KINGSTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Held on16th November 2017 at 1930hrs in The Reading Room, Kingston
DRAFT M I N U T E S
PRESENT / Cllr Eve White / Cllr Merv FreemanCllr Flo Watts / Cllr Hayley Swain
Cllr Sally Richardson / Cllr Heather Summer-Nutting
APOLOGIES / Cllr Alison Lewis
IN ATTENDANCE / SHDC Beth Huntley / DCC Cllr Rufus Gilbert
Parish Clerk Sue Green
111.17 / Apologies: - Cllr Lewis
112.17 / Interests to be Declared In accordance with the Code of Conduct, members were Invited to declare any personal or disclosable pecuniary interests, including the nature and extent of such interests they may in items to be considered at this meeting. Members are also reminded that any change to their Declaration of Interests must be Notified to the Parish Clerk within 28 days of the change.
Declarations of Interests: Cllr White (Allotments) Cllr Freeman (Allotments)Cllr Richardson (Allotments)
113.17 / Open Forum: No Questions
114.17 / Minutes of Previous Meetings – July 2017 and October 2017: To be noted 2 amendments
1.Amendment to July 2017 Minutes Finance Item 059.17 Payments Received
July 2017 Newsletter Advertisers £ 85.00
August 2017 P White Marquee Hire & Dep £ 225.00
2. Amendment to October 2017 Minutes Finance Item 099.17. “Clerk requested KPC to delegate decision making powers to Clerk to make payments in regards to the Neighbourhood Plan. Payments will be set against the NP “Groundswork” Grant. Cllr Freeman proposed agreement to request, 2nd by Cllr White, agreed by all.”
Amendments to Minutes July 2017 and October 2017 noted, approved and signed as a true record.
115.17 / Devon County Councillor's Report: Cllr Rufus Gilbert reported
Highways – The warning sign for lorry restriction access to Orcherton at Goutsford junction is now in place. It has been reported to Cllr Gilbert lorries are now following their Sat Nav to turn at the next junction, Fancy Cross. Cllr Gilbert offered to KPC to investigate the possibility of placing a No Access sign for lorries at Fancy Cross. KPC agreed with thanks. Cllr Gilbert to report back.
Highways Conference – at Rattery was well attended and informative. A Link in DCC has been created to access a road map plan, a cursor can be put on any road and the category will be explained on any plans of any highways problems or maintenance plus a web page showing drains and Buddle Holes. Cllr Gilbert will forward the link. Cllr Freeman highlighted that requests for Buddle Holes to be repaired are not happening quickly enough, Cllr Gilbert asked for a direct e-mail to him to highlight this.
Wonwell Lane - Cllr Freeman reported that Wonwell lane has now been repaired by DCC but not actioned correctly. Cllr Freeman will take photo evidence and forward to Cllr Gilbert. Also the Yellow criss –cross lines in the Box Junction at the end of Wonwell Lane has now worn out. Cllr Gilbert advised KPC to e-mail Adam Keay and copy Cllr RG in, to request the lines to being refreshed.
Cllr White thanked Cllr Gilbert for his reports
116.17 / SHDC Report: SHDC Cllr Huntleyreported
South Dartmoor Community Energy - help is on hand for the public for understanding bills, switch supplier or tariff, finding out if they are eligible for extra advice from a supplier, advice on smart meters plus much more help. Advice is Free. Contact details on line at or by phone on 0800 112 3044
“One Council” Merger between SHDC & West Devon– The final vote following the SHDC meeting on 31st October resulted in 19 for and 8 against. West Devon Council voted 18 against and 13 for. Therefore the merger between SHDC and West Devon will not happen. This will mean the Council Tax cannot go up any more than £5 for SHDC residents. SHDC & West Devon Officers will continue to work together.
TAP Funding: This will be available for application on 15th December. KPC confirmed that the Reading Room Management Committee will be applying for funding towards the refurbishment of the Kingston Reading Rooms.
Road SweeperClerk confirmed that the road sweeper did not come back to finish the road sweeping. Cllr Huntley confirmed that as the small sweeper was full it would have returned to the depot.
DCC have now stopped treating road side weeds.
Lottery – SHDC are considering running a Lottery to raise monies for good causes. This will not be for SHDC funds.
Joint Local Plan – is still on course for final inspection on the 29th January 2018
Apologies – Cllr Huntley has passed on apologies for not being able to attend the January KPC meeting.
Cllr White thanked Cllr Huntley for her report
Signed ……………………………… Chair Kingston Parish Council Date ……………………
117.17 / Correspondence: (General List Circulated):
1.SHDC “One Council” Result - All Noted
2. D&S Fire & Rescue Consultation- Cllr Richardson asked if South Hams is covered by the Fire Services, Cllr Freeman report that evidence is showing that cover is very thin. There is a plan for the Fire Service to downgrade some stations to smaller appliances. It is advised that opinions can be given on Cllr White confirmed there is a new truck for Kingston.
3. CAB Funding Request – Cllr Freeman put forward for a donation to be offered, Cllr Richardson questioned if KPC should be spending the parish Precept on charities when it is not within the Precept Budget. Following further discussion all agreed that as donations are not included in the budget a donation to CAB could not be actioned. Clerk asked Cllr Summer-Nutting, as part of the village quiz masters, if a quiz could be run in 2018 for funds towards CAB. Cllr Summer-Nutting agreed. All Noted
118.17 / Neighbourhood Development Plan:-
1.KNPTG Report: Judy Alloway reported
QuestionnaireThe number of questionnaires returned was 165 giving a total of 333 responders which gave a very high 86% of the village. 15 children responded including 7 drawings. The questionnaire so far is showing that the age factor in general has risen since the last questionnaire, vehicle activity has risen 12%. Health issues where highlighted particular note to accessibility for disabled. For monitoring the results of the questionnaire, KNP members are taking random checks to ensure results are entered accurately, Chris Franklin at BOS will take a 10% sample to check for any errors by KNP.
Thanksand appreciationby KNPTG and KPC are past to David Watts for undertaking the highly time consuming task of entering all data into statistical figures. Thanks and appreciation are also passed to Bob Musk who will now take all the statistics and put into reading format for the general public and placing on the KNP web site. JA confirmed that the questionnaire has been a very time consuming task, there is still a lot to be actioned to finishing the NP.
Prospect Cottage is in contact with SHDC towards the planning of the two houses.
Lee Bray is preparing an outline of the next action to be taken with site assessments. When this has been actioned KNP will be able to make a run down of the Plan.
Groundworks Grant – the expiry date for using these funds is the 31st December 2017
Robins Cottage – has asked for the garden area on the east of their property to be taken into account in the NP. JA confirmed that this area is in the village Conservation area. This request has gone to Lee Bray to action a site visit. The data will be put on the KNP web site. This 11th site was not on the KNP.
VPLtd will imminently be putting their Outline Planning to SHDC. JA confirmed to KPC that the NP data would be ready by that date. Cllr Freeman highlighted that a response will be needed by the end of January to the VPLtd outline planning application. KPC’s next meeting will be 18th January 2018, in between time; the SHDC must be monitored to check for any planning placed on their web site.
Cllr White requested for the 3D copy of the VPLtd site plan. JA confirmed this will be forwarded to KPC. All Noted
Cllr White thanked JA for her report.
2. VPLtd. Notice of intended Planning to be submitted to SHDC. See above.
3. KPC Report: Cllr Freeman reported a Construction Management Plan by KPC needs to be raised before any building developments start. Building Developers are responsible and liable for Deliveries, Parking of work vehicles, Tidiness and more. This Management Plan would be raised and put forward after a Planning Application and before construction starts. All noted
119.17 / Finance: Opening Balance
Current Account Total Reconciled £8,725.73
Total Unreconciled £1,113.61 Set Aside Current A/C at 16th November 2017
Business Account £ 3,525.22 Allotment £ 386.00
Payments to be authorised Marquee £ 407.00
Clerks Wages November 2017 £ 214.76 Neighbour Hood Watch £ 104.00
Clerk Heating & Broadband November 2017 £ 15.00 SHDC 16/17 Sust Grant Balance Art Grp £ 30.00
Clerks Wages December 2017 £ 268.45 SHDC Grant Defibrillator £ 48.00
Clerk Heating & Broadband December 2017 £ 15.00 Funds Raised Towards Swing Project £1007.00
WordPress N’hood P Web Maintenance DCrd £ 85.00 Grant N’hood Plan “Groundworks” £2532.00
Ivybridge DALC Annual Subs £ 6.00 Total £ 4514.00
Amazon Office Expense Clerk Printer DCrd £ 90.93
Total £ 695.14 Set Aside Bus A/c at 16/11/17
Also to be Noted Payment Authorised Swing Project KPC Pledge £1691.00
Office Equip Amazon Wireless MouseDCrd £ 15.98
Payments Received
Newsletter Advertises £ 137.00
120.17
Cont’d
120.17 / Precept: - Parish Clerk gave Dispensation to all Kingston Parish Councillors to discuss the 2018/19 Precept Budget.
CllrWhite reported inspectionwith the Parish Clerk of the prepared balance and budget sheets. Cllrs confirmed receiving electronic and hard copies of the preparedaccountsby the Parish Clerk. Items taken into consideration for budgeting are the addition of the SHDC Council Tax Support Grant 2018/19£182.00.
Signed ……………………………… Chair Kingston Parish Council Date ……………………
Precept Cont’d
Cllr White highlighted the request from PCC for extra financial help towards the upkeep of the Church grass cutting. After further discussion Cllr Freeman put forward to request the PCC for their end of year costing of the grass cutting, KPC would then be able to assess how much extra financial help can be offered. Discussion was also held on possible extra costing to the Recreating Ground. On both counts, PCC and Recreation Ground, the extra money could be drawn down from the KPC Business Account. After detailed discussion and study of the presented budget figures, it was with unanimous agreement that the Precept budget for the financial year of 2018/19 be set at £6,100.00. This remains as at the 2017/18 Precept. Proposed by Cllr White, seconded by Cllr Swain. Agreed by all
121.17 / Standing Orders: Cllr Freeman reported that this is a lengthy document and needs to be read carefully. All Cllrs confirmed receiving the finalised document in the last few days. After a further discussion it was agreed by all that the document must be read more thoroughly before adopting at the January 2018 KPC meeting. Agreed by All
Financial Risk AssessmentClerk confirmed document still in progress, Cllr White will inspect the document prior to circulation to Cllrs who will need to read before the January KPC meeting. All noted.
122.17 / Clerks Report: - Report
DALC Training New Cllrs Course. Cllr Summer-Nutting confirmed to wanting to attend Training. Clerk to report back with dates.
Parish Noticeboard has a broken lock catch caused by a member of the public trying to open the locked board to place a private advertisement. It is highlighted this noticeboard, on the Fire Station, is Parish Council property and for Parish Notices only. Members of the public will be reminded of this in the Newsletter again. Cllr Freeman confirmed to look into repairs. All noted
123.17 / Grants: Nothing to report
124.17 / TAP: Clerk reported the Reading Room Management Committee will need to apply for the TAP funding towards the RR refurbishments before the next KPC meeting in January 2018. RR Committee request KPC to formally approve RR submitting App as TAP application cut-off date is Friday 15th December. All KPC agreed for RR Committee to go ahead.
125.17 / Village Telephone Box:Clerk reported BT signing and returning the Contract for adoption of the BT telephone box. Adoption is now complete. Cllr Watts will place in the Newsletter of this final stage of adoption and ask for any opinions of colour to paint the Tel Box. Colour to be decided at the January 2018 KPC meeting. All agreed. It is also noted that parishioners choice is still for the box to be used as an information Hub. All noted
126.17 / Highways: Wonwell Lane. See item 115.17. Cllr Freeman confirmed to send photo evidence to DCC Highways Officer Adam Keay
DCC Road Sign – Goutsford junction – Fancy Cross. See above Item 115.17
127.17 / Emergency Plan: Cllr Freeman reported receiving correspondence from Air Ambulance to say that owing to the close proximity of horses and other animals it would not be possible to use the Recreation Ground as a Night Landing Site for the Air Ambulance. It was indicated that another site may be looked for but the selection was very limited. All noted
Power Cut having experienced a power cut in the last couple of weeks some parishioners experienced challenges of keeping vital home health apparatus running, KPC agreed for a reminder being placed in the Newsletter of being prepared for such events and to know where to get help and support from. All noted.
128.17
128.17
Cont’d / Report: 1.Planning Applications Cllr Freeman reported
App No 3187/17/VAR & 2447/17/VAR Continuous Siting of Field Shelter. Field 4652, Kingston. Approval – All Noted
SHDC Planning Web Site – use of - Cllrs confirmed knowing how to look up Planning on the SHDC web site.
Construction Management Plan- See Item 118.17 KPC report.
Extra Ordinary Meeting Cllr Richardson asked if a Housing Development Plan should come in before the next KCP meeting would an extra ordinary meeting have to be called. Cllr Freeman confirmed that should not be necessary as a cut-off date for comments can be deferred. All noted
2 Recreation Ground Sub Committee: No new updates
3. Allotments: Cllr Richardson reported that the hedge cutting and the pruning of the Sycamore Tree requested last Autumn has not been actioned yet. Clerk reported seeing Annie White who said she would try to fit the work in. KPC requested Clerk to ask Annie if she has time available to action the requested work. Clerk to report back. All noted.
4 Reading Room:Cllr Swain reported a successful meeting being held on 16th November 2017. A Dehumidifier is being purchased by kind donation from Robert Beard to be able to stabilise the damp in the downstairs rooms. Cllr Swain confirmed that RR will have the heating on 4 extra hours per day and that the windows will be cracked open for more ventilation. Adam Jarvis is being asked to monitor the windows. All noted.
5 Street Furniture: Cllr Freeman reported that the Salt Bins are all topped up ready for the Winter.
6 Footpaths: Cllr White had nothing to report
7 Tree Wardens Report:Cllr White had nothing to report
8 Kingston Church: -There was an act of Remembrance at the Kingston War Memorial at 11am on Remembrance Day and wreaths were laid on behalf of the Parochial and Parish Councils. The Church is beautifully decorated with poppies. The joint BiKaRy(Bigbury, Kingston and Ringmore) Remembrance Service was held at Bigbury this year on Sunday 12th. The names of the fallen from each parish, from both WWs and subsequent conflicts are read out by a representative of that parish.
Next year which marks the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1 the service will be held at Kingston.
Signed ……………………………… Chair Kingston Parish Council Date ……………………
Reports Cont’d
Christmas Events: Christmas Bazaar, Sat Nov 25th 2.30-4pm; Christmas Services are now all confirmed and will be in the Dec Newsletter. There is considerable competition for clerics at present but we will have the Christingle, Carol Service; Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services
The new Rector Matt Rowlands will be licensed at a service at St Georges Modbury on Jan 17th.
The Quinquennial survey of the Church building and the Churchyard takes place at the end of this month November.
129.17 / Date of Next Meeting: Thursday January 18th 2018 from 7.30 pm.
Closure of Meeting:- 9.20 pm
Signed ……………………………… Chair Kingston Parish Council Date ……………………
Kingston Parish Clerk - Sue Green,
Old Stack, 1 Chapel Row, Kingston, Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 4PJ
Telephone 01548 810270 e-mail