DRAFT: MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF BUCKLAND BREWER PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2013 AT 8.00PM AT THE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Members Present: Mrs Barbara Babb, Mr Andrew Hewitt, Mr George Heywood, Mr David Lloyd, Mr Jim Lowe, Mr Trevor Mills, Mrs Kate Slocombe, Mrs Shirley Tilley, Mr David Watson: Alison Boyle (Devon County Councillor): 21 members of the public: Parish Clerk, Patrick Blosse
864 Apologies for Absence: None
865 Minutes of the Last Meeting: The minutes of the meeting held on 9th January 2013 were confirmed and signed.
866 Public Speakers: David Wheeler of Hallmark Power gave an outline of the proposed development of the wind turbine proposal at Bowden Farm.
867 Declarations of Interest: Mr George Heywood – Item 882Planning: Erection of 500kw wind turbine
868 Correspondence:The following correspondence was distributed:
1 Torridge Planning applications w/e 28/1/13 and 4/2/13
2 Application for hire of school premises 2013 – cheque for £60 to be signed
3 Draft Local Plan Consultation Document. Response required by 15th March 2013. The Parish Council anticipates making further comments on the proposed draft plan at its next meeting on March 13th 2013.
4 Email enquiry from Buckland Brewer FC – New secretary has asked for guidance on the term of their lease and whether a youth football team has been considered
5 Register of Electors Alteration February 2013
6 Clerks and Councils Direct, January 2013
7 Devon Senior Voice, January 2013-02-11
8 Letter and invoice regarding surface repairs at Northwood Lane. Council confirmed their approval to the payment of £144.00 for surface repairs.
9 24-7, Edition 17
10 Letter from Wendy Farr re the drain in Northwood Lane. Council approved addition of works to Lengthsman’s rota.
11 Letter and plan from Alex Dziurzynski to include a site within the new parish boundary – Council overwhelmingly agreed (7-1 Andrew Hewitt declared an interest and did not vote) to have the land outlined in red to be designated as a development site for one house. (For Mr Alex Dziurzynski who wishes to build his own family sized house on this plot.)
12 Planning Decision – Hand Painted Shop Sign
13 Parkham Parish Council – TAP Fund (Lengthsman). Council approved of Parkham Parish Council’s suggestion to work in partnership with other parish council’s to use the TAP fund to resource additional Lengthsman duties.
14 Report from Claire McIntosh re Thornehillhead Moor.
15 Letter from Peter Sandon registering his opposition to the proposed wind turbine at Bowden Farm.
16 A letter from the PCC indicating that they could not support the upgrading of the footpath across the church yard.
869 Localism Act: Nothing to report
870 Youth Club: Chris Turner gave an overview of the Buckland Brewer ‘Youth Club’, which he asked to be referred to as a ‘Drop-In Centre’. It has been operating for about 9 years and provides a safe place to meet where senior school age children can develop long-term relationships with supportive adults who they look on as friends rather than authority figures. The staff provided health advice, 1 to 1 support, home visits and work closely with Great Torrington School. Chris gave examples of how their success could be measured by the fall in crime and teenage pregnancy rates.
871 Thornehillhead Moor: The clerk read Claire McIntosh’s report which recommended payment of the outstanding account for fencing works following a recent inspection. Council approved payment of the invoice and noted the rest of the report. The Chairman explained that Devon County Council would shortly send its final account for the works they had carried out to date. It was agreed to settle all outstanding accounts from Devon County Council before discussing the next tranche of works with Claire.
872 Thornehillhead Moor – Communication Mast: George Heywood and Jim Lowe are to meet with the MP, Geoffrey Cox, on Saturday 23rd February and will report back.
873 Village Hall: It anticipated that the 106 agreement could be signed by the end of the month. Due to the size and nature of the project a CDM has been appointed. A list of local suppliers is being prepared.
874 Solar Array: George Heywood reported that work was still ongoing.
875 Diamond Jubilee: Shirley Tilley reported that there was a sum of about £170 awaiting application to a suitable project.
876 Parish Defibrillator: No action to report but Andrew Hewitt should have developments to report by the next meeting
877 Tarka Homes: The Chairman had tried to contact Tarka Homes concerning Tucker’s Park but has had no response to his calls. The Chair is to find out who from Torridge District Council is dealing with the issue and put the council’s concerns to them.
878 Village Green: Three large stones have been placed at the edge of the village green to deter parking. It was generally felt that the stones were too few and too widely spaced to be effective and some concerns were raised about health and safety. Alternative measures were discussed including the use of tractor tyres as planters. The Chairman offered to investigate alternatives and report back.
879 Engaging Devon – DCC Engagement Strategy: Members had received copies of a consultation document from Devon County Council. A questionnaire is to be completed by the Chair.
880 Nominations to fill casual vacancies on the DALC County Committee 2011-15: Nominations were sought to contribute to the work of the DALC (Devon Association of Local Councils). It was agreed to nominate Andrew Hewitt.
881 Members’ Reports: (i) George Heywood reported that the gritter had made two trips in the recent cold weather, using about a ton of material which he will get replaced; (ii) Barbara Babb observed that recycling bins were being put out earlier than ever on the day preceding collection and suggested that an item could be included in Village Scene to dissuade parishioners from doing this. (iii) Barbara also reminded the council that a speaker should be sought for the May AGM; (iv) Shirley Tilley pointed out that street light 3833/12 in Gorwood Road was on all day but not at night and needs to be reported to DCC; (v) Kate Slocombe reminded the council that letters need to be sent to allotment holders re the increase in rent to £10.00 per annum from 1.4.14: (vi) Kate Slocombe also asked whether the £25 lease payment due from Joe Wolfe had been received. The clerk to check and follow up appropriately: (vii) Jim Lowe suggested that the May meeting of the Parish Council (not the AGM) should be held at Thornehillhead Chapel: (viii) Andrew Hewitt reported landslips on the road from Yeo Vale to Moor Head which should be reported to Littleham Parish Council: (ix) Alison Boyle (County Councillor) reported on the two issues that she was particularly concerned about at present: the Atlantic Array and Highways. She was also hopeful that DCC would make a financial contribution to the new Parish Community Hall.
882 Planning: 1/10017/2013/FUL Erection of 500kw wind turbine (74m to blade tip), associated infrastructure and access track on land at Bowden Farm, Buckland Brewer, EX39 5EL. Following a general discussion of the proposal it was agreed that the development did not contravene the council’s policy in respect of distance to inhabited property. The Council overwhelmingly agreed (7-1) not to oppose the development and building of a Wind Turbine on Bowden Farm Buckland Brewer.
883 Accounts: The bank balance of the Council’s general account was £1,245.28 as at 31st January 2013. Balances for the Thornhillhead Moor account were not available.
The clerk reported that: (i) All outstanding field and allotment rents for 2012/13 had now been received; (ii)
Payments amounting to £483.95 were due in respect of school hall bookings for 2013, Parish Clerk’s fees, signwriting costs and surface repairs in Northwood Lane:
(iii) One account had been held for works at Thornehillhead Moor in the sum of £4,737.36 but this would now be paid in accordance with the Council’s decision: (iv) A payment of £32,744.58 had been made for works completed at Thornehillhead Moor. This included VAT in excess of £5,000 which had already been reclaimed from Customs and Excise.
The meeting closed at 9:30 pm
Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday 13th March 2013 (8:00pm Buckland Brewer School)
Chairman: ……………………………………………………………………….
Date: …………………………………….
