COMBE MARTIN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of Combe Martin Parish Council held at the Community Centre on Monday, 14 December, 2015, at 7pm.

Present: Cllrs Wendy Druce (Chairman) Julia Clark, Yvette Gubb, Peter James, Ian Lawton, Helen Mallinder, Celia Withers.

In Attendance: District Cllr John Lovering, 5 parishioners, Parish Clerk.

The meeting commenced with prayers.

195/15 Public Sessiona Vince Irwin - said that he had not received the information he had requested about beach policies and queried why his letters regarding the Beach and use of the Beach in connection with hirings had not been considered at that time. He was advised that he would receive the policies and that Council had previously agreed to consider the subjects of his letters over the winter. Beach policies will be considered in February, so that he will receive a reply before Easter.

b Susan Young - asked if there was a Planning Inspectorate meeting at the Community Centre this week and was advised that there was a meeting on Wednesday 16 December 2015 for the Planning Inspector to consider a planning appeal.

c Susan Young - expressed concern at the increasing amount of dog mess in the village. It was NOTED that a dog mess patrol will be organized in the new year.

196/15 Apologies for absenceApologies for absence were received from Cllr Lin Wheelan.

197/15 Declarations of InterestCouncillor Subject InterestJulia Clark Planning application number 60338 Near neighbourPeter James Planning application number 60389 Neighbour/friend of applicantIan Lawton Planning application number 60212 Near neighbour

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198/15 County and District Councillors Reportsa Devon County CouncilHeart of the South West Devolution ProposalsA detailed devolution proposition is being submitted to Government in mid-January 2016. The proposition aims to close the productivity gap between the Heart of the South West and the rest of the UK. The reason for focusing on productivity is that the gap between the Heart of the South West and the rest of the UK is stark. The offer is to allow partners to work together to capitalise on a number of key opportunities and ensure our communities are benefiting, including:Health, care and wellbeingSupport stronger economic growth, productivity and resilience, Housing and planning

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Employment and skillsBusiness support

This bid would result in a Combined Authority which would deliver the content of the deal. Each constituent authority would appoint an elected councillor to be a member and decision making would be based on one-member-one-vote. Co-opted/associate members would include the Local Enterprise Partnership, National Park Authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups. The statutory functions delegated to any Combined Authority would depend on the enactment of the Cities and Local Government devolution Bill and substance of any HoSW deal.

The proposal would include a commitment to identifying and agreeing a leader visible to the public with channels for engagement and communication between the leader, public and other partners. It would also include a commitment to identifying and agreeing opportunities to delegate or devolve to parish and town councils and community groups in order to bring decision making closer to communities and service users.

Joint Highway ProcurementDevon continues to work with Somerset and Plymouth on the procurement of the new Term Maintenance Contract, which will start in April 2017. The procurement has been started and tenderers are due to submit information for a suitability selection process within the next few months. They will then go on to submit their formal tenders in the spring of next year. Award of contract will be in Autumn 2016 to ensure a smooth handover to the new provider of the service.

Devon Highways.Following the fatal accident on the North Devon Link Road some time ago, where a van drove into the workforce killing one of our contractor’s operatives, it is pleasing to note that current Health and Safety Statistics show that the number of days lost to accidents have remained at zero in recent months. Near miss reports highlight the number of drivers who drive through live construction sites putting themselves and the workforce at risk.

Public Health and District councilsDistrict councils play a vital role in improving health and wellbeing of local residents.  To support this, the public health team has been working closely with the districts to develop their local priorities, and a public health grant has been allocated to each district council to develop new ways of working and support the local public health plans to address local health priorities and our commissioning responsibilities. Each area has developed a forum or local arrangements to address these priorities. North Devon and Torridge have a health and wellbeing forum, Teignbridge has a health exchange and Exeter has its own health and wellbeing board.

Health Visitor TransferFrom October 1 the commissioning of key 0-5 services, including health visitors – registered nurses who lead and deliver health services for children - and provide services such as intensive support for young mums, will switch to local authorities from the NHS. This move will ensure councils are responsible for health ‘from the cradle to the grave’.

Waste and Recycling

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Whilst the recycling and composting rate is always high and within the top 5 counties in England each year, Devon householders are currently the second highest producers of household waste in the country (31st out of 32 counties). Within Devon, the difference between Districts is somewhat disparate. North Devon District produces the greatest amount of waste in the county at 428kg per person, compared to East Devon which produces 289kg.

LibrariesThe ‘spin out’ is progressing well with a new CEO appointed last week. There will be a ballot for 4 Trustees (2 of each) and a series of interviews to appoint a further 4 independents.

Budget CutsOver the past four years the County Council’s funding has been cut by 27% as a result of a Government squeeze on local government spending and savings of nearly £128 million have been made. This year (2015/16) a further saving of £50 million is required as a result of the Government’s latest Comprehensive Spending Review. This will be followed by a saving of at least £34 million in 2016/17.

b North Devon CouncilCllr Yvette Gubb wished everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Cllr John Lovering reported that plans are progressing with the Anchorwood Bank development site. The developers may proceed without using the Oliver building (former Shapland and Petter building). North Devon Homes are planning to provide housing on the site.

The Queen's 90th birthday will be celebrated over the weekend of 10 to 12 June, 2016. Part of the celebrations will be a street party held in London and it is hoped that other street parties will be organised locally throughout the country.

199/15 Police and Vandalism Reportsa Police ReportPCSO Ade Drury sent her apologies as she was on a rest day. The crime figures for the period 11 November 2015 to 9 November 2015 are 4 crimes (compared with 10 crimes for the same period last year) which include:

  1 theft of sheep2 criminal damage to motor vehicles (separate unconnected incidents)1 possession of Class A drug

  The crime figures for the period 10 November 2015 to 13 December 2015 are 5 crimes (compared with 4 crimes for the same period last year) which include

  1 grievous bodily harm assault1 common assault1 criminal damage to window1 drink driving1 theft

  The Theft is the theft of a Speed Detection Recorder which had been placed by the Road Safety Department ( Devon & Cornwall Police)to monitor the volume and speed of traffic in general through the village, ultimately looking at road safety issues for the

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community. It had been placed high up on, and padlocked to, a lamp post at the junction of Rock Lane and Castle Street. The SDR is an expensive item and Devon and Cornwall Police would be very wary of deploying any other equipment in the

village to help the community in the future as a result of this theft. Everyone was asked to advise PCSO Drury if they have any information which would help with its recovery.

  Villagers were asked to enjoy the seasonal festivities and celebrations but to

remember to stay safe and not drink and drive, especially as people can still be over the limit the next day.

  b Vandalism ReportThere was no vandalism to report.

200/15 Minutes of the last meetingRESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2015, be confirmed and signed as a true record.

201/15 Planninga ApplicationsDistrict Councillor Yvette Gubb drew the meeting’s attention to the fact that any observations or decisions which she made regarding planning applications at this meeting were based upon the information available at the time. Such observations and decisions might well change in the light of any information which might come before district councillors when sitting upon North Devon District Council’s planning committee.

Cllr Julia Clark declared an interest in the following item and left the room.60338 - RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR GROUNDWORKS TO ENABLE

SITING OF A REPLACEMENT CARAVAN (CARAVAN PERMITTED BY APPLICATION NI/355 IN 1952) AT COMBE VIEW, SHUTE LANE Applicant: Mr and Mrs Wyatt-TealAs the applicant was present, she was invited to speak to the application and did so.It was NOTED that the application is for the groundworks only. RESOLVED to recommend that the application be APPROVED.

Cllr Peter James declared an interest in the following item and left the room.60389 - FORMATION OF RETAINING WALL AT PARKING AREA, SKIRHEAD LANE

COMBE MARTINApplicant: Mrs Gillian SweetRESOLVED to advise the planning authority that this Council owns land near to the proposal and will therefore be responding as a neighbour rather than as a statutory consultee.

RESOLVED to recommend that the application be APPROVED. It is hoped the works may be carried out as soon as possible, to avoid further land slips.

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60186 RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF USE OF LAND AND ERECTION OF STABLE TOGETHER WITH ERECTION OF STORAGE SHED AT LAND OFF OF CHAPEL LANE COMBE MARTINApplicant: Mr Anthony Thorne

RESOLVED to draw the planning authority's attention to the fact that this Council pays a share of the maintenance costs of Chapel Lane and will therefore be responding as a neighbour rather than as a statutory consultee.

RESOLVED to recommend that the application be APPROVED, subject to:i expressing concern that the stable could have been constructed to a higher standard, especially as it is within the North Devon Coast AONB, and the door is a single pane glass door. Stables usually have stable doors to facilitate the building's use by horses. ii There does not appear to be any guttering on both the stable and the proposed storage building and the planning authority is asked to satisfy itself about drainage from both properties. iii The application does not specify the proposed materials for the storage building and the planning authority is asked to satisfy that these will be acceptable.iv It is noted that the proposals are outside the development boundary for housing.

Cllr Ian Lawton declared an interest in the following item and left the room.60212 CONVERSION OF SORTING OFFICE AND TWO STORAGE AREAS TO

FORM ONE BEDROOMED GROUND FLOOR FLAT AT FORMER SORTING OFFICE, HIGH STREET Applicant: Mr Allan Stephenson

RESOLVED to:i draw the planning authority's attention to the fact that the application is for the former Rotapress building behind the former Post Office. The sorting office was located in the rear of the former Post Office and not in the building to which the plans refer.ii recommend that the application be REFUSED on the grounds that:A vehicular access onto Chapel Lane is poor, given that the proposals reduce the turning space on site.B the proposals are an over-intensification of the site usage.C the proposals remove three parking bays which served the 5/6 bedroom maisonette on the first and second floors of the former Post Office, whilst increasing the need for parking on site. The plans do not show any parking bays.

The supporting statement states that parking exists at Hollands Park, High Street Coach/Car Park and Cormelles Car Park. Hollands Park provides parking to serve the Park for recreation. High Street Coach/Car Park has only 12 parking bays which are available for permit holders only, and all 12 parking permits are fully utilised, so no new permits will be issued until one becomes available. Cormelles Car Park is also already at capacity usage.

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60420 - ELECTRICITY ACT 1989 - OVERHEAD LINES EXEMPTION REGULATIONS 2009 - NEW POLE FOR 1 DOMESTIC BUILD AT REAR OF LONDONVILLE, HIGH STREET Applicant - Western Power DistributionRESOLVED to advise the planning authority that this Council owns land opposite the proposal site and is therefore responding as a neighbour rather than a statutory consultee.

RESOLVED to recommend that there are no objections to the application.

b Planning Approvals60113 - Construction of footbridge between Coach Park and 4 Hams Place62/19/15/004 - Extension and alterations to Girt Farm

c Withdrawal of planning application62/19/15/005 - Proposed erection of solar PV array at Girt Farm

202/15 Matters arising from the minutes of the last meetinga 186/15 - Proof of the Annual ReportRESOLVED to:i ensure that the word breaks at the ends of lines is corrected,ii adopt the Annual Report subject to the above,iii ask the designer to load the Report onto the webpage,iv not have any copies printed professionally, and if anyone asks for a hard copy, to print copies in the office (colour being subject to purchase of colour photocopier).

b Min189/15c - Carnival Committee Christmas event It was NOTED that the event had been cancelled.

c Min 194/15a - Seacott FlatIt was NOTED that the old tenancy has been finalised, deposit returned, minor works have been done to refresh the property and the new tenant has moved in.

RESOLVED that the Chairman be authorized to sign the new lease.

203/15 Public access defibrillatorChairman reported that she had been approached by Barry Charlesworth of Caen Rotary Club on behalf of the British Heart Foundation, which is hoping to install public defibrillators in Combe Martin. It has been reported that the Village Hall Management Group is planning to place one on the outside of the Village Hall.

RESOLVED:a to ask Council's insurance company about the situation regarding liability for use of a defibrillator, especially when it is located on Council property.b to find out what the cost would be,c to establish if there is any funding available.d to establish what the ongoing maintenance liabilities and costs are.

204/15 Committee Reportsa Highways Property and Planning – 18 November 2015

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The report of the Highways Property and Planning Committee meeting held on 18 November, 2015 was ADOPTED.

Cllrs Julia Clark and Celia Withers declared interests in the following item.Item 4.2.1 - Community Centre heating maintenance contract The Administration Officer had contacted several companies but was unable to obtain quotations for a maintenance contract as the boiler is classed as industrial. She had spoken to Furber Heating, who have maintained the heating recently and had been advised that the system is in good order. Prices were provided for call out charges, and a 7 day a week (limited hours at weekends) is available. Mr Furber is not available whilst on holiday, but there is an emergency number available as an alternative.

RESOLVED to use Furber Heating instead of the British Gas contract and to review the matter during next year's budget meetings.

It was NOTED that the main road between Glen Lyn and the former Marine at Borough Road has never had the resurfacing carried out that was delayed when the works to the attenuation tanks were delayed at the start of 2015. RESOLVED to ask DCC when this work will be done.

b Parks and Open Spaces – 23 November 2015 The report of the Parks and Open Spaces Committee meeting held on 23 November, 2015 was ADOPTED subject to noting that Cllr Lin Wheelan was not present. The recommendations made whilst the meeting was inquorate were ACCEPTED and ADOPTED.

It was NOTED that the tarmac at the Parade Car Park is in need of repair as soon as budgets allow. RESOLVED to ask the workmen to fill in the worst pothole.

205/15 Correspondence: a The following items were NOTED :Combe Martin Skatepark Group - acknowledgement of letter from this Council.North Devon Council - minutes/reports from North Devon Town and Parish Forum –

11 November, 2015Exmoor National Park Authority - newsletterDevon County Council – Notice of road closures:

11 January 2016 (one day) - A3123 Coil Cross to Seven Ash Cross, Kentisbury Ford

11 January 2016 (one day) - Hunters Inn to Mannacott Lane Head, Martinhoe, Hunters Inn to Heddon Gate Hotel

12 January 2016 (one day) - A399 at WoodlandsAlison Smith, Definitive Map Review Officer – Notification of parish report to the Public

Rights of Way Committee re Mill Weir Lane (Combe Martin Proposal 19) - advice of outcome has been requested.

b Devon County Council - Devon Highways Measuring Engagement consultationRESOLVED that the consultation should be completed pointing out identified shortfalls in DCC's system.

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c Natural England - Holdstone Down Car ParkAn enquiry had been received from Natural England regarding ownership of the Car Park at Holdstone Down. Natural England had acknowledged this Council's ownership of the Holdstone Down Car Park included in a rectangular area of land as shown on Natural England's Registered Common Land map. Natural England was also asking which parts of the strip fields this Council owns, but it was agreed not to investigate this ownership matter further.

Cllr Wendy Druce declared an interest in the following item.d Sarah Davey - Request for free parking for stall holders at fairs held in July and December annually.RESOLVED to reply, declining Mrs Davey's request, as this is in breach of this Council's car parking policy.

e North Devon Council - North Devon Communities FundThe advice from NDC, that the allocated monies for the Combe Martin Rural Funding Area for the North Devon Communities Fund had not been fully allocated and the deadline had been extended to 31 January, 2016, was NOTED.

RESOLVED:i Cllr Yvette Gubb will ask the Village Hall Community Group whether or not it will be applying for a grant from the fund,ii If not, to consider whether a project which benefits more than one parish, can be identified and the application completed before the deadline.

206/15 Financea Balances

£ £Balance b/fwd at 1 November 2015 143282.99less outstanding chqs 3786.00

139496.99Income Rents 1597.50 Water Contribution 27.25 Car parks 2080.10

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Com Centre 548.53 Photocopying 3.00 Interest 1.38Total income 4257.76

Expenses 21336.75

Balance carried forward 122418.00plus outstanding chqs 1375.00

Balance in bank 123793.00 as at 30 November 2015

b Car Park takings - gross of VAT2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2015

Gross TakingsMeters Only

Meters and Season Tickets

Meters Only

Meters and Season Tickets

Meters Only

Meters and Season Tickets

Meters Only

Meters and Season Tickets

April 7,749 9,394 4,649 6,094 6,948 8,253 8,713 10,643May 7,280 8,110 8,117 9,937 8,053 11,238 9,085 10,676June 9,275 12,175 9,175 11,085 10,050 12,305 10,343 15,443July 8,681 10,251 15,497 17,177 16,380 18,266 14,660 16,630August 16,928 17,933 26,407 27,467 23,512 24,796 22,436 23,127September 13,655 14,540 9,286 11,016 10,285 11,325 10,810 12,160October 5,606 6,116 4,366 5,151 5,111 5,251 7,071 7,466November 2,226 3,306 1,497 2,657 2,747 3,572 0 580December 1,176 1,506 1,724 1,944 1,900 2,260January 973 1,373 853 1,513 1,423 1,923February 1,501 1,861 1,004 1,144 1,460 1,715March 3,487 5,087 2,840 4,215 3,785 5,915

Total Year to Date 71,400 81,825 78,994 90,584 83,086 95,006 83,118 96,725

Annual Total 78,537 91,652 85,415 99,400 91,654 106,819 83,118 96,725

c PaymentsThe payments as set out on the attached sheet were approved following recommendation by the Chairman and Cllr Julia Clark. It was AGREED that in addition to the circulated list, the following payments be made:

Cre8tive Solutions (website maintenance) £200.00Miss M Beaumont - goods paid by credit card £ 53.47

Additional strings for Christmas lightsJeremy Batch (electricity supply for tree at £ 35.00

Adams Hay

d Internal AuditIt was NOTED that the interim report of the Internal Auditor had shown that the audit was satisfactory and there were no outstanding matters.

A meeting of the Audit Committee will be arranged in January, 2016.

e Photocopier

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The quotations for a re-conditioned photocopier were NOTED. RESOLVED to purchase a Konica Minolta Bizhub C280 from Baytek at a cost of £1,450.00 plus VAT, subject to checking that the requirements not shown on the quotation were included in the machine. The purchase option was cheaper overall than leasing.

f Street lightingRESOLVED:i To ask SSE whether the light it is proposing to use to repair the light at Lester Point complies with Exmoor National Park Authority's criteria for its Dark Skies policy,ii if it does, to accept the quotation from SSE,iii if it does not comply, to obtain a quotation for a street light that does comply.iv To chase up the replacement of the light at the rear of Woodlands.

Cllr Helen Mallinder declared an interest in the Seaside Award budgetary item.g Finance MeetingThe minutes of the Finance Meeting held on 30 November, 2015 were ADOPTED. i It was NOTED that Combe Martin Tourism Association may be willing to contribute to the cost of the Seaside Award. If this is the case, to re-consider the matter of the Seaside Award at the January Parish Council meeting. The closing date for the Seaside Award is to be checked.ii The quotations for the emergency lighting at Hollands Park were NOTED. RESOLVED to obtain a further quote from Mr G Willis. iii RESOLVED to buy 2 Union flags and 1 St George flag, all size 6' x 3', with anti-fray edging, from Harrisons Flags, as Cassies is closing down and does not have any suitable flags.

h PreceptRESOLVED to set a precept for the 2016-17 financial year of £62,378 an increase of 5.00%.

i Staff Christmas bonusRESOLVED to pay each member of staff (excluding the Clerk) a Christmas bonus of £50 net of NI and tax, subject to confirming whether or not there would be any financial benefit to paying the sum as vouchers.

207/15 EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS AND RESTRICTION OF DOCUMENTS

RESOLVED:a That under section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and the press be excluded from the meeting for the following items as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, ie information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings or, information relating to a particular employee, former employee or applicant to become an employee of, or a particular office holder, former office holder or applicant to become an office holder under the authority.b That all reports and documents relating to the items be confirmed as ‘Not for publication’.

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208/15 Tenancy at Eberleigh HouseThe Clerk's report regarding Eberleigh House was NOTED.

209/15 Building at the ParadeThe Clerk's report regarding the South West Water invoicing at the Parade was NOTED. RESOLVED to invoice the tenant based on the SWW bill and to divide the cost of the water metered at the sub-meter by 50% in view of the leak.

The meeting closed at 9.25pm.

……………………………………………………..Chairman

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