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

   Mr. Hoggart announced that Mr. Ron Steele, formerly a Member of the Parish Council, had, sadly, died recently, and his funeral was to be held on Friday 5^th      July.

APOLOGIES for absence were received from Mr. Masters (DCC).

The MINUTES of the previous Meeting, held on Thursday 30^th May 2002, had been circulated, were approved, and were signed as correct.

MATTERS ARISING:-

Signature of Declarations:- Mr. Conboy signed the Declaration, and handed his Notice of Registrable Interests to the Clerk. Mrs Hawkes will study the forms, and return them at the next Meeting.

Proposed 20 mph speed limit:- Some residents of East Charleton are concerned about the hatching indicated on the plans, as this would seem to indicate that the stretch of road opposite the garage in East Charleton will no longer be available for parking. The Clerk had checked, and was able to reassure those concerned that this hatching will not be included when the road markings are done. The Parish Councillors felt that the 20 mph sign at the Kingsbridge entrance to the village should be placed further out, before Church Park and the Curlew Drive junction. One member of the public remarked that while 20mph is difficult to maintain, the majority of drivers are conscientious enough to try to observe the limits, while a few maverick drivers will always drive in an irresponsible manner which puts other road users at risk. Wg. Cdr. Leigh wondered if fake signs warning of non-existent speed cameras, police speed checks, etc., could legally be used. He also suggested that a limit of 30 mph would be desirable between the bridge at Bowcombe and the entrance to the village, with the 20 mph sign at the end of Church Lane, that a virtual walkway (white lines along the edge of the carriageway) should be put along the whole length of the village on both sides of the road, and that there should be a 30 mph limit between West and East Charleton. Mr. Hoggart proposed that a letter be drafted and sent to Mr. Halliday, including these and the other suggestions received from consultation with the residents. This was approved by all the Parish Councillors, and the Clerk and Mr. Hoggart will liaise to draft this letter.

Skateboarding and vandalism:- Mr Smith reported that the skateboarding has stopped, but the Adventure Playground is still being abused by persons exercising their dogs there.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:-

          Several members of the public had come to present their views on the Planning Application to be discussed. Mr. Hoggart invited each person to present his or    her views, so that the Parish Council could take them into consideration when making recommendations to the Planning Officer.

PLANNING:-

        Applicant:- Mr. and Mrs Hart

        Reference Number:- 09/1113/02/F

        Proposal:- Erection of dwelling and associated landscaping/parking facilities.

       Location:- Charleton Court, West Charleton, Kingsbridge. TQ7 2AE

        Mr. Hoggart, Mr. Faulkner and Wg. Cdr. Leigh each declared an interest, since the development proposed would be very close to their properties, but it was felt  by the rest of the Parish Council that their personal views should also be heard, before the recommendations of the Parish Council were sent to the Planning Officer. After studying the plans and considerable discussion, it was decided that the following recommendations should be conveyed to the Planning Officer:-

Charleton Parish Council objects to the granting of Conditional Planning Permission to the above Application on the following grounds:-

It was strongly felt that the proposed development would be totally out of keeping with the adjacent properties, which are vernacular slate barn conversions and the Parish Church, and would in no way blend in with them.

The inappropriate style of the proposed development would dominate the surroundings, being of three storeys, and would detract from the character and amenities of the vernacular slate barn conversions, and the historic 15^th century church.

The site was originally part of the farm yard associated with the barns which have been sympathetically and carefully converted, is in close proximity to the Grade 2 listed farmhouse, Charleton Court House, and would detract from the amenities and character of that property.

Concern is felt by the adjoining landowner about the unstable face of the quarry, and there is an unresolved question of the actual position of the boundaries.

The developers wish to remove at least three mature trees, one of which, a large ash, is the subject of a Tree Preservation Order, and has recently been nominated as a favourite tree by the Parish Council.

The Parish Council strongly recommend that the Planning Officer should conduct a site inspection, since this is an unusual site and the proposed development is also of an unusual modern design.

These recommendations will be sent off immediately, with copies to Mr. Hoggart, Mrs Cree the Church Warden, and the South Hams Society.

CORRESPONDENCE:-

The Clerk was asked to write to Mrs Bateman, indicating the action taken following receipt of her letter last month concerning the patch of land in front of Redwings.

7. The CASUAL VACANCY:- The Clerk will write to thank Mr. Burner, who has now ceased to be eligible for the post of Parish Councillor, by reason of not signing the Declaration. The resulting Casual Vacancy will be advertised in the usual way, by Statutory Notice in the Parish Notice Board, and by a notice in the Gazette.

REPORTS:-

School:- Mr. Smith reported on a busy programme of activities undertaken by the school during the last month. He also announced the very sad death of Mr. Simon Wootten, a parent governor.

Village Hall:- Since the late Mr. Wootten was also Treasurer of the Village Hall Committee, immediate action was taken to replace him, and the new signatory forms were signed. The recent Jubilee celebrations had been very successful, and the surplus funds raised will be donated to charity.

The Coleridge Association:- Mr. Hoggart reported that he was somewhat disappointed by the conduct and content of the recent Meeting of the Association which he attended. He was elected Vice-Chairman. The Chairmanship rotates among the member groups. However, Mr. Hoggart still feels that membership is useful, and recommends that when the subscription invoice is received, the Parish Council should renew its membership again. There was no discussion of the ownership and maintenance of playground equipment.

The Saltstone Group:- On the recommendation of the Saltstone Group, many Parish Councils are to appoint Mr. Ken Abrahams of Totnes as Internal Auditor. On the recommendation of this large and efficiently run group, the Parish Council unanimously agreed to invite Mr. Abrahams to send a copy of his contract, so that he can be appointed Internal Auditor for Charleton Parish Council as soon as possible. The Clerk will contact Mr. Abrahams immediately.

Footpaths:- There was nothing to report.

FINANCE:-

The following cheques were passed for payment:-

Cheque no. 100579, £199.99 to Cornhill Insurance for the renewal premium

Cheque no.100580, £17.14 to Mrs Hoggart for flowers for Mrs Lang,

Cheque no. 100581, £10.00 to the Saltstone Group for annual subscription

Cheque no. 100582, £4.29 to SHDC for extra copy of Year Book inserts.

Cheque no. 100583, £33.00 to Village Hall Committee for rent,

Cheque no. 100584, £12.50 to Shaw & Sons for Parish Councillors’ Guide Book.

HIGHWAY AND COMMUNITY MATTERS:-

Post Office closures:- In order to reduce the danger of the closure of the village shop and post office, Mr. and Mrs Westlake have introduced various sales promotions to encourage villagers to use the shop more. The Parish Council whole-heartedly supports the Westlakes in their endeavours to keep the shop viable, and urges the villagers to use the shop and post office whenever possible.

Adventure Playground:- There has been a request for some generous person to donate some stout rope to the Adventure Playground.

Vandalism:- P.C.Bond had been invited to attend the Meeting, to discuss the vandalism in the Adventure Playground, but was unable to do so. It was suggested that further signs might be posted, limiting the age of those using the Playground to under 12 years, and warning dog-owners that the Playground was not to be used for exercising dogs.

ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:-

Courses, etc., in this month’s Correspondence folder.

The Casual Vacancy.

Signature of new Mandate for cheque signatories.

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING:- Thursday 5^th September 2002.

Signed as a true and accurate Record of the Meeting,

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