Charleton Parish Council.

Minutes of a Meeting of Charleton Parish Council, held on Monday 3^rd July 2003, at 7.30 pm., at Charleton Village Hall.

Present were:-  Mr. Derek Hoggart (Chairman, presiding), Wg. Cdr. Leigh, Mr. Brown, Mr. Conboy, Mr. Faulkner,

Mrs Hawkes and Mr. Smith.

Also present were:-    Mr. Brazil (SHDC)  and Mrs Raymond (Parish Clerk).

1. Apologies for absence were received from Mr. Master (DCC).

2. The Minutes of the previous Meeting, held on Monday 5^th June 2003, had been circulated, and after minor amendment, were approved and  signed as correct.

3. Matters arising:-

 a)      Parking in West Charleton:- A letter had been received from Mr. Halliday stating that               there was no reason that the parking places suggested by the Parish Council on the verge opposite the school should not be provided, but there was the question of funding to consider. The Clerk will write to ask Mr. Halliday for suggestions as to possible sources of funding for this and for the provision of unbroken white lines along the centre of the carriageway from the post office to the end of Lyte Lane.

b)      Election of Vice-Chairman:- Mr. Smith nominated Wg. Cdr. Leigh for election as Vice –Chairman. This nomination was seconded by Mr. Brown, and by a show of hands, Wg. Cdr. Leigh was unanimously voted in as Vice-Chairman.

c)      Registrable Interests forms:- New forms are required from each Parish Councillor following the uncontested election, and these will be returned to the Monitoring Officer by the Councillors. Wg. Cdr. Leigh and Mr. Brown also completed Declaration forms which were witnessed by the Clerk, and filed.

4. Public participation:- None.

5. Correspondence:-

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman will contact Mr. Tryhorn concerning his letter, and discover the exact nature of the danger to pedestrians which he described.

The Clerk will write to Mr. Halliday to ask for his advice as to possible sources of funding for the proposed safety measures in the village (see Matters arising, a) Parking in West Charleton, above).

Mr. Halliday requested information about the reactions in the village to the virtual footpaths and the reduced speed limit. It was generally agreed that the virtual footpaths are very welcome, although it is regrettable that it does not extend as far as the foot of Church Lane, and the excessive speed of traffic is still a matter for concern. A footpath from Sicklemans Close to Church Lane in the field or the provision of a virtual footpath would be helpful, as would a raised section of footpath at the Post Office to prevent drivers from parking so close to the front of the shop that pedestrians are forced out into the road, and “No footpath” warning signs in East Charleton. These observations and suggestions will be conveyed to Mr. Halliday by the Clerk.

Mr. Brazil asked for the support of the Parish Council for the objections being raised to the erection of the Communication Mast at Totnes , and was assured that he has it.

6. Planning:-

Notice of a Grant of CPP in respect of Application No. 09/0890/03/F, Installation of underground propane gas storage tanks to provide supplies to three dwellings, Barns adjacent to Charleton Garage, East Charleton, was received.

7. Reports:-

a)      School:- There will be a church service followed by a cream tea in the Village Hall as a farewell to Miss Lewis on her retirement. Jackie Broda is also retiring at the end of the term. There have been rumours that plans have been drawn up to put a road through the school yard to the adventure playground to serve a new 2-storey building which will house a pre-school group and a youth group. No plans have yet been published, but if and when such plans come to the notice of the Parish Council they will be studied very carefully.

b)      Footpaths:- Mr. Conboy will contact Steve Malec about the stile in Church Lane which was reported last month to be difficult to use.

c)      Village Hall:- Mr. Smith reported that £150 paid in error has been returned by the insurers. The water meter has not yet been moved to its new, safe position.

d)      Coleridge Association:- Mr. Hoggart has been appointed Chairman of the Association. Mr. Smith also attended the recent Meeting. The discussion at that Meeting concerned Quality Councils. The speaker at the next Meeting on 14^th October will speak about the Right to Roam

e)      The Saltstone Group:- The next Meeting is to be held on 21^st July.

8. Finance:-

The Annual Return form was signed by the Chairman, and will be forwarded to the Auditor forthwith.

The following cheques were passed for payment:-

            Cheque no. 100601, £33.00 to Charleton VH Committee, for rent for year to Sep. 03

            Cheque no. 100602, £25.00 to Charleton School Fund, for donation to retirement of Head

            Cheque no. 100603 £165.48 to F. Raymond for Clerk’s salary for Apr/May/Jun.

            Cheque no. 100604, £28.00 to K. Abraham for Internal Audit fee.

            Cheque no. 100605, £110.00 to J.M. Leigh for web site costs

9. Highway and Community Matters:-

a)      Post hole in Marsh Lane:- A very deep hole has been left when a post was repositioned at the side of Marsh Lane,. This hole poses a danger to walkers, and steps will be taken to ascertain who is responsible and to get the matter remedied.

b)      Grass cutting and flower beds:- Mr. Smith reported that the grass verges have been trimmed again, somewhat less harshly than last month. One of the raised beds has been tended by Mr. and Mrs Manning of Blakes. Mr. Smith will try to arrange for the other beds to be tended. He periodically sends report cards concerning the work of the Parish Lengthman. There have been some complaints about straw on the road outside the two settlements, but this is not the responsibility of the Lengthman, whose work is very satisfactory.

10. Matters of Urgency:-

a)      Charleton Garage:- The workshop facilities at Charleton Garage are to close, and several of the employees have received notice.

b)      The Beacon and bench:- These are to be cleaned and painted by a group of interested villagers.

c)      Barton Hall:- The group of children from the school who recently enjoyed an adventure holiday at Barton Hall were further entertained and informed by a talk about the history of the Hall by Mr. Brown.

11. Date of the next Meeting:- Thursday 4^th September 2003.