Election of Parish Councillors

Because only 10 people have applied to become parish councillors to fill 13 places those 10 people will be returned as councillors unopposed. The remaining 3 places will be filled by inviting applicants to be co-opted. This invitation has allready been posted and applicants will be considered for election at the Annual Council Meeting on Thursday 19th May.

The Annual Parish Meeting

The Stokenham Annual Parish Meeting convened by the parish council will take place in the parish hall on Wednesday 16th March at 7.30 pm. This meeting is for all parishioners and it is your opportunity to raise matters relevent to the parish. This year as well as brief reports on parish activities over the last 12 months it is hoped to receive suggestions and ideas for updating the parish plan. Also to encourage parishioners to stand for council at the forthcoming elections on the 5th May. Existing councillors will be on hand to give help and advice on the role both during the meeting and informaly afterwards over refreshments.
If you have ever considered representing your fellow parishioners why not come along and find out more about it. If you have any concerns for you parish, ideas and suggestions then why not come along and share them with others.
Peter Greening,
Chairman, Stokenham Parish Council.

Stokenham Residents Action Group

At a well attended open meeting in the parish hall residents of Stokenham elected a chairman, joint secretaries and 8 members of a committee to represent the Stokenham Residents Action Group. The main purpose of the group being to object to the size of the development proposed for the village and at the same time suggest a smaller development on an alternative and prefered site. Representaion by the group to be made to an inspectors hearing of South Hams District Council proposals in November received the support of the meeting.

HELMER'S DEVELOPEMENT

The parish hall was full when council at their September Planning Committee Meeting considered the full planning application by Taylor Wimpey to develop the Helmer's site in Chillington. Many and diverse comments were directed to council and representatives of the Developer and the South hams District Panning Officer. Also present to listen to the views expressed were District Councillor John Baverstock and County Councillor Julian Brazil.
Although council in reaching their decision agreed in principle with the application, an objection was registered due to concerns over access and the provision of parking.
The full minutes of this meeting including the other matters discussed will posted after acceptance and signing at the council meeting on Thursday 16th September.

HELMER’S DEVELOPMENT CHILLINGTON
The full planning application for this development together with other planning applications will be considered by the planning committee of the parish council at a meeting on Monday 6th September in Stokenham Parish Hall at 7.30 pm when representatives of the developer Taylor Wimpey will be present to answer questions. Members of the public are welcome to attend and may address council on parish matters during open forum at the beginning of the meeting.


PARISH COUNCIL ELECTION 2011
Next May your parish council comes up for election. Representing some 2,000 people in one of the largest parishes in Devon, Stokenham Parish Council has 13 councillors who serve for a 4 year term. If you have an interest in your community and its people and ever thought of becoming a councillor now would be a good time to find out how the parish council works and what would be involved. Perhaps attend one or two council meetings to help you decide whether you would like to standAlternatively visit the parish website and see “council general notices”. For more information please contact the clerk or one of your existing councillors.

NEW COUNCILLOR

To fill the advertised vacancy your council at a meeting in August co-opted Mr. Mark Taylor onto the parish council. Mark who lives with his wife and three children at Beesands is a Chartered Accountant and is currently employed by the Dartington Hall Trust.

Over 80 members of the public attended the June meeting of the parish council to voice their concerns and opposition to proposed housing development sites on the southern boundary of Stokenham village. The sites in question result from a detailed exercise the results of which are open to comment up to 2nd July 2010. Council agreed to convey to the district council the strength of feeling expressed by many of those present. A minority of those attending some 13% indicated support for the proposals expressing the view that there was an urgent need for additional housing to sustain the well being of the village. Council emphasised the need for individuals to write to the district council with their comments before the end of the period of consultation.

Parish Council Affairs

At the Annual Meeting of Stokenham Parish Council Councillor Peter Greening was re-elected Chairman and Councillor Richard Foss Vic-Chairman. Other councillors were appointed to various committees and to represent council on outside bodies.
Parish Plan Up-date - A questionnaire will be distributed to all households with the council summer newsletter. It is also hoped to publish the questionnaire on line. Any suggestions for improvements to the parish would be more than welcome and may be made on this blog.

Stokenham Annual Parish Meeting

The 2010 Annual Parish meeting will be held in Stokenham Parish hall on Tuesday 20th April at 7.30 pm. This is the peoples meeting when everyone is encouraged to have their say. After brief formalities the main topic of the meeting will be the up-dating of the parish plan which was launched in 2004 and much of which has been competed. A review of achievments will be displayed and ideas for new objectives will be invited. Much of the meeting will be devoted to informal discussion with councillors and refreshments will be served.
For those unable to attend, comments on this blog would be welcome. Let your council know what it is about your parish you are not happy about, what you would like to see improved, what you would like to see changed and what you would like new. Your assistance would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Chairman,
Stokenham Parish Council.

THE STOKENHAM PARISH PILOT
The pilot project of devolving community services from District and County Councils of toilet cleaning, street cleaning and litter collection has now been extended for a second six months to include grass cutting. The pilot is being continually monitored and reviewed and any comments and suggestions including notification of problem areas will be welcomed either on this blog or direct to the Parish Clerk tel. 01548 581185.
Chairman, Parish Council.