DRAFT MINUTES of a Meeting of Charleton Parish Council held on Thursday 5^th December 2002 in the Village Hall, West Charleton.

Present were: Mr. D. Hoggart (Chairman, presiding), Wg Cdr J. Leigh, Mr. Brown, Mr. Conboy, Mr. Faulkner, Mrs. Hawkes and Mr. Smith.

Also present: -    Cllr J. Nash (SHDC).

1.   APOLOGIES for absence were received from Mrs Raymond.

 2.   The MINUTES of the previous Meeting, held on 7^th November 2002 were passed. Wg Cdr Leigh took the minutes for the rest of the meeting.

 3.   MATTERS ARISING:-

(i)                  Tree Preservation Order:- It was unclear whether or not the Clerk had contacted the Tree Warden, Dr. Earl regarding the tree cropping and surgery which had now taken place in the Quarry above Charleton Court Barns. The chairman would check with the Clerk on her return.

(ii)                Virtual Footpaths:- The chairman reminded the council that under the 20 mph speed limit scheme, there would be virtual footpaths in both East and West Charleton. This had not been reflected in previous minutes.

(iii)               Parking in Lyte Lane. Mr Brown reported that no notice had been taken of his polite note on the vehicles causing danger by being parked on the bend near the foot of Lyte Lane. It was decided that the Parish Council would send a letter requesting appropriate action.

(iv)              Planning:- The planning sub-committee visited the sites at Herondyke and 24 Charleton Way. No reason for objection was found and SHDC had been informed.

(v)                Hedge Trimming:- The hedge trimming  opposite the Post Office was now complete.

(vi)              Collapsed wall at Clinford:- It was reported that action is being taken to rebuild the wall.

(vii)             Community Punishment Unit (CPU) work:- The chairman had now obtained the paint and brushes for the re-painting of the bus shelter. Mr Smith will contact the CPU requesting that the work is carried out. 

4.       PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:- No members of the public were present.

5.   CORRESPONDENCE:-

 (i)      It had been reported that there was a problem with mud accumulating by the telephone box in East Charleton. A pack of forms regarding the Lengthman’s duties was handed to Mr. Smith to complete and return which would address this issue.

(ii)      Cllr Nash handed the Council a letter regarding the state of play with the erection of the Bird hide for inclusion in the circulation pack. The issue of third party liability insurance still needs to be resolved.

(iii)       The Chairman commented that recent items of correspondence had highlighted the need to form sub-committees. He proposed that the Parish Councils forms three sub-committees responsible for: Emergency Planning, Parish Development Plan and Planning Applications. These would be formally set up in the New Year.

6.   PLANNING:- No Applications.

7.   REPORTS:-

(i) School:- Mr Smith read out the excellent school monthly report.

(ii) Coleridge Association:-  Nothing to report.

(iii) Parish paths:- Nothing to report.

(iv) Village Hall:- Mr. Smith reported that a balance sheet had now been prepared. An Insurance Assessor was carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the Village Hall’s insurance in order to bring it fully in line with current practice. A Health and Safety survey was also being carried out. Mr Smith also reported that the Jubilee Commemorative Certificate was now on display. He had heard nothing from Help the Aged, to whom he had passed on agreement for them to visit with their mobile van. Mr. Smith reminded the Council that Thursday 1^st May 2003 was now booked all day for the local council and parish elections.The usual Parish Council meeting date would need to be changed.

Saltstone Group:- The Chairman reported that he and Wg Cdr Leigh had attended the last meeting held in Salcombe. Items on the agenda had included briefings on: Community Safety and Planning, the CAB outreach programme, Training for councillors and Clerks and the proposed Kingsbridge Community Centre.  

 8. FINANCE:-  A cheque had been received from Charleton Grange for advertising on the Parish website.

 9. MATTERS OF URGENCY:-

 (i) Christmas Tree:- The Chairman reported that Noyce’s had an eleven foot tree on standby should it be needed. It was agreed that a small group of councillors would erect the tree at the Village Hall on the next Sunday. Re-planting of a live tree to replace the old one would also be carried out.

10. AOB:

(i)                  Mr. Brown reported that he had received a Jubilee book in which Charleton is mentioned twice. The book was placed in the circulation folder. Further copies are available for £3.50.

(ii)                Mr. Brown had also received advanced notification of a nationwide celebration of Trafalgar Day in 2005.

(iii)               The Chairman and Mr. Brown arranged to meet to review a proposal to convert the flowerbeds into off-road parking.

10. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:-

(i)                  The Casual Vacancy.

(ii)                The Parish Precept.

 11. DATE of the NEXT and subsequent MEETINGs:- the next meeting would be held on Thursday the 9^th January 2003 at 1930 hrs. The Chairman proposed the following dates for future meetings: 6^th February, 6^th March, 3^rd April, 8^th May, 5^th Jun, 3^rd July, 4^th September, 2^nd October, 6^th November, 4^th December.

 Signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting,

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