APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 5 February 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Cllrs Tucker (Chair), Bond, Faulkner, Lloyd, and Nightingale were present as were South Hams District Councillor McKay, Devon County Cllr Hawkins, A Thom (Clerk), and five members of the public.
25/20 Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllrs Anderson, Green, and Quinn.
26/20 Declaration of Interests
Cllrs Tucker and Faulkner declared personal interests in the Village Hall Items, 9 and 10, as representative members of the Village Hall Management Committee. Cllr Bond declared a personal interest in item 12.3, Summer Ball.
27/20 Approval of Minutes
It was resolved to approve the minutes of the meetings held on 8 January and 21 January 2020.
28/20 Public Issues
28/20.1 Village Hall Building Works
A representative of the VHMC expressed their disappointment on the failure of DPC to sign the form to appoint and authorise a party wall surveyor. Cllr Tucker responded to use of the word failure – explaining that DPC had to take advice which has now been received and noting that DPC could have been asked earlier.
28/20.2 Maintenance Grant to St George’s Church
A representative of the Church updated DPC on their research regarding whether DPC can legally make a grant to the Church. The Exeter Diocesan Registry Legal Office advises “that the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and the Local Government Act 1972 allow for all authorities, including parish councils, to contribute to the upkeep of church property under certain circumstances – mainly related to the public benefit achieved”.
28/20.3 Owner of Kiln Lyon
They thanked the Parish for its welcome and support.
29/20 Community Reports
29/20.1 South Hams District Council Councillor
SHDC has proposed a budget of £400,000 over three years for climate change projects which will be presented to the full council for approval. Funds will be sourced from reserves. Community groups will be able to apply. SHDC has run a good and interesting workshop on Gypsies and Travellers. SHDC will be responding to the government consultation on Police powers in this context by objecting, because moving people on is not a solution. SHDC is looking for places can be used for Traveller camps. SHDC will be consulting on asset based community development. Councillors will be trained on the new waste system in February and Cllr McKay will report back to the March meeting of DPC. The review of the Localities team is ongoing. There will be a two year post, shared with West Devon Borough Council, for a Climate Change Officer.
29/20.2 Devon County Councillor
Eight councils across Devon are working together on climate change.
Cllr Hawkins has met with residents about a Schedule 14 application for a new public right of way. It is necessary to prove at least 12 years of use. A Parishioner will talk to DPC’s March meeting about the application.
The planning application for the Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre is imminent. The West Dart development documents are signed and it will start construction in spring or early summer. It is likely that there will be a nursing home and also a hotel as part of the development.
Cllr Tucker noted that local roads are in a poor state of road because of rain and asked about the signed road surfacing. Cllr Lloyd said that the road from Kingston to Fingalls is almost impassable. It is needed for local access.
Cllr Nightingale asked about plans for EV charging points. Cllr Hawkins said there are two points planned for each major town and four for Dartmouth. Cllr Tucker asked if Parish Councils can work with this project. Cllr Hawkins will email Cllr Nightingale the details of a Dartmouth resident who is leading on this.
30/20 Communications in Relation to Planning/Tree Applications
- TPO – Ref: 1215229. South Hams District Council Parish of Dittisham No. 997 Tree Preservation Order 2019. Sunnybank Manor Street Dittisham. Confirmed as Served.
- 3745/19/HHO Sunbeams Riverside Road Dittisham TQ6 0HS. Householder application for proposed alterations adding a new extension and providing associated improved landscaping and parking. Conditional Approval.
31/20 New Planning Applications.
31/20.1 0045/20/HHO Little Croft, The Level, Dittisham, TQ6 0ES. Householder application for rear extension to dwelling with roof terrace.
It was asked whether all of the building which is already built complies with the previous approved planning application. Support with a comment regarding historical compliance (resolution proposed Cllr Faulkner, seconded Cllr Bond).
31/20.2 3578/19/FUL Greenbank Riverside Road Dittisham TQ6 0HS. READVERTISEMENT (Revised plans received) Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling.
Support with comments on reducing light pollution and requesting a method statement, as made on the previous application (resolution proposed Cllr Faulkner, seconded Cllr Lloyd).
31/20.3 0196/20/LBC Lilac Cottage The Level Dittisham TQ6 0ES. Listed building consent for minor amendments to approved scheme 0277/19/LBC in conjunction with in progress application 3857/19/LBC for renovation of existing cottage.
Support with DPC’s standard comment on reducing light pollution (resolution proposed Cllr Faulkner, seconded Cllr Nightingale)
31/20.4 0122/20/ARC Darling Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 5, 6 and 7 of planning consent 0902/17/LBC.
Support (resolution proposed Cllr Faulkner, seconded Cllr Lloyd).
31/20.5 0277/20/FUL Former site of Kiln Lyon Lower Street Dittisham TQ6 0HY. Application for two storey dwelling to replace existing bungalow with associated landscaping and detached double garage with parking.
Support with DPC’s standard comment on reducing light pollution (resolution proposed Cllr Tucker, seconded Cllr Lloyd).
31/20.6 0204/20/LBC & 4071/19/FUL Bruckton Shippon Dittisham TQ6 0HW. Listed building and householder consent for change of use of outbuilding/stables into new self-contained 1 bed ancillary accommodation.
Support (resolution proposed Cllr Faulkner, seconded Cllr Bond).
31/20.7 New premises licence from Snark LTD for Boat based at Creekside Boatyard, Old Mill Creek, Dartmouth, TQ6 0HN. The application is for: the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises Monday to Sunday between 10AM and 11PM. No comment.
31/20.8 New premises licence from Jasmine Harvey for The Kiosk, Coronation Park, Dartmouth, TQ6 9RR The application is for: the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises between the hours of 0800-2000 Monday to Sunday. No comment.
32/20 Consultations
- Government consultation on ‘Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments’. Closes 19 February 2020. No comment.
- Coastal Access – Improvements to public access along the Devon coast between Cremyll and Kingswear – Report to Secretary of State – Ref: CKW2626. Closes 11 March 2020. Deferred to 4 March Agenda.
- Draft North East, draft North West, draft South East and draft South West Marine Plans. Closes 6 April 2020. Deferred to 4 March Agenda.
33//20 Signature of Surveyor’s Statutory Appointment and Authority Party Wall etc. Act 1996 Form
Legal advice received by DPC was considered. It was resolved to sign the proposed Surveyor’s statutory appointment and authority form as formally requested by the Dittisham Village Hall Management Committee.
34/20 Village Hall Building Works Project & Risk Register
Consideration of a proposed Risk Register, and the proposal that the Register be kept and updated monthly by the Working Party for the project and used by a representative from the Working Party to report briefly to each monthly meeting of DPC was deferred to the 4 March meeting of DPC.
35/20 Reports from Councillors with Specific Responsibilities / External Forums
35/20.1 Use of The Ham Task & Finish Group
DPC resolved to defer the adoption of the Report and its Recommendations to allow further discussion (proposed Cllr Tucker, seconded Cllr Faulkner).
35/20.2 Ham Maintenance Working Group
DPC resolved to approve the proposed location of the new bench near the path to the Sailing Club.
DPC resolved to approve costs associated with DPC’s maintenance contractor work on the installation of the bench.
DPC resolved to approve maintenance works to The Ham retaining wall as quoted. It was asked that alternatives to the use of weed killer chemicals are considered.
35/20.3 Parish Lengthsman Arrangements
DPC resolved to adopt the Report and its Recommendations, with the removal from the agreement of the sentence which referred to the approach taken be the previous lengthsman.
36/20 Requests for Use of The Ham
36/20.1 South West Gaffers
Consideration of the request for members to again camp on The Ham / stay in campervans in The Ham car park from Friday 14 August to leave by Monday 17 August, to participate in Dittisham Regatta was deferred to the meeting on 4 March pending agreement of policy and documents on the use and hire of The Ham.
36/20.2 Ditsum Dash Sunday 16 August – Children’s Fun Run and Adult 5K Run
The courtesy notice that the event will again start and finish on The Ham was noted. The organisers will be reminded that they are responsible for any insurance required.
36/20.3 Dittisham and Cornworthy Summer Ball, 8 August 2020
Consideration of the request to use The Ham for a Summer Ball was deferred to the meeting on 4 March pending agreement of policy and documents on the use and hire of The Ham. Cllrs Faulkner and Lloyd will meet with the hirers in before the 4 March meeting.
37/20 Ham Noticeboard
Cllr Faulkner objected the proposal to modify and reinstall the noticeboard, and requested that the existing noticeboard is reinstalled with new feet. A costed proposal was requested for the 4 March meeting.
38/20 Jubilee Steps
DPC considered options available to improve safety of the steps/path. It was agreed to ask SHDC if it can increase its cleaning of the steps, to ask the Parish Lengthsman to use a salt based weed treatment four time a year, to ask property owners if DPC can install ‘slippery when wet’ warning signs on property at the top and bottom of the steps on the Rock Cottage garden side, and for the Clerk and Cllr Faulkner to develop a proposal for a handrail down the Rock Cottage garden side of the steps/path.
39/20 VE Day Commemoration 8 May 2020
DPC will ask members of the community if they wish to make any arrangements to commemorate VE Day.
40/20 Financial Matters
40/20.1 Consider approval of Financial Report.
It was resolved to approve the report which showed a balance of £72,691.56 and unearmarked reserves of £17,330.97.
40/20.2 Approval of Payments
The following payments were approved:
- Kingsbridge Websites, Updates 11/19-1/20, £30.00
- South West Water, Quay Standpipe 14/9/19-17/1/20, £29.15
- M Faulkner, Reimbursement Trees for The Ham, £51.87
41/20 Correspondence
- DHNA public meeting to discuss improvements to access on the North Embankment. 06 Feb 2020 at 18:30-20:00 in the Guild Hall Dartmouth.
- 30/1/20 From owner of the willow removed as requested by DCC because of it restricting access to the footbridge across the Mill Creek stream. They are hoping replant in a nearby, but more appropriate location.
Cllr Faulkner, DPC’s Tree Warden, asked that the owner replant three trees as is standard trees policy, at minimum.
- 29/1/20, Torbay Council REVISED PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION** Notification of Appeal: Land To The South Of White Rock, Adjacent To Brixham Road (AKA Inglewood), Paignton (P/2017/1133)
42/20 Next Meeting
It was confirmed that the next meeting of Dittisham Parish Council will be on 4 March 2020 at 7:00 pm.
The meeting closed at 21 24.