Chulmleigh School as a venue as it could seat approx 180 in the main hall and a further 70/80 in the second room with a video link joining. Mr Moralee outlined PPL's objectives for the briefing advising that the Public Information Briefing would allow the authors of the reports to address issues raised in the reports. Mr Moralee then outlined the format of the briefing as follows: 1. Introduction by PPL 2. Presentations : total of 7 presentations by report authors to include engineering, technology, EIA, Economic Impact etc 3. Presentation by a Planning Lawyer: information on the mechanics of the planning system at TDC. 4. Summing up by PPL: Questions from audience on points of clarification. The PC was advised that questions from the audience would be restricted to points of clarification at this stage due to the timing of the presentations and also PPL want the public to examine the information. Mr Moralee said that the authors of the reports have asked that questions are in writing as it may not always be possible for them to address a specific point as a number of people work on each individual report. Mr Moralee advised that there would be further opportunity for the public to ask questions as there would be an exhibition in Winkleigh ( approx 2 weeks following the Information Briefing) and also a public meeting will be held in Winkleigh. The PC were advised that PPL would be videoing the Public Information Briefing for use at future meetings in other communities. Mr Moralee informed the PC that they wish to appoint an independent Chair for the Information Briefing and were looking for the PC's support or suggestions. Mr Fitzsimmons then addressed the meeting stating that a large scale model of the proposed plant will be available at the Information Briefing and also that this would be available for their other meetings yet to be scheduled. He said that PPL are introducing a number of ways for the public to ask questions including via e-mail, adding that details of questions and answers will be displayed on PPL's web-site. Mr Fitzsimmons said that at the public meeting PPL hope to maximise people available to address questions and queries. Cllr Hodgson queried if the CD's could be copied and advised that they could be. Cllr Bowers queried why the Public Information briefing was not being held in Winkleigh. PPL responded that venue size was a major factor. Cllr Bowers added that she felt that representation from Winkleigh may be less due to the meeting being held in Chulmleigh. PPL responded that they had already considered this and were prepared to put on a mini-bus if it was considered necessary. Cllr Hodgson queried TDC's timetable stressing the need for the PC to examine all the reports etc and meet with relevant bodies/agencies before making a formal response. PPL said that they had not yet been advised of TDC's timetable. The Clerk confirmed that she has had no formal notification either. Cllr King asked for confirmation that the exhibition and any further public meetings would be held in Winkleigh. PPL confirmed that the exhibition, the 2nd meeting and the public meeting would be held in Winkleigh. Cllr Griffiths queried the independence of the authors of the report as PPL are paying for their investigations. Mr Moralee said that the authors would address this question directly. PPL were asked how extensive will the advertising be for the meeting. Mr Devons responded that they would use the local press and all Parish Clerks in the area. A number of posters and leaflets were also left with the Parish Council for distribution. Cllrs then went on to address the specific queries made by PPL: |
| b) Forestry Commission Mr J Mann from the Forestry Commission was in attendance to discuss the Winkleigh Forest Design Plan. Cllr Hodgson queried the long term strategy for Winkleigh woods from commercial to amenity wood and asked when the Forestry Commission's lease expires. Mr Mann responded that the lease is for 999 years - 40 of which have now past. Mr Mann explained that the Forestry Commission are occupiers of Winkleigh wood and the lease has a number of conditions. Mr Mann gave a detailed history of the Forestry Commission advising of current factors that have led to changes for the organisation. He stated that sustainability was imperative and that he felt while there was a change of emphasis there will still be an element of commercial management. Cllr Hodgson asked if there were any plans for the Forestry Commission to increase recreational use of Winkleigh woods. Mr Mann responded that they are already closely involved with the Wembworthy Centre and that there are more opportunities available but stated that one of the conditions of the lease is that the Forestry Commission can not instigate more public access. Cllr King queried comments made by Cllr de Louvois at the last meeting regarding possible additional access to Winkleigh Wood from the village. Mr Mann advised that the village would need to formulate a plan and take it to the Forestry Commission who would in turn liase with the landowner stressing that it is down to the parish to present a plan to the Forestry Commission. Cllr Bowers queried new proposals to allow broadleaf areas to decay naturally. Mr Mann responded that these areas are left to rot down. Cllr Hodgson proposed that the Parish Council approve the adoption of the Forestry Commissions plan and state that the Parish Council hope to continue the working relationship between both organisations - seconded by Cllr J.Turner - All in favour MOTION CARRIED |
| 5.10.4. New Business a) Work at Winkleigh Cemetery Cllrs were advised that tenders were received for work required at the Cemetery bungalow and also that further tenders need to be requested for additional work. It was agreed that these matter would be discussed in Part II of the meeting. Cllrs were also advised that the contract for the grass cutting has now run for 2 years and needs to be discussed. It was agreed to move this matter to Part II of the meeting. b) Parish Precepts ,Concurrent Function Grants & Matching Grants The Clerk read to Cllrs the letter from TDC Finance department. Cllrs were advised that no Matching Grant Payments were made by TDC for 2004/5 and that due to budgetary pressures no matching grants will be made for 2005/6. Cllr Hodgson said that he understood that his may be the case for 2005/6 but queried how this could have occurred for 2004/5 with the Parish Council not being made aware of this at the time of allocating the matching grants for 2004/5. It was agreed that this matter would be put on the agenda for November. Cllrs were also advised that the Concurrent Function Grant scheme will not continue for 2005/6 and that Councils need to aware of this when setting their precepts. The Clerk advised that for 2004/5 the concurrent function grant from TDC was £1604. Cllrs were advised that the precept request for 2005/6 needs to be submitted to TDC by 5th January 2005. c) Vandalism Cllr J Turner advised that there had been 2 incidents at the Village Hall where youngsters were throwing stones etc at the windows and disrupting events. He advised that the Police had been called and attended. Cllr Camilleri added that all the young people involved had been written letters by the Police. A number of Cllrs stressed concerns about increased incidents in the village. The Chairman said that the young people of the village needed something to do and that part of the Parish Plan was to identify needs and he said that opportunities for young people need to be addressed. The Chairman stated that this matter needed to be worked on to fully address the matter at the next Parish Council meeting. d) License applications The Clerk advised that she has received notification of two License applications. 1. A renewal for Four Seasons Holiday Village : Cllr J.Turner proposed approved, seconded by Cllr Cowle - All in favour. 2. A Conditional Justices' "ON" license for Winkleigh Cider Company: Cllr Hodgson proposed this be approved subject to 7am - 6pm limit - seconded by Cllr J.Turner: voting 5 for , 1 against, 2 abstentions: MOTION CARRIED e) TDC's Document Licensing Act 2003 TDC's document had been circulated to Cllrs at the September meeting. Cllr J Turner expressed grave concerns regarding the new proposals as it could lead to one 'licensee' for all Village Hall events. Cllr Turner said that he had made a personal response on behalf of the Village Hall committee. Cllr Hodgson said that he felt that the new proposals would be a great burden on local hall committees and that this would ultimately be to the detriment of village activities. It was agreed that the Parish Council should respond to TDC advising of the concerns of the Cllrs. f) Consultation on draft code of conduct The above ODP document was circulated to Cllrs in August. Unfortunately the location of the document is unknown. Cllr Hodgson said that as employers the Parish Councillors should examine the document and proposed that all Cllrs look at the web site & respond to the Clerk , seconded by Cllr Bowers - All in favour g) Travellers Cllr de Louvois had asked for this matter to be included on the agenda but unfortunately due to illness Cllr de Louvois was not in attendance. Matter moved to November meeting. Public Discussion Period A number of matters were addressed to the Cllrs: Concern was raised over PPL's Information Briefing Meeting being held a Chulmleigh and also the need to ensure that all meetings are held before the deadline for the Parish Council to respond to the planning application. The Parish Council was asked to check size limits for the public venues in Winkleigh. Residents complained about the short notice given for the Public Information Briefing. |
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6.10.4. Finance |
| 7.10.4. Letters & Correspondence The Clerk read out a letter received from a resident who had experienced a vehicle accident in the village and confirmed that the matter had been passed for information to the traffic group as instructed. Cllr J Turner said that he felt that this matter should be addressed by the Parish Council itself and expressed concern over arrangements made by the traffic group for action to be taken by the local authority. The Chairman said that the traffic group was set up to assess the problems and to give ideas, suggestions and a plan to the Parish Council for consideration. He stated that he was clear regarding the position of the traffic group and he had spoken to them about their role adding that an interim report is expected soon. |
| The Council will then move into Part II to discuss issues
regarding the tenancy of the Cemetery bungalow and also the internal workings
of the Parish Council Following discussion regarding the Cemetery Bungalow the Parish Council agreed the following: 1. Tenders would be requested for the electrical work and the internal work at the Cemetery Bungalow to be submitted by 19th November 2004. Cllrs Colgrave and King to organise. 2. Cllrs agreed the requirements for applicants for the bungalow and the advert for the tenancy of the bungalow would be posted in the notice boards to be submitted by 22nd November. 3. It was agreed that the Parish Council would purchase all the necessary materials for the plumbing works at the bungalow and Cllr Colgrave offered to complete the plumbing work required at the cemetery bungalow: All in favour. MOTION CARRIED. 4. The tenders for the external work to the cemetery bungalow and path were opened at the meeting for consideration. Cllr Hodgson proposed that the Parish Council accept the tender from Mr Philip Skinner for both the external work to the cemetery bungalow and the path - seconded by Cllr J.Turner - All in favour: MOTION CARRIED. 5. It was proposed and seconded that the weekly rent would be £60 : All in favour: MOTION CARRIED. 6. It was proposed and seconded that one months deposit would be required: All in favour: MOTION CARRIED. Following discussion regarding the grass cutting contract for the cemetery the following was agreed: 1. It was proposed by Cllr J Turner and seconded by Cllr Cowle that the grass cutting contract for the cemetery would be renewed to Andrew Ware at £1000 per annum : All in favour: MOTION CARRIED. |