CHARLETON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of a Meeting of Charleton Parish Council, held on Thursday 10^th October 2002, at 7.30 pm., at Charleton Village Hall.

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

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

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

 2.   The MINUTES of the previous Meeting, held on Thursday 5^th September 2002, were read, amended slightly, and approved as correct.

 3.   MATTERS ARISING:-

 (a) The new 20mph speed limit:- Mr. Hoggart wrote to Mr. Halliday with a comprehensive list of the wishes of the Parish Council.

(b) Home Farm, East Charleton:- The problems encountered when building work commenced on the new entrance with the water pipe have been resolved by moving the pipe.

(c) The TPO at Charleton Court Barns:- A large branch has been removed from the ash tree which is the subject of the Tree Preservation Order, and work to remove the dead wood will follow. The Parish Council wished the Clerk to alert the Tree Warden to this work, and invite him to check that the correct work is being done.

(d) Notice Board at East Charleton:- Mrs Hawkes will liaise with the proprietor of Charleton Garage to see if a covered Notice Board can be provided at the garage.

(e) Kingsbridge transport Forum:- A representative will be invited to attend a future Parish Council Meeting, to discuss the work of the Forum.

(f) Public Participation at Planning Meetings:- As mentioned in last month’s Correspondence, SHDC has incorporated a Public Participation slot into Planning Meetings, when participants are allowed to speak for 3 minutes on any Planning Application to be considered, if application has been made to SHDC by noon on the Monday before the Meeting. Two Meetings including this item have so far been held, and have been well attended.

 4.   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:- None.

 5.   CORRESPONDENCE:-

 6.   PLANNING:-

 Notice had been received of the Grant of Conditional Planning Permission in respect of  Application No. 1882, for work on Tree Preservation Order Trees at Charleron Court barns.

 7.   REPORTS:-

 (a) School:- Mr. Smith read a report from Miss Lewis on the activities of the School which included this month a visit to Morwellham Quay, participation in the Shoe Box Gift Appeal, which formed part of the Harvest celebrations, swimming and gym at the Sports centre, and the enrollment of 7 new pupils in the reception class and 4 in higher classes. Wg. Cdr. Leigh suggested that some of these interesting news items from the school could be added to the Web Site.

(b) The Coleridge Association:- At the recent Meeting of the Association the main item for discussion was deliberations of the Slapton Line Partnership. Also, there was a reminder that the annual subscription was due.

(c) Footpaths:- Verbal complaints have been received about the height of the stiles on some Footpaths.

(d) The Village hall:- At a recent Meeting of the Village Hall Committee the new Treasurer was introduced to members. There may be some difficulties in getting the Accounts complete for next month, due to the necessity of appointing a new Treasurer. The Treasurer will pursue an insurance claim for repairs to the heating.

(e) The Saltstone group:- Mr. Hoggart reported that this is proving to be a very pro-active and well-organised group. The main item on the agenda of the recent Meeting was the producing of Parish Plans, and further guidance is promised. A new Web Site has been launched by the Group, and linked to Stokenham and Charleton Web Sites. The next Meeting, on 18/11/02, will be attended by Mr. Hoggart.

 9.   FINANCE:-

 A new salary scale for Parish Clerks has been proposed by NALC. It was proposed by Mrs Hawkes, and seconded by Mr. Smith, that this scale be adopted, with effect from the recommended date of 1/4/02. This proposal was carried unanimously.

 The Annual Accounts for the year ended 31/3/02 were presented by the Clerk following Audit by the Internal Auditor Mr. Abrahams. It was proposed by Wg.Cdr. Leigh and seconded by Mr. Faulkner, that the Accounts be approved. This proposal was carried unanimously, and the Accounts were duly signed as correct by the Chairman and Clerk.

 The Annual Return form for the year ended 31/3/02, as required by the Audit Commission, had been completed by the Internal Auditor, and was signed on behalf of the Parish Council by the Chairman and Clerk.

 The Auditor’s Certificate from the District Audit for the Trienniel Audit up to 31/3/01 was received for inclusion in the Parish records.

 The following cheque was passed for payment:-

            Cheque no. 100586, £330.96 to F.Raymond for Clerk’s salary for April to September 2002

 10. HIGHWAY AND COMMUNITY:-

 Bonfires:- Large bonfires have been observed in the parish recently. Since these cause smoke pollution,  are harmful to the health of all, especially asthmatics, can be  damaging to washing, and prevent nearby residents from enjoying their gardens, the Parish Councillors felt that anyone suffering from this nuisance should initially take up the matter with the offenders and try to come to an amicable compromise. The Parish Clerk will obtain legal advice about the matter.

 The benefits van:- This has been visiting Kingsbridge recently, and Mr. Smith has contacted the proper authorities and arranged for visits to Charleton to begin.

 Parking:- Difficulties have again been experienced due to the parking of vehicles near to the bottom of Lyte Lane. Mr. Brown observed that the raised flower beds in the village now occupy space which may be more usefully employed to enable vehicles to be parked along the main road, thus relieving some of the congestion in Lyte Lane. Mrs Hawkes was asked to request that Mr. Hawkes should examine the situation and advise from his expertise what possible solutions to the parking problems may be feasible.

 Overflowing soakaway:- BT have recently arranged for the  pumping-out of the flooded inspection into a soakaway. Consequently the soakaway  overflowed into a private garden and the adventure playground. The matter has been reported to both BT and Devon Highways, and response is awaited.

 11. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING:-

(1) Report from Mr. Halliday on the progress of the implementation of the new speed limit.

(2) The date of the December Meeting

(3) Subscription to Coleridge Association.

 12. DATE of the NEXT MEETING:- Thursday 7^th November 2002.

 Signed as a true and accurate Record of the Meeting,

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