Kingsteignton Town Council is a Quality Council and promotes working together for the community of Kingsteignton and for the benefit of the community.

Throughout 2011/12 Cllr Babs Errington resigned due to ill health. Cllr John Foxwell took her seat with Cllr Ken Jones and Cllr Becky Hunt filling the two vacant seats following the Election

The Precept for the year was set at £135,062 with the committees working as follows:

The Community Hall/Fountain Committee (Capital Budget: £ 3,300) was chaired by Cllr Jill Morris.

The committee investigated the installation of Solar Panels for the Community Hall

Reviewed Hire Charges for the hall

Discussed replacing the tired looking plaques at The Fountain

Additional smoke detectors have been installed in the main hall, foyer with a Heat Detector in the kitchen

Tree work has been carried out at the Community Hall grounds and at The Fountain

Parking in the Community Hall Car Park has been restricted to hall users only

The Community Hall is now able to offer Wi-Fi throughout the building

Due to on-going problems with youths at The Fountain the mobile CCTV system from TDC was deployed for a month to monitor problems

Quotes have been obtained for a Hearing Loop system in the main hall

Celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee were approved and the Town Council is holding four days of celebration between 2-5 June, 2012

Wildflower seeds have been planted around the Community Hall lawn to attract wildlife and promote the natural pollination through bees and butterflies

The Recreation/Footpath Committee (Capital Budget: £2,500 plus £1,000 maintenance for Clifford Park) was chaired by Cllr Rose Howes.

The official opening of the BMX Park took place in June Complaints were received about the noise nuisance and reports were made to Teignbridge District Council. Following detailed investigation the ramp is shortly to be fitted with Acoustic Wool to help deaden the noise

Tree work has been carried out at Oakford Lawn and Clifford Park

2011/2012 has seen the list for Allotments grow and the council are actively seeking additional land

Wildflower seeds have been planted at Clifford Park

Approval was given for a “Picnic in the Park” to be held at Oakford Lawn in June 2012

The Grass Cutting Contract for Clifford Park and Oakford Lawn was reviewed and Mr John Cary was successful for the coming three years with effect from 1 April, 2012

The Works & Services/Planning Committee (Capital Budget: £2700 + £2000 contribution towards running costs of public toilets at The Fountain) was chaired by Cllr Ken Dennis.

This year has seen a further eleven Grit Bins installed throughout Kingsteignton being positioned at:

Wolverton Drive, Badgers Close, Near the Sandygate Inn, Higher Sandygate, Near Woodlands Close, Higher Sandygate, Humber Lane, Coombesend Road East, Golvers Hill Road, Top of Calvados Park, Hackney Lane, Sandygate Mill, near the green area, Near 133 Sandygate Mill

Councillor Mike Walters contributed £1500 towards the cost of the Grit Bins from his County Councillor allowance with the balance of £1800 being funded by the Town Council. The bins will be kept full of salt by DCC.

During the twelve months this committee has also dealt with the following:

Monthly reports are received from Teignbridge District Council showing their achievements

On-going problems are still being experienced with sewage in River Close.

Several large planning applications have been received from Viridor and the Town Council has responded with full observations

New benches were placed at the top of Hackney Lane and at the junction of Crossley Moor Road/Longford Lane

On-going parking problems are being experienced at the junction of Ley Lane/Chudleigh Road opposite the entrance to Teign School

Two new litter bins have been purchased for the junction of Crossley Moor Road/Longford Lane and on the raised level of Crossley Moor Road next to the Leat.

The Town Council has been contacted by residents in Cottey Meadow/Sandpath Road concerning vehicles parking on the grass area owned by the Town Council. Wooden stakes have been placed around the grass area to stop parking. Permission for this work has been obtained from the landlords of the land, Teignbridge District Council and the Clerk has spoken to the Planning Department, Teignbridge District Council who advised that no planning approval is required for this work as it is “permitted development” under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended).

The Finance Committee (Training Capital Budget: £3000) was chaired by Cllr Rob Harris.

The Clerk attended the SLCC National and Regional Conferences.

During the twelve months this committee has also dealt with the following:

Owing to the amount of work in the Office an extra member of staff was taken on. Mrs Caroline Lowe joined the office as Office Assistant and works ten hours a week.

Reserve funds for the council have been invested in 6 month and 3 months fixed Rate Bonds.

A budget of £2000, maximum small grant £200, was agreed for 2012/13

EllisWhittam were employed with effect from 01.04.12 to deal with Employment Law, Health and Safety and Human Resources on behalf of the council

The following training events were attended:

Budgets and Precept – Cllr Rob Harris and Mrs Carol Lakin

New Clerks Short Course – Mrs Lowe

Parish Council Insurance Workshop – Cllr Rob Harris and Mrs Carol Lakin

Handling Planning Applications – Cllr Dennis

New, more efficient equipment purchased/Leased for the office during this period are: Computers leased for the Clerk and Admin Assistant; Printer/Scanner and Franking machine

In March, 2012 small grants up to £200 were approved to locally based organisations and are to be awarded at the Annual Town meeting on Friday 4 May, 2012 at 7p.m. These are as follows:

K/ton Com Plan Implementation Group £135£135

Kingsteignton Athletic Club£110

Kingsteignton Community Baptist Church £ 70

FridayCoffee & Craft

Kingsteignton Tennis Club£135

Kingsteignton Allotment Association£135

Royal British Legion£100

Kingscare£135

St Michaels Church£135

Stover Canal Trust£135

Stover Canal Society£135

Kingsteignton Youth Club£135

Kingsteignton Twinning Association£100

K/tonCom Implementation Group£135

Town Focus Steering Group

Kingsteignton Library£135

Kingsteignton History Society£135

Citizens Advice Bureau£135

Newton Abbot Community Transport £1000

Kingsteignton Swimming Pool – The Town Council have pledged a grant of £4000 to the Swimming Pool on production of a viable Business Plan and confirmation that the pool will open for the 2012 season.

Thanks go to County Cllr Mike Walters for attending meetings throughout the year and for his donation towards the purchase of the Grit Bins; to all who attended the Full Council meeting to say a prayer; the Police for their monthly report and to residents who have drawn problems to the attention of the council. All Town Councillors are thanked for their time given and working tirelessly in a voluntary capacity for the good of the community.

Thanks also are given to all members of Staff for their hard work and support.

Carol Lakin

Town Clerk

Kingsteignton Town Council

Expenditure 2011/2012£

General Administration 72571

Payroll Charge -423

Accountancy and Audit 1416

Printing, Postage & Stationery 1148

Insurance 6874

Subscriptions 1510

Grants 7000

Telephones 766

Travel Expenses 116

Motor Vehicle Expenses 928

Election costs 382

Computer Costs 1228

Website Costs 802

Council Tax & Water Rates 1061

Gas & Electricity 4661

Community Hall 7226

Recreation 4581

Garden & Craft Show 1357

Works & Services 7087

Mayor’s Allowance 1000

Mayor’s Charity 200

Parish paths Partnerships (Admin & fuel) 80

Diamond Jubilee 327

Office Equipment 2502

Parish Newsletter 1969

Publications & Periodicals 44

Training Costs 1305

Sundry Expenses 206

VAT (Reclaimed) 5536

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 134669