COMBE MARTIN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of Combe Martin Parish Council held at the Community Centre on Monday, 14 December, 2015, at 7pm.
Present: Cllrs Wendy Druce (Chairman) Julia Clark, Yvette Gubb, Peter James, Ian Lawton, Helen Mallinder, Celia Withers.
In Attendance: District Cllr John Lovering, 5 parishioners, Parish Clerk.
The meeting commenced with prayers.
195/15 Public Session
a Vince Irwin - said that he had not received the information he had requested about beach policies and queried why his letters regarding the Beach and use of the Beach in connection with hirings had not been considered at that time. He was advised that
he would receive the policies and that Council had previously agreed to consider the subjects of his letters over the winter. Beach policies will be considered in February, so that he will receive a reply before Easter.
b Susan Young - asked if there was a Planning Inspectorate meeting at the Community Centre this week and was advised that there was a meeting on Wednesday 16 December 2015 for the Planning Inspector to consider a planning appeal.
c Susan Young - expressed concern at the increasing amount of dog mess in the village. It was NOTED that a dog mess patrol will be organized in the new year.
196/15 Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Lin Wheelan.
197/15 Declarations of Interest
Councillor Subject Interest
Julia Clark Planning application number 60338 Near neighbour
Peter James Planning application number 60389 Neighbour/friend of applicant
Ian Lawton Planning application number 60212 Near neighbour
198/15 County and District Councillors Reports
a Devon County Council
Heart of the South West Devolution Proposals
A detailed devolution proposition is being submitted to Government in mid-January 2016. The proposition aims to close the productivity gap between the Heart of the South West and the rest of the UK. The reason for focusing on productivity is that the gap between the Heart of the South West and the rest of the UK is stark. The offer is to allow partners to work together to capitalise on a number of key opportunities and ensure our communities are benefiting, including:
Health, care and wellbeing
Support stronger economic growth, productivity and resilience,
Housing and planning
Employment and skills
Business support
This bid would result in a Combined Authority which would deliver the content of the deal. Each constituent authority would appoint an elected councillor to be a member and decision making would be based on one-member-one-vote. Co-opted/associate members would include the Local Enterprise Partnership, National Park Authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups. The statutory functions delegated to any Combined Authority would depend on the enactment of the Cities and Local Government devolution Bill and substance of any HoSW deal.
The proposal would include a commitment to identifying and agreeing a leader visible to the public with channels for engagement and communication between the leader, public and other partners. It would also include a commitment to identifying and agreeing opportunities to delegate or devolve to parish and town councils and community groups in order to bring decision making closer to communities and service users.
Joint Highway Procurement
Devon continues to work with Somerset and Plymouth on the procurement of the new Term Maintenance Contract, which will start in April 2017. The procurement has been started and tenderers are due to submit information for a suitability selection process within the next few months. They will then go on to submit their formal tenders in the
spring of next year. Award of contract will be in Autumn 2016 to ensure a smooth
handover to the new provider of the service.
Devon Highways.
Following the fatal accident on the North Devon Link Road some time ago, where a van drove into the workforce killing one of our contractor’s operatives, it is pleasing to note that current Health and Safety Statistics show that the number of days lost to accidents have remained at zero in recent months. Near miss reports highlight the number of drivers who drive through live construction sites putting themselves and the workforce at risk.
Public Health and District councils
District councils play a vital role in improving health and wellbeing of local residents. To support this, the public health team has been working closely with the districts to develop their local priorities, and a public health grant has been allocated to each district council to develop new ways of working and support the local public health plans to address local health priorities and our commissioning responsibilities. Each area has developed a forum or local arrangements to address these priorities. North Devon and Torridge have a health and wellbeing forum, Teignbridge has a health exchange and Exeter has its own health and wellbeing board.
Health Visitor Transfer
From October 1 the commissioning of key 0-5 services, including health visitors – registered nurses who lead and deliver health services for children - and provide services such as intensive support for young mums, will switch to local authorities from the NHS. This move will ensure councils are responsible for health ‘from the cradle to the grave’.
Waste and Recycling
Whilst the recycling and composting rate is always high and within the top 5 counties in England each year, Devon householders are currently the second highest producers of household waste in the country (31st out of 32 counties). Within Devon, the difference between Districts is somewhat disparate. North Devon District produces the greatest amount of waste in the county at 428kg per person, compared to East Devon which produces 289kg.
Libraries
The ‘spin out’ is progressing well with a new CEO appointed last week. There will be a ballot for 4 Trustees (2 of each) and a series of interviews to appoint a further 4 independents.
Budget Cuts
Over the past four years the County Council’s funding has been cut by 27% as a result of a Government squeeze on local government spending and savings of nearly £128 million have been made. This year (2015/16) a further saving of £50 million is required as a result of the Government’s latest Comprehensive Spending Review. This will be followed by a saving of at least £34 million in 2016/17.
b North Devon Council
Cllr Yvette Gubb wished everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year.
Cllr John Lovering reported that plans are progressing with the Anchorwood Bank development site. The developers may proceed without using the Oliver building (former Shapland and Petter building). North Devon Homes are planning to provide housing on the site.
The Queen's 90th birthday will be celebrated over the weekend of 10 to 12 June, 2016. Part of the celebrations will be a street party held in London and it is hoped that other street parties will be organised locally throughout the country.
199/15 Police and Vandalism Reports
a Police Report
PCSO Ade Drury sent her apologies as she was on a rest day. The crime figures for the period 11 November 2015 to 9 November 2015 are 4 crimes (compared with 10 crimes for the same period last year) which include:
1 theft of sheep
2 criminal damage to motor vehicles (separate unconnected incidents)
1 possession of Class A drug
The crime figures for the period 10 November 2015 to 13 December 2015 are 5
crimes (compared with 4 crimes for the same period last year) which include
1 grievous bodily harm assault
1 common assault
1 criminal damage to window
1 drink driving
1 theft
The Theft is the theft of a Speed Detection Recorder which had been placed by the Road Safety Department ( Devon & Cornwall Police)to monitor the volume and speed of traffic in general through the village, ultimately looking at road safety issues for the community. It had been placed high up on, and padlocked to, a lamp post at the junction of Rock Lane and Castle Street. The SDR is an expensive item and Devon
and Cornwall Police would be very wary of deploying any other equipment in the
village to help the community in the future as a result of this theft. Everyone was asked
to advise PCSO Drury if they have any information which would help with its recovery.
Villagers were asked to enjoy the seasonal festivities and celebrations but to
remember to stay safe and not drink and drive, especially as people can still be over the limit the next day.
b Vandalism Report
There was no vandalism to report.
200/15 Minutes of the last meeting
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2015, be confirmed and signed as a true record.
201/15 Planning
a Applications
District Councillor Yvette Gubb drew the meeting’s attention to the fact that any observations or decisions which she 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 an interest in the following item and left the room.
60338 - RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR GROUNDWORKS TO ENABLE SITING OF A REPLACEMENT CARAVAN (CARAVAN PERMITTED BY APPLICATION NI/355 IN 1952) AT COMBE VIEW, SHUTE LANE
Applicant: Mr and Mrs Wyatt-Teal
As the applicant was present, she was invited to speak to the application and did so.
It was NOTED that the application is for the groundworks only. RESOLVED to recommend that the application be APPROVED.
Cllr Peter James declared an interest in the following item and left the room.
60389 - FORMATION OF RETAINING WALL AT PARKING AREA, SKIRHEAD LANE COMBE MARTIN
Applicant: Mrs Gillian Sweet
RESOLVED to advise the planning authority that this Council owns land near to the proposal and will therefore be responding as a neighbour rather than as a statutory consultee.
RESOLVED to recommend that the application be APPROVED. It is hoped the works may be carried out as soon as possible, to avoid further land slips.
60186 RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF USE OF LAND AND ERECTION OF STABLE TOGETHER WITH ERECTION OF STORAGE SHED AT LAND OFF OF CHAPEL LANE COMBE MARTIN
Applicant: Mr Anthony Thorne
RESOLVED to draw the planning authority's attention to the fact that this Council pays a share of the maintenance costs of Chapel Lane and will therefore be responding as a neighbour rather than as a statutory consultee.
RESOLVED to recommend that the application be APPROVED, subject to:
i expressing concern that the stable could have been constructed to a higher standard, especially as it is within the North Devon Coast AONB, and the door is a single pane glass door. Stables usually have stable doors to facilitate the building's use by horses.
ii There does not appear to be any guttering on both the stable and the proposed storage building and the planning authority is asked to satisfy itself about drainage from both properties.
iii The application does not specify the proposed materials for the storage building and the planning authority is asked to satisfy that these will be acceptable.
iv It is noted that the proposals are outside the development boundary for housing.
Cllr Ian Lawton declared an interest in the following item and left the room.
60212 CONVERSION OF SORTING OFFICE AND TWO STORAGE AREAS TO FORM ONE BEDROOMED GROUND FLOOR FLAT AT FORMER SORTING OFFICE, HIGH STREET
Applicant: Mr Allan Stephenson
RESOLVED to:
i draw the planning authority's attention to the fact that the application is for the former Rotapress building behind the former Post Office. The sorting office was located in the rear of the former Post Office and not in the building to which the plans refer.
ii recommend that the application be REFUSED on the grounds that:
A vehicular access onto Chapel Lane is poor, given that the proposals reduce the turning space on site.
B the proposals are an over-intensification of the site usage.
C the proposals remove three parking bays which served the 5/6 bedroom maisonette on the first and second floors of the former Post Office, whilst increasing the need for parking on site. The plans do not show any parking bays.
The supporting statement states that parking exists at Hollands Park, High Street Coach/Car Park and Cormelles Car Park. Hollands Park provides parking to serve the Park for recreation. High Street Coach/Car Park has only 12 parking bays which are available for permit holders only, and all 12 parking permits are fully utilised, so no new permits will be issued until one becomes available. Cormelles Car Park is also already at capacity usage.
60420 - ELECTRICITY ACT 1989 - OVERHEAD LINES EXEMPTION REGULATIONS 2009 - NEW POLE FOR 1 DOMESTIC BUILD AT REAR OF LONDONVILLE, HIGH STREET
Applicant - Western Power Distribution
RESOLVED to advise the planning authority that this Council owns land opposite the proposal site and is therefore responding as a neighbour rather than a statutory consultee.
RESOLVED to recommend that there are no objections to the application.
b Planning Approvals
60113 - Construction of footbridge between Coach Park and 4 Hams Place