Parish Council Minutes March 2023 - The Widecombe-in-the-Moor Website

WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held in Leusdon Memorial Hall onThursday 2 March 2023 at 7.30pm

Members present: Councillor Elliott (Chairman for this meeting), Bibby, Butcher, Edwards, Fenton, Jones, Partridgeand Zab

Also present: County Cllr Gribble and District Cllr Nutley

Members of the Public: Two

Clerk: Suzanna Hughes

4864 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr Hassell
District Cllr Cox
Rob Steemson (DNPA)

4864 OPEN FORUM

No comments.

4865 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

Members were reminded of their responsibility to continually update their Notice of Registerable Interests andinvited to state whether they have any interest in the items to be discussed during this meeting in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Cllr Elliott declared an interest in items 4868(c) and 4870(b).

Cllr Bibby declared an interest in items 4868(c) and 4870(b).

Cllr Jones declared an interest in items 4868(b) and 4870(b).

There were no requests for dispensation.

4866 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES

Members received the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 26 January 2023 which were approvedas a true and correct record.

4867 REPORTS

(a) County Councillor

Cllr Gribble summarised a written report which he circulated to members (copy attached).Concerns were also expressed to Cllr Gribble about the state of the roads and the poor standard of pothole repairs. Cllr Gribble was also advised (as reported in January’s meeting) that the SnowWarden or Parish Council are not receiving the required level of support from DCC to service the grit bins.

(b) District Councillors

Cllr Nutley reported that he has contacted Green Spaces about the hedge behind the toilets but it hasbeen referred to the Car Parks department. He has spoken to the Car Parks manager about it but has not yet received an update.

Cllr Nutley circulated a document relating to TDC’s budget for 2023-24 detailing recommendations which have been approved by Full Council (copy attached).

No report

(d) Police Report

PCSO Paul Wilson (Chudleigh Police Office) sent a report covering the period 1 March 2022 – 27February 2023.

This report covers the parish of Widecombe which includes the village and surrounding areaon Dartmoor including its road network.

The Parish is served by the Neighbourhood Police team, working out of Ashburton Policestation and Chudleigh Police office. The Parish forms part of the Teignbridge Rural sector. The team is led by Sgt Seth Saunders, supported by PC Andy Dudley, at this time there is no dedicated PCSOfor the parish.

In the period 1st March 2022 to 27th February 2023 (up until 10.30am on 27th when report wascompiled) in the Widecombe area there have been 24 recorded offences:

Assaults: 3

Blackmail: 1

Criminal damage: 4

Dog worrying sheep: 5

Driving offence: 1

Harassment: 5

Sexual offences (non-assault): 2

Theft: 3

There were 27 other non-offence incidents in in this period, responded to by the Police. Theseinclude road traffic incidents, concerns for welfare, missing people, and anti-social behaviour.

Police have been carrying out patrols across this rural area and linking in with local farmers andbusinesses. We attended the Widcombe fair, working with Trading standards and giving advice around rural policing.

We are keen to hear any ideas that would help us support the local community in the future, particularly around Police surgery visits.

(e) Delegate Reports

None

4868 PROJECTS & ESTATES

(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Fenton, Partridge, Butcher and Bibby

(a) Parish Field

(i) Grazing licence: this opportunity was advertised in the parish but no tenders were received.An offer has been made by a parishioner to graze his sheep at no cost. It was proposed and agreed that his offer is accepted subject to signing the agreement, paying a £1 peppercornrent and supplying a copy of his insurance. It was agreed that Cllr Fenton would contact the parishioner to arrange this.

(b) Coronation

(i) Cllr Jones outlined plans for the coronation celebrations over the weekend 6 – 7 May. Theyare applying for a licence for a beer tent on the green. There will be a fireworks display in the evening of 6th May which will be let off from the churchyard. On Sunday, there will be anafternoon tea. Permission was requested to use the Village Green for the celebrations which was approved.

It was agreed that the clerk would check the insurance position. The event is not being organised by the Parish Council and therefore is unlikely to be covered by the Parish Council’spolicy.

(ii) Coronation Memorial

There was a discussion about a suitable Coronation memorial. Members discussed the planting of a tree on the green to replace the horse chestnut which is going to be felled.It was concluded that there was general support for a tree to be dedicated to the Coronation with some kind of written commemoration.

Members received a request to use the village green for a pop-up stall on 16 June to advertise thework of the Widecombe Community Hall and raise funds. This was agreed.

(d) Affordable Housing

Members noted that the new housing will also be known Brook Lane Cottages (odd numbers).

Members received the Allocations Plan. After noting the need for a couple of minor amendments,members authorised the clerk to sign the Allocations Plan subject to those amendments being made.

4869 PLANNING/LOCAL LIAISON

(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Edwards, Elliott, Jones & Zab)

(a) New planning applications/appeals

(i) 075/23 – Glebe Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Renovation and change of use of barn including roof extension (increase in height) to createground floor interpretation room and first floor storage area for historical agricultural implements previously excavated on Glebe Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Members noted a report by members of the Planning Committee and it was agreed to support this application as it would be a positive village asset.

(ii) 0046/23 – Mill House, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Erection of a garage/garden machinery store with workshop over for incidental use followingdemolition of an existing garage/store

Members agreed not to comment.

(iii) 0088/23 – Pink Cottage, Ponsworthy

Listed Building Consent – addition of chimney cowl to existing chimney pot to prevent furtherwater ingress

Members agreed to support this application.

(b) Planning Decisions/Withdrawals

(i) 22/0060 – Proposed Tree Works, Widecombe Green

Members noted that DNPA has confirmed that they are not protecting the horse chestnut with a TPO and therefore the proposed works can take place.

4870 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE

(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Edwards, Elliott, Jones & Zab)

(a) Payments

Members received and approved the following payments:

Clerk’s salary and disbursements (March & April) – £511.04
G Fenton – Tree stakes (Parish field) – £227.52
Church House (hire of hall April 2022-March 2023) – £50
Leusdon Memorial Hall (hire of hall Jan 2023) – £20

(b) Small Grants Scheme

Members considered applications for a small grant and approved the following awards:

£500 towards the Coronation event
£204 to Leusdon Memorial Hall for a replacement defibrillator battery
£500 to Widecombe Community Hall CIO towards the cost of connecting mains electricity in Hayes Field

It was agreed that an application from Spitchwick Cricket Club did not qualify under the terms of thegrant scheme.

4871 HIGHWAYS

Potholes and other highways maintenance issues can be reported direct to DCC:

Online: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/

Telephone: 0345 155 1004

Email: customer@devon.gov.uk

Highways issues had already been raised in the open forum.

4872 CORRESPONDENCE

None

4873 MEMBERS’ ITEMS FOR INFORMATION OR GENERAL DISCUSSION, FOR INCLUSION ON FUTUREAGENDAS AND/OR ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION

Members are reminded that they have not received the statutory notice of this business to be transacted andshould therefore recognise that any decision made may be taken to be unlawful if challenged in the future

None

4874 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The Annual Meeting of the Council will be held on 11 May 2023 at 7.30pm in Leusdon Memorial Hall, Leusdon.

Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….