Charleton Parish Council.

MINUTES of a Meeting of Charleton Parish Council, held on Thursday 4^th December 2003, at 7.30 pm., in Charleton Village Hall.

PRESENT were:-       Mr. Hoggart (Chairman, presiding), Wg. Cdr. Leigh, Mrs Hawkes, Mr. Smith, Mr. Conboy  and Mr. Faulkner.

Also present were:-    Mr. Brazil (SHDC), Mr. Halliday (Local Services Officer), Mr. Watson (Care and Repair)  and Mrs Raymond (Clerk).

 1. Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Brown and Mr. Masters (DCC).

 2. Care and repair South Hams:-

  Mr. David Watson, Senior Case Worker for Care and Repair South Hams, outlined the work of his organisation. He described how many residents of the South Hams are house-rich but cash-poor, so that it is sometimes difficult for both owner occupiers and tenants to afford minor repairs, and those who are disabled and so need special adaptations, sometimes only minor, need particular help. It was estimated that in 2001 about one third of properties were in disrepair. Mr. Watson and his team of five workers, based in Ivybridge, can help any resident over 60 or disabled, with repairs and adaptations, and any resident with the Handy Person Scheme, when the team carry out small repairs for a fair cost. Disabled clients are referred to Mr. Watson by an Occupational Therapist, and can have work financed by a Disabled Facilities Grant. When a client is referred to Mr. Watson, his first task is to visit and assess what needs to be done, and whether any benefits are unclaimed. In Devon about £50 million in Benefits is unclaimed each year, so it is important to explore this first. SHDC will lend up to £15000, interest free, to repair and renovate property. Other funding, from charitable sources, can also be accessed. Advice is also given, and for a small  administration charge, the whole job will be overseen. The Handy Person Service covers all the South Hams. Such minor works as replacing a tap washer, fixing handles, assembling furniture, and fixing  draught excluders, as well as safety checks, and installing fire alarms and key safes, can be done for £6 per hour. For those clients on income support there is no charge.

 Mr. Hoggart thanked Mr. Watson, who gave out leaflets and posters, and then left the Meeting.

 3. Traffic matters:-

 Mr. Hoggart read a letter from Mr. Ball, the Parish Council’s representative on the Governing body of the school, and from the acting Head-teacher, requesting some form of physical barrier to slow traffic approaching the school from the Frogmore direction.

 Mr. Halliday stated that the speed of traffic has been measured recently, and although still above the desired limit of 20 mph., is somewhat lower that before the limit was altered. Mr. Smith complained that the speed checks conducted by the police are useless, as motorists slow down when they see a police officer. Mr. Halliday said that some motorists were actually going faster than before the speed limit change, and that if required the police can attend more frequently, so that their presence encourages a slowing of traffic. Then if necessary a recommendation to use the speed camera to catch the worst offenders can be made. The Neighbourhood Beat Manager should concentrate on those issues which the residents advise are their main concern. However, at present the post of Neighbourhood beat Manager is vacant. The presence of a Special in uniform has proved useful in the past, and Mr. Halliday advised that Inspector Antill be asked to authorise extra patrols to be made by Special Constable Hawkes from time to time.

 Mr. Halliday stated that an interactive speed sign is to be fitted at Frogmore, and although the budget for this year is now spent, the speed limit can be raised next year if the Parish Council feel the 20mph is undesirable. The Parish Councillors protested that far from wishing the limit to be raised again, further measures were needed to ensure that more drivers are aware of and observe the 20mph limit. Mr. Halliday described possible measures, including speed cushions (narrow bumps which large vehicles can span) which are to be tried in Bridgetown, Totnes. Mr. Halliday advised that if buses and HGV’s are travelling too fast,  letters should be sent to transport managers of the firms concerned. Mrs Hawkes said that she had been advised not to complain about speeding, as she has to live in the village, which she considered to be a veiled threat, and Mr. Halliday said that she should discuss it with Inspector Antill.

 Mr. Halliday was pleased to hear that the virtual footpaths were so well received by pedestrians and was told that indeed many villagers would like to see a virtual footpath all the way from Sicklemans Close to Church Lane. When pressed by Wg. Cdr. Leigh to suggest physical means of slowing traffic, Mr. Halliday replied that although he could not provide more interactive signs yet, perhaps the school could be invited to devise a Travel Plan, to encourage, persuade or shame parents into taking more care when delivering and collecting children. The school cannot enforce sanctions upon the parents, but can do a great deal by constantly reminding parents of the dangers.

 The problem areas in the village were identified as the western approach to West Charleton downhill from Church Lane to Sicklemans Close, the eastern approach to West Charleton from Lyte Lane  past the school  to the Post Office, and both ends of East Charleton.

Mr. Halliday said that he would consider the problems, discuss them with the engineers, and make some suggestions for suitable traffic calming measures.

Meanwhile, he promised to encourage the police to enforce the law more stringently. The Parish Council should encourage the Neighbourhood Beat Manager (when appointed) to take an interest. Inspector Antill should be asked to allow Constable Hawkes to show his presence in the village. Mrs Hawkes asked if signs could be put in East Charleton warning of the absence of a footpath, and if any vehicles are parked illegally on pavements or where they cause an obstruction, the police should be informed. Mr. Hoggart noted with regret that some motorists are becoming complacent about the virtual footpaths, and avoiding them less than they did at first. Mr. Halliday said that the virtual footpaths are still part of the carriageway, pedestrians always have the right of way.

 Mr. Hoggart thanked Mr. Halliday, who then left the Meeting.

 4. The Minutes of the previous Meeting, held on 6^th November, had been circulated, and were approved and signed as correct.

 5. Matters arising:-

 a) The Minutes of the October Meeting were approved and signed as correct.

b) The Adventure Playground:- Mr. Hoggart had a simple plan of the positions of the items of  apparatus in the Playground, with notes indicating which bodies are responsible for each. Further investigation will be done to determine the areas of responsibility, but it would seem likely that the Parish Council would decline to accept any responsibility , having no insurance cover for such matters.

 6. Public participation:-

 a) Proposed Mirror:- Mr. Smith said that as there was no suitable site for the proposed mirror opposite the car park to West Charleton Court flats, no further action was to be taken.

b) The favourite tree:- Wg. Cdr. Leigh had heard that the ash tree designated a favourite tree was diseased, and so should be cut down. Dr. Earl as Tree warden was asked to examine it and give an informal report on its condition. Dr. Earl reported to the Clerk that the tree is generally healthy, shows no signs of any fruiting bodies of fungus, and has responded well to the pruning done last summer. It is a relatively rare tree, due to its advanced age, but should live for many years.

 7. Correspondence:- 

 8. Planning:-

 Revocation of TPO 1970, Charleton Court, West Charleton. (Superseded by new order, as follows)

Confirmation of TPO 2003, Land to west of Leat Head and West Waterhead, West Charleton.

Grant of CPP, Application No. 09/1453/03/F Lewin House, East Charleton.

 9. Reports:-

 a) School:- Mr. Smith read a brief written report from the Acting Head-teacher Mrs Staniland on the recent activities at the school. Concern was expressed about the excessive speeds of some of the traffic through the village.

 b) Footpaths:- Mr. Conboy reported that he had written to Mr. Malec requesting that the stile in Church lane be replaced by a kissing gate. He also reported that there is no further news about the signs at the footpath near the bridge.

 c) Village hall:- Mr. Smith reported that a table has been borrowed and as yet not returned. New rope lights have been purchased to replace the old Christmas tree lights.

 d) Coleridge Association:- The next Meeting will be held on 7^th January 2004.

 e) The Saltstone Group:- Mr. Hoggart, Mrs Hawkes and Wg. Cdr. Leigh attended the recent Meeting. There was a presentation on the recycling of household waste, including garden rubbish, the kerbside collection of which is to cease in March 2004. Community Composting via a village facility is a possible alternative option. SHDC is to raise the Council Tax on 2^nd homes to 90% of the full tax, but only 10% of the money raised from this will remain in the South Hams.

 f) AQA Training:- The Clerk attended an introductory session at Totnes on compiling a portfolio to become an qualified clerk, as required if Quality Council status is to be sought.

 10. Finance:-

 After discussion of the budget prepared by the Clerk, the Parish Council decided to set a Precept of  £2000 for the year 2003/04. The form was duly completed and signed for return by 15^th January 2004.

 A grant of £50 (S137) was made to the Citizens Advice Bureau, Totnes, in response to a request for funding received with the CAB Annual Report.

 11. Highway and Community:-

 a) Road-works:- Notice was received of forthcoming road-works at Duncombe Cross

 b) Car parking charges:- Information was received of the proposals by SHDC to raise car park charges. Mr. Brazil explained that SHDC decided to raise revenue from car park charges rather that from a larger increase in Council Tax.

 c) Parish Plan:- Frogmore and Sherford Parish Council are compiling a Parish Plan, and invited Charleton PC to work on a joint Plan for the two parishes. Before starting to devise a Parish Plan the residents will be canvassed to compile a ‘wish list’. This will be done by distributing fliers to each household. Mr. Hoggart and Wg. Cdr. Leigh will start to devise the flier, which will be distributed in  January.

 d) The Christmas tree:- This will be erected on the roof of the porch at the Village hall. Mr. Hoggart will obtain the tree, and it will be erected by a group of Councillors on Sunday at 10 am.

 12. Date of the next Meeting:- Thursday 8^th January 2004. A list of the Meetings throughout 2004 will be drawn up by the Clerk, and copies will be distributed to the Parish Councillors. The Meetings will take place on the first Monday of each month, as far as is convenient.

 There being no other business, the Meeting closed at 10 pm.

 Signed as a true and accurate record of the Meeting,