WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held on Thursday 3 November 2011

in the Church House, Widecombe

Present:  Councillors Booty (Chairman), Morley, Routley and Tempest.

In attendance: County Cllr Gribble

Clerk:  Suzanna Hughes

Members of the Public: 1

OPEN FORUM

There were no comments from members of the public.

3338     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Received from:

  • Cllr Newbolt-Young
  • Cllr Wallace
  • Cllr Tame
  • Cllr Nosworthy

3339     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were reminded of their responsibility to update their Notice of Registerable Interests and were this meeting.

Cllr Booty declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 3345 (a) (i) as a relative of the applicant.

3340     RATIFICATION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting on 6 October 2011 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

3341     POLICE REPORT

No report.

3342     COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Gribble reported that he had attended the Fair dinner at the Moorlands Hotel which he had enjoyed.  He also advised members of the temporary road closure on Thursday 24 November affecting Southcombe Cross to Lady Meadow Terrace.  The restriction will be to enable utility works (replacement pole).

3343     DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

3344     MATTERS ARISING

(a)        Widecombe Fair

  1. To discuss arrangements for next year It was agreed that in the absence of five members, this item would be deferred until January.
  1. To note the Widecombe Fair Open Meeting on 8 November and arrange for a representative to attend.

Cllr Morley advised that he would be attending as a member of the Widecombe Fair Committee but would be happy to attend as a Parish Councillor as well.  It was suggested that the clerk sent a reminder to all members.

(b)        Heritage & Educational Centre - to receive a response from TDC following request to transfer land back to the Parish Council. The Clerk advised that a formal response from TDC had not yet been received yet although it had been suggested that the transfer of the land would be unlikely.    It was agreed to wait for a formal response prior to any further action being taken.

(c)        Housing Needs Survey – to discuss the way forward

Sue Hitchcock from the Community Council of Devon has suggested a site appraisal meeting.  Members agreed that this would be a good idea.  The clerk would circulate proposed dates once received from CCD.

Parish Plan – the clerk advised that she had received correspondence from  Martin Rich, CCD, asking how the parish was progressing with the Parish Plan.  As no progress had been made, it was agreed to include this on January’s agenda.  In the meantime, the clerk would ask Cllr Newbolt-Young to speak to the school as it had expressed interest previously.

(d)        Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations – to consider parish event(s) 

            A meeting has been organised by the PCC on 15 November in Church House to consider how the parish will mark the event.  It was agreed that the clerk should ask Cllr Newbolt-Young whether he would be able to attend.  She would also send a reminder to all councillors reminding them of the date.

3345     PLANNING

            (a)        New applications/appeals

(i)         0518/11 – Installation of photovoltaic panels to south facing roof of property at West Sherril, Poundsgate

 [Cllr Booty, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest, left the meeting for this item]

            Members agreed to support the application.

            (b)        Decisions

There were no decisions to report.

3346     CORRESPONDENCE

(a)        Boundary Commission – 2013 Review of Parliamentary constituencies in England

It was agreed that as the proposals did not affect the parish, no comment was necessary.

(b)        Information sheets – Mel Stride.  Contact information was noted.

 3347    HIGHWAYS                                         

(a)        Maintenance/Pothole map

No new potholes were noted.

 (b)       Snow Warden scheme – update

Miles Fursdon would be attending the training on 4 November.  As many as 37 parishioners have volunteered to help.

            (c)        To report on any other highways issues.

            No other issues were reported.

3348     DELEGATES REPORTS

Cllr Tempest  reported that she had attended the Church House meeting.  She advised that the National Trust has complained that a white line has been painted on the edge of the stone steps leading upstairs.  A lot of electrical work is required.  It has been agreed that the first three urgent things will be carried out as a priority but the Committee may approach the Parish Council for help to fund the other work.

3349     MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN

None.

3350     FINANCE

(a)        The following payments were approved and cheques signed:

  • Cheque no 000751 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements - £442.84
  • Cheque no 000752 – TDC (Toilets for Widecombe Fair) - £230.28

(b)        The bank reconciliation was noted.

 There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.25pm.

 

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

 

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 5th JANUARY 2012.

Members of the public and press are welcome to attend any Parish Council Meeting and make comment at the start of the meeting which begins at 7.30pm.