MINUTES OF GEORGEHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2006 IN GEORGEHAM VILLAGE HALL AT 7 P.M. PRESENT: Councillor J Symonds (Chairman), Councillors Mrs J Barnes, Miss R Brian, N Mapp, Mrs V Meek, S Maskell, Mrs L Slade, R Tucker. Also in attendance: District Councillors D Spear and M Wilkinson, Sgt. Jack Balchin (Special Constabulary) and one member of the public. 75. CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLOR. One letter of application had been received. It was proposed by Councillor Symonds, seconded by Councillor Tucker and approved by members to co-opt Mr Mike Harrison. He was handed the relevant forms for completion. 76. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 26 JANUARY 2006. These were confirmed and signed as a correct record. 77. APOLOGIES. County Councillor Mrs J Jenkins. Mrs S Squire, Parish Clerk. Tendonitus in the right shoulder and arm. 78. REPORTS. Police. Sgt Jack Balchin (Special Constabulary) advised as follows: 1. The January crime wave was not in this area. There were two incidents in Croyde. 2. Oceanfest. A meeting was attended by District Councillor D Spear, Councillor Maskell and Councillor Tucker. Planning was well advanced. The Licensing Officer was working with all parties. He confirmed that the Police were taking the event very seriously. Ruda are co-operating and additional rubbish bins and security will be in place, perhaps with a static, manned Police Station. They have also done much forward planning and there will be more patrols and additional resources at night. The on site security is satisfactory. 3. With Sgt. Pearce, the Community Beat Officer is Russ Fischer. Special Police Constables will work alongside. County Councillor J Jenkins. Not present. District Councillor D Spear. He also reported on his attendance at the Oceanfest Meeting which he felt was very thorough. He was present at the Croyde Manor Inn Licensing Meeting. There was a problem in that legally, there is no closing time. Councillor Tucker felt that on the basis of the Manor House Inn, this will be sought for all. There followed a discussion with a member of the public concerning licensing in Croyde. Councillor Spear assured the Meeting that the conditions applied to the Manor Inn would apply to all. He also mentioned NDDC Council Tax which was increasing by 4.5%; people age 60 and over can travel free on buses in the County with the exception of East Devon. People should apply for a ticket at First Direct. Page 2 - 23.02.06 He was hopeful that the Clearway from Down End to Bay View would go ahead. There ware insufficient funds for the Millers Brook work to proceed and the Parish may enter into a partnership regarding this. District Councillor M Wilkinson. 1. Apology for absence from the last Meeting. 2. Green Sweep was being scrutinised. The Report had been published. Green bins in rural areas may be reconsidered. 3. Coastal issues, a meeting was schedule with Alan Wooler. RNLI contacts are in place for Croyde and Woolacombe. It is hoped the contract will go via central Government for funding. 4. The District Council have purchased new, bigger litter bins. The contact name is Geoff Barclay. Street sweeping and bin emptying has been reduced to once per day. The Parish Council needs to discuss and liase back as soon as possible. 5. There was concern about Council Tax on second homes being retained at County level this year. 79. REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC. Mr S Butler. His concerns were raised under District Councillor Spear's Report regarding Licensing in Croyde. It was reported on behalf of a parishioner regarding the verge by the Playing Field which has been damaged by cars parking, and a request that cutting the verge at the bottom of David's Hill is delayed to enable wild flowers to bloom. The action taken would be that people will be asked to park in the car park or a large boulder will be put in place to prevent further damage. 80. PLANNING. (1) Matters Arising. (i) NDDC. Statement of Community Involvement - Submission Draft. Acknowledgement of our response and confirmation that our representations have been made, together with details of our Unique Reference Number. Noted. (ii) DCC. Conditional planning permission issued in respect of proposed single storey wooden classroom at Stepping Stones Playgroup, Georgeham Primary School. Noted. (iii) NDDC. North Devon Local Plan - Proposed Modifications. Acknowledgement of our response and confirmation that our representations have been made, together with details of our Unique Reference Number. Noted. (2) Applications, as below: (i) 41320 - Extension to dwelling, raising of roof, conversion of loft Page 3 - 23.03.06 space to form additional living accommodation, sub-division of dwelling to form 2 dwellings & erection of single garage (amended description & plans) - Lower Liddongate, Withywell Lane, Croyde. It was resolved to recommend approval. (ii) 41583/41584 - Retrospective application for former extension & installation of 2 doors to West elevation together with erection of garden wall to East elevation (amendments to planning permission 36895) - Cottage adjacent Jack Smales Cottage, Heddon Mill, Braunton. It was resolved to recommend approval. (iii) 41368 - First floor extension to dwelling (amended plans) -10 Home Farm Close, Croyde. It was resolved to refuse on the grounds that the proposals represent over development of the site and are visually unacceptable, being out of keeping with the other elevations on the estate. (iv) 41643 - Conversion of loft space to form additional living accommodation - 24 Longland Lane, Georgeham. It was resolved to refuse on the grounds that the proposals are out of keeping with the neighbouring properties and that the style of development is wrong taking account of the other properties in the area. (v) 41751 - Proposed disabled toilet facility together with extension to male toilet -Georgeham Village Hall, Chapel Street, Georgeham. It was resolved to recommend approval. (3) Planning Correspondence: (a) The following NDDC Decisions were noted: APPROVALS. 41111 - Listed Building Application for lime rendering of external walls to dwelling & outbuildings together with renewal of outbuilding roof at Croyde Manor, 17 St Mary's Road, Croyde. 41340 - Continued siting of holiday chalet (renewal of limited period planning permission 28283) at 5 Leadengate Close, Croyde. 41521 - Extension to dwelling (amendments to Planning Permission 40278) at 1 Moor Lane, Croyde. REFUSAL 41101 - Outline application for erection of 1 dwelling together with formation of access at land adjacent to Fairleigh, Georgeham. (b) NDDC. Application No. 40856 - Erection of 1 dwelling together with alterations to the junction of Sandy lane & Croyde road on land adjacent to The Whiteleaf Hotel, Croyde. The applicant has appealed against the decision and the Parish Council can Page 4 - 23.02.06 make any additional observations or amendments to the Planning Inspectorate to arrive by 17 March. The Parish Council continue to stand by their 22/9/05 decision. (c) Blue Groove had applied to vary their License and a letter has been sent. The Hearing was fixed for 13/3/06 at 9.30 a.m. Councillors Mrs Meek and R Tucker will attend on behalf of the Parish Council and the Clerk to advise the Licensing Committee. In the meantime, Councillors Mrs Meek and N Mapp will prepare a brief. 81. MATTERS ARISING. (i) NDDC. Notice of Decision. Manor House Inn, St. Mary's Road, Croyde. Hearing 27 January. This was noted and copies to be made for Councillors Miss Brian and R Tucker. PC Daw is to be invited to the April Meeting by Councillor Tucker. (ii) Traffic Warden Provision in Croyde. A reply had been received from Paul Davis. Kay Olds allocated Wardens and the Clerk to invite her to the March Meeting. (iii) Clearways. Millers Brook (Coombas Lane). This had been covered earlier in the Meeting. Letters were in the hands of Councillor Symonds. The road to Putsborough Clearway was being paid for by Putsborough Sands. 82. FINANCE. Balances: These were circulated to members at the meeting. a) Payments: Buckleigh Laundry Ltd. Rental of hand driers in Toilets £ 13.54 S M Wightman Grass Cutting £458.25 EDF ENERGY Electricity supply at the toilet block And bus shelter £19.92 SWEB Electricity supply at Glebe car park £91.47 Putsborough Sands Caravan Park. £385.90 Allianz Cornhill. Additional Premium to cover Toilets, Bus Shelter, Car Park etc £ 39.25 Chris Clarke Plumbing following vandalism in toilets £ 56.00 83. CORRESPONDENCE. (i) DCC. Rock Environmental Treatment Scheme (RockETS). The letter has been passed to Councillor Miss Brian to investigate possibilities. Page 5 - 23.02.06 (ii) Devon Playing Fields Association. Survey of outdoor sport & play provision within Devon. Passed to Councillor N Mapp. (iii) North Devon Voluntary Action Forum. Details of Spring Training Programme. (Previously circulated to Councillors). Passed to Councillor N Mapp. It may be relevant to groups with projects, e.g. R Holmes, R Windsor. (iv) Barnstaple & District Civic Society. Conservation awards 2006. Deadline date for submission of entries is 9/6/06. No action to be taken. (v) Devon Wildlife Trust. Details of Croyde Beach Clean Results. (Included in the Village News Section of the North Devon Journal). (vi) Mr N Hamilton. Safety concerns at Croyde Play Park. Noted. (vii) Devon Association of Parish Councils: * Royal Garden Party - 20/7/06. Nominations invited. Councillors Miss R Brian and Mrs L Slade wished to be nominated. * Entry form for Devon Calor Village of the Year. Noted. * Training Courses as follows: Chairman Master Class Friday 23 June Exeter Introduction to being a Chairman Tuesday 6 June Exeter New Councillors Day Saturday 1 July N Abbot Introduction to Planning Thursday 11 May Exeter Creating Newsletters Tuesday 23 May Exeter There was no response. (viii) Copy correspondence from Councillor Mrs Meek on behalf of the Parish Council to the Licensing Team, Environmental Health, NDDC in respect of the Premises License Variation at The Blue Groove, Croyde. NDDC have advised that the date of the Hearing will be on Monday, 13th March in The Taw Room at 9.30 a.m. These details have already been sent to Councillor Mrs Meek. See 'Matters Arising'. (ix) NDDC. Street Collection Permit and House to House Collection in aid of the RNLI in the Parish by Mrs J Birch. Observations to be received within 21 days. (x) NDDC. Statement of Community Involvement. The Planning Inspectorate advised that the examination will be carried out by written representations to consider the soundness of the Statement of Community Involvement. The appointed Inspector is Keith Holland BA. Copies of all representations received have been sent to the Planning Inspectorate. Any further material from those participants seeking a Page 6 - 23.03.06 change should be sent to NDDC by 7 March for forwarding to the Inspector. Noted. (xi) NORTH DEVON AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY. News, February 2006. Details of The State of the Environment Project, Surveys and how to get involved. Passed to Councillor M Harrison. (xii) MRS J MITCHELL. Request for vegetation in parts of Croyde to be cut. To be referred to Croyde Village Hall Committee. (xiii) CARA. Letter dated 17/2/06 was discussed. (xiii) DCC. Details of road closure. Buckland Road/Rock Hill. 24th March for up to 18 months. (Should be for 3 or 4 weeks). 84. PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. * NDDC Newsletters and Bulletins. 85. MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS/CLERK. (i) Lengthsmen. Next visit to the Parish March 23 and 27. Problem areas were advised and passed on to the relevant Department. (ii) Finance. Councillor Miss Brian spoke about a Community Grant. We do not comply regarding reserves which are currently in one block and need many small separate funds for ongoing maintenance. A Finance Sub-Committee was formed comprising Councillors Symonds, Tucker, Miss Brian and Maskell who would meet on 28.3.06. (iii) Footpaths. Councillor Harrison who was also the Footpath Warden advised that the P3 forms had been completed and submitted to Devon County Council. He also presented an Annual Report which he will present again at the Annual Parish Meeting. (iv) Apologies. Councillor Tucker would not be present for the March Meeting. (v) Errors. Councillor Mapp advised that he had made an incorrect statement last month regarding the Return for Braunton Parish Plan Questionnaire. It should be 22%, not 18%. 86. MEETINGS ATTENDED BY COUNCILLORS (if not previously reported on earlier in the Meeting). Parish Plan. The Parish Council adopted the Action Plan unanimously. Councillor Mrs Meek presented the 'Parish Plan' to date. Ideas were accepted. The Meeting ended at 10.20 p.m. The next Meeting would be held on Thursday, 30th March at 7 p.m. in Croyde Village Hall.