KINGSTEIGNTON TOWN COUNCIL
FULL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER, 2013
Present:
Mayor: Councillor J Foxwell
Deputy Mayor: Councillor C Meathrel
Councillors: B Austen, L Foxwell, R Harris, K Jones, A Lonsdale, J Morris, B Moss, R Peart, D Rollason, B Thorne, G Wickham
County Councillor T Dempster
District Councillors: M Walters and J Lambert
Ellen Grindley, Mid Devon Advertiser
Police Report
PCSO Pike sent her apologies for not attending the meeting but provided the following report:
· The PSP (Problem Solving Plan) on the car parks at Halfords and Next re Boy Racers is working, not many reports being received now
· Oakford Lawn – a small amount of cannabis was found, the police will keep an eye on this
· Shoplifting is on the rise
· Be aware of cold callers – offering to do gardening chores and charging extortion amounts especially targeting the elderly.
· To make sure that no goods are left on show in cars
· Police Cadets presentation night went well
Public Participation
There were no members of the public present
County Councillor Dempster’s Report
Cllr Dempster had nothing to report.
Cllr Wickham asked Cllr Dempster if any progress had been made with arranging for the vegetation between B & Q and Tesco to be cut back on the Racecourse side of the road. Cllr Dempster said he had made no progress at present
District Councillor Reports
Councillor Joan Lambert
Cllr Lambert reported that No: 10 Newton Road is now listed under Devon Choice Homes and said that TDC would be placing people into this property.
Cllr Lambert said that the Overview & Scrutiny Committee at TDC would be looking at the Council Tax Changes at their next meeting and would be voting on this.
Councillor Mike Walters
I should like to comment on item 114/13 of the Works Services and Planning Committee of the 20th November 29, 2013 that the request for a one-way system of the road between Ley Lane and Chudleigh Road should read the junction of Ley Lane and Leaze Road leading onto Chudleigh Road be made a one-way system. The matter should be raised at HATOC as a traffic order should be requested. I am aware of the suggestion as it was raised just before the last DCC Election and is really a County matter which can be raised through Simon Pearson or the current County Councillor (who incidentally was not present at the last HATOC meeting where the matter could have been raised).
TDC has announced the system of Direct Debit to facilitate payment of Council Tax. It has been available for some time but the Leaflet “Pay your Council Tax the easy way” through Direct Debit has been widely distributed. This will save on administration costs in TDC for those who regularly pay by cheques or cash on a monthly basis.
The annual canvass of Electors is well underway. This was delayed to aid the introduction of Individual Electoral registration. A team of foot canvassers will be going out over a four week period early in the New Year to visit any remaining non-responding households. This is to coincide with the new system of individual electoral registration (IER) from 10th June 2014. The message being if you “Don’t Vote? Don’t complain”. This also accords with the next European Elections in May 2014. I hasten to add that the turnout of 26% of the electorate in Kingsteignton in the recent DCC Election was disappointing and it is estimated that it was also influenced by national politics not local government. Is there a further message here I ask?
It is a pity that the Newsletter for Kingsteignton delivery by the Royal Mail, with the announcement of a meeting to discuss the CRC on 29th November arrived, in many instances a day late. This could explain the very poor turnout of residents to the meeting.
In order to clarify the aspect of the Teign Estuary Cycle Route, I can inform the Council that design works and land negotiations are on-going with detailed costings expected in January 2014. Some land has been agreed but awaiting signatures. Funding has been allocated for design and land purchase but it is the case that significant additional funding will be required for construction costs. The route is seen as a priority for future funding by DCC. It must be remembered that the Exe valley trail took ten years to complete and did not have the difficulties we are experiencing here. Estimated costs will run into the millions for the complete route, but priority will be given to the Kingsteignton -Bishopsteignton part of the route. A planning application could be submitted in the New Year.
No doubt members will have read the media reports on the Regulatory and Appeals hearing on the Taxi Licensing Policy. It is understood that Mrs Said would take her appeal to a Magistrates Court as a result of the verdict of non-compliance with the TDC Licensing Policy. However Mrs Said relented on Friday last and removed the stickers containing the words “Local Driver” on the St George’s flags and replaced them with the flag of St George on the driver’s door with the word England and two St George’s flags and two Union Flags on the rear of her taxi. This action is not a contravention on the licensing policy which therefore closes the case and her licence will not be withdrawn from her.
Teignbridge has been exploring options for sharing ICT services with other local authorities. Initially with Plymouth City Council, East Devon District Council (EDDC), Exeter City Council (ECC) and with the newly formed Clinical Commissioning Group and as a group was known as the DELT partnership. Alongside this an alternative partnership involving EDDC, ECC and TDC is being considered. A decision on which option is to be chosen will be made in April 2014. The purpose of joint working in partnership with other authorities is to help cut costs, create smarter working with more efficient ways to provide greater resilience whist keeping the impact of front line services to an absolute minimum. It will also offer greater potential for career development opportunities.
Cllr Walters also spoke about the building at No: 10 Newton Road and supplied the council with the following information that had been received from Ms Estelle Smith, Planning Officer TDC (1) and Graham Davey, Housing Enabling Officer, TDC (2):
1. Re: 10 Newton Road: This proposal is to convert the existing building to four self-contained flats, not a refuge or hostel.
I would clarify that this is not a planning application where all issues can be considered. The change of use from offices to flats is permitted development under the government’s recent changes to the legislation. The application we have is only to determine whether the Council’s prior approval of the proposal is required as to:-
· Transport and highways impacts
· Contamination risks on the site
· Flooding risks on the site
I hope this clarifies the extent of our ability to control the development.
I am awaiting Highways consultation reply (Consulted today) but I suspect they will raise no objection as its town centre.
There has recently been some local uncertainty regarding the above dwelling and therefore I wish to provide you with an update from a Housing Services perspective.
2. 10 Newton Road, Kingsteignton.
This property is currently in private ownership.
A pot of funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) was made available for voluntary agencies to bid for.
This funding is administered by an organisation called Tribal on behalf of the DCLG. The funding is known as the Empty Homes Community Grant Fund (EHCGP)
A funding bid was made by Shekinah Mission (Plymouth) Ltd. Shekinah are working in partnership with Chapter 1 Charity Ltd formerly known as Christian Alliance Housing Association. Shekinah is the funding recipient.
Shekinah can confirm that the Tribal funding for the Teignbridge DC property is all due to be received in this current financial year 2013/14 (which represents year 2 of the 3-year Tribal programme for phase 1 of the EHCGP). All the necessary funding from Tribal for 10 Newton Road is already committed by them in a signed funding agreement.
In line with the funding agreement, Shekinah have received a couple of smaller grant payments this year to cover on-costs as they have fallen due and the larger advance to cover site-works, related VAT and the remaining on-costs is due in early January 2014.
As stated in the original bid documentation which was completed with Teignbridge District Council approval, Teignbridge DC will have the Nomination Rights for this property. The Nomination Agreement is currently being finalised.
The Nomination Agreement will mean that Teignbridge DC will have control over the occupants of the property with the “pool” of potential tenants coming from Devon Home Choice. The Nomination Agreement will contain a local connection criteria to ensure that in the first instance and in future, nominees will have to havea local connection to Kingsteignton and then Newton Abbot to be considered for the vacancies
The scheme will provide general purpose housing and will not be for any specific client group.
This proposal has the support of Teignbridge DC Housing Services as it brings an empty property back into use as much needed affordable housing for local people.
I have discussed this with Councillor Joan Lambert who has agreed to brief the Kingsteignton Town Council.
The change of use is a matter for Planning Services and will be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate policies and procedures.
Councillor Beryl Austen
The Audit Commission has launched a criticism of Government policy and asked for less financial pressure on local authorities. It stated that one in four of England’s Councils were at high risk of financial trouble. A report on Teignbridge’s financial resilience will be going to the Audit Scrutiny Committee on the 19 December.
Teignbridge have proposals which consider reduction of benefits. A full consultation produced a 51.9% response of residents who strongly disagreed with proposals which included a minimum of 25% payable by all, a limit of the amount of council tax reduction on larger properties and no reduction on households with over £6000 savings. A total of 70.3% were in general disagreement with the proposals. Other possibilities would result in the reduction of services, so difficult decisions to be made.
Work has commenced to create a safer and well managed travellers site on Haldon Ridge. 15 pitches are planned to be ready in nine months and people who move on to the site will have signed leases for their pitch, pay rent and Council Tax. A Site Manager, employed by Teign Housing, will deal with issues as they arise.
Councillor Anne Lonsdale
The acquisition of the Blacklers Site was made to help Teignbridge District Council invest in Teignbridge and keep johns, bring in new ones and bring economic prosperity to the district. The change of use application will provide more options for the site. The ultimate aim of creating new work spaces to attract more investment and develop business.
The Cooperative Bank withdraws services to councils it has been reported. Its aim will be to focus on small and medium sized businesses.
Calling for an end to nationally-set systems. The Local Government Association said the £150 m charged to councils since 2005 could have been used to fill 2.8m potholes, fund the annual running costs of 520 libraries and pay for 8,430 care workers.
Cllr Lonsdale also spoke about the Devon Local Flood Risk Management Strategy Draft Consultation which will run from 27 November, 2013 to 27 January, 2014 which can be found at www.devon.gov.uk/floodriskstrategy
MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COMMUNITY HALL, RYDON ROAD, KINGSTEIGNTON ON WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER AT 7.25 PM
134/13 Apologies
There were no apologies
135/13 Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Cllr Rollason read and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and Undertaking to Observe the Code of Conduct. Cllr Rollason will become a member of the Community Hall/The Fountain Committee and the Recreation/Footpath Committee.
Cllr Foxwell welcomed Cllr Rollason to Kingsteignton Town Council.
136/13 Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
137/13 Mayor’s Report
This has been a month of reflection. There have been two open meetings re: Community Resource Centre (CRC). The first was attended by four members of the public and three councillors and the second was attended by six members of the public and six councillors. The only complaint received was that there was not a cup of tea. Thank you to those councillors who attended.
The Clerk has sent out letters to the schools regarding the CRC following the last meeting and Cllr Meathrel delivered a copy of the letter to properties around the CRC asking for residents to sign and return a copy of the letter showing their support to the Town Council. Responses are now being received and a letter of support has been received from KingsCare. Mr Andre Woods is delivering copies of the letter to residents in Fouracre Way.
I attended a council meeting at Bishopsteignton Parish Council, which was really different to ours to talk about the digital screens and to explain the Electors Fund. Cllr Chris Clarence was at the meeting and he was able to explain how the Electors Fund had worked in other councils.