MINUTES OF GEORGEHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, 13 DECEMBER 2007 AT 7PM IN GEORGEHAM VILLAGE HALL. Present: Councillor J Symonds (Chairman), Councillors Miss R Brian, W Foster, Mrs V Meek, E Short. Also in attendance: District Councillor Mrs P Barker and Mrs S Squire, Parish Clerk. 114. Apologies. Councillor S Maskell, PC Russ Fisher and PCSO R Peacock. 115. Approval of the Minutes of the Meetings held on 29 November 2007. These were confirmed and signed as a correct record. 116. Reports: Police. In a written report, 2 crimes were advised involving the theft of a car where the vehicle had been recovered and returned to its owner. Also, a suspected arson attack at Croyde involving logs was being investigated. County Councillor Mrs J Jenkins. Not present. District Councillor Mrs P Barker. Report attached regarding South Molton Recycling. The rest of her Report was as follows: Councillor Harrison arrived. Councillor Mrs Slade arrived. She had attended an event focusing on domestic violence. 8 Councillors from NDDC and Torridge District Council were there out of a possible 80 Councillors from both Districts. 1 in 4 people suffer abuse at some point in their lives. During 2005 in the whole of Devon there were 8 murders of which 6 were women. Police get 1 call a minute reporting a violent attack. 44% of women are abused while pregnant, and domestic violence in Devon is costing a lot of money. 1 in 3 people who have seen domestic violence are in protection and 7000 women and children are in a Refuge in any one day. Police have changed their attitude towards this aspect of daily living and now show interest. Councillor Miss Brian arrived. Planning Appeal - Down End. She felt this was in the balance. The Planning Officer who had originally approved the Application had changed her mind. Councillor Maskell had attended the Hearing and made representations on behalf of the Parish Council. Presentation of Greenwood, proposed hotel development at Baggy Point. There had been two negative comments with the rest being positive. Councillor Symonds noted that only 24 hours notice had been given that the public consultation would be taking place. A major Planning Application was expected which would have a public open space condition and it was hoped that Georgeham Parish would be eligible to receive this. He stressed however that this issue could and should not be used as an argument to recommend and grant approval. Due to the type and magnitude of the Application, it was possible that a separate Meeting to consider this item alone would be held. Councillor Mrs Barker was almost certain that the Planning Applications for Incledon Farm and Great Middleborough had been approved. Councillor Miss Brian enquired the position of the judicial review of wind farm but Councillor Mrs Barker was not able to give a report at this time, only that Mr Malcolm Easton of NDDC Planning Department had visited Council in London to enquire if this was feasible. District Councillor M Wilkinson. Not present. 117. Representations from the Public. No members of the public present. 118. Declarations of Interest. There were no declarations of interest. 119. PLANNING. 119.1 Matters Arising. There were no Matters Arising. 119.2 The following Planning Applications were considered: 45692 Ð Demolition of existing & erection of agricultural building at North Hole Farm, Georgeham. Page 2 Ð 13.12.07 It was proposed by Councillor Tucker, seconded by Councillor Mrs Slade and unanimously agreed to recommend approval. 45691 Ð Erection of agricultural building for storage of slurry and dry straw at North Hole Farm, Georgeham. It was proposed by Councillor Tucker, seconded by Councillor Mrs Slade and unanimously agreed to recommend approval. 45615 Ð Listed Building application for conversion of domestic storage area (2nd floor) to form 1 holiday apartment (unit 8) and replacement windows to West wing (unit 5) at Pickwell Manor, Georgeham. Following concern by Councillors, District Councillor Mrs Barker to take up whether Applications were coming piecemeal. It was proposed by Councillor Tucker, seconded by Councillor Mrs Slade to recommend approval with the caveat that the Parish Council is concerned about the integrity of this Listed Building status and its protection for future generation. Vote: 6 for, 1 abstention. Carried. 45618. Conversion of domestic storage area (2nd floor) to form 1 holiday apartment *Unit 8), change ofuse of Unit 7 from staff flat to holiday apartment & change of use of Unit 5 from holiday apartment to staff flat at Pickwell Manor, Georgeham. It was resolved to reply with the same comments as for Application 45615 above. DCC County Matter Planning Application. Retaining wall and control kiosk to operate adjacent underground pumping station to form part of the proposed sewerage scheme to serve 3 properties, at land adjoining the south east boundary of Cliff House, Baggy Point. It was proposed by Councillor Symonds, seconded by Councillor Tucker and unanimously agreed to recommend approval. 119.3 (1) Planning Correspondence: The following NDDC Decision Notices was noted: APPROVAL 45297 Ð Amendment to condition 4 (siting restriction) attached to planning permission 41932 to enable lifeguard facility to be placed on site between the week before Easter and 31 October in any calendar year at the beach, Beach Road, Croyde. 119.3 (2) It was noted that an Appeal will be heard on 11 December following refusal of planning permission in respect of demolition of guest house with owners accommodation and erection of 5 flats at Baggy View, Down End, Croyde. 119.3 (3) It was noted that an appeal has been lodged in respect of erection of 2 dwellings, access and footpath at garden of Greystones, Croyde. Further observations or amendment of the Parish CouncilÕs original response to reach the Planning Inspectorate by 28 December. Councillors agreed that no further submission was necessary or required and that the original submission was adequate. 120. MATTERS ARISING. 120.1 Bike Rack in Croyde. The Invoice for £705 had been received and would be dealt with under Minute No. 121 below. 120.2 Vehicles Parked for excessive time in Georgeham Car Park. The forms and cheque had been forwarded to the DVLC in Swansea and a reply was awaited. 120.3 Mr S Flynn. He had responded by letter to the Parish CouncilÕs communication, his letter being read to the Meeting. This to be acknowledged advising that his letter will be discussed at the January Meeting. 120.4 Accident at Forda. Councillor Symonds reported on his conversation with the Police who have now closed the file. 121. Accounts & Payments. 121.1 Balances. These were noted as follows: Current A/ct Business Instant Access A/ct As at 31/10/07 16,160.00 35,254.37 Receipts Lloyds TSB Interest 97.31 Payments As previously authorised 4,503.05 ________ Balances as at 30/11/07 11,656.95 35,351.68 121.2 The following payments were approved: Page 3 Ð 13.12.07 Mr S Wightman Grounds Maintenance for Oct 07 £465.97 Grounds Maintenance for Oct 07 At Cemetery £ 80.74 £546.71 Following a query regarding Winter rates, Mr S Wightman had contacted the Clerk to explain that his charging structure was based on Summer and Winter rates being added and divided by 12 to give a standard charge throughout the year. This was accepted and understood. J & J Bins Dog Bin Emptying for Sept 07 £ 84.50 Longclose Ltd Stainless Steele Bike Stands £705.00 Mr M Symonds 4th payment on grass cutting and maintenance Contract 2007/08. £475.00 Mrs S Squire Broadband £ 3.00 Photocopying £ 11.20 14.20 Buckleigh Laundry Hand drier rental £ 14.01 Georgeham Village Hall Hire of Hall during 2007 £250.00 It was noted that Tidy Person Mr J Humphries was on holiday during December. 122. CORRESPONDENCE. 122.1 NDDC. Guidelines to be followed regarding Parish Polls and EU Referendum. 122.2 North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Latest Newsletter/Annual Report for 2006/07. To be sent to Councillor Foster. 122.3 Mr M Inglis. Condition of trees adjacent to 9 Broad Park Close, Croyde. Councillors Symonds and Tucker would hold a Site Meeting to assess the situation in the new year. 122.4 NDDC. Customer Services communication regarding help for an expatriate of Georgeham who is researching the local history. Councillors Mrs Meek and Harrison to assist in this connection. 122.5 Mr D Tebbutt. Letter of thanks for a vote of £1,000 towards the Croyde Village Hall Extension fund. 122.6 NDDC. Register of Electors 2008. Noted. 123. Publications Received. _ NDDC Weekly Members Information Sheet. _ Devon Talk _ North Devon Direct _ Rural Transport Partnership. Autumn Newsletter 2007. _ Village Green Magazine. December 2007. 124. Meetings attended by Councillors Councillor Symonds had met with Planning Officer Mr R Pedlar regarding the expected Atlantis Lodge Application. Mr Alan Beer would be handling/allocating any monies that come with the Application. Councillor Short had attended a meeting with Mr R Windsor of the Surf Life Saving Club and the National Trust. The Club have proposed a new scheme which the National Trust is considering and the Club was looking for support from the Parish Council. A copy of their action plan and the Parish Plan to be sent to Mr S Mulberry of the National Trust to assist with the request for support. Councillor Mrs Meek to draft a letter on behalf of the Parish Council for the Clerk to send. Councillor Short agreed to be the link between the Parish Council and Surf Life Saving Club and will report back at the January Meeting. Councillor Harrison reported that following a Paths Meeting, plainings were being put on the muddy sections of Combas Lane which may make it necessary for it to be closed for one or two days. He was completing the annual P3 forms for submission to DCC. The Braunton Parish Review was proceeding. Orders for the path on the top of Down End to be published in January. The Braunton Review will continue in March. He was hoping that Ruda would improve the main path to the beach. 125. Urgent matters brought forward by the Chairman. No matters were raised. 126. Matters Raised by Councillors appropriate to the Parish not previously covered at this Meeting. Page 4 Ð 13.12.07 Councillor Harrison suggested residents were given a questionnaire regarding speed in the village. The draft was circulated to Councillors to study and discuss at the January Meeting. Councillor Mrs Meek reported on the communication regarding adult education and how to get funding for it. 127. Dates of 2008 Meetings. These were agreed as follows: 16 January; 28 February; 27 March; 24 April Ð Annual Parish Meeting to commence at 6.30pm followed by the April Parish Council Meeting; 22 May; 26 June; 24 July; 28 August; 25 September; 30 October; 27 November; 11 December; 22 January 2009. 128. Date of Next Meeting. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16 2008. The Meeting ended at 8.55pm.