Littleham and Landcross Parish Council
Littleham and Landcross Parish Council 2011
Front Row: Doug Hamilton, Loraine Kindley, Sue Beer (Chair), Ian Atkinson (Vice Chair) Back Row: Mike Stevens, Chris Hassall, Dane Stanley (Clerk to PC), Ian Hopkins, James Corkery Frank Heard, Mike Smith, Pru Phillips and Pat Fishleigh are also members of the Parish Council
LITTLEHAM & LANDCROSS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT LITTLEHAM VILLAGE HALL ON THURSDAY 8TH December 2011.
Present: Cllrs. Atkinson (Vice-Chairman), Sue Beer (Chair), Corkery, Pat Fishleigh, Hassall,
Heard, Hopkins, Loraine Kindley, Pru Phillips, Smith and Stevens.
Apologies: Cllr Hamilton. DCC Cllr Robinson; TDC Cllr Pennington.
Members of the public wishing to address the meeting on a specific agenda item, were, in accordance with Standing Order 24 and Paragraph 12(2) of Statutory Instrument 2007/1159, permitted to do so before that Agenda Item.
1136 - Registration of Members Interests: No additional registrations were required.
1137 - To confirm Minutes 1120-1135 of 20th October 2011. (previously dispatched)
Cllr Stevens asked that we insert “Brian Stevens of Northam” in Minute 1122c to clarify to whom the letter was sent. Cllr Atkinson pointed out errors in Minute 1128 which should read “Miss Badcock who, with her brother,”
After alterations - Proposed as correct by Cllr Smith. S: Cllr Heard. All agreed; Minutes signed by Chair.
- - Matters Arising – Not Covered by Agenda:
New Councillor Training. The Clerk has spoken to Judy Phillips at TDC. They propose to delay any training until the new Localism Bill is published; this is expected to affect the roles of Parish Councils, especially in areas of Planning. Noted.
1139 –Planning Applications:
- 1/1095/2011/LBC& 1/1094/2011/FUL: Middle Langdon, Littleham. Conversion of garage to Holiday let.
Proposed for Approval by Cllr Atkinson. S: Cllr Hopkins. Cllrs Stevens & Corkery abstained. Proposal carried.
- Notifications: Site at LA Stables, Coach Drive, Bideford. [TDC advise] Appeal against enforcement notice served in respect of an unauthorised change of use of land from equestrian to mixed equestrian and residential. Appeal date December 6th, 2011 at 10am Riverbank House.
- 1/0949/2011/FUL – Middle Langdon, Littleham – replacement of stable. TDC advise Approval granted.
- 1/0902/2011/FUL – Moor Park, Littleham – two storey side extension. TDC Advise Approval Granted.
- 1/0951/2011/FUL& 1/0950/2011/LBC – Middle Langdon, Littleham – side extension. TDC advise Approval.
1140 – Atlantic Array: the response to the Parish Council questions, and other issues raised at the public meeting had been received from RWE npower and circulated prior to the meeting. The notes of the meeting made by the Clerk had also been circulated and it was agreed they were an accurate account. Cllr Smith asked if we could obtain from RWE a large scale map of the cable route from the A39 across the Parish to the river crossing [Clerk to make request]. Cllr Sue Beer advised that she had contacted representatives of the other affected Parishes who had agreed to convene a meeting along with representatives from TDC and DCC. It was disappointing to note from DCC Cllr Robinson`s report that he had not been given a positive response from DCC Cllr Croad following his request for him to meet with the Parishes. Cllr Beer proposed that we should write to the leader at DCC, and other relevant DCC Counsellors, to TDC [Cllr. Jane Whitaker] and Cllr Greenslade at NDC to make our disappointment known. P: Cllr Sue Beer. S: Cllr Pru Phillips. All agreed.
1141 – Highways.
- Winter Precautions: DCC have issued a newsletter setting out advise for precautions to be taken in winter bad weather. Noted.
- Pillmouth Cottage: road subsidence. Cllr Fishleigh stated that no repairs had been carried out; Julian Roskilly [SW Highways] had advised that he was still trying to determine ownership of part of the road before he could issue a works order. Cllrs Pru Phillips and Pat Fishleigh were surprised as the road had been resurfaced twice, by DCC, during their residence.
- Road Closure – Waggon Road: Notice of closure from 28/11 to 7/12 had been received by letter dated 24th October. Advice had been placed on the Parish website. Cllr Heard advised that the road had been re-opened on time, and that the repairs were quite extensive, with part of the road totally re-surfaced. The Clerk is asked to thank Julian Roskilly for this work, and to ascertain an update on the situation at Church Road, Landcross [Pillmouth Cottage]
- Update from Snow Wardens: Cllrs Pat Fishleigh and Heard had undergone training for their roles; deliveries of salt/grit had arrived; a shed for storage had been purchased and erected adjacent to Littleham Village Hall to store supplies [3 tonnes] for Littleham and the spreader. 3 tonnes had arrived in Landcross, some in small bags, of which 10 were broken, these have been placed in the gritbins. Cllr Sue Beer thanked the wardens and others involved for their work, and requested that the Wardens put together a newsletter on this subject for the Crosslet magazine, with a copy to be placed on the website.
Cllr Pat Fishleigh advised that water was flowing onto the highway from the Old Rectory at Landcross; which had caused some damage to the side of the road, and could cause problems to drivers and pedestrians if it froze. Cllr Beer had approached the owner of the property who declined to take any action. It is requested that this is brought to the attention of Julian Roskilly by the Clerk.
Cllr Loraine Kindley advised that there was excess water on the road out of Littleham – to Abbotsham Cross – which appeared to be coming from the Water Station. There doesn`t appear to be a camber on the road since it was re-surfaced. Again, the Clerk is asked to notify Julian Roskilly.
Cllr Sue Beer advised that the police and PCSO`s had been involved recently to speak to residents of The Lane, Landcross who were causing obstructions by parking on both sides of the lane near to the Village Notice Board. PCSO McGovern asked that we investigate if any Street Orders applied to any part of the Lane. The Clerk is requested to ask Julian Roskilly.
Discussion with DCC Cllr Robinson took place on the various options available for delivery, storage and spreading of salt/grit supplies. It is expected that new and larger storage bins would be needed.
1142 - District & County Councillors’ Reports. In the absence of Cllr Robinson his report was read to the Council [Appx. 1]
1143 – Emergency Plans. Cllr Hamilton was not present, item taken forward to nest meeting.
1144 - Parish Plan -the Welcome Booklet. Cllr Atkinson has seen the draft which has been agreed by the Committee, he asked that details of the Snow Wardens be added. This will be done and the document should be issued before Christmas.
1145 - Jubilee Tree – The Clerk advised that he had correspondence from Glendale that the tree should be taken down on the 9th – the next day. Cllr Loraine Kindley had tried to contact all Parishioners who would be affected, some had not been at home. The Clerk had contacted Pat Smith to expect the chippings.
1146 - Finance & Insurance:
- Report on Bank Balance and Authorisation of Payments.
Bank balance: £3646.29 as at 20th November 2011. The second Precept instalment of £459.60 had been received. Cashbook details tabled, and bank statement[s] signed by the Chair.
Payments: £112.74 to DCC – contribution to 372 bus service. £58.42 re-imbursement to Clerk for admin costs. £751.03 to Cllr Heard – re-imbursement for the snow equipment shed [£639.94], spreader [£94.99] and trailer hitch [£16.10]. £17.76 to Cllr Pat Fishleigh for padlocks. £716.46 to Cllr Sue Beer for 2x salt/grit bins, snow burner and a shovel fro landcross.
Proposed: Cllr. Smith. S: Cllr Corkery. All agreed.
- Other Financial or Insurance matters: Precept for 2012-2013. The Clerk tabled Budget outcomes and Forecasts; after discussion it was agreed to retain the Precept request at existing level of £3650 for the year 2012-2013; and that TDC be requested to deduct our DALC subscription from the first instalment of the Precept for that year. P: Cllr pat Fishleigh. S: Cllr Smith. All agreed.
1147- Correspondence Requiring Attention:
- TDC: Devon Home Choice System for allocating Social Housing Vacancies: a new, online system has been introduced. Noted.
- Advice from Mobile Library Services; increased times in Littleham: times to be increased by 10 minutes. Noted.
- Anne Davies requests a “report” on Council meetings for Crosslet. This request made by telephone to the Clerk. After discussion it was agreed that no report was needed; Cllr Sue Beer will be meeting with Anne shortly and will advise her of the Council`s decision
1148-Other Correspondence received: Great Torrington Local Community Partnership – newsletter and Minutes of their meeting in September. Torridge Connect [TDC Magazine] winter 2011. Guide to Using Devon Home Choice.
1149-E-Mail correspondence received: DALC: Localism Bill – Council Tax Veto: DCC – Emergency Planning Newsletter, Dec.2011: TTVS – Snippets: RSN Weekly Digest [x3]: GTLCP – Agenda & Papers for 24.11.11: DALC – Prince of Wales award: Torrage – Nov 2011: Dev & Cornwall Police – Authority Matters Oct.
1150-AOB.
- Cllr heard suggested that the newly purchased storage shed should be insured at a figure of £1000 [shed and contents]. It was agreed that Cllr Sue Beer would ask the Village Hall Committee to include the shed under it`s Policy, and that any increased premium would be re-imbursed by way of grant from the Parish Council.
- Cllr Loraine Kindley had noticed that the streetlights were still on all night, and thought they should have been off from 12.30 to 5.30am. it was suggested that this is because the switchgear on the lights had not yet been altered.
- Cllr Hassall asked that we enquire of TDC – Planning Enforcement – if the conditions of approval for Edge Mill Nursery [new road access] had been complied with, and if not was action being taken for re-instatement. Cllr Smith requested that we also ask for an update on the situation at Edge Mills regarding residential use by Mr Mahoney.
- Cllr heard asked Cllr smith if any response had been received from BT following receipt of our Broadband survey. Cllr smith has not received a response to date, and was asked to chase this matter.
1151 - Next Meeting: January 19th, 2012.
[Scheduled meetings for 2012: 15/3; 19/4; 17/5 & 24/5.]
The meeting closed at 9.15pm.
LLPC Minutes 8.12.2011: Appx.1
Report to Littleham & Landcross Parish Council, for Thursday 8th December 2011.
(Apologies; I am abroad during this week and am unable to attend.)
1/ Atlantic Array. I want to express my disappointment at the response (or, rather, non-response despite a couple of promptings) of the relevant cabinet member to my request that he attend a meeting which, at my suggestion, Litleham & Landcross Chairman, Mrs. Beer, had sought to arrange with the chairmen of the other parishes directly affected. Twice he was emailed without response; at the Great Torrington Tough Choices meeting with the Leader, John Hart, I asked John to get Mr Croad to respond; and at a subsequent meeting with John he confirmed that he had done so. By chance I met Mr Croad at county hall when he made the lame excuse that he had no further information to add, and he made not a word of apology for his discourtesy to both the chairman of this parish council and me. This is the same person who responded so glibly to my question about charges at recycling facilities.
2/ Bus Services. There was a hint that the 315 route to Exeter might be withdrawn. However, I have made representations to both county and the operators and one of the responses included the following part of a letter sent by John Hart to another correspondent: -
The contract for the 315 is, in fact, due for review and re-tender in April 2012. Whilst not being able to guarantee the outcome, I do assure you that your views will be taken into account. The Council does recognize how important bus services are and your own example of getting to hospital appointments applies to many people.
It would be worth keeping up the pressure.
3/ Great Torrington Local Community Partnership. I have attended by invitation the last two meetings of the partnership (at High Bickington and Winkleigh). Originally there were three partnerships, the other two being Holsworthy and Bideford which wilted on the vine. The hope is that what has been achieved by way of cohesion in the general area of Torrington can be rippled out to include all of Torridge. A soon-to-be appointed coordinator will be circulating details to the parishes.
4/ Snow Warden Scheme. My sincere thanks go to the two snow wardens for taking on the task for Littleham and for Landcross. I hope that by now the necessary funding has been transferred to the parish account for the purchase of the required items.
5/ Reporting of potholes, etc. It has emerged that if potholes are reported to Julian, as a result of all the changes and control being centralised at Newton Abbot, all he can do now is report them on the web the same as everybody else. Julian suggests that residents be encouraged to report through one or other of the following links: -
http://www.devon.gov.uk/form-pothole?url=webcsm/Defect.aspx&sid=5uoahknpnym552zpbfnuz0i2
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/online-services/services-report.htm
or by telephone: 0845 155 1015
The former specifically relates to potholes; the latter covers a list of “complaints” from a damaged bus shelter, through a faulty pavement to potholes to, strangely enough, “your intention to home educate”!
I would still suggest that whenever any fault is reported and a fair amount of time has elapsed without remediation being carried out, I would appreciate being informed.
6/ Clarification of the use of Red Diesel in Snow Clearance. Having made enquiries from the county legal department, I can offer the following advice as given through the NFU: http://www.nfuonline.com 29 Nov 2010
Snow clearance. You can use red diesel in agricultural machinery to clear snow for access. This may be on your own farm tracks, or on the public highway to clear the route for such things as feed deliveries or milk collections. An operation such as clearing snow on a car park for reward would not be a legitimate use of red diesel, as it does not relate to the agricultural operation.
Gritting. You cannot legally use red diesel when applying grit using a tractor and spreader, whether trailed or mounted. Only machines purely designed for gritting are allowed to use rebated fuel, all other gritting machinery should be run on white diesel. Bear this in mind when agreeing any rates for this work with local authorities.
Insurance and other issues. Checking your insurance policy to make sure you are covered before any snow clearing operation is carried out. Also ensure that the rest of your machinery is road legal before venturing out on the highway, especially your lighting during these periods of poor visibility.Further information. More information on the use of rebated fuels can be found on HMRC’s website
7/ Concerns about the future working of the North (sic) Devon AONB and Biosphere Reserve. I received information that the excellent work being carried out by the NDABS may now be compromised on grounds of cost-cutting. On contacting county I discovered that discussions have been going on which appear to be aimed at amalgamating the disparate groups of AONB and the Biosphere Reserve under one manager. The work covers the biosphere Reserve, the AONB, the Tarka Trail and the South West Coast Path. Remarkably, there is no facility apparent for either the inclusion of any county councillor from the Torridge region in discussions, or for their being consulted on, or even kept informed of, potential developments that will clearly have an impact, possibly adverse, on the service that does so much to promote the asset that is the truly outstanding natural beauty of this area. I have made my feelings known to the lead officers and to Cllr. Barry Parson, Leader of TDC, and I have requested an up-to-date report of what has been happening and an explanation as to why county councillors representing major parts of the area involved were not kept informed. Interestingly, the two district councillors representing Torridge (Cllrs. Tabor and Redwood) could not be resident any further from the Tarka Trail and still reside in Torridge!.
Thank you Chairman, Council. Sam Robinson, 21 Bude Street, Appledore, EX39 1PS. sam.robinson@devon.gov.uk Tel (01237)474413.
