WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

held on Thursday 3 May 2012

in the Church House, Widecombe

Present:  Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Morley, Nosworthy, Routley, Tame &Tempest

In attendance: County Cllr Gribble, District Cllr Jeffery, Bill Allen (DNPA)

Clerk:  Suzanna Hughes

Members of the Public: 1

OPEN FORUM

Anthony Beard advised that he had found the Millennium Book which is now in the Parish Chest. He also confirmed that The Rugglestone Inn would like a copy of the Rugglestone Friendly Society Rule Book and Membership Card.   The History Group has digitised some material which contains names of people who are still alive – advice is therefore being sought regarding the Data Protection Act. Cllr Nosworthy sought the permission of the Parish Council to loan the chest with three keys to the Rugglestone Inn so that it can be displayed with the Rule Book and Membership Card.  It was agreed to write to the Rugglestone Inn offering them the opportunity to borrow the chest for display.

3403     ELECTION OF OFFICERS

            (a)        Chairman

Nominations were received for Cllr Booty and Cllr Tame but both were declined. Cllr Tame proposed that Cllr Newbolt-Young be re-elected as Chairman.  This was seconded by Cllr Nosworthy with all in agreement.

            (b)        Vice Chairman

Cllr Tame proposed that Cllr Booty is re-elected as Vice Chairman.  This was seconded by Cllr Tempest with all in agreement.

            (c)        Other delegates

Cllr Newbolt-Young proposed that Cllr Wallace continue as Communications Officer.  This was agreed by all provided Cllr Wallace is prepared to accept the position.  As Cllr Wallace was not present this would be confirmed at the next meeting. It was agreed that Cllr Tame would act as the Parish’s tree consultant.  It was agreed that Cllr Morley would continue to represent the Parish Council on the Widecombe Fair Committee and Widecombe & District Sports Group. Cllr Tempest agreed to continue to serve on the Educational Trust and on the Church House Trust.  It was agreed that Cllr Lewis may wish to represent the parish’s highways issues prepared she is prepared to accept the position.    As Cllr Lewis as not present this would be confirmed at the next meeting.

It was agreed to write to Miles Fursdon thanking him for his efforts as Snow Warden and to confirm whether he wishes to continue with this role.

3404     CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

The Chairman signed the declaration of acceptance of office which was witnessed by the clerk.

3405     CHAIRMAN’S ALLOWANCE

            The Chairman’s Allowance of £100 was approved.

3406     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

  • Cllr Lewis

3407     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.  There were no interests declared.

3408     RATIFICATION OF MINUTES

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

3409     POLICE REPORT

No police report.

3410     COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Gribble reported that he had been looking at requests for speed guns/machines between            Ponsworthy and Widecombe to safeguard horseriders and walkers.  He also still intends to go to Lower Town to look at issues raised by Cllr Nosworthy.

3411     DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Jeffery advised that he had been responding to concerns about flytipping – number plates have been taken

3412     DELEGATES REPORTS

No reports.

3413     FINANCE

(a)        Payments for approval:

The following cheques were approved for payment:

  • Cheque no 000763 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements  - £221.90
  • Cheque no 000764 - Paul Edworthy - £1,950
  • Cheque no 000765 - Cllr Newbolt-Young (Refreshments for APM) - £33.99
  • Cheque no 000766 - DNPA – (1 year’s rent of North Hall field) - £15.00

(b)        Receipts:

(i)         Precept - Members noted receipt of the first instalment of the precept - £2884.37 -

                                    which includes the deduction for DALC membership

(ii)        Receipt of TDC’s contribution towards the cost of repairs to the car park boundary wall (£600) was noted.

(c)        Audit 2011/12

(i)         Members received and approved the year end bank reconciliation, the End of Year Summary and Accounts and completed the Statement of Assurance in order that the papers can be sent for external Audit.

(ii)        It was agreed that this Council is confident that the internal audit arrangements provide excellent reassurance for the public that the financial systems are robust and fit for purpose and to continue with the appointment of Ken Abraham as the Internal Auditor to the Parish Council.

               (d)          Insurance

Members reviewed the insurance cover together with the renewal policy.  It was agreed to maintain cover with the existing insurers, Community First (Zurich) which, for one year, would cost £149.94 (cheque 767).  It was agreed that the clerk should notify the insurance company of the Parish Chest and of the Saxton’s Well.  It was also agreed that the Chairman and Cllr Tame would carry out a risk assessment of the Well.

3414     MATTERS ARISING

(a)        Walkabout Inspection

The following items were noted:

  • The telegraph posts supporting the mound for the slide are rotting and two are missing
  • the sign at the bottom of the hill (opposite the tennis courts) is leaning into the tree.   Bill Allen agreed to look into it.
  • The ditch at the bottom of the hill (opposite the tennis court) needs digging out
  • Bill Allen agreed to look at the rail next to the style adjacent to the tennis courts.
  • It was noted that the branches of the group of trees next to the tennis courts were beginning to encroach into the road.  It was agreed that the clerk would contact Brian Beasley, DNPA.
  • The tarmac opposite the exit to the Old Inn car park has not been compacted properly at the edge of the recently dug trench and is now cracking and a pothole has formed.
  • The road surface is poor around the inspection panels outside ‘Foxley’ opposite the tea/coffee hut
  • A panel is missing from the fence near the Cafe on the Green and car park.  Cllr Jeffrey agreed to contact TDC.
  • The clerk was asked to check the permitted stopping times in the car park for those using the Post Office in the Cafe on the Green
  • The wall between the car park and the Cafe on the Green is falling down.  It was agreed that the clerk would carry out a Land Registry search on the track running parallel to the wall to establish ownership.
  • A stone is missing from the wall at the junction of Bonehill and Widecombe Hill. 
  • Cllr Morley advised members that an informal request had been made to the Parish Council to restore the leat running through the Parish Field.  It was agreed that Cllr Morley would ask for the request to be made in writing to the Parish Council in order for it to be formally considered.

(b)        Widecombe Tithe Apportionments

Members received and approved a request from the Devon Records Office for a copy of the transcripts for inclusion in the Devon-wide project.

It was further agreed that Anthony Beard would find out the cost of reproducing the set with a view to selling the CD commercially.

3415     PLANNING

(a)        New applications/appeals

None

            (b)        Decisions

(i)         0107/12 – Erection of single storey lean-to extension, South Lake Cottage, Poundsgate

Members noted that DNPA have granted conditional planning permission.

`           (d)        DNPA: The Development Management and Delivery Plan document

Having read the document, members did not wish to make a formal response.

3416     CORRESPONDENCE

(a)        Members received notification that the bounds of Ashburton will be ‘beaten’ over the weekend of 19/20 May as part of the Jubilee celebrations.  This was noted.

All other correspondence was placed in the circulation folder for information.

3417     HIGHWAYS                                         

(a)        Maintenance/Pothole map

            The map was marked with issues to be brought to the attention of DCC Highways.

(b)        Other highways/footpaths issues reported:

  • The cattle grid at the bottom of Thorn Hill Lane is blocked
  • The poor state of the lane at the bottom of Lower Town
  • The footpath across the field at the bottom of Widecombe Hill passing through Barton has been rutted up with tractor tyres making it difficult to walk along.  Bill Allen agreed to look at this.
  • Church Lane Head – sign to Buckland has been knocked off.

3418     MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN

None.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.55pm.

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

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 14th JUNE 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.