Report of the Meeting of the Shaldon Parish Council

Present: Professor Peter Williams (PW) (Chair), Cllr Steve Shelter (SS) (Vice-Chair), Cllr Ann Storton (AS), Cllr Rick Smith (RS), Cllr Chris Clarance (CC), Cllr Kim Sturgess (KS), Cllr Peter Stokes (PS)
Prayers taken by: Reverend Geoffrey Richardson
In attendance: Barbara Coley (Clerk), Cllr David Cox (DC) ( County Cllr ), Sgt Russell Dawe, PCSO Colin Rider

• Apologies: None

Chairman's Address - See Appendix 1

2. To approve and sign the Minutes of the Meeting of 27 th May 2008:
AS proposed. SS seconded. Carried (Richard Keen should read Richard King)

3. Matters Arising from the minutes of the meeting of 27 th May 2008:
Item 9. Bunting: AS reminded SPC an agreement of spend on bunting at a previous meeting had not been minuted. Therefore PW proposed spending up to £500 at CC's discretion for the erection of bunting. Sec SS Carried.

• Chairman's Announcements: See Appendix 1
PW proposed spending up to £50 to assess clerk's computer software and hardware. Sec CC. Carried.

• Devon & Cornwall Constabulary:
Colin Rider, PCSO reported as follows: PC Joy Stoppard is now on maternity leave. She sent her thanks and best wishes to the village for their help and support. In April: 6 recorded crimes – 3 domestic, 2 involved same people. 1 burglary on Torquay Road , 1 drugs seizure and a drunk in charge of a vehicle at the Ness . In May: 8 recorded crimes - 2 burglaries (1 Devon Valley, 1 at new shop), theft of an outboard motor later returned, damaged vehicles in Shoreside, harassment phone calls, 1 domestic, false representation and common assault. This month – 3 domestics and 1 damage to a vehicle.

Sgt Russell Dawe – wishes to allay any fears regarding lack of Police presence. Although they were not able to replace PC Stoppard there were four response officers and a PC on light duties dealing with all crime in our patch. Colin Rider was still in situ and Sgt Dawes is taking more of a ‘hands on' approach. In answer to PS, Sgt Dawes explained that day to day parking issues were now dealt with by enforcement officers employed by TDC . These officers have been effective and issued 200 tickets in the Teignbridge area. Police will deal with parking issues only when causing an obstruction. An enforcement officer was present at the meeting and explained that currently out of hours cover was difficult because of lack of staff. He agreed to supply his own works number to the council.
Sgt Dawes clarified that 20mph zones are legally binding but are not being enforced by the Police. Therefore these zones need to be self-enforced ie road humps, road narrowing in order to naturally slow vehicles down. Local Authorities need to carry out these measures, as the Police do not see Bridge Road as a high priority. Sgt Dawe recommended Nigel Flower at DCC and Martin Hartnell at Paignton Police as good contacts for resolving any issues.

6. Correspondence: Councillors' Comments: There were none.

• Devon County Councillor's Report:
The flashing speed sign is currently at Coombe in Teignhead and Cllr Cox is trying to return it to Bridge Road , Shaldon. The capital cost of purchasing a sign does not appear to be a problem but Parish Councils are not prepared to pay ongoing maintenance costs. Therefore he is continuing to explore the possibility of training for a local person to change the batteries in the signs. He confirmed that the 20mph is an enforceable speed limit in law and is investigating the installation of a hump in the road where the ‘lollypop lady' stands to direct children at the school. The County Council have appointed him to the Napoli enquiry and the team affecting post office counters. He was very pleased that our local postmaster, Mr Glyn had offered to help the viability of Stoke Post Office by taking on the postmaster role because the local postmaster does not wish to continue.

Cllr Cox confirmed that Parish Councils can have a say on what priorities are required to the points system for people on affordable housing lists. There followed a discussion regarding the Boundary Commission proposals and the best course for SPC to take. AS felt any boundary changes may affect SPC's precept if we lost the benefits of TDC services. PW agreed that the duties of the parish council may be extended and would stretch us financially and awaited the results of the Commission on 7 th July 2008 before further discussion.

• Teignbridge District Councillor's Report: Appendix 2 .
PW welcomed the idea of a bus shelter and thanked CC for pursuing the agreement from Devonshire Homes to build this at the corner of their new development. PW proposed that SPC should accept the maintenance of the bus shelter. RS agreed that the bus shelter was much needed – it should be low maintenance with no glass. CC said it should be in keeping with a conservation area. SS proposed agreement subject to the sight of the plans and a low maintenance construction. AS expressed concerns with the necessity to remove the railing to stop children running out into the road and the removal of the new red brick Shoreside wall. Action: Clerk to reply to Devonshire Homes: SPC welcomes their offer subject to the sight of the plans and a low maintenance construction and expressing concern regarding these removals

• Parish Councillor's Report:
SS: Appendix 3: Torquay Footpath & Shaldon Village Produce Association: SS proposed this matter be included as a November agenda item to discuss level of rent and issuing of invoice. Sec AS All agreed. RS declared a conflict of interest.
Re Appendix 4: Updated report on School Lane : Non respondents had now received a second copy which had produced one further response. SS summarised the results showing a heavy majority in favour of a one-way system in School Lane . Response from DCC was not against a one-way system. SS therefore proposed taking this forward. Sec AS 1 against 6 in favour. Carried.

AS: Appendix 5
AS proposed writing to Graeme Smith to thank him for his donation to the cost of the beach cleaning operation. Sec PS. Carried Action: Clerk to write

CC updated SPC regarding the latest strategy for erecting the signal flags in July, which despite all obstacles put in the way from Highways at DCC will be successfully carried out again this year.

The Bonfire night continues to grow in popularity and is scheduled for 8 th Nov 2008. All agreed to AS's proposal to meet after the next planning meeting (1 st July) to discuss this event.

KS: Re incident of dog being hit – continues to follow this up. People are reluctant to report crime but should be encouraged to phone 0800 555111 – crime can be reported here 24hours.

Hedges in Fore Street , Ringmore and the Brook Lane area. All areas improved but not enough – will make contact to make this happen.

Plantings by Tourist Information Centre: Areas have been weeded and bark will go down soon but new plantings not until autumn. Area had been forgotten but now added to maintenance contracts for the future.

KS thanked all local residents who kindly watered the plants.

Pampas grass overgrown at the Ness - TBA

PS: He had offered support to a Mr & Mrs Mears and confirmed that there is an inadequate drainage system in Albion Street and Dolphin Court , which causes local flooding. Dog Mess is prevalent and spoils the look of the village. Drainage tubes on beach were full of dirty nappies from irresponsible people. Asked that people should be more vigilant to keep the village looking nice.

Agreed to AS's request to provide some good PR when the signal flags go up in July. Action: PS

Sunny Patch is developing a weed problem: Action: AS and KS will address this issue.

RS reported that the KGV field has continued to be used as a car park. Action: Clerk to chase up TDC.

• The Green at Palk Close: Appendix 6. SS read his updated report. PW thought there was a strong case to protect the green as a village space. It has been protected as part of the Ringmore conservation area, which would safeguard it from housing.

CC has been pursuing the possibility of using the green as a football pitch and the measurements proved suitable for this use. He emphasised that Mr Ivor Watts had reported the lack of playing fields in Teignbridge. The Chairman suspended S/Os to allow the public to comment:

Mrs Sandra Surgenol: Disagreed with CC that this green is suitable for football pitch in this area next to the main road. She suggested that the football pitch at Shaldon School was never used at weekends and has a car parking facility. She stressed that this green had historically been used as a village green. She has old photographs and memories and offered to work with the solicitor on this case.

Fred Westlake asked about using the green for allotments.

Local Enforcement person: felt a football field would not be protected in the future in any case.

PW thanked CC for his sterling work but proposed supporting SS's proposal to pursue the use as a village green. This would assist the residents to initiate village green status. DC will obtain the necessary paperwork and explained this process should take around 3 months. He had researched this and found the green had been used unpermitted and was confident it qualified under the criteria and would pass to be a village green.

Proposed by SS to support efforts by local residents to obtain village green status: 1 abstention 6 in favour. Carried.

Cllr Steve Shelter apologized for omitting to ask Cllr Chris Clarance to the meeting to discuss the village green. As a result of not being invited, Cllr Chris Clarance did not know the result of this sub committee meeting, and he had looked into the possibility of keeping Palk Close devoid of housing development by possible use as an under 8s soccer pitch. Once known the sub committee were going to pursue Ringmore Village Green status Cllr Chris Clarance was more than happy to drop the idea of a soccer pitch and supported the motion proposed by Cllr Shelter to support residents to obtain Village Green status.

PW proposed placing Affordable Housing on the agenda for next months to consider possible sites. Action: Clerk for future Agenda

11. Steps to Ness Car Park and Ness Signage: RS proposed the steps were removed and the bank restored as a hedge. Sec CC All agreed Action: Clerk to notify A Peer TDC.

Village Signs: Mr Tony Willan has requested for sometime that signs should be installed with correct information to direct people to the village. He was disappointed that the signs recently erected by TDC were totally inadequate with no liaison with SPC or TIC. PW agreed to meet with Tracey Higgs face to face to try and sort out these problems. CC as District Councillor agreed to join him and they will keep Mr Willan informed. Action: PW

• Parish Plan Appendix 7. Agreed action as follows:

PW proposed going ahead and that SS pursue the granting of funds. A further meeting to be arranged. AS confirmed that there would be a public meeting in the autumn to explain the process. Note to be placed in the parish news for interested parties to come forward to help. Action: Clerk Sec RS. Carried.

13. Planning : RS gave an overview of the latest planning applications. PW reported that he had attended and spoken at the development control meeting to express reasons for SPC objections to planning application at Platway House. SPC were unsuccessful and the plans were approved. RS thanked PW and CC for their efforts.

14. Request for extra funds from handyman : SS proposed paying 50% of the requested amount ie £595 upon completion of the job within 7 days weather permitting. Sec PW 4 in favour 2 abstain 1 against – Carried. Action: Clerk to notify Mr Mesley.

15. Approval of Accounts: Prop SS Sec AS Carried

16. Date of next meeting: 29 th July 2008

17. Public Comment: There was none.

Paris Council Meeting
6th May 2008 at The Methodist Hall Shaldon

Aceptance report of the new chairman Peter Williams

First of all I would like to thank my fellow councillors for their support and trust in electing me Chairman of the Parish Council for 2008-9. In particular I would like to mention Chris Clarance who has held the fort so admirably after the sad death of Mike Coley and I know that he and I will form a great team of TDC and SPC councillors to battle for all that is important for Shaldon and Ringmore. I would also like to thank Ann Storton and Rick Smith who have helped so much to enable Steve Shelter, Kim Sturgess and I complete a sharp learning curve of what is expected and needed from a parish councillor.

One of the other special things that I have learned to appreciate is the interest and concern of parishioners through their attendance at our meetings and their willingness to engage in an exchange of view and insights which has been so valuable in guiding our deliberations. Please continue to attend whenever you can and spread the word on the issues we are dealing with to your family, friends and neighbours.

Well, what now for Shaldon and its Parish Council. Last year under Chris's chairmanship we were responsive to issues like planning , parking and maintenance of our roads and drains, litter and dogs. But we did more than that we organised a marvellous firework night, established a unique flood emergency plan, contributed in great detail to the Ringmore and Shaldon Conservation Appraisal and Management plans through discussions with TDC. We have begun to work on the possibility of a footpath along the Torquay Road to provide safe pedestrian link past the allotments to the Botanic Garden. No mention of our work should omit the saga of the bunting!

The future is going to be challenging – Devon is considering restructuring into unitary authorities – the boundaries are totally up for discussion – do we wish to be part of Torbay or retain our links with Teignmouth and Newton Abbot? Teignbridge is required to find sites for affordable housing – how should Shaldon respond – welcome as much new housing and younger residents as possible or adopt a NIMBY policy and obstruct all development. Is there anything we as a council can do to promote more business and tourism into Shaldon or are we content to be a quiet backwater with fewer and fewer shops and traders. Do we want to become a so called super-parish with more clout and responsibility?

It is essential, with these major discussions ahead, that we know the views of permanent residents, holiday home owners and businesses in the area. We have decided to investigate the development of a Parish Plan. This is not a new idea, Ann I believe mooted the idea around the time of the millennium but it was decided not to proceed in view of the workload and cost. Steve has agreed to work with me to set out the pros and cons of developing a plan and this will be one of our first tasks as a new committee. Meanwhile we will continue with our various responsibilities to deal with the issues of the day.