CHARLETON PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY, HELD AT CHARLETON VILLAGE HALL, ON MONDAY 7th APRIL 2003, AT 7.30 PM.
PRESENT WERE:- Mr. Derek Hoggart, (Chairman)
Mr. Michael Conboy,
Mr. Bill Smith and
Mr. Rex Brown.
ALSO PRESENT:- Mrs Raymond (Clerk) and 11 members of the public,
namely,
Mrs Austin (The Haven)
Mr. Thompson (Little Haven)
Mr. Shove (Middlebarn)
Mr. Westlake Post Office)
Mrs Westlake (Post Office)
Mr. Warden (East Farm, East Charleton)
Mr. Store (Herons Reach)
Mrs Store (Herons Reach)
Mr. Blackwell (West Charleton Court)
Mr. Burtler (Orchard House, E. Charleton)
Mrs Hoggart (Court Cottage).
The Chairman Mr. Hoggart welcomed those present, and thanked them for attending.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from:- Mrs Hawkes,
Wg. Cdr. Leigh,
Mr. Nash
Mr. Masters.
2. THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS ANNUAL ASSEMBLY, held Monday 4/4/02, were read, approved and signed as correct.
3.CHAIRMANS REPORT:-
Mr. Hoggart reported that the reduced Speed Limit was adopted after considerable consultation and discussion, including an open meeting held at the school, at which Mr. Halliday explained the proposed alterations and heard the views of many residents. The new Speed Limit of 20mph seems to have had the effect of reducing the speed of most motorists, although there have been some unfavourable comments about the positioning of the roundels and warning lines in Church Lane, Charleton Way and Lyte Lane. The virtual footpaths have also been well received, and pedestrians have reported that they feel safer. An added benefit is the light colour of the surfacing, which makes pedestrians more visible in poor light conditions. Many motorists are unsure of the legal situation, and do not know whether is it permissible to drive over the line at the edge of the virtual footpath. As a consequence more room is being given to pedestrians, and motorists are forced to slow down for fear of meeting oncoming traffic, which tends to add to the safety of all road users. However, there are still the rogue motorists who selfishly and thoughtlessly drive at speeds well in excess of the limit., especially at the entry points of both West and East Charleton, and also on exiting both settlements.
Two accidents in West Charleton, one near the foot of Lyte Lane and one near Church Lane, and one in East Charleton were due to excessive speed.
The new arrangements for Road Sweeping are proving satisfactory, with Mr. Smith acting as liaison with SHDC and submitting periodical reports.
The Kingsbridge Foyer Project has been abandoned. While at the planning stage this project was keenly monitored by the Vice Chairman, Wg Cdr. Leigh, who attended several meetings concerning the proposed Foyer.
The Village Web Site is up and running, and is very informative. Copies of the Minutes of Parish Council Meetings are published on the Web Site, together with other relevant information concerning the Parish Council. The uptake of advertising space by local businesses, at £5 per entry, has been disappointing, especially as the cost has been kept to a minimum, and represents good value. The Web Site may be accessed on
www.charleton-pc.org.uk
The Code of Conduct, which has received a degree of adverse publicity, has been adopted in its model form by the Parish Council, and only one member declined to sign the undertaking to observe the Code of Conduct, and consequently resigned.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations were much enjoyed, thanks to the hard work of all concerned in the organisation of the day, and the delightful weather combined with the abundance of excellent food and drink (which was enjoyed not only on the day itself, but also the following day, such was the generous catering) made it a most memorable event.
In June Mrs Lang, after many years of loyal service on the Parish Council, felt that her increasing age made it desirable for her to resign. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers as a small token of the respect, affection and thanks of the Parish Council on behalf of the community.
Various issues, including local flooding by run-off from fields and car parking problems, have been addressed. The bus shelter has been painted, with the help of labour provided by the Community Punishment Unit, and the horse trough at the bus stop opposite the Post Office has been maintained.
A cut Christmas tree was erected on the porch roof at the Village hall, and a newly planted tree donated by Mr. Smith, seems so far to be thriving in the centre of the green at the corner of Sicklemans Close.
The Parish Council has adopted the Model Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act. This does not increase the amount of information which the Parish Council publishes, since all the items have been published routinely for some time.
An occasional column in the Gazette contains information from the parishes. Charleton is well represented by information which is supplied each week by Mrs Gross of Compton Road, who has volunteered to act as village correspondent.
There were 13 Planning Applications which the Parish Council considered during the course of the year, of which only one was recommended for Refusal.
The Parish Council is in contact with other Parish Councils from Stoke Fleming to Salcombe, including the parishes south of the A379, through the Coleridge Association and the Saltstone Group.
4. THE PARISH DEVELOPMENT PLAN:-
The planning for Parish Development is somewhat open-ended, with a possibility of available funding. Assessment is to be made to raise a questionnaire for villagers to make suggestions for any developments which they wish for the village. Residents were asked by Mr. Hoggart to contact any Councillor to take part in a discussion of possible improvements. Stoke Fleming and Salcombe Councils have already started to devise a Plan for their parishes, and further contact will be maintained with them.
5. THE EMERGENCY SELF HELP PLAN:-
The exact details of what the Emergency Self Help Plan entails are somewhat nebulous at present. Wg. Cdr. Leigh has taken advice form SHDC which seemed to indicate that for a small community such as Charleton such a plan would consist mainly of making available a list of useful emergency contact details such as hall key holders and persons with special skills or equipment. Anyone interested in helping to devise such a list, or willing to appear on it, is invited to contact any Parish Councillor.
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:-
7. (i) Road safety:- Several people had comments to make about the new speed restrictions and the associated road signs. It was agreed that while there are always some thoughtless drivers who fail to comply with any limit, the virtual footpaths are very successful, enabling pedestrians to walk with a greater confidence. A further roundel was felt to be necessary immediately after the rectory where the road widens towards the school and Post Office. Mr. Westlake observed that he could not see any need for vehicles to overtake within the 20 mph zone, and unbroken white lines are needed from the Post office to the foot of Lyte Lane to prevent this. The Parish Council has been asked by SHDC to advise of any adjustments which may be felt advisable, and so will inform Mr. Halliday of the feelings expressed here.
(ii) Enforcement of speed limits:- Several people expressed concern that the 20 mph limit should be enforced by the police. It is apparently difficult to police these new speed zones adequately, due to lack of manpower and the problems of using radar guns in 20 mph zones. Flashing speed warning lights, which many would like to see installed, are out of the question due to lack of funding.
(iii) Village flower beds:- The Chairman was asked who has responsibility for the maintenance of the raised flower beds. He explained that the Parish Council is unable to pay for maintenance, which has been done by sympathetic local residents. There was recently a suggestion that the raised beds be removed to provide extra parking, but this idea did not find favour and has been abandoned. Further consideration is being given by the Parish Council to the provision of extra parking. Mr. Smith said that the Community Punishment Unit, who recently painted the bus shelter, may be asked to refurbish the raised flower beds. Mr. Hoggart said that if this is done, the Parish Council can provide replacements for some plants.
(iv) The Post Office:- Mr. Smith reminded the meeting that unless as many people as possible continue to use the Post Office it may be forced to close, and quoted the threat of closure of the Post Office in Kingsbridge, due to difficulties with the provision of suitable premises.
There being no other business, the Meeting closed at 8.10 pm.
Signed as a true and accurate Record of the Meeting,
Signature .. Date ..