CHARLETON PARISH COUNCIL.

 MINUTES  OF THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY, HELD IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OF THE VILLAGE HALL, WEST CHARLETON, ON THURSDAY  7^th APRIL 2002, AT 7.30 PM.

 PRESENT WERE:                       Mr. Derek Hoggart (Chairman)

                                                Wg. Cdr. Julian Leigh (Vice-Chairman)

                                                Mr. Ray Burner,

                                                Mr. Michael Conboy,

                                                Mr. Gary Faulkner and

                                                Mr. Bill Smith.

ALSO PRESENT:                         Mrs. Frances Raymond (Clerk) and four members of the public.

 APOLOGIES for absence were received from Mrs. Margaret Lang, Mr. John Nash (SHDC) and Mr. Owen Masters (DCC)

 The Chairman Mr. Hoggart  welcomed those present, and thanked them for attending.

 The MINUTES of the previous Annual Parish Assembly, held on Thursday 5^th April 2001, were read, approved and signed as correct.

 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT.

 Mr. Hoggart reported as follows:- It was with much sadness that we heard of the death of Mr. Keith Best who had given such sterling service to the Village over many years, in his capacity as parishioner, Councillor and Chairman of the Parish Council

 As a result of Mr. Best’s death, the Vice-Chairman Mr. Derek Hoggart, was elected Chairman for the remainder of the year up to the AGM., and Wing Commander Julian Leigh was elected Vice-Chairman.

 Mr. Don Skinner, after undergoing major surgery, reluctantly decided to resign from the Parish Council, with effect from the beginning of October 2001.

 The two vacancies for Parish Councillors were advertised, and Mr. Mike Conboy was co-opted as a member with effect from February 2002. There still remains one vacancy and the Council is particularly keen to have a representative from East Charleton.

 During the course of the year there have been 7 Planning Applications, of which only one, regarding the removal of a Tree Preservation Order, was opposed by the Parish Council.

 The continuing problems with Foot and Mouth disease kept our footpaths closed for some time. They were finally opened over the summer.

 A cut Christmas tree was erected in the Village Hall car park and illuminated with electric lights powered from the Hall. There was some vandalism, but the damage was repaired by Mr. Smith.

 The principal items addressed during the year were:-

1.   The ongoing problem of traffic speeds through both East and West Charleton leading to a visit by Mr. Halliday of SHDC with three alternative proposals for 20 mph speed zones. These proposals were publicised in the Village, and following a number of written responses, a public meeting was held at the school to determine the Villagers’ preferences. None of the proposals was deemed practical and the preferred action would be enforcement of the current 30 mph speed limit by Cameras. This is not possible within the current Government Guidelines, so a number of alternative options were discussed. Mr. Halliday has promised to get his design team to come up with some further proposals. We await further developments.

2.   Road surfacing which was completed in October with a very pleasant finish resulting in a smoother and quieter surface

3.   Improved road name signs:- The Parish Council has pressed for more and improved road name signs.

4.   Road sweeping and cleaning:- We have been pressing for improved road sweeping and cleaning.

5.   Kingsbridge Foyer:- The Parish Council has been keeping in touch with the proposal to introduce a “Foyer” project to Kingsbridge, and advising  the Parish of the implications this might have for our village.

6.   The Queen’s Jubilee:- The stalwarts of the Magnificent Millennium Committee were asked by the Parish Council to set up a sub-committee to organise the Village’s celebrations for the Jubilee. This committee has been very active under the chairmanship of Mr. Stockdale and plans are well advanced

7.   The Village web site:- This project, to promote the Village and its facilities, is spearheaded by Wg. Cdr. Leigh, and is well advanced. The embryo site has been published and can be visited on www.charleton-pc.org.uk   Commercial advertisers from the village and its environs can have a basic entry included for a nominal contribution of £5.

Mr. Hoggart then invited members of the public to ask questions or make comments..

One member of the public said that he was a newcomer to the village, and was surprised to see how few parishioners attend the meetings, even one so well-publicised and of such importance to the village as the open meeting about the proposed new speed limits. He sympathised with the Parish Councillors, and said that he was sure that it was very disheartening for them. He was assured however, that despite the lack of attendance at meetings, the Parish Council would continue to do its best to liaise with SHDC on behalf of the village.

The Meeting then closed at 7.55 pm.

F.R. 6/4/02

Signed as a true and accurate Record of the Meeting,

Signature……………………………………………….                           Date……………………