Welcome to Widecombe-in-the-Moor

in the Church House, Widecombe Present: Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Morley, Nosworthy, Seale, Tame and Wallace. Clerk: Suzanna Hughes Present:  2 members of the public. OPEN FORUM

• Prior to the start of the meeting, it was noted that the Grazing Licence for the Parish Field was signed by the tenant Lu Curnock and the Chairman, Rod Newbolt-Young, and witnessed by the clerk. A cheque for £200 was received, as agreed.
• Charles Godfrey, owner of Blackdown Piper Farm, spoke about his actions is relation to water from his land running-off into the road which was raised in the previous meeting. He has spoken to Highways about flushing it all through but the ultimate solution is to divert the water completely into the Oxbow thus avoiding the road altogether.
• Tim Jarvis (neighbour of Bagpark) expressed concern that there has been a lot of development at Bagpark over the last 2 years and is particularly worried about the latest planning application for a replacement single storey outbuilding.  He has written to the DNPA about it and has tried to speak with the applicants. He is also concerned about future applications. Having listened to his concerns, the Chairman advised him that the Parish Council would give careful consideration to future applications.

3124; APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCEReceived from Cllr Gribble.   3125     DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTMembers were reminded of their responsibility to update their Notice of Registerable Interests and were invited to state whether they have a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be discussed during this meeting.    None declared. The clerk advised members of the Widecombe Fair Committee that they should declare a personal interest when this was being discussed in future meetings. Having been sent information from the clerk about Pre-determination, pre-disposition and bias and the Code of Conduct, members confirmed their receipt and understanding. 3126     RATIFICATION OF MINUTESThe minutes of the Parish Council meeting dated 4^th March 2010 were approved all present and duly signed as a true and correct record. 3127     POLICE REPORTNo crime report. 3128     COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORTNo report. 3129     DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORTNo report.   3130     MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (a)        Review of Annual Parish Meeting The Chairman summarised, for the benefit of members of the public, that the Parish Council is looking to help form of a Steering Group to drive the Parish Plan forward. The clerk reported that, to date, she had received only one application for a grant. All applications would be discussed in the meeting in May. Cllr Tempest gave apologies for Audrey Mortimer for not attending the Annual Parish Meeting. Cllr Nosworthy thought that the Parish Council should follow up Anthony’s Beard’s comments at the Annual Parish Meeting about the maintenance of hedges and suggested that the clerk obtained some copies of the DCC ‘Roadside hedge and tree management’ leaflet which could be sent to landowners later in the year. It was agreed that this would be discussed again in the July meeting. (b)        Car park boundary wall and hedgeThe Chairman reported that having inspected the Parish Field he was shocked to find that hedge trimmings had been thrown into the field by TDC contractors. TDC has been contacted and these will be cleared away.   Also sheep had been escaping into the Field. The Chairman erected a temporary fence but more permanent repairs to the posts and fencing will be necessary. A quotation of £90 + materials had been obtained and it was agreed that the repairs should go ahead. The boundary wall is also collapsing and bulging in places. Having contacted TDC, the Chairman reported that the deeds show that the boundary wall is shared with the Parish Council. TDC are now obtaining quotes for the repairs and will be sharing the costs with the Parish Council.   (c)        Rural Aid Scheme 2010/11It was suggested that the form be given to the History Group for them to make an application for funding with their ‘reading room’ project. The clerk would contact Anthony Beard. (d)        TETRA InquiryThe Chairman advised members that he had represented the Parish at the re-opened Inquiry on 24^th-25^th March. He explained that his address had focused on procedural matters particularly in relation to the seemingly preferential treatment of the appellant. Address attached. A decision can be expected in the next 4 – 5 weeks. The Inspector will also make a decision about costs. The Chairman advised that, usually, each party will pay its own costs unless either side has ‘misbehaved’. (e)        Leusdon Church Annual Fun DayA request had been received to use the Village Green for the Fun Day on Tuesday 10^th August. This was agreed. (f)         Predisposition, predetermination or bias and the code            This item was dealt with at 3125 (b). (g)        AGM and Walk-about – to confirm date and timeIt was agreed that the walk-about would start at 6.45pm on 6^th May followed by the Annual General Meeting. The clerk advised members that Ranger Bill Allen, DNPA, was hoping to attend. (h)        Rural Skip Service            The clerk advised that the service was planned for Saturday 11^th September. However, given the proximity of the date to Widecombe Fair on 14^th September, it was agreed that the clerk would ask for this to be re-arranged for Saturday 18^th September instead. 3131     PLANNING(a)        New applications/appeals                         (i)         0120/10 – Land at Lower Dunstone (Field No 6148), WidecombeErection of agricultural building (9m x 6m)                                     It was agreed that the Parish Council would raise no objections.             (b)        Decisions (i)             0539/10 – Blackdown Piper Farm, WidecombeConstruction of an agricultural building and hardstanding Granted conditionally                                         (ii)         0019/10 – East Shallowford Farm, Widecombe                                     Timber conservatory                                    Granted conditionally (ii)            0035/10 0 Arqiva Transmitting Station, Blackslade Farm, WidecombeInstallation of one 0.75m VSAT dish antenna and associated feeder cables Granted conditionally (c)           Planning concerns – Parishioners notified the Parish Council that concerns have been expressed to the DNPA over recent applications at Bagpark and Blackdown Piper Farm. The Chairman asked those parishioners to keep the Parish Council informed.            3132     CORRESPONDENCE             (a)        TDC – Household Recycling Collection Service   From 6^th April, TDC will be collecting unwanted clothes, shoes and textiles for recycling. Residents will be asked to place unwanted textiles in a carrier bag, which then needs to be tied and left alongside their recycling boxes on their usual recycling day.(b)        Clerk & Councils Direct (c)        Green Communities – Energy Saving Trust(d)        DCC – Devon Talk – Spring 2010TDC Council (Budget) Meeting – 22 Feb 2010             (e)        Energy Saving Trust – Green Communities            (f)         TDC – Agenda of Council meeting – 6^th April             (g)        Duty of Regard – Natural England            (h)        DAPC Newsletter – March/April 2010             (i)         TDC – Development Control Committee – Agenda 3133     HIGHWAYS                  (a)        Maintenance/Pothole map          Potholes were marked on the map to be sent to DCC.Clerk also to alert Highways about missing/broken road signs, in particular at Chittleford Cross, Merry Park, Hemsworthy Gate, Sercombe Cross and Ford Bridge. (b)        No other issues were raised.                                          3134     DELEGATES REPORTS Cllr Tempest gave a report following the AGM of the Church House Management Committee where there was a lot of discussion about the damp wall. The Committee received £150 from St Pancras. The numbers at the Playgroup had dropped significantly to only 9 children and it was therefore agreed that they would pay half rent next term. Cllr Morley reported that there had been a meeting of the Sports Group with changes being made to the tug of war. A more detailed report would be given next month.             A letter of thanks had been received from Leusdon PCC for the grant of £75 made by the Parish Council. 3135     MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN             No further matters.        3136     FINANCE             (a)        Payments for approval:§ Cheque no 000695 – Clerk’s salary and disbursements for March – £255.32 §     Cheque no 000696 – R Newbolt-Young – refreshments for APM – £40.88  §     Cheque no 000697 – Norma Tempest – £7.20 (b)        The following account balances as at 31 March 2010 were noted:§ Current account – £1731.32