1. PRESENT: Cllr. M. Collier (Chairman), 4 Parish Councillors and 43 members of the public and the Parish Clerk (Miss H. Kirkcaldie).

2. GUEST SPEAKER: the Chairman introduced Dr. David Ingles, Chairman of the Kilmington Village Design Statement group who had been invited to give a presentation on the Village Design Statement.

Dr. Ingles began his talk by explaining the relationship between the Parish Plan and the Village Design Statement. He stressed that it considered Kilmington in the setting of its wider environment. He said that in the early development of the village, the Tucker family of Coryton Park had had a major influence, which despite changes in recent years, was still apparent today.

He said that Village Design Statements had been introduced about 18 years ago and gave an opportunity for a community to try to influence the planning process so that it took residents’ views into consideration. Once adopted it becomes what is termed “supplementary planning guidance”. It would not override the authority of the District Council. He urged Parish Councillors to ensure that planning applications complied with the aspirations set out in the Village Design Statement. The Kilmington Village Design Statement had been compiled as the result of holding exhibitions to consult public opinion. Rapid change in the village since 1960 had produced challenges. The draft document was now available. It contained three key aims and thirty recommendations. Dr. Ingles asked residents to submit any comments on the draft document by 5th May so that these could be considered and any amendments made so that the final draft could be considered for approval at the next Parish Council meeting.

Dr. Ingles then took questions from the floor. At the conclusion of his talk, copies of the draft design statement were distributed.

Cllr. Collier thanked Dr. Ingles for his informative presentation.

Refreshments were taken at this point.

3. APOLOGIES: Cllrs. Bolton, Dare, Hodges and Penzer had sent their apologies, as had Mr. Marsh and Mr. and Mrs. Kerslake.

4. MINUTES OF 2010 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: Mr. Foster, seconded by Mr. Quincy, proposed that these be approved. Agreed.

5. MATTERS ARISING: no matters were raised.

6. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Cllr. Collier began by observing that this was the last Annual Parish meeting before the elections. He thanked his fellow Councillors for their work during the four years since the last election year, referring to the various aspects of the Parish Council’s work in which each had taken a particular interest. He paid tribute to Cllrs. Dare and Hurford who were not seeking re-election after many years’ service on the Council. He thanked the many other residents of the parish who undertake responsibilities such as monitoring the footpaths and keeping an eye on the local trees. He thanked District Councillor Chubb and County Councillor Moulding for their support during the year.

Cllr. Collier then spoke of the wide range of planning applications which come before the Parish Council, some of which are routine and some of which are more controversial. In the latter category, he spoke particularly of the plans to locate a new Baptist Chapel on a green field site to the east of the junction of George Lane and Shute Road. Following comments made at some well-attended public meetings, amended plans were being submitted for consideration.

Also under the broad umbrella of planning came matters to do with enforcement, where residents were undertaking construction without the benefit of planning permission or not adhering to agreed plans. The Village Design Statement on which work had been undertaken during the past twelve months would, once agreed, form supplementary planning guidance, as Dr. Ingles had already explained in his earlier presentation.

Kilmington had gained 97 marks in the Best Kept Village Competition but had not been placed.

Cllr. Collier said that it had not been possible to make progress with affordable housing because of the difficult financial climate and he regretted that the travellers’site in the Shute Woods was another issue which was unresolved and a cause of concern to the Parish Council and local residents. Success stories had been approval for the extension of the twenty mile an hour speed limit on Whitford Road and the imminent installation of the flashing speed sign on the A35 as the final item in the speed control measures on that road.

6. PLAYING FIELD REPORT: The Chairman read a written report in which Cllr. Bolton stated that the playing field was kept in first class condition as the result of hard work throughout the year by a team of dedicated volunteers. He said that letting income from the Paviliion was welcome and had enabled its redecoration and also retiling of the kitchen and toilets. Dog fouling remained a problem on occasions.

7. SCHOOL REPORT: Cllr. Huscroft said that pupil numbers remained steady at 87. Of the new year’s intake, half were from the village and half from outwith the parish. Results at all levels were in line with or above County and National averages. Kilmington is in the top 5% of primary schools, nationally. Cllr. Huscroft gave details of activities across a wide spectrum ranging from gardening to drama, art to muffin making. She said that instead of residential courses there had been outdoor activity sessions in the south west area. The school continues to be a base offering training to new teachers. Improvements to the school playground are being undertaken and redecoration has been done by volunteers.

Cllr. Huscroft concluded by reporting that an interim inspection by the Office for Standards in Education had said that the previous high standard achieved was being maintained, which was a fitting tribute to the hard work of staff and pupils.

8. THE COMMON: the Clerk reported that £60 had been expended during the past year on cutting the grass on The Common. This was funded by the Parish Council from the Precept. Devon County Council , which had advised the Parish Council some years ago regarding management of the vegetation in the centre had just contacted the Chairman to say that they would be undertaking a periodic assessment of this area within the coming months. The Clerk said that this report would be discussed by the Parish Council when it was received. She concluded by saying that negotiations were on-going with the Charity Commission regarding a merger of The Common with the Playing Field Association for administrative purposes but all funding would continue to be provided by the Parish Council.

9. VILLAGE WEBSITE: in a written report, Mrs. Vickers had said that visits to the website were up by 20% during the past year and now stood at 11,000. More photographs will be added to the gallery shortly. She urged people to let her have as much information as possible about village matters to put on the web.

10. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: there was no progress to report over the past year.

REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR: Cty. Cllr. Moulding began by saying that he was now Vice-chairman of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee. He said that the County Council had had to make severe spending reductions to balance its books. Despite this there would increased spending on social care issues, schools and no closures of libraries. There would be reduced maintenance of bridges, footpaths and public rights of way but there had been extra funding from central government to enable repairs to potholes following the severe weather before Christmas. The rural skip service was being withdrawn and charges were being introduced for many items at Civic Amenity Sites.

Cty. Cllr Moulding said that he regretted that as a result of the cut backs the changes in the speed limit positions in Whitford Road would be delayed until match funding could be found.

Referring to the encampment on Roman Road, he said that incidents where residents have justifiable cause for concern whilst using the woods should be detailed in writing to the Parish Clerk for passing on to the County Council.

Cty. Cllr. Moulding concluded his report by stating that he had contributed towards snow clearing equipment for the Village Hall Car Park and towards the cost of a fire alarm system for the Village Hall from his locality budget.

11. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT: Dist. Cllr. Chubb said that the year had started with the retention of the status quo as far as District and County Councils in Devon. The big issue for all levels of Government is how to cut costs and keep services. He outlined his areas of specialism within the District Council. He commended the community spirit in Kilmington and thanked the Parish Council for its work.

12. FOOTPATH REPORT – this was not available.

13. PUBLIC FORUM: in response to a question regarding the acoustics in the pavilion, the Chairman said that steps were being taken to try to rectify this problem.