Charleton Parish Council.

Draft Minutes of a Meeting of Charleton Parish Council, held on Thursday 6^th February 2003, at 7.30pm., at Charleton Village Hall.

Present were:-            Wg. Cdr. J. Leigh (Vice Chairman, presiding), Mr. Faulkner, Mr. Smith,

                                    Mr. Conboy and  Mr. Brown.

Also present were:-    Mr. Nash (SHDC), Mrs Raymond (Clerk) and two members of the                                   public, (Mr. Sutton and Mr. Blackwell).

1.   Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Hoggart, Mrs Hawkes and Mr. Masters.

2.   The MINUTES of the previous Meeting, held on Thursday 9^th January 2003, had been circulated,  were approved, and will be signed as correct at the next Meeting by the Chairman.

3.   MATTERS ARISING:-

 (a) The Casual Vacancy:- Notices will be put in the Notice Board and in the Village Hall inviting interested persons to offer themselves for co-option or election to the Parish Council.

(b) Sub-Committees:-  The ad-hoc sub-committees to deal with Planning Applications are working well. Further Sub-committees to deal with the Emergency Plan and the Parish Plan may be appointed if necessary at a later date. The Parish Plan which is suggested by the authorities hardly seems relevant to such a small Parish Council as this, and from experience in the forces, Wg. Cdr. Leigh was able to inform the councillors that a great deal of expert knowledge is necessary to set up an efficient Emergency Plan. However, further consultation of parishioners regarding the possible Parish Plan will be undertaken, either at a specially convened open meeting, or at the Annual Assembly, while further advice will be sought from SHDC and the Police Authority regarding the proposed Emergency Plan. Grants of up to £5000 are available for the consultation process of the Parish Plan, so it is anticipated that such a Plan would be a major undertaking, involving a great deal of input from many individuals and groups.

(c) Parking in Lyte Lane:- The vehicle parked in Lyte Lane continues to present a hazard to other motorists, so the Clerk will make further efforts to identify the driver, and discuss the problem, to see if a mutually satisfactory solution can be found.

(d) The raised flower beds:- Mr. Hoggart and Mr. Brown have looked at the village flower beds, and it would seem that at least one could be removed to provide parking spaces for several vehicles. However, the residents of some of the properties which overlook these beds are very much opposed to the provision of parking spaces in front of their properties. Consultation will be undertaken with these residents  before the matter is taken any further. Some gardening work has been done on the beds, which seem to be a well-liked feature of the village.

 4.   PUBLIC PARTICIATION:- None.

 5.   CORRESPONDENCE:- 

 6.   PLANNING:-

Applicant:                     Mr. Sutton

Ref. No:                       09/0022/03/F

Proposal:                      Erection of garden shed and conservatory

Location:                      Marton, West Charleton.

 This Application had been studied by the Planning Sub-Committee, who had no objections. This decision was endorsed by the rest of the Parish Council

Notices of Grant of Conditional Planning Permission were received for the following:-

Application No:            09/1581/02/F   Conversion of barns at Charleton Garage, East Charleton

Application No:            09/2238/02/F   Extension at garden centre, Newbridge Quarry, Kingsbridge.

Application No:            09/2333/02/F   Erection of garage, etc., Tideways, Curlew Drive, West

                                                         Charleton.

 7.   ADOPTION OF MODEL  PUBLICATION SCHEME.

 The Parish Council resolved unanimously to adopt the Model Publication Scheme for the Freedom of Information Act, and the forms were duly completed for return.

 8.   REPORTS:-

 (a) School:- Miss Lewis is to retire at the end of this academic year. She submitted a brief written report of the activities of the school during December and January. This report will be circulated with the Correspondence.

(b) Coleridge Association:- At a Meeting on 14^th January, attended by Mr. Hoggart on behalf of the Parish Council, and 18 other Council representatives from other Parish Councils, Inspector Singer reported on policing in Kingsbridge. He gave his direct telephone line for contact by the Parish Councils.. Other items discussed were affordable housing, the proposed increases in parking fees, and the Parish Plan meeting on 23^rd January, which was also attended by the Clerk. The next Meeting of the Association will be held on 11^th February.

(c) Saltstone Group:- At  the recent Meeting of this group, attended on behalf of the Parish Council by Mr. Hoggart, there were discussions about affordable housing, the proposed increases in parking fees and the CAB.

(d) Footpaths:- Wg. Cdr. Leigh reported that the footpath damaged by recent heavy rain has been inspected by SHDC, and will be repaired in due course. Meanwhile, Mr. Lamble, for the landowners, Croft Farm Estate, has put gravel down to improve safety.

(e) Village Hall:- Mr. Smith had nothing to report.

 9.   FINANCE:-

 The Notice of Closure of the Audit was signed for display in the notice board.  

The following cheques were approved for payment:-

            Cheque no. 100591, £58.75 to Audit Commission for Annual Audit

            Cheque no. 100592, £25.00 to Malborough Verse & Music Festival (S137 donation).

 10. HIGHWAY AND COMMUNITY:-

Mr. Smith reported that he has continued to sign the work cards for the Parish Lengthman, who has also offered to clean the steps to Lyte lane regularly. Mr. Smith said that the Lengthman’s work is exemplary.

The trees at Lyte Lane garages need to be lopped. The Clerk will inform SHDC.

Flooding from the potato field belonging to Mr. Fairweather has caused problems on three occasions recently for residents in several properties in the village, as well as the shop (Yard and garage) and the school entrance. The Clerk will write to Mr. Fairweather informing him of this, and requesting that steps be taken to prevent a recurrence.

11. ITEMS  OF IMPORTANCE, AT THE CHAIRMAN’S DISCRETION:-

It was noted that copies of the letters sent by the Clerk on behalf of the Parish Council should be circulated with the Correspondence in future.

Church notices may now be accessed through the Parish Web Site on:

 www.charleton-pc.org.uk

12. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:-

     Car parking in the village.

13. DATE of the NEXT MEETING:- Thursday  6^th March.

The Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council, and the Annual Assembly, will be on Thursday 3^rd April. This will be publicised in due course to encourage attendance, when further consultation regarding the Parish Plan may take place.

Signed as a true and accurate record of the Meeting,

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