06/09/11 - Christow Parish Council - Home

A meeting of Christow Parish Council was held on Tuesday 6th September 2011 at 7.30pm in the Bowden
Room of the Teign Valley Community Hall, Christow.
PRESENT: Councillors T. Archer; S. Lee; J. Orme; T. Prowse; S. Cann; P. Woods; District Cllr S. Purser; County
Cllr J. Brook and 1 member of the public.
1) Apologies: Cllr Key (holiday) Non Attendance: Cllr Edwards
2) Public Discussion – Cllr Purser reported that August was a quiet month. It has been suggested that
Teignbridge DC put £500,000 into the Aller junction (ref Kingskerswell bypass) to encourage use; makes
economic sense. First review of the budget is showing some savings. Community Housing Needs survey –
makes sense to do one in Bridford at the same time as Christow. Member of the public asked if Ashton could
also be included in the same survey. Bridford supports the proposed skatepark.
Cllr Brook is checking the salt bins on behalf of Devon CC. He reported that Stagecoach and another bus
company are altering the concessionary bus scheme, going electronic with a swipe card. Also expressed
approval of the skatepark and will help with funding wherever he can.
Cllr Prowse thanked them both for their support of the skatepark.
County Cllr Brook left the meeting.
3) Declarations Of Interest: Item 5a – Cllrs Cann and Prowse.
4) Minutes – The minutes of the meeting held on the 5 th July, having previously been circulated were agreed
by the councilors and signed as a true record by the Chairman.
5a) Update on proposed Skatepark. Information received from Dunsford PC to be circulated. Cllr Prowse
reported that the plans have been submitted to DNPA and basically approved, and asked for a site meeting. It
would only be used till dark as there are no plans for lighting. Cllr Orme suggested that everything seemed to
have jumped ahead rather fast, and Cllr Woods asked for clarification as to why it had to be on the BMX track
and not elsewhere in the village. A skatepark has to be 300 yards away from houses to minimized noise
nuisance and the proposed site belongs to the parish council. The Council support the plan in principle; cost in
the region of £50,000; grants and match funding is only available once plans have gone in; a site meeting was
agreed once the plans come in; as the planning application has to be paid for, fund-raising has already started.
There will be a formal proposal for the Council to vote on and for accountability to be seen to be in place.
5b) Playpark – Balance beam in children’s play area – supports are loose in the ground. This apparently
happens during dry weather – clerk to advise Cllr Prowse if there is still a problem on the next playpark check.
All the issues raised by have been seen to – Playline has been spoken to regarding the cracked
basketball tops – they advised no action need be taken at the present time.
6) Caversham Close – previous correspondence and section 106 agreement referred to. Cllr Archer has
spoken to Michael Edwards regarding the £5000 for the green play area. At present Council do not know who
owns the large green area to the left of the entry road – it is not the Council’s responsibility to keep it cut.
7) Chairman’s request to move the meeting in October to the 11 th due to his absence was agreed.
8) Christow Housing Needs survey – amended draft surveys circulated to councillors’s prior to the meeting.
Cllr Prowse queried the need for the the questions on income, savings etc; could it be anonymous. Cllr Purser
said it is useful to have names of those who have completed the survey. This is just a statistical survey so why
the need for names. Cllr Woods proposed that item C, contact details are omitted from the form. Seconded

y Cllr Orme – 5 in favour – Vote passed. Clerk to notify Sue Hitchcock and also to remove a sentence on the
front page.
PLANNING:
9) Planning Applications - Dartmoor National Park Authority has asked for comments from the Parish Council
on the following planning applications:
a) 0365/11 First floor extension plus internal and external alterations at Bennah House: No objections.
Observation sheet already submitted before due date of 15/8/11.
b) 0415/11 Proposal – erection of detached garage and conversion and extension to existing store to
provide habitable accommodation at Woodacre, Foxhole Hill, Christow.
Council would prefer to see a slate roof; more in keeping with the current house. No objections to the
proposed garage.
c) 0442/11 Change of use of land for parking of 10 cars at Teign House Inn, Christow.
No objections. This would take cars off the road.
10)Planning Decisions:
a) 0145/11 Removal of flat roof extension and replacement extension Byteign Lodge-granted
b) 0225/11 Replacement dwelling, Lillies – granted.
c) 0208/11 Internal & External alterations Barne House – granted
d) 0303/11 Lifting platform at Treetops - granted
FINANCE:
11) Expenditure: Second quarter payment to TDC for public toilets £370.00
P. Clapham for purchase of printer, paper and notebook £117.27
Teignbridge DC Electoral expenses £692.18
SW Water rates Cemetary £99.74
Teignbridge DC rates for car park for the year £44.73
Bartlett Digital Print-August newsletter £40.00
P. Clapham – salary August £192.58
SW Grounds Maintenance August grass cut £330.56
12) Income: None
The Chairman had checked the invoices, paying-in book, cheque book and bank statement against the
reconciliation statement ( also circulated to all councillors) at the agenda meeting with the clerk. The Council
resolved to accept the accounts. Proposed by Cllr Lee, seconded by Cllr Cann.
13) A finance sub committee of Cllr Lee and Cllr Archer has been set up.
A review of burial fees will be on the next agenda. Should Bridford PC contribute towards the cost of the
cemetery? Cllr Archer will enquire whether Bridford cemetery is closed.
13A) Conclusion of audit; signed off with external auditor’s certificate: public right to inspect annual return
posted on noticeboard 7 th September 2011 for 14 days. Noted.
CORRESPONDENCE:
14) Letter requesting donation for Crimestoppers which is a Trust. Council has declined to give a donation.

15) DNPA 60 th Anniversary Community Quiz 11 th October – unfortunately Council are holding a meeting that
night.
16) Thank you letter received from Teign Valley First Responders. Noted.
17) Comments for the DNPA local development framework circulated in July. Council are happy with the
description of Christow in 3.15. It reflects on our local surveys very well.
18) Dog Bins – reply from Teignbridge. They will look at re-locating the bin in the car park. The request for 3
more dog bins is on file, but there are financial constraints, and it is unlikely that more bins will be provided.
19) Reply from Ben Philips of Forestry regarding Canonteign Woods. Cyclists/walkers permitted. Motor
cyclists not. Horse riders need a permit to ride there. Letter given to Cllr Cann to provide the evidence of
motor bikes direct to Ben Philips.
OTHER BUSINESS:
20) Dartmoor Access Forum – poster displayed on notice board.
21) Devon Landscape – poster displayed on notice board.
22) Diamond Jubilee beacons and lunch 4 th June 2012, followed by dancing, childrens races etc.. Possible
service in the hall before the lunch; Rev. Meyer already asked, and agreed. Possibility to decorate village with
bunting, provide a souvenir for school age children, provide something for the village such as a sculpture,
plaque, new village sign. Beating the bounds of the village. Council decided to ask the primary school if they
would organise a competition for a design for a mug – we would need this by half-term to judge. Cllr Prowse
will check if she can arrange a band for the Saturday, making a dance possible. Cllr Prowse suggested a new
notice board at the start of Layne Fields would be a good celebration of the Diamond Jubilee.
23) Allotments – Nos 13 & 14 let to Nicky Campbell and family as being the only person on the waiting list.
There is no boundary between them but they will be charged as two allotments.
24) Update on speeding through the village – the possibility of flashing lights at the school. Cllr Archer will ask
Doddiscombesleigh School if there flashing lights are slowing drivers down.
25) Parishioner has suggested change of use of skip in car park to take all types of plastic containers. Clerk to
ask Teignbridge DC if this is possible.
26) Notice board in village car park in poor condition but insured by the parish council. Clerk to ascertain who
owns the board.
27) Register of Electors poster displayed on the notice board. Council would like a full register to be supplied
in due course.
28) Brixham coastguard rally on 17 th September in Torquay – no council attendees.
29) Snow Wardens – Christow are on the Devon CC list but no one has been identified as yet. A snow warden
would have to be trained, and be able to store 5 tons of salt under cover, refill the boxes, deal with ice patches

etc. Write to AJ Orme and A Weaving to see if either or both would care to become snow wardens for
Christow.
30) Telephone Boxes – update received from DNPA. Clerk to ask English Heritage to list the 3 boxes.
31) DNPA distribution of authority papers by electronic means was discussed. Cllr Archer will talk to the
DNPA about this.
32) Teignbridge DC draft active leisure strategy – poster displayed; consultation form to complete and given
to Cllr Lee.
33) Invitation to represent Christow Parish at DALC AGM 8 th October 2011 – no councilors available on that
date.
34) A personnel sub-committee has been set up consisting of Cllr Prowse (vice-chair), and Cllrs Woods and
Cann. A request for employment information to be supplied to the new sub-committee.
35) The kissing gate at the cemetery requires clearing and painting. Cllr Cann says Christopher Lerwell has
volunteered to do this; she will speak to him; all agreed.
36) Cllr Orme will enquire who owns Bennah Pound as it is in need of some attention.
37) Clerk to ascertain who is responsible for cutting the play park hedges.
38) A parishioner has mentioned the path from the old people’s bungalows can become slippery with leaves
from the overhanging trees. Cllr Archer has looked at the path, and does not consider it to be a hazard.
Items for Information
Annual house to house cancer collection will take place from 19 th September
The next Council meeting is on (proposed date) 11 th October
Meeting closed at 10pm.
Signed………………………………………………………… Date…………………………………………………
Office………………………………………………………….
Circulation Envelopes
The Flyer
Senior Council for Devon newsletter
Dunsford minutes June & July
DALC flyer
Results of DALC county committee elections
DNPA leaflets
Repair works on B3193
Clerks & Councils Direct

DNPA reports – see page 8 (marked)
Bridford minutes July
Bridord Parish Plan updated 2011-2015 for information.
TDC Standards Committee meeting.
DNPA meetings 2 nd September
Village Green
Community Council of Devon annual review
DALC newsletter