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Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Widecombe Parish Council Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting held at Leusdon Memorial Hall on Thursday 4th January 2001
PRESENT : Mr.N.Smerdon (Chairman), Mr.R.Newbolt-Young (Vice), Mr.S.Booty, Mr.M.Nosworthy, Mr.M.Pascoe, Mrs.M.Phipps, Mrs.N.Tempest, Mr.C.Whale, Mr.M.Yates.
APOLOGIES : None.
IN ATTENDANCE : Cllr.Mr.H.Whitley, one member of the public and the Clerk Mr.P.Roper.
2381 MINUTES : The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 23rd.Novemer 2001 were signed by the Chairman as being an accurate record of the meeting.
2382 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
(i) Local Needs Housing Tenancy : the Chairman reported that three Councellors had met Mrs.Dearlove from the Hastoe Housing Association to discuss the details of the tenancies. All agreed it had been a good meeting and that Hastoe were conducting the process very well.
The Clerk delivered the letter from Hastoe which contained the final list of the allocations. It was reported that all the successful applicants had accepted and would be moving into the Houses in the New Year.
A second letter from Hastoe H.A. inviting Councellors to view the completed properties at 12.00 noon on Wednesday 17th January 2001. Colour cards will be made available for the selection of exterior finishings.
The question of responsibility for care of the grass verges and footpaths was raised. It was decided to inquire about this matter at the site meeting on the 17th.
(ii) Cattle in the Village : the Clerk reported from a copy of a letter received from the County Solicitor on this topic. In this letter it was stated that "Owners of cattle would be responsible for any damage done to hedges and property by their animals whilst not on common land." As the roads and verges in the village are not on common land, the village is not included within the area of CL 68.
The implications of this would be taken up later by the newly elected officers of Widecombe Commoners Association and reported back to the Parish Council.
(iii) Car Parking in the Village : a letter of reply from the Hon. Secretary of the Widecombe and District Local History Group on the topic of road congestion caused by car parking in the village was received. The matter as far as it concerns the History Group would be self monitored.
(iv) Motor Events Across the Moors : a letter has been received from the Internet about excessive noise caused by motor bikes during an event recently. After discussion it was decided to refer the matter back to the West of England Motor Cycle Club at Torquay.
(v) Introduction of Car Park Charges by TDC at Widecombe Car Park : a letter from the Working Party on this topic has been received from Mr.Cocker of TDC. In this letter it was stated that Widecombe would be included in the proposals to introduce seasonal charges.
It would seem therefore that this working party had ignored the strongly held views of the Parish Council that there should be no charges at Widecombe Car Park.
It was decided to write a forceful letter to the Chairman and executive members of the Teignbridge District Council before the matter went before the Executive Committee asking for the matter to be reconsidered.
(vi) Notice Board at Church House : a letter from Mr.Robinson of the National Trust has been received on this topic. It contained a veiled threat that unless the board in question was re-painted the colour black, it should be removed from its present site.
The Chairman reported that the matter was in hand and that it had been the very wet weather that had held things up.
(vii) North Hall Playing Field Charity Commission Registration : the Clerk reported that this administration for the Charity Commission needed to be completed by the Treasurer of the Sports Club. Mr.Pascoe kindly agreed to take the forms to the Treasurer Mrs.Claxton.
(viii) Bridle Path Map : the Clerk has found the file containing the said map. Mr.Newbolt-Young agreed to examine it and make recommendations to the next Council Meeting.
2383 CORRESPONDENCE
(i) DAPC Policy Document & Rural White Paper : placed for circulation. The Clerk pointed out that there was included with the Government White Paper a pamphlet summary which made the task of understanding it less arduous.
(ii) S.Devon Womens Aid Outreach Project : literature and posters on this topic were taken by various Councillors for posting throughout the Parish.
(iii) Countywide Reduced Fare Travel Scheme : placed for circulation.
(iv) Charity Commission News : this twice yearly news letter was placed for circulation.
(v) TALC Bickington PC letter : the next meeting of TALC is to be held on 25th January 2001. The Chairman agreed to attend to discuss the vexed topic of the state of the minor roads in the County.
(vi) Display of Electoral Registers : various Councillors took the registers for display throughout the Parish at the usual places.
(vii) Flooding Survey : the Clerk thanked those Councillors who had reported back to him during December on any incidents of houses being flooded. There were only three cases and these had been included in the return to TDC.
Mr.Pascoe suggested that there was a garage on Church land near the Post Office in Widecombe which might be used to store dry sand bags supplied by TDC. He offered to inquire about this possibility and report back to the next meeting.
2384 PLANNING
(i) 0559/00 Old Glebe House Amended Plans : a revision of the number of car parking places within the planning application. Recommended for approval.
(ii) 0776/00 Rogues Roost : two storey replacement of existing single story building. Recommended for approval and would improve the area. (Mr.Booty declared an interest).
(iii) Planning consent for : Corndon Farm and Sweaton Farm Polytunnel.
(iv) 0754/00 Natsworthy Manor : Timber Summerhouse/Chalet. This was recommended provided the Chalet was not used as a unit of living accommodation.
(v) Refusal of Planning: Oldsbrim, Poundsgate, New Three bedroom accommodation.
(vi) Sweaton Farm : Engineering works. (The Chairman declared an interest and left the room) The reason for inclusion of a safety bund was questioned. It was also questioned whether a twin track concrete drive way had been given planning consent.
The Clerk was asked to inform the Planning Officer that the Parish Council requested a site inspection after the completion of the works. The Council was happy that the DNPA were monitoring the situation.
2385 HIGHWAYS
(i) Both the Chairman and the Clerk reported that there has been no reply or communication from the DCC Highways Department on the matter of the lack of adequate minor road repairs and maintenance. The Clerk reported that he had asked Mr.Heath the Director to give some reassure that his Department were aware of the poor condition of the roads.
After discussion it was decided to write to the Chairman of DCC on the matter.
2386 MATTERS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
(i) Chaos on local roads during snowfalls : several Councillors reported that there had been dangerous chaos on roads and at various parts of the Moors during the recent snowfalls. A large number of sightseers had converged on the area many of whom seemed unaware of the dangers of ice and snow and that farmers fields were private land.
The litter and debris left behind was considerable. (Even an inflatable boat left in a field!) Despite all the dangers the police were conspicuous by their absence. There were a number of rescues required.
It was decided that the Clerk should inform both the Police and DNPA that these dangers could have been avoided if certain roads had been closed for safety reasons.
(ii) Theft by Break-in at Church House : it was reported that there has been a burglary at Church House. A Clock and various other items were stolen. The Church House Committee are now reviewing security at the premises.
Finding a new home for the Parish Chest is being considered as a consequence.
(iii) Millennium Photograph Album : the whereabouts of the Album are still not known. The Council understood that there was a great deal of interest in this project but that the Parish Council should be in control of the circulation of the Album. It was suggested that it should be stored in the Parish Chest and therefore signed for when borrowed.
2387 FINANCE
(i) Income : Deposit Account £38.80
(ii) Transfer from Deposit Account : agreed to transfer £1,000 into current account.
(iii) Discretionary Rate Relief for North Hall Playing Field : to be applied for.
(iv) TDC Parish Precepts 2001/02 : reconsidered but remains at £2,500 per year.
(v) Clerk's Salary and disbursements £120.82
(vi) Clerk's Salary/Disbursements Review : the Clerk was asked to inquire from DAPC (Mrs.Lesley Smith) about the current rates of pay and travel expenses.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.40 pm.
The next meeting will be held at Leusdon Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm. on 1st February
The information on this page was last modified on September 13 2005 17:46:54.