WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held on Thursday 2 February 2012

in the Church House, Widecombe

Present:  Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Lewis, Morley, Nosworthy & Tempest.

In attendance: District Cllr Jeffrey, Geoffrey Fenton

Clerk:  Suzanna Hughes

Members of the Public: 1

OPEN FORUM

There were no comments from members of the public.

3364     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

  • Cllr Routley
  • Cllr Tame
  • Cllr Wallace
  • County Cllr Gribble

3365     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

(i)         Members 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. The Chairman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 3360 (a) (i) being the applicant.

(ii)       Members noted the changes relating to section 25 of the Localism Act relating to Predetermination which had been previously circulated to them.

3366     RATIFICATION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting on 5 January 2012 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

3367     POLICE REPORT

No report.

33568   COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

3369     DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

3370     DELEGATES REPORTS

Cllr Morley reported that he had attended a meeting of the Sports Group at which activities for the Jubilee celebrations had been discussed. A sub-committee has been formed to generate ideas for activities.  The Sports Group thanked the Parish Council for its support over the years.

3371     MATTERS ARISING

  1. Brook Lane Cottages/Housing Needs Survey – update

The clerk advised that, having contacted Hastoe Housing Association, the property at Brook Lane Cottages, has been offered to a prospective tenant, subject to conditions being met.  The prospective tenants had not yet accepted the offer.  The clerk further advised that, having checked the s.106 agreement, Hastoe Housing Association, is not obliged to consult with the Parish Council about the candidates.  Members indicated that they had been consulted when the cottages were originally allocated.  It was agreed that the clerk should write to Hastoe Housing Association to ask that the Parish Council be contacted once Hastoe has completed their shortlist.

(b)        Parish Field

            (i)         To invite tenders for 2012:

The clerk advised that notices had been displayed inviting tenders for 2012.  The applications would be considered in March’s meeting.

            (ii)        Repairs to boundaries, reseeding and refertilising:

The Chairman suggested that the Council ask the contractor who will be rebuilding the car park boundary to provide a quotation for making other repairs to the boundary of the field.

Members also agreed that the clerk should arrange for the field to be reseeded and refertilised after the boundary wall had been rebuilt at the beginning of March.

(c)        Heritage and Educational Centre – to receive an update

Anthony Beard was unable to attend the meeting.  The Chairman reported, however, that Lottery Funding may not come through until 2014 thus generating some despondency.

(d)        Core Strategy Consultation

The clerk advised that Teginbridge District Council were consulting on the ‘Core Strategy’ – a 20 year plan for the future planning of the District.  The document does not cover Dartmoor National Park but members were entitled to respond should they so wish.  This was noted.

(e)        Parish Plan and Neighbourhood Planning

The clerk advised that as well as producing a Parish Plan, the Council should give consideration to developing a Neighbourhood Plan.   The Chairman reminded members that volunteers from the parish were required to lead on the development of such a plan.

(f)         Queen’s Jubilee

(i)         Celebratory Evensong and Garden Parties - to nominate a representative to attend

            It was agreed to nominate Mike Pascoe.

(ii)        Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations - to receive a report following the meeting on 30 January and to confirm insurance arrangements The vicar explained that around 30 people had attended the meeting and a programme of events had been put together for 3-6 June.  The issue of insurance was discussed and it was agreed that the clerk would contact the Parish Council’s insurers about insuring the Jubilee events.  The next meeting will be held on 23 February. Cllr Tempest explained that Leusdon are arranging either a lunch or tea in the hall depending o whether the service is in the morning or in the evening on the first Sunday of the month.  Cllr Tempest will co-ordinate with Geoffrey Fenton about the arrangements once agreed.            

            (g)        Best Kept Village Competition 2012   

                                    It was agreed that the Parish Council would not enter this year

     3359            FINANCE

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

  • Cheque no 000756 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements  - £219.42
  • Cheque no 000757 - Widecombe Fair Committee - £787.10

Members also noted the Fair Balance Sheet for 2011.

3360     PLANNING

            (a)        New applications/appeals

No new applications.

            (b)        Decisions

(i)         0598/11 – Certificate of Lawfulness in respect of the use of a mobile home as an independent dwelling unit together with an associated chalet structure and garden area at land at Chittleford Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor  Members noted that DNPA has issued a certificate of lawful use or development for part of the use and development described in this application.

(ii)        0491/11 – Construction of permanent agricultural dwelling and related outbuildings, Blackdown Piper Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Members noted that DNPA have refused planning permission.

(c)                    The clerk advised that she was still awaiting a response from Stephen Belli re applications

0546/11 and 0574/11

3361                 CORRESPONDENCE

(a)        Commons Act 2006 – new entries in the register were noted.    

For circulation:

(b)        TDC  - Standards Committee

(c)        Teignbridge CVS – The Flyer

(d)        Clerk and Councils Direct

3362     HIGHWAYS                                         

(a)        Maintenance/Pothole map

Members noted a response from Highways responding to matters raised at the previous meeting.

(b)        Snow Warden scheme – everything is in place nothing to report.

(c)        No other issues were reported.

3363     MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN

A question was asked in respect of school meals coming to an end.  The Chairman agreed to speak to the school.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.05pm.

 

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

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 1st MARCH 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.