The Minutes for the Parish Council’s meeting on 6 October 2020 at 7:30 pm can be read below or downloaded as a pdf here: MN_2020_October 06 BPC Draft Minutes
DRAFT Minutes of the monthly meeting of Blackawton Parish Council held on Tuesday 6 October 2020 at 7:30 p.m. using public videoconferencing
Open Forum
- South Hams District Council Public presentation – Changes to our recycling service from March 2021
Why – The public wants to recycle more from home, to increase recycling, and to help meet the climate change target – reduced fuel consumption. There will be no single use sacs. South Hams will have the same system as the other Devon authorities. The change was going to start in September 2020 and has been moved back because of COVID 19.
There will be a weekly recycling collection. There will be two lidded boxes to collect different things – including batteries, and printer cartridges. Clean plastic pots, tubs, and trays will be collected. It’s important to prevent contamination – for example with pizza boxes, or with the remains of food left on the plastic containers. Black plastic will not be collected – it cannot be read in the recycling centres.
Food waste be collected weekly. Households will be provided with a silver food waste caddy. The silver caddies can still contain bones. The District Council will obtain a better financial return on the green waste without food.
Brown and grey bins will still be collected fortnightly.
Where does our recycling go? – It is kept and recycled in the UK.
No waste goes to landfill – grey waste is used for energy and electricity.
Please let South Hams District Council know if your property has no storage for this system.
SHDC is looking into the brown caddies being returned for reuse etc. Further information to follow. Compostable bags can still be used. Reduced use is better than recycling. Contractors will sort at kerbside, so there could be a traffic issue.
The bottle and other banks will be reviewed going forward. People fly tip around them so their removal would probably also lead to a reduction in the cost of the fly tipping problem.
Present: Cllrs Mewes (Meeting Chair), Coe, Mallyon, Perry, and Thomas and were present, as were South Hams District Cllr Reeve, Devon County Cllr Brazil, A Thom (Clerk), and three members of the public.
148/20 Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Rake and Wilson
149/20 Declarations of Interest
None declared.
150/20 Minutes of Previous Meetings
It was agreed the Chair would sign the minutes of the Meeting held 8 September 2020.
151/20 COVID-19 Response
No comments were made on the project to ensure that residents and visitors have access to support and information.
152/20 Report from South Hams District Council Councillor
The Dartmouth pool re-opens on 14 October. Please encourage people to use it!
SHDC has comment on the huge proposed change to the planning process.
153/20 Report from Devon County Council Councillor
Total of 160 cases of COVID 19 in the South Hams, and about 10-14 recent cases ie very small numbers. If we get a case, we have a dedicated track and trace team. Cllr Brazil has full in the Director of Public Health Devon. DCC is in the process of choosing a new Director of Children’s Services. It is hoping that Devon can mirror the outstanding performance of Children’s Services in Cornwall. If there are areas of road which need extra work, please tell Cllr Brazil, so they can be added to a list of potential works.
154/20 Planning Issues
DRAFT Minutes of the monthly meeting of Blackawton Parish Council held on Tuesday 6 October 2020 at 7:30 p.m. using public videoconferencing
Open Forum
a. South Hams District Council Public presentation – Changes to our recycling service from March 2021
Why – The public wants to recycle more from home, to increase recycling, and to help meet the climate change target – reduced fuel consumption. There will be no single use sacs. South Hams will have the same system as the other Devon authorities. The change was going to start in September 2020 and has been moved back because of COVID 19.
There will be a weekly recycling collection. There will be two lidded boxes to collect different things – including batteries, and printer cartridges. Clean plastic pots, tubs, and trays will be collected. It’s important to prevent contamination – for example with pizza boxes, or with the remains of food left on the plastic containers. Black plastic will not be collected – it cannot be read in the recycling centres.
Food waste be collected weekly. Households will be provided with a silver food waste caddy. The silver caddies can still contain bones. The District Council will obtain a better financial return on the green waste without food.
Brown and grey bins will still be collected fortnightly.
Where does our recycling go? – It is kept and recycled in the UK.
No waste goes to landfill – grey waste is used for energy and electricity.
Please let South Hams District Council know if your property has no storage for this system.
SHDC is looking into the brown caddies being returned for reuse etc. Further information to follow. Compostable bags can still be used. Reduced use is better than recycling. Contractors will sort at kerbside, so there could be a traffic issue.
The bottle and other banks will be reviewed going forward. People fly tip around them so their removal would probably also lead to a reduction in the cost of the fly tipping problem.
Present: Cllrs Mewes (Meeting Chair), Coe, Mallyon, Perry, and Thomas and were present, as were South Hams District Cllr Reeve, Devon County Cllr Brazil, A Thom (Clerk), and three members of the public.
148/20 Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Rake and Wilson
149/20 Declarations of Interest
None declared.
150/20 Minutes of Previous Meetings
It was agreed the Chair would sign the minutes of the Meeting held 8 September 2020.
151/20 COVID-19 Response
No comments were made on the project to ensure that residents and visitors have access to support and information.
152/20 Report from South Hams District Council Councillor
The Dartmouth pool re-opens on 14 October. Please encourage people to use it!
SHDC has comment on the huge proposed change to the planning process.
153/20 Report from Devon County Council Councillor
Total of 160 cases of COVID 19 in the South Hams, and about 10-14 recent cases ie very small numbers. If we get a case, we have a dedicated track and trace team. Cllr Brazil has full in the Director of Public Health Devon. DCC is in the process of choosing a new Director of Children’s Services. It is hoping that Devon can mirror the outstanding performance of Children’s Services in Cornwall. If there are areas of road which need extra work, please tell Cllr Brazil, so they can be added to a list of potential works.
154/20 Planning Issues
154/20.1 SHDC Planning Approvals/Refusals
Decisions noted:
- 1819/20/HHO Sea View Church Hill Blackawton TQ9 7BQ. Householder application for proposed first floor kitchen extension with toilet and door to garden. Conditional Approval.
- 2013/20/HHO Broadley Farm Blackawton TQ9 7AJ. Householder application for proposed conversion of integral garage to existing dwelling. Conditional Approval.
- 2144/20/HHO Woodcott Blackawton TQ9 7AA. Householder application for alteration and extension. 2144/20/HHO. Conditional Approval.
- 2541/20/AGR Middle Wadstray Farm Lane To Middle Wadstray Farm Blackawton TQ9 7DD. Agricultural prior notification for proposed equipment shed. Ag Determination details not required.
- 1533/20/FUL Land at North Millcombe Blackawton Totnes TQ9 7AE. New agricultural pole barn for storage and processing of apples for cider and other small scale crops produced on the holding, include farm office area and workers’ rest area.
154/20.2 Review of New Applications
- 2929/20/PDM The Linney, Woodford Farm, Blackawton, Totnes, TQ9 7AA. Application to determine if prior approval is required for proposed change of use of agricultural building to dwellinghouse (Class C3) and for associated building operations (Class Q(a+b)).
Some local information raised. Further information to be sought and Clerk to reply if necessary.
- 2713/20/CLP The Old Farmhouse Blackawton TQ9 7AE. Certificate of lawfulness for proposed siting of caravan ancillary to existing dwelling.
No information.
- 2914/20/ARC Watsons Barn Park Lane Blackawton. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 4-6, 8-12 &14 of planning consent 0620/19/FUL.
No comment to make
- 3131/20/HHO 55 French Furze Road Blackawton TQ9 7FN. Householder application for erection of single storey conservatory and single storey garden shed (resubmission of 0142/20/HHO).
Support.
155/20 French Furze Project & Business Units
Cllr Thomas reported a positive meeting with Linden Homes. Three phase electricity is being installed in the business units as requested by BPC. COVID 19 has resulted in a shortage of building materials and in timescales being put back. The meeting asked a question about screening being planted between the business units and residences. Clerk to locate approved landscaping plans.
The incident on Saturday 3 October with a manhole at Normandy Cross (TQ9 7BN) overflowing during heavy rain, and sewage being carried by vehicles down Main Street was discussed. The Parish Council has reported the incident to South West Water. SWW attended promptly on the Saturday and stopped the overflow. The Clerk to report to the Environment Agency, and to see if there is a management body at French Furze.
156/20 Churchyard Wall
It was resolved to approved expenditure of £960 to repair extensive loose stones in the cock and hen capping of the churchyard wall between School Lane and Church Hill Close, areas of the wall and a step inside the Cousins Cross entrance, and a small area of the Main Street churchyard wall.
Cllr Mewes asked about the use of lime mortar and this will be followed up by the Clerk.
157/20 New Trustee West Dart Bus – Ivybridge and District Community Transport Association
There were no Parish Councillor volunteers to replace the retiring Blackawton based trustee.
158/20 Finance
158/20.1 Update on Current Financial Position
The Report showed a balance of £62,054.99 and unearmarked reserves of £21,650.91, and the bank reconciliation reconciled the accounts.
158/20.2 Payments Due and Receipts
Approved payment:
- Grounds maintenance contractor, Cemetery Cut September, £60.00
Receipt noted:
- 15/09/2020, SHDC, Precept second instalment, £8,141.50
The Clerk’s Expenses reimbursement CE20, for £132.96, was approved.
The request from Blackawton Playing Fields Committee for a grant for tree removal was deferred.
159/20 Correspondence
Correspondence noted:
- 30/9/20, Abandoned caravan on Strete road, referred to DCC which is managing
- 24/8/20 Dartmouth Town Council, Request for meeting and public space to extend community service – the meeting suggested Thursday or Friday afternoon.
160/20 Reports from Parish Councillors and Wardens
No further reports.
161/20 Next Meeting
It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 3 November 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Decisions noted:
- 1819/20/HHO Sea View Church Hill Blackawton TQ9 7BQ. Householder application for proposed first floor kitchen extension with toilet and door to garden. Conditional Approval.
- 2013/20/HHO Broadley Farm Blackawton TQ9 7AJ. Householder application for proposed conversion of integral garage to existing dwelling. Conditional Approval.
- 2144/20/HHO Woodcott Blackawton TQ9 7AA. Householder application for alteration and extension. 2144/20/HHO. Conditional Approval.
- 2541/20/AGR Middle Wadstray Farm Lane To Middle Wadstray Farm Blackawton TQ9 7DD. Agricultural prior notification for proposed equipment shed. Ag Determination details not required.
- 1533/20/FUL Land at North Millcombe Blackawton Totnes TQ9 7AE. New agricultural pole barn for storage and processing of apples for cider and other small scale crops produced on the holding, include farm office area and workers’ rest area.
154/20.2 Review of New Applications
- 2929/20/PDM The Linney, Woodford Farm, Blackawton, Totnes, TQ9 7AA. Application to determine if prior approval is required for proposed change of use of agricultural building to dwellinghouse (Class C3) and for associated building operations (Class Q(a+b)).
Some local information raised. Further information to be sought and Clerk to reply if necessary.
- 2713/20/CLP The Old Farmhouse Blackawton TQ9 7AE. Certificate of lawfulness for proposed siting of caravan ancillary to existing dwelling.
No information.
- 2914/20/ARC Watsons Barn Park Lane Blackawton. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 4-6, 8-12 &14 of planning consent 0620/19/FUL.
No comment to make
- 3131/20/HHO 55 French Furze Road Blackawton TQ9 7FN. Householder application for erection of single storey conservatory and single storey garden shed (resubmission of 0142/20/HHO).
Support.
155/20 French Furze Project & Business Units
Cllr Thomas reported a positive meeting with Linden Homes. Three phase electricity is being installed in the business units as requested by BPC. COVID 19 has resulted in a shortage of building materials and in timescales being put back. The meeting asked a question about screening being planted between the business units and residences. Clerk to locate approved landscaping plans.
The incident on Saturday 3 October with a manhole at Normandy Cross (TQ9 7BN) overflowing during heavy rain, and sewage being carried by vehicles down Main Street was discussed. The Parish Council has reported the incident to South West Water. SWW attended promptly on the Saturday and stopped the overflow. The Clerk to report to the Environment Agency, and to see if there is a management body at French Furze.
156/20 Churchyard Wall
It was resolved to approved expenditure of £960 to repair extensive loose stones in the cock and hen capping of the churchyard wall between School Lane and Church Hill Close, areas of the wall and a step inside the Cousins Cross entrance, and a small area of the Main Street churchyard wall.
Cllr Mewes asked about the use of lime mortar and this will be followed up by the Clerk.
157/20 New Trustee West Dart Bus – Ivybridge and District Community Transport Association
There were no Parish Councillor volunteers to replace the retiring Blackawton based trustee.
158/20 Finance
158/20.1 Update on Current Financial Position
The Report showed a balance of £62,054.99 and unearmarked reserves of £21,650.91, and the bank reconciliation reconciled the accounts.
158/20.2 Payments Due and Receipts
Approved payment:
- Grounds maintenance contractor, Cemetery Cut September, £60.00
Receipt noted:
- 15/09/2020, SHDC, Precept second instalment, £8,141.50
The Clerk’s Expenses reimbursement CE20, for £132.96, was approved.
The request from Blackawton Playing Fields Committee for a grant for tree removal was deferred.
159/20 Correspondence
Correspondence noted:
- 30/9/20, Abandoned caravan on Strete road, referred to DCC which is managing
- 24/8/20 Dartmouth Town Council, Request for meeting and public space to extend community service – the meeting suggested Thursday or Friday afternoon.
160/20 Reports from Parish Councillors and Wardens
No further reports.
161/20 Next Meeting
It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 3 November 2020 at 7:30 p.m.