MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF NEWTON & NOSS PARISH COUNCIL Held on 12 September 2019 PRESENT; MR. PARRY-SMITH MS. ADAMS MR. CARTER MR. ROGERS MR. TUBB DR. HARDY MRS PHILLIPSON MR. THOMAS MR. STEGGLES ALSO, PRESENT; Cllr. Hosking, Cllr. Thomas, 2 members of the public, Mrs. McDonough (Clerk). OPEN FORUM Court Wood – a representative from the River Yealm & District Association (RYDA) gave a brief outline of plans to buy three acres of Court Wood owned by the late Mr. Francis Bennett formerly of Menryn, Court Wood. The separate parcel of woodland had been due to go up for auction in September. There had been concerns expressed that the woodland could be bought by a private owner with subsequent development and potential access issues. The current owners of the land agreed to sell the land to the community for £18,000. The Woodland Trust were not in a position to act immediately. The RYDA was approached to act as the purchaser with the potential for the land to be transferred subsequently to the Woodland Trust. The RYDA planned to manage the land in a similar way to Brookings Down Wood and Eastern Hill. Fund raising stood at £15,000 with a further £2000 in the pipeline and a grant application in with Yealm Community Energy (YCE). There was a possible funding requirement by YCE for a body to “vouch” for the RYDA in respect of which the Parish Council had been approached. It was hoped the purchase could complete this month. Part of the purchase price would be eligible for Gift Aid which would leave £4000 in a “pot” to open up pathways. Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo Parish Council Police Report July and August 2019 - PCSO Andrew Potter gave apologies for the Council meeting and had sent the following written reports: Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo Parish Council Police Report July 2019 Newton Ferrers 27th, theft of property from house [ Collaton Cross area] CR/06773/19 Noss Mayo 7th Criminal damage to a car, window smashed CR/060432/19 Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo Parish Council Police Report August 2019 Newton Ferrers 6th , report of property stolen from within home CR/070624/19 [Collaton Cross area] 7th report of a common assault, no further police action CR/071006/19 Noss Mayo No reported crime 124/19 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE - there were apologies from Cllr. Baldry, Mrs Story, Mr. Lyndon and Mr. Ingram. 125/19 INTERESTS TO BE DECLARED - members were invited to declare interests in the items for discussion during the meeting. Mr. Rogers declared an interest in quotes relating to the Sports Pavilion repairs by virtue of being related to one of the quoting contractors. 126/19 DISPENSATION REQUESTS – none. 127/19 MINUTES - the minutes of the July 18 and September 3 Parish Council Meetings were approved as a correct record and the Chairman was authorised to sign. 128/19 VARIATION OF AGENDA – RESOLVED: quotes and invitations to quote relating to maintenance and pre- planning/planning enforcement should be considered in committee. (Vote: unanimous.) 129/19 DISTRICT COUNCIL(SHDC) 129.1 Councillor reports – Cllr. Thomas reported as follows; i)Sustainable Communities Locality Fund - each District Councillor had £2000 to spend on local projects in respect of which applications were sought, preferably, by mid October. ii) Planning training – would be taking place 7 October at the Methodist Hall, Yealmpton at 7pm. Mr. Patrick Whymer, head of SHDC Development Management would be leading the training. Members of Yealmpton and Sparkwell Parish Councils would also be attending. Holbeton Parish Council had been invited. iii) Highways- the Dunstone diversion was about to come into effect. There would be a one-way system in place from the Bull & Bear to Gnaton and on to the Yealmpton Road. iv) Brexit- SHDC was putting together a Brexit briefing for Parish Councils based on worst case scenario planning. The Deputy Chief Executive officer was the assigned officer. v) Car collision- both he and Cllr. Baldry had been made aware of a further recent motor collision at Butts Park. Investigation would be led by Devon County Council as the Highways Authority. 1/12September2019……………………………………………………Chairman 129.2 Public toilets - the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Mrs Story, Mr Ingram and the Clerk had met with Cllr. Baldry, Cllr Thomas and Cllr. May Tuesday July 23 and Monday 2 September. Cllr. May suggested the Parish Council make a contribution of £1500 - for March 2020 (after it re-opened after winter) and then for the financial year to 31 March 2021. This would be an interim measure pending a review of maintenance costs figures provided by SHDC and designation of Newton & Noss as a tourist area. The proposal would enable the Parish Council to precept for the additional costs of spring/summer opening 2020. The public conveniences in Newton & Noss would close for the winter- Cllr. May noted that the Parish had asked that this be put back to the end of October to allow for the South Hams Arts Trail. RESOLVED:Newton & Noss Parish Council was prepared to make a financial contribution of £1500 to enable the public toilets to re-open in March 2020 for spring, summer and autumn for the financial year 2020/21.This would be on the basis of an interim measure purely for that year to enable South Hams District Council to review costs allocations made, water usage and to revisit the tourist assessment given as 0 for Newton Ferrers. (Vote: unanimous.) The Parish Council requested that the lights be turned off after closure to prevent the public being led to believe that they were still open. 129.3 Town and Parish Council Standards and Governance Training - no members were available to attend. 129.4 Council Tax Support Grant – members had no comment to make in respect of the consultation on proposed withdrawal of Council Tax Support Grant, with effect from 1 April 2020, by 50% per annum over the next two years. 129.5 Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places – members had no comment. 130/19 DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL(DCC) 130.1Cllr. Hosking had not yet arrived. It was agreed to put his report back on the agenda. 130.2 Highways. Gigaclear - had advised that the requested Butts Park to Widey path surface reinstatement had been escalated to senior management. An enquiry had been raised by Gigaclear concerning ownership of Gunsey Lane. Parsonage Road new bus stop – had now been put in place. Butts Park speeding - Mr. Colton, the local Highways Officer, had advised that he had requested a speed and volume survey. This could take a number of months. He had not been able to confirm when the temporary speeding signs would be in place on the rota system for the parish. Mr. Colton had been advised of another road traffic accident at Butts park. It was not known whether the police had been involved. A parishioner had raised concerns about speeding and inconsiderate driving by both local drivers and holiday makers in the lanes around the parish. Yealm Road parking survey - it was understood survey forms had been sent out. A parishioner had contacted the Parish Council suggesting reinstatement of no overnight parking between the old Lifeboat House and the former International Paints building. Members who had been on the Parish Council at that time suggested that the sign had been advisory and not enforceable. Devon County Council's Highway Service Parish & Town Council Conference - no members were available to attend. Stoke Road closures December 2020 - concern had been expressed about two road closures planned for Stoke Road in December. One week by South West Water the following week by Wales and West utilities. The Highways Officer had been asked why the two closures could not be concurrent to minimise disruption. 130.3 Street lights - a parishioner had suggested introducing lantern style lights on Newton Hill similar to Riverside Road West. DCC confirmed that the costs would be approximately £3500 per column and would be subject to agreeing positioning with residents. Members agreed that the Parish Council would not fund provision of such lighting and that the parishioner may wish to take the matter up direct with DCC. DCC would be conducting work September- December to converting the majority of lighting in the parish to LED. 131/19 PLANNING 131.1 Community Land Trust – Mrs Phillipson advised that the group was waiting to hear from SHDC regarding their pre planning application and what matters needed to be considered. Cllr. Thomas offered to assist with speeding matters up. The group was looking at housing associations in conjunction with the landowners. Things were moving forward slowly. A grant of £100,000 had been applied for to Homes England, to fund feasibility work. It had been disappointing to note that although receipt of the funding application had been acknowledged, Homes England were currently unable to locate it. Planning decisions 131.2 Land variously to the South of Stoke Road, Noss Mayo Request for a TPO - Ref: 1070393. SHDC: Confirmed without modification. 131.3 Woodville, Pillory Hill 1025/19/FUL - demolition of existing dwelling and replacement dwelling with underground garage. SHDC: Refused. 131.4 Land at SX 543483 North West of The Fairway 2363/19/AGR - agricultural prior notification for proposed works to infill basin within field, along with removal of stock fencing wire in isolated areas of field boundaries, infill Devon banks where eroded and replace stock fencing. SHDC: No further information required. Works may commence without further reference to the Council as the Local Planning Authority. 131.5 Sea Horses 4 Church Park Road 1151/19/HHO - READVERTISEMENT (revised plans received.) Householder application for conversion of roof space and new porch.